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Independence Day (Armenia)

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Independence Day
Armenian: Հայաստանի անկախության օր
Decorations marking the 25th anniversary of Armenia's independence, 2016
Observed by Armenia
Armenia Armenian diaspora
TypeState
SignificanceThe day the Armenian SSR voted in a referendum in 1991 to gain and restore independence from the Soviet Union.
Celebrationsfireworks, concerts, military parades (from 1996 to 2016)
DateSeptember 21
Next time21 September 2026 (2026-09-21)
Frequencyannual
Related toIndependence of Armenia from Soviet Union

The Independence Day of Armenia (Armenian: Հայաստանի անկախության օր) is one of the main national and state holidays of Armenia, celebrated annually on September 21. Dedicated to the restoration of Armenia's independence from the Soviet Union.

Independence Day symbolizes the revival of Armenian statehood, which was interrupted by the fall of the First Republic and the establishment of Soviet rule in 1920.

History

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On August 23, 1990, Supreme Council adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Armenia proclaiming the Armenian SSR abolished and the establishment of the Republic of Armenia.[1] Armenia refused to sign the New Union Treaty. After the failed August putsch, the people of Armenia voted in a referendum to proclaim independence from the Soviet Union on September 21, 1991. Levon Ter-Petrosyan was elected the first president of Armenia in November 1991. On December 21, 1991, Armenia joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Armenia gained independence formally on December 26 in connection with the dissolution of the USSR.[2]

This is the second declaration of independence in modern Armenian history, the first having occurred on May 28, 1918, which led to the formation of the First Republic of Armenia. This First Armenian Republic was short-lived due to its partition by the Soviet Russia and Turkish Nationalist forces in late 1920.[3]

Celebratory events

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Fireworks in Republic Square

On Independence Day, ceremonies are held in Yerevan and other cities with the participation of the country's leadership, including speeches by the president and prime minister and flower-laying ceremonies at monuments to national heroes and memorials. From 1996 to 2016, military parades were held in Yerevan's Republic Square during anniversary years, with the participation of units of the Armed Forces of Armenia, as well as representatives of foreign armies.

The cultural program includes concerts, exhibitions and festivals dedicated to Armenian history, art and traditions. In the evening, fireworks and light shows are held in the capital and major cities.

Independence Day military parade

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Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Armenia marching in the 2016 Independence Day military parade

The military parade was held in Yerevan, on Republic Square, in selected years from 1996 to 2016, as part of the Independence Day anniversary celebrations.

The parade was accompanied by the performance of the national anthem, a ceremonial raising of the national flag, and official addresses delivered by members of the country's highest leadership.

It was attended by units of the Armed Forces of Armenia, including the ground forces, air force, Border Troops, as well as cadets from military academies. Accompanied by a military orchestra, they marched in front of the podium, where the president, prime minister, parliamentary representatives, and foreign dignitaries were present.

The parade featured displays of modern military equipment, including armored personnel carriers, artillery mounts, anti-aircraft warfare, and Unmanned aerial vehicles.

Diaspora celebrations

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Independence day celebrations are also held in diaspora countries such as Russia, Lebanon and the United States. In the United States specifically, Armenian-American youth organizations hold rallies and cultural programs on this day.[4] The Armenian Independence Day Festival in Los Angeles's Little Armenia was established in 1998, attracting around 5,000 spectators on Independence Day.[5] In 2019, Prime Minister Pashinyan visited the city during the Independence Day celebrations, the first visit of its kind.[6][7] On the holiday in 2020, the personal star of singer Arman Hovhannisyan was installed on the Walk of Fame in Las Vegas.[8] That same year in Lebanon, Aram I (head of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia) led the Divine Liturgy and ceremonial flag blessing in Antelias.[9] Also on the holiday in 2020, the Mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser proclaimed September the 21st as "Armenian Independence Day" in the United States capital city.[10]

Places lit in Armenian symbols on Independence Day

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Flag of Armenia

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Other

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Controversy with some celebrations

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In early September 2021, the government announced plans for celebrations of the 30th anniversary independence on a large scale. These plans were criticized by the public, with many, including family members of soldiers killed in the 44-day war, deeming it as inappropriate considering Armenia's defeat. Many opposed to these plans proposed a gathering at Yerablur on September 21.[22][23][24]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "ПРАЗДНИК.BY". Prazdnik.by. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  2. ^ "День независимости Армении". Calend.ru. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  3. ^ Armenia: A Historical Atlas, by Robert H. Hewsen and Christoper C. Salvatico, 2001
  4. ^ "Republic of Armenia's 24th Independence Day Celebration in Las Vegas – Armenian National Committee of America". Anca.org. September 29, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  5. ^ "Armenia's independence, culture celebrated at annual Glendale festival". Glendale News-Press. September 17, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  6. ^ "Prime Minister to pay working visit to United States". www.primeminister.am. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  7. ^ "In first LA visit, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan addresses thousands of the diaspora community outside City Hall". Daily News. September 23, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  8. ^ "Pop star Arman Hovhannisyan to be honored with star on Las Vegas Walk of Stars". August 7, 2020.
  9. ^ "Divine Liturgy and flag blessing in Antelias ahead of Armenia's Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  10. ^ "Mayor Bowser proclaims September 21 as "Armenian Independence Day" in Washington, DC". Public Radio of Armenia. September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  11. ^ "Niagara Falls to be lit up with colors of Armenian flag on Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  12. ^ "Armenian flag to be raised in front of Ottawa City Hall on Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  13. ^ "Abu Dhabi skyscraper, Burj Khalifa in Dubai to be lit up in colors of Armenian flag on Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  14. ^ "Tbilisi TV tower lit up in colors of Armenian flag". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  15. ^ "Abu Dhabi skyscraper, Burj Khalifa in Dubai to be lit up in colors of Armenian flag on Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  16. ^ "Jack House in Kyiv lit up in colors of Armenian flag on Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  17. ^ "Armenian flag and the Coat of arms light up the evening in Nur Sultan". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  18. ^ a b c d "Colors of Armenian flag light up the night in Uruguay and Argentina".
  19. ^ "Cairo Tower lights up in colors of Armenian flag".
  20. ^ "Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro is illuminated in tricolors of Armenian national flag". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  21. ^ "Google celebrates Armenia's Independence Day". Public Radio of Armenia. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  22. ^ ""Պահանջում ենք չեղարկել"․ զոհվածների հարազատները՝ "գունագեղ" տոնական միջոցառման մասին – JAMnews".
  23. ^ "Families Outraged at Government's Planned Lavish Independence Day Celebration – Asbarez.com". September 10, 2021.
  24. ^ "Անկախության տոնը նշելու վերաբերյալ Փաշինյանի ձևակերպումը միանշանակ չի ընդունվել". www.azatutyun.am.
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