Undoubtedly, all people love the holidays. However, the importance of each of them for an individual individual may differ. Holidays are also different. For some people, such a day is an occasion to meet with relatives, for others - an active vacation with friends, and still others just wait for a significant day to sleep, do important business or hobbies. A separate line in the general list of dates is marked not around the world, but in a single country. We will find out which holiday in Armenia today is considered the most important and is celebrated on a large scale.
Key dates
Of course, the obligatory days off for both Russia and any country that has withdrawn from the former USSR are:
- New Year.
- Christmas.
- February 23 and March 8.
- May 1.
- Victory Day.
There are dates that are not allocated as a weekend, but are also marked in most countries:
- Theater Day.
- April Fool's Day.
- Day of the border guard, chemical troops, tanker, artillery, reconnaissance troops, air defense, engineering troops.
- Radio day.
- Children Protection Day.
- Day of Knowledge.
- Professional holidays. Such as the Day of the paramedic, prosecutor, builder, lifeguard, lawyer, teacher, power engineer, bank employee and so on.
In Armenia, holidays that are celebrated on certain days only in this country are striking in their diversity. Consider the most important dates of this people in chronological order.
January
Of course, the first and most significant holiday of Armenia in 2019, as in the previous ones, is the New Year. In addition to the fact that this event is long in duration, it also gives a lot of hope for the future. Perhaps, not a single date is celebrated in a family and home-like way as the onset of the new year. The following days are added to this date, which are attributed to the Advent (January 3-5), Christmas (January 6) and Commemoration Day of the dead (January 7). These dates are familiar to us.
Not so long, but no less important is the state holiday of Armenia - Army Day, for which a non-working day is allocated on January 28. This date was established in 2001, when the head of state signed a decree. The end of the month was not accidental, since the Armenian army was officially created on this day in 1992. This is an important day for the country.
February
The holiday in Armenia, which has pagan roots, is celebrated on the 14th. In most countries of the world it is called Valentine's Day, and in Armenia it is called Terendez.
It is also related to lovers, but according to tradition, couples jump over a fire, and during festivities the holiday is slightly reminiscent of Russian Pancake Week. If the girl and the boy managed to not break their hands in the jump, then it is believed that the union will be strong. Since ancient times, after youth, women who despaired of becoming pregnant jumped over the fire, and after that, all the remaining participants in the holiday. In Armenia, a liturgy is held in churches on this day, after which young people planning to get married receive a blessing.
February 19 was marked by two events at once. Firstly, St. Sarkis Day is celebrated, which is the patron saint of lovers. Secondly, February 19 is Book Donation Day, also indicated on the calendar of Armenian holidays.
And at the end of the month there are two other significant dates. Armenian Language Day is celebrated on February 21. This date was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999. The aim of the event was to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Since 2006, the date has been celebrated at the state level.
February 28, which is proclaimed as the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Pogroms in Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad, when Azerbaijanis staged riots aimed at harming the representatives of the Armenian diaspora, cannot be removed from the calendar of special dates. This is another important day for the country.
Vardanank is the national holiday of Armenia, in 2019, which was celebrated on February 28. However, this date is floating and can occur not only at the end of winter, but also in the first spring month. It comes eight weeks before a clean Thursday, which happens a few days before Easter. On this day, remember Vardan Mamikonyan and 1036 of his comrades-in-arms who fell in the struggle with the Persians for the freedom of their people.
March
Holidays in Armenia this month, except for March 8, fall on the last decade and are also international.
March 23 is World Meteorology Day. The date dates back to 1950, when the World Meteorological Organization was formed, and the first festival took place 11 years later. On this day, WMO will necessarily carry out various propaganda events, which the specialists of the Armenian meteorological community will necessarily pick up.
What holiday of Armenia can still be attributed to international? Of course, World Theater Day, celebrated on March 27. This is not only an international date, but also a professional holiday for actors, directors, tickets and all those whose activities are associated with this type of art.
April
What important dates are celebrated this month? There is a special holiday in Armenia. April 7th is designated as Motherhood and Beauty Day. This date ends the month of praise and beauty that began on March 8th. It is worth noting that according to the results of the formation of an independent state, the country's government tried to replace International Women's Day with this date. However, after some time on March 8 they returned to the calendar and the holiday celebrated in Armenia on April 7 was also left on the list of memorable dates.
From the 4th to the 11th day the country hosts Tumanyan days in honor of the great poet and native of Armenia Hovhannes Tumanyan. This week is rich in various kinds of literary events, ranging from contests of readers to the plays of the author. A large number of places in the country are named in honor of Tumanyan, his name is assigned to schools and streets. Many monuments adorn squares and city parks.
What holiday in Armenia today, celebrated in April, is considered the main one at the state level? Of course, Police Worker Day. On April 16, 2001, the law on police was approved at the legislative level. However, he did not get into the calendar of weekend dates, like International Day of Monuments and Sites and Border Guard Day, celebrated on April 18 and 26.
In mid-spring, the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Genocide is also marked. On April 24, 1915, the Armenians remembered the date of the destruction of their intellectual elite. About eight hundred people were arrested and later killed in Istanbul. After some time, the persecution repeated. But April 24 remained in the memory of the people forever, since this day claimed the lives of half of the total number of Armenians living at that time in the whole world.
May
What is especially remarkable among the dates of this month? Radio Day is the May holiday in Armenia that came to the country from the Soviet past. On the 7th of this month of 1895, Aleksandr Stepanovich Popov showed scientists for the first time how wireless recording of certain vibrations is carried out with a special receiving device.
The next in the Armenian calendar is Yerkrapah Day, or else Volunteer Day, which was appointed on May 8 by President Robert Kocharian. It is dedicated to the capture by the forces of the Armenian troops of the city of Shushi, located in Nagorno-Karabakh.
You can also designate the May holidays in Armenia, which are no less important at the state level. This is the Day of Air Defense, celebrated on the third Sunday, and World Museum Day on the 18th, and Victory Day in the Battle of Sardarapat on the 26th. The last holiday recalls the victory of the Armenian troops in the battle, which began on 21 and ended on May 28, with Turkish militias during the First World War.
Undoubtedly, the Day of the First Republic can be called the most important date. It is considered a public holiday. The day of Armenia, when the republic was proclaimed, is celebrated on May 28. This event happened precisely thanks to the victory in the battle of Sardarapat.
June
Of the church holidays in Armenia, one should be distinguished that is celebrated 64 days after Easter. Most often, it falls in June and is called the Day of the Etchmiadzin Cathedral. This place is the spiritual capital of the Armenians, and the shrine itself contains such shrines as the tip of the spear that pierced Jesus on the cross, a piece of Noah’s ark and the Cross of the Lord.
June 14 is the Day of Protection of the Rights of Innocent Convicts, celebrated at the state level. The Dashnaktsutyun party proposed to establish this memorable date in honor of Armenians repressed for political reasons during the heyday of Bolshevism in the USSR. Even before the start of World War II, Armenians were forced to relocate from Azerbaijan, Crimea and Armenia.
The country celebrates the state flag day on June 15.
On the third Sunday of the first summer month since 1997, Aviation Day is traditionally celebrated. The date was chosen as a holiday by President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who signed the corresponding decree.
July
Although the day of the prosecutor’s employee is a working day, it is annually celebrated as a professional holiday for everyone who is related to it.
The first of the holiday dates of this month, in which you do not need to work in the workplace, was Constitution Day, which fell on July 5. On this day in 1995, the main document of the country was approved by its residents at a national referendum. Twice the constitution has undergone major changes. In 2005, Armenia became a country with a semi-presidential form of government, and 10 years later, again after a referendum, it chose a gradual transition to a parliamentary republic. It was completed in 2018.
On the 98th day after Easter, a serious date for all believing Armenians is coming - Vardavar, or the Water Festival. On this day, in Armenia, special platforms are mounted in the city center in Armenia, where you can drench each other. There is also a staging of the end of the Flood when pigeons are launched into the sky. According to legend, this is exactly what Noah did to find out whether it was possible to go on land.
July 25 is a special date for the Armavirians, as traditionally celebrations dedicated to the City Day are held on this day. Armavir received its name in the distant past, and during its existence it was both Sardarabad and Oktemberyan. Only after the collapse of the USSR did the city get its historical name back.
August
The national holiday of Armenia Navasard originates from August 11, 2492 BC. e. The same date was previously the first day of the new year, and it was with it that the reckoning began in the country. According to legend, Hayk Nahapet destroyed Tsar Bel, thereby becoming the founder of the Armenian people. Another name for this holiday is National Identity Day. In addition, according to legend, Noah sacrificed to God that day that he had been delivered from the Flood.
Sunday, which falls in mid-August, is a great Christian day for Armenians. The Assumption and Ascension of the Virgin to heaven is annually marked by a festive liturgy, at the end of which a grape blessing ceremony is performed. The fruit symbolizes Christ, therefore, only from this day can true believers begin to eat it.
On the second Sunday of August in Russia and in the post-Soviet space, including Armenia, the Builder's Day is celebrated. Since the time of Khrushchev, this date has become a professional holiday for all workers in the construction industry.
Since 1999, Lake Sevan Day has been celebrated in Armenia on the last Sunday of August. Although the main activities are related to the cleaning of the shores of this particular water body, enthusiasts also carry out other environmental activities with regard to other natural monuments. Activists also give a large role to popularizing their ideas, expanding the boundaries of the holiday.
September
September starts with two professional dates, one of which is September 4. On this day, since 2008, the Day of the Savior has been celebrated in Armenia. The allocation of this date was initiated by the government of the country in order to indicate the importance of people in this profession, their well-coordinated work, and also to commemorate those who died in the performance of a labor feat. It was the revealed complexity in the interaction of rescuers of different directions during the earthquake in Spitak that gave impetus to the creation of rescue services throughout the USSR. On this day, contemporaries congratulate those involved in the holiday and recall their participation in the clearance of the country in the 90s of the XX century.
The first Sunday of September is a significant date for both Russians and Armenians, and also for representatives of a number of countries that have left the Soviet Union. On this day, gas and oil refining workers celebrate their professional holiday. Despite the fact that in some countries this date was abolished, Armenia left the Day of the Gas Worker and the Oil Worker among the professional ones.
Also, the Day of Engineering Forces was established in Armenia on September 7, 2000 in honor of the end of the formation of this category of military men.
From September 11, the Khachverats period begins in the Christian traditions of Armenians. This date is marked on the calendar because of the joy experienced by believers after the return of a piece of the stolen Cross of the Lord. The operation involved Armenian soldiers who carried it through Armenia and Constantinople to Jerusalem.
Independence Day, celebrated on September 21, is a non-working date. On that day, a referendum was held that proclaimed the independence of Armenia from the Soviet Union. A military parade and other large-scale events are held annually in the center of Yerevan by the military.
October
The month begins with the professional holiday of teachers, which was designated by UNESCO in 1994 and is celebrated on October 5.
Next, the following holiday dates can be distinguished:
- Tanker Day - October 8th.
- Day of the chemical troops - October 10.
- Day of missile and artillery troops - October 19.
It is especially necessary to celebrate Yerevan City Day, which is celebrated on October 10. The capital of Armenia was founded in 782 BC. e. Since the Armenians traditionally consider themselves to be cheerful people, a great many entertainment events are held on this day.
In addition to concerts, open-air theatrical performances and sporting events are organized in the city. Be sure, in addition to the performance of folklore groups, pop stars are invited. Competitions and contests with prizes are organized for children. An important action is also a reminder to the living people about the genocide of the Armenian people, in connection with which there are exhibitions, the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex is working, archival documents are being displayed for evidence of the help of a number of states provided to the Armenians. Surely on this day a craft fair and a parade of irrigation equipment, traditionally washing away dirt from monuments and other architectural structures, are organized.
In mid-October, on Sunday, the village celebrates Harvest Day, which dates back to 2006, when the president paid a working visit to one of the cities of Armenia. Residents wanted to treat the head of state and organized an entire exhibition of their works. Robert Kocharian thanked the workers for the harvest. Since then, exhibitions with tasting agricultural products began to be held annually in many cities of the country.
Armenian Press Day is celebrated on October 16. This date was the beginning of the publication of the first print publication, called the "Herald".
November
In 1992, the intelligence of Armenia was formed. And November 5th became the Day of Intelligence Troops. Talking about the significant dates of the last autumn month, one cannot but mention the Wine Festival.
In Armenia, it is celebrated on November 7. Traditionally held a wine festival. If at the very beginning of the celebration this event was characteristic of only one village of Areni, today it has spread throughout the country, which attracts a lot of tourists. The holiday includes acquaintance with grape varieties growing in that area, wine tasting, entertainment events, starting with the performances of folk ensembles and ending with exhibitions of works by artists and artisans. Master classes in preparing meals and drinks are held, guests are invited to build something with their own hands to commemorate the attendance of the event.
An important church holiday is November 11, when the anniversary of the accession to the throne of Garegin II, the current Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, is celebrated. In 1992, this great date became the day when the Supreme Governing Body of the Apostolic Church appointed Archbishop Garegin Nersesyan to this post.
It should also be noted Student Day, which Armenians, unlike Russians, celebrate on November 17, as in most countries of the world. The day of the military medical worker fell on the same date due to the fact that on November 17, 1992, the Armed Forces Medical Hospital was officially established.
The professional holiday of a bank employee began to be celebrated on November 22, 1993, when the country's official currency, the dram, was introduced into circulation.
December
This month is not full of holidays. In December, International Day of Persons with Disabilities can be celebrated, which is celebrated on December 3 by the entire international community. December 7 is officially designated as the state date of memory of the victims of the 1988 earthquake that occurred in the north of Armenia. The intensity of the tremors reached 10 points, and the elements covered 40% of the territory of the republic, including Spitak, Stepanavan, Leninakan and Kirovakan destroyed to the ground.
National Security Officer Day and Energy Day are two professional holidays that are celebrated on December 20 and 22, respectively, and end the year.
Many memorable and festive dates in Armenia are related not only to the country, but also to the international community, or originate from the Soviet past. Also, Russians have a lot of significant days that their Armenian neighbors celebrate.