Official holidays and memorable days in Armenia
National holidays and memorable days in Armenia are:
December 31-January 2 - New Year (non-working days)
New Year in Armenia is celebrated traditionally, as in many countries, with Father Frost and Snow Maiden. The whole family gets together around the table and celebrates New Year. Family members give each other gifts. Then the young go to discos, walk in the squares of large cities. The older generation likes to watch traditional holiday concerts on TV.
January 6 - Christmas (non-working day)
On January 6 Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the feast of the Epiphany and the Nativity. In the evening of the eve of the holiday in all the churches the liturgy is served, which is called the Liturgy of Christmas Eve. The religious people lit candles in church and carried them home. The next day, in the morning Christmas liturgy is served during which baptism ceremony is performed with consecration of water. Holy oil is added to the water, the water is blessed by prayers. The water is called Epiphany water and is a cure for the sick, as the consecrated water has special properties of grace. Epiphany water is stored and treated as the great shrine.
Christmas in Armenia is a great family holiday that gathers the whole family together around a festive and richly set table.
January 28 - Army Day (non-working day)
Every year on January 28 in Armenia "Army Day" is celebrated. This is the professional holiday of the troops of all arms of the Armed Forces of Armenia. The Armenians have been celebrating "Army Day" since 2001, by the decree of Armenian second President Robert Kocharian. On this very day in 1992 the establishment of the Armenian army was proclaimed.
March 8 - International Women's Day (non-working day)
March 8 - "International Women's Day", a celebration of spring and a day when special great attention is given to the women. On this day, men as well as young men and boys, do not forget about women and girls that surround them at home, at work, in educational institutions, etc. First spring flowers are presented to women and girls on that day - tulips, daffodils and lilies of the valley, the representatives of a strong half of mankind give attention, care and love to their loved ones.
April 7 - The Holiday of Maternity and Beauty (working day)
On April 7, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates one of the most important feasts - the Annunciation. According to the Bible, on this day the angels proclaimed the Virgin Mary about the birth of Jesus Christ. By the Order of the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II Feast of the Annunciation proclaimed to be a day of blessing of motherhood. On this day in all Armenian churches the rite of blessing of mothers is performed. On this day man congratulate their mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives and brides.
They present them with flowers and gifts.
April 24 - Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the 1915 Genocide (non-working day)
Armenian Genocide - Armenian massacres organized and implemented by the authorities of the Ottoman Empire in 1915 which lasted until 1923. The genocide was carried out by means of physical destruction and deportation, including the displacement of the civilian population in the conditions that lead to certain death. About 1,500.00 Armenians were violently killed. Armenian Genocide is recognized and condemned by 26 countries. On April 24, 2015 this event was 100 years old. On this day, hundreds of thousands of people go up the hill to the memorial complex Tsitsernakaberd to lay a wreath at the eternal flame.
May 1 - Labor Day (non-working day)
In Armenia, as in many countries of the world, May 1 is celebrated as the international holiday - Labour Day. It originally was called the International Workers' Day. Traditionally on this day demonstrations, concerts and festive celebrations are held.
May 8 - Day of “Yerkrapah”, Shushi Liberation Day (non-working day)
"Day of Yerkrapah" - a celebration of all the members of “Yerkrapah” (Union of Volunteers RA). This holiday has been celebrated in Armenia every year since 2001. The second informal name of the holiday is "The Day of the liberation of Shushi." On this day in 1992 a military operation was carried out, as a result of which Shushi was liberated. In terms of organization and implementation, the operation was perfect and unique in the Armenian military art of warfare which made a radical change in the course of the Karabakh national liberation struggle.
May 9 - Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War (non-working Day)
The Armenian people, together with the other peoples of the former USSR, made a significant contribution to the fight against the Nazi invaders. May 9 is one of the most favorite and loved holidays celebrated in Armenia.
The Armenian nation is justly proud of the fact that the Motherland gave four Marshals of the Soviet Union and one Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union. About 60 Armenian generals were in command of large units of the Red Army. 70 thousand Armenian soldiers, officers and generals were awarded orders and medals for courage and bravery. 27 Armenians became Holders of the Order of Glory. 103 Armenians were awarded Hero of the Soviet Union. Nelson Stepanyan- legendary pilot, hero of the Baltic Sky and Marshal Hovhannes Baghramyan became Twice Hero of the Soviet Union.
It is a tradition to congratulate veterans of the Great Patriotic War on this day, lay flowers and wreaths at the monument to fallen soldiers. A required attribute is fireworke in honor of the Victory.
28 May - First Republic Day (non-working day)
On May 28, 1918 the independence of Armenia was re-established. The formation of the Republic of Armenia marked the restoration of the Armenian statehood in five and a half centuries after the fall of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (1375). At the time of independence, a significant part of the territory was occupied by Turkish troops, who were already in the vicinity of Erivan. The victories of the Armenian army in the battles of Sardarapat, Bash-Abaran and Karaklis allowed to stop the advance of the Turks and eliminate the threat of physical destruction hanging over the Armenian people.
June 1 - International Children's Day (working day)
Every year on June 1 International Children's Day is celebrated in Armenia. Armenians appreciate family and love children. Parents try to dedicate this day to their children-they take them to the parks, cinemas, zoo and playgrounds. On this day there are various events held both in the capital city -Yerevan and in all the regions of Armenia.
July 5 - Constitution Day (non-working day)
The Armenian Constitution was adopted on July 5, 1995 in a national referendum. In 2005, the Constitution was amended, which was approved in a national referendum on 27 November.
September 1 - Knowledge Day (working day)
September 1 is the start of the new school year in Armenia. That day is celebrated in Armenia as a "Day of knowledge, writing and literature". The classes at universities and schools begin on September 1. Solemn assemblies are traditionally held at universities and schools, and of course, the traditional "first bell" is rung for the first graders.
September 21 - Independence Day (non-working day)
The whole Armenia celebrates the Independence Day on September 21. On this day, in 1991, the people of Armenia voted for their independence from the Soviet Union on the national referendum. Armenia was one of the countries of the Soviet Union since 1921. Formally, the Republic of Armenia gained independence on December 26 of the same year due to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
October (the second Saturday of October) - The Day of Yerevan
Yerevan (Erivan till 1936) - the capital of Armenia, is one of the oldest surviving cities in the world (founded in 782 BC.). The first official celebration of "Erebuni-Yerevan" was held in October 1968. The 2750th anniversary of the capital city was celebrated then. Usually there are mass festivities held in Yerevan to mark the special dates of the city.
December 7 – Remembrance day of victims of 1988 earthquake
On this day, at 11:41 there was a strongest earthquake in Armenia. It covered the entire northern part of the territory of Armenia. In just 30 seconds, the earthquake destroyed the city of Spitak and caused great destructions to the cities of Leninakan (Gyumri), Kirovakan (Vanadzor) and Stepanavan. More than 25 thousand people were killed, about 19 thousand were disabled, 530 thousand inhabitants of the republic became homeless.
There are also a lot of religious holidays in Armenia. In this regard, the Government of Armenia shifts the weekdays.