National Holidays

1 - 2 January - New Year, actually celebrated a whole week after the holiday, when people exchange gifts and houses are open to impromptu guests. An abundance of food and sweets is laden on every table and friends and family visit home after home with congratulations.

6 January - Christmas (Armenian Church hasn't changed its Calendar since the Middle Ages) is celebrated more solemnly than in the West. During the first ten days of January, opera, theatre and concert venues are filled, even in the worst of weather.

11 February - Commemoration Day for St.Vardan Mamikonyan, who headed Armenian army in defense of Christianity in IV century.

14 February - Pagan holiday dedicated to the Sun was later united with Eve of the Great Lent. Enamoured pairs jump over the fires in virtually every yard in Armenia. (Fortunately coincides with Valentine's Day).

1 April - Fools' Day (of course non-official). Be ready for any (but never insulting) kind of joke or prank.

7 April - Motherhood and Beauty Day.

24 April - Memorial Day for Victims of 1915 Armenian Genocide in Turkey.

March/April - Religious observations for Easter, the greatest holiday of Armenian Church, begins on Good Friday and lasts throughout the weekend. Easter Sunday begins with cracking boiled eggs, dyed a rich brown color. The person who can crack the egg in someone else's hand without cracking his one gets his wish.

9 May - Victory Day. Heroes of WW II march through the towns on Victory Day. They are honoured for their sacrifices and and there is a tradition for the young to give them flowers and a warm kiss.

28 May - Statehood Restoration Day. In 1918 the Republic of Armenia restored its statehood after half a millennium of lost sovereignty/ Sardarapat.

The third Sunday of July - Vardavar, the holiday of the Goddess of beauty Anahit, celebrated by throwing water at each other. Everyone with the exception of the elderly participate, so get dressed properly.

5 July - Constitution Day.

11 August - Ancient Armenian New Year, celebrated still by enthusiasts at the pagan temple of Garni.

Second Sunday of August - Grape Blessing Day, when the Catholicos, the Supreme Patriarch of Armenian Church, blesses the grape harvest.

21 September - Independence Day. The Third Republic of Armenia announced the results of a national referendum on secession from Soviet Union.

Late September/Early October - Annual Erebouny - Yerevan Day is celebrated with concerts, traditional dancing and music and concluded by huge "Golden Fall" festival.

7 December - Memorial Day for Victims of 1988 Earthquake.

Official Holidays

1 - 2 January - New Year.

6 January - Armenian Christmas.

9 May - Victory Day.

28 May - Independence Day .

5 July - Constitution Day.

21 September - Referendum Day.

Remembrance Days

24 April - Genocide Memorial Day.

7 December - The 1988 Earthquake Memorial Day Time zones .

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