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).
8 March - Women's
International 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.
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