Armenia celebrates 20 years
Armenia celebrates 20 years since the adoption of a
Declaration of Independence that marked the
beginning of its formal secession from the
crumbling Soviet Union, RFE/RL's Armenian
Service reports. “The Armenian SSR is renamed the
Republic of Armenia (Armenia). The Republic of
Armenia shall have its flag, coat of arms, and anthem,” read Aram Manukian, who presented the declaration during a Parliamentary session.
The Declaration of Independence was welcomed with great enthusiasm by Armenians from all over the world, as it came to realize the century-old dream of the Armenian people. The official day of independence in Armenia is September 21. A referendum on independence and secession from the USSR was held on September 21, 1991, during which about 95 percent of the citizens voted for Armenian Independence.
Armenia is going to hold a series of festive events to mark the 20th anniversary of independence.
Event coordinator, deputy head of the Armenian presidential administration, Vigen Sargsyan
presented the details and accents of the prepared events at a meeting with reporters.
“The festivities accentuate the idea that Armenia’s present and future depends on each of us,”
Sargsyan said.
The events will be held under the motto “Armenia is Yourself,” the logo is “2011” where figure “11” is
symbolic and bears resemblance to Armenian letters “” (RA).
The festivities will start in September 21 morning with a military parade in Yerevan’s Republic
Square. Solemn service will be offered at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church and “unprecedented
sound and light show and fireworks” are scheduled to be held in Republic Square in the evening.
The “exclusively beautiful” concert will host the State Philharmonic
Orchestra of Armenia, the StatebAcademic Choir of Armenia,
Armenian President’s Guard of Honor Orchestra, "Little Singers of
Armenia” choir. 1.5 hour concert will feature works by Armenian
composers, to the accompanimentnof pictures created with lighting
effects on the main buildings in Republic Square. A series of events –
exhibitions, concerts and forums - are scheduled ahead of September 21.
Three songs have been written on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence – “Armenia is Yourself,” “My Name is Armenia,” and “Armenia” with three music videos, nine reels, and placards.