New holiday in Armenia will celebrate national minoritiesMarch 3, 2021 - 14:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian parliament on Wednesday, March 3 made amendments to the Law On Holidays and Memorable Dates to introduce a hew holiday celebrating the country's national minorities. Lawmaker from My Step bloc Rustam Bakoyan, who co-authored the bill, noted that although Armenia is a monoethnic country, there are still some 11 ethnic minorities living there, whose representatives have played a role in the history of Armenia. “The legislation stipulates that they (the monitories - Ed.) have the right to preserve their national and ethnic identity, develop their language, traditions, faith and culture. This change will draw more attention to national minorities, their needs and problems, and help find solution for them, ”Bakoyan said. The Day of National Minorities in Armenia was initially set for the last Saturday of September, since the Council of National Minorities holds a meeting and various events during this period. “However, given that every seven years the last Saturday of September will be on September 27 (the day of the beginning of the second Karabakh war - Ed.), and national minorities cannot celebrate it as a holiday until victory is achieved, it was decided to designate the first Sunday of October as the Day of National Minorities,” Bakoyan added. Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |