Independence Day of Armenia

ARMENIA celebrates its Independence Day today. It commemorates the restoration of the Republic of Armenia on this day in 1991. This celebration is different from the annual May 28 celebration which marks the founding of the First Republic of Armenia.

Armenia declared independence from Russia on August 23, 1990, but it was not until September 21, 1991, after dissolution of the Soviet Union, that it was recognized as a sovereign country. September 21 Independence Day festivities in Armenia traditionally begin with the Armenian national anthem. Armenia’s popular performers render traditional songs, with dancers garbed in their national costumes. In the evening, the Armenian sky is illuminated with grand fireworks display usually held at the Republic Square in Yerevan.

Armenia is located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. It is bordered by Turkey on the west, Georgia on the north, the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and Azerbaijan on the east, and Iran and Azerbaijan’s exclave of Nakhchivan on the south. The country’s capital and largest city is Yerevan, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Republic Square is the central town square in the capital. It consists of an oval roundabout and a trapezoid-shaped section which contains a pool with musical fountains.

Armenia and the Philippines have had commercial and trade relations as early as 1618 when Armenians facilitated trade between the Philippines and India. Formal diplomatic relations between Armenia and the Philippines were established on May 20, 1992. The two countries are committed to the promotion of mutual relations in the areas of trade, investments, education, science, and people-to-people ties. Armenian non-resident ambassador Raisa Vardanyan called on then Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto F. del Rosario on March 19, 2015. Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta presented his credentials as non-resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to President Serzh Sargsyan on May 4, 2016. The Philippine Embassy in Moscow covers Armenia. The Philippines maintains an honorary consular office in Yerevan.

We greet the people and government of the Republic of Armenia, led by President Serzh Sargsyan on the occasion of the 26th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Republic of Armenia.