Armenians living in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad assemble in the city’s Armenian church, early in the morning of January 6, and attend the Divine Liturgy. Subsequently, they get together with their relatives and celebrate the Armenian Christmas around holiday tables.

Representatives from the Embassy of Armenia in Baghdad told Armenian News-NEWS that the Armenians living in Iraq welcome the New Year with Armenian traditions and dishes.

“Everyone celebrates the New Year’s Eve at home. The Armenians of Iraq don’t have a special food they prepare on that day, [but] dates and walnuts are a must on our [New Year] tables,” the embassy staff said.

In their words, on January 1, the Baghdad Armenians assemble in the halls of the Armenian associations in the Iraqi capital city, and participate in the New Year celebrations.

“On January 1, the Armenians living here also pay visits to each other. And on [Armenian] Christmas Eve, they gather at a relative’s home, set tables, and celebrate together. And the next day is All Souls’ Day. The Armenians visit the graves of their relatives,” our interlocutor added.

Around 25,000 Armenians used to live in Iraq prior to the war, but today, their number does not exceed about 10,000 people.