YEREVAN. – September 21 is one of Armenian people’s greatest celebrations. It still is erroneously called Independence, but, in reality, it is Self-Determination Day. Yet it still is one of the most important celebrations of our nation, National Self-Determination Union (NSU) Chairman Paruyr Hayrikyan stated during a press conference on Thursday.

“This holiday opened a new chapter in our lives. We achieved statehood by the collective will of the people. And even if we have had leaders who were guided by non-national interests in the future, they always were uneasy by the referendum of September 21 because if September 21 had not have happened and solely the Declaration on Independence had happened, it would have been possible to adopt an opposing decision by another National Assembly,” he said.            

Hayrikyan also noted that this year they will focus especially on the architects of this holiday. 

“I believe that we ultimately will have worthy authorities. There are contradictions between our dreams and the reality. We established statehood under very dire conditions, [and] despite the current rulers. Independent Armenia is one thing, the political ruler’s conduct [is] altogether another,” NSU Chairman stated.

Photo by Sona Barseghyan