The 35th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia Celebrated in Athens at the Byzantine and Christian Museum

01 October, 2026

The 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia was celebrated in a grand ceremony at the Byzantine and Christian Museum in Athens.

The event opened with a performance by the Hambardzum Berberian Choir of the Armenian community in Greece, which performed the national anthems of the Republic of Armenia and the Hellenic Republic.

This was followed by an address by H.E. Tigran Mkrtchyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to Greece, who welcomed the guests and reflected on the significance of the 35th anniversary of Armenia's independence. He emphasized that independence is not merely a historic achievement, but also an ongoing responsibility: to safeguard statehood, strengthen democracy, the rule of law and human rights, and contribute to the promotion of peace and international security.

The Ambassador placed particular emphasis on Armenian-Greek relations, highlighting the important momentum achieved in recent years, as well as the deepening of political dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. He referred to high-level visits and contacts, bilateral cooperation in the field of defence, and significant progress in education, science and culture. He underlined that relations between Armenia and Greece have acquired all the key characteristics of a strategic partnership.

Addressing cultural and educational cooperation, the Ambassador also highlighted the expanding ties between universities and cultural institutions in the two countries, as well as the importance of new initiatives aimed at fostering greater mutual awareness and appreciation of the historical and cultural heritage of both peoples. He noted that a major highlight of this cultural cooperation will be the forthcoming exhibition at the Acropolis Museum, featuring exceptional artefacts from the History Museum of Armenia and dedicated to ancient Armenia.

Ambassador Mkrtchyan also underscored the special role of the Armenian community in Greece, describing it as a historic and vibrant bridge connecting the two peoples. He emphasized the contribution of Armenian community, educational, cultural and ecclesiastical institutions to the further development of relations between Armenia and Greece.

The event continued with an address by Ms Sofia Zacharaki, Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports of Greece, who attended as the guest of honour and representative of the Greek Government. In her remarks, she highlighted the strong and historic bonds of friendship between Greece and Armenia, emphasizing the importance of Armenian-Greek cooperation and the shared values that unite the two peoples.

She particularly stressed the significant progress achieved in the field of education, as well as the strengthening of contacts between the educational and academic communities of the two countries. In this context, she referred to the visit to Greece last year by Armenia's Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in education, describing it as an important step towards the further institutional development of bilateral cooperation. The Minister added that Greece is committed to developing its relations with Armenia across all fields.

Following the official addresses, the evening's cultural programme continued with a special musical performance. The stage welcomed the Armenian Colours Quartet, an ethno-jazz ensemble founded by internationally acclaimed Armenian jazz musician and Honoured Artist of the Republic of Armenia, Vahagn Hayrapetyan. The quartet presented a programme combining Armenia's rich musical traditions with contemporary jazz influences, offering the audience a distinctive insight into the diversity and originality of contemporary Armenian musical expression.

Ambassador Tigran Mkrtchyan expressed his warm gratitude to Vahagn Hayrapetyan and the Armenian Colours Quartet for their musical contribution, as well as to the Hambardzum Berberian Choir for performing the national anthems of Armenia and Greece.

The event was attended by representatives of the Greek Government, Parliament, Armed Forces, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other state and institutional bodies; ambassadors and diplomatic representatives accredited to Greece; military attachés; representatives of local authorities and academic and cultural circles; and numerous members of the Armenian community in Greece.

Among those present were senior Armenian Church clergy, including His Grace Bishop Sahak Yemishyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Greece; His Grace Bishop Khoren Arakelyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Greece of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church; His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan, Spiritual Inspector of the St. Karapet Church on the island of Crete; and Reverend Vigen Cholakian, Pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Greece. The Greek Orthodox Church was represented by Archimandrite Athinagoras Soupourtzi of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens.

The evening concluded with a reception in the courtyard of the Byzantine and Christian Museum. Catering was provided by the To Rodi restaurant, which served Armenian dishes and beverages, including wines generously donated by Quality Wines especially for the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia.

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