Symbols of the Republic of Armenia

 Vaհe H Apelian

May 28, is Republic Day in Armenia. It is a public holiday to observe and celebrate the founding of the Democratic Republic of Armenia in 1918. The PM announced that that there will be a military parade as well along with other festivities. A tent platform is being constructed in the main square. The tri-color waterproof outer shell that covers the tent body against the elements, consists of a multi peaked white dome over the tricolor tent body. It is claimed that the multi peaked white dome represents the Aragats mountain range, the highest peaked mountain range in Armenia and that  Mount Ararat is not being displayed. 

The citizens of Armenia have enshrined the symbols of the Republic of Armenia in the Article 21 of the Constitution, and display them on Armenia’s coat-of-arms. That article in the Constitution reads as follows:

“Article 21. Symbols of the Republic of Armenia

1. The flag of the Republic of Armenia shall be tricolour, with equal horizontal stripes of red, blue and orange.

2. The Coat of Arms of the Republic of Armenia shall be as follows: in the centre, a shield with the representation of Mount Ararat with Noah’s Ark and the Coats of Arms of the four kingdoms of historical Armenia. The shield is held by an eagle and a lion, whereas a sword, a branch, a corn sheaf, a chain and a ribbon are depicted under the shield.

3. The detailed description of the flag and Coat of Arms shall be prescribed by law.

4. The anthem of the Republic of Armenia shall be prescribed by law.”

 

There remains for all of us as Armenians, to abide by the constitutional provision. Any comment to the contrary to what has been adopted and prescribed in the Constitution is driven by disruptive partisanship. Given the heightened election mood in Armenia, I accept with reluctance the possibility of such disruptive partisanship in Armenia, as long it is not unlawful.

But when it comes to Diaspora, there cannot possibly be any room for partisanship simply because Armenians in the Diaspora cannot vote and have no say other than wish that there will be an orderly exercise in Armenia of the fundamental for democratic governance, election, to have the citizens safely, and orderly, exercise their right to elect  the government that will govern them with their consent.