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The Republic Square in downtown Yerevan has been selected as the focal point for the events slated for 21 September marking the 27th anniversary of Armenia's independence, Chief of the Prime Minister’s Staff Eduard Aghajanyan said today, unveiling the program for the festive events.

“The event to be held in the Republic Square will differ in its logic and will be unprecedented with its decentralization and coverage,” he said, adding all the streets leading to the square will be shut down for traffic on that day.

The Independence Day celebrations are expected to attract large crowds of people under the slogan “You are Independent!” selected to highlight Armenia’s Velvet Revolution.

“This is a very clear message given the slogan of the Velvet Revolution. It targets every single citizen. “You are Independent!” more than meets the day's advice. With this slogan, we want to underline the responsibility each Armenian citizen should take,” Aghajanyan said.

According to the official, the celebrations will be ‘inclusive’ in every sense, featuring all types of music and all cultural layers.

He stressed these events will be essentially different from the previous ones that featured ‘privileged’ groups of singers. “We will see a bunch of brand new faces to perform for Armenian citizens in a direct format,” he said. 

Aghajanyan also unveiled plans for the government building to host a reception on 21 September, with ‘pleasant surprise’ awaiting people there.

While the festive events will be focused in downtown Yerevan, they are expected to bring together participants from Armenia’s regions and Artsakh, Minister of Culture Lilit Makunts told reporters.

A “Selfie hour” will be among the events to be arranged on the Independence Day, during which people will have an opportunity to take photos with public figures starting from 2pm, the minister said.

The events will start with chalk drawing that is expected to bring together some 2,000 schoolchildren, to be followed by feature painting exhibitions and other gatherings, Ruben Hovhannisyan, the head of the Culture Department of Yerevan Municipality, said.

He noted two stages, as well as a play city for children will be installed in the Republic Square, adding fireworks will conclude the celebrations.