Today marks the 27^th anniversary of the Third Republic of Armenia.

On September 21, 1991 the citizens of the Soviet Republic of Armenia headed to a nationwide referendum to make the historic choice for independence "as the only possible way securing the country's future progress".

The absolute majority of the voting-age population said “yes” to independence, agreeing that the country terminate its membership in the USSR.

The Soviet Armenian parliament, the Supreme Council, declared September 21 as the referendum date after adopting the Declaration of Independence on August 23, 1991. Based on the historic document, Armenia was proclaimed an independent and sovereign country.

The referendum outcomes were published by President of the Supreme Council Babken Ararktsyan, with Aram Manukyan, a member of parliament, later announcing the historic decision, which then received also blessings by Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I.

Events dedicated to the independence anniversary will be conducted in different parts of capital Yerevan on Monday, uniting people under the slogan “You are Independent”. Republic Square has been selected as the major ‘hot spot’ for most of the festivities this year.  

Prominent representatives of most different spheres have been invited to the central square to meet, talk and have photos with the people.

Also, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will host a special reception in his residence later today.

Tert.am has talked to Azat Arshakyan, a Soviet-era dissident and political prisoner, about the importance and benefits of independence. Arshakyan does not have pathetic feelings about the day, treating independence as a value “unrelated to economic problems”. He describes the past decades as a post-Soviet rather than independence period for the country “which is still lying in ruins”.

“In no way is independence related to economic, social and military problems. The Soviet Union was defeated in the Cold War and was dissolved, leaving behind a very bad heritage. But our legacy was independence, which comforts us in a way, contributing, at least a little bit, to our national dignity,” he said.

Arshakyan added that he now treats Armenia as a semi-independent state, citing the country’s membership in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union as a major challenge for its future.  

“The present-day generation is fighting for independence; to make sure of that, just go out into the streets to see young people conducting the campaign for the Yerevan municipality elections, for instance. Today, we have a brilliant, enthusiastic and optimistic generation which is certain to make Armenia more independent and democratic, freer and more prosperous; that process has already begun. I am sure and do really see that Armenia is changing and reshaping its image just in front of our eyes, attracting [a worldwide] respect. The past months inspire us with hope, which isn’t absolutely unfounded. We pin great hopes on the young generation aspiring for independence. With their aspiration, they also fight for that and hence they will eventually gain the freedom,” he added.

According to Vardan Harutyunyan, another Soviet-era dissident and former political prisoner, the past months’ developments inspire realistic hopes about the country's prosperous future.

“We have seen real changes in Armenia in the past months, and those changes do give me real grounds to say that we are on the right track to build the kind of Armenia we have been dreaming about. So that’s the good news I am conveying to you today. We have dreamed and are dreaming about a state which will never have problems with its neighbors, a state whose supreme value will be the human being,” he added.