National Identity Day is celebrated in Armenia annually on August 11. It was on this day in 2492 BC. Hayk Nahapet, the founder of the royal dynasty of Haykazuni, killed the tyrant Bel and defeated his army, thanks to which the Armenians had the opportunity to live freely in their own state.
It is on August 11, according to the Armenian calendar, that the New Year falls, and on the same day it is customary to celebrate the Day of National Identity. Partly due to the confusion of the two holidays, a tradition has emerged to celebrate very widely. Even in ancient times, August 11 was a national holiday, when the seven pagan gods were to be honored, and everyone, from the sovereign to the very last beggar, was supposed to have fun. Since the Armenians believed that the gods themselves descend to earth on this day and watch them, they tried to perform the most magnificent rituals, make a good sacrifice and demonstrate their submission.
Meanwhile, until now, on the Day of National Identity, Armenians strive to celebrate moderately, wisely. It is believed that drunkenness has a detrimental effect on people, therefore, on their traditional holiday, citizens try not to consume too many strong alcoholic beverages and not even overeat. At the same time, you are supposed to have a lot of fun, congratulate your compatriots, remember certain historical events associated with Armenia, and praise your country and its people.
In order for the gods to be merciful and to see the efforts of mortals, on the Day of National Identity, Armenians often try to cook food with their own hands and not buy someone else's bread, but knead and bake the dough on their own. Moreover, even the products themselves, from which food is prepared, must be grown by our own hands. A number of traditional dishes are prepared for the holiday, some of which are filled with a special Armenian seasoning. This seasoning is called ngatzakhik, and the Armenians believe that it is she who connects all of them with their homeland.
Officially at the state level, National Identity Day has been celebrated since 2008. Then, in 2009, the government established an official holiday in honor of Hayk's victory over the Assyrian tyrant Bel, and since then every year on August 11, Armenians have celebrated it. Public figures and celebrities congratulate their compatriots and make solemn speeches, concerts are held in cities, and residents of Armenia arrange gala dinners and congratulate each other.
