21 September 2022

Following periods of rule by the Ottoman and Persian empires, most of modern-day Armenia came under Russian rule in the 19th century. After the collapse of the Russian Empire, Armenia declared its independence in 1918. Armenia became a founding member of the Soviet Union in 1922.

After the failed coup in Moscow in August 1991, a referendum for independence in Armenia took place on September 21st 1991, ending nearly 70 years of Soviet rule. This resulted in Armenia becoming the first non-Baltic republic to secede from the Soviet Union and the declaration of the Republic of Armenia. Levon Ter-Petrosyan was elected as the first President of the Republic on October 16th 1991.

On August 23, 1990, the Supreme Council adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Armenia proclaiming the Armenian SSR abolished and the establishment of the Republic of Armenia. Armenia refused to sign the New Union Treaty. After the failed August putsuch, the people of Armenia voted in a referendum to proclaim independence from the Soviet Union on September 21, 1991. Levon Ter-Petrosyan was elected the first president of Armenia in November 1991. On December 21, 1991, Armenia joined the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Armenia gained independence formally on December 26 in connection with the dissolution of the USSR.

This is the second declaration of independence in modern Armenian history, the first having occurred on May 28, 1918 which led to the formation of the First Republic of Armenia. This First Armenian Republic was short-lived due to its partition by the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and Turkish Nationalist forces in late 1920.

On the 21^st of September the Republic of Armenia is celebrating its Independence Day. This year also marks the 30^th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Armenia and Sweden. On this occasion the Embassy of Armenia in Stockholm is organizing a jazz concert followed by a reception at Riddarhuset. The Speaker of the Riksdag Mr. Andreas Norlén is among the distinguished guests. See Cawa Media reportage from the event with the embassy of Armenia.

A Jazz Concert at Riddarhuset on the occasion of the Independence Day of Armenia and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Sweden bringing together accomplished musicians
from Armenia, Sweden and beyond. The event was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the Swedish Riksdag Lotta Fornarve, State Secretary of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Robert Rydberg, members of the Swedish Riksdag among others.

LUCY YEGHIAZARYAN / VOCALS – GRANT STEWART / SAXOPHONE – ALEXANDER BROTT TRIO