Armenia marking Independence Day.

YEREVAN, September 21 (Itar-Tass) - Republic of Armenia marks the
major national holiday, Independence Day.
September 21, 1991, the population of the then Armenian Soviet
Socialist Republic went to the polls in a referendum where it voted for
the creation of and independent state.
National tricolors are decorating the streets and squares in the
capital Yerevan on the occasion of the holiday, which is also marked by
concerts, exhibitions and other festive events.
A ceremony of awarding state prizes to arts professionals, servicemen
and workers of other law enforcement agencies will be held in the
presidential palace.
Tuesday night, President Serzh Sargsyan is expected to hold a gala
reception that will take place by tradition in the foyer of the Yerevan
Sports and Concert Compound.
The country marks Independence Day this year upon overcoming a hard
economic and energy crisis and amid the efforts to resolve the problems of
economic/political development and reform all the spheres of society's
life.
"Our centuries-old dream of getting a free and independent statehood
materialized nineteen years ago," the Catholicos of all the Armenians,
Karekin II says in a message of congratulations to the people released
here Tuesday.
"We are full of hope that this free and sovereign country will
continue getting stronger and flourishing and will serve as a pillar for
the Armenians across the world through the consolidation of disciples of
the Armenian Church in the communities abroad," the supreme hierarch of
the Armenian Apostolic Church says.
"From the Holy Echmiadzin /the seat of the Armenian Catholicoses/ I
address my prayers to God for his blessing to our people to live in peace
and affluence and to renovate our souls with new victories and fruits of
free living," Karekin II said.
-0-kle