Milwaukee Armenians Celebrate Armenia’s Independence Day

On September 21, 1991, the news of Armenia’s independence from the Soviet Union was greeted with joy and hope by Milwaukee’s Armenian community. In the years that followed, many Armenians from Turkmenistan and Russia as well as Armenia arrived in the Milwaukee area, enhancing the community with their rich culture and traditions.

To mark the 30th anniversary of Armenia’s independence this year, a special observance took place on Sunday, September 26, at the Milwaukee Armenian Community & Cultural Center in Greenfield, WI, with planning and participation of the above mentioned members of the community.

The observation was preceded by a requiem service led by St. John’s pastor, Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan, in memory of countless innocent civilians and martyrs, casualties of the assault by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, which began last year on September 27. A subdued Independence Day celebration followed in the community’s cultural hall with dinner and other delicacies prepared by Armenians from the post-Soviet emigration. Music was provided by Vladimir Stepaniantz, who sang contemporary Armenian songs over recorded music.