On 28th May 2023, the Old Parliament House, National Carillon and John Gorton buildings were illuminated in red, blue and orange from 5:00pm until 11:00pm (AEST) after arrangements were made by the office of the ANC-AU and the local ANC-AU Canberra Branch.
This is the second year in a row Australian landmarks were lit up in the nation’s capital with the colours of the Armenian flag on the occasion marking a critical date in Armenia's calendar.
Referred to as Republic Day or Mayis 28, the annual holiday in the Republic of Armenia marks the anniversary when Armenian civilians, including women and children, rose up after only three years following the Armenian Genocide, to defend what would have been a fatal Turkish advance on the nation's dreams of statehood.
The deeds of many heroes led to a successful defence in the battles of Sartarabad, Ghara Kilise and Pash Abaran, which led to the declaration of the First Armenian Republic and an end to over seven centuries of occupation by foreign rulers.
Despite the Republic lasting three years, it was one of the first democracies in the world to elect women to parliament, established the nation's state university, and ensured a legacy that allowed for the Republic of Armenia to exist today.
ANC-AU Executive Director Michael Kolokossian thanked the team at the National Capital Authority for joining the Armenian-Australian community in Canberra and across the country in marking this momentous occasion.