Armenia
Armenia - Holidays
In Armenia, there are few holidays, covered with such spirit of mischief and childishness, as Vardavar. Despite its serious origin (a holiday is the church one, and it is called the Transfiguration of the Lord), Vardavar is considered the funny and amusing holiday, because the main rite of this day is the sprinkling water on everything and everyone!
Alcohol in Armenia
Armenians drink copious amounts of alcohol, as much as in other CIS countries, but-aside from the trendy bar scene in Yerevan (which are as alcohol and drug laden as any venue in the world), you rarely see the kind of drunken behavior associated with Russia or other ex-Soviet states.
Armenia - Government and Politics
The Republic of Armenia declared its sovereignty on August 23, 1990, and became an independent state a year later, on September 23, 1991. In October 1991, Levon Ter-Petrosian, who had been elected democratically as chairman of the Armenian Supreme Soviet under the Soviet system in 1990, was chosen president of the republic in a six-candidate election.