Interesting Facts about Armenia

Did You Know?

4 curious facts about Armenia.

• A common pastime among Armenians is a slow, lazy game of backgammon. Backgammon is probably the oldest game in recorded history. It is believed to have originated in Mesopotamia.
• Chess is practically the national sport. Chess as a form of education is highly encouraged, children are taught to play at a young age.
• Shamiram, or the Armenian Women’s Union, was founded in April 1995 to champion and safeguard women’s rights and increase the involvement of women in the field of police, decisionmaking and democratic and market reforms.
• In Armenia it was a custom that on New Year's Eve, children gathered in-groups and went around their village, singing songs and greeting the New Year by singing to their neighbors. They usually received lots of fruit as present. Decorating a New Year's tree was not one of the customs in the past. Within the family, it was a custom for the family members to exchange presents, but, a wife never received a present from her husband, as this was considered a disgrace. Children in the family, the youngest ones following the elderly, would go to their father, who had the presents hidden in his coat, and after kissing their father's hand everyone would receive their present.