Armenia
- Language
- Armenian
- Anthem
- Mer Hayrenik
- Duration
- 0:28
- Status
- Despite a search for a replacement in 2006, "Mer Hayrenik" continues to serve as the national anthem of Armenia.
Armenia National Anthem History
Mer Hayrenik · Մեր Հայրենիք
The Armenian national anthem, "Mer Hayrenik," uses lyrics from a 19th-century poem by Mikael Nalbandian and a melody originating as a 19th-century vocal exercise. It was adopted in 1991 upon the country's independence, with modified lyrics to reflect freedom.
Armenia
Mer Hayrenik
History timeline
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19th Century
Mikael Nalbandian writes the poem “Song of an Italian Girl”, which serves as the basis for the lyrics.
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19th Century
The anthem's melody originates as a vocal exercise discovered in what is now Istanbul, Turkey.
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1991
Armenia adopts a modified version of Nalbandian's poem, set to the 19th-century melody, as its national anthem upon regaining independence.
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2006
A search for a new national anthem begins amidst criticisms that "Mer Hayrenik" was temporary and not Armenian-composed.
The melody of "Mer Hayrenik" was originally a vocal exercise found in 19th-century Istanbul.