Article 1. Law Regulation Subject

This law regulates the use and order of application of the anthem of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 2. The Anthem of the Republic of Armenia

The anthem of the Republic of Armenia is one of the state symbols of the Republic of Armenia.

The anthem of the Republic of Armenia is solemn music, which is performed with the defined order by this law.

The anthem of the Republic of Armenia may be performed as vocal, instrumental, band, chorus and band-chorus versions.

The anthem of the Republic of Armenia should be performed as set out in the appendix of this law, approved by the edited musical version and with compliance to the text.

Article 3. The Performance of the Anthem of the Republic of Armenia

It is obligatory to perform the anthem of the Republic of Armenia

a) During the swearing in ceremony of the President of the Republic of Armenia and during the inauguration of the President of the Republic of Armenia.

b) During the official and solemn events participated in by the President of the Republic of Armenia, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.

c) At the Moment of the convocation of the first sitting of the newly elected National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, as well as at the opening and closing ceremony of the regular sessions.

d) During  official events in the territory of the Republic of Armenia when the flag of the Republic of Armenia is raised.

e)  During  state and official visits to the Republic of Armenia of the Presidents of foreign countries, heads of  legislators, Prime Ministers, official representatives and heads of  inter state and inter governmental organizations, according to the state protocol provisions of the Republic of Armenia.

f) During military parades in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, in the military units of the armed forces and military units of other troops of the Republic of
Armenia in the morning while hoisting the flag of the Republic of Armenia and in the evening while lowering the flag of the Republic of Armenia as well as in other cases,  foreseen by the military  rule books and statutes.

g) In  higher educational institutions in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, while announcing the start and the end of the educational year, regardless of  ownership of the institution.

h) In all the general schools in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, regardless of ownership, every Monday, before lessons start.

The Anthem of the Republic of Armenia may be Performed

a) During  solemn ceremonies and events conducted by the State Government, local Self Governing bodies of the Republic of Armenia, as well as during solemn ceremonies and events conducted by NGOs and other bodies.

b) During the State holidays, solemn sessions and meetings dedicated to historical events.

c)  During the   solemn ceremonies of opening memorials, memorial stones and memorial boards.

3)   In the cases defined by this article the order of the performance of the anthem is defined by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 4. The Use of the Anthem of the Republic of Armenia by the TV and Radio Companies

1. The anthem of the Republic of Armenia is broadcasted every day by all the TV and Radio stations, functioning in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, regardless of the form of ownership

a) Before the air and during the end of broadcasting.

b) At 6,00 am and 12 am, in case of 24 hours of broadcasting

c) On  New Year’s eve, after the beats of the clock of the Republic Square of Yerevan.

2. The performances of the anthem of the Republic of Armenia may be recorded and transmitted by audio and video recordings for the broadcast media.

Article 5. The Use of the Anthem of the Republic of Armenia in the Territory of the Republic of Armenia during the Sports Events

The anthem of the Republic of Armenia is performed during the opening and closing ceremonies of pan state sport official events of international official competitions and tournaments taking place in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, and when the competitions and tournaments are taking place out of the territory of the Republic of Armenia the anthem is performed according to the legislation of the relevant country.

Article 6. The Use of the Music of the Anthem of the Republic of Armenia

Besides the cases, foreseen by this law, the cases of the usage of the music of the anthem of the Republic of Armenia are defined by the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

Article 7. The Use of the Anthem of the Republic of Armenia During the Events Taking Place in the Territory of Foreign Countries

By the participation of state or other official delegation of the Republic of Armenia during the official and solemn ceremonies and events, the anthem of the Republic of Armenia is performed according to the protocol provisions of the Republic of Armenia and the legislation of the relevant foreign country.

Article 8.  Protocols During the Performance of the Anthem of the Republic of Armenia

1. During the performance of the anthem of the Republic of Armenia all should stand up; if there is flag, they should face it and during the official ceremonies according to the state protocol provisions of the Republic of Armenia; men should be without a hat.

2. Demands to the armed forces and military servants of other troops during the performance of the anthem of the Republic of Armenia are defined by the military book of rules and statutes.

 3. Deep respect towards the anthem of the Republic of Armenia is the solemn duty of each citizen.

Article 9. Responsibility in case the Demands of this Law are Breached

The breaching of the demands of this law causes responsibility by the defined order of a law.

Article 10. Validity of the Law

This law is in function from the tenth day following the official publication

Article 11. Transitional Provision

The anthem of the Republic of Armenia is “Our Fatherland;” the text and the music are defined in the appendix.  It is valid until a new anthem’s text and music is defined by a law.

Appendix

STATE ANTHEM OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

 “Our Fatherland”

(Lyrics by Mikael Nalbandian)

Our Fatherland, free, independent,
That has lived for centuries,
Is now summoning its sons
To the free, independent Armenia.

Here is a flag for you my brother,
That I have sewed
Over the sleepless nights,
And bathed in my tears.

Look at it, tricoloured,
A valuable symbol for us.
Let it shine against the enemy.
Let Armenia be glorious forever.

Death is the same everywhere,
A man dies but once,
Blessed is the one that dies
For the freedom of his nation.