Armenia has officially released an updated version of its national anthem, Mer Hayrenik (“Our Homeland”), following amendments to the Law on the National Anthem of the Republic of Armenia that took effect in April 2025.
The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports unveiled the revised anthem, now available in multiple musical formats. These include full and shortened versions for choir and orchestra, as well as choir-only and orchestra-only renditions.
Based on lyrics by 19th-century Armenian writer Mikael Nalbandian and music composed by Parsegh Ganatchian, the new version of the anthem is intended to play a more active and visible role in public life.
According to the updated version, the anthem now ends with the following quatrain:
Look at it, tricoloured,
A valuable symbol for us.
Let it shine against the enemy.
Let Armenia be glorious forever.
This replaces the previous ending, which featured a solemn, sacrificial tone:
Death is the same everywhere,
A man dies but once,
Blessed is the one who dies
For the freedom of his nation.
The updated anthem replaces its original solemn, martyrdom-themed ending—honoring sacrifice for the nation—with a verse focused on the flag and national pride, and mandates weekly school performances and ceremonial use at state and international events.
Under the new law, all educational institutions—public or private—are required to perform the anthem every Monday before classes begin. This applies to general education schools, preschools, vocational institutions, and secondary specialized schools across the country.
The revised anthem must also be performed at the opening and closing ceremonies of all official international tournaments and competitions held in Armenia, including during award presentations. When Armenian representatives participate in events abroad, the anthem should be played in accordance with the host country’s laws.
In addition, the anthem is now mandatory at all official state ceremonial events.
The discussion to revise the national anthem began in 2024. On November 28, the government approved an initiative proposed by the Speaker of the National Assembly and members of the ruling Civil Contract faction. The proposal aimed to “regulate certain relations related to the anthem of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the procedures for its performance.” It was part of a broader effort to modernize Armenia’s national symbols while preserving their historical and cultural significance.
