Independence Day parade in Yerevan, 1919

On 28 May 1919 a solemn Independence Day parade was held in Yerevan. The procession started from Abovyan Street and moved towards the parliament building of the First Republic.

At the head of the parade walked a woman in black, a symbol of Armenia’s bloody and painful past, followed by a woman in white, a symbol of the new, independent Armenia and of hope. In front of them, hand in hand, walked representatives of Western and Eastern Armenia. The first cars were surrounded by people carrying banners with the names of recently liberated Armenian provinces: Mush, Sasun, Tigranakert, Sis and others. Refugees, orphans and soldiers lined the route.

The photograph shows a dense crowd, flags and umbrellas, with a row of children standing along the edge of the street.