Assyrian New Year – What Does the Assyrian New Year Symbolize?
Interview conducted in 2019
On April 1, Assyrians living in Armenia celebrate the New Year. The Assyrian calendar began in 4750 BC, and according to this calendar, the Assyrian year number continues to increase every year.
On the occasion of the holiday, Armmedia spoke with the President of the Assyrian Union “Atur” in Armenia and Member of the Armenian Parliament, Mr. Arsen Mikhaylov.
Why is the Assyrian New Year celebrated on April 1?
According to ancient Assyrian traditions, the first Assyrian king wrote on clay tablets and declared it as a law that Assyrians must celebrate the New Year. According to these laws, the holiday of “Hub Nissan” should be celebrated after the month of Adar, which corresponds to the period after March.
The celebration lasts for twelve days. According to tradition, the Assyrian king would temporarily hand over his duties to an ordinary person known as “Churtana”, meaning the temporary or symbolic king. Each day of the celebration was dedicated to one of the gods, and on the twelfth day the king would return to his duties.
The king also ordered that every 350 years, the crowned king must renew and update the clay tablet on which this law was written.
The Assyrian New Year, Hub Nissan (Akitu), symbolizes the rebirth of nature, fertility, and the beginning of a new life cycle in spring.
Armenian–Assyrian Relations
Armenians and Assyrians have historical relations that go back thousands of years. Both nations lived in the same region and both suffered tragic events and displacement during the early 20th century. Today, Assyrians live in Armenia where they preserve their language, culture, and traditions and participate in political and social life.
Assyrians in Armenia
Assyrians live in several villages in Armenia such as Verin Dvin, Dimitrov, and Arzni. They still preserve their traditions and celebrate the Assyrian New Year every year on April 1.
Interview by: Rozi Mikayelyan
Prepared and translated by: Haik Daniel
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