The Armenian community in Iran is the country’s sole national minority that celebrates New Year on the night of December 31.

Armine Elajian, a journalist of Tehran-based Alik Armenian daily, told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“The [Iranian Armenian] national social associations celebrate New Year on December 31, from 7pm to midnight,” Elajian said. “And some of the [Iranian] Armenians celebrate [the New Year] at home, since New Year is a family holiday.”

In her words, the Armenian community in Iran maintains all the traditions, and also celebrates all national religious holidays with great fanfare.

“We are the largest [national] minority in Iran,” Armine Elajian added. “The [Iranian] Armenian community is very traditional, and it retains all the traditions, especially national religious. There are many people in Iran who are interested in our holidays. They come and partake in the celebrations, as a guest.”

According to the latest official data, about 80 thousand Armenians live in Iran, and there are several dozens of Armenian schools that provide education in this country.

Most Iranian Armenians are artisans and traders, but there also are numerous physicians, lawyers, engineers, and architects among them.