Vardavar: All you Need is a Bucket Full of Water

Vardavar in center of Yerevan

You probably know that Armenians are the first nation in the world that adopted Christianity as an official religion (301). Thus Armenians have a number of religious holidays that they celebrate all year round. Some are not that popular and few people know about them, others are celebrated nationwide, such as Easter and Christmas. And there are some holidays that belong to the “must-experience” group of holidays. The most popular one among them is Vardavar, when people pour water on each other.

The holiday, though celebrated till today, dates back to the Pagan times. It was dedicated to Astghik, the goddess of beauty, love and fertility. Armenians presented her with roses, and this is where the name Vardavar comes from (“vard (վարդ)” = “rose”). Today the holiday is celebrated in summer – 14 weeks after Easter.

The mood and the atmosphere of the day is unexplainable. One should, or rather, must experience the fun and joy that the holiday offers. The funny thing is that there are no rules for the game. And everyone has the right to pour water on anybody, even if the latter did not agree to be one of the victims. Passers-by (especially well-dressed girls with nicely done hair) are the main target. Some take it easy, others get crazy, but what can be done. Nothing. There are no exceptions to the rule. That is why most people cancel all their meetings, classes on that day and try to stay at home.

Vardavar

In my family Vardavar starts right in the morning, when my mom wakes us up by pouring a cup of cold water on us J . Then the “celebration” continues in the house, until someone realizes that the house is wet enough and suggests continuing the game outdoors.

In the evening when the hot weather gives in, the celebrations stop and people start to get out of their “hiding places.”

What is Easter in Armenia?

Easter is tasteful and energetic, colorful, blossoming, because lent is over and spring joy enters everyone’s heart christening for resurrection and new life.  Armenia’s Easter is truly lively. It is a holiday one won’t stay home. Aspire, optimistic, buoyancy and hope gyrate in the air. Churches and streets are full of families, young people, and children. Aroma of incense and voices of praises emerge from the churches where people are endlessly moving in and out and around.

Easter (in Armenian Zatik) is belovedand the most expected holiday in Armenia. Armenia has been Christian country since 301, and since then Easter has been popular and participative public holiday. Everybody in the streets, at home in friendly and family gatherings greets each other and says: “Christ has arisen". The answer is “Blessed is the resurrection of Christ".

Lenten fasting season lasts for 40 days before Easter. Christians, who want to fast, keep themselves away from sins and eat only vegetarian dishes. During fasting Christians attend the church and confess their sins, read Bible, keep themselves away from lasts. Towards the end of lent season a week before Palm Sunday is celebrated, when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem. It’s a wonderfully decorated day: streets and homes are full of palm branches, people are crowned by flowers.

During lent Armenian families also put lentils or other sprouting grains on a tray covered with a thin layer of cotton, and keep it in a light place of the house until Easter when sprouts appear. These green sprouts, symbolizing spring and awakening of nature, are the “grass" on which people place colored eggs to decorate the Easter table.

Next Easter day is a day of joy and triumph against cold and darkness. Spring holiday and resurrection! Armenians have preserved the beautiful biblical lore which refers to red eggs and cheorek (sweet bread): “When Christ was crucified, his mother took some eggs and bread wrapped in the shawl. When the Mother saw her Son crucified and his arms bleeding, she knelt down and cried. The Mother’s tears and Son’s blood dropping on the shawl colored the eggs and bread. Then the Mother put the shawl on her head. Since that day people began coloring eggs red on Easter day and women began wearing shawls when visiting church.

Everywhere in Armenia in Yerevan and in every city Easter is celebrated with traditional events, dishes, songs, greetings. Especially remarkable are revels and merriments in Ejmiadzin, Dilijan, Garni and in many other places. Armenia hotels offer Easter discounts.

The Easter atmosphere will be proliferated upon everyone. Special Easter liturgy will be held in Main Cathedral of Armenia in Ejmiatsin and in all other acting churches.  Garni Pagan Temple also will join the celebrations and provide traditional Easter eggs, as presents.