The New Swinging Bridge: Khndzoresk Welcomes Tourists

There would hardly be anyone who would not agree with the statement that Armenia is more attractive and beautiful with its undiscovered miracles. Every corner of Armenia has its own history – a legend,  a myth connected with it.

Khndzoresk village (located in the South-East of Armenia, marz Syunik) is not an exception. About a month ago thanks to the efforts of Khndzoresk residents a swinging bridge was opened. The 160-meter long bridge weight 14 tons and connects the two banks of the village, the so-called old and new Khndzoresk.

The amazing thing about the bridge is that it was constructed by the residents of the village, with their own hands and no machinery was used for the construction, and even for the transportation of materials (they used horses). Everyone would agree that this is a very brave and patriotic act. The aim was perhaps to preserve the natural and historical heritage of their hometown, as the new bridge can help you see, feel, hear, learn and experience many things about ancient times.

The construction of the bridge was initiated by a local entrepreneur. According to him, he wanted the bridge to serve as a road for the youth to get back to their roots.

According to the estimations of the local people the bridge can “hold” 700 people at the same time. To be frank enough, I myself would be scared to death to step on the bridge; while Khndzoresk residents do not even doubt the durability of the construction. The bridge runs over a deep canyon which is amazingly beautiful with its rock formations and caves. Until the 1950s people used to live there.

St. Hripsime church (17^th century) and the tomb of Mkhitar Sparapet (Armenian national hero who won many victories over the turks in the 18th century and was killed on his way to Khndzoresk) can also be found nearby.

Khndzoresk has always been a tiny village with its unique image and perceptions. Hope the new bridge will add its unique colors and spice to the small village and the lifestyle of its residents.

Photo © Abraham Balabanyan

Armenian National Dance Ver-veri: Jump Up High

Photo © Narek Harutyunyan

National Armenian dances are something that every Armenian should be proud of. They are all full of tranquility, peace, joy, love and tender. Ver-veri (Վեր-վերի) or Ver-Veruk (Վեր-վերուկ) is one of the most beautiful Armenian dances, popular in all regions of Armenia. It belongs to the two steps-forward/one step-back type of dances and is very easy to learn.

The name Ver-veri indicates the mood of the dance -- light, joyful and sometimes even humorous. The root of the word “Վեր-վերի” means to jump up high, to dance from joy, to rejoice. It also includes the meaning of height and upwards. In old Armenian this dance was called Vernapar, which means “dance upwards.”

Leaps and jumps are used quite often in Armenian dances. They symbolize the efforts of the dancers to have a magical impact on the fertility of the plants, birds, animals and humans. Ver-veri is usually performed in circles, either hand in hand or by holding each others’ shoulders, with handkerchiefs attached to their waists.

As mentioned above, Ver-veri is quite easy to learn. I suggest you watching the tutorial, which, unfortunately, is available only in Armenian, but I will try to help you with the language:

In the first part the choreographer speaks about the dance. Ver-veri has 2 versions – average and high speed.

Average speed version: dancers perform hands down by taking each others’ hands. Hands slowly move back and forth during the dance. The feet movements are as follows: right foot makes a step to the right, left foot makes a cross-step to the right, right foot makes another step to the right, left foot makes a move in the air without touching the ground, and then goes backward. Then the right foot moves to the left in the air and comes back to its initial position.  

High speed version: dancers hold each others’ shoulders. The feet movements are basically the same, they just perform this version with more leaps and jumps.

To me the dance is more beautiful when it is performed with at least 7-8 people. I suggest you watching the full dance video below:

You already have an understanding about this beautiful dance of Ver-veri and probably know the basic steps. Now time to turn on the music and jump up high!

Download Ver-veri music here!

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.”

Golden Apricot Festival and Armenian Apricot

Armenian Apricot - ծիրան ("tsiran")

Today is the 3rd day of the most Armenian fruit 9th Golden Apricot Festival. It started with the apricots blessing ceremony.  The event is still blooming near Cinema Moscow, while we would like to bring you into the significance of the delicious fruit!

Apricot is a symbolic and national fruit for Armenians. There are numerous songs devoted to this fruit. It’s amazingly delicious and sweet especially when grown in Armenia. Even its name in Latin is “prunus armeniaca”.

Our ancestors used to say that eating Armenian apricot you can get rid of twelve diseases. The apricot is full of beta-carotene, vitamins A & C, fiber and lycopene that are good for your heart, eyes, digestive system and prostate. In general, the legend says that apricot is symbolized with longevity. Even from ancient times, the apricot of the Ararat Valley was known as the best in the world.

The reputation of Armenian apricot made many foreigners to call Armenia as a “Land of Apricot”. According to excavations led by Armenian naturalist B. Arakelyan in Garni, there were found apricot stones dating back more than 6 thousand years.

Armenian dry fruits

Armenians have numerous recipes for making different types of sweets, dry fruit, soups, jams, jellies, marmalades, juices, pies and compotes of apricot. As soon as apricot season starts Armenian landladies start buying apricot and making tasty desserts.

Here is a recipe for preparing an Apricot Pie

Apricot Pie

Filling ingredients:

1 kg dry apricots

½ cup of sugar

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon cinnamon and pour as much water so it will cover the apricots

In order to make the crust get a ready-one or use your known recipes for two-crust pie. Cook apricots in a pot filled with water for 15-20 minutes. Then add the butter and mix with blender. Combine cornstarch and water, then add to apricot mixture, and cook until it gets thickened. Add cinnamon. Before putting in dough, butter pan. Then brush the dough with egg white and then add the apricot. Bake for 30-45 minutes.

Dolma Armenian Summer Festival

Armenian Summer Dolma with pepper, eggplant,
cabbage and tomato 

If you plan to visit Armenia, there are several traditional Armenian foods that you should taste by all means. Make sure to taste one of the most delicious and popular Armenian dishes called dolma. There are all kinds of dolmas: dolma with grape leaves, summer dolma, “pasuts” (fast) dolma, “sut” (fake) dolma.  The real dolma is made of grape leaves and Armenian women spend long time to prepare it.

This national dish of Armenian cuisine needs grape leaves, minced beef meat, rice, onion, basil and other spices. You must put one kilo minced beef in a bowl, then you add one cup of washed rice and minced onion. As you mix them together also add a tablespoon of tomato paste, a tablespoon of dry basil and savory, 150 grams butter, black pepper and salt. Add half a cup of warmish water and start to knead the stuff either with spoon or hands for 10 minutes. Once the kneaded stuffing of dolma is ready, take a grape leave put a tablespoon of the stuffing on it and roll it. After rolling the grape leave dolmas put them in a saucepan, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and some water to cover it and cook for 20 minutes.  You can prepare the same with cabbage leaves.

Summer dolma is made of stuffed eggplants, pepper, tomatoes.  Shake Balekjian shows how to make summer Dolma.  Armenians like to prepare summer dolma.

“Pasuts” dolma, as it is served as vegetarian dish for fasting does not use any kind of meat.  Instead it uses beans, peas, rice, lots of other spices cooked in oil and stuffed in sour cabbage.  “Pasuts” dolma is usually quite big in size, and one would be enough for normal portion.

“Sut” dolma is made of rice, oil and spices.  Since it is stuffed in grape leaves, it looks like real grape leave dolma, but there is no meat; that is why it is called “fake”.  It is very tasty, and even though takes long time to prepare, one eats it really quickly, like sun-flower seeds J

Real grape leave dolma is usually served with matsoun – Armenian national sour yoghurt and garlic.

Dolma is a very popular traditional Armenian dish usually prepared for festive tables such as New Year or just for special guests. In different regions of Armenia people cook dolma with specific change of ingredients, like Ashtarak and Echmiatsin dolma are made of lamb. In Ashtarak they often make dolma by stuffing apple and quince.

Dolma has a ritual significance in Armenian culture. Last year, for the first time there was even organized Pan-Armenian Festival of Dolma in Sardarapat Memorial, where 22 cooks from Yerevan and regions presented different Armenian recipes of dolma. This year Armenian Dolma Festival will take place again July 11 in Sardarapat, the purpose of which is to make traditional Armenian dishes popular and showcase the cultural values of the Armenian cuisine. 20 pavilions will be serving Armenian dolma.  The Festival had quite good reactions and results, so the organizers decided to make Pan-Armenian Dolma Festival every year. 

Jermuk Ropeway: Bridge to the Miracles

Jermuk has always been one of the most popular tourism destinations in Armenia. It is famous for its breathtakingly beautiful nature, healing mineral waters and sanitariums with different kinds of medical treatments and procedures. However, just like many other places in Armenia, Jermuk was also known mainly to Armenians. Few people outside Armenia had ever heard about the miracles of Jermuk.

Fortunately there are people caring for the “well-being” of our natural treasures. In 2007 in the framework of a government-financed project a 1000 meter-long ropeway was constructed in Jermuk town.

The ropeway works all year round. It will take you 2480 meters high, from where you can rent skis or snowboards in winter and enjoy the winter spirit of Jermuk. There are two skiing roads – 1450m and 1550m.

The ropeway meets all international standards and is being checked and upgraded every year. The price of the ropeway ticket is 1000 AMD (about $2.5), you can also buy a 6000 AMD ticket for the whole day.

The ropeway is not the only “driving force” that brings tourists to Jermuk. It just serves as a bridge between the people and the miracles of nature.

Vahanavank: the Undiscovered Treasure

Many people know Armenia by its highly popular tourist destinations – Sevan, Garni, Tatev, Noravank, Dilijan and some others. Even we – native Armenians, know so little about the hidden treasures of our country. The thing is that those undiscovered or long-forgotten destinations are able to tell much more about the Armenian land, the Armenian people, culture and history. The latest “discovery” was the Vahanavank Monastery – the mysterious beauty leaning in the green Armenian forests.

Vahanavank is situated in the southern part of Armenia in marz Syunik near the town of Kapan. It was built at the foot of Tigranasar mountain, in the forests and on the bank of Voghdji River. The monastery was founded in the 10th century by Vahan – son of Dzagik, the Prince of Syunik. According to Armenian historian Stepanos Orbelian Vahan suffered from demonic possession and to cure himself he decided to life a monk’s life.

The first building was the Gregory Illuminator church (911) built by Vahan. The construction continued by his nephew Vahan. Later in the 11th century a smaller monastery and other buildings were constructed near the main building. Near the convent there used to be a religious school with more than 100 preceptors.

Vahanavank used to be a religious center for the kings of Syunik. Vahan and also some of the Armenian kings, queens and princes are buried near the church.

Unexplainable warm feelings embrace you once you make a step to the mysterious “kingdom” of Vahanavank. As if you vanish from the reality finding yourself in a world unknown to the people, unknown to you.

The good news is that the Monastery is not “neglected” as many other monasteries are. In 1970s restoration works began and today the Monastery is not in danger.