Pagan Trndez in Christian Armenia - who celebrates the “fiery” holiday and why

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Presentation of the Lord (Trndez) on February 14, the fortieth day after Epiphany. In Armenia, the holiday has two names: “turn and dzes” or “thearnendarach”, which means “The Lord is with you!”, “Towards the Lord!”. According to the church charter, on the eve of the holiday, on the evening of February 13, at the end of the evening service, Andastan is performed - a rite of consecration of the four cardinal directions, after which the candle blessing ceremony takes place. According to the oldest tradition, dating back to the pre-Christian era, a fire is lit from a blessed candle, symbolizing the saving light of Christ. The main participants of the holiday are young men and women, newlyweds or those who are just about to tie the knot. The main symbol of the holiday is a bonfire, over which young couples jump. It is believed that you should not separate your hands when jumping so that the union is strong. While the boys and girls are jumping, the elders sprinkle them with wheat and hemp seeds. In ancient times, they believed that during the ritual, the flame of a fire acquired a special energy of renewal and new life.

HAYA Festival

Worldwide legends in Armenia At HAYA Festival, we’re a group of music lovers who thrive on creating a magical experience for over a hundred thousand people every season. Whether you have a strong passion for music or you’re simply hunting for melodic thrills, if you believe in the power of music, we’ve got you covered. Based in the heart of the Republic of Armenia, we believe that music is a universal language that can unite people of all cultures and backgrounds, so we keep breaking barriers and organizing concerts also in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. It’s official, we’ve opened a new chapter in the history of Armenia’s culture, tourism, and economy. We not only offer a lineup of the hottest artists, but we also serve as a creative platform to present Armenia, the peaceful and blossoming country, thus putting it on the map and supporting global cultural initiatives at the same time. Our mission? As simple as it is, we aim at promoting peace and understanding between different cultures and nationalities, with a vision to advocate hope and social change, encouraging self-expression and sharing emotions with other humans who value bringing harmony to their hearts, as we do. So, mark the dates and come with friends. HAYA proved to be a magnificent extravaganza, surpassing anything that had preceded it. The festival captivated the attendees with its magical atmosphere, highlighted by unforgettable performances of French pop sensation ZAZ, legendary hip-hop artist 50 Cent, and the brilliant Led Zeppelin Symphonic project.

HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival

• 2024-01-31

HIGH FEST International Performing Arts Festival was established in 2003. The first edition was situated in Yerevan, Armenia, October 2-9. It is the flagship performing arts festival in Armenia. Over these years more than 500 foreign companies, 5000 participants and guests took part of the festival. HIGH FEST has Main and Fringe parts as well as Armenian Showcase and the special Iranian programme. The main goals of HIGH FEST (international performing arts festival) are developing of Armenian Performing arts, promoting Cultural Policy in Armenia and cultural rights of Armenian performing arts practitioners; promotion of Worldwide Culture in Armenia and Armenian Culture in other countries in the world; supporting Armenia in the process of integration between European countries in the field of culture; setting up and implementing programmes and events in art and culture for professional artists in order to promote open and a democratic society within Armenia. To realize our goals, we seek mutually beneficial collaboration with our stakeholders, government business sector, international and local organizations. Over past sixteen years, the Festival has significantly expanded and has drawn international attention. From 2006 it is announced by many performing arts networks as a main theatre festival of the former USSR countries (except of Moscow). Every year we have strong educational programmes, such as conferences, master classes, seminars and workshops, run by leading world specialists. As a result of international recognition Armenia joined several international theatre arts networks, namely: ASSITEJ, IETM, IFEA, ITI, ENCATC, ELIA etc.

Color Festival Yerevan

Inspired by Holi, a popular Indian festival with ancient Hindu roots, the Color Festival in Yerevan celebrates the arrival of the festive and joyous summer season. A free-for-all festival of colors, visitors should expect to smear and be smeared with a rainbow of colorful powders while meeting friends and dancing to music played by local DJs. Surely the most colorful event in June, the festival, which takes place on Mashtots Avenue, brings a playful start to summer holidays.

CYCLE OF BRIGHT IMPRESSIONS

Armenia has a lot to offer to a young tourism destination that is quickly gaining momentum in the world - bright moments and memorable events. National holidays and theatrical shows, international music, film and theater festivals, gastronomic festivals. Such as the Arisa festival in the village of Musaler, donkeys cook millet porridge with meat in huge cauldrons on the night of the third Sunday in September. Or a barbecue festival in Akhtala. The aroma of meat grilled on charcoal attracts guests to the fortress, where restaurateurs and amateurs compete in preparing the oldest dish. In Akhtala you will be offered to try more than 60 types of khorovats (kebabs), including vegetables. Even more varieties of another Armenian dish, tolma, are prepared at the festival in Sardarapat. In addition to a dozen types of dishes, when meat is traditionally wrapped in grape leaves, here is the dolma from Avrut, for example, where the tolma was prepared by wrapping it in bean leaves, or according to the recipe of the ancient Ani cooks - in the leaves of Pumpkin flowers. At the mulberry festival you can eat a juicy berry and try the famous mulberry, at the honey festival you can taste the products of peaceful and fighting Armenian bees, at the bread festival you can taste Armenian bread and circuses.