In the past, the Armenians’ ancestors would celebrate the spring, particularly the seven weeks preceding Easter with interesting national rituals and festivities which, unfortunately, have been forgotten.

I would like to talk about unique and interesting events that were organized at Kindergarten N 58 of Yerevan and Naregatsi Art Institute on April 3.

First, we visited the kindergarten where the children recited poems, performed songs and dances and presented parts of traditional Armenian rituals. One got the impression that the children were the heroes and contemporaries of the era of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Afterwards, we headed towards Naregatsi Art Institute where, with the help of “Tonatsuyts” Folk Theater, we not only recalled, but also participated in the national rituals of the Lent following the Armenian Barekendan holiday, that is, the Onion-Garlic Week, Farming or Vegetable Week, Coming of Birds, Mijink, Week of Koshik or Driving Evil Out of the House, Palm Sunday (Tsakhkazard) and Easter.

The event was hosted by head of “Tonatsuyts” NGO Hasmik Baghramyan, who made the event so beautiful that it seemed as though she had witnessed all old Armenian holidays.

Naregatsi Art Institute and the Office of the Armenian Red Cross Society directly supported the event.

Thus, the best Armenian holidays and traditions of the past, continue, and the “Tonatsuyts” non-governmental, compatriotic organization continues them.

Garik Avetisyan

Photos by Sirarpi Karapetyan