Vardavar or Vartavar (, Homshetsi: Vartevor or Behur)
Origin
Vardavar's history dates back to
pagan times. The ancient festival is traditionally associated with the goddess
Astghik, who was the goddess of water, beauty, love, and fertility. The festivities associated with this religious observance of Astghik were named “Vardavar” because
Armenians offered her
roses as a celebration (
vard means "rose" in Armenian and
var means "to burn/be burning", this is why it was celebrated in the harvest time).
After the Christianization of Armenia, the Armenian Apostolic Church identified the rose with the transfiguration of Jesus and Vardavar continued to be celebrated along with the Feast of the Transfiguration.
Some claim it comes from a tradition dating back to
Noah, in which he commanded that his descendants should sprinkle water on each other and let doves fly as a symbol of remembrance of the Flood.
The historian of ancient religions Albert de Jong explains that the water rite of Vardavar bears strong resemblance to a similar rite of the Zoroastrianism of Yazd as part of the festival of Tir-o-Tištar.
Date
Vardavar is generally celebrated 98 days (14 weeks) after
Easter in the
Armenia and the diaspora when the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of the Transfiguration. In some regions, however, it is held on different days, and traditions differ too.
| +Vardavar Celebration Days |
|
| July 27 |
| July 7 |
| July 16 |
| July 24 |
| July 11 |
| July 19 |
| July 28 |
| July 8 |
| July 23 |
| July 3 |
| July 12 |
| July 27 |
| July 7 |
| July 15 |
| July 31 |
| July 11 |
Festival
During the day of Vardavar, people from a wide array of ages are allowed to douse strangers with water. It is common to see people pouring buckets of water from balconies on unsuspecting people walking below them. The festival is very popular among children as it is one day where they can get away with pulling pranks. It is also a means of refreshment on the usually hot and dry summer days of July or late June.
Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia (FYCA) each year organizes the "Vardavar International Festival" which is a cognitive, educational and cultural festival. Every year it takes place in the medieval monastery of Geghard and old pagan temple of Garni. The festival aims to present the Armenian national and traditional culture.
In addition to the celebrations, the traditional ceremony of splashing water on each other and the blessings of the youth, the Armenian folk songs are also included and performed by the Nairyan Vocal Ensamble. The Vardavar holiday theme pavilions represent the traditions and handmade works of different regions of Armenia.
Outside Armenia
Vardavar is also celebrated by Armenians in Russia
and in Glendale, California.
In popular culture
Vardavar was featured on episode 2 of season 3 of Mickey Mouse Funhouse on 1 March 2024. Minnie chooses the wrong outfit to celebrate Vardavar; they are then seen eating
Khorovats (Armenian BBQ) and
Ayran (Armenian yogurt drink). The episode marks the first-ever representation of Armenian culture at Disney.
See also
-
Public holidays in Armenia
External links
