- Traditional New Year holidays
- Preparation for the holiday
- Festive table
- New Year traditions
- Where to go for a holiday
Armenia is a country of contrasts and a unique culture, where festive rituals are layered on top of each other, creating their own special atmosphere. New Year in the country is celebrated today in accordance with the generally accepted date, which falls on the night of December 31 to January 1. However, in Armenia, the custom has been preserved to meet the celebration in the old style.
Traditional New Years holidays
According to the chronicles, the Armenians celebrated the New Year twice a year. The first holiday or Amaron took place on the vernal equinox (March 21) and was considered the personification of nature awakening after a long winter. The main semantic load of Amaron was that the holiday was timed to praise the natural elements. So, the villagers took to the streets and glorified the gods, bringing a rich harvest next year. All the requests of the Armenians on March 21 were aimed at preserving fruit and vegetable crops, as well as restoring health for difficult chores.
The second New Year, called Navasard, was celebrated on 11 August. The holiday is shrouded in a legend about a brave archer who freed his people by killing a terrible monster named Bela. This event took place on August 11 in the 20th century BC, after which the Armenians marked the beginning of the year on this very date. The king of Armenia proclaimed the celebration to be the main day in the calendar and urged people to gather near the slopes of Mount Npat with the aim of universal unity.
Currently, these two holidays are rarely celebrated on the territory of modern Armenia, with the exception of some remote villages. Locals prefer the European New Year more and enjoy it.
Preparation for the holiday
New Year in Armenia is a purely family celebration, so every hostess tries to decorate the house in advance. More democratic Armenians put a fir tree in their apartments and decorate it with both purchased and homemade toys. Those who strive to preserve the old customs make the "tree of life" from straw, symbolizing wealth and happiness.
The older generation knits ornaments from special yarn in the form of dolls and deer figurines. In all houses, wreaths of fir branches with cones appear as festive attributes. In New Year's design, red prevails. These can be ribbons, pomegranate seeds, dried berries, etc.
Mass events take place on December 30 and 31 in the central square of Yerevan, where a tall spruce is set, sparkling with colorful lights. In the evening, locals gather on the streets of the city to watch the fireworks and a concert dedicated to the New Year.
Festive table
Armenians are famous for their cuisine, which has its roots in the distant past. Until now, the hostesses prepare many New Year's dishes according to old recipes. So, the mandatory components of the festive menu are:
- Aylazan (vegetable stew with spices);
- Eggplant and tomato salad;
- Hapama (stuffed pumpkin with dried fruits, rice and honey);
- Dolma (envelopes from grape leaves with filling);
- Khash (lamb soup with garlic);
- Khorovats (Armenian shish kebab);
- Gata (dessert stuffed with sugar and walnuts);
- Pilaf with dried fruits.
- Fresh vegetables;
- Various cheeses.
An interesting fact is that not a single New Year is complete without the ngatzahik seasoning, which is made by drying the flower of the same name that grows near Mount Ararat. The presence of seasoning in dishes is required, as it symbolizes well-being and prosperity in the coming year.
Residents of Armenia are considered gourmets in the sphere of drinking wine, therefore, it is customary to put several varieties of this drink on the New Year's table. Drinking champagne for a holiday is also very popular.
New Year traditions
To this day, the customs of celebrating the New Year have been preserved in Armenia, and some of them are observed on the night of December 31 to January 1. Most of the rituals performed by the Armenians are associated with the ancient cult of water, fire and wood.
So, on the evening of December 31, it is customary to burn a wooden log in the courtyard of the house. The remaining ash is buried in the fields with the wishes of a rich harvest in the future. Another original tradition is that the owner lights a fire and the whole family gathers around him. For several minutes everyone sits in silence, recalling the past year and giving negative memories to the fire. After this ritual, each family member tears a chip off the log, throws it into the fire and makes a wish.
The element of water has been revered in Armenia since ancient times. In the mountainous regions of the country, on New Year's Eve, girls rush to the streams in order to throw a matah, which is a piece of bread, at them. Thus, the Armenians invoke good luck in the coming year and glorify the cult of water.
The most popular New Year tradition among the residents of Armenia is meeting the holiday in a narrow family circle. Only on January 1, you can go to visit each other and continue to celebrate the celebration.
Where to go for a holiday
Celebrating the New Year in Armenia is a good prospect, as there are enough interesting places and sights in the country.
If you prefer large cities, then it is better to choose a trip to Yerevan or Gyumri. It is here that mass events are held on New Year's holidays. Travel agencies organize entertainment programs including New Year's Eve parties, visits to the local zoo and excursions to the historic city.
Ski resorts in Armenia are becoming more and more popular. Fans of outdoor activities are recommended to go to Tsaghkadzor, where you can not only have a great time, but also enjoy the picturesque landscapes.
A very attractive option is a trip to the resort town of Dzhemruk, where famous thermal springs are located. Modern health complexes, well-developed infrastructure, New Year's program - you will get all this in full by going to Jemruk.
Having met the New Year in Armenia, you will remember this holiday for a long time. The combination of local flavor and one of the most delicious cuisines in the world will leave an indelible impression on those who appreciate oriental hospitality and culture.
