Important traditional ceremony or cultural event in my country
Out of the many traditional events and ceremonies in my country, I want to speak about one of the most joyful, fun and interesting cultural event called Vardavar.
Vardavar is an Armenian festival with ancient roots, celebrated annually to mark the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. It typically falls 98 days after Easter, which places it in July. The festival has early origins related to the worship of Astghik, the Armenian goddess of love, beauty and water.
During Vardavar, people engage in a unique tradition of dousing each other with water, symbolizing purification and renewal. Streets and public spaces become lively as participants, armed with water balloons, buckets, and water guns, joyfully splash water on friends, family, and even strangers. This communal water fight is a central and much-anticipated aspect of Vardavar, bringing people together in a spirit of shared joy and celebration.
In addition to the water festivities, Armenians also attend church services, partake in traditional foods, and engage in various cultural events during Vardavar. The festival holds deep cultural and historical significance, combining Christian and pagan elements in a celebration of life, renewal, and the triumph of good over evil.
Taking part in Vardavar
It is quite fun and joyful to participate in Vardavar as all the Armenians around the country prepare their water guns, balloons and buckets filled with water, ready to splash it on others. I have participated in Vardavar many times, especially when I was around 6-10, but now I hardly manage to take part in it, as every year on the day of the event I’m having some kind of important meetings or work to do, so I avoid getting splashed and wet by the people on the streets…which is very hard to be honest.