A Traveler’s Guide to 5 of Armenia’s Vibrant Cultural Festivals
Armenia’s vibrant and diverse culture delights travelers year-round. But if you want to experience Armenian culture on a deeper level, we recommend visiting the country during one of the many traditional festivals held throughout the year. These festivals showcase the best of Armenian cuisine, music, dancing, clothing, and other aspects of traditional Armenian culture. Here are a few of the best festivals to consider basing your vacation around.
Vardavar: Armenia’s Historical Water Festival
Vardavar’s origins trace back to pagan rituals honoring Astghik, the goddess of water and fertility. In its early days, this ancient festivity involved Armenians offering roses, which symbolized Astghik’s attributes (“vard” means “rose” in Armenian). This pagan festival was traditionally observed during harvest season and is now observed each year on July 8.
The festival evolved after Armenia adopted Christianity in 301 AD. The Armenian Apostolic Church integrated the symbolism of the rose with Jesus’ transfiguration, and the festival was celebrated alongside the Feast of the Transfiguration.
Some associate the roots of the festival with the biblical story of Noah and the tradition where he instructed his students to sprinkle water amongst themselves and release doves to commemorate the Flood.
On Vardavar day, participants frolic through the streets in cities across Armenia, joyfully dousing each other with water. This playful tradition serves both as a refreshing escape from the summer heat and as a nod to Armenia’s ancient history.
While Vardavar is celebrated across Armenia, the main event is the Vardavar International Festival at the historic Geghard monastery and Garni temple, which showcases Armenian cultural traditions, folk music, and regional crafts.
Areni Wine Festival: A Celebration of Armenia’s Winemaking Traditions
If you are a wine lover planning to visit Armenia, I highly recommend scheduling your trip during the Areni Wine Festival. Held on the first Saturday of October, this celebration of Armenian wine attracts dozens of Armenian winemakers and tens of thousands of visitors to the small village of Areni, located in the Vayots Dzor region. Visitors have the opportunity to taste more than 100 of Armenia’s best wines.
It’s no accident that the village of Areni is the host of this festival. This village is home to the world’s oldest discovered winery—Areni-1—which archaeologists believe dates back to 4000 BC.
Although wine may be the main focus, the Areni Wine Festival is also a celebration of Armenian culture at large. In addition to wine, visitors can enjoy traditional Armenian folk music and dance performances and try a variety of traditional Armenian foods alongside a glass of wine.
Dolma Festival: Celebrating One of Armenia’s Most Iconic Dishes
Among Armenia’s culinary treasures, Dolma stands out as a beloved classic. This dish involves a flavorful blend of either lamb or beef, mixed with aromatic herbs and spices, and encased in grape or cabbage leaves. Each region offers its unique spin, with seasonings like coriander, cinnamon, dill, and mint enhancing the dish’s flavors.
The city of Armavir, near Yerevan, plays host to the esteemed Dolma Festival or “Uduli”, an annual festival that began in 2011. This gastronomic festival pays homage to the rich Armenian culinary tradition, with a spotlight on dolma.
Chefs, both local and international, converge in Armavir to offer a wide array of stuffed vegetable masterpieces, each vying for the top spot. The winner is awarded a coveted gold statue.
Traditional Armenian clothing at the Taraz Festival
Armenia’s fashion legacy is deeply embedded in the tradition of “Taraz.” This age-old attire not only serves as a reflection of the nation’s cultural identity, but also encapsulates the country’s regional variations. Styles of the Taraz vary, each with unique features. Today, the Armenian Taraz has evolved into two main categories: the Western and Eastern Armenian styles.
Since 2015, Yerevan has hosted the Taraz Fest each August. This festival is an ode to the country’s cherished traditional attire. The country’s finest designers show off their masterworks in the capital city, These contemporary creations often weave tradition with modern elements, reflecting Armenia’s evolving fashion scene.
Golden Apricot Yerevan International Film Festival
Held in the heart of Yerevan since 2004, the Golden Apricot Film Festival emerged from the collaborative efforts of the Golden Apricot Fund for Cinema Development and the Armenian Association of Film Critics and Cinema Journalists. Their vision was further supported by the Armenian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, as well as the Benevolent Fund for Cultural Development. In 2005, the renowned Canadian-Armenian filmmaker Atom Egoyan became the president of this festival.
The central theme of the festival is the “Crossroads of Cultures and Civilizations.” The festival curates a diverse array of films that together tell various global narratives and celebrate the complexity of the human experience.
The top awards of the festival include the Golden and Silver Apricot awards, which are presented across categories including feature, documentary, and Armenian panorama films. The revered Parajonov’s Thaler Award, named for the legendary Armenian filmmaker Sergei Parajanov, further celebrates Armenian cinematic luminaries for their lifetime contributions to the art form.