The Armenian people have formed a rich ritual culture over the centuries, an important component of which is the system of national and Christian church holidays. Among these, a special place is occupied by the five Tabernacle Feasts of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which combine both the spiritual meaning of Christian faith and echoes of ancient pre-Christian Armenian traditions. The term “Tabernacle Feasts” today is unique to the Armenian Church, although it was also used in ancient Jewish week-long ritual celebrations, when people gathered in Jerusalem from all parts of the country and lived throughout the festival in temporary light shelters made of branches—tabernacles. This is where the general name of these feasts originated.
The Armenian Tabernacle Feasts are Christmas, Easter, the Transfiguration (Vardavar), the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God (Blessing of the Grapes), and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Each of them has developed numerous folk traditions around it—decorating the tree of life, the ritual game of Vichak, water games, and harvest blessings—which have been passed down from generation to generation. Over time, these feasts have become not only religious ceremonies but also important expressions of folk culture, music, dance, and communal unity.
It was precisely to present these multilayered traditions and the spirit of unity that the third-grade students appeared on stage today. The performance opened with Palm Sunday, celebrated one week before Easter. In a symbolic setting reminiscent of festive Jerusalem preparing to welcome Jesus, the students decorated the Tree of Life, summarizing the ideas of spring awakening, continuity of life, and new beginnings. In Armenian folk culture, Palm Sunday has also been considered the beginning of springtime outdoor celebrations.
The next scene was dedicated to Holy Easter, one of the most mysterious and joyful Christian holidays. This time the stage came alive with Easter symbols, especially the red egg and the traditional egg-cracking game. Through a lively dialogue, the students revealed the symbolic meaning of the dyed egg and the game: the red egg represents the blood of Christ, while the egg itself symbolizes the completeness of the world.
The young Usum students did not limit themselves only to Easter games. The Vichak ritual games, dedicated to the Feast of the Ascension, were just as dynamic and lively. The stage was filled with festive scenes: the girls prepared the Arus doll, gathered flowers and water from different springs, accompanied by songs and ritual actions. According to tradition, the boys tried to steal the ritual jar, and to retrieve it the girls had to sing or dance.
The next act of the performance brought a summer atmosphere with the water-filled celebration of Vardavar and the fruit-abundant Feast of the Assumption, dedicated to Jesus Christ and the Holy Mother of God.
At the end of the performance, the students emphasized the reality that although Armenian holidays have passed through a long path from pagan times to Christianity, they have preserved many customs reflecting the people’s faith, daily life, and cultural identity. The purpose of the event, therefore, was to once again remind everyone that national traditions are not merely historical heritage; they are living values that unite generations and preserve national identity.
The final message of the event remains relevant and meaningful: wherever in the world an Armenian may be, they can always carry a small homeland in their heart—through its songs, dances, and festive traditions.
To not think freely is to not think at all!
