4 January 2012 by anushka - archived in Caucasus

An Armenian Reality of New Year Celebration

Like in many countries of the world, in Armenia also, New Year is probably the most favorite and long anticipated holiday for children, teenagers and grown-ups. Armenian families do not spare a single effort to prepare for New Year the best way. We decorate our houses with Christmas tree and traditional decorations, we do shopping to enrich our tables with various dishes and drinks, as “the main treasure” of New Year for most Armenians is “the rich table”. We do our best to satisfy our guests and make them believe that our dishes are the tastiest and the most unique. This is maybe the only time of the year that each Armenian family has for about 25-30 guests per day and even if it may sound a bit unusual to you, Armenians do not ask or wait for a special invitation to visit anybody’s house during New Year celebration, everybody’s doors are open to close and far relatives and friends. It is a great opportunity to remember those who we have seen once or have not seen at all during the passed year. People love this holiday also because it lasts really very long, almost for 2 weeks, including Christmas on January 6. We start New Year celebration at the midnight of the 31st December, when fireworks announce the beginning of a new year. During the next days we have lots of guests, of course we receive interesting presents. Each Armenian housewife should treat you to her wonderful dishes and no matter how fed you are, you can never resist the temptation of the dishes she will suggest. Of course along with eating we also drink and our favorite drink is Armenian wine. We drink for everybody who is close to us: for our parents, children, relatives and friends and of course for every good thing we expect for the coming year: health, happiness, luck, well- being… and so far. But the most important phenomenon I would like to mention is that each Armenian no matter what kind of celebration it is always drinks for PEACE. From the very childhood I have heard thousands of nice toasts, but the toasts for PEACE have always been very special, as they were pronounced by those who experienced what is called war and the awful circumstances of it. And I am happy that in spite of that awful experience, people are now hopeful for a peaceful future. I hope that in future, when we will drink for PEACE, we will say , “Thanks to God we have gained it, now it is time to cherish it”.

Arevik Hayrapetyan, FD blogger from Armenia