ARMENIAN CULTURE

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Armenians are the fourth largest minority in Armenians are the fourth largest minority in Bulgaria, numbering 10,832. They have been Bulgaria, numbering 10,832. They have been inhabiting the Balkans (including the territory inhabiting the Balkans (including the territory of modern Bulgaria) since no later than the 5th of modern Bulgaria) since no later than the 5th century, when they moved there as part of the century, when they moved there as part of the Byzantine cavalry. The main centres of the Byzantine cavalry. The main centres of the Armenian community in the country are the major Armenian community in the country are the major cities Plovdiv, Varna, Sofia and Burgas. cities Plovdiv, Varna, Sofia and Burgas. The traditional language of the community is The traditional language of the community is Western Armenian, though due to education during Western Armenian, though due to education during the Communist period in Bulgaria being in the Communist period in Bulgaria being in Eastern Armenian, many are also fluent in the Eastern Armenian, many are also fluent in the latter dialect. Bulgarian, being the official latter dialect. Bulgarian, being the official language, is spoken by almost all Armenians in language, is spoken by almost all Armenians in the country. the country.

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Page 1: ARMENIAN CULTURE

Armenians are the fourth largest minority in Bulgaria, numbering Armenians are the fourth largest minority in Bulgaria, numbering 10,832. They have been inhabiting the Balkans (including the 10,832. They have been inhabiting the Balkans (including the territory of modern Bulgaria) since no later than the 5th century, territory of modern Bulgaria) since no later than the 5th century, when they moved there as part of the Byzantine cavalry. The when they moved there as part of the Byzantine cavalry. The main centres of the Armenian community in the country are the main centres of the Armenian community in the country are the major cities Plovdiv, Varna, Sofia and Burgas.major cities Plovdiv, Varna, Sofia and Burgas.

The traditional language of the community is Western Armenian, The traditional language of the community is Western Armenian, though due to education during the Communist period in Bulgaria though due to education during the Communist period in Bulgaria being in Eastern Armenian, many are also fluent in the latter being in Eastern Armenian, many are also fluent in the latter dialect. Bulgarian, being the official language, is spoken by dialect. Bulgarian, being the official language, is spoken by almost all Armenians in the country.almost all Armenians in the country.

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Over the years Armenia has developed a modern, unique and successful culture. Many aspects of the culture are based on the geography, literature, dance, and music of the people. The culture is similar and yet distinct from many of the bordering countries like Russia, Georgia, and Iran as well as Mediterranean nations such as Greece, and Italy. Armenian culture has strong influences from both its Eastern neighbours, as well as an underlying influence from Europe to the West.

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The Armenian dance heritage has The Armenian dance heritage has been one of the oldest, richest and been one of the oldest, richest and most varied in the Near East. From most varied in the Near East. From the fifth to the third millenium B.C., the fifth to the third millenium B.C., in the higher regions of Armenia in the higher regions of Armenia there are rock paintings of scenes of there are rock paintings of scenes of country dancing. These dances were country dancing. These dances were probably accompanied by certain probably accompanied by certain kinds of songs or musical kinds of songs or musical instruments. instruments.

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Armenian cuisine is as ancient as the history of Armenia, a combination of different tastes and aromas. Closely related to eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, various spices, vegetables, fish, and fruits combine to present unique dishes. Throughout history, Armenian cuisine has had cultural exchange with the cuisines of neighboring countries, i.e. Greek, Russian, Turkish, and Arab. Armenia is also famous for its wine, brandy , vodka and very strong coffee. In particular, Armenian cognac is renowned worldwide (winner of several awards), and was considered by the late British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, as his favorite

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Armenians are known for having large and close family bonds. It is very common in Armenian marriages for both the bride and groom to be from the same family and already share the same last name. In Armenia there are no laws concerning marriage of first cousins, half-sisters, half-brothers, etc. It has been long standing tradition in Armenia to tighten family bonds through interfamily marriage.

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Yerevan Opera HouseYerevan Opera House

One of the most important parts of Armenian culture is the music, which has in recent years brought new forms of music, while maintaining traditional styles too. This is evidenced by the world-class Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra that performs at the beautifully refurbished Yerevan Opera House, where one can also attend a full season of opera. In addition, several chamber ensembles are highly regarded for their musicianship, including the National Chamber Orchestra of Armenia and the Serenade Orchestra. Classical music can also be heard at one of several smaller venues, including the State Music Conservatory and the Chamber Orchestra Hall. Jazz is popular, especially in the summer when live performances are a regular occurrence at one of the city’s many outdoor cafés and parks.

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The ritual of Holy Matrimony of the The ritual of Holy Matrimony of the Armenian Church is one of the most Armenian Church is one of the most inspiring and uplifting rituals in the Eastern inspiring and uplifting rituals in the Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches. Marriage is Orthodox Christian Churches. Marriage is one of the seven sacraments of the Armenian one of the seven sacraments of the Armenian Church in which the couple are called to Church in which the couple are called to make a vow before the Lord to be true to make a vow before the Lord to be true to each other for life. each other for life. Their matrimonial union is blessed by the Their matrimonial union is blessed by the Lord through the Church. The marriage Lord through the Church. The marriage ceremony of the Armenian Church is rich in ceremony of the Armenian Church is rich in ritual and symbolism.ritual and symbolism.

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In the Armenian Church this vivid In the Armenian Church this vivid ceremony is a portrayal, step by step, of ceremony is a portrayal, step by step, of the new life of husband and wife. The the new life of husband and wife. The symbolism is striking and points to the love symbolism is striking and points to the love that is yet to be experienced in this holy that is yet to be experienced in this holy union. Each of the acts performed during union. Each of the acts performed during the service has a special meaning and the service has a special meaning and significance. significance.

After being blessed by the priest, rings are After being blessed by the priest, rings are exchanged between the bride and groom, exchanged between the bride and groom, giving expression to the fact that spouses in giving expression to the fact that spouses in marriage will constantly be complementing marriage will constantly be complementing each other. Each will be enriched by the each other. Each will be enriched by the union. During the exhortation to the bride union. During the exhortation to the bride and groom and later on in the service, the and groom and later on in the service, the right hands of the bride and groom are right hands of the bride and groom are joined to symbolize the oneness of the joined to symbolize the oneness of the couple.couple.

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The crowning is the climax of the The crowning is the climax of the wedding service. The crowns are the wedding service. The crowns are the sign of the glory and honor with sign of the glory and honor with which God crowns them during the which God crowns them during the Sacrament. The groom and the bride Sacrament. The groom and the bride are crowned as the king and the are crowned as the king and the queen of their own little kingdom, the queen of their own little kingdom, the home, which they will rule with home, which they will rule with wisdom, justice, and integrity. At the wisdom, justice, and integrity. At the end of the wedding ceremony the end of the wedding ceremony the priest blesses the couple, asking priest blesses the couple, asking Christ to "protect them under the Christ to "protect them under the shadow of thy holy and honorable shadow of thy holy and honorable cross in peace". Thus God’s grace is cross in peace". Thus God’s grace is imparted to them to live together in imparted to them to live together in His love, mutually fulfilling and His love, mutually fulfilling and perfecting each other.perfecting each other.

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It is the offering of oneself to God or the It is the offering of oneself to God or the presentation of the child by the godparent and presentation of the child by the godparent and accepting his message of salvation. It is the duty accepting his message of salvation. It is the duty of Christian parents to see to it that their of Christian parents to see to it that their children are baptized when infants. Church children are baptized when infants. Church canons strongly advise Baptism of the child by canons strongly advise Baptism of the child by the 8th day after birth and up until the 40th day the 8th day after birth and up until the 40th day after birth.after birth.

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At the door of the church, the order of the service At the door of the church, the order of the service conducted by the priest is: Penitential Psalms, conducted by the priest is: Penitential Psalms, Blessing of Narod, Renunciation of Satan, and Blessing of Narod, Renunciation of Satan, and Confessions of Faith.Confessions of Faith.

At the door of the church, the child is presented At the door of the church, the child is presented to the church as an offering and gift to God. The to the church as an offering and gift to God. The priest prepares a special cord called Narod, priest prepares a special cord called Narod, which is made up of two colored cords braided which is made up of two colored cords braided into one. The colors of the Narod are red and into one. The colors of the Narod are red and white, which symbolize sacrifice and purity, and white, which symbolize sacrifice and purity, and also recall the blood and water which poured out also recall the blood and water which poured out the side of Christ. the side of Christ.

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With the placing of the Narod and Cross on the With the placing of the Narod and Cross on the neck of the child, we see the action of Christ taking neck of the child, we see the action of Christ taking over the person. As the child is brought into the over the person. As the child is brought into the church the hymn Zoghormootiun ko uztoorn patz church the hymn Zoghormootiun ko uztoorn patz mez Der (The gate of thy mercy open unto us O mez Der (The gate of thy mercy open unto us O Lord) is sung. Next the Godfather takes the child in Lord) is sung. Next the Godfather takes the child in his arms and he and all present shall turn facing the his arms and he and all present shall turn facing the west (the doors of the church) and shall say west (the doors of the church) and shall say together with the priest the Renunciation of Satan together with the priest the Renunciation of Satan three times (the west is the symbol of darkness and three times (the west is the symbol of darkness and the "side of Satan"). Following the renunciation the "side of Satan"). Following the renunciation (hrajaroom), the Godfather, the child, and all (hrajaroom), the Godfather, the child, and all present "turn to the light of the knowledge of God." present "turn to the light of the knowledge of God." At this point the sponsor on behalf of the child At this point the sponsor on behalf of the child professes the child’s unity to Christ, by reciting the professes the child’s unity to Christ, by reciting the Baptismal Creed. The conclusion of the rite at the Baptismal Creed. The conclusion of the rite at the door of the church ends with the reading of the door of the church ends with the reading of the Holy Gospel declaring the "Commission of the Holy Gospel declaring the "Commission of the Apostles" followed by the recitation of the Nicene Apostles" followed by the recitation of the Nicene CreedCreed..

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Over the centuries, Armenian woman have Over the centuries, Armenian woman have excelled in fine needlework. At a very young excelled in fine needlework. At a very young age, girls worked diligently preparing their age, girls worked diligently preparing their trousseau (an important part of a bride’s trousseau (an important part of a bride’s dowry), making lace, embroidering towels and dowry), making lace, embroidering towels and preparing all the clothing they would wear for preparing all the clothing they would wear for the rest of their lives.the rest of their lives.

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According to folklore, when you visited friends According to folklore, when you visited friends and relatives, it was the custom to be served Surj and relatives, it was the custom to be served Surj (Armenian Coffee). In all the Near Eastern (Armenian Coffee). In all the Near Eastern countries where Surj was served, it was the duty countries where Surj was served, it was the duty of the young girl in the house to prepare the of the young girl in the house to prepare the coffee for all occasions. Traditionally, the girl coffee for all occasions. Traditionally, the girl who could not make a pot of coffee (surj) with a who could not make a pot of coffee (surj) with a good foaming head on it was not worthy of a good foaming head on it was not worthy of a good husband!good husband!

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THE EVIL EYE - FACT OR THE EVIL EYE - FACT OR FICTION?FICTION?

One of the more colorful folk beliefs in One of the more colorful folk beliefs in Armenian tradition is the very real belief and Armenian tradition is the very real belief and fear of the "Evil Eye", a form of projected fear of the "Evil Eye", a form of projected envy that can harm one. Belief in the evil eye envy that can harm one. Belief in the evil eye was widespread amongst Mediterranean was widespread amongst Mediterranean cultures and any individual’s misfortune was cultures and any individual’s misfortune was the obvious result of an ill-wisher.the obvious result of an ill-wisher.

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Armenians never start a new project Armenians never start a new project on Tuesday because it will never turn on Tuesday because it will never turn out or be completed.out or be completed. If someone enters through a front If someone enters through a front door, they must leave from the same door, they must leave from the same door. door. Never cross a path a snake has made. Never cross a path a snake has made. One must walk around it or else bad One must walk around it or else bad luck will befall them.luck will befall them.

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Saint Gregor church in Summer time

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The train station and the statue of David

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The Yerevan main train station.

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YerevanRepublic Square

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