TOURINFO Magazine – The Holiday of Family & Upcoming Spring!
On the 13th of February, Armenia celebrates Trndez – national holiday that has deep roots in the history of Armenia and the hearts of its people. The holiday signifies the end of winter and hope for the fruitful and warm spring. The main attribute of Trndez is a bonfire which symbolizes Christ’s saving light, joy and protection form the evil. Traditionally, youth and newlyweds are responsible for setting the bonfire and mainly they are our “jumpers”.
People believe that if a couple managed to jump over the fire holding a hand of the beloved, their family will never fall apart and will have endless happiness. While young people are jumping, older people sprinkle them with wheat and hemp seeds, which is also a wish for well-being and fertility. There is no need to worry whether the fire can burn your clothes. According to Armenian beliefs, the flame of the festive bonfire gives the energy of renewal and good luck in life to those whom it touched.
Armenian pagan ancestors founded this tradition to worship the god of fire – Vahagn. There is a legend about him told by our elders. When people got tired of the harsh and freezing winter, they set fire in order to help the sun to rise and the beginning of spring to hasten. Vahagn being born out of the sun’s first divine light killed Vishap, the dragon, who was giving water only in exchange for a person’s life. Then the water was freed and the soil blossomed, that is how fire helped to conquer winter.
After the adoption of Christianity, both the holiday’s name and the overall idea went through a slight change. Previously, people called the holiday Derendez which meant “haystack under your window”, now it is Trndez out of Ter (Տեր) – Our Lord. The holiday relates to the Tiarn’daraj as well and known as Candlemas in the West. It symbolizes the presentation of 40 day-old Christ child to the Temple in Jerusalem. This year it is celebrated on the 13th of February.
It is a great opportunity to participate in the national holiday, especially when almost in each yard of Yerevan churches people organize active and joyful festivity. All in all, traditional rituals, dances and songs is a full immersion in the local culture in Armenia!
