Vardavar in Garni and Gegard

…May the water bring life,

May life bring love—to the nation, to the mountains,

Vardavar…

On July 24 this year, the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ—one of the most beloved holidays of the Armenian people, Vardavar—was celebrated at two of the most prominent monuments that are part of the global treasury of tangible cultural heritage: Garni and Geghard. The celebration was initiated and brought to life by the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia (FYCA), the largest youth organization in the country. The Vardavar Festival welcomed thousands of guests from Armenia and abroad for the ninth year in a row.

As per tradition, the festival began early in the morning at Geghard Monastery, with a Divine Liturgy and a youth blessing ceremony. To emphasize the significance of the celebration and actively engage the public, FYCA volunteers distributed roses, themed stickers, and later in the day invited everyone to Garni to participate in the main event.

At noon, the celebration continued near the Garni Temple with singing, dancing, and games in line with Armenian traditions. According to Atom Mkhitaryan, President of the Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia and initiator of the event, the goal of organizing the Vardavar Festival is to strengthen national values among young people and make them the heirs and bearers of Armenian traditions.

The program also included a festive reception prepared specially for the Vardavar Youth Festival, thematic booths, national songs and dances, a Vardavar round dance, and games. Festival organizers handed out roses to attendees throughout the celebration, involving everyone in the spirit of the holiday. Participants in the national games received special greetings and blessings aligned with the meaning of the celebration.

During the event, guests also had the chance to watch a staged performance based on the mythological love story of Astghik—the Armenian goddess of love and beauty—and the god Vahagn, accompanied by music and dance.

It’s worth noting that the Vardavar Festival is one of the most important annual events organized by FYCA, with significant contributions from the Kotayk Regional Administration, the Garni Municipality, and the Armenian PR Association. The festival is also supported by the World Armenian Youth Network (WAYN), the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Garni Cultural Center, and the Art and Music Schools.

The Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia (FYCA) was founded in 1999 and unites over 100 organizations, clubs, centers, and initiatives from Armenia's regions, Javakhk, and Artsakh. Over its 22 years of activity, FYCA has implemented numerous local and international programs, contributing to the education and development of thousands of young people.