National Rituals Festival 2026- Zar village
Vary Varenk NGO
Armenia
We have been organising immersive Armenian cultural festivals since 2021, bringing traditional rituals, songs, dances, games and crafts back into everyday life. Each festival centres on a specific ceremonial theme and draws 1,200–2,000+ participants from across Armenia. In September 2026, we will host our next National Rituals Festival in Zar village, Kotayk region, dedicated to Armenian wedding ceremonies — from courtship to the wedding day. Participants will not be spectators: they will learn ritual dances and songs, attend craft workshops, and take part in a full ceremonial re-enactment
Vary Varenk was founded in January 2021 with a clear mission: to reintegrate Armenian traditional rituals, songs, dances, games and crafts into the everyday life. Since then, we have organized over 60 events in different communities, reaching tens of thousands of participants.
Our flagship format is the National Rituals Festival- a full-day immersive event where each edition centres on one ceremonial theme. Past themes have included Vardavar (a water-blessing summer solstice ritual), pre-wedding ceremonies, and the role of women in Armenian ritual life. Festivals consistently attract 1,200–3,000+ participants.
On 19 September 2026, we will host the festival in Zar village, Kotayk region, with Armenian wedding ceremonies as the central theme — from the first meeting of families to the wedding day itself. The programme will include: traditional dance and song workshops, craft masterclasses, a full ritual re-enactment with audience participation, children's games, and a live concert. Beyond cultural transmission, the festival activates rural communities: it drives visitor flows to underserved villages, supports local artisans, and contributes to regional tourism development.