July 7, 2002

For Immediate Release

NCI: Armenian Vardavar Comes to Life

Yerevan—On July 7, the holiday of “Christ’s Transfiguration” according to the Armenian Apostolic Church, known popularly as the feast of Vardavar, was held in cities and villages throughout Armenia in line with a uniform, comprehensive scenario prepared by the National Citizens’ Initiative (NCI). The festivities drew high interest and broad participation, as for the first time Vardavar was being marked nationwide in a unified program aimed at reawakening Armenian cultural and customary values and strengthening national pride.

“We are extremely pleased with our first attempt to achieve national unity in this way,” NCI Councilmember and project coordinator Dr. Hranoush Kharatian said. “The Vardavar festival, conducted across Armenia, unfolded in conformity with the ritual details provided in the scenario: a blazing bonfire, stage-scenes based on the Old Testament and in particular on Noah’s Ark, and public celebrations accompanied by traditional verses and music. The ceremonies were successfully performed especially in Hoktember, Armavir region, in Meghradzor and Dzoraghbiur, Kotaik region, in Tsakhkadzor, Eghvard, Ashtarak, Sevan, Martuni, and many other places.”

NCI founder Raffi K. Hovannisian and NCI Councilmembers took part in the Vardavar festival in the Gegharkunik, Armavir, Aragatsotn, Ararat, and Kotaik regions of Armenia and, together with representatives from the local dioceses of the Armenian Church, assessed the realization of the NCI-coordinated initiative.

Vardavar will be celebrated in the provinces of Lori, Tavush, Shirak, and Siunik on July 21.

The National Citizens’ Initiative is a public nonprofit association founded in December 2001 by Raffi Hovannisian, his colleagues, and fellow citizens with the purpose of realizing the rule of law and overall improvements in the state of the state, society, and public institutions. The National Citizens’ Initiative is guided by a Coordinating Council, which includes individual citizens and representatives of various public, scientific, and educational establishments. Five commissions on Law and State Administration, Socioeconomic Issues, Foreign Policy, Spiritual and Cultural Challenges, and the Youth constitute the vehicles for the Initiative’s work and outreach.

For further information, please call (3741) 27-16-00 or 27-00-03; fax (3741) 52-48-46; e-mail info@nci.am or NCI_Aghababyan@yahoo.com.