Dancing in fountains seems like something that only happens in tv shows. Something that I have only dreamed of doing, but never dared to try. However, my fantasies came true when I spent the summer in Armenia.
Armenians celebrate a water festival called Vardavar: a day long celebration that comes 14 weeks after Easter. On this day, people swim in the fountains, chase each other with water bottles, and pour buckets of water on each other’s heads.
The origins have ties to pagan mythology with the day centering around Astghik the goddess of water, beauty, love and fertility. The water represents Astghik spraying rosewater to spread love and to honor Vahagn the god of fire and war. Later when Armenia became a Christian country, the holiday was turned into a celebration of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The water also represents Noah and the flood. God’s promise to mankind.
No matter the symbolism, it is essentially just a giant water fight. It is a beautiful day for people to come together and play and have fun splashing water on each other. I have never felt so free and connected to life than I did during this celebration.