This year over thirty newlyweds from the villages Armenia’s Tatev Monastery celebrated the Tyarndarach (Candlemas) in a special way.

Father Mikayel Gevorgyan on Saturday pronounced a blessing over the newlyweds, whereupon the festive events started.

The idea to hold these Tyarndarach events and to assemble the newlyweds was put forward by the Initiatives for the Development of Armenia (IDeA) Foundation carrying out the Tatev Revival Project.

After the blessing, during which the monastery choir also performed Armenian church songs, the newlyweds and the community residents had a chance to enjoy the performances of a dance ensemble and musicians invited from capital city Yerevan. The couples also had an opportunity to take photos in Armenian national costumes.

“We do not aim at only the social and economic development of the communities involved in the Tatev Revival Project, but at making the cultural life more dynamic and organizing interesting events presenting the traditions and customs, which might make the region more attractive for visitors and tourists.

“For example, last year we held the Sheep Shearing Festival in Tatev’s adjacent villages, and we are going to hold it this year as well. We are happy all these initiatives receive the support of local residents,” said Tatev Revival Project Manager Hayk Tutunjyan. He also expressed his gratitude to the Syunik Regional Council and the Diocese of Syunik of the Armenian Apostolic Church for their support for the event.

In addition, the newlyweds received gifts from the IDeA Foundation and the Syunik Regional Council.