Navasard — Ancient Armenian New Year

History & traditions

Navasard is the oldest New Year of the Armenian calendar. The word itself joins 'nava' (new) and 'sard' (year). By tradition, on August 11, 2492 BC, forefather Hayk slew the Babylonian tyrant Bel and founded the Armenian people — and from this date the ancient Armenian reckoning is counted. The feast was dedicated to the seven gods of the old pantheon — Aramazd, Anahit, Astghik, Nane, Vahagn, Mihr and Tir.

Navasard lasted for weeks from August 11 and was one of the most beloved feasts of the ancient Armenians. Across the land — from the royal court to common folk — there were festivities and games: athletic contests, wrestling, horse races, the royal hunt. Tables groaned with dishes, sweets and dried fruit, and the centrepiece was bread of round wheat, so the gods would grant a fruitful year. With the Gregorian calendar the feast faded, but today its traditions are being revived — especially at the temple of Garni, Armenia's sole surviving pagan sanctuary.

What to see

• The revived festivities at the ancient temple of Garni.
• The Navasardian games — wrestling, horse racing and athletic contests.
• The ritual bread of round wheat as a symbol of fertility.
• Folk songs, dances and fairs with dried fruit and sweets.

The feast left the calendar of state dates long ago, but lives on through the strength of enthusiasts — and a guest who catches Navasard at Garni touches the most ancient memory of this land.

What to bring

As a keepsake, take something that nods to antiquity: bread or grains of round wheat, an item with the symbols of the Armenian pantheon, a handful of dried fruit from the festival fair. And the best 'souvenir' is the knowledge that Armenia has its own New Year, thousands of years old.