Celebrating Traditions/Barekendan

Barekendan (*) in Armenian tradition is a day [or days] of feast and celebration in preparing for a period of fasting and abstinence. Most peoples of the world have similar traditions with different names and customs. The main festival in Armenian tradition comes 40+ days before Easter and only days before the fasting period called Lent. To differentiate this day from all other Barekendans it is referred to as “Boun” meaning main. The formula works like this

Have a great feast
    then fast for a while
         then have another great feast

Our interpretation is that people, like the Armenians, who lived in harsh winter climates, used a fasting period to preserve their food supply, especially animal protein, which was not so readily available during the cold months. A feast before and after fasting is essential to get people to participate in the ritual. When religion took root among humans these types of activities became imbedded in the religious ceremonies. Boun Barekendan is the beginning of the Great Lent season in the Christian Church of Armenians which ends with the Feast of the Holy Resurrection also known as Easter

We at Amaras have celebrated Boun Barekendan, in Watertown, MA, since 2000. Frequently we join forces with other groups in organizing this event.

(*) – This word is Armenian and may be spelled different ways in English

Here are a few more items that generally appear on our flyers
An Armenian tradition
Celebrating the anticipated arrival of spring
Costume contest for children and adults
Creative attire encouraged
Serving traditional Armenian food
Dancing, food and much more …

Over the years these organizations and groups have joined forces in the celebration of Barekendan:

Amaras Art Alliance
Armenian Children’s Choir of Greater Boston
Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, Watertown, MA
Armenian Cultural Foundation, Arlington, MA
Armenian Library and Museum of America, Watertown, MA
Abaka Armenian School for Performing Art, Watertown, MA
Armenian Society of Greater Boston
Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble, Watertown, MA
Bell Music School, Belmont, MA
Cambridge – Yerevan Sister City Association, Cambridge, MA
Erebouni Armenian Saturday School Children
Hamazkayin-Boston, Watertown, MA
St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School, Watertown, MA
St. Vartanantz School children’s dance group, Providence, RI
St. Stephen’s Armenian Church of Watertown, MA Watertown, MA