Lena Tachdjian
Christmas time for an Armenian family tends to be one of the biggest events of the year, with non-stop cooking and eating, your 100-plus “family” members visiting and pinching your cheeks endlessly, and of course the countless “genats” [կենաց] (toasts). Being one of the few kids who didn’t have to go to school on January 6 was also an added perk!
When I decided to extend my initial three-month stay in Armenia, my
host-family told me it was great timing since I would, in a month,
experience the local Armenian celebrations of both New Year’s and
Christmas. They explained to me how it usually lasted from Dec. 31 to
Jan. 11 or so, until the “Old New Year.” After hearing their
descriptions of what usually happens on each day, I realized local
Armenian traditions were similar to the ones back home—but on steroids.
Some families would even go into debt as a result of the cost of
celebrations. I told them that during this time, more than ever, not to
treat me like a guest, but as a participant who would try to blend in
and be an active member as much as possible. My host-sister agreed with a
smile that made me a little nervous.
