Third Take - Merry Christmas from Armenia!

🎄Happy Holidays🎄 a bit delayed for the U.S. but on time for Armenia.


Armenia and many other former Soviet Republic countries celebrate Christmas on Jan 6th. Why?  It has something to do with the transition from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar.  Some Armenians don't know why Christmas is on Jan. 6th, it just is. During my recent visit to neighboring Georgia, where Russians are intensely dislike, one angry Georgian said 'it was the fault of the Russians that Christmas is celebrated on the 6th, they want everyone on their calendar.' So there it is, life in a former Soviet Republic country.


Below are photos from the center of Yerevan, Republic Square, exquisitely decorated to impress the Junior Eurovision competition held here in early December.  You ask what is the Junior Eurovision Song Contest?  Organized by the European Broadcasting Union, 40 countries throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East send talented teenage voices to participate in the competition. This year Yerevan hosted the finals and the government stepped up to the moment by glamorizing the city center, I was proud of Armenia.




Abovyan Street
      A view of Republic Square



Ingenious Marketing

Children's Park

                                                                                               
                         



 


In the U.S. Santa sits in a chair and children walk up to tell him what they want for Christmas. These Yerevan Santas look a bit shady-  notice the bags in their hands. Parents  take photos of their children with Santa then the parent shoves money in the bags.  I'm sure the bulges are packs of cigarettes for Santa instead of treats for the kids. 





The children love Santa
  








Chef is being served

  
I've attended a few holiday celebrations and in Armenia  
every celebration is center around food and dancing. I volunteer at The Women's Support Center for victims of domestic violence and our Christmas lunch was the best!  Prepared by one of the employees, a trained chef and an Iraqi refugee, Chef has been working at the Center for 8 years.  A driver for the women and the go to person for just about anything, Chef is kind, generous and a life saver for many women. Chef prepared a perfectly grilled and seasoned meal that I was honored to share.


Grilled vegetables, chicken, kofta,
pickles and 'new' wine
Barbecue was on the menu, which in the Middle East is grilled meat and vegetables.  The chicken was the best I've eaten, marinated overnight in tahini, yogurt, garlic and spices the chicken was full of flavor and each piece was tender and moist. The beef kofta was perfectly seasoned and the vegetables were simply grilled to perfection. Tabouli, pickles and lavosh were the sides for the meal.  Wine and/ or Vodka is always part of an Armenian celebration and for the lunch one of the staff brought 'new' wine which is homemade wine, it was actually pretty good for homemade wine. 
The hard working amazing staff


I'll leave you with this holiday cheer, videos from our Armenian Volunteer Corps holiday dinner where food and dancing are integral to an Armenian good time.

Hajogh,

Sheila











 

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