Stumbling across an Armenian cultural public dance in Yerevan

It's crazy to think that I spent almost a year in Tbilisi and never really witnessed much life there. Yet a regular day in Yerevan is met with great events in which members of the public just get together and find a brief moment to connect. To share their history, culture and general traditions with each other while also (and potentially without really knowing) displaying it all to the many foreigners that roam these streets during the more touristic months of the year. I love culture, and I love seeing the preservation of it in this chaotic modern era as the world rapidly shifts into a more unified state. So to roam the streets of Yerevan and find such moments feels you've entered a totally different realm. One where the past is actually met with the present, where little changes are being made but the core heart of the nation remains as strong as ever. Much of this comes from the nation's rich history and struggles over the previous centuries: the Roman era, the Armenian genocide, and the rise and fall of the Soviet Union.

Each of these more recent challenges have been ones that have pushed the Armenian traditions and culture deeper into the people. After all, our identities throughout the world stem from our differences in culture and traditions. And what greater way to display an aspect of this culture than by grouping together and dancing at one of Yerevan's greatest architectural designs: the Soviet era Cascade. A huge series of steps that go up a mountain, each floor of it holding a different design and aspect of Armenian culture and tradition. Fountains that pour from its middle and sides and create a grand gesture that speaks of Armenia's growth as a nation.

Now, I was already on my way home after spending the day walking around a little bit. It had been a bit stormy as of late and days out were often met with strong winds and electrical storms going into the night. It seemed like some strong clouds were coming over, so I figured I'd go back to the Cascade, head over the top of it and back to the district where home is. Though, at the bottom of the Cascade, I noticed a large crowd of people. No music yet, no announcer speaking anything over the crowd. I was curious; just what was going on? So I decided to walk a little bit closer and observe. To which the announcer then began to teach the public a few basics of how to perform some of the Armenian dances: how to step properly, which feet to step with and when. And during such dances, the people hold hands in a big circle. The people would join hands and dance for a song, and then many would step out and be replaced by others of the public. To which the following song would be a different Armenian one. Of course, this was totally free.

Some members of this must've been part of the organisation or perhaps part of the city that funded the event. The big speakers, the photographers and drone operators that film it. As well as a few dancers which were dressed beautifully in traditional Armenian clothing, which holds a little bit of a resemblance to general Persian and middle eastern attire. Armenian clothing standing out a bit more with the darker tones of red, with very distinct patterns and often featuring symbols that display eternity of life. Looking like a sun in a spiral-type pattern. Featured on many remaining Roman designs that were left behind and related to Christianity. This symbol was still utilised even during the Soviet Union where religious symbolism was often a bit more controlled and oppressed. 

I walked around the space for a while photographing the people that were engaging with the dance. The music was loud, the atmosphere as lovely. So many tourists were standing around, many high up on the Cascade trying to get the best views from above. The sunset starting to appear going into evening. With so many people dancing, the space grew more thin, and that didn't stop the people at all. If they couldn't join in with the two main circles, they just formed their own elsewhere. Some people practised in smaller groups before joining the larger ones. Parents would hold their children and dance alone, introducing them to the culture that they too will one day hold and likely display and share. I do wish I also had my drone to capture the visuals from above, but instead I too joined those on the Cascade and tried to get a better, higher viewpoint to capture the sheer density of people. I was using my Soviet Helios 44-2 lens with a focal length of 58mm for this, so it was a little tight given it's more of a portrait lens.