Barekendan updated 2/18/10 On the left is Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble, a group of young Armenian musicians, who performed many times at the Barekendan celebrations ~ 2010- jointly sponsored with St Stephen's Armenian Church of Watertown (Photo by Roger Ide is from AREV website) Boun Barekendan (*) is a traditional Armenian holiday. In fact this type of a holiday is very popular among most peoples of the world “Have a great feast      then fast for a while          followed by 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 Amaras has celebrated Boun Barekendan, in Watertown, MA, since 2000. Every year several organizations join their effort for this purpose (*) – 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 2001 Event was held on Saturday, February 24 at 7:00 PM At Hellenic Cultural Center 25 Bigelow Ave, Watertown, MA Admission: Children under 10 FREE, students $12.00, adults $20.00 2003 Event was held on Saturday, March 1 at 7:00 PM At Armenian Cultural and Educational Center , 47 Nichols Ave, Watertown, MA Admission: Advance sale - students $10.00, adults $15.00, at the door - students $15.00, adults $20.00 Children under 7 FREE 2004 Event was held on Saturday, February 21 at 7:00 PM At Armenian Cultural and Educational Center , 47 Nichols Ave, Watertown, MA Admission: Advance sale - students $10.00, adults $15.00, at the door - $20.00 Children under 7 - $5.00 2005 Event was held on Saturday, February 5 at 6:30 PM At Armenian Cultural and Educational Center , 47 Nichols Ave, Watertown, MA Admission: Advance sale - students $15.00, adults $20.00, at the door - $25.00 Children under 7 - $5.00 With D.J. Argishti Chaparian Family Circle Dance Instructions by Suzanne Lind Sinanian 2006 Event was held on Saturday, March 1, 7:00 PM At Armenian Cultural and Educational Center , 47 Nichols Ave, Watertown, MA Admission: Advance sale - students $10.00, adults $15.00, at the door - students $15.00, adults $20.00 Children under 7 FREE