Festivals

Easter festivals remain the most important religious celebrations in Armenia, with various observances from March 22 to April 26. Easter time, or Surb Zatik, in Armenia, celebrates the resurrection of the Christian Jesus Christ. One familiar tradition includes painting eggs red with natural ingredients, like onion layers. One required dish for an Armenian Easter is trout with red wine. For the youth, there is a tradition to gather near Yerevan churches for and dance traditional folk dances and singing.

Since 1995, March 5th is devoted to the promotion of physical culture and sports, an initiative of national leader Heydar Aliyev. A series of sporting events are held across the country on this day. 

This traditional holiday celebrates the Near Year and the coming of Spring. It became an official holiday in Azerbaijan after the collapse of the Soviet Union. After Iran, Azerbaijan celebrates this holiday the longest, with a total of five days. Celebrations involve house cleaning, tree planting, egg painting, playing traditional games, cooking national dishes, and more. 

Bau Nyale, an ancient festival started by the Tunjung Beru Kingdom’s Princess Mandalika, celebrates the yearly appearance of nyale sea worms at Seger Beach in Kuta Village over five days. Glowing bright, the worms depart their coral reefs and head to the surface. Several events following the worms' appearance provide plenty of entertainment.

Unlike much of the rest of the world, Bali rings in the new year in silence. Nyepi begins three days before the New Year with a cleansing ritual, followed by a fascinating exorcism ceremony. The day after Nyepi is spent socializing and focusing on forgiveness. 

A week-long festival filled with dance, yoga and live music, the Bali Spirit Festival in Ubud sells out nearly every year. Workshops, cocktail hours, scrumptious multi-country cuisine and a mix of cultures draw people from all over the world to this international gathering in the month of March.