WILL ARMENIANS APPEAR IN THE GUINNESS RECORD BOOK?
AZG Armenian Daily #098, 31/05/2005
Event
The remnants of pagan worship revealed themselves in 165-km-long circle
dance at the foot of Mount Aragats. The worship of stones and hills
seems to be in the blood of the Armenians and this unprecedented event
evidences it. The purpose of the circle dance — revival of the idea
of unity — hopefully was achieved.
Surroundings of Inner Berdashen village of Talin region were
overcrowded since early morning. There was pretty much time before the
dance at 3.00 pm, and people filled it with songs, games and chat under
the tents. The villagers slaughtered 2 cows in the morning, the flavor
of barbeque and other national dishes spread all over the fields.
To avoid possible chaos, people rehearsed the dance before the
appointed hour. As it was arranged, music was played not only by
speakers all around the mountain but also was aired by in-built
car radios.
Excitement reached its peak at 3.00 pm. With slight disagreement in
the dance nuances, people really felt the unity and began speaking
of organizing the next dance around Mount Masis (Ararat).
The event was also joined by Armenian President Robert
Kocharian. Though Kocharian stated previously that he will not
take part in the circle dance, he arrived at the mountain foot
after attending a ceremony at the historical complex of Sardarapat
accompanied by famous French-Armenian singer Charles Aznavour. Among
other high-ranking officials who joined hands with common citizens
were President of Nagorno Karabakh Arkady Ghukasian, RA defense
minister Serge Sargsian and other ministers. Hundreds kilometers off
the epicenter of the event Artsakhi people joined their compatriots
in Shushi.
Four helicopters over the heads of dancers filmed the event. This
was definitely the first circle dance of the kind in the world and it
will be much talked about as a display of the Armenians romantic soul.
The feast that launched after the dance continued till late at night.
Circle dance coordinator, Aram Karapetian, said that the figures
provided by the police point out to 400 thousand participants.
Videotapes with the circle dance will soon be sent to the Guinness
headquarters for evaluation and probably for a line in Guinness
Record Book.
By Karine Danielian