Armenia's Easter traditions & ancient embroidery techniques

 As Easter approaches, preparations differ across the globe, reflecting diverse customs and traditions cherished by families and communities worldwide.

In Armenia, Easter, referred to as "Zatik" or "Zadig," holds profound religious significance. Maral, a Syrian-Armenian refugee, plays a vital role in preserving Armenian heritage through her craft. She meticulously creates the Marash Easter Egg Set, employing ancient Armenian embroidery techniques passed down through generations.

We had the privilege of speaking with Maral about the significance of Easter in her life and her community's celebrations.

Tell us about what Easter means to you.

By resurrection, Jesus gave us hope of eternity and spiritual rise. Easter means hope, Spring, and a new beginning for me.

What are some of the Armenian Easter traditions around Easter?

From the ancient times, Armenians celebrate Easter in line with traditions we have preserved and follow until today. We start with a forty-day fast, go to church and pray to purify our body and soul.

A day before Easter, we colour eggs as a symbol of new life, prepare special Easter dishes and decorate the table with Easter symbols and souvenirs. We would start to eat dairy products and meat to nourish our body after fasting.

Could you describe a particular Easter tradition or ritual that holds special meaning for you?

The sweetest memories about Easter celebration come from my childhood when my mother would colour eggs – each time differently - and we would help her.

Also, the special Easter cake that we would make with a big group of our extended family, in a very joyful atmosphere, with laughter, songs and dances. I would also decorate the eggs by embroidery ornaments. At school, the children would play ‘fight with eggs’ and the winner would receive a present.

In those times, people were not that well-off, we would live in a very modest manner, but during Easter time, the children would receive new clothes and wear them with pride. It was such happiness all around.

Easter was a festival of colours, joy, beautiful dresses and delicious food.

What significance do the Marash Easter Eggs hold for you personally?

For me, Easter eggs are the symbol of tranquillity, peace and tradition that has reached to us through our ancestors. I cherish this symbol as it also reminds me of my childhood when I was decorating Easter eggs with beautiful embroidery. Easter is one of the beloved traditions for Armenians, and the symbols of Easter are divine. 

As an artisan, how do you envision your creations contributing to the preservation of Armenian cultural heritage, particularly during festive occasions like Easter?

Easter holiday is an opportunity for me to showcase the customs and traditions we have inherited from our ancestors. To show our traditions and skills, we embroider dresses and scarves, table-cloths and pillow-cases, but we also make lovely souvenirs that are nice and small and reasonable by price.

Those pretty handmade items, such as these embroidered Easter Eggs, are becoming more and more popular in many families in the world. This inspires and motivates me, filling my heart with pride and thankfulness towards our ancestors who – from generation to generation - passed on these beautiful traditions to us.

It is thereby my obligation to preserve those traditions, through sharing my craft skills, to pass on these traditions to as many people as I can.

I feel excited to know that the world’s people can see, buy and enjoy the traditional items symbolising the Armenian culture, which we can showcase owing to our skills God has given to us.

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Shop the Marash Easter Egg Set, made in collaboration with HDIF, a MADE51 social enterprise partner in Armenia. These handcrafted Easter Eggs are felted using locally produced wool and decorated with Marash embroidery by Syrian refugees in Armenia.