Sayat-Nova’s Immortal Songs and Music Honored Through Beautiful Traditions

The 112th annual tradition of visiting the grave of the great Armenian ashugh Sayat-Nova, the famous singer of friendship among peoples, and laying red roses in his memory began on May 31, 2026, the last Sunday of May. The commemorative procession started from the former Tbilisi apartment of Hovhannes Tumanyan, one of the initiators of the celebration, and proceeded as a memorial march honoring Sayat-Nova’s legacy.

A beautiful surprise marked the beginning of the procession, as rose petals were scattered from the balcony of Tumanyan’s House. At the same time, the voices of students from the Romanos Melikyan Music College of Yerevan filled the air outside, led by lecturer Mushegh Harutyunyan. Accompanied by performances of ashugh songs, the participants of the procession moved through the central streets of the city, holding red roses in honor of Sayat-Nova’s greatness, immortality, and continued relevance. One of the stops along the route was the courtyard on Tumanyan Street, in the building where the famous “Vernatun” meetings once took place on the fifth floor. Once again, Sayat-Nova’s songs were performed, and a Georgian man joined the procession, expressing his respect by performing the widely known song “Ov, sirun, sirun” in Armenian. The procession concluded in the courtyard of the Cathedral of Saint George, where red roses were laid on the grave of Sayat-Nova.

Following the Sunday Divine Liturgy, a memorial service was held in the courtyard of the Cathedral, near the grave of the great ashugh, under the presidency of His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, with the participation of the clergy. Red roses were laid on the grave of the immortal folk singer.

The memorial service was followed by a festive celebration, attended by distinguished performers, ensembles, and soloists of Sayat-Nova’s songs and music, who had arrived from various cities and regions of Armenia and Georgia. The Armenian Diocese in Georgia was represented by the folk instrumental ensemble of the “Hayartun” Center, conducted by artistic director Ivane Mkrtchyan and soloist Aida Bazoyan-Surmalyan, as well as the “Taron” folk dance ensemble, led by choreographer Suren Abramyan. The audience was large, with many people coming to pay tribute to Sayat-Nova’s songs, music, and philosophical poetry. The “Vardaton” (Feast of Roses) became not only a celebration of Armenian-Georgian friendship but also a festival of friendship among all nations and peoples.