February in Armenia unites three unique festivals celebrating love: the Armenian Trndez, the globally known Valentine’s Day and the nationwide Bookgiving Day, dedicated to the Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan.
Armenian Trndez is a traditional Armenian festival dating back to Zoroastrian times that celebrates the sun, fire and the arrival of spring, symbolizing fertility and renewal. As part of the tradition, newlyweds leap over the fire as a blessing for children.
The tradition was so deeply rooted in the nation that even after the adoption of Christianity as the state religion, the festival was not abolished and was renamed as Tyarndaraj, meaning “Coming to meet the Lord.” Nowadays, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Trndez 40 days after Christmas, from Feb. 13 to 14, by commemorating the entrance of the 40-day-old Christ in the Temple in Jerusalem.
Though not originally an Armenian tradition, Valentine’s Day is also widely celebrated in the country. Originating from Catholic traditions and globally celebrated in many countries, the holiday centers on expressing affection through greetings and gifts. Though Valentine’s Day is celebrated annually on Feb. 14, cities are already filled with love symbols and themed campaigns in advance.
In line with holidays dedicated to love and affection, Armenians also celebrate a nationwide Bookgiving Day, marking the birthday of a beloved Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan. The holiday was first established in 2008 through the initiative of Levon Ananayan, the late president of the Writers’ Union of Armenia and is celebrated each year on Feb. 19. In addition to nationwide celebrations, book exhibitions and campaigns, the nation also celebrates it by exchanging books.
This year, the city felt lively during those three celebrations, which lasted more than a week and were not limited to their designated dates. The city is still filled with love symbols and special events dedicated to books or writers.
Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates Tyarndaraj (Trndez) by Etchmiadzin, Armenia, Feb. 13, 2026. Photo: armenianchurch.org
Armenian Priest blesses the bread during Tyarndaraj (Trndez) feast to symbolize the home, purification and the “coming of the Lord to the Temple.” Etchmiadzin, Armenia, Feb. 13, 2026. Photo: armenianchurch.org
ԿարդաLove Exhibition dedicated to Books and Education, Feb. 14, 2026, Yerevan, Armenia. For the fifth year in a row, ԿարդաLove featured a new format, including large-scale book and educational exhibition, debates, discussion and cultural events. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
A large-scale book exhibition and sale was organized during ԿարդաLove Festival, Feb. 14, 2026, Yerevan, Armenia. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
Visitors browse through the book market at the ԿարդաLove Festival, Feb. 14, 2026, Yerevan, Armenia. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan
Visitors explore a wide selection of books at the book market during the ԿարդաLove Festival, Feb. 14, 2026, Yerevan, Armenia. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan
ԿարդաLove festival, Feb. 14, 2026, Yerevan, Armenia. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan
On Valentine’s Day, an exhibition dedicated to the love of books and knowledge, with red heart-shaped balloons as the only reminder of the holiday, Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 14, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
A couple walking in rainy Yerevan streets on Valentine’s Day, Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 14, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
A boy with flowers on Valentine’s Day walking down Northern Avenue in the Centre of Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 14, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
The Capital was full of red heart-shaped decorations even weeks before the main holiday, Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 15, 2026. Photo by Meri Safaryan.
A couple in front of the love-themed decoration, Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 15, 2026. Photo by Meri Safaryan.
A boy holding a heart-shaped red balloon, Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 15, 2026. Photo by Meri Safaryan.
The city was blooming with flowers, Feb. 15, 2026. Photo by Meri Safaryan.
February 19 is the birthday of Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan. People pay tribute to him by laying flowers in front of his statue, Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 19, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
Bookgiving Day at Zangak Bookstore. The bookstore was more lively than usual on this special day, Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 19, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
Bookgiving Day at Zangak Bookstore, Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 19, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
Hovhannes Tumanyan’s “Quartets” featured with a pile of books in the background, Zangak Bookstore, Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 19, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
Visitors wandering through the bookshelves at the Zangak Bookstore, Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 19, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan
Bookgiving Day didn’t leave sports literature out of the list. Yerevan, Armenia. Feb. 19, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
The Seat of the Government of Armenia on a cloudy day, Feb. 19, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
Armenian men playing nardi (a historical table game) in Saryan Park, Kentron District, Feb. 19, 2026. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
Continuing the Valentine’s mood: a dog next to the flowers in Yerevan, Armenia, Feb. 19, 2026. The City is still decorated with flowers and hearts even almost a week after Valentine’s Day. Photo by Elen Pahlevanyan.
[Editor’s Note: The photos were taken by Elen Pahlevanyan and Meri Safaryan]