The Barekendan masquerade holds a special place in the yearly rhythm of Aregnazan Waldorf School. Besides being a colorful and joyful event, it also contains an important pedagogical element closely connected with a child’s development and self-expression.
The deep inner experiences of winter gradually give way to “good vitality” (In Armenian, “bari” means good and “kendan” means vitality), the vital forces awakening in nature on the threshold of spring: light, warmth, and movement. The transformations of the masquerade symbolize this transition.
At the party we have masks, anonymity, characters and their changes, self-expression, games, challenges, competitions, jokes, fun, and laughter. These are essential experiences for a teenager who is developing into a person. What is lived through the holiday, leaves a lasting mark on the students’ lives. It is not just a rigid imprint, but a small impulse that periodically reminds and refreshes the meaning of the celebration throughout life.
