Rostov-na-Donu Local Customs

When you have a flight to Rostov-on-Don, I strongly recommend you to have a seat near of window, on the left side (seat A). Then, while the plane is landing, you may enjoy beautiful city views (especially when the weather is sunny).

And now , dear Sirs and Madams , let me introduce you this man. There were three musicians on the first part of wedding - duduk ( an armenian flute ) , accordion and him - he was a drummer ... Armenian drum called `dhol` , so he was `Dholchi`. When they took the bride away from her house , the musicians started to play some compassionate melody , and I for the first time heard how the drum can cry ... really cry !
He is the real master . When we came to restaurant on a second day of wedding he told us that yesterday after our celebration he went another wedding to his friend and showed us his palms... They were complete corn... His common joke is that according to his work from wedding to wedding he was only four times at home , so he has only four childs now.
His name is Armenak Abramyan .

This is the Armenian dance , calling Khochari , it reminds me Greek Khasapiko .
But in Khochari one man with a shawl in his hand must lead the women ( just like on pic ) or men... What Dholchi made at that time ! Wish you were here !

Well, Armenian wedding , you know - it is something special ...
When me and my wife came to Rostov and her brother the fiance met us , we asked - ` Hey , Akop jan , how many people are you waiting on your wedding ? ` - He answered - ` We invited 350 persons , but I am afraid that approximately 10 will be busy to visit us !`
Had the spree two days ( a little to the Armenian measures ). There was everybody there - a half of population of Rostov city , lovely nephews , uncles of cousins , sons- in-law of the brothers-in-law , american grandma etc , but it was very merry !
OK , about procession. If you are Armenian and you want to get a big wedding , you must at first find a Kavor`. This is the man like a godfather of the Orthodox , just on the wedding - he takes an active part of wedding organization and care about new family at the future.
On the pic the Kavor` is the man on the right side from fiance with yellow tie...

Armenak is the real profi ! Hi makes his dhol not only crying , but laughing too...
Close to him is the brother of famous champion fighter Samurgashev

When Armenak did his work even the children couldn`t sit on their chairs !

Tigran , the brother of just husband , is dancing with his american grandmother .

And at least , all the guests dance and have fun in a big and good restaurant...