Traditional dances such as Kochari are performed throughout Armenia during festivals, family celebrations, and other social events. Originally originating in the Armenian Highlands, Kochari in particular is a folk dance that can be performed by anyone, regardless of age, gender, social status, or race.
Today, Kochari is performed by Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Assyrians, and Pontic Greeks. Kochari means "knee come" when translated into English.
Armenians have been dancing this ancient dance for about a thousand years. This dance is choreographed to a peculiar rhythm and involves dancers moving in a closed circle while touching one another's shoulders in a way that is intended to be intimidating.
More modern forms have been added to the dance, such as a tremolo step, which involves shaking the body as a whole. The dance spread to the eastern part of Armenia after the Armenian genocide.
Kochari fosters community identity and gives the Armenian indigenes a sense of shared belonging. It is transmitted through formal and non-formal means, being one of the few traditional dances whose chain of transmission hasn't been interrupted. It contributes to preserving historical, cultural, and ethnic memory.
Since 2004, the Armenian government has included a 'folk song and dance' course in the curricula of comprehensive schools. Educational programs in youth arts centers are also given due attention. Institutional initiatives also contribute to safeguarding this tradition even as it gains visibility through the internet and a variety of media outlets.
Local groups of folk dancers have also been active, and non-governmental organizations frequently hold classes on this dance form. The element is transmitted non-formally within families and through spontaneously formed dance groups. Individuals, groups, and communities are actively involved in maintaining its viability.
“We and our dances” is a project recently launched by the National Ensemble of dance and song of Armenia “Karin”. Every last Friday of the summer, in front of the Cascade in Gafeschyan’s art center park, the Ensemble gives free open lessons of Armenian national dances.
Anyone can come and watch, and even participate. Their director presents a historical overview of the dance, its meaning, and how it will be interpreted in the future. During these events, members of Karin in their traditional costumes bring people together and teach them Kochari dance.