Disney will feature the Armenian holiday “Vardavar” in one of the episodes of Mickey Mouse Funhouse.
Disney’s preschool children’s television series is set to showcase Armenian culture in an upcoming episode of the Season 3 which will also feature the Armenian language, the Armenian Film Society reported.
Penned by Kathleen Sarnelli Kapukchyan, the first-ever representation of Armenian culture at Disney was created for her son. It will be aired on March 1 and will be available on Disney+ shortly after.
In this animated series, Minnie Mouse takes center stage in an episode where she dons the wrong outfit for Vardavar, a traditional Armenian festival. The episode description teases, “Minnie faces a fashion faux pas, realizing she’s wearing the wrong attire for the water games and celebrations of Vardavar. Will she find the perfect outfit in time to join the festivities?”
Mickey Mouse Funhouse
It’s an American animated preschool series that follows the adventures of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto as they explore magical worlds.
Created by Phil Weinstein and Thomas Hart, it debuted on Disney Junior on August 20, 2021. At the moment Season 3 is on the air.
The main hero is Mickey and his “Funhouse Friends” who seek adventures across various Adventure Worlds. From Majestica to Halloweenville, each world brings unique challenges and encounters with altered versions of familiar characters. Beyond the entertainment, the series also imparts valuable morals tied to each episode’s content.
Armenian Vardavar
Vardavar, a pagan festival rooted in ancient Armenian traditions, comes from the time when Armenians worshipped diverse gods. It was dedicated to Astghik, the Goddess of water, love, beauty, and fertility. The celebration involved a unique practice of offering roses to Astghik and joyfully pouring water on each other.
Once Armenia adopted Christianity, the Armenian Apostolic Church identified the rose with the transfiguration of Jesus. Now the holiday is celebrated in summer 14 weeks after Easter.
It continues to thrive in the streets of Armenia today. In addition, Vardavar has no age restrictions, encouraging people of all ages to pour water on each other.