On December 18 and 19, the heart of Yerevan beat a little faster. The Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, affectionately known as the "People's House", hosted a cultural milestone that bridged centuries: the premiere of the "Sasuntsi Davit” ballet-oratorio.

For the Armat community, which thrives on connecting Armenians to their heritage and to one another, this event was more than just a performance. It was a powerful reminder of the resilience that defines our history. Initiated by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan, this production did not merely retell an old story; it reimagined it for a new generation.

The production was a bold experiment in "ethno-electronic" storytelling. The score was composed and performed by the group "Hogh Arthun” whose name alone evokes a deep connection to the land. By blending ancient folk melodies with modern electronic rhythms, they created a soundscape that resonated with both the historic weight of the epic and the pulse of modern Yerevan.

The stage was alive with the energy of the Opera's professional ballet corps, joined by approximately 400 students from Yerevan’s music and art schools.¹ Seeing these young artists perform alongside seasoned professionals was a testament to the continuity of our culture, a passing of the torch from one generation to the next.

For our audience in the Diaspora who might recall Sasuntsi Davit only as a statue near the train station or a story heard in Sunday school, it is vital to understand why this epic is the bedrock of Armenian identity.

Sasna Tsrer (The Daredevils of Sassoun) is not just a fairy tale; it is the crystallized memory of the Armenian people's struggle for freedom during the Arab occupation of the 8th to 10th centuries. It is a story of stubborn independence, "divine madness", and an unwavering moral compass.

The epic is divided into four cycles, each representing a different phase of national development:

The story begins with Tsovinar, an Armenian princess who drinks from a "Milky Fountain" in the sea and conceives twins: Sanasar and Baghdasar. This establishes the heroes as "water-born," possessing a fiery, elemental strength. They are the builders, the ones who founded the fortress of Sassoun in the high mountains, creating a sanctuary for their people.

Sanasar’s son, Mher, is the archetype of raw power. He earns his name "Lion Mher" by tearing a lion apart with his bare hands to protect travelers. However, Mher is a tragic figure. Caught between his duty to Sassoun and a complex relationship with the enemy kingdom of Egypt (Misr), he inadvertently sets the stage for the conflict of the next generation.

David is the grandson of Sanasar and the central figure of the epic. Unlike the noble knights of European romance, David is a rustic shepherd, naive, kind-hearted, and often mocked as "crazy" by the prudent. But his "madness" is his strength.

When his half-brother, Msra Melik (the tyrant of Egypt), invades Armenia to enslave the population, David refuses to submit. He retrieves his father's Lightning Sword (Tur Ketsaki) and his horse, Kurkik Jalali. In the final duel, David displays the ultimate Armenian virtue: mercy. He offers Melik two free strikes before taking his own turn. Even after defeating Melik, David refuses to harm the enemy soldiers, telling them to return to their families. He fights not for conquest, but for the right to live freely in his mountains.

The saga ends with David’s son, Little Mher. He represents a generation too powerful for a corrupt world. Finding that the earth can no longer bear his weight, he rides into the Raven’s Rock (Agravakar) near Lake Van. He is not dead, but waiting. The prophecy says he will emerge only when "the world is rebuilt" and justice reigns.

The premiere of Sasuntsi Davit in 2025 is a reminder that the "Raven's Rock" is not sealed forever. Every time we engage with our culture: whether by attending a ballet in Yerevan, supporting a local Armenian business, or teaching our children the stories of Sanasar and David, we are helping to rebuild the world Little Mher is waiting for.

​​Did you know that the "Performance of the Armenian epic of Daredevils of Sassoun" was officially recognized by UNESCO?

In 2012, UNESCO inscribed the epic on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition confirms that our "Daredevils" belong not just to us, but to the world. It acknowledges the epic as an encyclopedia of our knowledge, philosophy, and folklore.