Dances In The Army
Founding
The idea of introducing Armenian traditional martial dances into the military units, military academies, and other defense structures of the Republic of Armenia belongs to Gagik Ginosyan. Based on his personal experience, ideological convictions, and the intention to restore traditional values and strengthen the chivalric mindset of Armenian soldiers, since 2009 G. Ginosyan has been striving to integrate the teaching of traditional martial dances into the Armed Forces as an academic subject and as a means of Armenian patriotic upbringing.
Dance is spirit
The program was named “Dances for the Army.” Its visible outcomes include the 2018 performance-presentation by the Karin Traditional Song and Dance Ensemble for the senior officers of the Armenian Armed Forces at the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, and the concert-presentation at the Sardarapat National Museum the same year, where G. Ginosyan’s book “Dances for the Army” was introduced to the public. The book contains detailed descriptions of 15 Armenian traditional martial dances and several articles on the structure of Armenian traditional dances, the importance of martial dances in a soldier’s daily life, and their positive impact on military psychology.
Each dance description is accompanied by the description of an Armenian fortification (fortress, castle, monastery, etc.) and a related historical episode from the heroic past (from the territory of today’s RA, as well as Artsakh, Javakhk, and Western Armenia). The program also includes four videos for each martial dance, filmed with the support of Shirak TV, presenting the dance in its original form, in staged and performance versions, through instructional methodology, and performed on-site at the corresponding fortification. In addition to these, one comprehensive documentary-style video was produced, showcasing all the work carried out within the program (a total of 61 videos).
in the Armed Forces
Due to political, pandemic, and wartime events in 2018–2023, the program was temporarily suspended. In the summer of 2023, it was reactivated. At the initiative of the Karin Traditional Song and Dance Ensemble, negotiations resumed with the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy and the Marshal Baghramyan Combined-Arms Training Center of the Ministry of Defense, resulting in the launch of pilot classes starting from September.
- At the Marshal Baghramyan Combined-Arms Training Center, servicemen not only learned Armenian traditional martial dances but also performed during various unit events and parades, earning high praise from the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff.
- At the Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy, cadets participated in several ceremonies, including the parade dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Military Academy.
- At the Armenak Khanperyants Military Aviation University, the program was implemented during the 2024–2025 academic year for second-year cadets.
All training sessions are conducted by members of the Karin Ensemble, who have undergone special instruction under the guidance of the ensemble’s leader, Gagik Ginosyan, specifically for teaching martial dance.
Long-term plans
The program aims to involve several more military units of the Ministry of Defense and ultimately expand to all structures and servicemen under the Armed Forces. On one hand, the sergeants who have become squad commanders after training at the center, and on the other hand, the cadets who graduate from the Military Academy with officer ranks, will ensure the continuation of martial dance instruction in combat units—squad commanders teaching the dances and officers overseeing the process.
