Highly anticipated festival in Armenian village to feature giant gata

Khachik village in Vayots Dzor Province will host its 10th annual Gata Festival on September 19, bringing together lovers of the traditional Armenian pastry for a day of food, culture and local traditions. Last year’s festival featured a giant gata measuring 4.48 meters in diameter, while organizers have teased a surprise this year without disclosing this year’s size.

Held since 2014, the Gata Festival has become one of the community’s most anticipated events, bringing together cuisine, culture, local products and village residents.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Nune Manukyan, director of the Areni Festival Foundation, said the village is eagerly awaiting the festival, which attracts large numbers of tourists.

“When we first started the process years ago, we held the festival with a few hundred people, and it seemed like a village celebration. Now, large numbers of tourists come to the festival both from Armenia and abroad. The Gata Festival has become so popular and anticipated that many international tourists make sure to attend while they are in Armenia. We receive a particularly strong response from Russian tourists. Tour companies are also active, organizing tours to Khachik village. Visitors not only have a good time and enjoy delicious food, but also experience the rural setting and atmosphere,” Nune Manukyan said.

The festivities will begin at 12:00, featuring a concert program with well-known dance groups and performers, as well as traditional songs and dances, a tightrope performance, and master classes.

Bella Arakelyan, the culture official in Khachik, emphasized that gata remains the festival’s main attraction.

“Every year, a wide variety of gata is presented as part of the festival. Both gata made according to traditional recipes and those baked with new ideas are featured. For example, this year we will have gata with cottage cheese, sorrel, walnuts, honey and more. The main attraction will be a giant gata. Last year, it was 4 meters 48 centimeters in diameter; this year, there will be a surprise. I should mention that coins will be placed inside the gata, and they will go to the lucky people of the year,” Bella Arakelyan said.

Khachik village welcomed around 6,000 visitors at last year’s festival. Large numbers of guests are also expected this year. Khachik administrative head Hovik Smbatyan noted that every tourist’s visit provides significant support to the border village.

“Such events bring major changes to the village. The residents spend the whole year looking forward to and preparing for this festival. It is a very good opportunity for them to sell their produce and showcase their handicrafts. Infrastructure in the village has improved considerably, including lighting and roads, and the central park has also been renovated,” Hovik Smbatyan said.