Arzni to host festival celebrating Armenian and national minority cuisines and cultures

More than 30 pavilions showcasing Armenian cuisine and the culinary traditions and cultures of national minorities living in Armenia will be featured at the “Diversity of Tastes and Friendship of Peoples: Armenian and National Minorities’ Cultural and Culinary Festival” in Arzni on October 24.

Speaking at a press conference, Mekhak Apresyan, President of the Armenian Tourism Federation, said the festival is being held for the second time.

“We held it for the first time last year, and it received considerable attention. Local residents and community officials were enthusiastic. This laid the groundwork for making it an annual event and bringing a celebration to the residents of Arzni and neighboring communities. They are eagerly looking forward to presenting their handicrafts and the culinary specialties characteristic of their communities, together with national minorities. This festival is not only about celebration, songs, dances and delicious dishes, but also about friendship and solidarity,” Apresyan said.

Sedrak Mamulyan, president of the Armenian Cookery Traditions Development and Protection NGO, said a culinary competition would also be held, as at previous festivals, in the categories of “Best Taste,” “Best Presentation” and “Best Concept.” A grand prize will also be awarded.

“Anyone who wishes can participate. We are not limiting the competition to professional chefs. Any representative of the national minority pavilions can take part and present their dishes. There will be similarities among the cuisines of different peoples, but there are also distinctive features. Last year’s experience demonstrated the diversity of the cuisines, which is particularly important for raising their profile. We have also informed participants that we can help them compile their recipes into a book,” Mamulyan said.

Vardan Marutyan, First Deputy General Director of festival partner ML Mining, said holding such events was important for Arzni both in terms of raising its profile and from an economic perspective.

“This is a unique opportunity to brand the Arzni community. Communities located relatively close to Yerevan are not given sufficient attention as destinations for tourism and cultural visits. People organize their trips and vacations in more distant regions, whereas Arzni has a rich historical and cultural heritage and a distinctive character. Events like this further highlight the community’s unique features. Branding and increased tourist flows open up opportunities for new investment,” Marutyan said.

He emphasized that these opportunities could materialize in both the short and long term. At this stage, the increased flow of visitors leads to several-fold growth in local trade and services. In the longer term, Marutyan said, greater recognition could create investment opportunities in construction, hotels and guesthouses.

The festival organizers said they had also taken steps to inform international guests attending COP17 in Yerevan, giving them the opportunity to visit Arzni.