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This year, the “Navasard” Armenian-Iranian Cultural and Culinary Festival celebrates its 5th anniversary. The tradition does not change: the event will be held again in the city of Sisian, Syunik region, on August 10 and 11, bringing together lovers of Armenian and Iranian culture, cuisine, music and tourism.

During a press conference dedicated to the festival, the Deputy Ambassador of Iran to Armenia Bahram Taheri, the President of the Public Organization for the Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions Sedrak Mamulyan, and the President of the Armenian Tourism Federation Mekhak Apresyan presented the features and news of this year’s program.

According to Mekhak Apresyan, the main novelty of the festival this year is that it will last two days.

““Navasard” is already five years old. As in previous years, the festival will be held in Sisian on August 10 and 11. The start will be on August 10 at 16:00. People, as is traditional, visit Karahunj on the morning of August 11, and then will have the opportunity to return and continue enjoying the festival. The pavilions will continue to operate, and cultural events are planned in the evening,” he said.

Apresyan also presented another important news: immediately after the opening of the festival, the city of Sisian and the city of Lahijan in the Iranian province of Gilan will officially become sister cities. The corresponding document will be signed right on the main stage, after which the concert program will begin with the participation of Iranian musicians, the Sisian folk instrument ensemble, as well as Armenian and Iranian groups.

According to him, the festival also has an important mission in spreading the idea of ​​peace.

“The two ancient peoples, Armenians and Iranians, will send a message of peace to the world through culture and cuisine,” he emphasized, adding that this year the “Peace Cup” international culinary competition will also be held.

According to Sedrak Mamulyan, the “Navasard” festival has already gone beyond the scope of an ordinary event and has great potential for development.

““Navasard” already requires a larger, more beautiful and more inclusive format. Our folk and church holidays carry universal values, and “Navasard” is no exception. It combines food culture, art, games and the ritual system,” he said.

According to Mamulyan, cultural heritage is one of the best means of communication between peoples, and it is no coincidence that the festival is organized with friendly Iran.

“This year, 43 pavilions from Iran alone will participate. This is, without exaggeration, a phenomenal indicator. Our goal is to position Armenia as a center for holding international culinary competitions and championships. The “Peace Cup” competition is the result of that idea. It will give chefs from different countries of the world the opportunity to compete, exchange experiences and popularize Sisian,” he noted.

Iran’s Deputy Ambassador to Armenia Bahram Taheri emphasized that the centuries-old historical and cultural ties between the Armenian and Iranian peoples are best expressed through such initiatives.

“The peoples of Armenia and Iran have lived side by side for centuries and were formed in the same civilizational environment. The cultural ties between the two countries are so diverse that it is difficult to even list them. Starting from holidays and traditions, to cuisine, music, place names, architecture, common cultural layers can be seen everywhere,” he said.

According to the Deputy Ambassador, “Navasard” can become an important platform for cultural diplomacy.

“I am convinced that “Navasard” is a cultural bridge between the Armenian and Iranian peoples. During the festival, our music, singing, and the best culinary traditions are presented, and this best reflects the multifaceted nature of this holiday,” Bahram Taheri noted.

Sisian and Lahijan are sister cities

Regarding the cooperation agreement between the two cities, Bahram Taheri noted that it was preceded by long-term studies.

He emphasized that before signing such a document, thorough research is carried out in order to select the most similar cities. As a result of studies by the relevant structures of Armenia and Iran, it became clear that Sisian and Lahijan have many things in common, starting from the historical past and architecture, to agriculture, culinary traditions, and urban development features.

“After signing the memorandum of cooperation, the cities will have new opportunities, especially in the direction of cultural exchanges and the implementation of joint programs. "Our goal is to make sure that a similar event is held in both Armenia and Iran within a month," the Iranian deputy ambassador concluded.

Syune Arakelyan

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