Armenian-Iranian festival "Navasard" to be held in Armenia for fourth  time

ArmInfo. The Armenian-Iranian cultural and culinary festival "Navasard" will be held in the city of Sisian on August 10 for the fourth time. This was announced at a press conference in Yerevan on August 1 by the head of the Armenian Tourism Federation Mekhak Apresyan.

According to him, this year the festival is expected to be held on a  larger scale and with the organization of various events. The  festival, where about a hundred pavilions with Armenian and Iranian  cuisine and art objects will be presented, is scheduled to start at  16:00, as Apresyan reported. "In addition, cultural events and  musical performances await the festival participants. And the next  day, on August 11, the festival participants will be able to go to  the historical monument in Sisian - Karahunj, where they will have  the opportunity to see the constellation of Hayk," the head of the  Armenian Tourism Federation said.

He also attached great importance to the active participation of the  Iranian side in the festival, which, according to him, shows more and  more interest each time. "Organization of such festivals is of great  importance, especially now. The festival contributes to the  decentralization of tourists from Yerevan to other regions of  Armenia, and also promotes the economic activity of communities, the  development and preservation of cultural values, and recognition. In  addition, it also dispels the fears of tourists regarding the  warnings that are spread by the official pages of the foreign  ministries of the countries. In particular, on their websites, the  regions of Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik and Tavush are framed  with a red border.  However, such events attract thousands of  tourists and once again prove that the international community enjoys  traveling in Armenia and feels safe," Apresyan emphasized.

In turn, the president of the public organization "Development and  Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions" Sedrak Mamulyan said  that a culinary competition is also planned within the framework of  the festival. "As practice shows, connections are formed thanks to  such events, especially various competitions.  Moreover, I would like  to note that cooking also allows us to discuss other very important  topics," Mamulyan assured.

Referring to specific dishes that will be presented within the  framework of the festival, he cited the Armenian dish harisa (wheat  with chicken, which is cooked until the wheat is completely boiled)  as an example, noting that this year it will be different in the way  it is prepared. "This time it will not be boiled completely. This is  a kind of ritual that foretells the absence of wars next year," the  president of the public organization explained.

During the conference, the Chairperson of the Tourism Committee of  the Ministry of Economy of Armenia Lusine Gevorgyan also presented  the dynamics of visits to the country and the impact of such  festivals on its trends. Thus, according to her, the number of  tourists coming to Armenia from other countries increases by 10% or  more every year.

Presenting specific data, Gevorgyan said that last year, 180,000  tourists from Iran visited Armenia, which is 30,000 more than in the  same period in 2023. Then, 150,000 tourists came to Armenia. "Event  tourism is of particular interest to foreigners. Tourists mainly  participate in such events. We notice the same effect, for example,  during other festivals, such as the wine festival," the Chairperson  of the Tourism Committee explained.