Sisian to host fifth Armenian-Iranian “Navasard” cultural and culinary festiv

For two days, on August 10 and 11, the town of Sisian in Armenia’s Syunik Province will transform into a hub celebrating Armenian-Iranian cultural heritage, culinary traditions, and friendship. The town will host the fifth annual “Navasard” Armenian-Iranian Cultural and Culinary Festival, bringing together traditions, flavors, arts, and cultural experiences from both countries.

At a press conference, President of the Armenian Tourism Federation Mekhak Apresyan said that, as in previous years, this year’s festival will also feature a diverse program.

He said that feedback from visitors prompted organizers to hold the festival over two days.

 “This is a very important decision not only for visitors and participants but also for the community. A significant number of tourists attending the festival will stay in Sisian, which will provide a serious economic boost,” Apresyan said.

He noted that hotels and guesthouses in Sisian are in high demand during this period. The festival’s experience also shows that the hospitality sector expands every year both in Sisian and in neighboring communities.

One of the major events expected as part of the festival is the “Peace Cup” international culinary competition, during which chefs from Armenia, Iran, and other countries will compete in culinary skills. The competition will be held in several stages, and participating chefs will be tasked with preparing dishes featuring lamb and seafood. A professional jury will select the best participants.

Sedrak Mamulyan, President of the Armenian Cookery Traditions Development and Protection NGO, said that their goal is to position Armenia as a destination for hosting international culinary competitions.

“The ‘Navasard’ Festival became the foundation for creating the ‘Peace Cup’ international competition. We are taking our first steps, and this year, in addition to chefs from Armenia and Iran, we expect participation from Bulgaria and Russia. This platform will give chefs from around the world the opportunity to compete, communicate, and exchange experiences. In this context, significant opportunities are also opening up for promoting Sisian internationally,” Mamulyan said.

This year, Iran is expanding its participation and will present its rich cuisine, artworks, and handicrafts in more than 40 pavilions. Iran’s Deputy Head of Mission to Armenia, Bahram Taheri, noted that the peoples of the two countries share a rich history, culture, and culinary heritage, and that presenting these traditions together from different perspectives is a valuable opportunity to discover their similarities and commonalities.

“We are participating in this festival with great enthusiasm, and a fairly large delegation will arrive. I am confident that the ‘Navasard’ Festival serves as a cultural bridge between the peoples of the two countries. We also aim to host the festival in Iran in the coming years,” Taheri said.

Another important event within the framework of the festival will be the signing of a memorandum of understanding, through which Sisian in Armenia and Lahijan in Iran will become sister cities.

“Before signing such a document, significant research is carried out. It became clear that Sisian and Lahijan have many similarities — their history, architecture, agricultural products, tourism significance, culinary traditions, and more. As you can see, there is great potential for cooperation, and prospects are opening for joint work in other fields as well,” he said.

The festival will also feature a diverse concert program. Organizers are providing free transportation from Yerevan to Sisian. Those wishing to use this service must register in advance. Additional information is available on the Armenian Tourism Federation’s Facebook page.