On August 10, in the town of Sisian, Syunik Region of Armenia, the now traditional "Navasard" Armenian–Iranian Cultural–Culinary Festival took place. This is already the fourth year the event has been organized as a joint initiative of the Armenian Tourism Federation and the “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO. The festival is held with the support of the Tourism Committee of the RA Ministry of Economy, in cooperation with the Syunik Regional Government, Sisian Municipality, the Cultural Center of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Armenia, and the Consulate General of Iran in Kapan.

This year’s event featured a wide program of cultural, artistic, and culinary activities. The Iranian side was represented by 32 pavilions, showcasing both traditional dishes and cultural handicrafts, beverages, and other products from northern and southern Iran.

In his opening remarks, the head of Sisian community, Hovsep Arakelyan, emphasized that the growing number of participants reflects increased interest in the event:

"The annually growing number of participants is the best proof that interest in the festival is increasing, which will serve as an incentive for the strong rapprochement of the two friendly peoples."

Head of the Cultural Center of the Embassy of Iran, Mohammad Asadi, highlighted the importance of such events not only for cultural relations but also for deepening political and economic ties:

"Holding such festivals can contribute to strengthening cultural relations and fostering greater friendship between the two kind nations of Iran and Armenia. Culture and civilization help prepare and bring the two peoples closer together, which in turn contributes to the growth of political and economic relations. Any country in which cultural and artistic ties between two nations develop will naturally also advance its economic and political relations."

Iran’s Consul General in Kapan, Morteza Abedin Varamin, expressed his conviction that the festival has already become a symbol of warm bilateral relations:

"The fact that this festival has been held for four years shows the warm and peaceful relations between our two countries. Each year the event becomes more impressive and crowded, and this is no coincidence—it comes from our millennia-old history, from times when neither the West nor the Western countries existed."

One of the key events of the festival is the culinary competition, which includes three categories: “Best Taste,” “Best Dish,” and “Best Concept.” Participants represent the pavilions and are free to prepare both national and original dishes.

President of the “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO, Sedrak Mamulyan, stressed the importance of experience exchange between chefs:

"This once again provides an opportunity for our and Iranian chefs to communicate, exchange ideas, and interact in some way, because that is very important—connections in the culinary world play a major role. One of our main goals is also to develop the culinary arts through this event."

According to the organizers, there are plans to make the “Navasard” Festival a two-day event in the future, which will allow for a richer program and greater involvement of participants and visitors.