The status of CIS Cultural Capital opens up great opportunities for Meghri. Anatoly Iksanov, Executive Director of the Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), noted this during a press conference held in Armenia’s southernmost Meghri city, on Thursday.

“This is a very significant event,” Iksanov noted, recalling that Meghri has become the 22nd cultural capital of the CIS, and the third Armenian city to receive this status—after Gyumri and Goris.

According to him, this program gives Meghri the opportunity to get familiarized with the entire cultural palette of the CIS, as well as to meet with artists, composers, and writers.

“All this is aimed at popularizing Armenia's unique culture in the CIS expanse,” Iksanov emphasized.

Meghri on Thursday officially assumes the status of CIS Cultural Capital in 2026.