On June 29, the “Community Pulse” NGO and ՞Sareri Bariq՞ Social Enterprise (Gifts of Monuments) organised the First Sorrel Festival within the framework of the “New Development Plan of Vardenik Community: Tourism and Agriculture” project, which is implemented in the scope of the EU funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project.
Mrs. Anna Hakobyan, the spouse of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Mr. Karen Zadoyan “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project Manager, Mr. Gnel Sanosyan, Governor of Gegharkunik Marz, Ms Sofy Hovsepyan, Member of the RA NA, Mr. Hovhannes Hoveyan, Head of Vardenik Community and others attended the Festival.
Mr. Karen Zadoyan, President of the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project Manager presented the CCD Project and congratulated the participants for the organization of the festival.
“We are glad that the “Community Pulse” has done a serious work, and this festival is one of those tools. The main task is to change the key guidelines of community development program. These include development of tourism, organic agriculture, and these changes will lead to changes in community life. I am confident that this will be an “infectious” example for others and we will have sustainable development in the region and the community will be a good model for other communities,” Karen Zadoyan said.
Mr. Artush Khachatryan, President of “Community Pulse” NGO, “New Development Plan of Vardenik Community: Tourism and Agriculture” Project Manager, presented the mission and objective of the festival. “We want to develop organic farming and rural tourism in our communities. This is one of the first steps in the development where we can present local brands, of which 18 are presented today,” he said.
Mr. Hovhannes Hoveyan, the Head of Vardenik community attached importance to the project. “The Festival differs from almost all other festivals, as it is unique and the first,” he mentioned.
The Festival was initiated to explore tourism resources of Gegharkunik marz, to develop agro, rural, event and cultural tourism in the region aimed to develop the social enterprises and present their products to the public.
The world’s longest sorrel braid was weaved at the Festival and it was included in “Dyutaznagirk” Book (Heroes’ book) of Records.
Within the frameworks of the festival, the guests tasted the traditional dishes of Gegharkunik, the traditional Gagar baklava, the Vardenik cannabis kufta, the fresh sorrel soup made cooked in the big saucepan, the fried edible herbs of the mountains. They got acquainted with the social entrepreneurs of Gegharkunik and other Armenian settlements, rural guest houses, products of individuals involved in organic production and their products. Special guests of the event were Nersik Ispiryan and Gata Band.
