On May 7, 2016, the Judo Academy named after Sh. Chochishvili, Tbilisi, hosted the Georgian International Dance Festival and Roman Archaia Challenge Cup. Many local dance groups representing multinational Tbilisi participated in the festival. Georgian National Council of Dance and Sport Dance and Tbilisi Centre of Cultural Events organized the event.

Georgian, Abkhazian, Ossetian, gypsy, Spanish, Latin and other national dances were performed. The Taron Dance Group of the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia (Choreographer Suren Abramyan) performed two traditional Armenian dances “Alashkerti Kochari” and “Sgherdi Kochari”. Despite being engaged in its first serious competition, the revived dance ensemble professionally performed proud and passionate dances, instantly captured the audience’s attention and earned a thunderous applause.

Dances performed by the Taron Dance Group were highly appreciated by the jury. The jury was unanimous in their decision. The Taron Dance Group was awarded the Gold Medal and placed first in the “National Character” nomination.