On July 10, 2016, the Association of Armenian Women in Georgia “Shushanik”, initiated the “Dolma-2016” Festival- Competition, with the support of the Diocesan Headquarters, the Hayartun Center and private benefactors. The festival was held in the courtyard of the Saint Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi.

The presentation of the rich Armenian cuisine, which is a significant part of the centuries-old Armenian culture, along with other national values in Georgia has already become a tradition. This year among the participants were the members of the Association of Armenian Women in Georgia “Shushanik”, the RA Embassy in Georgia, the “Vrastan” Newsletter (“Georgia”), Aliq Media Armenian Information Portal in Georgia, Tbilisi № 104 Armenian school, creative groups, several public associations, restaurants and cafés, ordinary housewives - a total of 37 participants.

45 various kinds of Dolma were presented at the festival. At the invitation of the event organizers, Sedrak Mamulyan, the president of «The Development and Maintenance of Armenian Cuisine Traditions» NGO; accompanied by the NGO members, Garik Gevorkyan, Grisha Antonyan, Armen Kefelyan, and the Mayor of Akhtala, Hayk Khachikyan, arrived in Tbilisi to evaluate the professional competence in culinary skills of participants.

An Honored Artist of Republic of Armenia, born in Tbilisi Leyla Saribekyan was the honorary guest of the festival.

The Chairman of the Association of Armenian Women in Georgia “Shushanik”, Susanna Khachatryan opened the festival and welcomed the people present. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, and Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, assistant to the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; blessed the pots with Dolma and wished festival success.

The courtyard of the ancient Armenian church was crowded with local residents and guests – Armenians, Georgians, Russians, foreigners. They attended the event and tasted Dolma. The festival was accompanied by a joyful concert. The Cultural Department Head, Levon Chidilyan, and a singer and solo performer, Anna Poghosova-Badalyan, hosted the event.

Leyla Saribekyan welcomed the attendees of 2016 festival-contest and presented brilliant musical performances of patriotic and national songs, bringing on thunderous applause.

A special jury of five members headed by Sedrak Mamulyan evaluated Dolma according to the taste, beautiful appearance and richness of fantasy. The winners were announced the restaurant “Kalanda”, the restaurant “Grako Metekhi Hotel”, the member of the Union of Church-loving Women of the Saint Etchmiadzin Church, Knarik Voskanyan, respectively. The restaurant “Mangal House Tbilisi” was awarded the Grand Prix.

During the event, cold drinks were served by the “Ritsa” company, headed by Eduard Muradyan and bread (Armenian Lavash) was delivered by the company, headed by Aramais Kamalyan.