The residents of Tbilisi were in a happy and festive mood. For a few days in a row many mass media outlets had been promoting the traditional Armenian dolma festival-contest. At the initiative of the Association of Armenian Women in Georgia “Shushanik”, with the support of the Headquarters of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, the Hayartun Center and private benefactors, the event was held on July 16, 2017, in the courtyard of the Saint Gevorg Cathedral.

The Armenian national cuisine is considered one of the non-material cultural assets of the Armenian nation. The presentation of tasty and healthy national food through festivals in Tbilisi has already become a tradition. This time it was dolma.

Each year the Dolma festival broadens its scope. The total number of participants was 40, the number of pots was more than 50. Among the participants were the members of the Association of Armenian Women in Georgia “Shushanik”, the students of the Hayartun Center’s artistic classes, the members of Church-loving Women’s Association at the Cathedral of Saint George, the St. Gregory of Narek Center in Rustavi, Tbilisi № 104 Armenian school, the “Vrastan” Newsletter (“Georgia”), Vank Dance Ensemble, the city’s best restaurants. Each participant presented 2-3 types of Dolma, beautifully served.

Meidan square rejoiced, more than a thousand people were gathered in the church courtyard. In attendance were locals, guests from different cities across Armenia and Georgia, foreigners and tourists to taste and appreciate Dolma.

The occasion was honored with the presence of Georgian MP David Chichinadze; Majority Deputy of Isani-Samgori District, Ilia Jishkariani; First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Georgia, Artur Sargsyan; the editor of the newspaper “Georgia” Van Bayburtyan,Georgian Youth Delegate to the United Nations, Giorgi Tumasyan.

Levon Chidilyan, Director of the Cultural Department of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, opened the festival.

The Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, offered his good wishes and blessing remarks to the attendees. The Diocesan Primate appreciated the festival, the objective of which is to popularize Armenian culture, including the national cuisine, traditions. The festival was held in the courtyard of the Saint Gevorg Cathedral, old part of Tbilisi with multinational population, which was a demonstration of Christian love and kindness.

The guests highly appreciated the traditional festival the objective of which was to ensure consolidation of Armenian nationals residing in Tbilisi. They wished the festival success.

The festival was accompanied by a beautiful concert, while Sedrak Mamulyan, chairman of the “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO, and his companions decided the best dolma maker. The concert featured the creative groups of the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, Vank Dance Ensemble, talented singer from Armenia Hayk Mkheyan and other solo performers.

An Honored Artist of Republic of Armenia, born in Tbilisi Leyla Saribekyan was the honorary guest of the festival. The celebrated singer, on the day marking her birthday, welcomed the attendees of the festival and presented brilliant musical performances of patriotic and national songs, bringing on thunderous applause.

A special jury evaluated Dolma according to the taste, beautiful appearance and richness of fantasy. The winners were announced member of the Association of Armenian Women in Georgia “Shushanik” Leila Davtyan; member of Church-loving Women’s Association at the Cathedral of Saint George, Aida Utmazyan; LLC Comfort; respectively. The restaurant “Mais” was awarded the Grand Prix. The winners received gifts from ARAY Tomorrow. According to Sedrak Mamulyan, Dolma festiaval will be held every year in May in Diaspora, to popularize and reveal the Armenian national cuisine, which is considered one of the non-material cultural assets of the Armenian nation.

During the event, cold drinks were served by the “Viva” company of the “Armenia” grocery store, and bread (Armenian Lavash), cold drinks and other utensil were delivered by the “Bebos lavashi” company. Painter Tengiz Mikoyants also made his donations.

The Association of Armenian Women in Georgia “Shushanik” thanks all the benefactors for provided assistance.