This is not the first time that the Alexander Mantashev Educational Cultural and Youth Center in Batumi (adjunct to the Surb Prkich (Saint Savior) Church) has initiated and implemented religious, cultural and community events, which gather almost all the members of the Armenian community in Batumi. Preservation of Armenian culture and traditions is a guideline for the Center, which has broadened the scope of its activities and hosts many festive events.

On July 30, 2017, at the initiative of the Alexander Mantashev Center and with the support of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and the Surb Prkich (Saint Savior) Church, Batumi hosted the first-ever dolma festival. Under the guidance of the Director of the Center, Sona Hovhannisyan, the preparatory work had been carried out to implement the festival at a high level.

In attendance were the officials of the Armenian community in Batumi, civil society representatives, guests, tourists from different cities and regions across Armenia, Georgia and Russia.

The tables, decorated with national symbols, skillfully carved fruits and vegetables on trays, different types of dolma beautifully served by the housewives were presented.

Before serving the dish, under joyful songs and dances the participants presented the special recipes of cooking the most famous of Armenian national dishes, that is, the dolma, and shared their experiences with others.

Rev. Father Ararat Gumbalyan, Pastor of Armenians in Adjaria, Guria, Imereti, and the Surb Prkich Church (Saint Savior), transmitted to the faithful the blessings of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, and congratulated the event’s organizers and participants. Later, Father Ararat blessed 30 pots with the tasty dolma.

The event began with welcoming remarks by Consul General of Armenia in Ajaria, Guria and Imeriti Yeghishe Sargsyan, he stressed the objective of the festival to promote the Armenian culture in Batumi and wished the festival success.

The special jury not only tasted, but also observed the tables and gave their evaluations. Although it had been previously decided to declare one winner out of 10 participants, there were three winners due to a difficult selection.

The winners were announced Shushan Kirakosyan, Svetlana Zakarianidze, Shushik Voskanyan. The winners received presents.

The Armenian community of Batumi had hosted harisa and gata festivals in the past. Many guests and foreigners participate in harisa, gata and tolma festivals in Batumi. The dolma festival turned into a real festivity for the Armenians of Batumi, it was accompanied by songs and dances, and had gathered not only the local Armenian community, but also many guests and holidaymakers. The dolma festival will be held in Batumi every year.