The celebration of Great Barekendan or Eve of Great Lent by Harissa (Armenian dish) festival has already become a tradition for the Armenian community in Tbilisi. The festival is organized and conducted on the initiative of the Association of Armenian Women of Georgia “Shushanik”, with the support of the Armenian Diocese and “Hayartun” center. The festival has already become a wonderful tradition, where Armenian women present a national dish as skillful and pleasant hostesses. The celebration becomes bigger and bigger every year.

The festival organized on February 15, 2015 was attended by the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, counselor from the RA Embassy in Georgia, Karen Melikyan, officials and other guests.

The president of the Association of Armenian Women of Georgia "Shushanik", Susanna Khachatryan, opened the event. She highlighted that the main purpose of this feast of Great Barekendan, celebrated on the Eve of Great Lent, was to preserve and transfer this national dish, folk customs and traditions to new generations.

More than twenty pots with harissa were served in the hall. The Primate of the Armenian Diocese congratulated everyone on the occasion of the feast, blessed the pots and invited the guests to taste the traditional harissa. “Hayartun” center was filled with joyful songs and music, and the guests, including foreigners, mass media representatives and Armenians of Tbilisi, witnessed this national celebration with admiration and interest. Harissa - flavored atmosphere, inspired by Great Barekendan feast, was very cheerful.