A Celebration of Traditional Crafts and Flavors in Gavar | June 21–22
For the fourth consecutive year, the International Crafts Festival will once again bring together the finest artisans from Armenia and abroad. Held each year in a different region of the country, the festival showcases the rich heritage of folk craftsmanship. In 2025, the celebration will take place in the town of Gavar, Gegharkunik Province, under the theme: “Youth Crafting Taste: Gastronomy and Crafts.” Here’s what to expect: an exhibition and sale of handcrafted works by Armenian and international artisans, delicious traditional dishes, culinary competition, a tightrope walking performance, a photo corner, traditional music and dance, live creation of a felt carpet, folk games, a museum display, hands-on masterclasses, live concerts.
The festival is organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Hovhannes Sharambeyan Folk Arts Museum, in collaboration with the Municipality of Gavar.

RROGRAM

21.06.2025

• 12:00–20:00 – Exhibition-sale of works by Armenian and international artisans
• 12:00–20:00 – Museum displays (Folk Arts Museum after Hovhannes Sharambeyan, Gegharkunik Museum of Local Lore, “Sardarapat Memorial Complex, National Museum of Armenian Ethnography and History of Liberal Struggle”)
• 12:00–20:00 – “Let’s take a photo!” photo corner
• 12:00–20:00 – Presentation and tasting of traditional Armenian dishes
• 12:30- Launch of the “Khnotsi-Harotsi” group cooking competition
• 13:00 – Official opening ceremony: speeches and tour of the pavilions
• 13:30–20:00 – “Kechin Vren” (“On the Felt”): Felt carpet making accompanied by live performances from the “Masunq” traditional song and dance group
• 13:30 – “Discover Gavar” quest by Restart Gavar Youth NGO
• 13:30 – City tour in Gavar by Sarvor Tourism NGO
• 14:00 – Tightrope walking performance
• 15:00 – Start of “Zmpik-Zmpik” traditional and team games “Shadowplay-Fables”: ARAR Center for the Preservation of Armenian National Art
• 12:00–18:00 – Masterclasses
• 12:00–18:00 – Pottery
• 16:00, 17:00 – Making of “Gavar Kufta”
• 14:00, 17:00 – Carpet weaving
• 12:00–18:00 – Felting
• 15:00–17:00 – “Khachbur” Weaving (Ritual Wheat Bundles)
• 16:00 – Recycling and handicrafts
• 19:00 – Concert featuring Ethno Colors band
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22.06.2025

• 12:00–20:00 – “Kechin Vren” (“On the Felt”): Felt carpet making accompanied by traditional songs
• 12:00–20:00 – Exhibition-sale of works by Armenian and international artisans
• 12:00–20:00 – Museum displays (Folk Arts Museum after Hovhannes Sharambeyan, Gegharkunik Museum of Local Lore, “Sardarapat Memorial Complex, National Museum of Armenian Ethnography and History of Liberal Struggle”)
• 12:00–20:00 – “Let’s take a photo!” photo corner
• 12:00–20:00 – Presentation and tasting of traditional Armenian dishes
• 14:00 – “Discover Gavar” quest by Restart Gavar Youth NGO
• 14:00 – City tour in Gavar by Sarvor Tourism NGO
• 15:00 – Tightrope walking performance
• 16:00 – “Zmpik-Zmpik” traditional games competition
“Shadowplay-Fables”: ARAR Center for the Preservation of Armenian National Art
• 12:00–18:00 – Masterclasses
• 12:00–18:00 – Pottery
• 14:00, 17:00 – Gavar-style Baklava making
• 14:00, 17:00 – Carpet weaving
• 13:00–16:00 – Felting
• 16:00 – “Khachbur” Weaving (Ritual Wheat Bundles)
• 16:00 – Recycling and doll making
• 18:00 – Concert featuring Gamma band.