Traditional Dolma Festival as National Unity Symbol

On November 10, 2024, the traditional festival of another iconic dish - Armenian dolma - took place in the courtyard of the Cathedral of Saint George of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia. The event was brought to fruition with blessings of His Grace Bishop Kirakos Davtyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, and the patron of the event was Arkady Hovakimyan, a devoted faithful Armenian.

After the conclusion of Sunday Divine Liturgy, blessings of the Diocesan Primate and the speech of appreciation by Susanna Khachatryan, chairwoman of the "Shushanik" Union of Armenian Women in Georgia, addressed to the supporters and all participants, the attendees tasted different varieties of Armenian dolma.

As always, the festival was large-scale, crowded, and appetizing, with tables lined up in the churchyard, each holding more than three dozen pots of dolma, decorated with the ideas and skills of the cooks - female members of the  "Shushanik" Union of Armenian Women in Georgia, the "Hayartun" Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, "Saint Moses of Khoren" Preschool, "Taron" Ethnographic Dance Ensemble, "Tiflis" organization of Homenetmen (Armenian General Union for Physical Education and Scouts), representatives of "Van" Vocal Studio and individual participants.

The honored participant of the festival was Chef Davit Babayan from Armenia, whose table, decorated with Armenian cuisine delicacies and ten types of dolma, added special beauty to the event, leaving the attendees in admiration and surprise.

The festive mood was created by a concert of national, patriotic, and soulful songs performed by the RA Vanadzor “Horovel” State Song and Dance Ensemble (artistic director: Armen Nersisyan), specially invited for the event.

Among the guests were representatives of the Tbilisi Municipality, Sakrebulo (City Council), the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia, the Women's Council of Georgia, sister churches operating in Georgia, as well as guests from Yerevan, Vanadzor, Batumi, Rustavi, many faithful, etc.

The day truly became festive and aligned with the spirit of national unity.