TEHRAN - The third Navasard Festival, a vibrant celebration of the cultural and culinary ties between Iran and Armenia, commenced in Armenia's Sisian region on Saturday, marking a symbol of the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

The festival was inaugurated with the presence of cultural and artistic figures from both countries. During a press conference, held in conjunction with the event, Mekhak Apresyan, the president of the Armenian Tourism Federation, highlighted the festival’s role in strengthening cultural and tourism ties between Iran and Armenia and expressed gratitude for the support from the Iranian Embassy in Yerevan.

He emphasized the festival’s success in previous years in promoting cultural tourism and introducing Iranian attractions to Armenian tourists, reinforcing the friendly relations between the two nations.

As announced by the event organizers, one of the festival’s highlights is a cooking competition between Iran and Armenia, featuring over 20 chefs from each country, showcasing the culinary diversity and richness of both nations.

Moreover, Mohammad Asadi-Movahedi, the Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran underscored the cultural and artistic diversity of the festival, noting the participation of groups from the provinces of Tehran, Isfahan, Hamedan, Tabriz, and Khuzestan.

The attaché emphasized that the festival offers a valuable opportunity for mutual understanding of the cultures and traditions of the two nations.

“This year’s festival features a wide range of activities, including cultural, artistic, and sports programs, as well as cooking demonstrations and an exhibition of Iranian handicrafts,” Asadi-Movahedi noted.
XF/AM