Today, the world has turned into a vast battlefield. The rumble of cannons and drones can be heard from all directions. Human life has lost its value in the eyes of many. Every day, dozens of innocent lives are lost simply because they belong to a certain nationality, religion, or cultural group.
But there is a people who fight their battles not with weapons, but with friendship—not by destroying, but by creating. That is our people.
The Armenian people, creators since the beginning of time, continue to create to this day. Our battlefield is culture and science—and why not—our national cuisine. Our weapons are kindness, hospitality, and the desire for peaceful coexistence. We believe that culture is the most powerful weapon, and that national identity is a source of pride, not a cause for conflict.
With this spirit in mind, on June 14, the first Cultural and Culinary Festival of Armenians and National Minorities was held in Arzni under the title “Diversity of Peoples and Friendship of Peoples.” The event was organized by the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, the Armenian Federation of Tourism, and the “Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions” NGO, with the support of the Kotayk Regional Administration and the Arzni Community Administration.
The main symbol of the festival was our national khapama, representing our planet and its diverse population—an image of unity, solidarity, and peace.
This festival was not just an event; it was a message of peace sent to a world in dire need of harmony. It will become a tradition to remind us all that true strength lies not in weapons, but in the soul—not in division, but in unity.
Representatives of the Assyrian, Russian, Georgian, Ukrainian, Greek, German, and Yezidi communities of Armenia, as well as participants from Artsakh and various regions of Armenia, took part in the festival. They showcased their traditional cuisines and elements of their cultural heritage. A culinary competition was also held, where the Greek community won the grand prize. I was honored to present the main prize and gold medal to the winners.
