On May 16-17, 2026, Meghri will host one of the most vibrant international cultural events in the region – the 5th International Crafts Festival under the motto “Creative Community, Sustainable Future”.
For two days, the southern Armenian town will transform into a vast space of folk art, living traditions, gastronomy, and cultural dialogue, bringing together artisans, musicians and creative groups from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Georgia.
The festival has become one of the most recognizable cultural platforms in the region. This year, the event takes on particular significance as the town holds the status of Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth. The festival aims at strengthening humanitarian cooperation, developing cross-cultural communication, and promoting intangible cultural heritage of the peoples of the Commonwealth.
During these two days, the historic part of Meghri will brim with the atmosphere of traditional celebration, music and craft art. The program of the Festival will include:
- large exhibition-fair with works of Armenian and foreign artisans, featuring carpet weaving, embroidery, lacemaking, pottery, wood carving, fulling, straw weaving, doll making and other traditional crafts;
- series of workshops with artisans from different countries, allowing visitors not only to learn about traditional craft techniques but also to take part in the creative process themselves;
- gastronomic venues and presentations of the traditional cuisine of Syunik and Meghri, as well as workshops on cooking national dishes;
- performances by musical groups, folk and dance programs;
- interactive activities for kids and family audience;
- tutorials on national games and traditional dances together with the “Vare Varenk” cultural and educational initiative;
- photo zones “Capture the Moment”;
- tightrope walker’s performance, one of the most breathtaking elements of traditional festive culture;
- concert programs featuring the “Katil” band, the “Manel” choir of the Hovhannes Sharambeyan Museum of Folk Arts, the “Tagpar” band, and the “Vare Varenk” initiative.
A particular focus of the Festival will be on the traditional ritual elements, dedicated to the Feast of the Ascension. They will let guests to connect with the deep layers of Armenian folk culture and the living traditions of Syunik.
Symbolically, the official opening of the Festival will take place on May 16, the day of the international Night of Museums campaign. This event unites museums and cultural institutions all over the world around the idea of preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
The 5th International Crafts Festival is held with the financial support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia with cooperation of the Hovhannes Sharambeyan Museum of Folk Arts. The Interstate Fund for Humanitarian Cooperation of the CIS member states and Meghri Municipality also supported the organization of the Festival.
The partner of the Festival is the Agarak Copper Molybdenum Combine. Among the friends of the Festival are Loft Meghri, Khachat’s Toon, and GermaniaQA, whose support helps to create a rich cultural program, develop a creative environment and strengthen international cultural dialogue.
Welcome to Meghri – a sunny town of crafts, hospitality and living culture!