On June 28 and 29, within YMCA Europe Roots for Peace Artsakh Exodus Response Rootsmade Charity Fair was organised in support of war affected artisans from Syrian-Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as Middle East. Held near the Republic Square, downtown Yerevan, the fair brought together 30 talented craftspeople presenting their work rich with Armenian patterns, ornaments, and history.
The two-day charity fair’s mission remained unchanged – to bring a new light to neglected artistry and preserve cultural heritage. The vibrant atmosphere captivated both locals and tourists of the capital with vendors eagerly engaging passersby in the process of their craft.
Zita Avagimyan is from Artsakh. After the war, she relocated to Yerevan with a goal – to open her own bakery. Today, she is the founder of Kro Bakery. In the Artsakh dialect “kro” means unbreakable. “I chose that name on purpose,” she says. “It perfectly describes the people of Artsakh – resilient, strong-willed, and unbreakable.”
Zita participates in various events and festivals. During the charity fair, she was invited to lead a masterclass teaching passersby how to prepare “Jengyalov Hats” (ժենգյալով հաց), a traditional Artsakh dish involving a flatbread called “lavash” and more than 10 different types of greens.
Armine Gasparyan is part of the Artsakh Artisans Center in Armenia. Her expertise involves the knitting of national socks and the weaving of traditional, Armenian carpets. During the fair, Armine led the carpet weaving masterclass, teaching the technique of creating an identifying piece of Armenian culture.
Organized by the Roots for Peace Program, the charity fair also involved the invaluable support of the YMCA Generation Next Scholarship holders. The student volunteers worked to promote the event, organized contests, and provided guidance and translation to tourists visiting the fair.
The event was accompanied with live music performance by the talented Artsakh youth creating a memorable ending to the cultural celebration.
Please see the reportage on the link below:
