This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of cultural figure Hovhannes Sharambeian, who made an invaluable contribution to the preservation and development of Armenian folk culture.

Although Hovhannes Sharambeian was not born in Dilijan, a significant and important period of his life was closely connected to the city. Due to health problems, Sharambeian moved to Dilijan and soon fell in love with the city, which later became a source of creative inspiration for him.

On August 16, Sharambeian’s birthday, a commemorative plaque dedicated to his memory was unveiled at 97 Kalinin Street in Dilijan, where the master lived for many years.

The people of Dilijan called Sharambeian “Vanik.” Many residents still cherish warm and unforgettable memories of him. His values and ideas are important to pass on to future generations, preserving the memory of the master and his contribution to the development of Armenian culture.

As part of the anniversary events, a ceremonial unveiling of a bronze bust of the renowned artist took place at the Hovhannes Sharambeian Children’s Art School.

Sharambeian’s legacy represents an important chapter in the preservation and promotion of Armenian folk culture and remains an integral part of Dilijan’s cultural identity.

On August 15, Armenian culture could be seen, heard, tasted and experienced firsthand in Dilijan. Music, traditional crafts, local brands and Armenian cuisine came together in one place as Dilijan hosted ARMAT Fest for the first time.

The festival’s name was not chosen by chance. “Armat” means “root” in Armenian and symbolizes the connection between the past and the present, as well as between tradition and contemporary culture.

From traditional crafts to modern Armenian design, the festival featured local brands and producers. Visitors could also sample both traditional and contemporary Armenian cuisine.

One of the highlights of ARMAT Fest was a series of workshops dedicated to traditional Armenian crafts. The workshops on vordan karmir, a traditional Armenian red dye, and national doll-making attracted so many visitors that the number of participants exceeded one hundred.

Holding the festival in Dilijan also contributes to the city’s development as a tourist and cultural destination. Organized by Green Rock, the event took place next to the newly opened Villa3 Community Hub, on the site of the future concert hall of the multifunctional complex.

For Artem Zatsepin, who has been living in Dilijan for several months, the city’s appeal lies not only in its nature and mountains. He also enjoys its cultural life and the community that brings together new people and ideas every day.

In the second half of the day, the festival continued with a musical program. Garik and Sona, the band Lav Eli, and Mikael Voskanyan and Friends took to the stage.

This marked the end of the first ARMAT Fest in Dilijan, with a promise to return next year.

A new large-scale project for the development of Armenia’s tourism infrastructure has been launched in Dilijan. Green Rock and Hyatt Hotels Corporation have signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of Armenia’s first Hyatt Regency hotel. The future Hyatt Regency Dilijan will become a key part of Dilijan’s new multifunctional complex, combining hospitality, entertainment, business, and cultural environments. On July 25, Dilijan hosted the official signing ceremony for the agreement and the groundbreaking of the future hotel.

“For me, the most important thing is people. Young people will have the opportunity to find work without leaving their home community. Small family-run guesthouses and cafés will be able to welcome their guests year-round. This brings me genuine joy. This is how Dilijan — and through Dilijan, the entire Tavush region — will become stronger and more developed. We are very proud that this step is being realized. This is my home, and I want the very best for my city and the people who live here,” said Mareta Gevorgyan, founder of Green Rock, in her speech.

Hyatt Regency Dilijan will be part of Green Rock’s broader development program in Dilijan. The future hotel will have 205 rooms and a modern conference center designed to accommodate more than 550 guests. One of the project’s distinctive features will be a rooftop helicopter landing pad, intended to improve the hotel’s accessibility for international visitors.

“For a long time, we have had one clear goal: to make Dilijan a place that can host the world year-round — a mountain town nestled in forests that will simultaneously become a destination for both family vacations and business visits. Today you are witnessing the realization of that goal. This will be the first Hyatt Regency hotel in Armenia. Why Dilijan? The answer to this question can be found simply by looking around: this is a place of incredible natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and a convenient geographical location. We are located two and a half, one and a half, and one hour away, respectively, from three international airports — in Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Gyumri,” said Vazgen Gevorgyan, strategic advisor at Green Rock, in his remarks.

With the launch of Hyatt Regency Dilijan, more than 400 new jobs are expected to be created in the fields of hospitality, restaurant business, wellness services, event organization, and hotel management. In total, Green Rock’s development programs in Dilijan are expected to create more than 800 jobs.

“We are delighted to introduce the Hyatt Regency brand to Dilijan. This is an important and symbolic milestone for both Green Rock and Armenia. Together with Hyatt, we aim to create not just a hotel, but a complete destination that will attract guests year-round and contribute to the development of tourism, culture, and the local community,” said Katerina Danekina, Executive Director of Green Rock Management Group, in a conversation with journalists.

Dilijan continues to develop as a new tourism and business destination. The city’s geographical location — about an hour and a half from Yerevan and about three hours from Tbilisi — creates additional opportunities for attracting both local and international visitors.

“We are delighted to introduce the Hyatt Regency brand to Armenia through our partnership with Green Rock. Dilijan has great potential for long-term development, and Hyatt Regency, as a full-service premium brand, fully aligns with the city’s vision for development as a leading destination for leisure, business meetings, and international events,” said Ludwig Bolduc, Hyatt’s Vice President of Regional Development, in a conversation with journalists.

The project combines international hospitality expertise, new investment opportunities, and the region’s development potential, creating a new environment for Armenia’s tourism and hospitality sector.

Challenges within communities are often visible to all; however, their systematic analysis and the clear prioritization of needs are frequently lacking. To address this gap, the “Civil Youth Center” NGO organized a workshop in Armenia’s Tavush region, bringing together representatives from several local communities.

Representatives of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Armenia also took part in the workshop, presenting the mission’s mandate and key areas of activity. During the sessions, participants conducted a community-based problem mapping exercise, identifying social and infrastructural challenges, with particular emphasis on security and peacebuilding concerns. Group discussions led to the definition of priority areas and highlighted issues requiring urgent attention at the community level.

Participants underscored the importance of women’s engagement in security-related processes, emphasizing that their involvement in community development and long-term stability must be consistent and institutionalized.

Addressing local challenges begins within the communities themselves—through active civic participation, a strong sense of responsibility, and a shared commitment to collaborative action.

A study conducted by the Tavush Regional Prosecutor’s Office within the scope of its authority to protect state (community) interests revealed that on July 10, 2013, a contract had been signed between the Dilijan community and the “Patriotic Volunteer Union” NGO. According to the agreement, a part of the kindergarten building located at 63/2 Orjonikidze Street, Dilijan — covering an area of 286.5 square meters out of the total 1163.3 square meters of immovable property — was granted to the “Patriotic Volunteer Union” NGO for free use, with the purpose of establishing a branch of the “Young Yerkrapah” club.

The study found that the kindergarten building allocated for free use had not been utilized for its intended purpose for more than 12 years and is still not being used.

Based on a report on the alleged crime submitted by the Tavush Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a criminal case has been initiated by the Tavush Regional Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee under Article 446, Part 1 of the Criminal Code (official negligence).

During the preliminary investigation, as a result of the measures taken by the Tavush Regional Prosecutor’s Office and the Tavush Regional Investigative Department, the “Patriotic Volunteer Union” NGO’s right of free use over the 286.5-square-meter area of the kindergarten building at 63/2 Orjonikidze Street, Dilijan, was terminated. The kindergarten building has been returned to the Dilijan community.

Solving community problems and ensuring community development is the responsibility of all of us. Young people in Dilijan have been given the opportunity to bring their community projects to life through the “Next Gen” grant program of the Green Rock Foundation, aimed at promoting youth participation in addressing local issues.

Seventeen-year-old Vahan proposed to renovate the playground in the Shamakhyan neighborhood. What was once a nearly unused area has now been transformed into a new and well-maintained playground where children can spend their time safely and comfortably.

Supporting ideas that have a positive impact on the community and align with the three main directions of the Green Rock Foundation—culture and arts, environmental protection, and community development—the foundation stood by the youth on their journey to make their ideas a reality.

Another community development project was initiated by Yana, a high school student, who prepared QR codes that will soon be placed at various landmarks in Dilijan. By scanning the codes, visitors will be able to read and learn more about each site.

The Green Rock Foundation emphasizes the important role of young people in community life, firmly believing that the best ideas for solving local problems often emerge from within the community—from active, engaged youth who live and study there. Through the program, the foundation provides the tools, platforms, and support needed to turn these ideas from visions into reality.

Young people are the lifeblood of their communities. With their civic engagement, fresh ideas, and active participation, they are the ones who can uplift their towns and villages, ensuring sustainable development and a secure future for their communities.

Armenia’s only international trail marathon — Dilijan Run 2025 — became an inspiring experience for many, bringing together lovers of nature, sports, and culture in Dilijan. The event took place across the Dilijan National Park, the city’s Central Park, and the campus of UWC Dilijan International School. The main organizers of this sports and cultural event were UWC Dilijan International School and Dili Sport, in cooperation with their partners.

“This is the first event of its kind in Dilijan, and we hope it will lay the foundation for a new tradition and become one of the hallmarks of this wonderful city, where people believe that a healthy lifestyle is essential for a happy life. This is not just a race; it is a day that shapes tradition, bringing together locals, foreigners, and people of all ages,” said Veronika Zonabend, Chair of the Board of UWC Dilijan.

This year, along with Armenian participants, there were also runners from abroad. While many came to compete for victory, for many others it was an opportunity to enjoy nature and the autumn atmosphere.

Dilijan Run is the only marathon in Armenia with an international rating. The race distances were designed for various levels — from 3,000 meters to 42 kilometers — allowing both amateur and professional runners to take part. The aim of the event is to promote mass sports, encourage healthy lifestyles, and raise awareness about Dilijan’s natural and cultural heritage.

In addition to the sporting component, the festival featured various athletic and recreational activities, including football, badminton, and chess tournaments, as well as other thematic events. Every participant found their preferred way to get involved and fully experience the festival atmosphere. Local producers from Dilijan also showcased their work during the festival, adding a community flavor to the event.

The marathon concluded with a rich program of sports and cultural activities, inviting all sports enthusiasts to join next year’s event — Dilijan Run 2026.

Armenia’s only international trail marathon, Dilijan Run 2025, became an inspiring experience for many, uniting lovers of nature, sports, and culture in Dilijan.

Tavush Province became the next stop in the series of events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia. Over the past three decades, UNDP’s work has spanned multiple sectors, and the event held in Dilijan aimed to highlight joint efforts in the field of humanitarian demining and community security.

“Over the past 30 years, the UN Development Programme has contributed to addressing Armenia’s key challenges and has played a significant role in the successes achieved here. It is no coincidence that I am in Tavush Province on the 30th anniversary of UNDP in Armenia. We have carried out major work here, particularly in the areas of socio-economic development, gender equality, demining, and environmental protection. There are still communities in Tavush with mine-contaminated areas, which hinder their further socio-economic development,”
said Natia Natsvlishvili, UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia, in an interview with Tavush Media.

During the event, a film showcasing 30 years of UNDP’s activities in Armenia was screened. The film featured stories from different regions of the country — from border villages to schools, water pipelines, and roads built in rehabilitated areas.

As part of the event’s theme, participants took part in an interactive exercise. In a mock “minefield” demarcated with paper signs and ribbons, a simulation drill was conducted to demonstrate how mines are detected, what equipment is used, and how safety in contaminated areas is ensured.

Alongside mine action efforts, UNDP’s programs over the past 30 years have transformed the realities of dozens of communities, reducing risks and creating more sustainable conditions for development.

For the ninth time, the Festival of Armenian Contemporary Music brings together musicians, audiences, and contemporary creative thought.

In the last days of September, in the majestic embrace of Dilijan’s nature, the voices of contemporary Armenian composers resonate gently. This year, the Festival of Armenian Contemporary Music opens its “Dilijan Days,” once again proving that art knows no boundaries.

Founded in the autumn of 2014, this festival has preserved its relevance and mission, becoming over the years a pillar for new Armenian musical thought. The programs presented at the festival feature the best performers of Armenia—ensembles, orchestras, and soloists.

During the event, experienced authors meet new names, and performers and listeners of different generations come together. The result is an environment where ongoing dialogue unfolds, and new aesthetic discoveries take place.

A step forward toward innovative learning: on September 25, a trilateral cooperation memorandum was signed at the Dilijan Municipality, marking the launch of a new educational initiative. According to the document, the “Tsiran” Tech Academy will be established in the community—an educational and creative center that combines technology, innovation, and hands-on learning.

The program is being implemented in partnership with the community, the Green Rock Foundation, and the “Drone Racing Federation of Armenia” educational-sports NGO.

The goal of the project is to provide local children, teenagers, and adults with opportunities to explore cutting-edge fields, from artificial intelligence to drone programming. The training will be connected to real-life projects, teamwork, and the development of practical skills. With the creation of the academy, technological education in Dilijan will enter a new stage.

Another important milestone for the city was its recognition at the prestigious MICE Excellence Awards, where Dilijan was named “Best Foreign Destination for Event Organization.” This distinction further underscores the city’s ongoing development.