Vardavar is one of the most beloved and anticipated celebrations in Tavush, which for the third time now has found its unique expression in Koghb. Thousands of people from Tavush, different regions of Armenia, and abroad chose the path of water and came to Koghb, becoming part of the year’s most emotional event.

July 25, 2025. The village of Koghb awakens with the mood of Vardavar. The start of the celebration was classical – a symphonic concert evening served as the first event of the festival. Initiated by the “Koghb” Foundation, “Koghb Vardavar” is about culture, art and craft, tourism, and good and vibrant energy. The three-day festival, which this year carried the title “Symphony of Water,” stood out with several highlights, one of which was the joint concert of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, “Garik & Sona” band, and Nemra.

Arman Barseghyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the “Koghb” Foundation, noted:  “Every year we try to raise the bar, striving to add new components based on the lessons of the previous year and, as a result of improving the quality of the event, to ensure greater participation and scale each year. This year is no exception. From the start of the festival, it became clear that we have achieved the desired progress in organizational work. This year our festival is joined by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra. The mere fact that performers of such caliber participate in the event is already a big deal, since, unfortunately, concerts of such high-quality orchestras are rare in the region,” said Arman Barseghyan.

The scent and aroma emanating from Koghb’s football field filled the festival zone. Gastro pavilions and master classes in national cuisine once again highlighted the power of the Armenian traditional table, which was followed by an awakening of the sporting spirit – Olympic taekwondo demonstration performances. Art was breathing in every corner of Koghb – film screenings, literary conversations, creative workshops; in bright musical and recreational zones, everyone could find an activity to their liking.

The ritual of Vardavar came to life also through a theatrical performance, eventually signaling the start of the traditional water splashing. Everywhere there was high energy, thousands of smiles, appreciation for the land and homeland and those standing behind them, a renewed culture, and, most importantly, the strength and importance of traditions, experienced by people who felt their unity. This became the cornerstone of the event.

The impressions of Vardavar celebrated with Tavush-style grandeur are abundant, serving each time as a reason to smile and, why not, to visit here. Next Vardavar, you might find yourself in Koghb – in this purity, this warmth, and in the heart of these people.

Koghb is one of the most active settlements in Noyemberyan, especially in terms of culture, and this is no coincidence. Today, Koghb has become a crossroads of cultural heritage and innovation for young people, where the past meets the present. Cultural events, traditional celebrations, and the works of local artists make Koghb a place where not only historical values are preserved, but also new creative projects are developed. This is a new environment where the cultural traditions of ancestors are carefully preserved, and new generations realize their creative dreams.

Read the full story this link.

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Author: Hrant Ghazumyan
The project was implemented with the financial support of the Media Initiatives Center within the framework of the “Creation of Independent Media Content” grant program.

There is still much to be said about the “Green Village”.
Gagik Aghababyan, who founded his own wine production in the border village of Koghb and has 40 years of winemaking experience, is driven not only by his love for his work, but also, most importantly, by his boundless love and faith in the Motherland and its strong and independent future.

He talks about the factory he founded a few hundred meters from the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, his ambitious plans, goals, as well as the challenges he encountered during his activities. We also talk with his daughters, the Aghababyan sisters, about their work and daily life, and about the problems of people with disabilities.

The issues of border settlements are on the agenda of the discussion.

On Tavush TV, Ernest Khanumyan, with Gagik Aghababyan, director of the “Green Village” enterprise, Garik Paytyan, founder of the “Zovak” guesthouse in Norashen, and Karine Saribekyan, director of the “Aghstevi Valley” local active group NGO, highlight the challenges in the border settlements of Tavush, which have consequences for the socio-economic situation of the population.

 

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Wine is proud, stubborn, and honest; sometimes too bold, and the wines of Koghb are brave and unbreakable. Gagik Aghababyan, who has almost 40 years of winemaking experience in the border village of Noyemberyan region, is attracted not only by his love for this drink but also, most importantly, by his boundless love and faith in the Motherland and its strong and independent future.

“Kanch Gyugh”(Call to the Village) enterprise presents the wines of Koghb. The goal of creating wines made from endemic grape varieties is also their preservation and development. Gagik Aghababyan, the author of the “Kanch Gyugh”(Call to the Village) brand, says that he became a winemaker at the age of 5 when he tasted wine for the first time in the wine factory of Berdavan village. Having worked for many years in factories in Ijevan, Berdavan, and abroad, he thought that he should have his own factory in order to implement all his ideas.

Recently, the Koghba Wines Winery was also opened. The winery is unique because the customer can taste wine and only then buy it.

They are also going to export the wines to Europe and Russia. Recently, they have created black brandy, which is the first one in Armenia.

In the “Kanch Village” enterprise, they are confident that the extraordinary nature of Armenia, full of incredible history and beautiful traditions, can create only magical wine. They prove by their work that they are not the past of winemaking in our country but the future.

Almost a month ago, on November 11, the engagement of Sargis Avagyan, a participant in the 44-day war, took place in Koghb village of Tavush region.

Our team of “Our Heroes” program talked with Sargis and his fiancee, Monica.

The youn couple tells about the war, their emotions, expectations and always winning love.

On November 12, the presentation of Gor Karapetyan’s book “The Hidden Side of Success” was held at Koghb Art School. At the presentation, the author told about his experience and presented the book.

The book is about personal growth and professional orientation. The book includes stories from the author’s life, scientific data, online tools, interactive materials, practical advice, many quotes, and methods drawn from global best practices.

At the end of the presentation, the attendees got the book with the author’s inscription.

With the initiative of the Koghb Foundation, and by the decision of the Noyemberyan community council, on May 1, Koghb Music School was named after the great composer Tigran Mansuryan.

Maestro Manustyan was present at the nomination ceremony. During the event, the students of the school presented Tigran Mansuryan’s biography and the way he passed. 

At the end of the event, Koghb Foundation awarded a number of grants and scholarships to the teachers and students of Koghb public and music schools for the success and achievements of the first quarter of 2022. 

The nomination ceremony ended with the announcement of the Koghb Foundation announcing the annual Tigran Mansuryan Music Award.

The teachers and students of the renovated, furnished, equipped with new musical instruments and already named after Tigran Mansuryan will continue their work and education with greater responsibility. 

The “Koghb” foundation, in coordination with the Koghb school of Fine Arts, has launched a new pilot project, the “Koghb” digital studio.

The project manager and coordinator Artur Aghababyan and the project coordinator of “Koghb” foundation Lusine Danukhyan are in Tavush studio, and we are talking about the new pilot project.

Within the framework of the project, 10 applicants who passed the admission stage; from Noyemberyan, Tavush; will study 3D modeling for free for 9 months. 3-4 months after the start of the project, the participants will register on freelance platforms and will start working in an artificial environment, receiving orders, carrying them out, and earning corresponding money. At the end of the project, the participants will get the skills for working remotely on freelance platforms, and they will have their own pages with the relevant portfolios.

The aim of the project is that at least 40% of the participants will be able to earn at least 100.000 AMD per month 9 months later.

All the people interested can apply by filling out the relevant application. 10 of the applicants will pass the admission stage and will be involved in the pilot project. The others can participate in the trainings with their own computers as free listeners. The applicants should have minimal computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PPT), minimal English communication skills, high motivation to learn, and work discipline.

You can apply following the link https://bit.ly/3tAtfin.