In Tavush village, AMAA has launched the “Tavush” community development program, aimed at creating comfortable living conditions, ensuring sustainable income, and fostering joint community life between local families and those forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Within the three-year program, a new neighborhood will be built in Tavush, consisting of 8 residential houses equipped with solar power stations. In addition, selected families will be provided with raspberry orchards, guesthouse businesses, and greenhouse farms with the opportunity to cultivate strawberries.

The program aims to create about 30 jobs, as well as provide agricultural machinery for cultivating the land plots of the selected families. To further strengthen both local and displaced families, they will also have the opportunity to engage in bakery and confectionery production, as well as juice, compote, and jam production.

Application deadline: October 20. Apply here.

Throughout the program, various trainings and consultations will be carried out, enabling the selected families to independently manage their farms and businesses.

In an interview, the program’s coordination assistant, Elina Gasparyan, elaborates on the program’s goals and expected outcomes.

The troupe of the Hamazgayin Theater named after Sos Sargsyan brought Paruyr Sevak’s play “Man in a Palm” to the Berd community, giving residents the opportunity to come closer to high art theater.

During the performance, Sevak’s creative world came alive on stage: human destinies, emotions, and inner struggles shaped the evening’s overall atmosphere.

The acting and stage setting gifted the audience with genuine emotions and lofty reflections on life and values.

This cultural evening was made possible through the initiative of the “1000 Vahan” Charitable Foundation and with the support of the Berd Municipality. In the end, the sounds of grateful applause also conveyed a message—that the demand for encounters with art is always alive.

Author: Hayk Dombyan

On September 29, at 21:07, the Crisis Management Center of the Tavush Regional Rescue Department received a report that a traffic accident had occurred in the “Maplar” area of Verin Karmiraghbyur village: a vehicle had overturned, and there were injured individuals.

A firefighting-rescue unit from the Fire and Rescue Squad of the Regional Rescue Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Rescue Service was dispatched to the scene.

It was found that a “UAZ” vehicle had gone off the roadway and rolled about 200 meters into a gorge, resulting in injuries.

The rescuers disconnected the car’s power supply, shut off the gas cylinder valve, and transported two passengers on stretchers (approximately 200 meters) to the ambulance.

The injured were hospitalized in a medical center.

On September 28, at 20:47, the Crisis Management Center of the Tavush Regional Rescue Department received a report that a 20-member hiking group had gone missing in the forest near Teghut village while descending from Dimats Mountain, requiring the assistance of rescuers.

An operative team from the Fire and Rescue Squad of the Regional Rescue Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Rescue Service was dispatched to the scene.

The rescuers found the members of the hiking group unharmed in the forest near Teghut village and escorted them back to their vehicles.

September 28 is the Feast of the Varaga Holy Cross: a feast that gathers hundreds of pilgrims at Nor Varagavank, where, in the shade of ancient walls, the unity of faith and our national memory is relived anew. The Varaga Holy Cross is a feast of spiritual strength, reminding us of the path through which our people preserved the roots of their faith. With the tradition of the cross procession, the faithful from the communities of Tavush, from different regions of Armenia and the capital, as well as from abroad, ascend to Nor Varagavank.

The relic of the Lord’s Cross, which every year is brought here from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, returns and rests in its once historical home.

After the Divine Liturgy, the relic of the Cross blesses the four corners of Tavush: the blessing spreads over our mountains and valleys, orchards and fields, villages and hamlets, in a united prayer for endurance and peace.

On this festive day, the celebration also becomes a cultural festival: by the initiative of the “Tavush” Union, in the area adjacent to the monastic complex, national songs and music resound, with performances by the “Horovel” ensemble and the cultural groups of Berd.

Nor Varagavank, built in the 13th century during the reign of the Kyurikian princes, is one of the spiritual and historical symbols of Tavush. Situated in an elevated area, dominating its surroundings and embraced by forests, Varagavank also attracts tourists visiting our country.

The scribes and historians of the Middle Ages left valuable references about Varagavank. Today, too, the monastery remains a place of return to the spiritual—a place where each person anew feels the color and fragrance of the homeland and the strength of spiritual virtue.

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.

This year, the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varag will be celebrated on September 28. On this occasion, the Relic of the Lord’s Cross will, according to tradition, return to its former and historic home—Nor Varagavank Monastery.

With great solemnity, the Relic of Christ’s Cross will be transferred from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to Nor Varagavank.

At 11:00 AM, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated.

At the conclusion, the Blessing of the Fields service will be performed, and with the Relic of the Cross, the four corners of historic Tavush will be blessed.

Afterward, in the area adjacent to the monastery, a cultural event organized by the “Tavush” Compatriotic Union will take place. The festive concert will feature performances by the “Horovel” ensemble as well as cultural groups from the Berd region.

The ceremony of the blessing and serving of matagh (sacrificial offering) will also be held.

Tavush Media offers a unique opportunity to join the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varag live—via television, our website www.tavushmedia.am, and our social media platforms.

Throughout 2024–2025, athletes and coaches from the Dilijan community achieved remarkable success in a number of competitions, earning honorable positions at championships held in Armenia and abroad.

On September 25, the Mayor of Dilijan presented letters of gratitude and monetary awards to the athletes and their coaches who represented the community with distinction.

“These awards symbolize our community’s gratitude and appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the athletes and their coaches,” noted David Sargsyan.

Awarded athletes:

• Karen Nveri Tamamyan – Armenian Boxing Championship, 3rd place

• Gor Sasuni Ghambaryan – Armenian Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship

• Araik Artaki Khemchyan – Armenian Greco-Roman Wrestling Championship, 2nd place; Ufa (Russia), 3rd place; Batumi (Georgia), 1st place

• Mushegh Harutyuni Ananyan – Armenian Table Tennis Championship, 2nd place

• Artur Oniki Tadevosyan – World Fudokan Karate Championship (Pulawy, Poland), 1st place in the 8–11 age group

Coaches:

• Artur Tatuli Hovakimyan – Boxing

• Sasun Seyrani Ghambaryan – Greco-Roman Wrestling

• Artak Armeni Aghajanyan – Table Tennis

• Artur Artashesy Simonian – Karate

• Ruslan Ghukasyan

Independence Day of Armenia was celebrated at the Artsvaberd House of Culture with a festive event. The program featured patriotic speeches, poetry, songs, and dances.

Participants also expressed gratitude and paid tribute to the soldiers guarding the country’s borders.

Author: Hayk Dombryan