Dolma Festival at the Zvartnots Temple

Mark your calendars! The Dolma Festival returns to the Zvartnots Temple on June 20, 2023, promising another unforgettable celebration of Armenia's beloved dolma.

A flavorful favorite across Transcaucasia and Central Asia, dolma holds a special place in the culinary heart of Armenia. Every Armenian household takes pride in the art of dolma-making, showcasing this emblematic national dish. The annual Dolma Festival at the Zvartnots Cultural Reserve is an exuberant event, attracting thousands of traditional Armenian cuisine aficionados. Festival-goers have the chance to taste a plethora of dolma variations, spotlighting both time-honored and innovative recipes featuring unconventional ingredients.

Since its establishment in 2011 by the "Public Organization for Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions" under the helm of esteemed chef Sedrak Mamulyan, the Dolma Festival has been a culinary highlight. The festival made international headlines in 2022, when participant Nikolay Balyan crafted the world's longest grape dolma measuring an impressive 193.8 meters. This achievement was officially recorded in the Armenian Book of Records, or "Dutzaznagirk".

Top-tier restaurants, culinary schools, and technological colleges from Armenia and beyond participate in the Dolma Festival. A competitive spirit infuses the event, with teams vying for awards in categories like tastiest dolma, most original presentation, and best-decorated booth. In 2022, 27 teams competed, presenting the public and jury with an astonishing 70 varieties of dolma, ranging from traditional takes to creative adaptations featuring fish, seafood, potatoes, peas, beans, nuts, chocolate, and even hemp.

Each year, the innovative chefs at the Armenian Dolma Festival delight attendees with their culinary creativity. Some break convention by grilling their dolma on coals as one would a kebab, while others cater to the sweet-toothed crowd with fruit and caramel nougat dolmas. Festival-goers can even sample dolmas made with unique combinations of honey and mint, apricots and prunes, pine nuts, figs, and raisins – proving that the chefs' imaginations are truly boundless!

The Dolma Festival is not just a feast for the taste buds; it's a vibrant visual spectacle. Participants painstakingly decorate their stands with traditional motifs and household items. Many festival-goers choose to don traditional Armenian attire and jewelry, adding to the colorful atmosphere. And framing this bustling scene are the ruins of the medieval Zvartnots Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that lends the festival its unique charm and authenticity.