The First National Wine Festival in Areni Village

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PRESS RELEASE

Tufenkian Hospitality

21/1 Tumanian St.,

Yerevan Armenia 375001

Contact: Lilit Hakobyan

Tel: 374 1 520 911

Fax: 374 1 520 913

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.tufenkian.am

THE FIRST NATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL

Second Saturday of October (2004 10 09)

Vayots Dzor region, Areni Village,

Armenia

USDA and Tufenkian Hospitality are glad to announce the first national wine

festival in Armenia, with the aim to introduce an ancient Armenian tradition

of winemaking to the World.

More than just a showcase for great wine, the festival is a major event for

traditional food making and tasting, traditional crafts-making, and

folkloric performances.

The event program includes traditional dancing, singing, tight-rope

performances, a Marionette Theatre, food-making and tasting, wine-making and

tasting, traditional games, contests, art work, carpet weaving, and craft

items: their creation and presentation (materials used include stone, wood,

and local ceramics).

Villagers will sell home-made products, in their houses - yogurt (matsun)

and cream, honey, nuts and walnuts, vegetables, fruits, dried fruits, baked

goods, lavash, home-made jams and jellies, sweet sujukh, herbal teas

(including hip-rose & thyme), and all the other products that a typical

Armenian household usually prepares for its members.

Armenian companies will present such products as wine, cheese, dried fruits,

meat and fish products, and soft drinks.

Craftsmen will present their work, and visitors may try their hand at

replicating this art.

Armenian restaurants and cafes will organize an area for a one-day operation

of their businesses.

Children can draw in a nearby meadow.

At the Information Desk, visitors can learn about the history and historical

monuments of the region, including Gladzor Museum, the Selim Pass and

Caravanserai, and Noravanq Monastery. Find out more about the local climate,

the flora and fauna of the region, and the village itself. The Djermuk Spa

will also be present.

A qualified trilingual guide will take visitors to the local church for a

tour. This will be done according to a set schedule throughout the day.

For more information please contact us at 374 1 520 911, 105 ext., or e-mail

[email protected]