Improve Our Village NGO

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Project Title: "Arishta Festival as a Platform for Intangible Heritage Preservation and Intergenerational Dialogue"

Objectives:

Promote and preserve traditional Armenian rural culture and heritage through the annual Arishta Festival.

Increase the tourism appeal of rural communities by showcasing local traditions and the process of making Arishta, a traditional Armenian noodle.

Foster intergenerational dialogue between the older and younger generations by engaging them in interactive cultural activities.

Raise awareness of Arishta as a sustainable, traditional food product that embodies local agricultural practices and craftsmanship.

Outcomes:

Since 2019, the Arishta Festival has become one of the most anticipated events in Kotayk Region, celebrated for its focus on rural cultural preservation. The festival allows visitors to participate in every step of the Arishta-making process, from dough preparation to string drying and roasting, thereby ensuring hands-on learning and cultural engagement. The event attracts not only locals but also tourists from other regions of Armenia, significantly boosting the region's tourism.

The festival serves as a platform for intergenerational dialogue, where the older generation shares their traditions with younger people, ensuring cultural continuity. Additionally, the festival promotes the sustainable use of local agricultural products and traditional food production methods, aligning with the EU’s green transformation goals. The festival also uses digital tools to increase its visibility, engage remote audiences, and share the cultural process globally.

This project directly ties into the "green" by supporting sustainable food practices, the "social" through cultural preservation and community cohesion, and the "digital" via the integration of online communication and outreach strategies.

Attività

Educazione e sviluppo delle competenze (seminari, corsi, programmi educativi)

Conservazione e restauro

Sensibilizzazione e rafforzamento della comunità

Turismo culturale (visite guidate, itinerari)

Ricerca