At the start of September 2015, we booked a one day tour to Armenia. This trip took us to Lori province in Armenia, which actually is pretty close to Georgian border. During this trip we had a stops at Haghpat monastery, Sanahin monastery and Akhtala monastey.
It turned out that at our final destination place - the Akhtala monastery, a barbecue festival was held. At start I did find it a bit strange - a barbeque and a monastery? Well... why not?
Akhtala monastery in Armenia
If you will look closely into above picture you will notice the smokes, that's because of barbeque is being prepared
Road to Akhtala Monastery
There were a lot of tourists both local and foreign that day visited Barbeque festival in Akhtala
Entrance gates at Akhtala monastery complex
Barbecue festival at Akhtala monastery
Or the Ancient world (Monastery complex) meet the New World (Coca Cola tents) and both are covered in the smokes of barbeque. So surreal, so true, so Armenia!
Armenian folk songs and dances held at Akhtala
Armenian souvenirs for sale
Akhtala monastery in Armenia
Akhtala Barbecue festival
Akhtala Barbecue festial
About Akhtala Barbecue festival
Barbecue Festival in Armenia was launched in 2008 in Lori region. Akhtala city has become the center of attention for many people who love to eat Armenian dishes, especially barbeque (khorovats). The barbecue festival's day is special as there is a chance to see in how many different ways Armenians can make Barbeque: “Barbeque in the fireplace”, “Barbeque on the horizontal bar”, “Barbeque in the hole” (shepherd barbeque), “Barbeque in ground oven”, etc. The guests of the Barbecue festival will get an opportunity not only to taste barbeque but also attend concerts of Armenian folk songs and dances. The aim of the Barbecuee festival in Armenia is showing and telling about Armenian traditional cuisine, and contributing the development of surrounding tourism.
