Mayilyan \/ handmade and hiking<\/a> is a company promoting the crafting of agate stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2 Ijevan –<\/strong> What do you see in this ornament? <\/strong>If you’re curious to explore it, VANI Art Studio aims to expand knowledge of Armenian ornaments and incorporate them into everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3 Ijevan –<\/strong> Don\u2019t forget to gaze at the stars at night<\/strong>. Astro Tour offers a variety of tours with telescopes and many other unique experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n4 Ijevan <\/strong>– For a Shulal carpet, follow the thread<\/strong>. Telik Studio organizes rug weaving courses for women and girls in the Ijevan community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5 Yenokavan <\/strong> – A hospitable village with a thousand-and-one plants and a thousand-and-one tourists<\/strong>. Yenokavan, known for its mountain flora, has become a popular destination for nature lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n6 N.Tsaghkavan <\/strong>–<\/strong> The plaster slaps and the flower blooms.<\/strong> Several families in Tsaghkavan have been plasterers for generations, and the village is surrounded by beautiful nature and flowers\u2014hence the name \u201cTsaghkavan,\u201d which means \u201cVillage of Flowers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n7 Ditavan – Look up to the mountaintop to see the rock that protects Ditavan<\/strong>. If you want to take a closer look, ask the villagers for directions and follow the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8 Berkaber – Here, even the extreme is peaceful. <\/strong>Villagers from Berkaber often sit here and chat while gazing at the horizon. This little beach remains peaceful despite the border being on the other side of the water reservoir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n9 Kirants – We have laid down roots since the 4th century<\/strong>. Borders may shift with politics, but families have long been anchored here, just like the beautiful tree in the center of Kirants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n10 Lusahovit – The queen came here and was stunned<\/strong>. What about you? Legend has it that Queen Tamar of Georgia once visited the village and was awestruck by its beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n11 Sevkar –<\/strong> May the power of the rock protect us<\/strong>. Once, I saw someone from Sevkar, and that\u2019s why I love this village.<\/strong> This saying was shared by a resident of Sevkar and is attributed to the ashugh Jivani. The villagers still maintain strong ties with their community even when they leave it. Far from the village, yet close to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n12 Acharkut – \u201cOur heart is in the forest,\u201d <\/strong>say the villagers of Acharkut. Turn your head 360\u00b0\u2014you\u2019re surrounded by trees. The villagers lived in the woods before moving closer to the road, but they haven\u2019t forgotten all the paths to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n13 Sarigyugh –<\/strong> All roads start at the Chinar tree. <\/strong>The inhabitants of Sarigyugh used to seek good luck from the tree before traveling or making important decisions. Ask for directions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n14 Khashtarak – Armenian Hollywood. <\/strong>Many filmmakers have found Khashtarak to be the perfect backdrop for their stories: The Waters Are Rising<\/em> (Moko Hakopyan, 1962), We Are Our Mountains<\/em> (Henrik Malyan, 1969), Monument<\/em> (Albert Mkrtchyan, 1972), and Men<\/em> (Edmond Keosayan, 1973).<\/p>\n\n\n\n15 Vazashen<\/strong> – If you haven’t ridden the swing, you’ve never truly experienced joy<\/strong>. Come to Vazashen in July during Vardavar, when villagers hang swings from the branches of trees and have fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n16 Lusadzor<\/strong> – Light entered Khavaradzor (Dark Valley) and turned it into Lusadzor (Luminous Valley)<\/strong> When the village electrician, Andranik Antonyan, installed electricity in the 1930s, the village once known as Khavaradzor (Dark Valley) was transformed into Lusadzor (Luminous Valley).<\/p>\n\n\n\n17 Aknaghbyur<\/strong> – Here, figs hold the secrets of the sun.<\/strong> The location of Aknaghbyur ensures the fruit ripens perfectly. At the end of summer, you\u2019ll be invited into every garden to taste the many nuances of fig varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n18 Aygehovit <\/strong>– Life flows from grape juice<\/strong>. Aygehovit is known for its grapes and the orchards that surround the village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n19 Getahovit <\/strong>– Have you ever met arm-wrestling champions?<\/strong> The people of Getahovit are known for their athleticism, especially in arm wrestling. If you’re up for the challenge, come and show your strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n20 Azatamut – A Collective Center of Cultures.<\/strong> In the past, people from surrounding villages came to work at the Bentonite factory. With its buildings, football teams, and lack of gardens, Azatamut doesn’t resemble any other village. People say it’s like a small city where cultures from different places coexist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n21 Gandzakar<\/strong> – A piece of paradise amidst majestic mountains<\/strong>. If you have any doubts, take a walk through Gandzakar and see for yourself. Don\u2019t forget to taste the local beans, famous throughout the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n22 Achajur<\/strong> – Road of water, road of life.<\/strong> The Achajur bridge was constructed in 1931 as a vital part of the village irrigation system, bringing water from the Aghstev River to the village gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n***<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These signboards were created within the EU4Culture Network Festival: City Stories, Diverse Voices \u2013 TRACES implemented in August- September 2024 by the Goethe-Institut in cooperation with the Institute for Contemporary Art Yerevan and the Ijevan Municipality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a budget of \u20ac7.85 million, EU4Culture is a four-year project funded by the European Union to support the culture and creative sector with a particular focus on non-capital cities and towns in the Eastern Partnership Countries. The project is implemented by Goethe-Institut (Lead), Czech Centers, Danish Cultural Institute, and Institut Fran\u00e7ais de G\u00e9orgie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EU4Culture Network Festival: CITY STORIES, DIVERSE VOICES – Traces festival: the artists behind the creation of ceramic signboards
Ma\u00efda Chavak: artistic direction, drawing
Anush Ghukasyan: Realisation of the boards
Special thanks to them for these beautiful artworks that not will tell the stories of each location they are.<\/p>\n\n\n