On December 6, 2019, regular meeting of “Socio-psychological Assistance to Syrian Refugees” project took place at the office of Aleppo Compatriotic Charitable Organization (Aleppo-NGO) with the participation of 67 women. This time the members of the project hosted Sedrak Mamulyan, president of the Organization of Development and Preservation of Armenian Culinary Traditions, Director and Chef of “Ararat Hall” restaurant, lecturer of National and World Cuisine at Yerevan Brusov State University of Languages and Social Sciences, organizer of culinary festivals.

Dzovig Makarian-Baitarian, Co-founding Vice President of Aleppo-NGO introduced the guest and asked to present main features and characteristics of the Armenian Cuisine. Sedrak Mamulyan talked about the history of Armenian Cuisine noting that it is the oldest cuisine of  the region and is a source for the cuisines of our neighbours. Scientific surveys show that Armenians are locals, not nomads, and have been using food from their motherland. Medieval studies  show that Armenians had rich cuisine and prepared appropriate dishes for all  rituals and holidays using meat, vegetables and fruits in their routine. 

Sedrak Mamulyan mentioned that nowadays under the influence of foreign cuisines Armenian dishes do not occupy their appropriate place in our daily routine and Armenians don’t pay enough attention to them. Therefore, it’s of utmost importance to preserve and pass on to other generations the recipes and ways of preparation of Armenian dishes.

After interesting conversation about Armenian cuisine Sedrak Mamulyan answered to the questions of the attendees and adviced to collect dishes of Western Armenia and preserve the unique cuisine of our Western motherland.

As a reminder, the free socio-psychological assistance meetings at Aleppo-NGO provide support to Syrians who went through the war and find themselves experiencing psychological side effects, helping them to recover and become actively involved in the civil life of Armenia.

The meetings take place every Friday at 16.00, at Aleppo-NGO office. The address is 11 Northern Avenue, -1 floor (entrance from Abovyan street).