International Festival of Crafts

Meghri sits at the southernmost tip of Armenia on the Iranian border, and its subtropical microclimate — pomegranate groves, figs, and almonds — gives it a character unlike anywhere else in the country. The International Festival of Crafts brings roughly 40 artisans to the town each May from Armenia and neighbouring countries, with exhibitions, sales, and hands-on masterclasses running across two days.

Represented crafts typically include carpet weaving, felt-making, woodcarving, ceramics, copperwork, and embroidery. The festival is as much about skills transmission as commerce: each artisan offers at least one practical masterclass, usually lasting 45-90 minutes, where visitors can try techniques under instruction. Registration for masterclasses is usually on the spot at the artisan’s table, and most are free or carry a small materials fee.

Why Meghri

The Syunik region has historically been a centre of Armenian craftsmanship, and Meghri’s position as a border town gave it centuries of commercial and cultural exchange with Persian and Azerbaijani craft traditions. The festival reflects that mixed heritage — it is not unusual to see techniques and motifs spanning the full breadth of the southern Caucasus alongside distinctly Armenian forms.

The town itself rewards a proper visit. The 17th-century Church of St. Astvatsatsin sits above the old quarter, and the Meghri Fortress ruins are accessible on foot. The drive down through Syunik — past Tatev, the Vorotan Gorge, and Goris — is one of the most dramatic routes in the country.

Getting there and practical tips

Meghri is approximately 340 km from Yerevan, around five to six hours by car via the M2 highway. There is no direct public bus; marshrutkas from Yerevan’s Kilikia bus station reach Goris, from where onward transport to Meghri can be arranged. Staying overnight in Meghri or Goris makes the two-day festival manageable without exhausting driving. The festival is typically free to enter. May weather in Meghri is warm and dry, around 22-27°C. Bring cash for purchases, as card acceptance among artisan vendors is inconsistent.