The Children’s Aesthetic Center in Gyumri is a place that fosters creativity, artistic self-expression, and art therapy to thousands of children, ages three to eighteen. The arts and crafts taught there include painting, dancing, singing, embroidery, rug and carpet weaving, crocheting, lacemaking, national costumes, doll-making, and traditional Armenian cuisine.
Professor Susanna Mkrtchyan founded the Center in 1978 in order to preserve traditional Armenian values. Located on one of the oldest streets around Gyumri’s historical central square, the Center initially occupied the kolkhoz shop that sold the fruits and vegetables of collective farmers. Further expansions and renovations followed—particularly after the devastating earthquake of 1988,
Susanna is a prolific artist herself, producing graphics, silk paintings, still lifes, paper statues, national costumes, and more. Susanna has also hosted a cooking program for years, which enables the Center to offer master classes in local dishes, such as fried sorrel, tatar-boraki, and panrkhash, and desserts such as bishi, pokhindz, and halva. These offerings combine Western Armenian and Turkish foodways to create a localized Gyumri cuisine.
While the food is being prepared at the Center, visitors may also learn from Susanna’s expertise in doll-making—a traditional craft and elaborate art that reflect Armenian cultural heritage. By the time visitors have dressed their dolls in national costume, a table full of Armenian delicacies is ready. The saying in Gyumri is that “food is consumed according to how it is served.” Susanna’s aesthetic and culinary skills turn dishes into art and art into extraordinary tastes, textures, and colors.
Meet your host
Professor Susanna Mkrtchyan founded the Gyumri Aesthetics Center in order to preserve traditional Armenian values. Located on one of the oldest streets around Gyumri’s historical central square, the Center initially occupied the kolkhoz shop that sold the fruits and vegetables of collective farmers. Further expansions and renovations followed—particularly after the devastating earthquake of 1988. Gyumri Aesthetics Center is a place that fosters creativity, artistic self-expression, and art therapy to thousands of children, ages three to eighteen. The arts and crafts taught there include painting, dancing, singing, embroidery, rug and carpet weaving, crocheting, lacemaking, national costumes, doll-making, and traditional Armenian cuisine.
