On July 25, the "Yeghegis Fest" festival will take place in the Hors settlement of the Yeghegis community in Vayots Dzor. This is not merely a local event, but an exceptional platform centered around conserving Armenia's rich biodiversity and promoting a model of safe and harmonious human-wildlife coexistence.

Festival guests can look forward to an interactive introduction to the region's ecosystem, the discovery of ecotourism trails, an exhibition of sustainably produced local eco-products, and an open-air live concert by the band "Lav Eli" and the Safaryan Brothers.

This part of Vayots Dzor stands out for its unique, wild, and rich biodiversity. Here, the Bezoar ibex, brown bears, and the Caucasian leopard—all registered in the Red Book of Armenia—live side by side. The core idea behind "Yeghegis Fest" is to demonstrate that protecting this rich wildlife is directly linked to the sustainable future of the community.

In this ecological chain, local mountain honey serves not merely as a standalone product, but as a natural indicator of environmental health. The rich vegetation and the abundance of alpine medicinal herbs allow bees to produce a pure product, serving as practical proof of the mutually beneficial bond between humans and nature.

This event is the logical culmination of long-term, consistent environmental work carried out by the FPWC (Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets) and its partners. Behind the festival lies the project titled "Mitigating the Escalating Climate Change-Driven Human-Wildlife Conflict in Armenia," which is implemented with the support of the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative.

Systemic Steps Taken Prior to the Festival

Ahead of the festival's launch, significant systemic steps had already been taken toward conserving the region's biodiversity:

Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation: Local farmers and beekeepers were provided with solar-powered "electric fences" (protective systems), safeguarding their livelihoods without causing any harm to wild animals.

Wildlife Monitoring: Continuous tracking and study of brown bear movements and behavior were conducted to better understand ecosystem balance and ensure community safety.

Eco-Education: Targeted training sessions were held with residents regarding the value of wildlife and the rules of safe neighborly coexistence with animals.

The Core Focus of the Festival

The festival has a clear practical and environmental direction:

Valuing Biodiversity in the Community: A preserved environment brings recognition and sustainable development opportunities to the community. Consequently, locals are highly motivated to protect wildlife habitats.

Mindset Shift: A conflict-driven perception is replaced by safe coexistence. The public is shown that with the right application of technology, humans and bears can safely share the same region.

Sustainable Tourism: Yeghegis and Hors are positioned as new ecotourism destinations, attracting visitors specifically to discover untouched nature, rich flora, and wild animal species.

A Pathway to COP17

This local initiative also holds global significance. Ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17), which will be hosted by Armenia, "Yeghegis Fest" serves as a ready, living model. It demonstrates how pressing climate and ecological challenges can be successfully addressed through community engagement and wildlife conservation.