Haybuis Armenian Herb Festival
June 28
About Haybuis Armenian Herb Festival
The Haybuis Armenian Herb Festival is an annual celebration of Armenia’s wild herbs, flowers and the traditional knowledge of foraging and preparing them. Held each summer in the mountain village of Yenokavan in the Tavush region, it brings together cooks, herbalists, craftspeople and visitors to explore how local plants are used in food, medicine, art and design. In 2026 it is expected to take place on Sunday, 28 June.
The Story Behind the Haybuis Armenian Herb Festival
The name “Haybuis” translates roughly as “Armenian herb”, and the festival was created to put the country’s rich and often overlooked flora at the centre of attention. It began in 2015 in the village of Yenokavan, set among the forests and mountains of Tavush province in north-eastern Armenia, an area long known for the variety of plants growing on its slopes and meadows.
The event grew out of a desire to document and share traditional plant knowledge that had been passed down through generations of rural families. In a country where wild greens and herbs have always been part of everyday cooking and home remedies, the founders set out to show that this knowledge is not just folklore but a living tradition with real value for cooking, health, craft and the local economy. The festival has been organised by Gayane Aghayan and Irina Chibukhchyan, who have helped shape it into a yearly gathering at the Apaga Resort in Yenokavan.
Over the years the festival has expanded from a small local gathering into one of Armenia’s recognised summer events, drawing producers, researchers and travellers. It has come to feature small businesses built around herbs and mountain plants, from herbal tea makers and skincare producers to artisans who use dried plants in ceramics and jewellery. In doing so it connects an ancient relationship between Armenians and their landscape with modern, sustainable enterprise.
When and Where is the Haybuis Armenian Herb Festival Celebrated?
The festival is held in Yenokavan village, in Armenia’s Tavush province, usually at the Apaga Resort. It takes place in late June each year, with recent editions falling on or around the last weekend of the month. The 2025 festival was held on 28 June and the 2024 edition on 29 June, so the exact date shifts slightly from year to year. For 2026 the date is expected to fall on or near Sunday, 28 June, though as the precise date is confirmed by the organisers closer to the time, it is worth checking official channels before planning a visit.
Although the festival itself takes place in Armenia, its themes of herbal heritage, foraging and traditional food resonate internationally, and it attracts visitors from the Armenian diaspora and curious travellers from around the world.
Traditions and Customs
The festival blends education, craft and shared food, with a number of features that return year after year:
- Foraging and plant knowledge – Visitors learn how to identify and gather wild herbs and how each plant is traditionally used, reflecting centuries of accumulated rural knowledge.
- Herbal tea gatherings – A herbal tea party is one of the festival’s signature moments, with teas brewed from mountain plants of the Tavush region.
- Cooking demonstrations – Master cooking classes show how herbs are used in Armenian dishes, including a giant lavash brduch (herb and cheese wrap) prepared as a communal centrepiece.
- Craft and design – Local makers display jewellery, ceramics and skincare created with dried plants and mountain flora, showing how herbs reach beyond the kitchen.
- Activities for children – Educational games about forest biodiversity introduce younger visitors to the plants and ecosystems around them.
Ways to Celebrate the Haybuis Armenian Herb Festival
You do not need to be in Yenokavan to take part in the spirit of the day. Here are ways to mark it:
- Visit the festival – If you are in Armenia in late June, the festival is free to enter and offers a full day of tastings, workshops and demonstrations in a beautiful mountain setting.
- Cook with herbs – Try an Armenian dish that uses wild greens, such as aveluk (a dish made with dried mountain sorrel) or herb-filled flatbreads, to bring the festival’s flavours to your own table.
- Brew a herbal tea – Make a pot of tea from herbs such as chamomile, thyme or sage and learn about their traditional uses and properties.
- Learn to forage responsibly – Read up on the edible plants growing near you, taking care to identify them correctly and gather them sustainably.
- Support herbal producers – Seek out small producers of herbal teas, skincare or seasonings, including those from Armenia, to support the kind of enterprises the festival champions.
- Share the tradition – Cook with friends or family and pass on any plant knowledge handed down to you, keeping the tradition alive.
Facts and Figures
- The festival has been held annually since 2015 in Yenokavan, Tavush province.
- “Haybuis” translates roughly as “Armenian herb”.
- Entrance to the festival is free.
- A giant lavash brduch, a wrap filled with Armenian herbs and cheeses, has featured as one of the festival’s standout attractions.
- Participating producers use Tavush herbs such as chamomile, sage and hypericum in products ranging from teas and skincare to ceramics and jewellery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Haybuis Armenian Herb Festival?
It is an annual Armenian festival celebrating wild herbs and flowers, held in Yenokavan in the Tavush region. It showcases the use of herbs in cooking, medicine, craft and design through tastings, workshops and demonstrations.
When is the Haybuis Armenian Herb Festival in 2026?
The festival is held in late June each year and is expected to fall on or near Sunday, 28 June 2026. The exact date varies slightly year to year, so it is best to confirm with the organisers closer to the time.
Where does the festival take place and is it free?
It is held in Yenokavan village, Tavush province, Armenia, usually at the Apaga Resort, and entrance has traditionally been free.
Spread the Word
Share the Haybuis Armenian Herb Festival with your community using #Haybuis and #Haybuis2026. Whether you mark the occasion by cooking with wild greens or brewing a pot of herbal tea, every bit of awareness helps keep this tradition alive. If you enjoy seasonal gatherings rooted in nature and food, you might also like St John’s Day (Midsummer), another late-June celebration tied to the rhythms of summer.
Related Awareness Days
- Honey and Berry Festival – Another celebration of foraged and harvested natural foods, sharing the Haybuis festival’s love of the land’s bounty.
- National Iced Tea Day – A fitting companion for a festival famous for its herbal tea gatherings.
- St John’s Day (Midsummer) – A traditional summer celebration that, like Haybuis, draws on herbs, plants and seasonal custom.
Links
- Visit the official Haybuis festival listing on Armenia Travel
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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