At the crossroads of the Middle East and Eastern Europe, the rich cultural traditions of Armenia came to life in a celebration of food, art and history on Sunday, Aug. 27 for the annual Taste of Armenia Street Fair.
St. James of the Nisibis Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Evanston held the 35th annual festival from noon to 6 p.m., on the street adjacent to the church located at 816 Clark Street.
“What started out as a small group of parishioners gathering for an end of summer picnic in Harms Woods, has become a major Armenian cultural celebration in downtown Evanston,” Rev. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, pastor said. “This is our largest annual fundraiser, and it gives us a chance to present our culture and to be good neighbors to the community.”
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The festival came alive with music by the John Paklian Band, cultural dance performances by the Hamazkayin Sardarabad Dance Ensemble and the Siragan Armenian Dance Company of Chicago, with inside church tours throughout the afternoon, a concert by the Saint James Nareg Bell Choir and presentations on Armenian herbal remedies by parishioner and organist Dr. Nooshig Salvador.
On Clark Street, the tantalizing aroma of beef luleh and chicken kebab, hummus, baba ghanouj, tabbouleh and other authentic Armenian menu items wafted after being prepared by Levon Kirakosian, parishioner and owner of Siunik Armenian Grill in Glenview, and a team of church volunteers.
Armenian beer and wine was also served.
Delicacies like cheese and spinach boreg, filled baked phyllo dough, and yalanchi, stuffed vegetarian grape leaves, were served alongside desserts like khadayeef, pakhlava and an assortment of Armenian homemade pastries made by parishioners.
Despite the large spread, Kirakosian says the festival is not just about the food.
Cultural booths and a silent auction provided the sale of handmade and cultural items.
Event Chair Gevik Anbarchian says the event has become the grand finale gathering for the entire Armenian community in greater Chicagoland at the end of summer as well as a celebration that welcomes everyone.
St. James Volunteer Sarah Bertrand, sells cultural items to Marina Mainaev of Mundelein.
“Along with an annual fundraising goal of $30,000, the festival provides an important opportunity to bring our parishioners together with other Armenians in the area,” Anbarchian said.
Funds raised will enable support of cultural and religious programs with a portion of the proceeds going toward community outreach, Anbarchian says.
“This event is one of few that provides an opportunity to share our culture, and a chance to get back in touch with our Armenian heritage,” Mike Simoan of Buffalo Grove said.
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.