TEHRAN – A regional culinary festival was recently held at the Sheikh Heydar Mausoleum complex in Meshginshahr, Ardabil province, featuring more than 90 varieties of traditional and authentic foods.

According to Miras Aria, Imanali Imani, head of the Meshginshahr’s office for Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, said the event was well received by both residents and visitors.

The festival was aimed to preserve local culinary traditions and introduce these elements of intangible cultural heritage to younger generations, he said. 

More than 90 types of local and traditional dishes were presented, including local stews, Khashil -- a traditional dessert made from cracked wheat, flour, butter and date syrup -- as well as various soups such as Ash Omaj, Ash Torsh and Ash Doogh. Other offerings included traditional pilafs, a range of dolmas, local flatbreads, homemade pickles and traditional beverages, Imani said.

In addition to food displays, the festival featured cooking demonstrations and training sessions aimed at passing on culinary knowledge associated with each dish.

Imani said the event also included cultural and recreational programs such as live local music performances, community competitions, and indigenous games and sports, adding to the historical setting of the Sheikh Heydar Mausoleum.

He said the strong public response would encourage organizers to expand similar cultural initiatives in the future, with a focus on promoting traditional healthy diets and preserving local customs to strengthen social cohesion.

Meshginshahr is located about 25 km from Mount Sabalan, Iran’s largest dormant volcano, at an elevation of around 1,830 meters above sea level. The city borders the Republic of Azerbaijan to the north and northeast and the Moghan Plain to the northwest.
KD