The Cercle Gaulois Hosts Its First Armenian Dinner and Wine Tasting

On April 9, the historic and prestigious "Cercle Gaulois" club in Brussels hosted, for the first time, an Armenian dinner and wine tasting. The event was organized by the Embassy of Armenia in Belgium, with the support of the Armenia Vine and Wine Foundation. It brought together hundreds of representatives from diplomatic, cultural, and business circles to discover Armenia's rich culinary and winemaking heritage.

The event was opened by the Ambassador of Armenia, Tigran Balayan, who emphasized that Cercle Gaulois is a symbolic venue where friendship, culture, and diversity come together. In his speech, Ambassador Balayan expressed gratitude to Jérôme Vrighhem and businessman Anton Akayan, a member of the club, noting that their contribution was crucial to the success of the event.

The Ambassador also extended special thanks to the Armenia Vine and Wine Foundation and its President Zara Manukyan for their important role in promoting Armenian winemaking heritage, as well as to Van Ardi Wines representative Werner Lemmens and With Us co-founder Karine Stepanyan.

Guests were presented with an elegant menu prepared by The Armenian Garden, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Armenian culinary traditions.

Ambassador Balayan highlighted that Armenia is considered one of the world's oldest winemaking centers, with a history of more than 6,200 years. Guests were offered a curated selection of Armenian wines, combining centuries-old traditions with modern innovation.

He also announced that in 2026 Armenia will host the prestigious international wine competition Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, noting that this will symbolize a return to the origins of wine. The Ambassador invited attendees to visit Armenia for the occasion and discover the country's cultural heritage, natural beauty, and renowned hospitality.

Attendees were also invited to take part in the second Armenian festival to be held on May 31 at Brugmann Square in Brussels, offering a full experience of Armenian crafts, cuisine, and culture.

The evening concluded with a cultural program featuring traditional Armenian dance performed by the Narek Dance Ensemble and a performance by qanun player Nare Khoren.

The event took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, once again highlighting the importance of strengthening Armenian-Belgian ties and the growing interest in Armenia's cultural heritage.