Meet the Producers at Kenats Tun

Kenats Tun was founded in 1996.  It offers classes in the various fields of the arts to support Armenians in disadvantaged regions and promote traditional crafts. Cultural Director Lala Mneyan is the driving force behind HDIF's partnership with Kenats Tun. 

Ranging in ages from 30-69, all the women have higher education, but are unemployed.  They work at home, and sometimes come to Yerevan to undergo free training at Kenats House to improve products, create new products, and learn new techniques and technologies. 

Master artisans work in two groups to produce Kenats Tun's iconic felt ornaments.  The first group prepares the balls and eggs, while the second group shapes them and puts on the finishing touches. The artisans live in Gavar (Gegharkunik marz), Getashen village (Armavir marz), Kakavasar village (Shirak marz), Abovyan (Kotayk marz) and Yerevan.

Lala explains, "Their designs are made mainly by the artisans in her cohort with occasional assistance from family members, who help with materials and ready-made designs, weighing the wool and separating it according to the appropriate weight, tying the hangers, and threading the beads."