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Holidays In Georgia: Traditions That Reflect Georgia’s Soul

Way up high in the mountains, there is a gorgeous and ravishing land where people with big hearts live. They are also known for appealing hospitality, love of life, lively intelligence, sense of humor, and reputed longevity. And last but not least, and with absolutely no doubts, their delightful love for wine! Wait-wait, did someone say WINE? It is hard to imagine a world without wine (especially at the moment!), and we have Georgia to thank for its creation! No wonder holidays in Georgia feature so much!

*a little moment for being extra grateful for that*

Wine lovers rejoice – today, we are talking about the proud nation of Georgia!

Holidays In Georgia: Man with grapes

Holidays in Georgia

They are the ones who managed to preserve its architecture, language, alphabet, literature, music, choreography, culinary traditions, and more. And they are the ones who like to spend a leisurely afternoon on the veranda, sipping a variety of wines alongside savory crackers and cheeses. They are the ones who believe that a guest is a gift from God.

Authentic, ancient, beauteous—Georgian culture has been evolving for millennia. It is a homeland of gifted creators, timeless masterpieces, and numerous holidays. From ancient traditions to modern observances, Georgia’s holiday calendar is filled with fascinating events highlighting the nation’s unique identity.

Now we are gonna’ make you an offer you cannot refuse. Open your favorite bottle of wine (it better would be a Georgian one), pour it into your favorite glass (we promise we will do the same) and let’s dive together into this adventurous journey on Georgian Holidays and Traditions. Just make sure you raise a glass and say “Gaumarjos” (which means “cheers” in Georgian) anytime you see the word Georgia in this Blog.

Something You May Not Know About Georgia

Before diving into the world of Georgian Holidays, we will cover some interesting facts about Georgia and try to understand why this Caucasian country is unique and worth visiting.

It was the birthplace of wine! 

Yes, we are never tired of speaking about wine. Georgians have been making and perfecting this wonderful beverage for at least 8,000 years. The traditional natural wine-making method used in Georgia involves earthenware vessels, called qvevri, which are buried in the ground and used in the fermentation and storage of Georgian wines. This method is mentioned on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

The Georgian language is truly distinctive. 

The Georgian alphabet is an ancient cultural tradition with 3 unique writing systems: Mkhedruli, Asomtavruli, and Nuskhuri. It’s one of the world’s 14 primary writing systems; Georgian is UNESCO-recognized.

Georgia is a real gourmet paradise. 

Almost any resident knows how to cook delicious Georgian shish kebab or khinkali. If you are a fan of delicious food, then Georgia is a must-visit place for you.

Georgians love to host a guest! 

If there were a World Hospitality Championship among countries, the Georgians would definitely receive gold medals. In Georgia, it is believed that a guest is a gift from God. When holding a ‘supra’ (a traditional Georgian feast), guests are welcomed with open arms, and the ‘tamade’ (a toastmaster) will ensure you are well-fed and entertained.

Georgians have a different name for their country. 

The locals call it Sakartvelo and call themselves Kartveli, which probably derives from a central region in Georgia – Kartli.

Georgia is a very safe country to visit. 

Boasting 7th safest country to visit in the world in 2017, Georgia continues living that peaceful life. 

Holidays In Georgia:

Holidays in Georgia—Celebrating the Heart and the Soul of Georgia

Georgians are very festive people; this is why, in Georgia Holidays are abundant! Great news, who does not love celebrations? One can safely say that in Georgia, every day is a feast: mountains and the sun, hospitable people, delicious cuisine, and, of course, the sea of wine, without which any holiday can do! Today, we will tell you about the most interesting and important national holidays in Georgia, as well as the history and traditions of the celebration.

St. George’s Day — November 23

Saint George’s Day in Georgia (also known as Giorgoba) is a public holiday held in honor of the martyrdom of the patron of Georgia, Saint George. On Saint George’s Day in Georgia, bells ring in every church, and priests lead special liturgies to seek the saint’s favor. Despite commemorating his torturous death, Giorgoba is a joyful celebration spent with family and friends amid feasting, dancing, and the singing of traditional songs.

Georgia’s Independence Day — May 26

Georgia marks the celebration of Independence Day on May 26. After the Revolution of 1917, Georgia became an independent country and declared itself the Democratic Republic on May 26, 1918. Colorful Independence Day celebrations spread nationwide with military parades, fireworks, concerts, fairs, and official ceremonies.

New Year — December 31–January 1

New Year is, of course, a special holiday worldwide, and Georgia is no exception. The Georgians are among the most hospitable people in the world, and it is easy to prove: on New Year’s Eve every host prepares a table which is literally “breaking and cracking” from a variety of national meals! On a traditional festive Georgian New Year table, there are necessarily top five foods: Satsivi (a thick paste made from walnuts and served cold), Gozinaki (traditional Georgian confection made of caramelized nuts fried in honey), Eggplant with walnuts, Khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), Churchkhela (the most traditional sweet). There is even a belief that the more sweets that sit on the table, the more successful will be the coming year.

One of the most widespread and central traditions is a guest known as Mekvle. Mekvle is the person who first enters your house on New Year’s Eve. It is believed that the first guest in your house can bring luck, happiness, and success to the family for the next year. Usually, Mekvle is chosen in advance, and they are a close person of the host family. Mekvle must bring sweets or some candies—this gesture means that the Mekvle wishes all the best to the host family. Of course friends and family who can attend are welcome to send New Year’s gifts as well

Christmas — January 7

In Georgia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7, according to the Julian Calendar. Believers usually meet for Christmas after their church ceremony and celebrate this day with their family members and close people. The 7th of January is the day of the Alilo Parade. This happens in most cities across Georgia. People participating in the parade often carry religious icons, Georgian flags, and crosses while singing Christmas carols. You’ll also spot children dressed up as angels. After the parade is over, many people go home for a family supra or visit their friends and family, and in the evening, they light candles on their windows as a sign of the birth of Jesus.

Local Santa Claus, “Tovlis Babua,” is very different from the usual one, and instead of a red-white dress wears a so-called snow-white “Nabadi” (Georgian burka).

In addition to the traditional Christmas tree in Georgia, you can decorate “Chichilaki” — a small Christmas tree made from a hazel branch. “Chichilaki is traditionally decorated with dried fruit, nuts, and sweets and then burnt after the holidays. According to the belief, along with its smoke, all the troubles and problems fade away.

Christmas presents are always welcome, and it is encouraged to have them delivered early to avoid holiday closures. 

5 Traditional Festivals and Holidays in Georgia You Shouldn’t Miss

The national festival is the best opportunity to plunge into and discover Georgia’s vibrant national culture, get to know the locals, learn many interesting facts, enjoy tasty local dishes and just have a great time.

Tbilisoba

Birthdays happen only once a year, so celebrating all out is a must! Tbilisoba is an annual October festival that celebrates the history of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. One of the most striking features of the Tbilisoba Festival is the parade, which is the highlight of the celebrations. Throughout the city, there are food stalls where visitors can enjoy the delicious culinary country’s specialties. From khinkali (Georgian dumplings) and khachapuri (stuffed cheese bread) to various meat dishes and desserts, there is a wide variety of delicacies to discover. The festival creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere where everyone feels welcome and can experience Georgia’s hospitality firsthand.

Batumoba

Batumoba, the ‘Day of Batumi — Georgian Black Sea resort,’ takes place in spring, and the resort city transforms into a colorful celebration of tradition and folklore. This day, you’ll find the city beautifully decorated and filled with concerts with the participation of both local and foreign musical groups. One of the festival’s primary attractions is Gandagana, a two-day event named after a traditional Adjarian dance. The Festival usually falls on September 3–4. Whether a local or a visitor, Batumoba provides a wide window into the heart of Georgian cultural identity, celebrating the diversity and richness of this appealing Black Sea city.

Rtveli

A vintage and harvest holiday in Georgia is called Rtveli and usually starts in late September and ends in mid-October. For Georgia, the ancient winemaking country in the world, it is not just an ordinary process but also an actual ritual that unites all relatives and friends. And even though Rtveli is a family event, visitors can also take part in it. The hosts will be only happy! Ripe bunches of grapes are cut with a knife and put in the baskets. And then, the harvest is placed in the clay containers — kvevri. Аfter harvesting the festive meal starts (of course!), the table is full of delicious local dishes: appetizing barbecue, local cheese, freshly baked bread, and, of course, homemade wine.

Lamproba

Lamproba, or the ‘Festival of Lamps,’ is an annual celebration in Svaneti, Western Georgia’s high mountain region. It marks the time between winter and spring and asks for good weather, fertile reproduction of animals and people, and a good harvest. On the night of Lamproba, people craft torches from birch or oak tree branches and walk them to their ancestors’ graves. This lunar festival occurs towards winter’s end, coinciding with the full moon. The exact dates change yearly, but it’s always held in February or March.

Cheese Festival

While Georgia is perhaps most famous as the birthplace of wine, the country also has a long history of producing delicious cheese. Thus, Georgia invites gourmets from all over the world to the Cheese Festival every year. It offers a comprehensive insight into the world of Georgian cheese by offering cheese tasting, displaying a wide array of cheese varieties, demonstrating traditional cheese-making processes, and interacting with local cheese makers.

Truly speaking, we could go on forever about Georgian culture, but symbols and the possible size of this blog limit us. Moreover, seeing and hearing are better than reading. That’s why you should visit Georgia’s cities, villages, and churches, share in Georgian folklore and traditions, look around the museums, browse the bazaars of handmade objects, attend performances, sample Georgian wine (of course!), and try Georgian foods. Then, you can answer the question, “Why Georgia?”.

Gift Ideas For Holidays In Georgia 

Welcome to Gift Baskets Overseas — a world of colorful and complementary gifts, where you can find a gift for any occasion or person that will help you fully express your feelings for your loved ones. Now you’re probably here because you’re looking for gifts for your loved ones in Georgia. Look no further! If you are looking for something unique and extra special, here are some popular gifts to send to Georgia:

Wine gifts to Georgia: What is the better gift choice to send to Georgia than a bottle of fine wine? Order wine gifts for home delivery for all the wine lovers anywhere in Georgia. Explore and send from wide collection of wine to celebrate their special occasions.

Fruits and nuts to Georgia: Our extraordinary collection of dried fruit and nuts gift baskets and trays will be a perfect choice for that gourmet lover in your life. It will also make an ideal pair with a bottle of white/red/rose wine.

Gourmet gift baskets to Georgia: Indulge their love of fine foods with our range of scrumptious gift baskets perfect for a special occasion gourmet celebration. Our Gourmet Gift baskets that are filled with meat, cheese, chocolate, fruit & more are shipped daily to ensure absolute freshness, and will also make a suitable match to that perfect wine bottle. 

You’ve learned more about holidays in Georgia and their traditions; now what?