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During its long history, Georgia has experienced days of sorrow and joy. The most significant events have passed through the centuries and have come down to our days as holidays or days of remembrance. Celebrations can be public, religious or private.

In Georgia, they know how to enjoy every free minute, memorable and festive day. Most significant and solemn days end with a feast, which serves a special dish specially prepared for this event.

Public holidays of Georgia

New Year - the most large-scale and massive, it is traditionally considered the main national holiday. In Georgia, as well as throughout the world, this day is celebrated on January 1, but here it has its own characteristics.

As a festive attribute, in addition to the Christmas tree, they also install chichilaki. This is a walnut twig in the form of a Christmas tree, only the needles are replaced by shavings of this twig. Decorate it with dried red berries and a green sprig. After the New Year holidays, chichilaki are burned, sending along with the smoke all the hardships and problems of the old year.

The next obligatory attribute of New Year's Eve and the following days is the festive table. It is traditionally rich and consists of a large number of special, solemn dishes: satsivi, gozinaki, boiled pork, various marinades, khachapuri. The best, specially selected wine is always placed on the New Year's table.

Another tradition observed on New Year's Eve is the launch of fireworks. And this is not a tribute to the modern world trend. From time immemorial, on New Year's Eve, in Georgia, they shot a gun from a balcony, thus scaring away evil spirits. Until now, this tradition has been preserved and in many families hunting rifles are used instead of firecrackers.

In the post-holiday days, tribute is paid to another specific tradition - the "mekvle" reception. Mekvle is the first guest of the new year. He is greeted with special joy and respect, and they are sure to treat him to delicious dishes. The mekvle also has responsibilities: he comes to the house with gifts (it can be just sweets) and always accepts a treat and drinks a glass of wine with good wishes. It is believed that mekvle can bring both happiness and misfortune to the house. It is received with special honor, so that the leg is light and happy.

In Georgia, it is customary to celebrate the New Year with family and friends, and since there are many relatives and friends, the feast is necessarily accompanied by many-voiced chants and incendiary dances.

Mothers Day March 3rd has been celebrated in Georgia relatively recently since 1991. This holiday is a kind of replacement for the Soviet Women's Day, which was celebrated on March 8th. Now March 8 is also celebrated, but the day is not a holiday. Despite the short time, Mother's Day quickly took root and became one of the favorite holidays in the country, where the cult of the woman is elevated to the highest level. As an addition to the holiday, the whole country is immersed in mimosa flowers.

On this day, concerts, festive events, etc. are organized. Children especially love it, as there is another reason to please their mother with a gift and flowers.

April 9th celebrate in Georgia National Unity Day , but this is not a holiday, rather, a day of remembrance for those who died during rallies for the country's independence. In 1989, on this day, the central authorities used Soviet troops, including tanks with infantry fighting vehicles, to disperse a peaceful rally. Then 30 people died, most of them women, about 200 were injured.

On this day, services are held in the temples. And in Tbilisi, flowers are brought to the memorial and candles are lit.

Day of Victory over Nazi Germany Georgia celebrates May 9th. It's not really a holiday, more like a day of remembrance. Children and grandchildren of war veterans with flowers go to the monuments erected in honor of veterans.

During that war, almost every Georgian family lost their relatives and friends, so this day is devoid of pathos.

Independence Day is the most important public holiday in Georgia and is celebrated on May 26. On this day in 1918, the first republic was proclaimed, which lasted only 3 years. Independence Day is celebrated with special pathos and triumph. A military parade and a festive concert are held.

One of the festive events of this day is the Flower Festival, which takes place in Tbilisi on Rihe Square, in particular, on the Bridge of Peace. Various sports competitions are also held there. The celebrations end with a big grand concert, which also takes place in the park, on the banks of the Kura.

Religious holidays in Georgia

Christmas in Georgia is a great Christian holiday, when it is customary to show the best human feelings. It is celebrated after the New Year on January 6th. At the end of the solemn service in the country, a procession begins, which is called "Alilo". During this procession (religious procession), the clergy and believers, accompanied by church hymns, like magicians, collect gifts: food, clothing, etc. Later, everything collected during the procession is distributed to those in need.

On Christmas Eve, a candle is lit in every house near the window.

Like many religious holidays in Georgia, Christmas has its own traditional dish - pies stuffed with boiled eggs.

Easter is also a significant Christian holiday celebrated in the spring. By this day, wheat is germinated, Easter cakes are baked and eggs are painted. Starting from Good Friday, holidays are set in the country, including Monday, as it is the day of commemoration of the dead.

On the night from Saturday to Sunday, a vigil and a procession are held.

On Monday, it is customary to go to the cemetery and commemorate the dead.

In one of the regions of Georgia, in the Gurian village of Shukhuti, it is on Easter Sunday that the Lelo-Burti game is held. This event is included in the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List and has been held since 1855, when 2000 Gurians defeated the Turkish army led by Hasan-bek Tavdgiridze. This game is similar to rugby, its main attribute is a unique ball that exists in a single copy, the weight of this ball is 16 kg.

Svetitskhovloba (Mtskhetoba) - one of the important religious holidays, celebrated on October 14. Solemn worship and festive events are held in Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. The celebration is associated with early Christian legends about the chiton of Christ and the miraculous construction of the main Cathedral - Svetitskhoveli.

The importance of this holiday is evidenced by the fact that the service in the main temple is conducted by the Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church himself. Many believers try to visit Mtskheta and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral on this day.

After the solemn service, priests and townspeople gather on the banks of the river, as a traditional ritual of mass baptism is held, which has become one of the elements of the celebration.

Saint George's Day celebrated on November 23rd. George the Victorious is the most revered saint in Georgia. Saint Nino, who converted Tsar Mirian and Georgia to Christianity, was his relative and, according to legend, she bequeathed to honor the memory of this martyr. It is also believed that St. George is the patron saint of Georgia, so the day of his wheeling is celebrated by the Georgian Orthodox Church.

A solemn liturgy is held in churches, and believers pray to God and their beloved saint to grant peace, health and prosperity. At the festively laid tables, toasts are made praising St. George, Christianity and Georgia.

Family holidays in Georgia

Wedding is one of the significant and important rituals performed in the Georgian family. The birthday of a new family in modern society is significantly different from the ritual held several tens, especially hundreds of years ago.

Previously, the wedding was preceded by a long process of acquaintance through a matchmaker (khanuma). Now this character has completely disappeared, young people get acquainted on their own or with the unobtrusive help of friends. The influence of parents, who have become more loyal to the choice of their children, has significantly decreased.

If earlier they paid great attention to status, origin, dowry and health, up to the seventh generation, now these prejudices are a thing of the past.

However, some ancient elements have been preserved in the wedding ritual. In different regions of Georgia, the wedding is celebrated differently from each other, but there is something in common that is found everywhere, for example, characters other than the bride and groom:

• "mejware" - witnesses (best man), as a rule, this is a friend of the groom and girlfriend of the bride, who should not be in a romantic relationship. In the future, they necessarily become the godparents of the first child born in this marriage;
• “makharobeli” is a messenger of good news, he arrives before the wedding column and warns that the procession is approaching the house of the bride, groom.
• "Mahari" - friends of the groom, his relatives, participants in the wedding procession, they also go for the bride to pick her up from her parents' house.

Now the Georgian wedding is a spectacular holiday with a large number of guests, incendiary dances, beautiful toasts. The wedding table is laid both in the groom's house and in the bride's house. After a parental blessing, the young go to church, where they get married. Increasingly, instead of a feast in both houses, families unite and celebrate this event in a restaurant.

During the feast, the guests alternately pronounce toasts in which they bless the newlyweds. The toastmaster, who is a relative or a very respected person who knows both related families, is in charge of all this. Needless to say, the wedding table is bursting with food and wine.

During the feast, folk dances are necessarily performed, including by the newlyweds.

The tradition of bride kidnapping is a thing of the past, it was replaced by the "escape" of the young by mutual agreement. This step is taken when families do not have the financial ability to celebrate pre-wedding and wedding rituals widely and magnificently. The "runaway young" return to the groom's house a few days later and celebrate the birth of a new family in a close circle of close relatives.

Christening another important day in the life of every citizen of Georgia. Being one of the oldest Christian peoples, Georgians have always treated their religion with special trepidation. The sacrament of baptism is performed in the same way as in other Local Orthodox Churches. It is held after the child turns 40 days old and his mother receives the right to enter the temple.

The godparents of the first-born are the best men who were at the wedding of the parents. For the second and subsequent babies, the choice of godfathers is not associated with any obligations. If in Georgia they offer to become a godfather, you cannot refuse. Such an offer is an honor.

During baptism, a “newborn” Christian is given a middle name in honor of an angel, and a cross is put on his neck, which is designed to protect against ailments and adversity. The towel that was used during the sacrament is kept in the family as a relic.

From January 19, 2008, as an incentive, Patriarch Ilya II himself can become the godfather of the third and subsequent child born in Georgia. More than 37,000 children have already become his godchildren.

Other holidays in Georgia

The above is only a part of the holidays that are celebrated in Georgia. Since, in addition to them, weekend holidays are:

• January 19 - Epiphany;
• April 15 - Love Day;
• May 12 - Day of St. Andrew the First-Called;
• July 16 - Day of Spiritual Love (Gergetoba);
• August 28 - Assumption of the Virgin (Mariamoba, Peristsvleloba).

Also a big holiday in every family is the birth of a child and significant days associated with his education and success.

Excellent mood, many-voiced drinking chants, incendiary dances, tables with a variety of food, forced into several "floors" are mandatory attributes of holidays. The exceptions are memorable dates associated with tragic events: April 9, May 9.

Georgia Travel offers to make holiday tours to Georgia, where you can become an accomplice of solemn, festive events.

Holidays in Georgia are always noisy, fun and on a grand scale. After all, Georgians, like no one else, know a lot about feasts, good wine and delicious food. It is not surprising that this country of the Caucasus is distinguished by a large number of red days on the calendar.

January 1: New Year

New Year is one of the most beloved Georgian holidays, which has its own characteristics and traditions.

• Chichilaki - a symbol of the New Year, a walnut tree stick 50-70 cm high with a lush chip crown, it is decorated with fruits and sweets; at the end of the holidays, the symbol is burned, and the ashes are scattered - along with this, all the hardships of the past year go away.
• The New Year's table is bursting with wine and delicious dishes - satsivi, khachapuri, gozinaki and many more dishes. The climax is Georgian polyphonic singing.
• New Year's fireworks. According to legend, every shot hits an evil spirit.
• From the person who first crossed the threshold of the house (mekvle), happiness or misfortune will bring the New Year. To improve the prognosis, Georgians sometimes invite a successful and prosperous person with a “light foot” in advance.

March 3: Mother's Day

March holidays in Georgia are dedicated to the beautiful half of humanity. Mother's Day has been celebrated only since 1991, but Georgians have already taken root and fell in love with it. The cult of the mother has existed here since ancient times. On March 3, the streets are literally buried in flowers - they are sold at every corner. In the cities, festive events are organized - concerts, folk festivals, exhibitions.

March 8: International Women's Day

Mother's Day was introduced to replace the Soviet holiday on March 8, but International Women's Day continues to be celebrated and has not lost its popularity. As on Mother's Day, everything around is filled with flowers. The most popular are violets and snowdrops. Georgians traditionally set tables with dishes and wine or go to a restaurant.

In early April 1989, rallies were held in Tbilisi demanding the restoration of Georgia's independence, in which about 10 thousand people participated. Barricades were built using equipment, vehicles and various structures. On the morning of April 9, internal troops attacked the protesters, killing 16 people, and 200 more were injured. In memory of those tragic events, April 9 became a public holiday in Georgia.

April 15: Love Day

This holiday became official in Georgia in 1994, originally conceived as an alternative to Valentine's Day on February 14th. However, the new holiday took root, but the old one was not forgotten either. Some men on this day decide to confess their feelings to their beloved or make an offer. Three things are in special demand among Georgians for the holiday:

• flowers;
• sweets;
• souvenirs.

Easter (Ahdgoma)

The Holy Easter holiday in Georgia is celebrated simultaneously with the entire Orthodox world. Preparation begins in advance - the housewives are cleaning, dyeing eggs, baking Easter cakes. At the end of Lent, tables are set on Sunday, people go to visit. A mandatory attribute on the Easter table is freshly grown grass (a symbol of new life). Traditionally, on the day of the Resurrection of the Lord, it was customary to hold various games and competitions - these customs are still alive in the regions of the country. Good Friday and the Monday after Easter are public holidays in Georgia.

May 9: Victory Day

Georgia made a great contribution to the victory in the Great Patriotic War. 700 thousand Georgian soldiers (a fifth of the country) took part in it. Of these, only 300,000 returned home. The celebration in Tbilisi begins with a gathering of veterans in Vake Park, which in Soviet times was called Victory Park. Officials lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Victory Monument. Similar events are taking place in other cities. For the first time in 2018, the Immortal Regiment marched through the streets of Tbilisi, Gori and Batumi.

May 14: Tamaroba

The holiday of Tamaroba (another name is the day of memory of the holy Queen Tamara) has been celebrated as a national holiday since 1917. Tamara Bagrationi, the first and only female ruler, adequately continued the work of her great-grandfather, King David the Builder. The period of her reign was called the "golden age" - Christianity spread in the country, culture developed, and large-scale construction was underway. The main holiday events take place:

• in the Church of Queen Tamara (Tbilisi);
• in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother of God (Tbilisi);
• in Akhaltsikhe (Southern Georgia), where the country's first monument to the great ruler was opened.

May 26: Independence Day

The Independence Day holiday is a day off and has been celebrated since 1991, after secession from the USSR. On May 26, 1918, the state independence of the country was proclaimed after 117 years of being part of the Russian Empire. Georgian conscripts traditionally take the oath on this day. Air shows are arranged in the sky, and in the evening fireworks flare up with bright lights. On the streets of cities, events are held that create a festive atmosphere - concerts, exhibitions, etc.

June 1: Ninooba

Believers from all over the country gather at the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta. After the solemn service, a mass baptism is held at the confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers.

November 23: Saint George's Day

St. George is the most revered saint among Georgians. Even the country is named after him (Georgia). He was born in the 3rd century AD, brought up in Palestine by his mother, a deeply believing Christian. The boy grew up strong, brave and became a great commander in the army of Emperor Diocletian. During the persecution of Christians, George distributed all the property to the poor, came to the senate and declared himself a Christian. He was taken into custody, tortured, beaten, wheeled, but each time he remained unharmed, in the end George was beheaded. The torment of the saint lasted from November 23 to May 6, both of these dates are celebrated in Georgia.

Also, George the Victorious performed a miracle - he killed a huge snake that swallowed people in front of a crowd of people, after which they believed in Christ and were baptized.

Such a number of holidays is associated with the rich history of the country, its religion - Orthodoxy, interesting traditions and customs. Each of them is a unique action, which both the Georgians themselves and their guests are looking forward to.

Georgia is a country that many people love. Some people admire her nature. Its culture is multifaceted, its people are multinational. There are a lot of holidays here! Some belong only to ethnic groups, they are celebrated on the basis of Georgian traditions. Others represent the heterogeneity of European and Oriental cultures.

Fate Day

National holidays in Georgia have their own unique appeal and poignancy. Let's get to know them. Bedoba, or Destiny Day, is celebrated on January 2nd. Each person always hopes for the best, dreams of a profitable job, of a loved one, of beautiful children, that is, that his life will turn out well. This is probably why Georgians revere Bedob so much. On this day, everything clean and beautiful, lovingly prepared the day before, is put on. Quarrels, swearing, disputes are considered a terrible sin. You can't even get sick. Well, if the sores have already caught up - seem cheerful, do not whine, do not groan. It is considered bad luck to be separated from your family. On this day, fun continues on the street, round dances, fireworks, music. But everyone is in a hurry to return to the house before dinner, so as not to be absent from the house for a whole year. Fate Day is spent at home with loved ones. By the way, many holidays in Georgia are connected with the family.

Tbilisoba

Tbilisoba is a celebration of trade fairs, wine tastings, folk festivals and street concerts. Dedicated to the city of Tbilisi, which is reflected in its name. On this day, vehicular traffic is blocked. Artists and singers come to concerts with their programs. At fairs selling farm products, the fruits of the harvest rise in huge mountains. Masters exhibit their handicrafts for the judgment of fellow citizens. The holiday has gone beyond the borders of the diaspora; it is celebrated in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia.

chiacocoba

Chiakokonoba is an ancient pagan holiday. Has an analogy with our Ivan Kupala. Celebrated on the Wednesday before Maundy Thursday. High fires are lit at night. Men, women, teenagers jump over the fire, undergoing a rite of purification.

Spring Festival

Navrus, or Spring Festival is an ethnic Muslim holiday. It is celebrated by Azerbaijanis and Adjarian Georgians. Symbolizes the beginning of a new life, is the most ancient holiday on Earth. Cheerful holiday with songs, dances. A feast with sweets is a must. No one knows how to cook pakhvala and shorgals like Georgian housewives. What about khonchu? Dried fruits and nuts beautifully laid in a braid are an unforgettable beauty and taste.

Mothers Day

Mother's Day is celebrated on March 3rd. Everyone's favorite day. Georgians are very good sons and daughters. On this day, the streets are full of flowers, women receive bouquets and gifts from their loved ones, from sons and friends. On this day, concerts on the streets gather crowds of people. The attitude towards mothers in Georgia is very respectful. Each Georgian honors his family, is proud of his origin, greatly appreciates family and kinship relations. Many close and distant relatives gather at the table on this day.

Giorgoba

Georgia is mainly an Orthodox country. Church holidays in Georgia glorify their national saints and universally recognized world ones. Many pilgrims from all over the world come to the country to bow to the associates of the Christian faith.

Giorgoba is the feast of St. George. All churches, all monasteries of the country celebrate this great day. Georgians revere this saint so much that the days of his glory have become public holidays and are declared non-working.

Mareamoba

Mareamoba - the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God - a surprisingly peaceful holiday, covered with sincere sadness. Georgians believe that their country is under the vigilant care of the Mother of God, so this holiday is especially revered by them.

Svetitskhovloba

Svetitskhovloba - the feast of the Chiton of the Lord and the Life-Giving Pillar. Every Orthodox Georgian with mother's milk absorbed the story of how two priests brought Jesus' tunic - the veil in which he was executed. A myrrh-streaming cedar grew at the burial place of the chiton. Suffering people came to him, hugged the tree, put their hands on it, and he brought them healing. The pillars for the church that was built there are made from a cedar trunk. On this day, believers are baptized, a huge number of people are present at the most beautiful church services.

Lamproba

Lamproba is the oldest holiday in Georgia. It is dedicated to George the Victorious. Born among the most beautiful places in Georgia - Sanctification, a place where the traditions of ancestors are still observed. The holiday is dedicated to victory over enemies. On this day, a mountain feast goes on in the houses, torches are lit according to the number of men who are there.

unity day

As in any self-respecting country, there are also public holidays in Georgia. The ninth of April is the Day of National Unity - this is the day when the country honors the memory of the soldiers who defended the freedom of their Motherland and died for this freedom in 1989, when the USSR sent its troops into the territory of Georgia.

Valentine's Day

Our country celebrates Valentine's Day, and Georgia has its own holiday - Valentine's Day. Its Georgian youth celebrates on the fifteenth of April. Flowers, gifts, hugs, kisses, declarations of love to the grave - everything, like all lovers.

Meeting of the New Year. Peculiarities

What other holiday is celebrated in Georgia? New Year. Separately, I would like to talk about unusual traditions during the New Year's Eve. In every house, along with a Christmas tree, so-called chichilaki appear before the holiday. These are wooden sticks decorated with thin shavings. Sweets, dried fruits, toys are broadcast on this product. After the holiday, chichilaki are burned so that all the bad things disappear along with the smoke. The New Year's table must not only be plentiful, it must squat under the weight of yummy. Preparation of products for the holiday begins two weeks before it. Counters of shops and markets represent a cornucopia. There is everything that you dream about and even “I don’t know what”. Then the next year will be as satisfying and full as this table.

Preparing for the New Year

Preparation for the celebration begins long before the New Year. Georgian housewives are very sensitive to the general cleaning of an apartment, house, yard, garden, workplace. Carpets are cleaned, feather beds, pillows and mattresses are dried, washed or replaced with new curtains, windows are washed, every centimeter of furniture and floor is wiped. The celebration of the New Year is held in accordance with the most ancient rituals, which the Georgians have carefully preserved to this day.

Rituals and rules for the New Year holidays

During the New Year holidays in Georgia, you can’t sleep at night so as not to oversleep your happiness. It is believed that if the doors are open on New Year's Eve, happiness walking through the streets will definitely look into the house and settle for the whole next year. A very beautiful ceremony. Many rituals are connected with bread. For the holiday, Georgians bake a white bun in the shape of a donut, which is hung on a vine. The ritual attracts wealth and health.

Many families set up a small table with sweets at night. It is placed in the middle of the room, and a candle is placed in each corner of the house. Exactly at midnight, the head of the family with this table in his hands goes around the house, attracting an angel to the family. He will bring happiness in the future and will protect the whole year of all those living in this house.

At 12 o'clock the head of the family goes out into the street and shoots. According to Georgian belief, one shot kills one evil spirit. Of course, fireworks are now being fired on New Year's Eve, but the tradition of killing an evil spirit is still alive. A very beautiful belief is associated with mekvle, the person who first appeared in the house on January 1st. If the next year for the owners will be hospitable and happy, then their mekvle has a pure and bright soul. Such a person becomes a welcome guest forever. And on January 1 next year, he is invited on purpose. Another tradition on January 1st. On this day, fun continues on the street, round dances, fireworks, music. But everyone is in a hurry to return to the house before dinner, so as not to be absent from it for a whole year.

Rtveli

And, of course, deserves attention in Georgia! Still, New Year is not a family holiday here, but undoubtedly Rtveli. This holiday is dedicated to the god Dionysus, and it has its roots in paganism. During the time of Christianity, the famous Greek orgies have sunk into oblivion. But people continue to sincerely rejoice at young wine and arrange grandiose feasts. The celebration is distinguished by a sincere desire to show all kinds of Georgian wine recipes.

cheese festival

In addition to holidays in Georgia, there are also festivals of various kinds. - a massive event. In 2015 it became an international festival. Cheese lovers come from all over the world. Guests can taste a huge number of Georgian and Caucasian types of product. During the festival, cheese makers demonstrate the ancient art of cheese making, braiding techniques. Here there are cheeses in butter, in honey with flowers. Therefore, you need to come to the festival hungry so that the tasting is complete.

grape harvest festival

The most famous Georgian festival is the Rtveli grape harvest. It takes place in the wine-growing center of Kakheti. The ritual of starting the celebration of the festival begins in the family. Grapes are placed in beautiful wicker baskets and earthenware jugs, then the festival of young wine in Georgia begins. Until late at night, music and songs do not stop. This event is one of the most beloved by Georgians.

folklore festival

Performers and songwriters are waiting for the annual folklore festival. National song and dance groups are preparing for the performance long before the holiday. The ethnic festival annually revives the traditions of the talented Georgian people. National clothes, fervent dances, melodious tunes of Georgian spiritual songs attract the younger generation and a huge number of tourists.

Kvirikoba

And what is the next holiday in Georgia in 2018? July 27-28 - Kvirikoba. Feast of the memory of the martyrs Kvirike and Ivlita. This is the only day when you can touch the Shalian icon.

Given the fact that most of the citizens living in Georgia are Christians, all important events related to this religion are celebrated in the country.

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Given the fact that most of the citizens living in Georgia are Christians, all important events related to this religion are celebrated in the country. Along with this, there are national holidays, the history of which goes back to the distant past of the history of Georgia.

Holidays and days off in Georgia

March-April - Easter

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Georgia is a multinational country. It has ethnic regional groups, such as Mingrelians and Svans. There are also national minorities: Russians, Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Greeks, Ossetians. The country's culture thus consists of local traditions mixed with European and Middle Eastern traditions. The main Georgian traditional holidays are celebrated on the New Year, Christmas, Epiphany, the celebration of Mother's Day (March 3) and International Women's Day, April Memorial Day, Victory Day, Independence Day (May 26), Mariamoba or Assumption of the Virgin, Svetitskhovloba (14 October), Giorgoba (November 23), Easter.

Mtskhetoba - Svetitskhovloba

A great holiday based on a biblical miracle. On October 14, Georgia acquired the greatest shrine, the Chiton of the Lord, after which the main temple of Svetitskhoveli was built.

Every Georgian knows the legend about how two priests brought Jesus to the country with the Chiton - he was executed in it. This tunic was buried, and a large cedar grew in its place. After many years, the cedar began to stream myrrh. People touched the tree and were healed of diseases, and therefore the cedar was called the Life-Giving Pillar. Subsequently, pillars for the church were carved from the tree trunk.

On the festive day, the Patriarch of Georgia conducts a solemn service and a mass baptism of those who wish at Aragvi and Kura. Not far from the church is the ancient monastery of Jvari, which is visited daily by hundreds of believers.

Ninooba

June 1st celebrates the day of arrival in the country of St. Nino. She converted Georgians to Christianity at the beginning of the 4th century. Nino herself converted to Christianity in the Roman province of Cappadocia. Having moved to Jerusalem, she learned about the tunic of the Lord. It was then that Nino decided to visit Georgia.

The relics of St. Nino are kept in Kakheti. On the first of June, pilgrims come here, a service is held in the Sioni Cathedral. Pilgrims arrange a procession along the route that this holy woman took.

May 14 Georgia celebrates Tamaroba

Queen Tamara is elevated to the rank of saints. During her reign, the tribes of the highlanders were united, the church reconciled with the state, many temples, libraries and monasteries were built. This smartest woman patronized poets and scientists. Therefore, the church treated her with great respect. The celebration on this day takes place in Tbilisi itself and in Akhaltsikhe.

Saint George's Day

The story of St. George took place at the beginning of our era, when Christianity was just emerging. George was the commander of the Roman emperor. When Christians were persecuted, he defended them, for which he himself was wheeled.

Since then, November 23 has been a national holiday for Georgians and, of course, a day off. Georgians stay at home, in the family, lay a festive table and celebrate it with friends and relatives.

International Women's Day and Mother's Day

Georgian women celebrate two women's days at once in March. The first holiday falls on March 3 and is called Mother's Day, the second is International Women's Day, which is celebrated in many countries. The first holiday has been celebrated since 1991. On March 3, the streets of the city are full of flowers, they can be bought almost everywhere. Flowers are given to mothers, grandmothers and wives. On Mother's Day in many cities, concerts, folk festivals and charity events are held on the streets.

It should be noted that Georgians have a particularly respectful attitude towards their mother. And in general, Georgians really appreciate their family, their family and are proud of their origin. The most distant relatives gather at the festive tables, they are always the most welcome guests. And in Tbilisi, there is a huge statue on the mountain, symbolizing Georgia, Mother and Motherland at the same time.

Tbilisoba

Every year in October, a holiday is held, which is dedicated to the city of Tbilisi. There is no exact number. The celebration falls on Saturday-Sunday in October. People from all regions come to the city for the holiday. The streets are festively decorated, trade fairs are held, collective farmers bring food, wine tasting takes place, souvenirs of folk artisans are sold, concerts are held on the streets of the city. Folk festivities take place for two days, and no one leaves without tasting real Georgian shish kebab and churchkhela.

chiacocoba

The ancient holiday of the pagans, which is celebrated on Wednesday before Maundy Thursday, it is also called Pure Thursday before Easter. When it gets dark, the inhabitants of cities and villages kindle big fires. The fire is made high, but when the main part of it burns out, they begin to jump over it. Georgians believe that this is how they are cleansed of evil spirits.

This holiday brings great joy to children. The Georgian church opposes this holiday, considering it pagan. But Georgians still light fires every year and have fun until the morning.

New Year celebration in Georgia

Instead of an ordinary Christmas tree, Georgians buy chichilaki. This is a wooden stick, which is entwined with snow-white shavings. A peculiar version of the Georgian New Year tree. Chichilaki can be decorated with dried fruits, sweets, and after the old New Year it is burned. Georgians are sure that together with the fire the failures of the outgoing year are fading into the past.

Preparations for the celebration begin in mid-December. Preparations are going on thoroughly, because it is believed that how you celebrate the New Year is how you spend it. Housewives wash everything that can be washed - carpets, curtains, bedspreads. Shake and dry pillows and mattresses. Be sure to wash all the windows, floors, wipe the ceilings, corners - do a general cleaning in the house.

But these are secondary matters. The main thing is the festive table. In order for it to be plentiful, many Georgians begin to prepare in early December, they buy livestock (chicken, turkey, piglet). In early December, they are two times cheaper than on New Year's Eve. On New Year's holidays, the market is so crowded with people that it is impossible to push through. Many merchants do not fit in the market building, so they are forced to stand nearby on the streets. During this period of time, roads near the bazaar are blocked due to merchants. The shelves are bursting with goods that only you will not see on them!

In order to get out of this crush, you will have to spend more than one hour, but, despite the difficulties, the townspeople still rush to the market. For Georgians, it has become a ritual to buy livestock, spices, pickled jonjoli, dried persimmon, gozinaki and churchkhela. Not a single family can do without these products on New Year's Eve in Georgia.

Many rituals in the country are connected with the meeting of the New Year. Many of them have been observed for several centuries. We have already mentioned chichilaki, there is also a ritual associated with bread. For the holiday, the housewives baked a loaf of white bread resembling a bagel. Before the New Year, it was hung on a vine, which meant a good harvest next year.

On the table in every family should be a large dish with various fruits and sweets. In cities, on New Year's Eve, people left their doors open because they believed that happiness walks the streets. If you close the door, it will not be able to enter the house.

Many still adhere to this tradition - they set up a small table in the house with sweets. Candles are placed in the four corners, and at exactly midnight the head of the family must take a table and go around the whole house. It is believed that by these actions an angel is called into the house, which will bring prosperity, happiness and prosperity.

At 12 o'clock at night in many families they shoot in the air. Now, of course, salutes are used instead of guns, but before, each shot meant that the head of the family was killing an evil spirit. It is believed that after this in the new year there will be prosperity and peace in the family. On New Year's Eve, Georgians believe that you can't sleep, because you can oversleep your happiness.

Another custom associated with a person who should come on the first New Year's day. It is called "mekvle". This person should have a pure soul and a “good leg”. But it could only be tested within a year. If the family was lucky for a whole year, there was prosperity, then this means “mekvle” was good. Such a person was then specially invited from house to house on January 1. People believed that his luck would bring them prosperity.

On January 1, festivities, performances and fireworks take place in the streets of cities. But it is necessary to return home before lunch, otherwise, according to the sign, a person will be absent from the house all year.

The celebration of the New Year continues until the night of January 2. This day is called the day of happiness or bedobis dge. It is sure to be held with family or pleasant people, because according to popular belief they say - how you spend it, so it will be all year.

These are the holidays in Georgia that can be singled out as the main ones, although there are many other family celebrations that the people do not forget about and celebrate every year.