Holidays in Georgia. Holidays in Georgia: national holidays and festivals, features of the celebration Public holidays of Georgia

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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In this article, you will learn about:

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 home. 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 participants 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, clothes, 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.

They differ in special color and splendor. At this time, the tables are bursting with fragrant khinkali, badrijani and lobio, and Khvanchkara and Kindzmarauli are flowing like water. Locals are very fond of walking and having fun, so the celebrations in the country are held on a grand scale.

What are the holidays in Georgia?

Most of the country's population professes Christianity, while the Georgians are quite hardworking people. In the calendar of Georgia, there are about 15 official holidays, including state, national and Orthodox. These days are declared days off, and only service and emergency employees go to work. These are the dates:

  • January 1 - New Year;
  • January 7 - Christmas;
  • January 19 - Epiphany;
  • March 3 - Mother's Day;
  • March 8 - International Women's Day;
  • April 8 - Easter ("floating" date);
  • April 9 - Day of Remembrance of the dead;
  • May 9 - Victory Day;
  • May 26 - Independence Day;
  • August 28 - Assumption of the Virgin;
  • October 14 - Svetitskhovlob's holiday;
  • November 23 - St. George's Day.

Also, Georgians can have a rest on Good Friday, Trinity and other religious dates. A separate place in the country is occupied by seasonal festivals. For example, the grape harvest festival is celebrated in Georgia on a large scale for several days, but the date of the event in each region is different.

If you want to get acquainted with, then visit Georgia for such holidays as:

  1. This day is filled with special meaning and has its own characteristics. In every house, in addition to the traditional Christmas tree, there should also be a wooden one, which is called chichikali. It should be decorated with dried fruits and then burned to get rid of all sorrows and sorrows. It is customary to serve gozinaki, satsivi, pkhali, eggplant with nuts and a piglet on the table, and after eating, all Georgians sing the traditional song Mravalzhamier.

  2. The Day of Bedob's Destiny- it is celebrated on January 2. This day is non-working in Georgia, so local residents spend it with friends and relatives, with whom one cannot swear and quarrel.
  3. - one of the main Orthodox holidays in Georgia. On the evening of January 6, the liturgy begins in all churches, and after the service, the solemn Alilo procession takes place, accompanied by chants. After sunset, all residents light candles and put them at the window, in this way they honor the memory of the Bethlehem wanderings of Joseph and Mary. It is customary to have dinner with special kvertsi cakes.

  4. Old New Year- This is a revered tradition, celebrated on January 14th. This celebration began to be celebrated after the introduction of the Gregorian calendar, which differs from the Julian by 13 days.
  5. - a public holiday in Georgia, which is celebrated at the suggestion of the primate of the Orthodox Church - Ilia II. On this day, the most courageous inhabitants of the country go to the nearest body of water to take a dip in it.

  6. Ninooba- This is the day of commemoration of St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Nina, who brought Christianity to the country. She is commemorated on January 27, when she died, and on June 1, on the day of her coming.
  7. - This is an ancient Svan folk celebration dedicated to the victory over enemies, it is celebrated on February 14th. Local residents throughout the house light torches, the number of which should correspond to the number of men in the family, and also arrange a feast.

  8. Mothers Day- it is celebrated by the whole family, and then they visit thematic exhibitions and concerts organized by the local authorities. This holiday was established by the first President of Georgia - Zviada Gamsakhurdia - in 1991.
  9. is a holiday beloved by Georgians. The country's government wanted to cancel it, but temperamental men arrange surprises for their women every year and give gifts.

  10. Easter or Ahdgoma- all Georgians paint eggs on this day, bake Easter cakes and say “Kriste Agsdga” to each other. Easter holidays last in the country from April 6 to April 15 and are called Bright Week.
  11. - In 1989, on this day, Soviet troops entered Georgia, which were supposed to suppress rallies for independence. On April 9, a large number of people who fought for freedom died, so flowers and lamps are brought to their graves every year.

  12. Day of Love is a special Georgian holiday celebrated on April 15. On this day, lovers give each other gifts and confess their feelings.
  13. Saint George's Day- an official holiday in Georgia, which is declared a day off and is celebrated on May 6. It is dedicated to the patron saint of the country, so this day is usually celebrated on.
  14. Victory Day- the main events of this holiday are held at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Vake park,. An orchestra has been playing here since the very morning, artists perform and soldiers march, and everyone who wishes gives flowers to veterans.
  15. Day of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called- this was the first preacher of Christianity, so the date of his arrival in the country - May 12 - is a day off. On this day, Georgia also celebrates the holiday of young wine. The festival takes place in the park area of ​​Tbilisi and is accompanied by a tasting of more than 60 varieties of this drink, which is usually served with barbecue with lavash.

  16. Tamaroba- This holiday is held in honor of the famous ruler of Georgia - Queen Tamara. The main events are held on May 14 in and in the capital's Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother of God. Solemn prayers are performed in all Orthodox churches.
  17. - the main holiday of the country, during which military parades and concerts are held throughout Georgia, and the Vardobistvė Flower Festival is held on the Peace Bridge in Tbilisi.

  18. Spiritual Love Day- celebrated in the middle of summer - July 16. The holiday was approved with the support of the Georgian Church, therefore it is accompanied by prayers.
  19. - it is celebrated on July 28 in one of the highest villages in Europe - Calais, c. This is a special day for the natives, which is dedicated to the great martyrs Ivlita and Kvirika. For the holiday, local residents bake the ritual bread lemziri and make sacrifices in the Lagurka temple, built in the 11th century. After the service, local residents first ransom and then kill a ram (sometimes it can be a calf or a goat), after which they boil its meat in a copper cauldron and distribute it to everyone.

  20. Mariamoba- it is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is considered one of the most revered. This day is usually spent in the temple.
  21. - the holiday is celebrated in, in the temple, which was built on the burial site of the robe of Jesus Christ after the crucifixion. On this day, mass baptisms are held in the church.

  22. Rtveli- a popular holiday in Georgia dedicated to harvesting and. It is celebrated from September to October with the family. In the morning it is necessary to pick grapes, in the afternoon - to crush them with your feet in large vats, and in the evening - to drink last year's wine in order to free the vessels for the new one, after which the locals sing songs and dance.
  23. - in 2018 it will be celebrated in the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi, on. A variety of cheeses with an 8,000-year history and made according to ancient recipes will be presented here. By the way, dambal-khacho is prepared according to the technology, which was noted by the UNESCO organization. You need to come to the festival hungry in order to be able to fully experience the uniqueness of the product.

  24. Giorgoba- a public holiday in Georgia, celebrated on November 23 and dedicated to George the Victorious. On this day, liturgies are performed, tables are laid, toasts and songs are heard, and the melodious ringing of bells is heard from all the churches.

Everyone is well aware that Georgians know how to celebrate like no one else and know a lot about feasts, delicious food and good wine. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the way people honor and respect national holidays in Georgia.

The main holidays of Georgia

One of the most important holidays in Georgia. It is based on the acquisition by Georgia of the great Orthodox shrine - the tunic of the Lord. Thanks to the acquisition of such an important relic, the main temple of the country, the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, was built in Mtskheta.

Every year on this day, a festive service is held, after which a mass baptism is held, which has become a Georgian tradition of the holiday. Also on this day, it is customary to visit the ancient monastery of Jvari and other ancient temples, which are very numerous in Georgia.

This is a big church holiday dedicated to the arrival of St. Nino in Georgia, who brought the Christian faith with her to Georgia.

The relics of the saint are in the Bodbe Monastery in Kakheti. Every year on June 1, hundreds of pilgrims come here, and a solemn service is held in the Zion Temple in Tbilisi.

Queen Tamara is the wisest and greatest ruler of Georgia, the government of the bark fell on the beginning of the 13th century. Under her rule, Georgia experienced unprecedented prosperity, spirituality and enlightenment. For her great deeds, the church canonized her among the saints.

This is one of the main national holidays of Georgia. The main celebration takes place in Akhaltsikhe, where there is a monument in her honor.

St. George is the most revered and beloved saint among Georgians. On this day, all churches in Georgia ring their bells, and believers kneel in prayers to St. George. He is asked for well-being in the family, the health of loved ones and the world.

On November 23, a solemn liturgy is celebrated at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Tbilisi. In Georgia, this is an official day off, on which they relax and devote time to their families.

On March 31, 1991, the independence of Georgia was declared, but Georgians celebrate the anniversary of independence on May 26, since it was on this day, in 1918, that Georgia first gained independence.

There are parades and concerts all over the country. Also on this day, according to tradition, a flower festival is held.

National Unity Day is a harbinger of Georgia's independence. Since the events of April 9, the idea of ​​​​sovereignty has been entrenched among the Georgians and the national unity for which they are so famous was born. On this date, in 1989, Soviet troops entered Georgia in order to suppress rallies for the independence of Georgia. Today, on this day, Georgians remember the heroes who died for the freedom of their country and bring flowers to memorials.

Rtveli

An old Georgian holiday in honor of the day of the grape harvest. It is not tied to any date, as the grape harvest is different in different parts of Georgia. If you want to see real Georgian traditions, try to visit this holiday.

The holiday of Rtveli is fun, dancing, laughter, songs, and, of course, the famous Georgian wine, which flows like a stream on this day.

New Year

One of the most important and brightest holidays, which Georgians love very much and know how to celebrate so noisily and cheerfully that hardly anyone is able to compete with them. Celebrating the New Year in Georgia, you literally enjoy every minute of the feast.

In Georgia, the holiday adored by everyone has its own characteristics and traditions of celebration. For example, in addition to the New Year tree, Georgians also decorate chichikali - a homemade Christmas tree made of pieces of wood. After the New Year, chichikali is burned so that all the problems and hardships that have accumulated over the year will burn with it.

The New Year's table in Georgia is also special. It is not just beautifully covered, it is simply bursting with the number of dishes on it. Here you will find spicy marinades, juicy boiled pork, khachapuri savitsi, homemade cheese, roast pig, honey gozinaki, churchkhella and much, much more.

Easter and Christmas in Georgia

The most important and great Christian holidays that have been celebrated in Georgia since time immemorial. Adults and children are always waiting for them with great desire. The traditions of celebrating Easter in Georgia are very similar to ours. Georgians also bake Easter cakes, paint eggs and go to church.

But the celebration of Christmas in Georgia is a little different from ours. Liturgy begins on the night before Christmas in all the churches of Georgia. And after the service, early in the morning, the solemn procession "Alilo" begins. Christians with priests walk the streets of cities and sing church songs, thus symbolizing the good news of the birth of Jesus. On Christmas night, Georgians put lighted candles on the windows in memory of biblical events. Of the culinary traditions, it is worth highlighting kvertsi - Georgian holiday cakes.