About Events – Lamproba Celebration

Lamproba (Georgian: ლამპრობა (სვან. ლიმპჲარ, დეცეშ ლამპრობ, სუიმნიშ, სუიმნიშლამპრობ) is an old celebration that has been preserved in the Svaneti region of Georgia. Traditionally held annually on 1 February it marks the time between winter and spring and asks for good weather, fertile reproduction of animals and people and a good harvest. Birch and oak … Continue reading

About Celebrations – The Grape Harvest

This year’s grape harvest has begun in Georgia. The process of picking grapes and making wine, together with the accompanying celebrations, is called Rtveli (Georgian: რთველი) and marks the end of the agricultural cycle for the year. Rtveli involves almost everyone in Georgia. Wine is produced by thousands of small vineyard farmers (using primarily traditional techniques of wine-making), as well … Continue reading

About Celebrations – Independence Day in Georgia (დამოუკიდებლობის დღე)

Georgia became part of the Russian Empire in 1800. On May 26, 1918, shortly after the collapse of the Russian Empire and in the midst of the Russian Civil War, it declared independence and The Democratic Republic of Georgia was created. Independence was short lived. Unable to withstand an invasion by Soviet Russia the Democratic Republic of … Continue reading

About Celebrations – Restoration of Bagrati Church

The restoration of Bagrati Church (Georgian: ბაგრატი; ბაგრატის ტაძარი) in the city of Kutaisi was completed in August this year. Named after Bagrat III, the first king of a unified Georgia, this early 11th century church is seen as a symbol of the unity of the Georgian state. Devastated by an explosion during an invasion of the Kingdom of Imereti by … Continue reading

About Achievements – Restoration of Telavi

Celebrations were held in the town of Telavi in Georgia’s Kakheti Region to mark the completion of the first stage of the restoration of the town. Telavi (Georgian: თელავი) is the largest town in Georgia’s Kakheti region. Restoration works began in March of this year and stage 1 (the town center) was completed in September. An electric … Continue reading

About Celebrations – Bagrati Church Receives New Cross

August 17 was declared a one-off public holiday in Georgia’s second-largest city, Kutaisi. The cause for celebration was the placing of a 2.14 meter bronze cross on top of the recently restored dome of Bagrati Church (Georgian: ბაგრატი; ბაგრატის ტაძარი) in the city of Kutaisi, in the region of Imereti. President Saakashvili, Archbishop Kalistrate of the Georgian Orthodox Church … Continue reading

About Celebrations – Rtveli (Georgian Wine Harvest and Festivities)

Rtveli (Georgian: რთველი) is the traditional vintage (the process of picking grapes and making wine) accompanied by celebrations that mark the end of the agricultural cycle for the year. For centuries, viticulture has been of great economic importance to Georgia. Today, there are more than 175,000 acres planted with vines. The vine also has an iconic and … Continue reading