Georgia celebrates the transition into the new year with a unique and extensive series of festivities that spans two weeks. Unlike many other cultures that celebrate the new year only once, the nation at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains celebrates the New Year twice: on January 1st and, deeply rooted in tradition, again on January 14th, known as Old New Year or Kalanda.
In between lies a period filled with specifically Georgian customs, from lavish feasts and poetic toasts to social rituals and ancient symbols meant to shape the coming year. These celebrations are an expression of Georgia's deep roots in its Orthodox traditions and its renowned hospitality.
Festive splendor in the urban centers
Although Christmas Day in Georgia, according to the Julian calendar, is celebrated on January 7th, the festive preparations in the cities begin as early as mid-December. The capital cities of Tbilisi and Batumi transform into stages filled with dazzling lights and cultural performances.
In Tbilisi, the festivities begin with the lighting of the large Christmas tree on Rustaveli Avenue. New Year's villages spring up throughout the city, featuring stages for concerts, stalls selling handicrafts and regional specialties, and special children's programs. The highlight of New Year's Eve is the appearance of the Georgian Santa Claus, Tovlis Babua, who traditionally descends from the mountains of Svaneti. He gives children colorful baskets full of sweets. Another central element of the evening is the raising and decorating of the Georgian Christmas tree, which, notably, is not the usual green but white, symbolizing the country's clear, often snowy winters.
The Black Sea metropolis of Batumi is every bit as impressive as Tbilisi. Along the coast, strings of lights adorning palm trees, a New Year's village, and a diverse range of music, sweets, and warm mulled wine create a unique winter atmosphere.
The Georgian Supra: A feast of superlatives
New Year's Eve in Georgia, as is customary worldwide, is celebrated with family gatherings, a lavish feast, colorful fireworks, and exuberant celebrations until dawn. However, the Georgian supra, the traditional festive meal, takes on a particularly opulent form at the turn of the year.
The menu is rich and symbolic: from roast turkey in walnut sauce (Satsivi) to various Khachapuri variations (cheese bread) and Lobio (bean dish) to Churchkhela (a sweet made from nuts dipped in grape juice), everything that the regional cuisine has to offer is served.
An indispensable ritual of the Supra is the role of the Tamada, the toastmaster. The Tamada is responsible for delivering toasts appropriate to the gathering. The art of formulating these ritual messages poetically and beautifully is highly valued in Georgia. Therefore, the role of Tamada is often entrusted to someone who is particularly eloquent and highly respected within the group. The toasts are not merely simple toasts, but often reflect profound philosophical or social messages and are a central element of Georgian table culture.
Bedoba: The day that determines the fate of the year
January 2nd is known in Georgia as Bedoba, the fateful day. A strong folk belief holds that how this day is spent will determine the entire coming year. People therefore strive to spend Bedoba with joy, peace, success, and in good company to ensure a happy and prosperous year. It is a day to seek good deeds and positive experiences, as these serve as a blueprint for the next twelve months.
A crucial role on this day is played by the so-called Mekvle, the first person to enter the house on Bedoba. The Mekvle is carefully chosen, as he is believed to bring good fortune, blessings, and success to the household. He is traditionally welcomed with a large quantity of sweets to make the new year especially "sweet." The Mekvle is warmly welcomed, lavishly entertained, and celebrated, as his visit is thought to significantly influence the family's destiny for the entire year. This tradition illustrates the Georgian belief in omens and fate and the importance of first impressions.
Alilo: The Christmas Ritual of Charity
On January 7th, Georgia celebrates Orthodox Christmas, accompanied by one of the country's most moving rituals: Alilo. During this procession, children and adults walk through the streets singing the ancient Christmas carol "Alilo," whose origins lie in the word "Alleluia." Although the melodies vary regionally, they all express the same wish: health, happiness, and peace for the new year.
Alilo, however, is far more than a festive procession. It is a deeply rooted act of charity and social commitment. As has been the practice for centuries, the participants collect food and small gifts. These gifts are later distributed to the needy, orphanages, children's homes, and retirement homes. This ritual uniquely combines festive music, living tradition, and social responsibility, and is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian community culture, reflecting the true spirit of Christmas.
Kalanda: The Old New Year and the Chichilaki
The two-week festivities culminate on January 14th with the celebration of the Old New Year, known as Kalanda. This date is celebrated with particular intensity in the Guria region, where ancient rituals play a central role.
A striking and central element of this celebration is the chichilaki, often called "Basil's beard." This is a traditional, decorative Christmas tree made from dried hazel branches. The branches are carefully peeled and twisted into fine, curly strips. The light color of the wood, revealed by the peeling, makes the chichilaki a symbol of purity, light, and new beginnings. In many families, it is lovingly decorated with fruit, sweets, and dried flowers. After the festivities, the chichilaki is often burned to symbolically close the past year and all its associated problems, making way for new happiness.
Georgian New Year celebrations offer a unique blend of profound spirituality, exuberant conviviality, and culinary delights. Whether in the heart of the capital Tbilisi, in the snow-covered mountain regions, or on the subtropical Black Sea coast, these two weeks of transition embody traditional Georgian hospitality and a strong sense of community in an unparalleled way.
