Georgia is the most ancient country that existed not in the ancient era. Over the centuries-old history of the country, many national traditions have accumulated here.
Hospitality
One of the main traditions of Georgia is the famous hospitality of its people. Having entered a Georgian city for the first time, there is no need to be afraid of getting lost. Any Georgian will be happy to show you the way to the right place, and possibly will lead you to it. Villagers can invite a stranger to spend the night or even stay for a few days.
Tourists often suffer from excessive Georgian hospitality. For example, having asked a local resident how to find the nearest cafe or restaurant, a visitor may turn out to be an honored guest of a Georgian house, where he will be offered drinks and treats every minute. At the same time, in no case should one refuse to taste the famous Georgian wine: this can be perceived as a personal insult.
According to the rules of traditional Georgian etiquette, a guest can stay in the house for 3 days. If he wants to stay for a longer period, in the morning of the fourth day it is worth asking how much longer he can stay in the house.
Wine
Georgia is famous for its wine, which is not just a drink here, but a kind of national symbol. The traditions of Georgian winemaking originated about 8000 years ago. Today wine production is not only the leading branch of the Georgian economy, but also a part of the national culture.
The process of drinking wine is a kind of ritual for Georgians. According to the old tradition, wine is drunk from a special vessel - "kanchi", shaped like a goat's horn. It is customary to drink wine in Georgia "to the bottom", and from one time.
Wedding
A Georgian wedding is a beautiful and large-scale celebration, to which up to several hundred guests can be invited. It is impossible to refuse such an invitation, since it will be perceived as an insult and may become the beginning of a long-term enmity.
One of the oldest traditions is bride kidnapping. It had to take place with the consent of the girl herself and her relatives. This tradition is almost forgotten today, but it is sometimes practiced in the countryside. This usually happens when there is no financial ability to arrange a grandiose celebration, because if the bride is kidnapped, the wedding is celebrated in a narrow family circle.
Before the bride enters the groom's house, he must climb to the roof and release a snow-white bird into the sky. After that, pre-prepared rice and raisins are poured onto the bride's head. Then the young are presented with a glass filled with the best wine. The groom takes a sip from the glass, puts the ring into it and hands it to the bride. The girl finishes the wine, and only after that the young husband hands her a ring with an oath of love and fidelity on his lips. Before crossing the threshold, the young “for luck” break a plate.
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At a Georgian wedding, they do not shout "bitterly", but many national songs and dances are performed here, because Georgians are considered one of the most musical nations on the planet.
Traditional hospitality, famous Georgian wine and beautiful customs with ancient roots - all this makes Georgia extremely attractive for tourists.
