The 2015 Rugby World Cup embraces Georgian culture

Georgia’s national rugby team has already landed in England for the 2015 Rugby World Cup but for the next three days the focus will be on Georgian cuisine not the players.

Next week, from September 17-19, the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia, will bring a taste of Georgia to the world for a three-day cultural event that coincides with the Georgian national team’s first game, on September 19 vs Tonga.

Over the three days people will have an opportunity to sample Georgian food and wine, listen to concerts of polyphonic Georgian choir ensemble Shvidkatsa, watch performances by the Georgian National Ballet Sukhishvilebi and purchase hand-made souvenirs from the ex-Soviet state.

Specifically, Sukhishvilebi will perform dances from different regions of Georgia to deepen the knowledge of the international audience about the customs and people’s behaviour in Georgia’s regions.

The performances will be short and chosen from the new repertoire updated by the troupe’s choreographers Iliko Sukhisvhili and Nino Sukhishvili.

Meanwhile the Shvidkatsa choir ensemble has supported the national rugby team for several years by attending their games and writing new songs about the team.

We dedicated a song to our rugby team which supporters can hear before the start of every game. At this important event it is our goal to encourage every team member and show the world our culture,” said choir member George Lomtatidze.

The Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia worked with other local agencies and groups to organise the cultural event.

The Rugby World Cup always catches huge amounts of attention. It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce our culture to the international audience,” said Culture Minister Mikheil Giorgadze.

Georgia’s first game vs Tonga will take place on September 19 at 12pm local time (3pm Georgia time) and broadcast live on Georgian Public Broadcasting Channel 1.

The team’s second game vs Argentina will be held on September 25 at 4.45pm local time (7.45pm Georgia time). The third game vs reigning world champions New Zealand will take place on October 2 at 8pm local time (11pm Georgia time), while the last pool game will be held on October 7 vs Namibia at 8pm local time (11pm Georgia time).

The RWC 2015 final will be held at Twickenham Stadium in London on Saturday, October 31.