Tbilisoba 2015: Largest annual celebration begins in Georgia

Immense fun, artistic performances, flavourful wine, delicious food, loud music and folk dances – these are only part of the plethora of attractions Tbilisi is offering today.

The streets of Old Tbilisi are alive this weekend for a two-day event celebrating one of the country’s most colourful and spectacular festivals – Tbilisoba, the celebration of the diversity and history of Georgia's capital city.

Girls perform Georgian folk dance at the Tbilisoba celebration. Photo by N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

The annual festival is not only enjoyed by citizens of Tbilisi and Georgia, but also by international guests and tourists, some of whom have specifically planned their trip to coincide with the nationwide celebration.

Below is an agenda of some of the most interesting activities that will take place in Tbilisi today and tomorrow.

The event was marked with a public holiday in Georgia and the occasion will feature outdoor concerts of traditional music, dancing and other cultural performances, flea markets, sporting activities and exhibitions and concerts. Like previous years, the 2015 celebration will be based in Old Tbilisi – the main historical part of the city.

This year marked the 35th celebration of Tbilisoba, and Tbilisi City Council decided to make the occasion more accessible and enjoyable for the public, so earlier announced a competition among the Tbilisi population to come up with their best celebration program for Tbilisoba. The top three winners were selected and components of their ideas were used to plan Tbilisoba 2015.

Tbilisi City Fest is the biggest of all festival celebrations of the country. Photo by N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

As well as celebrating the city's past and present, people from all over Georgia will represent their region at the harvest fair today. As well as trying regional delicacies, festival guests will be given the opportunity to taste fresh khinkali – a Georgian dumpling with spiced meat, herbs and onions – or mtsvadi, a Georgian shashlik made from fresh meat on a skewer.

Plentiful offerings of traditional Georgian snack churchkhela, which was made from nuts and grape juice – will not leave revelers hungry.

Guests will also have an opportunity to taste different dishes from international cuisines at the Culinary Festival at Rike Park.

One of the most enjoyable events of the festival will be the Wine Parade, and exhibition/sale of traditional Georgian wine followed by a tea and honey expo later today.

Many tourists visit Georgia for Tbilisoba celebration. Photo by N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge. 

A large number of guests were expected to visit Tbilisi today and tomorrow so officials closed several streets in the historic part of the city for pedestrian access only.

Tbilisi City Hall said Tbilisi Metro and the aerial gondola would operate until 1am - slightly longer hours than usual - this weekend to accommodate guests. Citizens will be able to enjoy beautiful Tbilisi views from gondola for free.

Tbilisoba is a celebration of the city’s 1,500-year history and today it is one of the most anticipated festivals in the Georgian calendar with locals and guests coming from all over the country to celebrate their capital city’s history. It also had the unintended effect of engaging Georgians more intensely in their national history.

Tbilisoba was first held on October 28, 1979, and since then it has become a highly anticipated annual tradition.