Political party Girchi to ‘rent out’ leader Zurab Japaridze for New Year’s eve

Political party Girchi [Geo. pinecone] has decided to offer up its leader Zurab Japaridze for rent on New Year’s eve to be the mekvle - a Georgian term for the person who is the first to come visit a family to wish them a happy new year.

According to Georgian tradition, being the mekvle is a big responsibility, as the fate of the year for the family they visits rests on their shoulders.

Japaridze will visit five winners of the auction on 31 December and 1 January.  

Japaridze will visit only Tbilisi residents. The winners will be notified about the visitation time beforehand. The only exception will be the case of Bidzina Ivanishvili, this will take place anytime [when he wants] on 31 December and 1 January [referring to the founder of the Georgian Dream ruling party, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili],” the party says.

The party aims to accumulate funds with the step.

Four former members of the United National Movement established the Girchi Party in 2016.