Irish festival showcases traditional Georgian culture

Georgia is taking centre stage in one of Europe’s most prestigious festivals this weekend.

Thousands of revelers are set to attend the Dublin Port Riverfest and enjoy the best parts of Georgian culture. Guests will be entertained by Georgian singers and dancers, enjoy the unique taste of Georgian national cuisine and wine and even watch a Georgian film.

Festival organisers highly anticipated Georgia’s participationin the event and said the festival would include a diverse range of entertainment that everybody would enjoy.

"Perhaps the most exciting offering of this year’s Dublin Port Riverfest is the daily performances by the Sukhishvlli Georagian Dancers and Rustavi Georgian Singers,” said organisers in the festival programme.

The Georgian groups invited to take part in the festival are Georgia’s National Ballet ‘Sukhishvilebi’, folk culture performers ‘Shavfarosnebi’ and Rustavi Choir.

Sukhishvilebi - Samaia. Photo by Dublin Port River fest.

The programme described the Georgian performances as "spectacular” and unforgettable.

"Songs and dances for work and war, spectacular costumes, the unique Georgian style of polyphonic singing and rich voices characterize the Rustavi Choir. Their sacred hymns with their overlapping, continuous moving harmonies are spellbinding.”

The program said the "magnificence and beauty” of Georgian Folk dances could not be forgotten by those who see the word famous dances.

"Georgian dance is the best representative of the Georgian spirit. It unites love, courage and respect for women, toughness, competition, skill, beauty and colourfulness into one amazing performance.”

Furthermore, local craft-makers and national cuisine-making companies will present unique Georgian dishes and crafts. Traditional Georgian wine will also be on show and a demonstration of how cheese is traditionally made will also take place.

A film by Georgian filmmaker Tinatin Gurchiani, titled The Machine Which Makes Everything Disappearwill play throughout the festival to introduce festival attendees to Georgia’s traditional customs, art and achievements in contemporary cinematography.

Festival organisers said Georgia would be represented comprehensively over the course of the weekend through a vast array of activities, including an exhibition of crafts and exhibits by the State Museum of Theater, Music, Cinema and Choreography.

Dublin’s North Wall Quay, venue of the Festival. Photo by official website.

The annual Dublin Port Riverfest will take place in Dublin’s North Wall Quay from Saturday, May 31 to Tuesday, June 2.

The annual festival is an important part of Ireland’s social and economic strategy and has been operating for more than 300 years. Almost all European countries participate in the event.