Winters in the Mountains of Georgia

When winter arrives in
Georgia, the Caucasus mountains transform into a land of quiet beauty and deep
tradition. Villages buried in snow become alive with warmth, laughter, and
ritual, as the people of the highlands preserve their ancient customs.

New Year Traditions in the
Mountains

In the highland
regions—such as Svaneti, Racha, and Tusheti—the New Year is celebrated with
special reverence. Families gather to bake gvinis khachapuri (cheese
bread) and prepare roasted meats, while the hearth becomes the heart of the
home. One of the most beloved traditions is the arrival of the mekvle—the
first guest of the year, who symbolically brings prosperity, happiness, and
good fortune.

Children sing carols known
as alilo, going door-to-door with candles and blessings, a practice
blending joy with spiritual devotion. These traditions, passed from generation
to generation, bring the entire community together in warmth despite the icy
cold outside.

The Role of Religion

Religion holds a profound
place in Georgia’s winter celebrations. The Orthodox Christmas, celebrated on
January 7, is marked by church services, processions, and candlelit prayers. In
mountain villages, people still carry ancient icons from home to home, blessing
families with the light of faith. Epiphany later in January completes this
sacred season, reminding Georgians of their deep ties to Christianity, which
has shaped the country’s identity for centuries.

A Season of Spirit and
Connection

Winter in the Georgian
mountains is not only about snow-capped beauty—it’s a time when traditions and
faith breathe life into the long nights. These rituals of togetherness echo
Georgia’s ability to blend history with modern identity.

And just as these mountains
echo with timeless songs, the world will soon hear new voices in Georgia’s
capital. Tbilisi will host Junior Eurovision 2025, a moment
when music unites cultures much like the winter traditions that unite Georgian
families. It’s another chance for the country to show its warmth, creativity,
and enduring spirit to the world.

votes: https://crowch.com/vote/2919/statistic/ https://crowch.com/vote/2918/statistic/ https://crowch.com/vote/2895/statistic/