Georgian feast: from dukhans to craft bars

A good tamada should consume large amounts of alcohol without showing signs of intoxication.

In 2017, the Georgian feast was included in the list of intangible heritage of UNESCO. The question is, how can lunch or dinner become a cultural heritage? So it's not that simple and there are some unique features?

Of course I do. And this tour is dedicated to the traditions of feasting and their transformation. This is a journey back in time and a story about how the feast with a red thread connects generations, past and present.

Georgians call the feast “Supra” (or “tablecloth” in Georgian). This is a real chamber performance with its own rules, rituals and traditions. Supra is associated with two other Georgian social phenomena (hospitality and winemaking). In its classical form, it took shape relatively recently - only after the entry of Georgian communities into the Russian Empire in the XIX century, but was especially established in the Soviet period. Is there a role for Russia or is it an accident? I will.

Do you know what a fool is? What is the phenomenon of tamada? Can a tamadah be a woman? I will give you examples of how to say the perfect toast and we will definitely practice this fine art, and at the same time I will list the classical order of toasts at a Georgian feast. What is a Georgian polymer? Is it possible to make toast with a glass of beer?

Is Supra an anachronism that hinders Georgia’s modernization or a tradition that is important in terms of preserving the Georgian identity? A discussion question that we will try to answer by the end of the feast. If we can.

Organizational details

The feast is not a prerequisite for the excursion and is not included in the price. At your choice, we can meet on Batumi Boulevard, in one of the restaurants of the city (I advise) or have a picnic on the picturesque lawn above the city.