Culture and Religion  

Ekaterina

Language Spoken

The majority of Georgian citizens speak one language, which is Georgian! The Georgian alphabet is different from any you might know.  In total, there are thirty-three letters of all different sounds.  Georgian is spoken by over 87% of the population. Unlike the English alphabet where a certain letter can have different sounds, there is one letter for every single sound in the Georgian alphabet.  Georgian also does not differentiate between genders. Russian is the second most spoken language in Georgian; however, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian has been limited. It is mostly spoken as a first language with Russian immigrants and the older Georgian generation. Russian is used as a second language and is taught in schools.

Cuisine 

Khinkali 

Khinkali is a traditional Georgian dish that originates from Khevsureti. Inside there is a combination of beef and pork, then wrapped in dough. To eat it, you hold it by the top and bottom with one hand and bite into it to suck the juice out, then you eat the meat. 

Adjaruli

Adjaruli comes from Batumi. Inside it contains cheese and an egg yolk which you mix together. The cheese is surrounded with bread that you break and dip into the cheese. 

Mtsvadi

Mtsvadi originally sprung from Khakheti. It is made with boneless pork, and onions.  The pork is grilled on a barbecue and is then put into a bowl. Onions can be thrown in for extra taste. 

Traditional Dance 

 Dance is a special part of Georgian culture.  Many types of traditional dances are performed for an audience. A popular ballet dance that many enjoy is called Osuri. Movements with the hands and legs have to be in exact sync with all dancers. Women and men create motions of straight and drifting-like lines.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNG5p2Oub5o 


Acharuli is a traditional dance that is performed by men and women that create an overall lighthearted movements on stage.  It originates from Adjara. After many years of War they show their happiness by dancing Acharuli. This dance can be performed on stages or on the ground at festivals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6Hr234NfbI  


Religion 

Orthodox Christianity is practiced by most Georgian citizens. In 326 AD, Christianity became the center belief in Georgia. Georgians credit Saint Nino for this. The female evangelist saw a vision in which Mary told her to preach the Gospel in Iberia, so she went to Caucasus. Throughout the Church problems arose. In the early 19th century the Georgian Orthodox Church was combined with the Russian Orthodox Church. However, during the Russian Revolution, Georgia declared its Church to be independent. Judaism is also a religion practiced in Georgia. Even though the amount has decreased after the emigration from the Soviet Union became possible, most who stayed still live in Tbilisi, Georgia.