5 interesting and unexpected facts about Georgia that you might not have known

President of Pro-Vision, author of the Vinogradov.story community

“The land of the soul” – this compliment to Georgia is so often heard that it has been associated with it for centuries. However, the list of Georgian epithets can go on for a long time. I have collected the brightest of them in a soulful selection.

One of the most musical countries in the world

If critics were to make a rating of the most “musical” nations, Georgians would take one of the first places. Legendary Georgian polyphony sounds far beyond the country’s borders – so much so that the table choral song “Chakrulo” was even included in the list of UNESCO’s intangible heritage and among 27 compositions was sent to the interplanetary station “Voyager-2” to acquaint the inhabitants of the Universe with the sounds of our planet.

However, to hear “Chakrulo” and other marvelous samples of Georgian polyphony, one does not have to fly into space: it is enough to go to any feast. In 100 cases out of 100 it will end on a solemn note of folk songs that evoke genuinely strong emotions.

Homeland of wine

Wine in Georgia is part of the culture. Thanks to ancient shards of wine jugs and vines found on the territory of the country, the country claims to be the birthplace of cultural winemaking. At the same time Georgians do not abuse, but enjoy – they have a very fine sense of the line between pleasure and opivstvo.

The most popular and valuable collection wines are aged in special clay vessels buried in the ground – kvevri. This allows us to speak about their exclusively natural origin.

But I would not recommend specific varieties and regions: everything depends on taste. It is better to go for a tasting in a craft wine cellar in Tbilisi or Batumi or in one of the Kakheti wineries. And already there, in the process of unhurried thoughtful tasting, decide on your preferences.

All Georgians know Russian – a myth

The popular tourist opinion that every Georgian knows Russian, but carefully hides it, is nothing more than a misconception. More than 30 years have passed since Georgia left the USSR. During these years at least two generations have grown up who use their native Georgian in everyday life and choose English as a foreign language.

Even toponyms in Georgia are gradually returning to their historical “non-Soviet” forms, and local websites and social networks are filled with predominantly Georgian-language content. But the older generation remembers the Russian language and the young people study it as an elective. So if you want, you will not be without an interlocutor.

Vacation is not worse than in Turkey

Many people who come to Georgia prefer to stay in Tbilisi. Not everyone even gets to the legendary Kazbegi, Mtskheta and Borjomi – should we talk about the less famous but equally interesting Racha or Svaneti? Meanwhile, Georgia has not only cultural and gastronomic sights, but also everything that we are used to denote by the word “vacation”.

The beaches of Batumi and its surroundings are not inferior to neighboring Turkey, and the ski resort of Gudauri is considered one of the most comfortable and well-equipped in the Caucasus. Apres skiing is also in order here: Georgian and European restaurants are open, and the hotels offer entertainment programs.

Kazbegi

Paid elevator and unusual numbers

One of the most striking impressions of Georgia are characteristic everyday features that you will not find in any other country in the world. They do not catch the eye, but if they suddenly attract attention, they cause at least surprise. For example, taking an elevator in Georgian high-rise buildings can be paid – at the level of two or three rubles. And according to an unspoken agreement, the one who rides higher than everyone else pays for the whole company – the rest simply descend from the top floor on foot.

And numbers in the Georgian language are called by the number of “twenties” in them: for example, 58 is “two-twenty-eighteen”, and 83 is “four-twenty-three”. The beginning of the school year in Tbilisi is floating and depends on the temperature outside.

And finally, Georgian residents are genuinely horrified when asked if they have ever paid a bribe: it is believed that in the mid-noughties the country completely defeated corruption. Well, if this is really true.