New Year’s Day is one of the most beloved public holidays in Georgia, a country located at the intersection of Europe and Asia. The celebration is utterly festive and draws heavily from both Western and Eastern cultural traditions. The preparation for the New Year festivities typically begins in mid-December and can extend right up to the stroke of midnight on January 1st. Streets are adorned with fancy decorations, homes are decked out with Christmas trees called 'Chichilaki', and people are in high spirits with festive customs and cheer.
A critical part of the New Year's Day festivities in Georgia is the supra, or traditional feast which is an integral part of Georgian social culture. During this supra on New Year's Eve, family and friends gather to enjoy a variety of dishes, including satsivi (turkey or chicken in walnut sauce), khachapuri (a cheese-filled bread), and Churchkhela (a traditional candle-shaped candy). The table is also filled with an assortment of other dishes representing luck, prosperity, and abundance, symbolising the hope for a prosperous New Year.
Mekvle, an old Georgian tradition is also observed during New Year's Day celebrations. The first person who enters the home after the clock strikes midnight is referred to as the Mekvle, and is thought to bring either good or bad luck for the incoming year. This person typically carries sweets, a piece of bread and a bottle of wine - representing sweetness, abundance and festivity - to bring blessings upon the household. With a blend of Western and Eastern cultural fusion, New Year's Day in Georgia is a truly unique and joyous occasion.