President Zurabishvili, Cultural Heritage Agency Head discuss inclusion of Kalandoba, Chichilaki on UNESCO list
So-called Old-New Year, known as Kalandoba, is marked in Guria region on January 14 with the traditional Georgian Christmas tree - Chichilaki. Photo: President's press office
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Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili spoke with Director General of the National Agency of Cultural Heritage Preservation Nikoloz Antidze about her initiative to add western Georgian traditions of New Year's celebration to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
So-called Old-New Year, known as Kalandoba, is marked in Guria region traditionally on January 14 with the Georgian Christmas tree, Chichilaki.
President @Zourabichvili_S announces her initiative to add #kalandoba, #chichilaki to @UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Let’s look once more at the Orbeliani Palace ჩიჩილაკი! ???????? https://t.co/38pdV2KLUg pic.twitter.com/XxdQDHK6Xt
— Orbeliani Presidential Palace (@OrbelianiPalace) January 14, 2020
Antidze welcomed President Zurabishvili’s idea, which aims to further promote Georgian traditions and identity to the rest of the world.
Photo: Facebook page of Tbilizi Zoo
Meanwhile, Tbilisi Zoo has called on the population not to throw out Chichilaki trees and instead bring them to the zoo to decorate cages for wild animals.
British Ambassador to Georgia Justin McKenzie Smith has tweeted a Georgian poem by Ana Kalandadze in the Georgian language to send kind wishes on the Old-New Year Georgia is celebrating today.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who has attended January 14 celebrations of Old-New Year in Guria region of western Georgia, has offered the way of celebration of Old-New Year on the day, which is called Kalandoba in Guria, and the Georgian Christmas tree Chichilaki, which also comes from the region, to be included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Georgia’s main New Year three was lit up today on First Republic Square in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze invited everyone to join in the New Year celebrations.
A "Christmas tale" exhibition of handmade dolls by artist Nana Kaulashvili will start welcoming visitors to Tbilisi's Art Palace museum starting tomorrow, with the exquisite works complementing the unique venue in the downtown.