We Are Svaneti Festival 2017

Who: Chuberi&Nakra communities
When: 15-17 July, 2017
Where: Chuberi&Nakra villages, Georgia, 42°59’8.03”N 42°11’6.16”E

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Festival Programme
Photo Essay Contest
Organisation

Poster for the We Are Svaneti Festival

Come to discover Upper Svaneti in Georgia. Visit remote villages at the foot of the Caucasus mountains, learn new artisan and cooking skills from the locals, explore the spectacular wild nature. Listen to the inspiring stories and share yours whilst enjoying a sense of community.

Hosted at the banks of the beautiful river Nenskra, this long weekend summer festival will fill you up with energy and unforgettable memories of authentic Svaneti.

Join us for the We Are Svaneti Festival!

The festival will give you the opportunity to meet Svan people, feel their hospitality, get to know their lifestyles and nature. During the three days we will enjoy traditional music, dances and art, taste kubdari and chvishtari with chacha or wine, and embark on many nature adventures… Altogether.

We Are Svaneti Festival 2017 is a community based project aiming to promote Svan culture, nature and lifestyles.

If you want to be our partner, be part of our programme or be a volunteer, see how you can support us.

Programme

Check here for updates. The program will be continuously updated to list the names of performers and workshops.

15.07. Saturday (Chuberi)
10:00 Festival opening

11:00 Workshops:

  • Handmade artcrafts  – workshop by Chuberi and Pari kids
  • How to make Svan hats – workshop by Khaishi kids
  • The art of recycling – workshop by Khaishi and Pari kids
  • Wood carving – workshop with people from Chuberi
  • Guitar lessons – Peter Georgiev (Bulgaria)
  • And more

13:00 Tasting local Svaneti cuisine: Different communities present traditional dishes
17:00 Sport activities: Sports competitions with kids; Treasure hunt and more
17:00 Music and dances
19:00 Wine and chacha tasting
20:00 Music programme: Svan music and dances
21:00 Summer cinema by the river

16.07. Sunday (Chuberi)
09:00 Guided nature adventures:

  • Guided adventures in nature:
  • Fishing at Nenskra River
  • Trekking in the mountains
  • Birdwatching
  • Extreme sports
  • and more

13:00 Tasting local Svaneti cuisine: Different communities presenting traditional dishes
14:00 Presentations and discussions:

  • The history and culture of Svaneti – with the participation of Georgian experts
  • Nature education – BALKANI Wildlife Society (Bulgaria)
  • Cultural, touristic and environmental developing the region – with Svan Travel
  • and more

16:00 Photo-essay We Are Svaneti: Contest for local kids
17:00 Svan market: Local products for sale
19:00 Music

  • Singing choir – Nakra community
  • Jazz guitar performance – Peter Georgiev (Bulgaria)
  • “Riho” Ensemble – choir of Upper Svaneti
  • and more

22:00 Summer cinema by the river

17.07. Monday (Nakra)
10:00 Guided nature adventures:

  • Fishing
  • Horseriding
  • Mineral bathing
  • Trekking – from Nakra to Chuberi (10-12 hours) and shorter treks
  • and more

13:00 Tasting local Svaneti cuisine: Different communities presenting traditional dishes
14:00 Workshops:

  • Art and handicrafts workshop
  • Cooking workshop
  • Guitar lessons – Peter Georgiev (Bulgaria)
  • and more

16:00 Music programme
18:00 Festival closing

Photo Essay Contest – We Are Svaneti

Poster for Photo Essay Contest

During the festival there will be a special guest who will offer a photography workshop for the participants of the We are Svaneti 2017 Photo-Essay Contest. This competition is aimed at young Svans who will prepare photo-essays about RURAL LIFE, NATURE and PEOPLE in Svaneti during the months of May and June.

For more information on the contest guidelines click here.

Program (approx.)
15.07, Saturday (Chuberi)
09:00 Presentation of the special guest
10:00 Personalized photo-essay review
12:00 Workshop PART I
16.07, Sunday (Chuberi)
09:00 Workshop PART II
12:00. Awards Ceremony

Organisation**

** information about transport and accommodation will be timely updated

Info center:
Available for you there will be an info center who will give you any information that you need – program of the event, camping details, who are the participants and partners, get help if needed, or just inform yourself more on Svaneti region (for travel, hike, leisure, learn, etc.).

Transport:
The distance between Chuberi village and Kutaisi is 186 km (3,5 hours) and between Chuberi and Tbilisi – 414 km (6,5 hours). There are regular buses heading to Mestia. International flights land in Kutaisi (low-cost flights) and Tbilisi. There are local flights to Mestia. Nakra is 30 km further (incl. 5 km black road).

TransportMap_EN

Car/bus transport – Reaching the festival is possible by car/bus. You can see the routes in the attached google maps links.

Accommodation:
Festival participants can stay at tent camp near the festival site or at homestays in Chuberi and Nakra (approximate price: 15 euro/day including food).

Things to bring:
To feel comfortable during the festival it’s very important to be prepared for the weather and location conditions and be equipped with everything needed to enjoy the event:

  • Warm clothes, when temperature gets low during the evening;
  • Appropriate shoes/ trekking;
  • Tent/Sleeping bag/Sleeping mat and other outdoor gear;
  • A mug (non-plastic);
  • Toilet paper – the wet wipes are not degradable;
  • Headtorch;
  • Medicines;
  • ID or Passport;
  • Money;
  • Good mood and a lot of smiles!

For your safety and comfort there are some festival rules:
Fire – places where is permitted to set fire will be specifically located to avoid doing harm to the nature
Toilets – The festival aims to be sustainable and promote eco friendly actions – so compost toilets will be in place
Water – clean drinking water will be provided at the entrance of the camp
Waste – There will be specifically marked places where you can separate garbage