Culture & Society

★★★ The Supra — More Than a Meal

The Supra (სუფრა) is the heart of Georgian culture — a festive table that is much more than a shared meal. It is a ritual, an art form, and the most important social act in Georgian society. It takes place at weddings, baptisms, funerals, holidays — or simply when someone visits.

The Tamada (Table Master)

Every Supra has a Tamada (თამადა) — the table master who leads the evening. He is not just a drinking leader, but a speaker, philosopher, and entertainer. The Tamada delivers elaborate toasts (Sadegrobo) in a set order:

1. To God — the first toast always belongs to the Highest
2. To Georgia — the homeland, the country, the nation
3. To the Deceased — remembering loved ones (no clinking glasses for this toast)
4. To the Family — parents, children, relatives
5. To Women / Love
6. To Friendship
7. To Peace

After each toast, the glass (or the drinking horn, Kantsi) is emptied. Those who do not wish to drink can politely sip — this is respected, but true drinking endurance is admired. A good Tamada can make an evening unforgettable.

What Comes to the Table

A typical Supra includes 20–30 dishes, all placed on the table at once. There are no courses — you take what you like:

• Pkhali (vegetable patties made from spinach, beetroot, beans with walnut sauce)
• Badrijani (eggplant rolls with walnut filling)
• Various cheeses (Sulguni, Imeruli)
• Lobio (bean stew)
• Khachapuri in various forms
• Mtsvadi (grilled pork skewers)
• Satsivi (chicken in walnut sauce — served cold)
• Mountains of fresh bread, herbs, and salads

Stumari Ghvtisaa — The Guest is Sent by God

In Georgia, there is a saying: „Stumari Ghvtisaa" — the guest is a gift from God. Hospitality is not a nice extra, but a sacred commandment. In rural areas, you will be invited to meals by strangers, offered wine, and treated like a family member. This is not a show — it is deeply ingrained in the culture.

Declining is difficult and undesirable: Accept the invitation, eat, drink, and show appreciation. A „Madloba" (Thank you) and a smile are enough in return. In guesthouses, you will often be invited to share dinner with the family — these are the best moments of a trip to Georgia.

Orthodox Christianity

Georgia is one of the oldest Christian countries in the world (since 337 AD) and the Georgian Orthodox Church is a central pillar of national identity. After the Soviet era, the church has gained enormous significance — 83% of the population are Orthodox.

The Patriarch Ilia II. (in office since 1977) is one of the most respected figures in the country. Churches and monasteries are not just tourist destinations, but living spiritual places: Georgians cross themselves as they pass by, light candles, and kiss icons.

Important for visitors:

• In churches and monasteries: Shoulders and knees covered. Women: Headscarf and skirt (often provided at the entrance).
• Photography inside: Often allowed, but quietly and respectfully. Do not photograph in front of the altar.
• When entering a church: Crossing oneself is respectful, but not expected from non-Orthodox visitors.

The Georgian Identity

Georgians are proud of their nation — passionate, sometimes to the point of stubbornness. The 3,000-year-old history, their own script, their own church, and survival despite constant invasions have shaped a strong national identity. At the same time, Georgia is remarkably open-minded and curious — especially the younger generation in Tbilisi, who think European, cosmopolitan, and future-oriented.