With the Support of Sakpatenti, the Traditional Chacha Festival was Held in Telavi

Chacha has been an integral part of Georgian wine culture for centuries and, as a product having distinctive features and characteristics, it is registered as a geographical indication at Sakpatenti. The Chacha Festival, held in Telavi, King Erekle square, is the best opportunity to maintain and demonstrate the uniqueness of this traditional Georgian drink. The annual Chacha celebration reveals the best specimens of Chacha from various regions, their wholesome and specific taste qualities, which facilitates encouragement of the activity of Chacha producing companies, farmers and peasants and popularization of the products made by them.

At the Festival, Sakpatenti presented an exhibition stand, where information and visual materials about geographical indications and appellations of origin registered in Georgia were shown. For interested visitors consultations were delivered on the mechanisms of protection of geographical indications and appellations of origin. Informative conversations with the participants and visitors of the Festival will facilitate formation of the public opinion about the importance of these subject-matters and dissemination of information about protected products, as well as demonstration of Sakpatenti’s activity in this direction and raising awareness about the Office in the public.

At the opening of the Festival, Ms. Tika Nebieridze, Deputy Chairperson of Sakpatenti, addressed the guests, highlighted the active involvement of Sakpatenti in organization of this important Festival. She noted that the Festival showcases excellently the Georgian products marked with geographical indications and appellations of origin, which contributes to regional development of the country, agrarian tourism, increasing of the export potential of unique Georgian products and establishing their place on the international market.

The Festival included theatrical performances, with the participation of representatives of all the eight municipalities of Kakheti. Tourists interested in Georgian tradition and customs got acquainted with specimens of decorative and applied art, ornamented with ethnographic details. The Festival visitors participated in the process of distilling traditional grape Chacha. The so-called Kakhetian “Zaodoba” was held on a large scale. Along with this, dishes of Kakhetian cuisine were prepared on the spot. The Festival was enriched with Kakhetian Mravalzhamieri and other polyphonic songs and improvised verses performed by folkloric groups. The specially selected jury  revealed the best specimens of Chacha distilled by farmers and peasants from various villages of Kakheti as well as the best Chacha distilled by Chacha producing companies, and the winning entrepreneurs. The Festival was ended by a festive concert.

The event was organized by the Georgian Chamber of Culture and the N(N)LE – the Tourism Development Association. Together with Sakpatenti, the Festival was supported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, the Administration of the State Trustee in Kakheti Region and the City Hall of Telavi Municipality, as well as the National Wine Agency.