Rtveli Fest: Celebrating Tradition, Food, and Community at School

On October 12th, our front yard turned into the main gathering spot as students and teachers came together for our annual Rtveli festival, organized by the School Culture Committee. The weather was clear and sunny, making it an ideal afternoon for everyone to stay after classes, enjoy good food, and take part in traditional activities outdoors. 

One of the day’s central attractions was the traditional Churchkhela making station. Students gathered around a large pot of steaming, thick Tatara, dipping long strings of walnuts and hazelnut threads into the grape mixture. The station was full of energy as students took turns dipping their strings of nuts into the warm mix. Everyone was laughing and having fun, especially when someone made a super thick one or tried a funny dipping technique. For many, it was their first time making it, which made it even more special. To make the day even better, traditional music played in the background while students tasted freshly made Churchkhela and enjoyed the festival together. On the tables there was a wide lineup of food stands stocked with fresh Georgian treats. Tables were loaded with warm Khachapuri, savory Lobiani, and colorful sheets of sweet Tklapi, alongside snacks for everyone to sample. 

Right next to the activity tables was the food corner, where Givi mas stayed by the grill all afternoon making fresh Mtsvadi. The smell of barbecue quickly drew a large crowd, creating a steady line of hungry students and teachers eager to grab a plate right off the heat. 

Journalist: What do you think about Rtveli this year?

Elene Baratashvili: I think events like Rtveli are really nice because they bring our school community together and help us celebrate our culture. It’s a great way to learn more about our traditions and share them with others. Everyone enjoys the atmosphere, and it helps us feel more connected to each other. 

Beyond the food traditions, the festival was packed with energy. Students set up energetic games of frisbee, throwing and catching it across the yard, while others were chatting with friends and teachers outside of the classroom environment. The relaxed setup made it easy for students across different grade levels to hang out and connect. Our school band set up instruments in the yard and played music throughout the afternoon. Their performance kept the atmosphere upbeat while everyone grabbed their food, caught up, and enjoyed the event. 

This wonderful event was organized by the school culture committee and it surely created a warm, friendly environment for everyone. 

Journalist:What was organizing the process like? 

Ninia Tsiklauri: It definitely took a lot of hard work, but it was a total team effort—almost everyone jumped in to help with something. The culture team went all out to make the decorations look amazing and create a great atmosphere, and the school cafeteria was a huge help in getting everything set up and running smoothly. The cafeteria staff was incredible from start to finish. They helped us prepare the large pots for the Tatara, kept all the ingredients organized, and made sure we had everything we needed to run the station safely and smoothly. Their support behind the scenes kept the event running without a hitch!

Events like Rtveli are a great reminder of how important tradition and community are in our school life. Bringing everyone together for an afternoon of shared food, games, and Georgian culture created a memorable experience for the entire community. 

Edited by - Natalia Mujiri