Join us for an extraordinary exploration of Georgia’s rich cultural heritage, where history, tradition, and music come together in a captivating experience.

ძვირფასო მეგობრებო, ეს კვირა, 8 დეკემბერი, ტრადიციული ჩურჩხელის დამზადებისა და წინასაახალწლო ზეიმისთვის გვქონდა განკუთვნილი ბავშვებისთვის. თუმცა, დღეს ჩვენს გულებში სიხარულის ადგილი არ არის. თითოეულ ჩვენგანს გული სტკივა, ხოლო ემიგრანტებისთვის ეს ტკივილი ორმაგია – შორს ვართ ჩვენი საოცარი საქართველოსგან იმ დროს, როცა მას ასე ძალიან ვჭირდებით.

On October 20th, we gathered to celebrate the Georgian Heritage Foundation’s 4th Anniversary, marking four incredible years of fostering cultural connection and diaspora diplomacy. The event was filled with warmth and excitement as we unveiled our new website created by incredible Nina Samarguliani, offering a refreshed look at the foundation’s mission and accomplishments. Our founder shared heartfelt reflections on the importance of community involvement, emphasizing how, together, we nurture our shared heritage, foster cultural connections, and work to preserve the Georgian language and traditions for future generations.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the successful curation and public opening of the Georgian Book Section on June 20th, 2024, at the San Jose Public Library. This momentous occasion marked a significant step in sharing and celebrating Georgian culture within the heart of our community.

On November 7th, the Georgian Heritage Foundation, in partnership with the Consulate General of Georgia in San Francisco and with the generous support of TBS Design Gallery and TBS Media Agency, proudly hosted an exclusive screening of the critically acclaimed film "Citizen Saint" (2023), directed by the exceptionally talented Tinatin Kajrishvili. This cinematic gem has been selected as Georgia’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.

Building a strong sense of belonging within our community often relies on a few key elements, each simple yet profoundly impactful: simplicity, authentic togetherness, cultural traditions, sharing meals.

On July 6th, 2023, as part of our collaboration with the Calligraphy as an Art program and the Ancient Manuscripts Exhibit, we were honored to host students from the School of Georgian Heritage in Tbilisi at the National Centre of Manuscripts. This unique experience offered the children an extraordinary opportunity to explore the rich history of Georgian Ancient Scripts and Manuscripts.

On February 7th, 2023, the Georgian Heritage Foundation had the distinguished honor of hosting Erika Olson, who, at the time, oversaw U.S. policy for Southern Europe and the Caucasus. Olson previously guided U.S. participation in NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) as the Director for Regional Political-Military Affairs in Europe.

We had an honor of co-hosting a Greet & Meet event alongside Levan Beridze, Consul General of Georgia in San Francisco, for the Ambassador of Georgia to the United States, Mr. David Zalkaliani, and the Georgian diaspora in the Bay Area.

On June 5th, 2022, we showcased the culmination of our unprecedented “Calligraphy as an Art" program with the "Praise Georgian Alphabet" (ანბანთქება) exhibit. Led by the remarkable Giorgi Sisauri - a master calligrapher, painter, and poet - the program offered students a deep dive into the rich history and artistry of the Georgian script. Through 30 immersive lectures, participants explored the three ancient writing systems of the Georgian language: Asomtavruli, Nuskhuri, and Mkhedruli, and mastered the delicate science behind the creation of Capital Letters (საზედაო ასოების ხელოვნება).

On June 4th, 2022, we had the incredible privilege of showcasing the breathtaking works of Minanqari, an ancient and intricate art form, presented by five master artisans from Georgia. Each artist brought forth the beauty, history, and cultural significance of this age-old craft, offering us a glimpse into the legacy of Georgian enamel jewelry that has thrived for over 2000 years.

On March 21, 2022, the Georgian Heritage Foundation, alongside the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Bay Area Georgian Diaspora, united to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine. From March 8th, we raised funds and collected five pallets of urgent supplies for those in need.

On a beautiful autumn day, filled with the warmth of community and love for Georgia, we gathered to celebrate a cherished tradition at the Churchkhela Workshop. The air was alive with joy, laughter, and the enthusiasm of our young students as they embraced the art of creating Churchkhela—one of Georgia’s most beloved treats. Under the gentle guidance of their teachers, and with the support of their extraordinary parents and friends, the children took pride in crafting each Churchkhela, threading walnuts and dipping them into luscious grape juice to create this iconic delicacy. Witnessing their hands at work, and the smiles of achievement on their faces, was a true expression of happiness and cultural connection.

We have united and strengthened in our love for Georgia!
It was a tremendous honor to be part of an unprecedented project that began on May 1st, right here in Northern California, with the participation of our youngest generation. This remarkable endeavor is capturing the hearts and voices of Georgian Sunday schools scattered like pearls across the globe. Through a powerful documentary film, 17 schools will share their stories—told in the words of children—describing their deep love for and longing for our beloved Georgia.

On April 18th, the students of the School of Georgian Heritage came together to celebrate Mother Language Day with great joy and enthusiasm! For two months, the children diligently prepared for this special day - learning poems, dances, and songs and finally, they performed in front of an audience for the very first time with extraordinary grace and talent.

Despite many challenges with Covid19, our dedicated team continues to work tirelessly, and as a result, we have added yet another beautiful and significant event to the history of the School of Georgian Heritage.

On September 27th, 2020, the Georgian Heritage Foundation held its first event, launching The School of Georgian Heritage. This initiative, inspired by our founder Liana Nitsetskaia’s vision, addressed the challenge of preserving the Georgian language among children in the diaspora, where it risked becoming a second language.