Our Events
Georgian Heritage Foundation Four Year Anniversary
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.
Students from the School of Georgian Heritage presented a Calligraphy Art Exhibit, celebrating the beauty of our language through their creative expressions. The exhibit highlighted Mkhedruli capital letters, which were traditionally used in Georgian manuscripts to begin important sections. Calligraphy was not just functional but also an art form, allowing scribes to showcase their artistic skill by blending visual beauty with linguistic meaning. The ornate designs often incorporated symbols and patterns significant to Georgian culture, further enriching the heritage passed down through the manuscripts. These embellished letters, particularly in religious and historical texts, played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Georgian cultural identity, becoming a symbol of the nation’s rich history and artistic tradition.
The Calligraphy as an Art program was designed specifically to preserve this ancient art form, reviving its sacredness and teaching it to a new generation, bridging the centuries between the past and present. This was the students’ third exhibit, reflecting their deep connection to our heritage and the timeless beauty of our alphabet.
We also had the pleasure of celebrating the 8th anniversary of the M.G. Megi Gabunia brand, a milestone that reflects Megi’s commitment to elevating Georgian fashion. Her exclusive “Asomtavruli” collection, inspired by the ancient Asomtavruli script, seamlessly connects Georgia’s cultural history with modern expression. This fusion of tradition and innovation added even more meaning to our event, as we honored both the Georgian Heritage Foundation’s achievements and Megi’s impact on Georgian fashion design.
As we continue this journey, the support of our community remains at the heart of everything we do. It is through our collective efforts that the Georgian Heritage Foundation thrives, and together, we look forward to many more years of growth, connection, and legacy.
Thank you to Avto Grigolia and Shorena Grigolia for beautifully capturing the event through their vision & lenses.
Georgian Book Section Opening at the San Jose Public Library
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.
Exclusive Screening of "Citizen Saint"
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.
“Tbilisoba” Fostering Community and Connection
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.
A Special Visit to the National Centre of Manuscripts
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.
Town Hall Event with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Erika Olson and Georgian Diaspora Members in CA
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.
Greet & Meet with Ambassador David Zalkaliani
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.
Georgian Heritage Foundation 2nd Year Anniversary
We were honored to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary with cherished friends—both familiar faces and new ones. The day was filled with joy, community, and a deep appreciation for Georgian culture.
Ancient Georgian Script & Manuscripts Exhibition in Northern California
The Ancient Georgian Script & Manuscripts Exhibit took place over two inspiring days, first at the Consulate General of Georgia in San Francisco on Thursday, September 22, and then at the Georgian Heritage Foundation on Sunday, September 25. This special event celebrated the rich history of Georgian manuscripts and the evolution of Georgia’s ancient script, showcasing three distinct writing systems.
"Praise Georgian Alphabet" (ანბანთქება) Exhibit
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).
Minankari Exhibit
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.
Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine
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.
Churchkhela Workshop
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.
United in Love for Georgia
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.
Celebrating Mother Language Day
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.
“Ai Ia” (აი ია)
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.
Inaugural Event – 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.
Fun Facts
In just four years, we have proudly executed 33 events, ranging from harvest and Churchkhela-making to Georgian Alphabet Celebrations, various exhibits, and forming meaningful partnerships with local communities.
We have planned, prepared, and executed four milestone programs, each contributing to the foundation’s continued growth and success.
One of our proudest accomplishments has been the establishment of the School of Georgian Heritage, offering a structured approach to educating and celebrating Georgian culture for future generations. To date, we have conducted an impressive 455 Georgian Language lectures, providing education to over 60 children from the Georgian diaspora, with 37 currently enrolled, and our East Coast Group being in development. These efforts are vital in nurturing and preserving the Georgian language.
Did you know, we dared to "Dance from Georgia" overcoming the challenges of the pandemic, delivering 34 online lectures, which culminated in a beautiful on-stage performance by our dedicated students?
And the "Calligraphy as an Art" program, initially planned for 30 lectures, expanded over two years to offer 74 Master Class Calligraphy lectures, taught by the renowned master calligrapher, Giorgi Sisauri. The program has showcased two inspiring exhibits, with events held in Northern California, Tbilisi, and Rome.
Still finding our way through the vast world of nonprofits, with so much yet to learn, the Georgian Heritage Foundation is only just beginning to warm up to the journey ahead. Our fearless mission remains to serve the Georgian Diaspora with heart and purpose, for without our Georgian community, there would be no meaning to this work.
Get Involved
By supporting the Georgian Heritage Foundation, you help preserve a cultural legacy that spans generations. Your contribution strengthens education initiatives and ensures that Georgia’s rich history, traditions, and heritage continue to inspire and connect us all.