G e o_s y n_c h r o n i_c i t y

Svaneti, July 2007

Late July features the most important religious festival in Svaneti, Kvirikoba, based in K'ala's Kvirike church. Some more information:

"Kvirikaoba-Svaneti
The religious holiday – Kvirikaoba is celebrated in the village of K'ala in Svaneti on 28th of July. This is the day of torment of St. Kvirike and St. Ivlita, This day is called as a “Lagurka” in Svaneti. St. Kvirike Church was built in XI century and it is considered to be one of the most important monuments of Georgia architecture. Several valuable icons of St. Kvirike of XI-XII centuries are kept here. The church's frescoes were painted by the painter Tevdore (who was the painter of David the Builder)."
(From http://www.szs.gov.ge/eng/reg_dgesascaulebi.htm)

So in July 2007 I walked 20 km from Ushguli to K'ala and back for the festival, along with several other Georgians and Svans. Here are a few pictures from the way down, early in the morning.