Dancing across cultural boundaries: Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani traditions meet at Shin
The Shin festival in rural Marneuli celebrates the ethnic diversity of the region and highlights how culture can unite communities. In a field in Marneuli, boys wearing Georgian papakha hats leap into the air while girls perform Armenian folk dances and elegantly move with Azerbaijani dance gestures.
The event embodies the festival’s goal: to honor the area's rich ethnic variety and demonstrate culture’s role in community connection. Marneuli Municipality, home to many ethnic Azerbaijanis and Armenians, is part of Georgia’s diverse Kvemo Kartli region.
Despite living side by side, integration between these groups has been difficult. Many minority communities seldom share social spaces or even speak a common language. This separation inspired Tamta Tabatadze to establish Shin — which means “home” in Georgian — a festival designed to bridge these gaps.
“We saw that these ethnic groups were not close to each other. They didn’t have any events where they could spend time together,” Tabatadze told OC Media.
The festival showcases cultural performances as a way to overcome divisions and promote understanding.
Context of regional challenges
From the oppression of queer people and women in the North Caucasus to attacks on democratic freedoms, the region faces serious social issues. The festival provides fact-based, independent reporting in English to inform about these struggles.
Efforts like Shin represent a cultural response to these challenges by fostering inclusion and dialogue through artistic expression.
Call to support
Help the initiative grow by joining their membership drive aiming for 500 members by the end of October.
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