Zurab Pataradze Attends the "Khinotsmindoba" Public Festival in Kobuleti Municipality

The traditional public festival "Khinotsmindoba" was celebrated with official festivities in the historic village of Khino. The Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara, Zurab Pataradze, accompanied by his spouse, attended the various events organized as part of the annual celebration. In observance of the occasion, Archimandrite Eudemos officiated a festive prayer service at the historic Church of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist.

The local residents and invited guests were officially congratulated by Zurab Pataradze; Tsotne Ananidze, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Ajara; Irakli Tsetskhladze, Mayor of Kobuleti Municipality; and Archimandrite Eudemos, Abbot of the Khinotsminda Monastery of St. John the Baptist.

In his welcoming remarks, the Chairman of the Government highlighted the paramount importance of preserving Khino’s profound spiritual, historical, and cultural heritage, while emphasizing the government's commitment to sustaining ongoing infrastructure projects throughout the valley.

"Today, 'Khinotsmindoba' is being celebrated in an exceptionally special way in this beautiful valley of the Kobuleti Municipality. Year after year, we witness a growing number of families gathering here. The roots of many families residing in Kobuleti are deeply intertwined with Khino, this is precisely where our collective strength, spirituality, and identity lie. It is our utmost duty to cherish, protect, and further strengthen this invaluable heritage," stated Zurab Pataradze.

Established in 2015, this year’s iteration of the festival was dedicated to a major historic milestone, the 1,700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia.

As part of the official program, a scientific conference titled "Patriarch Ilia II and Georgia" was convened. Furthermore, an award ceremony took place during which the Chairman of the Government presented the prestigious "True Khinotsmindeli" Certificate of Honor to Avtandil Bezhanidze, a distinguished representative of the valley.

The public celebration concluded with a rich cultural program featuring performances by the Ajara State Vocal Ensemble "Batumi," actors from the Batumi Drama Theatre, and students from the Batumi Choirmaster School. The event was widely attended by members of the executive and legislative branches of the Ajara Government, representatives of local self-government bodies, and high-ranking members of the clergy.