Dancing Across Cultural Boundaries: Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani Traditions Meet at Shin
The Shin Festival in rural Marneuli highlights the region’s vibrant ethnic mosaic, using dance and music to bring diverse communities together. In a field surrounded by the hills of Kvemo Kartli, boys in Georgian papakha hats leap energetically, while girls move in circles inspired by Armenian folk traditions and perform the refined gestures of Azerbaijani dance.
This collective performance captures the essence of the festival — a celebration of coexistence and mutual respect among Georgia’s ethnic groups. Marneuli Municipality, known for its large Azerbaijani and Armenian populations, reflects both the richness and the challenges of cultural integration. Despite living side by side for generations, many community members still face linguistic and social barriers that limit their interaction.
‘We saw that these ethnic groups were not close to each other. They didn’t have any events where they could spend time together,’ said Tamta Tabatadze, founder of the Shin Festival.
Motivated by this division, Tabatadze established Shin — meaning “home” in Georgian — as a cultural bridge fostering shared experiences through art, dialogue, and traditional performance. Through such initiatives, the festival strives not only to preserve diverse heritage but also to strengthen mutual understanding across ethnic lines.
Author’s Summary
Shin Festival in Marneuli unites Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani communities through dance and culture, turning diversity into dialogue and connection.