გილოცავთ! (Congratulations!) It is wonderful that the Georgian community in Toronto has grown large enough to host such a fine cultural event.
You are thanking Trio Machari for participation but really it is we who very much want to thank you. It was an honour for us non-Georgians to be invited to offer some of the folk music. Receiving certificates and awards from the hands of Ambassador Konstantine Kavtaradze was a complete surprise. Georgians can teach us much about goodwill and generosity.
Please convey our best wishes and congratulations to all the ladies of the Georgian Women’s Action Group.
საუკეთესო სურვილებით (Best Wishes),
Bie and Trio Machari
Last Sunday was a very happy day. It was Canada’s first Georgian festival down at Mel Lastman Square. I was so touched that so many Georgians came out and that so many non-Georgians also supported the event, especially my friends from the Kosa Creative Community and Folk Camp Community. (sniff) It was particularly heart-warming to hear all the songs – so, so many songs – everyone sounded great! And to see the kids’ traditional wrestling match! There are a lot of thanks to go around. First and foremost, I have to thank Diana Irema for organiztiong the event and to her wonderful family (Alisher, Mika, and Sandro Hakimov) for their attention, help and support throughout the day! Gratitude is also extended to the Georgian Women’s Action Group, Embassy of Georgia to Canada, the Ambassador of Georgia, Konstantine Kavtaradze; to those also who provided food, “Suliko” Restaurant and set the scene with traditional and traditionally-inspired clothes by Marita Mamuchashvili and Kakha Beri and so many others that were involved!
