SOCIETY: Why Georgians ‘dine with the dead’ - BBC (georgianews.ge)

(georgianews.ge) BBC reports from Tbilisi, Georgia about common tradition of honouring deceased in certain way during Easter period. “In many Western countries graveyards are seen as sinister or even frightening but not so in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia,” the journalist informs.

“As with other eastern Orthodox countries, it is common for Georgians to honour their deceased relatives by taking food and wine to cemeteries, and having feasts beside the graves. Although practised thoughout the year, Orthodox Easter is one of the busiest times for the tradition”. BBC’s Damien McGuinness joined families in the Georgian capital Tbilisi to find out more about dining with the dead. The Close-up series focuses on aspects of life in countries and cities around the world. What may seem ordinary and familiar to the people who live there can be surprising to those who don't.