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Documentary Series

Ann Svanidze

Photographer

Ann Svanidze

Lamproba - Svaneti’s Living Tradition

Svaneti, a remote mountainous region in northwest Georgia, is a land of ancient traditions, and Lamproba is one of its oldest.

Practiced for centuries, this annual ritual takes place on February 14th, when people place flaming birch branches in the snow beside their ancestors' graves. The burning torches are believed to warm the souls of the departed.

Families gather to share food, drinks, toasts, and prayers, staying together until the last flame dies out.

Ann Svanidze

Communicating with people, creating narratives, understanding surroundings, nature, light and all things we interact with has become a very interesting part of my everyday life.