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What is chichilaki and why is it put up for New Year?

A hazel tree for Kalandoba.

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Short answer

Chichilaki is a Georgian New Year tree carved from a hazel branch and the main attribute of Kalandoba, the Old New Year on January 14. It is decorated with fruit, sweets and churchkhela. It was sometimes called the Beard of Basil.

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Why

  1. The chichilaki is the most important attribute of Kalandoba.
  2. It is carved from a hazel tree: the bark is peeled and the wood made flexible by heating.
  3. The holiday is tied to the day of St. Basil, hence the name "Beard of Basil".

Details

The tree is carved from hazel, the bark is peeled and the wood heated to make it flexible. The result is a curly, tree-like shape. The finished chichilaki is decorated with fruit, sweets and churchkhela.

For the Old New Year Georgians also bake basilopita, a sweet cake with a coin hidden inside. More on the Old New Year: New Year in Georgia. On churchkhela: what churchkhela is made of.

Tip

Chichilaki are sold at Christmas and New Year markets and in souvenir shops, so ask whether it is made of hazel before buying.

What may differ

The shape and decoration of a chichilaki depend on the maker and the region.

Common misconception

Chichilaki is put up for January 1.

What actually happens

The chichilaki is tied to Kalandoba, the Old New Year on January 14.

People also ask

  • What is chichilaki?

Sources

This answer is for reference. Dates and rules can change, so check the official websites.

Holidays of Georgia
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