“Bread Festival” is a one-day event, which is being held in Akhaltsikhe for the fifth time since 2010, by the initiative of Elkana. The Festival annually takes place since 2021 and is organised by the Biological Farming Association Elkana, Samtskhe-Javakheti Destination Management Organization (DMO), and Akhaltsikhe Municipality City Hall. In 2023, for the first time, the Festival was co-sponsored by the representative of the private sector of the region – Akhaltsikhe Inn.

The purpose of the festival is to promote the restoration and promotion of local wheat varieties, to involve as many farmers as possible in this activity, and to promote the short, cooperative supply chains of sales of local products.

During the event visitors learn about the endemic species and local varieties of wheat, their value, and the instructions on their care and cultivation; they also taste different types of wheat bread baked on the spot, local products, and traditional dishes of Samtskhe-Javakheti.

Bread Festival is an annual event held in the last week of October, in Samtskhe-Javakheti. Initially, it was initiated and organized by the Biological Farming Association “Elkana” and held in 2010 and 2011. In 2021 the Festival was organized together with “Elkana” and Samtskhe-Javakheti DMO. The festival aims to revive and promote indigenous varieties of wheat by involving as many farmers as possible in this activity and fostering collaborative short agri-food chains.

Usually, more than sixty local entrepreneurs take part in the festival by exhibiting their products. You can taste or buy delicious Meskhetian food and of course, bread, made from indigenous wheat varieties, and meet people and enjoy your time in Samtskhe-Javakheti.