The new designations of the national registry of intangible cultural heritage were made public, following legislative initiatives from the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation last month.

Among the new additions is the culinary culture of Meskheti, with the locality’s notable apokhti dish - made from salted and dried meat - entering the registry.

The annual fall tradition of rtveli - the popular grape vintage and harvest season - and the tradition of making the Mtskheturi pie, a meat-filled dish originating in the locality of the historical capital of Mtskheta, have also been granted the status.

Finally, rituals, songs and customs related to batonebi - the common name for contagious kid’s diseases such as rubella, measles and whooping cough - has also been recognised for its enduring place in folklore.