Donation of "Qvevri"

Mr. Minister,
Mr. Ambassador,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

On behalf of the United Nations, I would like to express my most sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Georgia for this generous gift to our Organization. Let me particularly thank Ambassador Tsiskarashvili and the Permanent Mission of Georgia for their efforts in bringing this magnificent piece of Georgian cultural heritage to the Palais des Nations. It is truly a wonderful addition to Ariana Park, one of the biggest and most prestigious parks in Geneva.

Georgia’s unique wine making traditions date back 8,000 years and are among some of the oldest in the world. The technique represents a cherished ancestral craft frequently evoked in Georgian storytelling traditions and songs. Recognizing the importance of the ancient custom of Qvevri wine-making, this art was recently inscribed on the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Wine-making has always been an art and a way of connecting peoples and cultures. It is a tradition, passed down from generation to generation, that forms an inseparable part of the history and culture of many civilizations. A fine product of human ingenuity, wine requires a fitting vessel to preserve all of its unique and versatile qualities.

Not unlike this extraordinary Qvevri in Ariana Park, the United Nations also serves as a vessel for nurturing lofty aspirations and developing superior intellectual outputs that will respond to humanity’s thirst for a better world for all.

Thank you very much.