Gamo-Khate Mestia

The international street art festival "Gamo-Khate Mestia" took place in June 2026 in Mestia, Svaneti (Georgia). As part of the project, a large-scale mural was created on a concrete wall near the Nesgumi Bridge in the village of Lenjeri.

A total of 24 artists - 18 local and 6 international participants - collaboratively developed a single artwork based on pre-agreed sketches and thematic guidelines. The mural visually interpreted Georgian mythology, history, and Svan cultural heritage.

The composition featured key motifs such as the legends of Amiran, Medea and the Argonauts, the Golden Fleece, and traditional gold mining practices. Mythological figures including Ochopintre, Rashi, Kursha, and Barbale were also depicted.

In addition, elements of Svaneti’s cultural identity were included, such as Mestia horse racing, the zoomorphic flag "Lemi," the history of the Fustel Knights, and the Khalde uprising, alongside broader Georgian cultural symbols like traditional clothing, the Georgian alphabet, wine culture, and architecture.

Beyond the mural creation, the festival also included public lectures, seminars, and workshops led by international artists, focusing on the role of street art in urban development and community transformation.

The resulting work was conceived as a permanent open-air gallery and new cultural and tourist attraction. The festival was organized by the Georgian Street Art Federation, with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Georgia and Creative Georgia.