19:00, 7 January 2013

Georgia holds Christmas march

At 02:00 p.m. local time, Tbilisi began the traditional Christmas march "Alilo". The marchers carry gifts with them which later will be transferred to orphans.

At the presidential palace, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili will give sweets to the participants of the march "Alilo". Besides, Bidzina Ivanishvili, Georgian Prime Minister, is to participate in the march, the "Georgia Online" reports.

All money and gifts raised and collected during the march "Alilo" will be given not only to orphan homes, but also to old people's home, the "News.Ge" reports.

The name of the march "Alilo" comes from the word "Hallelujah". In the head of the procession, children with wreaths on their heads depicting angels are walking; besides, actors also take part in the procession portraying evangelical characters the shepherds and the Magis. A variety of donations: money, toys, clothes, sweets, and biscuits are being collected in baskets, which are driven in carts by oxen, the "Orthodoxy and World" reports.