Touring the UK in May, a young, mixed ensemble, from the Svaneti region of the rugged North Caucasus mountains of Georgia.
They’ll be teaching and performing the unique and beautiful, UNESCO listed polyphonic songs of Georgia, and appearing as guests of honour at a weekend festival of Georgian polyphony.

Lalkhori are a young, mixed ensemble, from the Svaneti region of the rugged North Caucasus mountains of Georgia. They are touring the UK during May 2026, teaching and performing the unique and beautiful, UNESCO listed polyphonic songs of Georgia, and appearing as guests of honour at a weekend festival of Georgian polyphony.

Folk ensemble Lalkhori was created in 2021 by its director, Lika Liparteliani – a highly experienced conductor and performer. Its members are young people and students from Svaneti, currently living in Tbilisi.

Lalkhori specialise in the distinctive songs and round dances of Svaneti, and they research and perform a wide variety of different examples, featuring all Svan dialects. Due to its remoteness Svaneti preserves many of the most ancient features of Georgian polyphonic singing and culture. The tuning and intonation evokes a deep connection to the past, while the many ritual songs and dances celebrate and preserve a rich heritage of shamanic beliefs and folklore, which have survived through the centuries alongside, and intermingled with, Christian belief and practise.

The ensemble regularly organize expeditions to learn directly from tradition bearers. Their performance style aims to present Svan mythology, life and rituals as they would have been traditionally practised in everyday life. The folk songs are frequently accompanied with instruments, round dances and rituals, giving a deep and immersive insight into this fascinating culture.