Svaneti is searching for a sustainable future in a continuous field of friction between an emerging local economy and the region‘s rich traditions. Against the background of the region’s emerging tourism, the region faces severe changes: An unregulated mass tourism would step by step destroy the ecological heritage of the region and decrease the possibilities of the population to contribute to their self-sufficiency through agriculture. Also, land use has always been closely connected with agricultural and forestry work – so tourism alone cannot contribute to landscape conservation.

In an interdisciplinary field trip founded by the BOELL foundation, students from the German University Ostfalia, Tbilisi State University, and Tbilisi Free University visited Latali/Svanetia for 5 days to document peoples’ ideas, beliefs, and prospects. In addition, traditional objects, houses, and sacred spaces are mapped and presented in a web project. As one of the first approaches to set Latali on the map, this project seeks to envision a sustainable future for Latali’s participation in tourism.

Approach & Methods

This project draws on anthropological research methodology combined with digital techniques of mapping and photogrammetry. All the media on this website was gathered in a 5-day field trip to Latali/Svaneti. Instead of building coherent stories, we aim to provide access to our material without setting a journalistic spin or imposing a specific glance. You can browse the collection both by using the map and through categories. We provide 10 categories induced from the field interviews to order the cards.

Many things have been written about the Svans without including their perspective. We collaborated closely with locals, guiding our perspective and providing context. We especially thank Dr. Nino Tserediani for her huge investment in this project.