Late Guest 2005 Oil on linen 44 x 56 in. (111.8 x 142.2 cm)

In Sakartvelo (Georgia), it is a long-standing tradition for men to drink wine from horns while making toasts. A toast is offered for almost everything: the country, love, friendship, the memory of the dead, newborns, grandmothers, neighbors, guests, generosity, and many other occasions.

Drinking horns come in different sizes—small, medium, and large. If a guest arrives late to the feast, the size of the horn reflects the number of toasts they have missed. The latecomer must then offer a toast that incorporates all of the missed toasts and drink the entire horn in a single gulp, without setting it down.

The toasting may continue throughout the night. If the guests are lively, the evening can become unforgettable.

The tradition does not apply to foreigners—or to people with ulcers.