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A Georgian man wrestling with an Azerbaijani in Alaverdoba festival.
Joseph de Baye (1853-1931) - Au sud de la chaine du Caucase : souvernirs dʹune mission (published in 1899)
Joseph de Baye (1853-1931) - Au sud de la chaine du Caucase : souvernirs dʹune mission (published in 1899)
"In the midst of these diverse elements, the Georgians of the plain form numerous groups. Here, we dine while singing; there, we dance the Lesginka. Here, we listen to a mestviré which, on a monotonous rhythm, chants old legends in verse; there, a circle surrounds wrestlers...
...A Georgian known for his strength is preparing for the fight against a Tatar. The assistants are passionate about these body-to-body fights, they hold each other by the belt until the stronger has defeated his opponent...
...The guardians of the feast (what a curious police!) have difficulty in containing the assistants who, willingly, would take sides with one or other of the combatants and come to blows."
"Les Armeniens vont là uniquement pour gagner de l’argent" - Armenians go there just to make money. 
"C'est avec un descendant des Sardares d'Erivan nommé Agha Khan-Erivansky que j’aifait l’excursion obligatoire à Etchmiadzin." It was with a descendant of the Sardars of Erivan named Agha Khan-Erivansky that I went for the obligatory tour to Etchmiadzin.
