On 30–31 May, Mziuri Park was transformed into a vibrant space of laughter, learning, creativity, and connection as hundreds of children and parents gathered to celebrate International Children’s Day. Organized jointly by World Vision Georgia, the social platform Mandala of Light, and the contemporary art space Cube in Context, the two-day festival became a joyful reminder that every child deserves a safe, happy, and nurturing childhood.
More than just a celebration, the festival highlighted the importance of protecting children’s rights and creating opportunities for children to thrive. Through a rich programme of educational, creative, and recreational activities, families came together to learn, play, and spend meaningful time with one another in an environment built around care, inclusion, and community.
A Celebration with Purpose
The festival aimed to raise awareness about children’s rights and remind society that every child deserves a safe, healthy, and happy childhood — one that supports their emotional, physical, and intellectual development.
Beyond being a celebration, the event also offered an informative and mindful experience for families. A key focus of the programme was supporting and empowering parents through specialist-led sessions on positive parenting, child wellbeing, and family relationships. While parents attended informative discussions and workshops, children took part in creative activities, outdoor adventures, educational games, and interactive experiences designed to inspire curiosity and self-expression.
Throughout the two days, Mziuri Park hosted a diverse and dynamic programme tailored to both children and adults, creating a welcoming space for learning and discovery, and connection.
Children took part in a wide range of interactive and educational activities, including: a vibrant mix of storytime sessions, creative workshops, science experiments, outdoor adventures, sensory experiences, eco-education activities, and interactive games designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, movement, and learning through play. Among the wide range of activities, children particularly enjoyed several unique and engaging workshops, including water marbling sessions by Tseshi, a children’s rights board game hosted by World Vision, forest adventures with Bunebare, interactive experiments in the Science Zone by Knowledge Lab, and the early eco-education theatre Econeki, among many others.
A special highlight of the event was a series of book-reading sessions led by renowned authors. One of the most memorable moments was a storytelling session hosted by neuropsychologist and author Nino Margvelashvili, who read from her book “Now You Can Relax, Soften, and Rest.” Designed to help children unwind and establish healthy bedtime routines, the book uses a gentle, meditative storytelling rhythm to create a sense of calm and comfort. Through its soothing narrative, it supports peaceful sleep and offers a relaxing experience for both children and their parents.
As part of the European Union’s initiative Georgia Goes Green, the EU Green Corner also welcomed children to the space, offering engaging, hands-on activities focused on sustainability and environmental care. Children participated in a special workshop led by florist Archil Ghoghoberidze, founder of the studio Mantis. Participants explored urban greening techniques by creating seed bombs — handmade soil balls filled with seeds designed for neglected urban spaces. The programme also featured Chompo, a symbolic “waste monster,” helping children learn about recycling and responsible waste management through interactive storytelling and games.
“As the European Union, we are committed to protecting and promoting children’s rights not only in Georgia but around the world. Today, we are proud to contribute to this celebration through our project, Georgia Goes Green. Through this initiative, we aim to raise awareness among children from an early age about the importance of caring for nature and protecting our planet. We prepared a range of fun and engaging activities for children and teenagers, focusing on topics such as climate change, environmental protection, waste management, and recycling. By learning through play and participation, young people can develop the knowledge and values needed to build a greener and more sustainable future,”- stated Annelies Vanwymelbeke, Team Leader for Green Deal, Connectivity, Economic and Investment Plan at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.
World Vision Georgia hosted an interactive board game on children’s rights, where both younger children and youth participated with great enthusiasm. The activity was followed by an engaging discussion, giving participants the opportunity to reflect on what they had learned. Through the session, children and young people explored their fundamental rights and gained a better understanding of how these rights can be exercised and respected in everyday life — an essential foundation for their development, wellbeing, and active participation in society.
The interactive eco-theatre Econeki attracted many young visitors, captivating them with an engaging performance about nature, environmental protection, and our connection to the world around us. Produced by the social platform Mandala of Light, Econeki is an innovative eco-educational project designed to foster environmental awareness and a love for nature among preschool children through fun, positive, and imaginative experiences.
In parallel the instructors of Oktopus Fitness Club organized fun starts, playful games, and physical activities for the young visitors, promoting healthy lifestyles and the importance of physical activity among children.
During the festival, all visitors and little guests enjoyed free snacks, sweets, drinks, and gifts from the partner companies, making the day even more joyful and special for the children.
Parenting Support and Family Wellbeing
While children explored creative activities, parents attended expert-led sessions focused on parenting, child development, and family wellbeing.
World Vision Georgia’s specialists led a very informative and helpful sessions for parents:
Nino Danelia, Social Worker and Education Specialist at World Vision Georgia, led a session on children’s rights and the role of parents in creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for children. Participants discussed positive parenting approaches, child wellbeing, and practical ways families can help children grow, develop, and thrive.
Mariam Khvadagiani, a neuropsychologist and consultant at World Vision Georgia guided participants through the topic of how animation and screen time can be transformed into a tool for child development and a shared family experience, offering practical insights on strengthening learning, communication, and connection between children and parents. She also provided helpful insights on how to choose the right animation for children, highlighting how thoughtful selection can support healthy development and learning.
A first aid express training session for parents was led by the Red Cross, offering practical guidance on how to respond in different emergency situations and provide life-saving assistance to children in critical moments.
A dedicated relaxation space for parents was hosted by Mandala of Light, offering a calm and welcoming environment where they could unwind, enjoy herbal tea, sit back in comfortable seating, connect with other parents, and receive support and consultations on self-care and parenting. Mandala of Light is a social platform dedicated to educational, creative, and eco-conscious initiatives, with a special focus on empowering and supporting women and mothers. The organization runs a Mothers’ Club and regularly organizes sessions focused on conscious parenting, self-awareness, parental empowerment, wellbeing, and support.
Flea Market and Children’s Exhibition
A children’s flea market was also an important part of the festival, bringing together local entrepreneurs and young participants. Biblusi, one of Georgia’s most well-known bookstore chains and cultural retail brands dedicated to promoting reading culture and making books widely accessible, hosted a special stand at the market, offering a curated selection of educational books for children and parents.
One of the highlights of the event was the interactive exhibition at Cube in Context gallery showcasing collaborative artworks created by children from different day care centres including participants from World Vision Georgia’s centres. Young visitors of the exhibition also had the opportunity to contribute their own artworks and become co-authors of the exhibition. Children whose artworks were featured in the exhibition received special gift packages, including books and craft materials, kindly provided by Biblusi, one of the festival’s earliest and most dedicated partners, as well as Sante, both of which contributed to making the experience even more memorable for the young participants.
“We believe International Children’s Day is much more than a celebration. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about children’s rights and remind society that every child deserves safety, care, protection, and equal opportunities to succeed. It is also very important to support parents and families, because a child’s wellbeing always starts with a strong, informed, and caring family. We work at every level — with children, parents, and communities — to create a safe and supportive environment for every child. That is why, during today’s celebration, our specialists are sharing useful and practical sessions for both parents and children. Participants are learning about children’s rights, safety, positive parenting, and emotional wellbeing. For us, these days should not only be celebrations, but also moments to learn, share, and support each other as a community,” — noted Ekaterine Gurgenadze, Director of World Vision Georgia, a leading child-focused humanitarian and development organization that works to improve the wellbeing of children, families, and communities, with over 30 years of experience operating in the country.
The festival concluded with a vibrant and joyful concert featuring young performers from Meko Studio, celebrating creativity and community spirit, followed by a performance from the popular Georgian band Gamouvali Mdgomareoba. The concert brought together children, youth, and visitors of all ages, filling the park with music, energy, and a shared sense of joy that left everyone with warm and lasting memories.
