The Execution of Berika by Lado Gudiashvili

Berikaoba is an improvised masquerade folk theatre in Georgia which reflects the human spirit of freedom, and is also considered a political satire and social protest.
Berikaoba is a theatre of masks and, of course, masks are a very important feature of the festival. Berikaoba typically involves several men, the berika, who are usually disguised as animals, their costumes and masks being made of animal hide. Animal skulls, tails, feathers, horns, pumpkins, ribbons and bells are used to add color to the scene. The festivities begin with a gathering of villagers who chose actors for the masquerade. Later the procession of berikas – accompanied by the sounds of bagpipes (stviri) – move door-to-door along the streets to collect wine, honey, flour, meat and other victuals served by hosts. Berikaoba can be divided into two groups: the old pagan way and the secular. The Secular Berikaoba includes the Berikaoba against injustice. In this picture, Lado Gudiashvili painted the Court Executive as a symbol of injustice and the berika as the common, peasant people who fight against injustice.