About Architecture – Sarpi Border Checkpoint
Located on the Black Sea coast, at the border between Turkey and Georgia, the Sarpi Border Checkpoint is a stunning example of contemporary Georgian architecture. Designed by J. MAYER H. architects and completed in November 2011, the 40 meter high tower consists of multiple levels overlooking the Black Sea coastline. Sarpi is a major business travel … Continue reading
About News – Georgia contributes more troops to peacekeeping in Afghanistan.
At a ceremony on 6 September, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Defence Minister Dimitri Shashkini bid farewell to Georgian military servicemen who are to be deployed on peacekeeping operations in Afghanistan. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen noted Georgia’s “very significant” contribution to the Alliance-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan, where Georgia will become the … Continue reading
About Culture – Atengenoba Festival
Around 100 days after Easter an ancient festival called “Atengenoba” (Georgian: ათენგენობა) takes place in villages in Tusheti (Georgian: თუშეთი), an isolated mountainous region in the north east of Georgia where life has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Although the Tush are Christian, their culture has retained elements of Georgia’s pre-Christian beliefs and pagan practices still persist. Each village … Continue reading
About History – The Last of the Crusaders?
In his book, “Seven League Boots”, published in 1935, Richard Halliburton described a curious event that occurred in Tbilisi in 1915. On page 162, in the chapter ‘The Last of the Crusaders’ Halliburton wrote: “In the spring of 1915, some months after Russia’s declaration of war against Turkey, a band of twelfth-century Crusaders, covered from head … Continue reading
About Food – Potato, Rice and Herb Soup with Matsoni
Matsoni (Georgian: მაწონი) is a fermented milk product very similar to yogurt. It is smooth and creamy with a mild, slightly tart flavor. Popular in Georgia and throughout the Caucasus region it is rich in mineral content, protein and calcium and renowned for its health giving properties. In Georgia, matsoni is popular with children and is used in cooking, especially … Continue reading
About Sights – Uplistsikhe Cave City
Literally meaning ‘fortress of the lord’, Uplistsikhe (Georgian: უფლისციხე) dates back as far as the Iron Age and is one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia. Situated 10 km east of the town of Gori on a rocky promontory above the river Mtkvari, the city stood directly on the path of the old Silk Road and was … Continue reading
About Food – Georgian Lobiani (Bean Bread)
Lobiani (Georgian: ლობიანი) is enjoyed all year round and especially eaten on the Georgian holiday of Barbaroba, or St. Barbara’s Day (December 17). In this recipe we will show how to make this delicious bean filled bread. The main ingredient of Lobiani is kidney beans. Ingredients (for lobiani mixture): 500 grams of kidney beans, 300 grams of smoked … Continue reading
About Art – “Statue of Love” in Batumi
A 7 meter steel sculpture of a man and a woman stands on the seashore boulevard of Batumi (Georgian: ბათუმი) on the Black Sea coast of Georgia. Created by Georgian artist Tamar Kvesitadze (Georgian: თამარ კვესიტაძე), the figures move toward each other and merge into one piece every 10 minutes. The Statue of Love sculpture (Georgian: სიყვარულის ქანდაკება) is inspired by the … Continue reading
About Food – Tkemali (Georgian Wild Plum Sauce)
Tkemali (Georgian ტყემალი) is the Georgian name for a variety of sour plum, as well as a sauce made from the plums. The three main types of plum sauce are green, yellow and red. Green Tkemali sauce is prepared from unripe fruit in spring whilst the yellow and red ones are cooked from ripe plums at the end … Continue reading
About Architecture – New Bridge over the River Borjomula
A new pedestrian bridge is to be built across the River Borjomula near Borjomi Park in the spa town of Borjomi (Georgian: ბორჯომი) in Samtskhe – Javakheti region of Georgia. Borjomi is famous for its mineral springs which were discovered over one thousand years ago. The water is of volcanic origin, pushed up to the surface from 1500m below ground by … Continue reading
About Sights – Okatse Canyon
Construction of a new tourist attraction at Okatse Canyon (Georgian: ოკაცეს კანიონი) in Imereti region in Georgia started this month. A 1km long walkway suspended along the edge of the canyon will enable visitors to explore this natural wonder and its beautiful waterfalls. The facilities will include a visitor center, exhibition hall, a café, and an … Continue reading
About Sights – Katskhis Sveti
Katskhis (Georgian: კაცხის სვეტი) is a limestone rock pillar located at the village of Katskhi in the western Georgian region of Imereti, close to the town of Chiatura. The 40 metres (130 ft) high rock has been venerated as the Pillar of Life, symbolizing the True Cross. It remained unclimbed by researchers until 1944. The location is not characteristic for churches … Continue reading
About Food – Eggplant with Walnuts and Spices
In this recipe we will show how to make a popular Georgian family dish of eggplant with walnuts and spices. This is primarily a summer dish and is served cold. Our version is quite spicy so you may want to reduce the quantities of spices or omit them. Ingredients: 500 grams of eggplants, 250 grams of walnuts, 1 … Continue reading
About Achievements – Gallup Poll Confirms Georgia’s High Level of Citizen Safety
Research conducted by Gallup Poll in 2011, finds that citizens of Georgia have the highest feeling of personal security among citizens of 143 countries in the world. Georgia is now one of the safest places in Europe and its capital, Tbilisi, has become one of the safest capitals in the Western world. Significant improvements in public safety … Continue reading
About Sights – Rabati Castle – A Jewel in the Crown
The President of Georgia described the recently restored Rabati Castle as a “crown of restoration in Georgia”. Built in the 13th century, Rabati castle developed under the influence of different cultures over subsequent centuries and this is reflected in its architecture. Within the 7 hectares castle complex there is a Church, a Mosque, a Minaret and a Synagogue. … Continue reading
About Tbilisi – A Smart City
In his blog, “Smart Cities for Dummies,” published last November, Dan Hoornweg contends: “At its core a smart city is a welcoming, inclusive city, an open city. By being forthright with citizens, with clear accountability, integrity, and fair and honest measures of progress, cities get smarter.” Tbilisi is fast becoming known as a smart city … Continue reading
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