About Events – Ekvtimeoba
Ekvtimeoba (Georgian: ექვთიმეობა) is a celebration held annually on October 17 in the village of Likhauri in the western Georgian region of Guria to commemorate Georgian historian and archaeologist Ekvtime Takaishvili (Georgian: ექვთიმე თაყაიშვილი) (1863-1953). When the Red Army put an end to Georgia’s independence in 1921 Takaishvili followed the Georgian government into exile in France, taking the … Continue reading
About Events – Pirosmanoba
Every October, the village of Mirzaani in Georgia’s Kakheti region hosts a traditional celebration “Pirosmanoba” (Georgian: ფიროსმანობა), dedicated to the famous Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani (Pirosmanashvili). Born in the village of Mirzaani, Pirosmani taught himself to paint but it was only after his death in 1918 that his naive style became admired. Pirosmanoba is celebrated … Continue reading
About Celebrations – Mtskhetoba – Svetitskhovloba
Mtskhetoba – Svetitskhovloba (Georgian: მცხეთობა-სვეტიცხოვლობა) is an annual festival held on October 14 in the town of Mtskheta (Georgian: მცხეთა). The festival pays homage to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Georgian: სვეტიცხოველი) and is also a celebration of Mtskheta itself. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral stands on the site chosen by St. Nino as the place for the first church in Georgia. … Continue reading
About Tourism – Promoting Tourism in Georgia in the 1970’s
During the Soviet era, Georgia was the “Riviera of the Soviet Union”, with 3 million visitors annually. Georgia appealed to tourists because of its sunny weather, its culture, wines and food, health spas, beaches and skiing. Tourism was centrally planned and the market was monopolized by Intourist, a state owned tourism agency that arranged all holiday … Continue reading
About Sights – Tbilisi Auto Museum
The Tbilisi Auto Museum was founded by private collector and businessman Giorgi Mamulashvili and features a collection of superbly restored classic cars, including Soviet-era cars such as “Zil-115”, “Gaz-014”, “Gaz-22”, “Gaz-12”, “Zhiguli-01”, “Zhiguli-03” and “Zaz-965” . The “Zil-115” is a unique armored car that was used to transport members of the Politburo. This earned it the nickname of “member-carrier”. … Continue reading
About History – Photographs of Tbilisi in 1958
In 1958, Tbilisi celebrated the 1,500th anniversary of the founding of the city by King Vakhtang I Gorgasali. To mark the occasion, an equestrian statue of Vakhtang Gorgasali was unveiled next to Metekhi Church on a cliff overlooking the Mtkvari River and the Old Town district of Tbilisi. On Sololaki hill, overlooking the city, a … Continue reading
About History – Freedom Square in Tbilisi
Freedom Square (Georgian: თავისუფლების მოედანი) in the center of Tbilisi has undergone several name changes in its 200 year history. Built in the early 19th century in a neo-classical style with Moorish architectural elements, it was originally named Pashkevich-Erivanskaya Square (Georgian: ერევანსკი მოედანი) in honor of Ivan Paskevich, a Ukrainian general of the Russian Imperial … Continue reading
About Art – Illustrations for “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin” by Datto Machavariani
Illustrations for an edition of the Georgian epic poem “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin” (Georgian: ვეფხისტყაოსანი), drawn by Georgian artist Datto Machavariani and published by Bakur Sulakauri Publishing House in 2011. “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin” poem was written in the 12th century by the Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli (Georgian: შოთა რუსთაველი) and … Continue reading
About Sights – Kutaisi State Historical Museum
Housed in the former National Bank of Georgia (built in 1894-96), the Niko Berdzenishvili Kutaisi State Historical Museum (Georgian: ქუთაისის სახელმწიფო ისტორიული მუზეუმი) is considered to be one of Georgia’s most important scientific-research institutions. The museum contains more than 160,000 items and has an extensive research library and laboratory. Permanent exhibitions are displayed on two floors and … Continue reading
About Food – Vintage Georgian Tea Tins
By the late 1920’s Georgia had become the main supplier of tea for the whole of the Soviet Union and in the subsequent decades production rose to 400,000 tonnes annually. Colorful tins with the description of the tea, its quality and its manufacturer, written in Russian and Georgian languages, kept the tea fresh. CLICK on the … Continue reading
About Art – Paintings of Svaneti by Davit Kakabadze
In 1939, Georgian artist Davit Kakabadze (Georgian: დავით კაკაბაძე) (1889 – 1952) produced a very fine series of paintings of the medieval fortified towers in Georgia’s Svaneti region. A talented artist, Kakabadze was also an innovator in the field of cinematography as well as an amateur photographer. Davit Kakabadze’s paintings recount the stories he heard … Continue reading
About Sights – Signagi
Situated on steep hills overlooking the Alazani Valley and facing the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the town of Signagi (Georgian: სიღნაღი), in Georgia’s easternmost region of Kakheti, is a popular destination for tourists. In recent years, the town has been transformed by reconstruction and building. The town is known for its carpet weaving, wine production, metal … Continue reading
About Sights – Romanov Palace in Likani
The Romanov Palace (also known as Likani Palace) was designed by Leopold Bilfeldt as a summer mansion for Grand Duke Nicholas Mikhailovich of Russia. Built by the famous architect Leonti Nikolajewitsch Benois (Leon Benoise) between the years of 1892-95, the palace is situated on the bank of the Mtkvari River in Likani (Georgian: ლიკანი) in Samtskhe-Javakheti region. … Continue reading
About Art – Georgian Feasts by Niko Pirosmani
Self-taught Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani (Niko Pirosmanashvili) (Georgian: ნიკო ფიროსმანი) produced an immense number of paintings, many of which have been lost over time. Posthumously, his reputation grew when his naïve style became admired in the art circles of Paris after the end of the First World War. Naïve art is a classification of art that is often characterized by a childlike … Continue reading
About Art – Paintings of Georgian Women by Prince Grigory Grigorievich Gagarin
Prince Grigory Grigorievich Gagarin (1811-1893) was a Russian painter, military officer and administrator who served in Tiflis (Tbilisi) during the years of 1848-1855. During his tenure he built a theater in the city, frescoed the Tbilisi Sioni Cathedral, and restored frescoes of several Georgian Orthodox cathedrals, including the Betania monastery. Gagarin’s paintings of women in … Continue reading
About History – Photographs of 1970’s Georgia
This selection of photos were taken by Erhard K in 1977 for a photo travel report. Photographed in color, they provide a fascinating glimpse of everyday life in Soviet-era Georgia, as well panoramic shots of Tbilisi landmarks and photos of cars, trucks and buses. CLICK on the logo to visit GEORGIA ABOUT on Facebook and see photos and news about Georgia. Click LIKE on … Continue reading
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