Author: Nanuli Tskvediani

Kutaisi is not only one of Georgia’s most historic cities but also the homeland of a unique and world-famous tradition – Kutaisi humor. The city’s historical boulevard and its “Baghiskide” (the edge of the garden) have long been considered the epicenter of this wit. Yet, pearls of Kutaisi humor can be found in every district, every street, and even in every family.

The ancient boulevard still remembers the classics – the witty sayings of Akaki Tsereteli and his contemporaries. The catchphrase okhunjobani (witty jokes) and the sharp humor of Taguna (Sharashidze), Sergia Eristavi, Giorgi Sharvashidze, Konstantine (Kotsia) Eristavi, Kita Abashidze, Pipinia Mikeladze, Besarion Lortkipanidze, Pila Ioseliani, Kotso Adanaia and many others are still alive in memory.

Akaki himself compared the boulevard to an Imeretian khachapuri (cottage cheese bread) because of its rectangular shape. The constant socio-political discussions taking place on the Baghiskide inspired him to give it another name – “Kutaisi Parliament.” Akaki was also the godfather of the boulevard’s second name, “Trick Square,” which came from the fierce battles during election days. Here, crowds argued about candidates, created political directions, and worked out election tricks.

Where else but on the boulevard could Pipinia Mikeladze, one of the grand figures of Kutaisi humor, have said his famous phrase:
“Kutaisi should be declared a reserve, where only educated, patriotic Georgians of honor will have the right to enter without a permit.”

It was such personalities as Sergia Eristavi and Pipinia Mikeladze who laid the foundations of Kutaisi’s academic humor. Following them, new generations enriched this tradition and developed the folklore treasures of the Baghiskide.

At the heart of this culture are the people themselves. Society is the main author and creator of real urban humor. With humor, they express their sincere attitudes toward social life, politics, and everyday events.

The Main Directions of Kutaisi Humor

According to observations, Kutaisi humor is mainly expressed in the following ways:

Domestic Satire

This kind of humor touches on family life, relations with relatives and neighbors, friendships, and even romantic moods.

Examples:

• “A Kutaisi resident was brought very thinly sliced cheese in a restaurant.
  ‘Hey, Bijo (man), close the doors and windows – the drought is going to take the cheese!’”
• “In my youth, they used to tell me: What a nice boy you are! Now they say: What a nice suit you’re wearing!”
• “The Bichikia is so ugly that even his shoes don’t fit him. He is so thin that if he lies under oath, he is finished.”
• “The Bichikia’s wife took 300 GEL from him in the maternity ward during three days. Finally, the boy shouted: ‘Woman, are you playing cards there or what?’”
• “Kukuria brought such strong wine to the funeral that people could feel their socks inside their shoes.”
• “They carried the dead Bokokia so quickly to the Sapichkhia cemetery (because they were rushing to the feast) that Bokokia himself jumped up, grabbed the coffin’s handles and shouted: ‘What are you doing, bastards? Don’t drop me!’”
• “An old man with Parkinson’s was pouring wine at the funeral. Sometimes he broke glasses, sometimes he spilled wine onto the food. The Bichikia said: ‘Grandfather, give me the jug! You pour salt in the salad instead.’”
• “In Kutaisi, the stairwells are so narrow that they carry the dead under the arm.”
• “So many people came to his mother-in-law’s funeral that they had to add another deceased.” (Humor by Gizo Kakauridze)

Political Satire

Here, the target is the state, public officials, politicians, and political events.

Examples:

• “One of the city leaders was introduced to the actor Shota Pirveli (Pirveli means First in Georgian). While shaking hands, Shota said:
  ‘Pirveli…’
  ‘And who is Peter the First to you? Your relative?’ the functionary asked.”
• “Athan, your cousin is a parliamentarian, right?”
  “Yes, sir.”
  “Do you visit each other?”
  “No, just I come and go.”

Religious Satire

Sometimes, even clergymen become the objects of Kutaisi humor.

Example:
In a village church, by chance, a funeral and a wedding were scheduled at the same time.
“What should we do, Father?” they asked the priest.
“I think we should start with the wedding. I doubt the deceased will change his mind.”

About Jews

Jewish humor has always been one of the most colorful directions of Kutaisi wit, created both with and by the city’s Jewish community.

Examples:

• Moshe was lying on the sofa late at night, legs crossed, watching TV.
  “The announcer said: ‘Now I will tell you the last news!’
  ‘May it be last for you!’ Moshe cursed.” (From Temur Dzidziguri’s book)
• Policeman Valiko discovered Abrashka Tavdidishvili’s illegal bakery. Valiko began to draw up an act.
  “Why do you want an act, Valiko? I’ll give you 100 manats a month,” said Abrashka.
  “No, 200 is needed for this business,” Valiko insisted.
  “The bakery is too small, it can’t handle that.”
  “Then put another one up,” Valiko replied. (From Givi Mepisashvili’s book)

Situational Comedy

This type of humor depends on a specific situation, the narrator’s emotional tone, and delivery.

Famous stories came from sculptor Valiko Mizandari, humorist Gizo Kakauridze, and many others such as Davit Khurodze, Vazha Chkonia, Nestan Kveidze, Yuza Pichkhadze, Vakhtang Megrelishvili (Bakuchia), and Givi Eremeishvili (Iribula). Many of these stories feature real people known to society.

Example from Givi Mepisashvili:
Besarion Lortkipanidze, an “autumn aristocrat,” was once tricked by writer Davit Khurodze, who imitated his wife’s voice from the street, shouting: “Besarion, cover the blanket!” Again and again, Besarion angrily replied that it was already covered, until his wife woke up in confusion. When he realized it was Davit’s trick, he shouted out the window:
“Boy, why do you make my enemy Bezhan Khlusti’s heart happy? He tells me: ‘Stretch your legs only as far as the blanket goes!’ Well, I’ll show him how I’ll stretch them!”

Humor About Current Events

Kutaisi humor always reacts quickly to real events.

Examples:

• In 1989, when a monument “Galaktion and the Muse” was placed in the Culture Park, the Kutaisi people joked:
  “They asked the black horse: ‘How do you like Galaktion?’
  Black horse: ‘Better take him away and put Galaktion!’”
• During the long reconstruction of Kutaisi streets, with open holes and old buildings, locals remarked:
  “When a Russian pilot flew over Bagrati Cathedral in 2008 and saw Kutaisi, he said: ‘Oh, we already bombed here,’ and continued on his way.”
• When zebra crossings were introduced, people joked:
  “Bijo, why are you dragging that zebra skin everywhere?”
  “I’ll spread it across the street, Simon, and if I want, I’ll make a crossing wherever I like.”
• After the Opera House was reconstructed with large medieval statues on the roof, locals immediately named them “mandatory figures,” comparing them to newly emerged school security staff.

Humor Everywhere in the City

In Kutaisi, humor is born daily – on the streets, in offices, in shops, at funerals, weddings, and simple gatherings. It may come from an artist correcting a journalist with: “I’m not a graphic designer, I’m a graphene designer!” Or from the bun seller Vazha Kostava, whose street marketing was unforgettable:
“What have you done to your child, lady? You’ll starve him to death! Buy a bun! Hey, Babulia, ask Mom for bunnyi!”

Kutaisi humor is witty, colorful, and sincere. It has nothing in common with obscene or cheap anecdotes often seen on TV or online. Comparing the style of Petre Chabukiani, Zhorzhika Iashvili, Makhichia Nizharadze, Pila Ioseliani, Antusha Sakandelidze, Misha Chichinadze, Rezo Dzidziguri, Otar Kandaria, and many others, one can clearly see the difference between talent and tastelessness.

Even the great literary humor of Rezo Cheishvili and Rezo Gabriadze grew from these deep local roots. That is why it is so original and so rich.

Preserving the Treasures of Kutaisi Humor

Many attempts have been made to collect this priceless heritage. Journalist Tengiz Khitarishvili published several brochures: “This is How They Joke in Kutaisi.” Doctor, artist, and photographer Temur Dzidziguri published “ Humor of Kutaisi Jews” and “Kutaisi Humor,” based on the funny stories of his father, doctor Rezo Dzidziguri. Before his death, Vazha Chkonia published his book “Cardiogram of Laughter.” Professor and journalist Benia Tkhilava founded the “Kutaisi Humor Academy,” which even published a humorous newspaper.

A small but important book, “Kutaisi Humor” (1991) by journalist Givi Mepisashvili, also recorded the stories of masters like Kuchulo Nizharadze, Misha Chichinadze, Vakhtang Bukovsky, Domenti Ugrekhelidze, and many others.

Unfortunately, most of these people are gone now. But the treasures they left behind still await to be studied and appreciated.

As Kutaisi people say: “Kutaisi humor is here, and we are here too – so let’s laugh together!”