An extraordinary exhibition begins. Sapichkhia – David Kldiashvili, the Boulevard – the Ishkhneli sisters, the Theater Yard of Meskhiashvili – Lado Meskhiashvili and Kote Marjanishvili, the House of Writers – Lado Asatiani, “Zastava” – Vasily Kikvidze. The Pantheon of Outstanding Figures at Mtsvanekvavila – one, two, three…Do you remember the “extraordinary exhibition”… of the one who “brought half, if not the whole, city to life in stone,” Eristavi at the Kutaisi Cemetery – at his own personal exhibition? This is not just the “tragic fate” of one person but of all the sculptors in a small town. But in this case, Aguli has one prototype for whom the whole city is indeed an extraordinary exhibition. Gogilo (Giorgi) Nikoladze himself, after his son-in-law Rezo Gabriadze, immortalized him in the character of Aguli Eristavi, no longer belongs only to Kutaisi.

When exploring the development of Georgian political thought and cultural identity, it’s fascinating to observe how individuals often establish profound connections with their historical era and the collective struggles of their time. This self-reflection allows one to align with an imagined unity of people who share similar challenges and concerns. Faced with common difficulties, this collective seeks solutions, searching for answers to their own questions. Once an individual forms a mental connection to this newly conceived collective identity, they begin a process of continuous re-evaluation of heritage, history, and ideas.

Author: Giorgi Pantsulaia Niko Nikoladze, a great Georgian public figure, thinker, and publicist, is celebrated […]

Author: Mariam Mebuke “ARS POETICA” “Here, memory hears the rustle of wings  And dreams darken […]

By Mikheil Kurdiani The moments preceding our speech belong to the past, while what occurs […]

Author: Nia Kuchava The first “Gviriloba” festival in Kutaisi, which derives its name from the […]

The last century left us with many interesting traditions, but one of the finest must be the gatherings of writers with their readers and the presentation of their creations. Old periodicals and the memoirs of contemporaries have preserved fascinating details of the great Georgian writer Vazha Pshavela’s trip to Western Georgia in 1913.

The story began on May 29, 1961. A large crowd from Kutaisi gathered on the left bank of the Rioni River, in Alexander Tsulukidze Square, adjacent to a newly constructed platform. They all watched a stretched cable, with its other end leading to a second station built in the Park of Culture and Leisure. Soon, a significant moment in the city’s recent history would unfold: two cable cars, filled with people, would move from the stations towards each other, floating above the wide channel of the Rioni River.

On June 26, 2024, one of the most significant events for Georgian and European football became an indelible part of collective and individual memory. A simple statement, in formal language, describing how the Georgian national team reached the Round of 16 in the UEFA European Championship, marked either the beginning or end of various adventures and stories for different people. It became a defining part of a larger narrative, a piece of the mosaic that skillfully connects and completes the whole picture. On this day, Kutaisi faced numerous challenges due to heavy rains, flooding, and electricity issues—problems that concerned the city. Yet, amidst these worries, one thought persisted in many minds: where and how to watch today’s game.

Interesting adventures begin unexpectedly. You don’t need to wander the “heart of the sea” for ten years after the war, witness the manifestations of gods living on Olympus, encounter “dark phantoms,” meet people who straddle the line between gods and men, study their characters, test yourself in various situations, and finally return home to be awaited by loved ones. Interesting stories often have unexpected beginnings. So, we decided to embark on a journey to Kutaisi, the city of white stones!