Dziga Vertov, a documentary filmmaker of the early 20th century, once described photography as “taking life by the scruff of the neck.” It’s challenging to find a more precise analogy. European cultural achievements of that time reached Georgia immediately, mainly due to the country’s geographical position. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia quickly became involved in all the latest developments. In the 19th century, despite a challenging political landscape, scientific, technical, and cultural innovations reached us through Russia. 

Libraries are vaults of frozen time, time that springs to life and begins to exist only when you touch it. You pull out a book, and it’s as if rusty gears start moving, turning the days and hours preserved from the past.

Legends or myths about their founding always accompany the creation of cities. Many stories circulate about Tskhaltubo, a city intertwined with truth and fiction. One such tale recounts how, upon discovering warm water rising from the ground, a shepherd found relief for his weary legs in its warmth, experiencing its miraculous power. He then shared this discovery with others. Another story attributes the discovery of the waters to the noble Ioselani family, while others speak of ancient hunters using the warm water to treat wounds of hunted animals.

Many years ago, the esteemed Georgian poet, publicist, and public figure Akaki Tsereteli drew a comparison between the quadrangular shape of Kutaisi Boulevard and Imeretian Khachapuri (a Georgian pastry) due to its shape. Furthermore, because of the constant socio-political passions and heated debates that regularly unfolded in “Bagiskide” (translated as “The Edge of the Garden”), the boulevard was affectionately nicknamed “Parliament of Kutaisi,” a name that has endured to this day.

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“Kutaisi demonstrated a reading culture. True masters left their imprints on every edition of “Meotsnebe Niamorebi” (Dreamer Wild Goats) and “Kirchkhibi”(Cancer)…” – this was the assessment of the books published in the city located along the banks of the Rioni River made by Shalva Apkhaidze, impartial chronicler of the literary group – Tsisferkantselebi (Blue Horns) a century ago. Kutaisi has never been indifferent neither to the literary processes nor the names of the participants of these processes and also to the books published in this city. It is worth mentioning that according to the facts provided in the governor’s report, in 1905 there were 3 libraries, 3 bookstores, 2 book sheds, and 5 printing houses, and in 1913 – 8 printing houses in Kutaisi. Moreover, these editions, bought by Kutaisians, passed from hand to hand, were high-quality printed books. They have been preserved completely in old book stacks, their pages are not yellowed and torn and not even the backs of the books are torn! The ancestors knew the value of books! They did indeed!

An excellent example of monumental art – the large ceramic panel “Kolkheti” (Colkhis), which has been adorning the center of Kutaisi since 1995 and is referred to affectionately by the city dwellers as “Franz’s Panel”, is one of the last works of the famous Georgian artist Bernard (Franz) Nebieridze (1939-1987). This work is particularly outstanding in terms of genre and scale.