Postcards from Georgia
Georgians are survivors. That’s what they’ve always done and they’re good at it.
Situated in the geographic and historical crossroad where Russia meets the Turkish and Persian Near East, the Georgians were always caught in that archetypal East-West conflict between empires. Georgia was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1922. Its independence was restored in 1991, but since then, the former Soviet republic often hit the titles with bad news. War, instability, corruption. But Georgia is more than that.
As cliche as it may sound, Georgia is a country of many contrasts. The old town of Tbilisi made me feel like I was in some fake western movie but a few blocks away I woke up in full space-age architecture. The new parliament building is a huge glass and concrete bubble, as symbol of Georgia’s aspirations for democratic transparency.
The Georgians are exceptionally hospitable nation. They say “A guest is from God” so visitors are plied with bounteous food and rivers of wine. Excuses like you have to drive somewhere won’t be accepted. Instead, you’ll be offered a bed for the night, and be propelled into a full-scale traditional feast with all their essential components: wine, toasts, and songs. The toast is an inseparable part of it, through which people express their feelings about life, friendship, honor and love. The Georgian toasting traditions are unique in the world.
Holding a sword in one hand and a cup of wine in the other, Mother Georgia statue looks out over the Tbilisi city – a classic metaphor for the Georgian character. Me, I always choose the wine. And I don’t see why others would not do the same.
Postcards from Georgia
Georgians are survivors. That’s what they’ve always done and they’re good at it.
Situated in the geographic and historical crossroad where Russia meets the Turkish and Persian Near East, the Georgians were always caught in that archetypal East-West conflict between empires. Georgia was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1922. Its independence was restored in 1991, but since then, the former Soviet republic often hit the titles with bad news. War, instability, corruption. But Georgia is more than that.
As cliche as it may sound, Georgia is a country of many contrasts. The old town of Tbilisi made me feel like I was in some fake western movie but a few blocks away I woke up in full space-age architecture. The new parliament building is a huge glass and concrete bubble, as symbol of Georgia’s aspirations for democratic transparency.
The Georgians are exceptionally hospitable nation. They say “A guest is from God” so visitors are plied with bounteous food and rivers of wine. Excuses like you have to drive somewhere won’t be accepted. Instead, you’ll be offered a bed for the night, and be propelled into a full-scale traditional feast with all their essential components: wine, toasts, and songs. The toast is an inseparable part of it, through which people express their feelings about life, friendship, honor and love. The Georgian toasting traditions are unique in the world.
Holding a sword in one hand and a cup of wine in the other, Mother Georgia statue looks out over the Tbilisi city – a classic metaphor for the Georgian character. Me, I always choose the wine. And I don’t see why others would not do the same.
