Foto: Tbilisi (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Georgia - Today is Independence Day in Georgia. For the 25th time, it is celebrated that Georgia became independent from Russia. On the famous Rustaveli Avenue, many stalls and stages are set up. There is entertainment everywhere. We order a sandwich at one of the stalls. Just behind the stalls lie the Paliasjvili Opera building, the Rustaveli Theater, and the Academy of Sciences. In front of the parliament building, girls are making flower wreaths. Nothing reminds one of the peaceful demonstration that was suppressed by Russia in 1989. Also, in 2003, President Shevardnadze fled this palace during the Rose Revolution. President Saakashvili then took over. Around Freedom Square it is busy. Dignitaries greet each other and take seats on the honorary tribune. Fortunately for us, the average Georgian is not very tall. We have a good view. The people behind us are less enthusiastic. Exactly at noon the parade begins. An American reporter pushing next to me says in her report that besides the Georgian troops on the square, not Russian but American and British troops march. They recently participated in an exercise. Although Russia called this a provocation, Georgia feels free to do so. In the old town there is a kind of flea market going on. On all kinds of cloths, trinkets are offered. You almost forget that Tbilisi also has beautiful buildings. Because we want to see different things, we decide to split up and meet again later in the afternoon. I wander happily through the narrow streets of the old town. The Sioni Cathedral lies right in the middle. The wooden cross of Saint Nino is a pilgrimage object. I have more trouble finding the Armenian Saint George Church. I probably turned one street too early. When I ask around, everyone gets involved. The café owner takes me to the shop next door. Together they point me to the Jewish synagogue. Unfortunately, it is closed and the adjacent Jerusalem church is under renovation. However, a barber is open in the Jewish quarter. I decide to get my hair cut. It is warm enough to do it outside. On my second attempt, I do find the Armenian church. Beautiful! I walk up along the church to the Narikala fortress. Along the way, I have a beautiful view of Tbilisi. Many young people are present in the fort. They challenge each other to climb a steep staircase along the battlements. It is also busy at the nearby Mother of Georgia statue. Entire families walk around this 20-meter-high statue. Using the funicular cable car, I go back down. On the other side of the Mtkvari river, I walk through the park, past the presidential palace to the Tsminda Sameba Cathedral. Two older men pass me and wave. I shake their hands. When they hear I’m from the Netherlands, they immediately shout “Sandra, Sandra.” Sandra was the wife of former president Saakashvili and was Dutch. The Tsminda Sameba Cathedral is the largest Georgian Orthodox Cathedral in Georgia. The golden dome rises 84 meters high. In the city center the celebration is still ongoing. A brass band parades along Rustaveli Avenue. What a wonderful city Tbilisi is to walk through. I am convinced it would be just as lovely even without a national holiday.
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The Bodbe Monastery
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The Cave City of Vardzia
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The Modern Resort Town of Batumi
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The monastery of David Gareja
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The mountain road to Ushguli
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The Stalin Museum in Gori
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Tsminda Sameba Church Kazbegi
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