TSIRA ELISASHVILI – Cultural Heritage Expert

FROM WHICH POINT WOULD YOU START A GUIDED TOUR IN TBILISI? 

I would start my guided tour from Zemeli Street (as I usually do) and then go up to Sololaki district through the winding streets. 

WHAT WOULD YOU RETURN TO THE CAPITAL OF GEORGIA FROM THE PAST? 

I would return the Soviet culture of planting greenery. 

YOUR FAVORITE STREET IN TBILISI. 

Betlemi Street. 

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE WHAT COULD BE AN APPROPRIATE SOUNDTRACK FOR TBILISI? 

Taking into consideration everything that is happening now in the city, I think Gia Kancheli’s music from the film “Blue Mountains” could be the most appropriate soundtrack for Tbilisi. 

WHAT ARE THE MOST MUST-SEE SITES IN GEORGIA? 

Vardzia, Ushguli, Katskhi Pillar and Martvili Canyon. 

WHICH PLACE IS A REAL TREASURE OF GEORGIA, BUT IS LESS WELL-KNOWN? 

We have very little information about the Lechkhumi region. There is rather different nature in Lechkhumi, it is also very interesting to view the Askha and Khvamli mountains there. Okure village is the only home to a unique grape variety, from which people make wine Usakhelouri. 

ARE TBILISI OR OTHER CITIES MISSING ANY MONUMENTS, MEMORIALS OR STATUES? 

Somewhere in the capital I would stand a monument of our hippo Beglar, who has become a kind of symbol of Tbilisi after the tragic 13-June flood. This monument should be available for everyone to come closer and rub his nose, which would be polished from lots of touching. This would also be a symbolic monument of the numerous young people who selflessly helped the city in those gloomy days. 

WHERE WOULD YOU MEET DAWN IN TBILISI? 

I would stand on Narikala and watch how Metechi plateau is reflected in Mtkvari River. 

WHICH COLOR WOULD YOU DYE THE CITY? 

Tbilisi is a multicolor city by character, architectural style, cultural and ethnic elements, so its true color is in the diversity of colors.