By GRACE BANFIELD Mark Mullen was born in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Wesleyan University in 1989 and later went on to be a Sloan fellow at London Business School. He has founded several non-profits, including GeoCapital, Orbeliani, and Radarami, in the Republic...
For millions of women, children, and men, all over the world, home is not a safe place and the only memories that are formed in it are painful ones. The challenge of dealing with domestic violence and the importance of doing so are two sides of the same coin. Domestic violence is so devastating precisely because it causes problems at the core of people’s lives—their homes.
We can all name at least ten different types of khachapuri from different regions of Georgia but most of us have probably never traveled to some of those regions. Well, this could be the summer when you can taste Imeruli khachapuri in Imereti, Megruli in Samegrelo...
By Hana LaRock When we look at countries around the globe who have been successful at flattening the curve and decreasing coronavirus cases, we hear about South Korea, New Zealand, Canada, and Iceland. But, one country that has not made headlines as much as her...
Once upon a time, there was a man, Who had tons and tons of oil wells. He drilled and killed as much he willed, Forging, gilding all his deeds. Futile were his hordes of sins, Veiling all of pogrom yields. With stygian gold he used to preach, And got himself some...
By Salome Berdzenishvili - Do you ever wonder that the melodies that are stuck in our heads are actually rooted in our memory and connected to certain places, events, or meetings that we wish to erase or can't forget? Strangely enough, these exact places carry...
By Filmmaker Giorgi Tavartkiladze Tbilisi - the city I was born and raised, is stuck in my earliest memory as a post-civil-war, ruined, poor and grey space. But in spite of this, I still fell in love with her. Today, some people in Georgia say "Tbilisi meant...
A lot of interesting statues from both Soviet and Modern times are scattered across Tbilisi neighborhoods. Let’s take a closer look at where to find some of the most recognized statues in Georgia's capital. ✱ Photographer Melissa Maples. Shota Rustaveli Statue...
By Liza Tsitsishvili I’m going to introduce to you about a young woman, Georgian film director Anuna Bukia, who had to leave her home with her parents in the 90s, during the conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia. She has been living in Tbilisi, far away from her home,...
Five Questions For Expats By Stan Gaivoronsky Assa, where did you come from and why? I moved here from Moscow because I fell in love with a Georgian guy named Gabriel. I’ve been visiting Tbilisi very frequently since last year and dreamed of making it my home...
One of my favorite things to do is to get lost in any city and find street art, somewhere off the beaten path. While wandering in Tbilisi, I realized that I am specifically drawn to the works of TAm OOnz. I had no idea who she was. But I sensed that it was a female...
Mila Di Bella Our three months in Bulgaria were coming to an end. It was November, and while we were looking for our next country to visit and stay for the winter, I read that there was this post-soviet country in the pursuit of opening to the world, actively...
Tbilisi may have more access to nature than any other major capital in the region, but we don’t spend all of our time hiking, biking, climbing rocks, and admiring the beauty around us. We live in a drinking town - with secret cocktail bars up the narrow streets, dives...
By Salome Berdzenishvili The Walls Have Ears “Shh! Shh! No one should hear us!” – a phrase from the film “Keto and Kote” (comic Opera by Victor Dolidze; premiered in Tbilisi in 1919) This is not a story about walls, nor ears. This is a story about an old Tbilisian...
✱ A view of the interior of Tbilisi Mall.Tbilisi Mall Shopping mall with popular chain stores, including a Carrefour, plus a food court & a movie theater. Address: 16th km Davit Aghmashenebeli Ave, Tbilisi 0131, Georgia ✱ Galleria TbilisiGalleria Tbilisi...
There's actually a wealth of furniture and home decor stores in Tbilisi—from big showrooms to small boutiques—that stock unique pieces in just about every style, not to mention, plenty of options for beautiful handmade furnishings. These stores are all worth checking...
By Ana Mikatadze I met with Mako Lomadze in her studio for our conversation. Her paintings were laying in every corner, and the atmosphere was quite appropriate for the place – filled with positive, creative energy. Having an interview in such a lovely space while...
Since this is our first list of Best Georgian Restaurants in Tbilisi, we've thought and fought a lot! After all, this is Tbilisi — these restaurants are only a start to the many worthy places to dine in the city. Many of these can be found in other suggestions by our...
✱ Olive oil by Evoli. Evoli Natural ingredients to soothe your skin and to cleanse the pores. A floral fragrance to calm your nerves. Their oils are great and soaps feel like a spa right in your hands.✱ Bubble Theory products on display at a show. Bubble Theory...
If you’ve already figured out how to become a digital nomad, then we need to find out whether Tbilisi is a good location for you or not? Traveling around the globe, living among different nations, and having a great paying job is the dream of thousands of young...
We love coffee and we spend a lot of time at local coffee shops, enjoying a fresh cup of coffee, discussing the fate of our blog or just sitting and staring at each other. Here's a list of our favorite coffee shops in the city. A few of them have some decent food menu...
By Ana Mikatadze The influence of modern times is probably most noticeable in the Georgian music industry. Apart from the development of the electronic music scene, a lot of bands we don’t get tired of listening to started to pop up. So, we decided to approach...
By Liza Tsitsishvili I had the greatest pleasure to sit down for an interview with the director of the Tbilisi International Festival of Theatre and Kote Marjanishvili Theatre Eka Mazmishvili. Eka graduated from the faculty of History and Theory of Art at Ivane...
Breakfasts are all about optimism. As we sit down to enjoy our meal — be it a deliciously plated omelet or a virtuous little bowl of fruit and local yogurt — and, for a moment, whatever happened the night before or waits for us in the day to come is irrelevant....
You've probably seen a dozen posts about best this or best that in Tbilisi. The truth is, there aren’t a lot of cocktail bars in town, just a handful. There are a lot of bars and restaurants with great ambiance and aura, but you won’t find a serious cocktail menu, and...
By Ana Mikatadze I first met Luka at the 4GB music festival. Back then I didn’t know his name or the fact that he was a DJ. We both practically lived there and would warmly greet each other. The same would happen at the Open Air festival and at Mzesumzira fest...
By Ana Mikatadze Moving around Tbilisi is somewhat problematic. Pedestrians are constantly forced to find their way around the cars parked right on the sidewalks, and drivers won’t be able to tell you if they get to their destination faster by car or on foot. While...
Five Questions For Expats By Stan Gaivoronsky Where did you come from and why? Ivan: I came here from Israel where I recently got my citizenship. Prior to that, I lived in Moscow, periodically traveling around the world. I have long dreamt of opening a magical...
The reason why we’ve decided to combine these three amazing districts is that, first of all, they are right next to each other and second of all, they share the same character. So, here we go. Mtatsminda As you come to Tbilisi, you just realize that all the...
Khinkali and various types of khachapuri might hog the spotlight in Tbilisi but we sure have some mouthwatering burgers. ✱ Photograph courtesy of Burger City Burger City There’s something about the fried egg-atop-burger that remains a notion burger eaters have not...
By Ana Mikatadze The story of Amiran Shalikashvili’s Pantomime Theater turned out to be far more interesting than I had anticipated. It was also unexpectedly sad. We talked about a lot of things: pantomime as a way of life, the state of the current theatre and...
Our icon is the homeland Trust in God is our creed, Enlightened land of plains and mounts, Blessed by God and holy heaven. The freedom we have learned to follow Makes our future spirits stronger, Morning star will rise above us And lightens up the land between the two...
“Vakhtang I Gorgasali, once went out hunting with his royal falcon in the neighborhood forests of the first capital of Georgia – Mtskheta. After some time, the king sent his falcon to catch a pheasant. The falcon flew away, and after a while, the king lost...
Retail has been around for a very long time — and one thing we, as consumers, know is that there are some store interiors that simply make you purchase things. Here's a list of the most attractive concept stores in Tbilisi:✱ A view of the interior of "They Said Books"...
What happens when we destroy the past? We lose our memory and when we lose it, we lose ourselves, because there is no “us” without memories. With cities, it is the same. Historical urban areas are the memory of a city, while the buildings serve as records. The...
Chugureti district is a touristic pearl on the left bank of the river Mtkvari, starting from Queen Tamar Avenue and the Station Square all the way to Avlabari. Tbilisi’s old German neighborhood, Marjanishvili is one of the loveliest, liveliest neighborhoods you can...
Tea Purtseladze opened the opera Oscar nomination with legendary singer Andrea Bocelli in Venice on October 1st. We reached out to Tea to congratulate her on this wonderful accomplishment and chat with her about her career and future plans. First of all, please,...
By Mila Di Bella I interviewed 3 entrepreneurs from Georgia to know the secret of how they did it. Here’s what they said. Where are the women?, I thought to myself. I had been working for 2 weeks on my side-project, StartupStories from Georgia had met and chatted with...
A vibrant and diverse city, Tbilisi boasts an eclectic contemporary art scene. Galleries filled with paintings, sculptures, and photography by local, national, and international artists will keep visitors content for days. We’ve put together a list of some of our...
Tbilisi is known as a city for outdoor activities. Unlike having to go up in a tall skyscraper to enjoy the scenic sunset, Tbilisi gives an individual the option to go to nearby parks, which often stand at an elevation a bit higher than the tall buildings built in the...
One of the most prestigious and densely populated residential neighborhoods, Saburtalo became a part of Tbilisi only in 1917. The area, which was often used for various ball games, was given the same name Saburtalo, meaning “ball-playing area”. Saburtalo is a largely...
Considering all the delicious vegetables and fruits grown in Georgia, Tbilisi could become the Mecca for meatless dining. Tbilisi’s vegetarian and vegan scene is not quite diverse yet but it is still delicious. Every restaurant has at least a few vegetarian options...
The history of Vake, which means a lowland, starts from the nineteenth century, as a small settlement on the territory of Old Vera. In the Development plan of Tbilisi from 1906, only the Nobility Gymnasium building is mentioned in this area (currently the 1st building...
This district is the place where you go if you’ve lost your tourist friend. It is the MOST touristy area in the whole city. This place is just crowded with tourist attractions. The district of Ortachala (this area is better known as Old Town) and a part of Krtsanisi...
Ask anyone where the main transportation hub and outdoor market is and they will point you towards Didube. Didube Station is a domestic hub of Marshkutras (minibusses). If you need a ride to the North or the West you go there. This is where buses to a number of...
Tourists usually find themselves in this district one way or another. It's almost impossible to miss - it has palaces, giant churches, crying mountains, huge parks, etc. There's a lot to see and do in Avlabari. Avlabari is more residential than touristy, yet very...
Street art and graffiti is the most authentic expression of a city vibe that enables you to feel the heartbeat of any location. The best way to find graffiti in Tbilisi is by wandering its streets and letting some of the most curious and thought-provoking street art...
By Stan Gaivoronsky Who is Sofia Melnikova? Firstly, she was an actress and a muse, secondly, it is a Fantastic Douqan. Everyone knows the story of Niko Pirosmani and actress Margarita. But that’s a different story. On November 12th, 1917, the Poets Club, the...
Hi! If you're in the city for a very short visit and need to see a lot of things in a relatively short time, we have compiled a list of some of the most important spots in Tbilisi. ✱ The Liberty Square, Tbilisi.Liberty Square Our Liberty Square witnessed many...
We visited Touch Summit and talked with some very interesting people, as we always do. Here we present one of them – Vitaly Friedman, founder of Smashing Magazine and a very cool dude. Vitaly: So, my name is Vitaly and I was born in Minsk, Belarus. My parents...
By Ana Mikatadze It wasn’t hard to find Lasha’s house. Number 29 was the only one on his street covered with beautiful flowers. So, we weren’t surprised to find ourselves inside an interesting mix of a small botanical garden and a workshop when we walked in. Tell us...
By Liza Tsitsishvili Extraordinarily prolific, Gia Gugushvili creates countless oil paintings in his studio, mostly on cardboard. His work generally consists of figurative compositions that demonstrate a distinctive artistic style defined by squiggly...
By Liza Tsitsishvili Hi, Tinatin! Can you tell us about yourself? Tinatin: I’m Tinatin Bregvadze, born on August 6, 1980 (probably that is why winter is so hard on me). I have a Master’s Degree in Geography and Governance and in the last ten years, I’ve been occupied...
By Ana Mikatadze Stories told without a single word provoke a special kind of emotion within us as if individual interpretations caused by our personal experiences are freed from all boundaries. It’s hard to capture emotion everyone can feel on a simple, brown film,...
Five Questions For Expats By Stan Gaivoronsky Aison, where did you live before moving to Tbilisi and what brought you here? I lived in Moscow for three and a half years and then moved to Tbilisi. What was the reason? I don’t even know, it happened by chance (I never...
By Sky I've always loved having a clutter-free and clean apartment. Believe it or not, my love for minimalism in my daily life started to affect my traveling habits. And the growing fees for extra luggage did the trick too. After a few delayed and canceled...
Moving to Tbilisi when you’ve never lived here before is confusing. Without a road map, things can get strange fast. You basically have a few options:a. Blindly look on the real estate websites for apartment listings in Georgian and in neighborhoods you’ve never heard...
When I was growing up in the Soviet Union in the late '70s my mom was probably one of the very, very few women who owned and drove cars. She had a grey 03 Lada. I remember, sitting on the passenger seat and looking at people's reaction when they'd see a woman behind...