Georgia

GEORGIA
I visited Georgia in October 2021.

Georgian polyphonic singing is a tradition of multi-voice a cappella song that goes back thousands of years.*

Sagalobeli (ethereally beautiful church chants) have been part of Georgian life for at least 1500 years.*

Jazz is also popular with young pianist Beka Gochiashvili the rising star.*

Kromm Oleg entertains the resterant in old town Tbilisi.

Tedo Mirijanashvili -- a trained lawyer and current manager of a hostel in Tbilisi -- comments on life as a Georgian.

Maia Betsiashvili is a student artist in Tbilisi.

Madona Burjanadze makes unique dolls at the Dry Bridge market.

Georgia's exciting folk dance ranges from lyrical love stories to dramatic, leaping demonstrations of male agility.*

Davit Totibadze, a painter in Tbilisi.

It used to accompany every aspect of daily life, and the songs survive in various genres including supruli (songs for the table), mushuri (working songs) and satrpialo (love songs).*

Polyphonic singing may or may not be accompanied by some of George's numerous folk instruments...*

Mariam Arabuly, a watress at Leila Restaurant in Tbilisi, introduces Georgian wine.

A violinist entertains at restaurant in old town Tbilisi.

Tedo Mirijanashvili -- a trained lawyer and current manager of a hostel in Tbilisi -- comments on life as a Georgian.

Teona Tkeshelashvili is a student artist in Tbilisi.

On the border with Azerbaijan, the ancient monastery complex of Davit Gareja is one of the most remarkable of George's historic sites.*

Georgian dancers cut to rock music.

Temuri Kuliani in his studio in Tbilisi.

Polyphonic singing may or may be not accompanied by some of Georgia's numerous folk instruments which include the panduri and chonguri (types of flutes), the garmoni (accordian) and various bagpipes, flutes and drums.*

...which include the panduri and chonguri (types of flutes), the garmoni (accordion) and various bagpipes, flutes and drums.*

Jazz Cafe Konka, Tbilisi

The Rustaveli is internationally famed for the Shakespeare productions of Robert Sturua, who has directed here almost uninterruptedly since 1980.*

Tedo Mirijanashvili -- a trained lawyer and current manager of a hostel in Tbilisi -- comments on life as a Georgian.

This is most people's destination on the Georgian Military hilltop silhouette of Tsminda Sameba Church and the towering snow cone of Mt. Kazbek looking down from the west.*

Sighnaghi is the prettiest town in Kakheti, sitting on a hilltop 60km southeast of Telavi and full of 18th- and 19th-century architecture with an Italianate feel.*

Davit Totibadze, a ceramic artist in Tbilisi.

Davit Totibadze comments on his life as an artist in Georgia.

Graffiti in a Tbilisi tunnel.

*These captions are from Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan -- a Lonely Planet travel guide.