Kutaisi
Encyclopedia
Kutaisi is Georgia
's second largest city and the capital of the western region of Imereti
. It is 221 km to the west of Tbilisi
.
. The city lies at an elevation of 125–300 meters (410–984 feet) above sea level
. To the east and north-east, Kutaisi is bounded by the Northern Imereti
Foothills, to the north by the Samgurali Range, and to the west and the south by the Colchis Plain.
in the middle of the city is heard far beyond its banks.
Plain) during the Autumn and Winter months. The summers are generally hot and relatively dry while the winters are wet and cool. Average annual temperature in the city is 14.5 degrees Celsius. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 5.3 degrees Celsius while July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius. The absolute minimum recorded temperature is −17 degrees Celsius and the absolute maximum is 44 degrees Celsius. Average annual precipitation is around 1530 mm (60.24 in). Rain may fall in every season of the year. The city often experiences heavy, wet snowfall (snowfall of 30 cm/12 inches or more per single snowstorm is not uncommon) in the winter, but the snow cover usually does not last for more than a week. Kutaisi experiences powerful easterly winds in the summer which descend from the nearby mountains.
Kutaisi was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Colchis
. Archeological evidence indicates that the city functioned as the capital of the kingdom of Colchis
as early as the second millennium BC. It is widely believed by historians that when Apollonius Rhodius was writing about Jason
and the Argonauts
and their legendary journey to Colchis
, Kutaisi/Aia was the final destination of the Argonauts and the residence of King Aeëtes
. From 978 to 1122 CE Kutaisi was the capital of the united Kingdom of Georgia
, and from the 15th century until 1810 it was the capital of the Imeretian Kingdom
. In 1508, the city was captured by Selim I
, who was the son of the Sultan of the Ottomans at that time, Bayezid II
.
During the seventeenth century, Imeretian kings made many appeals to Russia
to help them in their struggle for independence from the Ottomans. All these appeals were ignored as Russia did not want to spoil relations with Turkey. Only in a reign of Ekaterina II in 1768 troops of general Gottlieb Heinrich Totleben
were sent to join forces of King Heraclius II of Georgia who hoped to reconquer the Ottoman-held southern Georgian lands in conjunction with Russia. Totleben helped King Solomon I of Imereti
recover his capital Kutaisi on August 6, 1770.
Finally Russian-Turkish wars ended with annexation in 1810 of the Imeretian Kingdom by Russian Empire
. The city was the capital of the Gubernia of Kutaisi, which included much of west Georgia. In March 1879, the city was the site of a blood libel trial that attracted attention all over Russia; the ten accused Jews were acquitted.
Kutaisi was a major industrial center before Georgia's independence in 1991. Independence was followed economic collapse of the country and as a result, many inhabitants of Kutaisi have had to leave and work abroad. Small-scale trade prevails among the rest of the population.
The city had a massive Soviet war memorial for the Georgians killed in World War II
. On December 18, 2009, a private demolition company working for the Georgian government demolished the monument to make way for a parliament building, despite massive protest from Russia
and Georgian opposition politicians. Safety regulations were violated, resulting in flying chunks of concrete hitting civilian population centers. A woman and her daughter were killed in the courtyard of their home, and four other people were critically wounded.
2. Kutaisi Museum of Sport
3. Kutaisi Museum of Martial Art
4. Museum of Zakaria Paliashvili
5. Kutaisi State Historical Archive
6. Kutaisi State Scientific-Universal Library
7. David Kakabadze Fine Art Gallery
8. Art Salon
2. Kutaisi Meliton Balanchivadze State Opera House
3. Kutaisi Iakob Gogebashvili State Puppet Theatre
4. Cinema and Entertaining Center “Suliko”
5. Hermann-Wedekind-Jugendtheater
2. Georgian Painters’ Union
3. Folk Palace
”, “PS”, “Akhali Gazeti
”, "Kutaisuri Versia
", "Chveneburebi
" (Journal); Scientific Journal “Gantiadi
”.
TV: "Rioni"; Radio: "Dzveli Kalaki" (old City)
Also all the republican newspapers, journals and television stations have their representatives in Kutaisi.
has participated on the highest level of the Soviet Union
football
league. After Georgia achieved independence, it won many domestic and international titles. RC AIA Kutaisi
won the Soviet Championship several times in rugby
, and after independence, national championship
s and cups. Kutaisi also had an influential basketball
club.
, built by Bagrat III, king of Georgia, in the early 11th century. The Bagrati Cathedral, and the Gelati Monastery
a few km east of the city, are UNESCO
World Heritage Site
s. One of the famous churches in Georgia is Motsameta Church. It is named after two saints, brothers David and Constantine. They were the Dukes of Margveti, and were martyred by Arab invaders in the 8th century. Besides the churches, there are many interesting places in Kutaisi, such as: Sataplia Cave, where one can observe footprints of Dinosaurs; Geguti Palace, which was one of the residences of Georgian monarchs; "Okros Chardakhi" – Georgian Kings’ Palace; and the Pantheon
, where many notable citizens are buried.
In December 2009, the demolition (using explosives) of a major war memorial in the city killed two people due to insufficient security around the demolition site. Russia also criticised the decision to remove the war memorial.
, announced that an Egypt
-based home appliances producer company, Fresh Electric, intends to create a free industrial zone
in Kutaisi.
(IATA: KUT, ICAO: UGKO) is an airport located 14 km (8.7 mi) west of Kutaisi. It is one of three international airports currently in operation in Georgia
.
On this day one can see traditional Georgian dances and you can hear folk music. Also it is an old tradition to go in the forest, which is near Kutaisi. Families have a barbecue, play games and have a great time together. On this day people wear traditional clothes, choxa so you can imagine that you are in past times. Also there is a new tradition of writing lyrics which have been written by writers from Qutaisi and then airplanes throw them from the sky.
Kutaisoba is a most important holiday celebrated in mukhrans wood. There is a competition in different kinds of combative art, also semblance to sport.
Usually regions of imereti performing traditions representative for them and folksongs, tablecloth. Everyone felicites each other kutaisoba, sprind and may.
in this holiday observe rules blessing chokha. At the end of the blessing they sing "mravaljamieri". Participants are elated to hear this song.
, United States
Ganja
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, United Kingdom
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, Spain
Nikaia
, Greece
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, Poland
Plovdiv
, Bulgaria
Ashkelon
, Israel
Rasht
, Iran
Samsun
, Turkey
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, Turkey
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, Armenia
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, People's Republic of China
Xinhua, People's Republic of China
Lyon
, France
Bayonne
, France Donetsk
, Ukraine
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, Ukraine Dnipropetrovsk
, Ukraine Lviv
, Ukraine
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
's second largest city and the capital of the western region of Imereti
Imereti
Imereti is a province in Georgia situated along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni river. It consists of the following Georgian administrative-territorial units:#Kutaisi #Baghdati region#Vani region#Zestafoni region...
. It is 221 km to the west of Tbilisi
Tbilisi
Tbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
.
Geography
Kutaisi is located along both banks of the Rioni RiverRioni River
The Rioni or Rion River is the main river of western Georgia. It originates in the Caucasus Mountains, in the region of Racha and flows west to the Black Sea, entering it north of the city of Poti...
. The city lies at an elevation of 125–300 meters (410–984 feet) above sea level
Above mean sea level
The term above mean sea level refers to the elevation or altitude of any object, relative to the average sea level datum. AMSL is used extensively in radio by engineers to determine the coverage area a station will be able to reach...
. To the east and north-east, Kutaisi is bounded by the Northern Imereti
Imereti
Imereti is a province in Georgia situated along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni river. It consists of the following Georgian administrative-territorial units:#Kutaisi #Baghdati region#Vani region#Zestafoni region...
Foothills, to the north by the Samgurali Range, and to the west and the south by the Colchis Plain.
Landscape
Kutaisi is surrounded by deciduous forests to the northeast and the northwest. The low-lying outskirts of the city have a largely agricultural landscape. Because of the many gardens in the city centre and the high leafy trees alongside the sidewalks of its streets and boulevards, Kutaisi is painted in bright green in the spring and in yellow-red in the autumn. In the springtime, when the snow starts to melt in the nearby mountains, the storming Rioni RiverRioni River
The Rioni or Rion River is the main river of western Georgia. It originates in the Caucasus Mountains, in the region of Racha and flows west to the Black Sea, entering it north of the city of Poti...
in the middle of the city is heard far beyond its banks.
Climate
The climate in Kutaisi is humid subtropical with a well-defined on-shore/monsoonal flow (characteristic of the ColchisColchis
In ancient geography, Colchis or Kolkhis was an ancient Georgian state kingdom and region in Western Georgia, which played an important role in the ethnic and cultural formation of the Georgian nation.The Kingdom of Colchis contributed significantly to the development of medieval Georgian...
Plain) during the Autumn and Winter months. The summers are generally hot and relatively dry while the winters are wet and cool. Average annual temperature in the city is 14.5 degrees Celsius. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 5.3 degrees Celsius while July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius. The absolute minimum recorded temperature is −17 degrees Celsius and the absolute maximum is 44 degrees Celsius. Average annual precipitation is around 1530 mm (60.24 in). Rain may fall in every season of the year. The city often experiences heavy, wet snowfall (snowfall of 30 cm/12 inches or more per single snowstorm is not uncommon) in the winter, but the snow cover usually does not last for more than a week. Kutaisi experiences powerful easterly winds in the summer which descend from the nearby mountains.
History
Colchis
In ancient geography, Colchis or Kolkhis was an ancient Georgian state kingdom and region in Western Georgia, which played an important role in the ethnic and cultural formation of the Georgian nation.The Kingdom of Colchis contributed significantly to the development of medieval Georgian...
. Archeological evidence indicates that the city functioned as the capital of the kingdom of Colchis
Colchis
In ancient geography, Colchis or Kolkhis was an ancient Georgian state kingdom and region in Western Georgia, which played an important role in the ethnic and cultural formation of the Georgian nation.The Kingdom of Colchis contributed significantly to the development of medieval Georgian...
as early as the second millennium BC. It is widely believed by historians that when Apollonius Rhodius was writing about Jason
Jason
Jason was a late ancient Greek mythological hero from the late 10th Century BC, famous as the leader of the Argonauts and their quest for the Golden Fleece. He was the son of Aeson, the rightful king of Iolcus...
and the Argonauts
Argonauts
The Argonauts ) were a band of heroes in Greek mythology who, in the years before the Trojan War, accompanied Jason to Colchis in his quest to find the Golden Fleece. Their name comes from their ship, the Argo, which was named after its builder, Argus. "Argonauts", therefore, literally means...
and their legendary journey to Colchis
Colchis
In ancient geography, Colchis or Kolkhis was an ancient Georgian state kingdom and region in Western Georgia, which played an important role in the ethnic and cultural formation of the Georgian nation.The Kingdom of Colchis contributed significantly to the development of medieval Georgian...
, Kutaisi/Aia was the final destination of the Argonauts and the residence of King Aeëtes
Aeëtes
In Greek mythology, Aeëtes , , , was a King of Colchis , son of the sun-god Helios and the Oceanid Perseis , brother of Circe and Pasiphae, and father of Medea, Chalciope and Apsyrtus...
. From 978 to 1122 CE Kutaisi was the capital of the united Kingdom of Georgia
Kingdom of Georgia
The Kingdom of Georgia was a medieval monarchy established in AD 978 by Bagrat III.It flourished during the 11th and 12th centuries, the so-called "golden age" of the history of Georgia. It fell to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, but managed to re-assert sovereignty by 1327...
, and from the 15th century until 1810 it was the capital of the Imeretian Kingdom
Kingdom of Imereti
The Kingdom of Imereti was established in 1455 by a member of the house of Bagration when the Kingdom of Georgia was dissolved into rival kingdoms. Before that time, Imereti was considered a separate kingdom within the Kingdom of Georgia, to which a cadet branch of the Bagration royal family held...
. In 1508, the city was captured by Selim I
Selim I
Selim I, Yavuz Sultân Selim Khan, Hâdim-ül Haramain-ish Sharifain , nicknamed Yavuz "the Stern" or "the Steadfast", but often rendered in English as "the Grim" , was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1512 to...
, who was the son of the Sultan of the Ottomans at that time, Bayezid II
Bayezid II
Bayezid II or Sultân Bayezid-î Velî was the oldest son and successor of Mehmed II, ruling as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1481 to 1512...
.
During the seventeenth century, Imeretian kings made many appeals to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
to help them in their struggle for independence from the Ottomans. All these appeals were ignored as Russia did not want to spoil relations with Turkey. Only in a reign of Ekaterina II in 1768 troops of general Gottlieb Heinrich Totleben
Gottlieb Heinrich Totleben
Gottlob Curt Heinrich Graf von Tottleben, Herr auf Tottleben, Zeippau und Hausdorf im Saganschen was a Saxon-born Russian Empire general known for his adventurism and contradictory military career.- Early career :Totleben was born in Tottleben, Thuringia, and served at the court of Augustus III,...
were sent to join forces of King Heraclius II of Georgia who hoped to reconquer the Ottoman-held southern Georgian lands in conjunction with Russia. Totleben helped King Solomon I of Imereti
Solomon I of Imereti
Solomon I , of the Bagrationi Dynasty, was King of Imereti from 1752 to 1766 and again from 1768 until his death in 1784....
recover his capital Kutaisi on August 6, 1770.
Finally Russian-Turkish wars ended with annexation in 1810 of the Imeretian Kingdom by Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
. The city was the capital of the Gubernia of Kutaisi, which included much of west Georgia. In March 1879, the city was the site of a blood libel trial that attracted attention all over Russia; the ten accused Jews were acquitted.
Kutaisi was a major industrial center before Georgia's independence in 1991. Independence was followed economic collapse of the country and as a result, many inhabitants of Kutaisi have had to leave and work abroad. Small-scale trade prevails among the rest of the population.
The city had a massive Soviet war memorial for the Georgians killed in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. On December 18, 2009, a private demolition company working for the Georgian government demolished the monument to make way for a parliament building, despite massive protest from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Georgian opposition politicians. Safety regulations were violated, resulting in flying chunks of concrete hitting civilian population centers. A woman and her daughter were killed in the courtyard of their home, and four other people were critically wounded.
Education and science
Kutaisi is one of the most important educational and scientific centers in Georgia, hosting the Gelati Academy of Sciences, established in the 12th century by King David IV. There is also one of the most important educational centers in modern Georgia, Ak'ak'i Ts'ereteli State University, established in 1930. Besides these two, there are many other universities, institutes, colleges and schools in Kutaisi.Culture
Kutaisi has an ancient cultural tradition. Here is a list of the cultural centers in Kutaisi.Museums, Archive, Library, Gallery, Art Salon
1. Kutaisi State Historical MuseumKutaisi State Historical Museum
Kutaisi State Historical Museum is a museum in Kutaisi, Georgia. A major museum, it is also considered to be one of the most important scientific-research institutions in Georgia with its extensive research library and laboratory....
2. Kutaisi Museum of Sport
Kutaisi Museum of Sport
Kutaisi Museum of Sport is a museum in Kutaisi, Georgia....
3. Kutaisi Museum of Martial Art
Kutaisi Museum of Martial Art
Kutaisi Museum of Martial Art is a museum in Kutaisi, Georgia....
4. Museum of Zakaria Paliashvili
5. Kutaisi State Historical Archive
Kutaisi State Historical Archive
Kutaisi State Historical Archive is a museum in Kutaisi, Georgia....
6. Kutaisi State Scientific-Universal Library
Kutaisi State Scientific-Universal Library
Kutaisi State Scientific-Universal Library is a library and museum in Kutaisi, Georgia....
7. David Kakabadze Fine Art Gallery
David Kakabadze Fine Art Gallery
David Kakabadze Fine Art Gallery is an art gallery, located at 8 Shota Rustaveli Street in Kutaisi, Georgia. Established in 1976, it covers an area of 1048 m², displaying over 2800 items....
8. Art Salon
Theatres, cinema and entertaining center
1. Kutaisi Lado Meskhishvili State Academic Theatre2. Kutaisi Meliton Balanchivadze State Opera House
3. Kutaisi Iakob Gogebashvili State Puppet Theatre
4. Cinema and Entertaining Center “Suliko”
5. Hermann-Wedekind-Jugendtheater
Professional unions and public organizations
1. Georgian Writers’ Union2. Georgian Painters’ Union
3. Folk Palace
Media
Local newspapers: “Kutaisi”, “Imeretis MoabeImeretis Moabe
Imeretis Moabe is a newspaper published in Georgia. It is based in the city of Kutaisi....
”, “PS”, “Akhali Gazeti
Akhali Gazeti
Akhali Gazeti is a newspaper published in Georgia. It is based in the city of Kutaisi....
”, "Kutaisuri Versia
Kutaisuri Versia
Kutaisuri Versia is a newspaper published in Georgia. It is based in the city of Kutaisi....
", "Chveneburebi
Chveneburebi
Chveneburebi is a journal published in Georgia. It is based in the city of Kutaisi.Chveneburebi is the plural form of the Georgian word Chveneburi , and is the name of a cultural festival held in various locations around the world by the Georgian Ministry of the Diaspora.-External links:*...
" (Journal); Scientific Journal “Gantiadi
Gantiadi
Gantiadi is a scientific journal published in Georgia. It is based in the city of Kutaisi....
”.
TV: "Rioni"; Radio: "Dzveli Kalaki" (old City)
Also all the republican newspapers, journals and television stations have their representatives in Kutaisi.
Sport
Kutaisi has a great tradition in sports, with many famous sport clubs. FC Torpedo KutaisiFC Torpedo Kutaisi
FC Torpedo Kutaisi is a Georgian professional football club based in Kutaisi, Georgia's second largest city. ‘Torpedo Kutaisi’ was founded in 1946 and in just three years the club became the winner of the Football Championship of that time. By the end of 1964, the Football Federation of the former...
has participated on the highest level of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
league. After Georgia achieved independence, it won many domestic and international titles. RC AIA Kutaisi
RC AIA Kutaisi
-Honours:*USSR Championship:** Champions : 1987, 1988, 1989** Silver Medal winner: 1984** Bronze Medal winner: 1985*USSR Cup:** Winner : 1987, 1990,* Georgia Championship:...
won the Soviet Championship several times in rugby
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, and after independence, national championship
Georgia Championship
The Georgia Championship is a domestic rugby union club competition in Georgia. It includes three leagues.-List of Champions:TOP LEAGUE Teams [Season 2011]:* * RC Army Tbilisi* RC Locomotive Tbilisi* * * RC Academia Tbilisi...
s and cups. Kutaisi also had an influential basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
club.
Main sights
The landmark of the city is the ruined Bagrati CathedralBagrati Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Dormition, or the Kutaisi Cathedral, more commonly known as Bagrati Cathedral , is the 11th-century cathedral church in the city of Kutaisi, the region of Imereti, Georgia...
, built by Bagrat III, king of Georgia, in the early 11th century. The Bagrati Cathedral, and the Gelati Monastery
Gelati Monastery
The Monastery of Gelati is a monastic complex near Kutaisi, Imereti, western Georgia. It contains the Church of the Virgin founded by the King of Georgia David the Builder in 1106, and the 13th-century churches of St George and St Nicholas....
a few km east of the city, are UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
s. One of the famous churches in Georgia is Motsameta Church. It is named after two saints, brothers David and Constantine. They were the Dukes of Margveti, and were martyred by Arab invaders in the 8th century. Besides the churches, there are many interesting places in Kutaisi, such as: Sataplia Cave, where one can observe footprints of Dinosaurs; Geguti Palace, which was one of the residences of Georgian monarchs; "Okros Chardakhi" – Georgian Kings’ Palace; and the Pantheon
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
, where many notable citizens are buried.
In December 2009, the demolition (using explosives) of a major war memorial in the city killed two people due to insufficient security around the demolition site. Russia also criticised the decision to remove the war memorial.
Economy
On April 2, 2009, the Georgian economy minister, Lasha ZhvaniaLasha Zhvania
Lasha Zhvania is a Georgian politician, the Minister for Economic Development from November 2008 till August 2009 and an ex-Parliament of Georgia...
, announced that an Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
-based home appliances producer company, Fresh Electric, intends to create a free industrial zone
Free economic zone
Many countries have, or have had at some time, designated areas where companies are taxed very lightly or not at all to encourage development or for some other reason...
in Kutaisi.
Transport
Kopitnari AirportKopitnari Airport
Kopitnari Airport is an airport located west of Kutaisi, the second largest city in Georgia and capital of the western region of Imereti. It is one of three international airports currently in operation in Georgia.-Airlines and destinations:...
(IATA: KUT, ICAO: UGKO) is an airport located 14 km (8.7 mi) west of Kutaisi. It is one of three international airports currently in operation in Georgia
Georgia (country)
Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
.
Local celebrations
Kutaisi is the most important holiday in Qutaisi. It celebrates on 2 May. On this day the population of Kutaisi crowds into the central park, with their children and celebrate together. Some people make masks and there are many kinds of performances, so it is a lot of fun. Also little children sell chamomiles. It is an old tradition, in the past ladies collected money for poor people, so today children also collect money for them.On this day one can see traditional Georgian dances and you can hear folk music. Also it is an old tradition to go in the forest, which is near Kutaisi. Families have a barbecue, play games and have a great time together. On this day people wear traditional clothes, choxa so you can imagine that you are in past times. Also there is a new tradition of writing lyrics which have been written by writers from Qutaisi and then airplanes throw them from the sky.
Kutaisoba is a most important holiday celebrated in mukhrans wood. There is a competition in different kinds of combative art, also semblance to sport.
Usually regions of imereti performing traditions representative for them and folksongs, tablecloth. Everyone felicites each other kutaisoba, sprind and may.
in this holiday observe rules blessing chokha. At the end of the blessing they sing "mravaljamieri". Participants are elated to hear this song.
Notable native sons and daughters
- AeëtesAeëtesIn Greek mythology, Aeëtes , , , was a King of Colchis , son of the sun-god Helios and the Oceanid Perseis , brother of Circe and Pasiphae, and father of Medea, Chalciope and Apsyrtus...
- King of kingdom of ColchisColchisIn ancient geography, Colchis or Kolkhis was an ancient Georgian state kingdom and region in Western Georgia, which played an important role in the ethnic and cultural formation of the Georgian nation.The Kingdom of Colchis contributed significantly to the development of medieval Georgian... - Bagrat III - King of united Kingdom of GeorgiaKingdom of GeorgiaThe Kingdom of Georgia was a medieval monarchy established in AD 978 by Bagrat III.It flourished during the 11th and 12th centuries, the so-called "golden age" of the history of Georgia. It fell to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, but managed to re-assert sovereignty by 1327...
in 975-1014 - George IGeorge I of GeorgiaGiorgi I , of the House of Bagrationi, was the king of Georgia from 1014 until his death in 1027. He spent most of his seven-year-long reign waging a bloody and fruitless territorial war with the Byzantine Empire.-Early reign:...
- King of united Kingdom of GeorgiaKingdom of GeorgiaThe Kingdom of Georgia was a medieval monarchy established in AD 978 by Bagrat III.It flourished during the 11th and 12th centuries, the so-called "golden age" of the history of Georgia. It fell to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, but managed to re-assert sovereignty by 1327...
in 1014-1027 - Bagrat IVBagrat IV of GeorgiaBagrat IV , of the Bagrationi dynasty, was the King of Georgia from 1027 to 1072. During his long and eventful reign, Bagrat sought to repress the great nobility and to secure Georgia's sovereignty from the Byzantine and Seljuqid empires...
- King of united Kingdom of GeorgiaKingdom of GeorgiaThe Kingdom of Georgia was a medieval monarchy established in AD 978 by Bagrat III.It flourished during the 11th and 12th centuries, the so-called "golden age" of the history of Georgia. It fell to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, but managed to re-assert sovereignty by 1327...
in 1027-1072 - George IIGeorge II of GeorgiaGeorge II , of the Bagrationi Dynasty, was a king of Georgia from 1072 to 1089. He was a son and successor of Bagrat IV and his wife Borena of Alania...
- King of united Kingdom of GeorgiaKingdom of GeorgiaThe Kingdom of Georgia was a medieval monarchy established in AD 978 by Bagrat III.It flourished during the 11th and 12th centuries, the so-called "golden age" of the history of Georgia. It fell to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, but managed to re-assert sovereignty by 1327...
in 1072-1089 - David IV - King of united Kingdom of GeorgiaKingdom of GeorgiaThe Kingdom of Georgia was a medieval monarchy established in AD 978 by Bagrat III.It flourished during the 11th and 12th centuries, the so-called "golden age" of the history of Georgia. It fell to the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, but managed to re-assert sovereignty by 1327...
in 1089-1125 - Veriko Anjaparidze - Georgian actress
- Ak'ak'i Vasadze - Georgian actor
- Teimuraz Apkhazava - World and European champion in Wrestling
- Revaz Gabriadze - cinematographer, writer, director, production designer
- Niko NikoladzeNiko NikoladzeNiko Nikoladze was a notable Georgian publicist, pro-Western enlightener, and public figure primarily known for his contributions to the development of Georgian liberal journalism and his involvement in various economic and social projects of that time.He was born in the village of Didi...
(1843–1928) - Georgian public figure - Meliton BalanchivadzeMeliton BalanchivadzeMeliton Balanchivadze was a Georgian composer and one of the founders of Georgian classical music. His two sons, George Balanchine and Andria Balanchivadze, had illustrious careers, the former as a leading choreographer in the United States, and the latter as Soviet Georgia’s foremost classical...
(1862–1937) - Georgian composer - Zakaria PaliashviliZakaria Paliashvilithumb|250px|Zakaria Paliashvili portrait by [[Ucha Japaridze]]Zakaria Paliashvili was a composer from the nation of Georgia. He is regarded as a founder of Georgian classical music....
(1871–1933) - Georgian composer - Iakob NikoladzeIakob NikoladzeIakob Nikoladze was a Georgian sculptor and artist. He is perhaps best known as the designer of the previous state flag of Georgia....
(1876–1951) - Georgian sculptor, designer of the previous state flag of Georgia. - Władysław Raczkiewicz (1885–1947) - first president of the Polish government-in-exile, 1939–1947
- Joseph OrbeliJoseph OrbeliJoseph Orbeli , 1887 – February 2, 1961) was a renowned Soviet orientalist and academician of Armenian descent who specialized in medieval history of Southern Caucasus and administered the State Hermitage Museum in Leningrad from 1934 to 1951...
(1887–1961) - orientalist - David KakabadzeDavid KakabadzeDavit' Kakabadze was a Georgian avant-garde painter, graphic artist and scenic designer. A multi-talent, he was also an art scholar and innovator in the field of cinematography as well as an amateur photographer...
(1889–1952) - Georgian painter - Victor DolidzeVictor DolidzeViktor Isidorovich Dolidze Viktor Isidorovich Dolidze Viktor Isidorovich Dolidze (ვიქტორ ისიდორეს ძე დოლიძე (1890–1933) - Soviet Georgian composer.Victor Dolidze was born 18 (30) July, 1890 in the city of Kutaisi Province Ozurgeti in a poor peasant family.He studied at Tiflis commercial school...
(1890–1933) - Georgian composer - Otar KorkiyaOtar KorkiyaOtar Korkia was a Georgian basketball player who competed for the Soviet Union in the 1952 Summer Olympics. He trained at Dynamo in Tbilisi....
(1923–2005) - Georgian basketball player, European Champions' Cup champion and Olympic silver medalist - Dodo ChichinadzeDodo ChichinadzeDodo Chichinadze was a Georgian film and theater actress. She appeared in a number of Georgian and Soviet era films, including The Suspended Song, Bashi Achuki,The Cricket, and Davit Guramishvili....
(1924–2009) - Georgian actress - Revaz DzodzuashviliRevaz DzodzuashviliRevaz Mikhaylovich Dzodzuashvili is a Georgian football manager and a former player.He earned 49 caps for the USSR national football team, and participated in the 1970 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1972...
(b. 1945) - Georgian football player, winner of the Bronze Medal of the World Cup 1966 - Zurab SakandelidzeZurab SakandelidzeZurab Aleksandrovich Sakandelidze was a Georgian basketball player who won gold with the Soviet basketball team in Basketball at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He trained at Dynamo club in Tbilisi....
(b. 1945) - Georgian basketball player, Olympic champion - Mikheil Korkiya (b. 1948) - Georgian basketball player, Olympic champion
- Meir PichhadzeMeir PichhadzeMeir Pichhadze was an Israeli artist and painter.Pichhadze began studying art as a child with the sculptor Razu Ramishvili. He moved with his family to Israel in 1973...
(1955–2010) - Israeli painter, Kutaisi native - Tengiz SulakvelidzeTengiz SulakvelidzeTengiz Grigorjević Sulakvelidze is a former Georgian footballer.-Honours:* Olympic bronze medalist: 1980.* Soviet Top League winner: 1978.* Soviet Cup winner: 1979.* UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winner: 1981....
(b. 1956) -Georgian football player, played in 1982 FIFA World Cup - Maia ChiburdanidzeMaia ChiburdanidzeMaia Chiburdanidze is a Georgian chess grandmaster, and the seventh Women's World Chess Champion. She is the only chess player in history who has won nine Chess Olympiads....
(b. 1961) - the seventh Women's World Chess Champion - Nikoloz Nemsitsveridze (b. 1963) - 3 times Russian Rugby Champion with his team AIA Kutaisi
- Nino BurjanadzeNino BurjanadzeNino Burjanadze is a Georgian politician and lawyer who served as Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia from November 2001 to June 2008...
(b. 1964) - former Speaker of Georgian Parliament - David KhakhaleishviliDavid KhakhaleishviliDavid Khakhaleishvili is a retired heavyweight Georgian judoka.He was expected to defend his heavyweight Olympic title at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia in a highly anticipated match against the reigning world champion, David Douillet...
(b.1971) - Olympic champion in Wrestling - Katie MeluaKatie MeluaKetevan "Katie" Melua is a British-Georgian singer, songwriter and musician. She moved to Northern Ireland at the age of eight and then to England at fourteen. Melua is signed to the small Dramatico record label, under the management of composer Mike Batt, and made her musical debut in 2003...
(b. 1984) - singer
Twin towns and sister cities
Kutaisi is twinned with: ColumbiaColumbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Ganja
Ganja, Azerbaijan
Ganja is Azerbaijan's second-largest city with a population of around 313,300. It was named Yelizavetpol in the Russian Empire period. The city regained its original name—Ganja—from 1920–1935 during the first part of its incorporation into the Soviet Union. However, its name was changed again and...
, Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital city of the province of Álava and of the autonomous community of the Basque Country in northern Spain with a population of 235,661 people. It is the second largest Basque city...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
Nikaia
Nikaia, Attica
Nikaia is a suburb in the northern part of Piraeus, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Nikaia-Agios Ioannis Rentis, of which it is the seat and a municipal unit.-Geography:...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
Plovdiv
Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria after Sofia with a population of 338,153 inhabitants according to Census 2011. Plovdiv's history spans some 6,000 years, with traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 4000 BC; it is one of the oldest cities in Europe...
, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
Ashkelon
Ashkelon
Ashkelon is a coastal city in the South District of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, south of Tel Aviv, and north of the border with the Gaza Strip. The ancient seaport of Ashkelon dates back to the Neolithic Age...
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
Rasht
Rasht
Rasht is a city in and the capital of Gilan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 551,161, in 159,983 families.Rasht is the largest city on Iran's Caspian Sea coast. It is a major trade center between Caucasia, Russia and Iran using the port of Bandar-e Anzali...
, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
Samsun
Samsun
Samsun is a city of about half a million people on the north coast of Turkey. It is the provincial capital of Samsun Province and a major Black Sea port.-Name:...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
Kars
Kars
Kars is a city in northeast Turkey and the capital of Kars Province. The population of the city is 73,826 as of 2010.-Etymology:As Chorzene, the town appears in Roman historiography as part of ancient Armenia...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
Gyumri
Gyumri
Gyumri is the capital and largest city of the Shirak Province in northwest Armenia. It is located about 120 km from the capital Yerevan, and, with a population of 168,918 , is the second-largest city in Armenia.The name of the city has been changed many times in history...
, Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
Tianjin
Tianjin
' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...
, People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
Xinhua, People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Bayonne
Bayonne
Bayonne is a city and commune in south-western France at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, of which it is a sub-prefecture...
, France Donetsk
Donetsk
Donetsk , is a large city in eastern Ukraine on the Kalmius river. Administratively, it is a center of Donetsk Oblast, while historically, it is the unofficial capital and largest city of the economic and cultural Donets Basin region...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
Kharkiv
Kharkiv
Kharkiv or Kharkov is the second-largest city in Ukraine.The city was founded in 1654 and was a major centre of Ukrainian culture in the Russian Empire. Kharkiv became the first city in Ukraine where the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed in December 1917 and Soviet government was...
, Ukraine Dnipropetrovsk
Dnipropetrovsk
Dnipropetrovsk or Dnepropetrovsk formerly Yekaterinoslav is Ukraine's third largest city with one million inhabitants. It is located southeast of Ukraine's capital Kiev on the Dnieper River, in the south-central region of the country...
, Ukraine Lviv
Lviv
Lviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
, Ukraine
See also
- ColchisColchisIn ancient geography, Colchis or Kolkhis was an ancient Georgian state kingdom and region in Western Georgia, which played an important role in the ethnic and cultural formation of the Georgian nation.The Kingdom of Colchis contributed significantly to the development of medieval Georgian...
- ImeretiImeretiImereti is a province in Georgia situated along the middle and upper reaches of the Rioni river. It consists of the following Georgian administrative-territorial units:#Kutaisi #Baghdati region#Vani region#Zestafoni region...
- GeorgiaGeorgia (country)Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...
- History of GeorgiaHistory of Georgia (country)The nation of Georgia was first unified as a kingdom under the Bagrationi dynasty in the 9th to 10th century, arising from a number of predecessor states of ancient Colchis and Iberia...
- Culture of Georgia
External links
- http://www.qutaisi.ge/
- http://www.nkta.org/
- http://www.knia.ge/