Festivals are somewhat different in Georgia: Tbilisoba

Tbilisoba -The annual festival committee, in the capitol of Tbilisi, worked to improve the format this autumn, after 35 years.   The winner of a public competition to rejuvenate the Festival planned for more cultural events be part of the Festival, not just drinking in the streets.(I sort of liked the wine tasting, since it is a rarity here)  First place winner Nino Lelashvili was chosen by the Tbilisi City Hall commission and online voting. By winning the top prize she also received 14,000 GEL. ($7000 dollars - really good money here!) Lelashvili recently finished a Master’s degree in Marketing Management at the Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University in the Netherlands and has since returned to Georgia.  I point this out because it is indicative of the many young people are being educated all over the world, yet seem loyal and ready to come back to Georgia. I like the diversity of events at the Tbilisoba. Game tables everywhere, gymnastics, dancing, music and performances, craft booths, new food sample booths, and international food court.  

Above right was one of the ancient Queen's palaces

This 16 year old girl challenged seven chess players, at the same time. And she beat them all.  It was amazing to watch. And sometimes she would instruct and not allow her opponents to make a bad move.  I also played chess with a local young man a while back.  He was world champ when he was 9, for that age group.  I learned so much.  Chess is very popular here. And good to see the girls compete as well.

gymnastic demonstration

Nardi, or backgammon is a popular, and testosterone driven game in Georgia. 

Who knows why? I played a fellow and he wouldn't even compete.

 Like he was being polite by not playing aggressively. How boring!

I love how they celebrate fresh fruit and
vegetables. Kids even love raw broccoli - a rare treat. 

Dance demonstrations

Peace Bridge - a very modern design surrounded by 9 + centuries of
historic buildings.  Oh well. The past president, saakashvili, named this
for the crossroads from the old way to Peace and liberty. 

More games for everyone to play

Street Vendors

kids were entertained all day

Food booths from many nations were on the river walk:
Georgian pork BBQ, Israeli, Ukraine, Greek,
Kazakhstan, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Turkish

My Art-Koda Social Enterprise colleagues: Ilia and Nunu

a successful and fun day

US Independence Day celebration in Koda

Just a quick post to wish you all a happy 4th!   Koda celebrated our 4th of July a little early.  But we did it!  I made hot dogs, baked beans, German/American potato salad, and Hungarian cucumber salad - for 50 people, in my little kitchen with my little oven and camp stove :-)  But it turned out well and I had some good help and even a little donation for some of the food! I had to do several shifts for the beans.

I knew that everyone would be skeptical of 'sweet beans', and they were.  But it is fun sharing our culture, our food, our songs.  And of course we sang a lot of Georgian songs too.  Fun day. 

Happy 4th to all back home.  Love and miss you all! Miss the cool evening, the fireworks, family, friends, entertainment, music...  I guess I never really thought about what a nice holiday it really is. Next year I will appreciate it more.