This proves to be predicably shocking with the slaughter of the nationalists, the intelligencia, cultural leaders etc. The worst repressions took place in 1921/22, under the Bolshivics and in 1935/36 under Uncle Joe the local lad made good.
Next we head for the Old Town.
This is a view of the altar in the Jvaris Mama church.
Inside the Sioni Cathedral. There was a wedding taking place at the time.
We took the cable car up to the Nariqala Fortress. You can see the new Rike Park below and the Presidential Palace with those shiny tubes underneath. This is the controversial auditorium which you like or loathe. It is in a very sensitive position and I will reserve judgement. If the acoustics work well, then I vote in favour. It is bold and futuristic, unlike some of the new builds, the Palace and the new Cathedral, for example which rather run of the mill pastiches. Also interesting is the Peace Bridge. Nicknamed Always, can you work out why?
This is up in the fortress. Some things are not approved of. Just a little way further round the cliff and in a very prominent position stands the 20 m high Mother of Georgia.
The Mother of Georgia replaced the huge statue of Lenin as a result of the Rose Revolution which also coincided with the rebirth of the Georgian Orthodox Christian religion. Lenin also went from the middle of Lenin Square. Now you can see St George in the middle of Liberty Square. Seen below at night.
JUST AN IMPORTANT POINT. OUR PHONES HAVEN'T WORKED SINCE WE HAVE BEEN IN GEORGIA, SO IF YOU HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT US YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL WE ARE BACK IN TURKEY (10 TH) FOR A RESPONSE. If you have read this blog, please add a comment so we know you are out there. Thanks
Spalding lost to Ilkeston today - 22-18, as Ilkeston are near the top of the league this was a good performance although I didn't watch it. I arrived as the final whistle went.
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