GEOAIR: 2017 calendar with Soviet period mosaics from different regions of Georgia

GeoAIR's new product is out on the market - 2017 calendar with Soviet period mosaics from different regions of Georgia. Among them are Vartsikhe Hydrostation and Shukhruti Mining, seeing of which might be hard without special permissions. Starting from today you can buy them at 17 კვადრატი, Funduki / ფუნდუკი and წიგნის მაღაზია სანტა ესპერანსა - Bookshop Santa Esperanza shops, including Georgian National Gallery bookshop. Enjoy and if you get intrigued, book our tours on Soviet Period Mosaics at ATT - Alternative Tours of Tbilisi

Source: facebook.com/geoair.archidrome

More to Soviet Mosaic: soviet-mosaics.ge
or here: facebook.com/sovietmosaics 

TRAVEL TO SVANETI: Dato Ratiani's Ushguli Guesthouse "Lileo"

lileo-ushguli.blogspot.com

Dato Ratiani & Family, Ushguli, Upper Svaneti, Georgia

Dato and his wife, Nanuli; Dato's mother, Tsiala, and sisters Nona and Nana; and their four teenage children in Ushguli, Lika, Anzor, Lana and Lile, who are now at a beginner level of English study. Bookings: You can make arrangements either directly with Dato (in Georgian or Russian: tel. +995 (8)99 912256, email ratiani.dn@gmail.com) or through a tour company (see Links).

Photogallery from the guesthouse >>>

* Caucasus Travel - book through them in Tbilisi

* Tony Hanmer, designer/photographer of this site

Welcome to Ushguli! This ancient village of some 50 families and nearly as many huge stone watchtowers is the highest continuously inhabited point in Europe at c. 2200 m altitude. It is located in the province of Svaneti, Republic of Georgia, Caucasus region (see map, roughly 43 degrees latitude and longitude). There are two roads to Ushguli, via Zugdidi and Mestia (generally open all the time) and via Kutaisi and Lentekhi (generally open late June-late October). The village is a famous stop on the Georgian tourist routes, and has much to offer. It has four hamlets: from top to bottom, Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Chazhashi and Murqmeli. The name of the village comes from the Georgian words for "fearless heart".

Lileo is the home of Dato and Nanuli Ratiani and their family, and it has been active as a guesthouse since 1996, in Zhibiani hamlet. It has space for up to 20 guests in its many comfortable rooms, year round; full board - three meals including delicious Svan food - is included in the daily tariff, and vegetarian meals are possible by prior arrangement. Dato can also drive guests between the village and Mestia (45 km away) or Lentekhi (80 km away). The guestbook reveals visitors from the whole world.

Ushguli offers much for the adventuresome tourist. Walking in, around and high above the village, as far away as Mt Shkhara, 7 km away and the source of the Enguri River; walking visits to the two museums, any of a number of watchtowers, seven ancient Orthodox churches and Queen Tamar's Tower fortress overlooking the village; drives or horseback rides with a guide from Dato's family - all are possible. There are quite a few festivals and other special events during the year, some of which correspond to the Orthodox Church calendar and all of which reveal much of the culture of the Svans.Come discover an ancient people and their traditions in the magnificent setting of the high Caucasus mountains. A warm welcome anytime!

Aside from what you would normally bring on a trip to high mountains, rubber boots are indispensable for getting around in Ushguli itself, as this is a free-range farming village. Also, when walking, a stout stick is useful - the large local Caucasus Shepherd dogs are guards, and can be fierce, although this writer has never had or even heard of a biting incident on his many visits.

cal

Ushguli Calendar of Events

Jan. 1 - New Year (Akhali Tseli, western calendar)

Jan. 7 - Christmas (Shoba, Orthodox calendar)

Jan. 13-14 - New Year (Akhali Tseli, Orthodox calendar)

Feb. 15 - Limpari (Festival of Lamps, traditional Svan bonfire event)

February - St. Barbara's Day (Barbaroba, date related to Orthodox Easter)

Lirhi ("Vigil", traditional Svan snow-tower event, Saturday 7 weeks before Orthodox Easter)

Easter and Ascension (Orthodox calendar, spring, dates variable)

May 6 - St George's Day (Giorgoba)

Jul. 12 - Petre-Pavloba (Sts Peter and Paul Day)

1st week of August (though not every year) - Ushguloba ("Ushguli Festival", traditional Svan village festival)

Aug. 28 - Maryamoba (St Mary's Day)

Nov. 23 - St George's Day 2nd (Giorgoba)

Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve (Akhali Tseli, western calendar)

CALENDAR: Georgian Events - www.calendar.ge

Dear Georgians and Friends of Georgia,
I would like to introduce http://www.calendar.ge/ - Georgian Events. This is Google Calendar Based website and editable.
If you would like to become editor and add Georgia Related Events please let me know and I will send you a personal invitation.
This will give you an access to Calendar and you will be able to enter Events. Please be very Specific and add Location, Time, Address and Website of the events that are related to Georgia. Only Georgia Related Events shall be entered!

Thanks a lot for your help, I will be looking forward for your response.

Gizo Ujarmeli

Direct: (715) 680-0600

Email: gizo@gizo.org

www.skategold.com

www.tbilisi.info

CULTURE:

THE GEORGIAN CALENDAR

JANUARY - ianvari
1. - New Year
14. - Old - New Year (for Orthodox Christians).
17. - Martyrs of Shio-Mgvime: Evagresi, Diacon Ilia and others.
21. - Saint ABO of Tiflis (786 AD).
27. - Saint Nina , Nino (IV century).
28. - Salome of Ujarma (IV century).

FEBRUARY - Tebervali
1. - Saint ANTONY (Martkopheli, the Hermit, VI century).
8. - Saint DAVID IV, the Victorious, (King of Georgia and Defender of the Faith, 1125 AD).
11. - St. Ashot Curapalati (Martyr in Temple of Artanuji, 829 AD).
17. - St. Evagrisi (the disciple of Shio-Mgvimeli).
19. - St. Arsen Ikaltoeli (1127 AD).
23. - St. Ioane Chimchimeli (Philosopher, XIII century).
25. - Feast Day of Icon of Most Holy Theotokos of Iberia [Georgia], also, Prokhore of Georgia (a reestablisher of Holy Cross Monastery in Jerusalem, XI century), and also St. Nikolz Dvali (Martyre by Muslims in Jerusalem, 1314 AD).

MARCH - marti
3. - Mother's Day; also St. Nikoloz Catholicosi (1591 AD).
7. - The Nine Brothers of Kola - SS. Guram, Adarnase, Baqar, Vache, Bardzim, Dachi, Juansher, Ramaz and Pharsman (were stoned, VI century).
16. - Ioane Catholicos ("Oqropir", 1001 AD).
23. - Ioane of Khakhuli (was called as "Oqropiri", X-XI cent.).
25. - King Dimitry (Tavdadebuli, 1289); Day of reestablishing Independence of Georgian Church (1917) from Russian jurisdiction (new choosen Patriarch Kirion II was killed in 1918 by Russian Tsarists).
29. - Pimen of Salosi (Enlightener of North Caucasus peope, XIII century).

APRIL - Aaprili
10. - St. Ioane bishop of Mangleli (1751 AD).
14. - St. Ioane Shavteli and Evlogy of Salosi.
15. - St. Giorgi Matskevereli (IX-X cent.).
17. - St. Giorgi Mtsire (IX century).
23. - Saint mothers (nuns) of Qvabtakhevi Monastery (1386); and also "Glory of Georgian Language".
28. - Saint CYCHIUS and 16 Georgian Martyrs: Andria, Anastasi, Talale, Theodorite, Ivqirion, Iordane, Kondrate, Lukiane, Mimnanos, Nerangios, Polyevqtos, Iakob, Phoka, Domentiane, Biqtor and Zosime.

MAY - maisi
1. - St.Basili Ratishvili (XIII century).
2. - Day of Didube (Diduboba).
3. - 6000 Martyrs in the David Garejeli Monastery (1616 AD).
14. - Saint Queen Tamari (1213 AD).
16. - Saint Mamai Cathalicos (744 AD); also Miqael and Arsen of Georgia - of Ulompo (IX century).
20. - Saint JOHN ZEDAZNELI and the thirteen Syrian Fathers: Abibos Nekreseli, Anton Martmkofeli, David Garejeli, Zenon Ikaltoeli, Tadeoz of Stephantsminda, Ise of Tsilkani, Ioseb of Alaverdi, Isidore of Samtavno, Miqael of Ulompo, Piros of Breta, Stephane of Khirsa and Shio of Mgvime (VI century); and also Akaki Asistavi (303 AD).
22. - Saint SHIO OF MGHVIMELI (Mghvime), the Anchorite (VI cent.)
26. - INDEPENDENCE DAY OF GEORGIA; and also Saint EUTHYMIUS of Athos, the translator (1028).
31. - Saints DAVID and TARICHAN, brothers (693 AD).

JUNE - ivnisi
1. - SAINT NINO (Nina), Her entrence into Georgia (323 AD).
5. - King Dimitry, the writter of Georgian Sacred song "You are a grape garden..." (1157).
9. - St. Basili, the son of King Bagrat III.
14. - Holy Fathers: Shio of Akhali, David, Gabriel and Pavle of Gareja, (were killed by Leks [Dagestanians] during 1696-1700 AD).
15. - St. Dodo of Gareja (596 AD).
16. - St. David of Gareja ("Mamadavitoba" in Tbilisi, VI century).
22. - St. Ioane of Shavtel-Gaenati (XIII century).
25. - St. Tornike of Athos (Ioane).
29. - Saint Qaikhosro of Georgia (1558 AD).
30. - Saint Shalva of Akhaltsikhe (1227AD).

JULY - ivlisi
4. - Saints ARCHIL (784 AD) and LUARSAB II (1622 AD).
10. - Saint GEORGE of Mount Athos (1065).
13. - Day of Twelve Apostles. SVETITSKHOVLOBA; Public baptism in the river Aragvi.
25. - Saints JOHN (Euthymu's father) and GABRIEL (X century).

AUGUST - agvisto
3. - Saint SALOME OF GEORGIA (martyred by Muslims, XVIII cent.); also Saint Ilia Chavchavadze (was killed by Russian Tsarists, 1837-1907 AD); and also Day of Angel of Georgian Catholocos - Patriarch - Ilia II.
Saint ILARION OF TVALI (XI century)
11. - Saint EUSTHATHIUS of Mtskheta (589 AD).
13. - St. Arsen, Bishop of Ninotsminda (1082).
16. - Saint RAJDEN, Martyred in village Tsromi (457).
21. - St. Eqvtime, Elder of Monastery of St. John Baptist (1804).
25. - SS. Geronti, Seraphion, Herman, Bessarion, Miqael and Svimeoni (were killed in the monastery of Gareja, 1851).
28. - Day of Sion (Sionoba).
29. - Saint ANTONY of Martkofi (see also Jen.19); Day of Anchiskhati Cathedral (Anchiskhatoba); Saint Qristophore of Guria.
30. - St. Qristodule (Philosopher, XII century).

SEPTEMBER - seqtemberi
2. - Day of Didgori (Didgoroba).
3. - St. Sarmean, Catholocos of Qartli (779 AD).
10. -Saint SHUSHAINIK (Susanna), Queen and Martyr (475 AD).
14. - Begining of Indiqtion - New Year according to Church Calendar.
21. - Day of Didube and Gelati (Diduboba, Gelatoba).
26. - Saint KETEVAN, Queen of Kachetia, Martyr (1624 AD).
28. - Saint JOSEPH of Alaverdi (570 AD).
29. - Saint ISAAC and JOSEPH, Martyred in Karnu (808 AD).

OCTOBER - oqtomberi
1. - Saint BIDZINA; and two brothers from Ksani - SS. SHALVA and ELIZBAR (1661).
8. - Saint Arsen the Great (Catholocos, 887 AD).
12. - St. Onophre of Gareja (XVIII century).
14. - Commemoration of the miracles wrought by the holy tunic of OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST; also St. King Mirian, Queen Nana and St. Sidonia (sister of Jew rabbin - Abiatar, IV century); Day of Mtskheta (Mtskhetoba-Svetitskhovloba).
15. - Saints DAVID and CONSTANTINE (Mkheidze, 740 AD).
17. - Saint Evdemoz Catholicos (martyr, 1642 AD).
18. - Saint GREGORY of Khandza (861 AD).
20. - St. Elder Ioseb (1763 AD).
26. - Saint Antony, Mitropolit of Chkondidi and his disciple Elder-monk Iakob (1815 AD).
29. - Martyr Longinoz of Asistavi (a witness of suffering of Jesus Christ, I century, AD).
30. - Saint Joseph (Catholicos, 1770 AD).

NOVEMBER - noemberi
10. - Saint NEOPHYTUS of Urbani, Martyr (VII century).
11. - Saint SERAPHION of Zarzma (900 AD).
12. - St. Iotham Zedgenidze (1465 AD).
13. - Memorial Day of 100,000 martyrs in Tbilisi (1227 AD).
17. - SS. Ioane, Stephan and Isaia of Georgia (846 AD).
23. - St. King Konstantine (martyr, 852 AD).
30. - Saint MIQAEL of Gobron (914 AD).

DECEMBER - dekemberi
2. - Saint HILARION of Georgia (875 AD).
12. - Saint ABIBOS, Bishop of Nekresa, Martyr (VI century).
13. - The entrence of the Apostle Andrea in Georgia (62 AD); and St. King Vakhtang Gorgasali (502 AD).
15. - Saint IESSE, Bishop of Tsilkani ("Tsilknoba", VII century).
24. - Day of all Georgian Fathers and Mothers.
25. - Intronozation Day of Georgian Catholicos-Patriarch ILIA II ,his Consecration to the Patriarchacy.

The Fallowing are movable:
* Saint SHIO of Mgvime (another commemoration); - Thursday before Great Lent.

* Shota Rustaveli, the Poet, a reestablisher of Holy Cross Monastery in Jerusalem; - Monday after Pentacost.

* The Monks of Saint David Garesja monastery (Martyrs under Shah Abbas); - Tuesday in Holy Week.

* Saint DODO, Wednesday of the seventh week after Pascha (Easter).

* Saint DAVID of Garedsja , Thursday of the seventh week after Pascha (Easter).

There is a similarity between the Georgian and Byzantine (Greek) Kalendars. The following saints, however, are commemorated by the Georgians. Some of them are also included in the Armenian Kalendar.This list is complited, with slight variations, from "Georgian Church Kalendar", by BESIKI SISAURI. Have some comments or ideas, please, feel free and write.

Source: Georgian Orthodox Calendar

REPORTAGE & PHOTOGRAPHY:

ARMENIAN FESTIVAL COMBINES PAGANISM AND NATIONALISM
By Onnik Krikorian 7/27/07 (EurasiaNet) with great photos

Tradition, in the South Caucasus, dies hard. With the ancient July festival of Vardavar, one small group of Armenians is seeing a chance to relive Armenia’s pagan past, and affirm the country’s national identity.
Armenia adopted Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD, thereafter destroying or converting its pagan temples. For most Armenians, this date represents the turning point for their nation, and one that would later distance it from Muslim neighbors in Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey.
But each year at Armenia’s only remaining pagan temple, at Garni, 32 kilometers east of Yerevan, a few hundred Armenians gather to celebrate Vardavar as an event that they consider represents Armenians’ true and original faith. The festival is perhaps the most popular of all traditional and religious events in the Armenian calendar, with youngsters and adults gleefully dumping water over hapless passers-by.
The celebration has now been absorbed into the Christian calendar, but was traditionally associated with Astghik, the Armenian goddess of water, beauty, love and fertility. The festival’s name is derived from the Armenian word for rose, "vard." Early observers of Vardavar offered Astghik roses and sprinkled water on each other, or feasted near water in the hope that she would provide rain in time for harvest.
Now re-invented to represent the transfiguration of Christ, the holiday is scheduled by the Armenian Church to be held approximately 98 days after Easter.
At Garni, pagan priests placed sacrificial knives in fire, as well as rose petals in earthenware jugs of water, before reading aloud from the Ukhtagir, a collection of pre-Christian folk stories and legends immortalizing Armenia’s pagan gods written by Slak Kakosian, the founder of the Pagan Covenant, one of Armenia’s main pagan organizations. Founded in 1990, the group now claims it has over 1,000 members.
In the group’s events, nationalism and paganism mingle equally. "We are pagans," said 43-year-old Zohrab Petrosian, Kakosian’s successor. "We are Armenians, but we don’t know our true religion. Simply lighting a candle in a church or wearing a cross around our necks does not make us Christian. I’ve been a member of this organization for 10 years, but as an Armenian I’ve been pagan since the day I was born."
At the Garni Vardavar observances, one of the highest-profile attendees was Armen Avetisian, leader of the ultra-nationalist Union of Armenian Aryans, who received a three-year suspended sentence in 2005 for inciting racial hatred against Jews. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].
Avetisian and his followers wore black t-shirts featuring the picture of Garegin Njdeh, an Armenian national hero who lived from 1886-1955. Njdeh was a skillful military leader and anti-Bolshevik activist who developed a philosophy that blended religious and nationalist elements. His ideas have been influential in shaping the political platforms of modern-day parties, including the governing Republican Party of Armenia, as well as its junior coalition partner, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnakstutiun.
Until recently, many of those attending the pagan festivals were affiliated with the Republican Party, but now members of other parties are starting to join in. This year, for example, apart from members of the Union of Armenian Ayrans, most other people in attendance identified themselves as members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnakstutiun.
The appearance of ultra-nationalists, however, raises concern in some circles that the pagan movement could make a radical departure toward the extreme right. Armenian pagans tend to dismiss the concern, though. Many at the Garni observances said politics wasn’t a factor for them. Robert Garabedian, an ethnic Armenian astrophysicist from Germany, was baptized as a pagan at the Garni event. Speaking to EurasiaNet, Garabedian said that spending Vardavar at the temple site carried a personal rather than political significance. "I’m Zoroastrian, Christian and Buddhist, and now I want to be baptized into the same religion that my [Armenian] ancestors followed," he said.
The hordes of children drenching pedestrians and motorists with water usually overshadow any such quests for meaning on Vardavar. Even so, Armenia’s pagans might take comfort in the fact that torrential rains unexpectedly hit Armenia at the festival’s end on July 15. As the rain poured down in the days that followed, one can only wonder if Astghik wasn’t listening, after all.

Editor’s Note: Onnik Krikorian is a journalist and photographer from the United Kingdom living and working in the Republic of Armenia.

There are more photographs at the following URLs: (Thanks Onnik!!!)http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/07/15/vardavar-garni-kotayk-region/
http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/07/15/vardavar-garni-kotayk-region-2/
http://oneworld.blogsome.com/2007/07/15/pagan-armenians-celebrate-vardavar/

Some Links about Arts & Culture in Georgia

Artist Radish Tordia's homepage Honored Artist of Georgia, Biography and Galleries.
CAMEOS Beso Darjania.
ERISIONI Georgian State National Singing And Dancing Academic Ensemble.
GEORGIAN VOICES "The Rustavi Choir" by Ted Levin, presented by Besiki Sisauri.
Honored painter of Georgia Alexander Mosiashvili Home Page of honored painter of Georgia Alexander Mosiashvili. Few photos of his paintings.
Honored painter of Georgia, professor Tengiz Japaridze Home Page of honored painter of Georgia, professor Tengiz Japaridze. Few photos of his tapestries.
Marjanishvili State Academic Theatre Historical review, photo gallery, famous actors and actresses, current plays and popular plays performed in the theatre.
Mtiebi Folk Group. With information on the style, members, concerts, and more.
Niko Pirosmani Contains biographical information as well as many paintings.
THE GEORGIAN CALENDAR The Georgian Calendar, presented by Besiki Sisauri.
The Three Marias Page Containing the works of the famous Georgian artist Niko Pirosmani.