Two Unforgettable Days in Imereti
After one-month summer holidays, activities within framework of the “SOS-Culture” project have been renewed.
On October 13-14 the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association (dvv international) Project Office Georgia has organized field trip to Imereti which aimed on visiting historical monuments and cultural assets situated in mentioned region; and also facilitating the process of Youth Clubs’ members’ acquaintance, palling up and experience-sharing. Projects representatives have in advance taken care of exciting agenda and proper organization of excursion and prepared everything to make it loaded with information and impressions.
Shaumiani, Dmanisi, Tetritskaro and Bolnisi Youth Clubs have started moving at 6 o’clock in the morning to make it before 8 am to Tbilisi so that we could launch our journey towards Imereti – tells us project coordinator, Giorgi Jikia. It was the very first joint trip in the frame of the project, which has replaced manqué “Summer Academy” and (anyway) brought Youth Clubs members together for some period of time. We have selected excursion participants based on their outstanding activities and enthusiasm throughout the flow of the project. Special preference was given to those youngsters who overcame laziness and fulfilled summer task – shared in written form their emotions on the topics such as actual project, cultural heritage, tolerance and friendship. So, up to 60 teenagers have been nominated. They were accompanied by Club leaders and trainers, and altogether we have set off to Kutaisi. In this trip, as usually, art critics Giorgi Patashuri was with us in order to traditionally guide us and excitingly describe each historic and cultural monument.
How did you work out the route? Why Kutaisi?
We thought a lot about the route beforehand and decided to offer such a region which would have been “wanted” by all 4 Youth Clubs. As the project is implemented in Eastern Georgia, Kvemo Kartli and youngsters anyway thoroughly explore home regions, this time we have chosen Western Georgia for visiting. It appeared the absolute majority of trip participators haven’t been to those cultural-historic sightseeing places which were included in excursion agenda.
Which places in particular?
Throughout 2 days we have attended Sataplia, Prometheus Cave, Bagrati Cathedral, Gelati, Motsameta Monastery, old and new Kutaisi with modern Parliament building, McDonald’s. These all has been complemented by cognitive-entertaining activities, funny games in advance prepared by trainers, so it turned out to be indeed full of emotions, unforgettable days. Emotions and fun have already started while travelling, when everyone sat inside huge comfortable bus and get to know games were conducted with an aim of bringing all Youth Clubs’ members closer. Relatively long journey allowed us to enjoy intellectual and ice-breaking exercises, riddles, and songs, so that barrier and estrangement existed between partakers of different Youth Clubs has been overcome, and we arrived to Kutaisi with pleasantly friendly spirit. After dropping our bags in the hotel, we have departed to Imereti protected territory – National Park.
Imereti National Park with unique green surface and cave, is famous for its pre-historic significance and is one of the most exciting touristic places in the region to visit. All the conditions are created so that you can comfortably explore the surroundings, receive all necessary details with the help of guide and informational desks, relax, take a snack and spend time in an exciting and enjoyable manner. Discovery of world importance has been made here in Sataplia - footprints of dinosaurs, especially attractive for visitors. The imprint was empowered through variety of dinosaurs’ kinds, which makes this exceptional place even more worth of taking a trip to.
None of excursion participants has been to Sataplia - says Giorgi. We split in groups, trainers and leaders divided responsibilities over teams and in such organized way leaders followed our guides on Sataflia trail/ Very soon we faced splendid world - we passed by dinosaurs footprints. Guides have explained us the history behind those footprints, shared facts about dinosaurs’ origin, life style and their extinction. From rocky part of the park, we have moved to the forest, where we saw real-like dinosaur statuettes. Each of them had a desk describing etymology of this or that particular kind of dinosaur. It was breathtaking and enthralling for us, cheering us up even more. We reached the gorge, from where the whole Imereti was clearly visible as though it was on your palm. Down there, in ravine, another distinctive sightseeing waited for us - Sataflia Cave. It was shocking – marvelous dreamlike world; eternal world where time was not important. In case of dinosaurs we were impacted through our own imagination, this magic world was totally real - tangible, touchable, visible. Fantastic compositions made up from stalactites and stalagmites originated drop by drop throughout millions and thousands of years are so remarkable that you realize - only Nature itself could have been their creator. The beauty in front of your eyes along with classical music and lighting special effects in the background hypnotizes and overwhelms you. Thoughtfully and silently we walked through cave halls. Another wonder awaited us upon coming out of the cave – glass balcony right over an abyss! One more stunning sight for youngsters who, most probably, have never experienced so many emotions at once. In the beginning some teenagers were afraid of even stepping on the balcony, however, with the support, trust and faith of braver ones, they eventually overcame the fear, walked on the balcony and enjoyed marvelous horizon. Though at that particular second something else than beauty of landscape was more important - the feeling of mutual trust and friendship which was born then. It was absolutely positive moment for us, for everyone, and with such strong feelings we have left Sataflia behind.
Bagrati Cathedral
Amazing synthesis of ancient and new, centuries-old, presented in stone history of our country... History which remembers sweet and bitter instants, many falls and rises, nation's and motherland's successes and failures... That is what Giorgi Patasuri, art critics by occupation, has narrated to the youngsters, evaluating newly-renovated cathedral as artwork; artwork which invites you to read the epoch, past and modern craft, its development with the flow of the time and specific architectural distinctions. Rehabilitated Bagrati was a real example for teenagers of what our project is aimed on - historic and cultural heritage and its protection. Every single attractive detail was captured by Clubs' members as they are also trained in photography for the project. So our excursion's sole importance was not only getting acquainted with the history but as well applying acquired skills in practice. We are planning to organize exhibition of the photos taken during this trip. The process of shooting liked pictures was so amusing that no one wanted to live Bagrati. It took us certain effort and time to bring them back to the bus, even though next surprise – one of the greatest temptations of our civilization- was ahead, McDonald’s. So, tired and hungry after the long day filled with emotions and impressions we have shifted from the heart of history to the center of Kutaisi and closed our first day in the modern and comfortable environment of McDonald’s. For most of youngsters living in the region it was the first “face-to-face”meeting with the world-wide popular American fast-food brand which offered them delicious hamburgers and French fries.
Though…
Though excursion’s first day didn’t finish this way. After taking a short rest, everyone gathered in the hotel yard in the twilight. At this point youngsters have shared interesting and funny moments, things seen and experienced during the day with each other more freely. This gathering turned out to be pleasant, lively and more useful for getting closer. The trainers: Anna Kerechashvili, Giorgi Jikia, Mikhel Kharazishvili have managed to better identify/spot individual capacities of youngsters through intellectual and sports games prepared beforehand. Trainers were assisted by club leaders: Ana Khutsishvili, Irma ??? and Mzia Devnozashvili. Smart and cheerful get-together continued until late in the night. The second day of excursion and fresh impressions were still waiting ahead.
Day 2: Prometheus Cave
We woke up at 6 in the morning, had breakfast, loaded bags in the bus and departed from the hotel – continues his discourse Giorgi Jikia. Warm autumn morning was rising in the streets of Kutaisi. Albeit this splendid reality was soon replaced with fairytale world, when we entered the Prometheus Cave and in a split second found ourselves in another dimension – dimension of infinity and timelessness. Actually we have only spent 3 hours inside the cave, which appeared to be bigger and more diverse. Huge halls of stalactites, stalagmites and stalagnats of bizarre forms and colors seemed to be even more elegant and gracious with classical music and special lightning in the background. The perception of this beauty was strengthened by guide’s enthralling narrative. We have walked through unique halls and reached dark, water-filled tunnel with light in the end of it. Cave administration personnel responsible for our safety have distributed special waistcoats and helmets and joined us in the boats. With their help, we have slowly swum in miraculous tunnel. Water was reflecting sun rays and lighted up cave making it even more impressive. With these emotions we have come out to the day light and the river has brought us back to the real world. After quick break in the nature, we have proceeded to narrow and paved streets of Kutaisi leading to Gelati.
Gelati, Motsameta
Unlike the Prometheus Cave natural beauty, Gelati Monastery complex with its church, academy and holistic architectural ensemble is a hand-made sightseeing. If nature created the cave, here everything is human handcrafted with great love and care. Giorgi Patashuri has narrated the teenagers about the great role and importance of Gelati Monastery Complex in Georgia's state, geo-political and educational life. This information was even more thrilling when being right there, witnessing everything with your own eyes. Clubs members have taken bundle of pictures in Gelati also, capturing their vision of unique, massive-scaled architectural complex. The same situation took place in Motsameta.
Was Motsameta the final destination of your route?
Yes, our excursion came to the end in Motsameta, where we made fairly long stop. After exploring the monastery and taking memorable shots, we sat right in the church yard and talked about Motsameta, Gelat, Bagrati… about significance of these historical monuments in the development of political and cultural life of Georgia in the old times. These churches are the outstanding samples of cultural heritage and represent immense artistic value as art memorials. That’s why their protection and care is civil responsibility of society as a whole and each of us. Particularly important role in this process is devoted to youngsters, who should remember that Motherland starts with the past, and its every expression is our treasure. We discussed the impact of the “SOS Culture” project on protection of abandoned and neglected historical monuments and bringing up in the youth respectful attitude towards the past. Our conversation has as well touched upon tolerance, friendship, time spent in Imereti and here, in the bosom of nature, came to better comprehension of mentioned topics. Afterwards was fun again: games, dances, songs and once more the feeling of being friends, being tolerant, and, most importantly, being children of this beautiful country.
With this spirit we left wonderful Imereti and came back to Tbilisi. Upon arrival Shaumiani, Dmanisi, Tetritskaro and Bolnisi Youth Clubs members continued their road to home regions and, I am persuaded, that these 2 days will never disappear from their memory and conscience.
