Disturbing Ancestor’s Souls in Kutaisi Reconstruction Projects

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

The completion of the first stage of the reconstruction in Kutaisi is celebrated by the opening of the Gabashvili Park. However, repair-works are still going on in the city. Dugup and blocked streets show that the presentation of the renovated city will be a bit behind schedule.

Local authority still avoids any discussions about the details of the reconstruction project that will cost 30 million GEL. They just state: “Everything will be clear when the work is completed. We will have a city that will attract investments because of its beauty and glamour. It will help Kutaisi to return back its rightful function.”

The restoration of old Kutaisi means to start a second stage of reconstruction as well. Supposedly, culture monuments will also be involved in that process. Kutaisi residents started joking about it. “Evidently, the so-called living “alive” officials of the central and local authority cannot cope with the renovation activities and they started to get dead kings involved. Is it necessary that Davit the Builder took control of the activities in order to get the job done?” – as the Kutaisi population jokes.

The second stage of the reconstruction is to start in September and officials from the City Hall state that the central part of Kutaisi and territory from Railway Station to Agmashenebeli Square will be repaired. Supposedly, the Agmashenebeli statue will be moved to the square in front of the Railway Station; the statue was set up in front of the Lado Meskhishvili Drama Theatre in 1995.

“Many guests and hosts celebrated the opening of the statue of the Great King in Kutaisi. We were so happy to see Agmashenebeli’s statue in our city as if a live king had made his returned to his royal city. I do not think anybody appreciates the fact that the statue is being carried back and forth. Thus, they insult our predecessors and their monuments; they will not forgive it to us. It must remain on its initial place why should we bother it so often,” said historian Giorgi Javakhadze.

Officials from City Self-governance explain that two statues excluded each other. Agmashenebeli statue enshrines the theater building, which is also a monument.

“Removal of the statue will be followed with great degree of discontent and fuss. Everybody will forget Tbilisi situation when people held protest demonstration after Agmashenebeli Statue was moved in Digomi district from Republic Square. Our government remembers monuments and historical places only during inauguration and special days. Thus, they disturb the souls of our predecessor who have gone before us.. We will not allow anybody to act deliberately with such things,” stated local opposition parties.