Gruzija je zemlja ponosnog pravoslavnog naroda, čudesne prirode, autentičnosti, u nekim momentima i surovosti. Ali najlepše i najvažnije – jaka je i voljena od svog naroda
Georgia is a Christian Orthodox country and a proud nation, with wondrous nature and authenticity, while it’s nature can also be brutal in some instances. However, most beautifully and most importantly, it is a strong land that’s loved by its people WELCOME TO GEORGIA Europe’s beautiful balcony This jewel, which you can reach from Belgrade via an Air Serbia flight to Istanbul, is a land of highlanders, heroes, natural beauty, pride and inspiration D uring a seven-day stay and 1,800 km traversed, I came to the conclusion that the hospitable Georgian people preserve their rich and turbulent history with pride; that the most important monuments are the early Christian churches that leave one feeling breath- less; that alongside its fantastic ski centres in the Cauca- sus and stunningly beautiful beaches on the Black Sea, this country actually also has one of the most exciting cuisines in the world, but also an 8,000-year tradition of producing top wines... Yes, all of this is Georgia. TBILISI Tbilisi is Georgia’s capital and largest city. The word itself translates as “warm water”, in reference to the city’s hot springs of sulphurous mineral water, where healing bathhouses have been erected. The sulphur bathhouses are located in the old part of the city, which is famous for houses sporting carved, colourful balconies. This is a lively city that’s packed with cafés, restaurants and craft shops offering souvenirs, rugs, kaftans. Standing atop a hill in the old part of the city is the Mother Georgia monument, depicting a woman holding a glass of wine for friends in one hand and a sword for enemies in the other. Another important monument is located on Freedom Square: the Liberty Monument, depicting St. George slaying a drag- on. Saint George is also the patron saint of Georgians. The Bridge of Peace is an architectural wonder of glass and steel - it connects the old and new parts of Tbilisi and symbol- ises the transition from the past to the future. BRAVE HEART Ushguli means brave heart in the Svan language. It is also the name of the highest settlement in Europe, located at an altitude of 2,200 metres asl, at the foot of Shkhara Mountain (5,193 m). Ushguli is a community of four vil- lages (Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Chazhashi and Murqmeli), on- ly one of which is under UNESCO protection. This region is today home to the highlander tribes of the Svan people, who survive in a harsh environment that’s been isolated
RAPSODIJA BOJA I UKUSA Gruzini su divni domaćini, srdačni, gostoljubivi, otvoreni. Spremanje stola za ručak je poput rituala. Iznose se istog momenta predjelo, glavno jelo, desert, sve je prebogato bojama, različitim ukusima. Njihovu nacionalnu kuhinju čine uglavnom jela od mesa, po- vrća, sira, oraha, začina, nara. Od začina najčešće je to svanetijska so pomešana sa planinskim biljem, do- sta jakog ukusa i mirisa. Od ostalih začina tu su kori- jander, peršun, nana. Nazdravlja se rakijom čača, na- stavlja se sa predjelom – sirom suluguni i lepinjom hačapuri. Hačapuri je pita sa sirom i jedno je od najpo- pularnijih gruzijskih jela. Glavni desert je čurčela, po- slastica od oraha koji se nižu na konac i umaču u sok od grožđa. KOLEVKA VINSKE CIVILIZACIJE Vinska kultura je neraskidivi deo kulture življenja sa 8.000 godina dugom tradicijom. Gruzija je 2017. proglašena kolevkom vinske civilizacije. U modernim restoranima i vinotekama u Gruziji srešćete se sa neo- ficijelnom, ali podrazumevajućom podelom na gruzij- ska vina proizvedena na tradicionalan način i gruzij- ska vina evropskog stila. U Gruziji ima oko pet stotina autohtonih sorti vinove loze, ali je u upotrebi tek ne- koliko desetina. Napoznatija crvena vina prave se od grožđa sorte saperavi. Piju se crvena, bela i narandža- sta vina, od kojih su ova poslednja novi svetski trend.
Tekst/Words: Mia Medaković Topalović Fotografije/Photography: Mia Medaković-Topalović, Depositphotos
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