Tbilisoba

Strange as it may seem, the "City Day" tradition in its current form isn't even 50 years old yet. The first festival was held in 1979. It was timed to coincide with the large-scale reconstruction of Tbilisi's historic quarters, the project that shaped today's idea of what old Tbilisi looks like, and that earned its author, Shota Kavlashvili, the half-joking title of "Prince Balkonsky." This also explains the festival's geography: historically it was centered on Abanotubani, and from there it gradually spread up along the embankments. Interestingly, many native Tbilisians make a complicated face when the festival comes up and start remembering long-postponed plans for a trip out of town. Hospitality is handled by hundreds, if not thousands, of shashlik vendors from all over Georgia.