Life, Devotion and Death in Tbilisi

‘Life, Devotion and Death in Tbilisi’ Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, it lies between Russia in the north, Turkey and Armenia in the south and Azerbaijan in the southeast. Tbilisi is the Capital and the largest city in Georgia. I went to Georgia for the first time as it was an opportunity to find out about the roots of my family from my mother’s side all of whom came from Georgia. My mother, my grandparents and my great, great parents all were born in Georgia. Unfortunately, I never met my grandparents as they both died many years before I was born. My grandfather was a prominent figure in the Georgian Jewish life during the beginning of the 20th century. I was hoping to find some foot notes about his work in Georgia. Even though following my family roots was a reason to travel to Georgia, I was immediately drawn towards the local celebration of the “Orthodox Easter in Tbilisi” which is what this collection is about. My intention was to photograph what I saw during the Orthodox Easter in Tbilisi, all from the daily life and a religious observance. Celebrating Easter is the most important holiday of the year The most momentous part of the celebration is the miraculous appearance of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem a day before Easter Sunday. The Holy Fire has descended upon the Tomb of Jesus Christ at the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem In that night, the ‘holy’ fire from Jerusalem came by plane to the Airport, and from there driven to the ‘Holy Trinity’ church. The fire then is distributed to all the churches around Tbilisi, and thousands of believers distribute the fire among themselves to their homes. On Monday, Georgians tend to visit cemeteries of their relatives and pay respect to the dead. It’s expected to give a toast in respect of the dead, therefore there is always a feast, while drinking and toasting the dead. Georgians pour wine on the grave. Although these traditions look somewhat strange to the outsider, however, the idea behind it is that the dead won’t be alone in the afterlife, and that their relations will also come to visit be with them in a way.