K
utaisi Botanical Garden Administration arranged a nice evening for the guests, during which the actors of Kutaisi State Puppet Theatre showed a performance on a specially built stage.

The atmosphere was amazing. The sunny day was filled with cheers and joyful applause of children ready to see the performance. The mixture of colours and the expectation of the guests made the Botanical Garden even more attractive.

Kutaisi Botanical Garden is located on the banks of the river Rioni. It was founded in the middle of the 19th century. It is the second with its antiquity after Tbilisi Botanical Garden in Georgia.

The garden lay-out belongs to a famous French gardener Regner.

After him, Scottish Jacob Marr, the father of the famous linguist and historian Niko Marr, was elected as a head of the garden.

The outstanding linguist was born in this garden and spent his early years of childhood there. Later, an Austrian, a Czech as well as specialists of different nationalities worked in the garden. Thus, Kutaisi Botanical garden, with its 700 species of all world floral trees, bushes and rare, endangered species of local flora, is an example of European park building.

The British, with smiling faces, entered the yard of the Botanical Garden and traditionally welcomed people around them.

Before the puppet performance, Professor Amiran Khvadagiani, director of Kutaisi Botanical Garden, greeted the Welsh guests and on behalf of the Botanical Garden and the whole city, presented to flowers flowers the guests as a gesture of their love and goodwill.

The actors of Kutaisi State Puppet Theatre performed the play with great enthusiasm and dedication. The play deserved approval and applause from the audience. Our guests were very pleased. On that day, Kutaisi Puppet Theatre presented itself in a different format on a portable screen in the open air in Kutaisi Botanical garden for the honourary guests. Puppeteers performed Lili Nutsubidze’s play “The Flea and the Ant” staged by the producer Levan Gabritchidze.

Derek Butler was delighted and he noted that the theatre was very special. Saying that the production, fantastic dances and the set were very good. He was sorry that there was no puppet theatre in Newport. Derek was sure that his grandchildren world enjoy seeing this wonderful performance greatly.

Caroline Mclachlan was happy to meet Lasha Gagoshidze, who was their guest from Public School №3 in Newport in 1990. Lasha also took part in the puppet play. She was glad to visit this fantastic theatre with his invitation. She was impressed with all it and could not hide her emotions during the play.

The hospitality of IMERETI (one of the largest regions of Georgia) was presented in a specially designed corner which reflected the region’s culture and traditions and filled the evening with special joy.

The guests, tasted the wine taken from a pitcher with a special vessel – Orshimo and were participants of this activity. They also enjoyed Georgian a loaf of bread – Shoti, prepared on the spot, baked in Georgian bakery - Thone... Once again, this gesture showed great joy and admiration accompanying their visit in every part of our city.

The British responded to this love with great excitement. The visit in the Botanical Garden proved once again the remarkable unity of Kutaisi and Newport and the time only strengthens it for the benefit of future generations.

Irina Kobakhidze

KNIA Member