Representative for Georgia (Georgia “at” arisc. org)
Diana Lezhava is a doctoral candidate of sociology of education, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. She holds an M.A in International Politics, Georgian Institute of Public Affairs. Has more than 14 years of experience in grant project development and management. Diana is a Resident Director of the Georgia Branch of the American Research Institute of the South Caucasus (ARISC) since 2014. She worked at the Center for Social Sciences (CSS) on different positions in 2010-2023. In 2014-2023 she served as an Administrative Director of CSS, as well as a researcher in the Education and Development program. She has conducted a number of research projects especially in respect to studying higher education and is the author/co-author of respective publications. Since 2018 she is the higher education expert of European Union Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Higher Education and Erasmus Mundus Design Measures (since 2023). Her research interests comprise: higher education policy and management, post-soviet transformations.
I have been visiting Georgia since the mid-1990s and I have been able to witness the ebb and flow of interest in the country. In 1995, English speakers could only find a small library of donated English-language books in a large room on the first floor of Tbilisi State University. I believe it was run by IREX and it was an oasis for visitors and academics who could not speak Russian, which seemed to be the only other language besides Georgian that opened doors in Georgia. Later the Goethe Institute opened its center and the British Council had an array of services. I believe the American Research Institute of the South Caucasus has a special service to offer Americans across the three South Caucasian nations. It understands the area has a similar history and strives not to underline the differences but rather the similarities. By embracing scholars and students across these three interests, they not only provide a valuable service but one that emphasizes unity across geographical space. My hope is that the organization can grow into an oasis for future scholars, that provides a variety of services and continues its cross-Caucasian approach.
Hulya Sakarya, ARISC Member
ARISC Georgia Newsletter – Spring-Summer 2015
ARISC Georgia Newsletter – Winter 2015
The inclusion of the links below does not imply affiliation with ARISC nor the endorsement of views appearing on these sites.
How to orientate in Tbilisi, Georgia
ARISC Georgia offers some tips and advice about how and where to go arround Tbilisi:
Transportation:
Transportation from Tbilisi airport to the city center:
1. Take a shuttle (bus #337) – cost 1 Gel (0.40 USD). The payment is possible with a ” Metro money” card, as well as with different bank cards.
2. Get a taxi outside the airport, or call: +995 322 05 21 00 – cost is 40-60 Gel (20-30 USD)
3. Use “Bolt” Taxi application. Price varies depending on the destination.
4. Order transfer at the hotel – depends upon the hotel prices
5. Order a transfer online – www.airport-transfer.ge
Getting around Tbilisi:
Tbilisi city center is the main destination for visitors. Vake is the district where all the main universities (Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University, etc.) are located. Mtatsminda is the heart of Tbilisi connecting with downtown (historic city center) Tbilisi. For orientating in Tbilisi It is easy to find using the map downloaded here.
For more information about moving around or outside Tbilisi, please visit: www.info-tbilisi.com/usefulinfos/busroutes/, use taxi service – www.info-tbilisi.com/usefulinfos/taxi/ or download Tbilisi Underground route.
Lodging:
- Hotel Bazzar – a small boutique hotel located in the old part of the city on Orbeliani Square. To book a room, visit the hotel website: https://bazzarhotel.com/en/
- Hotel Demi – a small 7 room family hotel oriented for a business travelers and tourists. To book a room, call +995 32 222 06 19 / +995 32 225 26 61, or visit the hotel website: www.demi-hotel.com
- Hotel Varazi – has about 45 rooms, all of them are equipped with wireless internet, air-conditioning, and other facilities. To book a room visit the hotel website: www.hotelvarazi.ge
- Betsy’s Hotel – a small hotel overlooking the center of Tbilisi. The hotel can be reached on +995 32 293 14 04, or via website: www.betsyshotel.ge
- Tbilisi Marriott and Courtyard Marriott are both located on Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi central street. Courtyard Marriott is about 300 meters away from Tbilisi Marriott. The rooms in both hotels can be ordered online using their web-sites:www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tbsmc-tbilisi-marriott-hotel/ andwww.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tbscy-courtyard-tbilisi/, or via telephone reservation: +995 32 277 91 00
- Hotel Rooms Tbilisi – a newly opened hotel just in the middle of the city. The room can be booked online: http://roomshotels.com/tbilisi/
In addition there are number of small hotels and guesthouses. For the list, please visit: www.info-tbilisi.com/hotels/
Dining:
There are number of small cafes and restaurants in Vake district. Those willing to taste Georgian traditional cuisine can easily do it at:
Tsiskvili in Vake
57 Chavchavadze Ave.
+995 32 200 55 55
www.tsiskvili.ge
Puri Guliani
Saarbriucken Square (former Voroncov square)
+995 577 000083
www.puriguliani.ge
Amo Rame
4 Pavle Ingorokva St.
+995 32 298 48 38
Amo Rame
Amo Rame Bani
68 Davit Aghmashenebeli Ave.
+995 595 99 99 44
Amo Rame Bani
Ninia’s Garden
97 Dimitri Uznadze St.
+995 32 219 66 69
Honore
4 Constitution St.
+995 514 10 00 69
Shavi Lomi
28 Zurab Kvlividze St
+995 32 2 96 09 56
Alubali
6 Giorgi Akhvlediani St
+995 599 36 27 49
For further information regarding cafes and restaurants, please visit:
www.info-tbilisi.com/restaurants/
www.infoman.ge/eng/category/restaurants
Other Useful links:
www.infoman.ge
www.info-tbilisi.com
www.new.tbilisi.gov.ge
Government Related
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia
National Academy of Sciences
Georgian National Academy of Sciences
Culture
Information related to regional culture and museums.
Georgian Museums
Georgian National Museum
Kutaisi State Historical Museum
National Centre of Manuscripts
Nokalakevi Museum
Museum of Zakaria Paliashvili Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre
Rustaveli National Theatre
TEDxTbilisi
New to Georgia?
For those new to Georgia, the American Language Center Tbilisi (ALC) hosts: Georgia – Orientation Seminar.
This three hour course is designed to help new arrivals hit the ground running, with a focus on adapting to life in the capital Tbilisi. Participants will be introduced to Georgian history and current affairs, culture, etiquette and language. Detailed information on the practicalities of life in Georgia will also be given, covering everything from public transport and shopping to regional travel and security. The seminar will be followed by a Georgian buffet lunch.
This course will run every Saturday from June 16 subject to a minimum of 3 confirmed participants. The cost per participant is 50 GEL including all materials and lunch. For more information, or to book your place, email info@alctbilisi.com or visit http://alctbilisi.com/
Public Holidays in 2025
Jan 1-2 – New Year
Jan 7 – Orthodox Christmas
Jan 19 – Orthodox Epiphany
Mar 3 – Mother’s Day
Mar 8 – International Women’s Day
Apr 9 – National Unity Day
April 18 – Good Friday
April 20 – Easter
May 6 – Memorial day
May 9 – Victory Day
May 12 – Saint Andrew the First-Called Day
May 26 – Independence Day
Aug 28 – Saint Mary’s Day
Oct 14 – Day of Svetitskhoveli
Nov 23 – Saint George’s Day