Dec 24, 2021

New Year Punk and Metal Gig in Tbilisi

New Year’s Punk and Metal Punk Gig © Onnik James Krikorian 2021

Although I’ve been to two specially organised live-streamed metal events co-organised with the Tbilisi Municipality during the COVID-19 pandemic, I haven’t really been to any proper gigs. The last event closest was a do-it-yourself punk festival held at the Hippodrome in June that was attacked by a small group of neo-Nazi Georgian teens.

Thankfully, the latest event held a few days ago, conveniently located in that part of Tbilisi home to most of the band’s rehearsal spaces, didn’t result in anything so dramatic and it was also held fully in line with pandemic requirements. Anyway, while moshing is hardly conducive to social distancing, the event was a welcome return to some sense of normality.

Bands have really suffered here during the pandemic.

Anyway, a few photos in the galleries below. For more on the underground punk and metal scene in Tbilisi see here.

New Year’s Punk and Metal Punk Gig © Onnik James Krikorian 2021

New Year’s Punk and Metal Punk Gig © Onnik James Krikorian 2021

Beyond Borders: Parajanov Centennial Marked in Yerevan and Tbilisi

Beyond Borders: Parajanov Centennial Marked in Yerevan and Tbilisi

This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the birth of legendary ethnic Armenian film director Sergei Parajanov. Very much a child of the South Caucasus, Parajanov’s work encompassed Armenian, Azerbaijan, Georgian, Moldova, and Ukrainian influences, with his legacy living on today.