Lovers' shelter in Georgia, "city of love" longing for love - VIDEO REPORT

February 14 is considered Valentine's Day in Georgia, as in many other countries around the world. In the Caucasian country, lovers celebrate this day unofficially on February 14, and officially on April 15. This date has been included in the calendar of Georgians since 1993 as National Valentine's Day. Georgians keep the tradition of celebrating Valentine's Day twice a year with great pleasure.

During these two days, local and foreign loving couples often turn to Sighnaghi, the "city of love." The romantic city has witnessed countless love confessions, marriage proposals, and marriages of couples thanks to this name. Sighnaghi is better known as the city with the "Marriage House," where even foreigners can get married at any time.

Report's Georgian Service visited Sighnaghi on Valentine's Day and prepared a reportage from the "city of love."

Pearl of the Kakheti region, an invincible shelter

Sighnaghi is a town in the Kakheti region, at the top of a mountain above the Alazan valley. The city was founded in the XVIII century by King Heraclius II of Georgia. The fortress built around the town for defense made it inaccessible and invincible. According to historical sources, the city's name means "shelter" and is of Turkic origin. The fact that the town is on a high altitude and surrounded by walls confirms this.

The city has been living its second life since 2005. As a result of large-scale construction work, Sighnaghi was able to take its rightful place among the tourist destinations of Georgia. The city has the magic to conquer the heart of every visitor with its charming views. The fairy-tale town, with the scenery of the Alazan valley, the castle walls, ancient buildings, narrow streets, and balconies, has turned into the pearl of Kakheti.

There are several legends explaining why Sighnaghi is called the "city of love". According to one of them, the famous artist Niko Pirosmani (1862-1918), who was born in the village of Mirzaani in Sighnaghi, fell in love at first sight with the French actress Margarita de Sevre, who was on tour to Tbilisi. Knowing that the Parisian lady likes roses, the poor artist sells his property and buys flowers for all the money. the famous song "A Million Roses" sung by the Russian pop legend Alla Pugacheva in 1982 tells of this unrequited love story.

A city longing for love

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Sighnaghi was a vibrant city in all seasons. The city's streets would be full of visitors, especially foreign tourists. The most common visitors were newlyweds of the famous "Marriage House." Happy brides and grooms were becoming the brightest and most memorable memories of visits, captured by the visitors' cameras.

We went to the "City of Love," hoping that it would welcome us with warmth, sincerity, joy, laughter, and positive energy. Although the weather was sunless, we expected the city to warm us like the sun with love. But, unfortunately, our hopes do not come true. And the reason is not just winter.

Sighnaghi greets us with gloomy gray air, empty streets, hopeless and taciturn inhabitants. The city seemed to long for love, and the pandemic took this beautiful feeling away from the city. The city, which does not radiate love anymore, as if, apologizes to its visitors for "temporary lack of love." Once full of lovers and smiling faces, the city has fallen into deep silence. They have been replaced by grumpy, unsmiling residents and seldom lonely tourists. Souvenirs on the counters in the center, prepared for tourists, long for buyers, look at passers-by, and wait for the moment when they will be purchased as a gift.

Passport, two witnesses, 51 GEL money, and that's all

We turn to the "Marriage House," the city's main symbol. There is nobody inside as outside. It seems that doors are rarely opened lately. The fact that the security guard and the department representative greeted us with great surprise gives us reason to say this.

According to Nino Bakhturidze, a leading specialist of the "Marriage House", it has been operating since 2007, and serves not only Georgian citizens, but also foreigners: "Due to the pandemic, working hours have also been changed. We used to provide services 24 hours a day; now our working hours are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Here, the winter period is the most passive time for marriage registration. Still, there are many couples who schedule their wedding day in the winter months. The most active period is the spring and summer months."

Before the pandemic, the "Marriage House" registered 10-15 marriages per day in the spring and summer, and 2-3 marriages in the cold seasons. Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan were among the majority of foreigners who married in Sighnaghi.

The expert also noted that foreign couples who marry are often from Azerbaijan.

In addition to presenting a marriage certificate, the "Marriage House" gives the future spouses on behalf of the Georgian state a book by Shota Rustaveli, the most valuable pearl of Georgian literature, "The Knight in the Panther's Skin." The elegant edition of the book is presented to couples as a symbol of love, loyalty, and equality.

According to Bakhturidze, the marriage required a passport, two witnesses, and a fee of 51 GEL ($17.23 on Feb.14):

"You do not need to book in advance to get married. We often see couples getting married on special days. For example, many people decide to get married on February 14 - Valentine's Day."

Nino Bakhturidze said that the "Marriage House" is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. As February 14 coincides with Monday this year, getting married on Valentine's Day is not possible here in 2022.

With hope from Sighnaghi

We end our journey to the "City of Love" where we couldn't meet love. Of course, we will not remember one of the most beautiful cities in Georgia as a lifeless place. Apparently, it was love that made Sighnaghi even more attractive. Because love is an enchanting feeling and adds color to its surroundings. The COVID-19 pandemic has also changed the order of the "City of Love", maybe people's sense of perception of the environment too. However, it is evident to the naked eye that the city, associated with romance and fragility, has lost its former glory and magic. But the hope that all will be well never dies. Therefore, we leave Sighnaghi not with love, but with hope. Love will save the world, as well as Sighnaghi. If the hope for it is never lost.