WOX TRAVEL CONTEST | WEEK 6 / Batumi - Love Is In The Air

In Batumi, you won't find extraordinary architecture or remarkable artifacts. Instead, you'll witness how new construction gradually integrates and begins to dominate the city. The new buildings boast impressive heights, but the desired effect remains unclear. It's uncertain if the local government aims to make the city resemble an American city like New York.

Regardless, before I show you what impressed me, I want to mention that the people are incredibly kind and helpful. Even if they don't speak English well, they try their best to assist with any questions. This is crucial to me, considering past travels where people weren't as courteous. When they realized we were from Bulgaria, they started speaking to us in Russian, obviously unaware that the two languages are different and we don't understand it, but that's another story... Be cautious when crossing the streets, as locals drive a bit recklessly and don't pay much attention to pedestrians, hahaha. Anyway, let's move on to what I found appealing in this Black Sea city.

The theater building with its exceptional columns is very beautiful, and with the garden in front, it definitely becomes a romantic spot worth visiting.

Ali and Nino, a tale of heartbreaking love, has stirred the creation of a grand statue in Batumi. Their story plays out amidst the turmoil of World War I, depicting Ali, a Muslim hailing from Azerbaijan, and Nino, a princess of Georgia. Despite their love, the war tears them apart when Ali is killed. Though the author remains unknown, the novel has become an Azerbaijani classic.

In Batumi, love is everywhere, reflected in various artistic installations. With so many romantic elements scattered around the coastline and beyond, I would say I can call it a city of love. Obviously, the locals have an affinity for this feeling, which has captivated almost everyone around the world.

"Sea Slippers on Eggs" by French sculptor Lilll Fantozzi. Originally a miniature version of a pair of Keds on eggs, it is a symbol of the dangerous road for which Georgia has traveled in its reconstruction, but also represents a “dangerous life” like walking on such fragile things as eggs that may collapse any time. When The Georgian government decided to install it, the Keds shoes were changed to sea slippers, typical of a seaside city.

Despite not being very prevalent, or at least from what I've seen, there is also street art. For me, street art is an essential element that contributes to the spirit of any city.

Black Sea Technological University Batumi Tower. The 200-meter tower is one of the main projects of Saakashvili, which, was not completed. According to the initial plan, the 36-floor building had to be used as an American-Georgian university, but in 2015 it was sold at auction as business center.

Well, that's from the second largest city in Georgia. Surely, there's still plenty more to see that I haven't visited.

Cheers and Enjoy)))