Starting on June 23, the Street Gallery exhibition walls showcase the works of Georgian artists under the title "Freedom." Centered around this theme, we have gathered nine pieces from three photographers, each reflecting their unique interpretation of freedom through their artistic creations.

Gavrilov Night by David Sarkisov

The Gavrilov Night Protests in Tbilisi began on June 20, 2019, and were sparked by an incident involving a Russian delegation visiting the Georgian parliament.

The occurrence took place at the Georgian parliament building during a meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy. A Russian MP, Sergei Gavrilov, presided over the session from the Georgian parliament speaker's chair, which angered many Georgians who viewed it as a violation of their country's sovereignty.

Furthermore, Gavrilov supported Russia's occupation of Georgia's breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which made his presence in the Georgian parliament even more controversial. The situation escalated when Gavrilov addressed the assembly in Russian, which many Georgian lawmakers and citizens found offensive.

The opposition lawmakers and members of the public began protesting and demanding that Gavrilov leave the parliament building immediately.

The situation turned violent when riot police were called in to disperse the protesters, and clashes broke out. The police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons to control the crowd, and many people were injured. The protests continued for several days, with thousands of Georgians taking to the streets of Tbilisi to voice their anger and frustration. They called for the resignation of the Georgian parliament speaker, as well as for the Russian delegation to leave the country. The protests eventually resulted in the resignation of the Georgian parliament speaker, Irakli Kobakhidze, and the expulsion of the Russian delegation from Georgia.

The Gavrilov Night Protests was a significant moment in Georgia's political history, demonstrating the country's commitment to sovereignty and independence. The protests also showed that the Georgian people were willing to stand up for their rights and values.

Timeless street moments by Nino Chelidze

Step into a world where street photography preserves the most remarkable memories. The streets hold a special charm, allowing me to seize unnoticed moments that stay with me forever. I vividly remember the moment when I realized that even a few fleeting minutes, seconds, or even fractions of a second from someone else's life could leave a lasting impact.

Join me in this exhibition and discover Borya - the fortune-telling parrot sitting on a stack of rolled-up papers, is part of our childhood. Borya could be seen everywhere - at markets, in the center of Tbilisi, and in train carriages. Borya's owner must have been a gypsy - dressed in colorful clothes, with a velvet apron, and a big pocket containing "zhivachki" (chewing gums) for sale. Now Borya is rarely seen; years pass, the owners of the little budgerigar scatter, and one day this story will only remain in photographs and memories, not on the streets.

Delve into a Birzha - a space of socialization for young males in Tbilisi is a part of the subculture, and often many "world political decisions" are made precisely on Birzha. Photographing people who know the ins and outs of everything is interesting. Birzha is a sacred place on the street, where only certain people can enter or sit.

Discover how art, stories, and history intertwine, transcending the boundaries of the visible. Our world is a metaphor, art is a metaphor, stories are a metaphor, and history is the metaphor of the unseen. In Christianity, the fish represents Christ. Could the wing of a fallen angel be damaged in the fall? The metaphorical depiction of Christ and the fallen angel was made very easy for me thanks to the fish-loving guests who delicately left scraps at the end of the table.

Gomi Mountain. Immediacy by Nika Kutsia

Gomi Mountain holds a significant memory for me. Its inhabitants, living in simple wooden houses, radiate an unparalleled sense of purity and love. They embrace freedom, detached from technology and materialism, focusing on humanity, passion, kindness, and curiosity. As a visitor with red hair, I became a source of wonder and amusement. Children would peek out of their tiny windows, affectionately calling me the "girl with beetroot hair." I captured those precious moments, and the warmth in my heart remains even after all these years.

In their humble houses, the people of Gomi Mountain lack basic amenities like water, electricity, and gas. The isolation and ethereal fog only add to the place's enchantment, reminding us of the simplicity required to find happiness and appreciate our natural surroundings.