This movie is about place that is not really known among tourists. You can't find a word about this place in any of the travel guides. Pankisi Gorge -- a magic place inhabited by Kists -- ethnic group in Georgia related to Chechen and Ingush people. Kist people are descendants of Chechen and Ingush people who migrated to this place around 200 years ago. Pankisi Gorge is located in the north-western part of Georgia, in the Akhmeta district of Kakhetia region. It is situated on the Alazani river and creates perfect conditions for relaxation after hill walking or just simply provides a shelter from red-hot cities. There are 9 agricultural households operating in Pankisi George. It is worth mentioning that these have been established with a helping hand of Polish Aid Scheme and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. The host will provide you with comfortable accommodation and full board. This will give you a chance to taste Kist-Georgian cuisine. The biggest settlement in the region is Duisi where the local authorities from Akhmeta have their representative office. There is also local presence of agency of UNHCR in Duisi -- until 2004 this land was home for many people displaced from Chechenya due to war. During that times Pankisi Gorge have been considered as disrepute place and a black hole on Georgia's map. Local authorities have had no control over Pankisi Gorge, along with IDPs there were many Chechenyan fighters running away from conflict zone to Georgia. Luckily this is now history. Georgian authorities have been able to master the situation. Most of the IDPs from Pankis Gorge returned to their homes. Some of them have been offered right of asylum in other countries. Today Pankisi Gorge remains safe and very friendly place.
The question is what makes this place worth seeing and visiting? It is the beauty of nature, scenery, mountain peaks just waiting to be conquered, but mostly very interesting Kist culture and very friendly people. Your visit to some of them will be treated with very high dignity. "Marshua Kavkaz" (peace for Caucasus) Association operating on site is strongly supporting local tourist attraction in the region -- rafting on tiers on Alazani river, visiting mosques, participating in local prayer ceremony or religious celebrations. Staying at agricultural households it gives you an insight into local culture and customs. Be remained that the hosts are Muslims however it is notable that some of them do not follow Qur'an very strictly. We should adopt some of the basic principles in Muslim culture -- taking off shoes before entering mosque or Kist house.
It is worth visiting Pankisi Gorge to take some rest and charge your batteries. Get familiar with its history both current and past. Be amazed by local customs and culture of its people. Explore the place which is a crossing point for Christians and Muslims, for Chechens and Georgians.
Some practical information:
Getting there and away -- you can get a marshrutka bus from Tbilisi Ortachala bus station. It departs 3 times a day. Additionally there are marshrutkas from Telavi and Akhmeta to Duisi.
Accommodation -- there are 9 operating agricultural households, for more details visit www.pankisi.org
This movie was filmed by members of Social Cultural Association "Bridge to Georgia" based in Krakow, Poland.
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