Rustavi

Georgia——Rustavi


History of the city of Rustavi

Rustavi is a self-governing city. It is distinguished by its strategic location. It is 27 kilometers from the center of the capital, and 20 kilometers from Tbilisi International Airport. Rustavi is 45 kilometers from the border of the Republic of Armenia and 30 kilometers from the border with Azerbaijan. The city ranks third in the country in terms of population.
 The foundation for the construction of the new city was laid in 1944 in the Soviet era, in parallel with the construction of the largest metallurgical plant in Transcaucasia. The new industrial district received city status in 1948. In the first days of the construction of Rustavi, it became clear that the city was being built on the ancient, medieval settlement of Bia, which was confirmed by earthworks and small archaeological excavations.
The exploitation of the Rustavi territory began in the Middle Bronze Age. In the Late Bronze Age, these territories were more intensively occupied. Settlements were also found on the hill of "Rustavi Castle".
 In the 4th-8th centuries, Rustavi was also called "Bostan-city", because from that time it became the residence of princes and a princely city.


History of Rustavi symposiums  
Rustavi International sculpture symposium was held for the first time in 1990, and artists from different countries of the world participated in it. Between 1990 and 1995, the symposium was held three times and had an international character. During this period, 21 statues were created. The works are placed on the territory of ‘’Rurtavi Culture and Recreation Park’’.
After a long hiatus, the symposium was held in 2016. Eight Georgian and three foreign sculptors worked on their own compositions and sculptures in a specially arranged space in Rustavi Central Park for a month. The works made within the framework of the symposium are placed in the squares and gardens of the city.