The name "Zugdidi" (ზუგდიდი) first appeared in the 17th century. Literally it means "big hill" in theMingrelian language (fromზუგუzugu, 'hill';დიდიdidi 'big'). An alternative version of the name recorded in old sources is "Zubdidi" (ზუბდიდი) with the same meaning as Megrelian. Local Georgian (Megrelian) residents of the historical provinces ofMegrelia andAbkhazia also use "Zugidi" (ზუგიდი), which is a shortened form. The name was given to the town because of a hill situated in the eastern part of the city, where some small remains of an ancient fortress are still visible.
Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Zugdidi was one of the important political and cultural centres of Mingrelia, as well as of Georgia as a whole. A famous Georgian medieval epic poem,The Knight in the Panther's Skin, was rewritten there byMamuka Tavakalashvili at the court of PrinceLevan II Dadiani, in 1646.
During theCrimean War (1853–1856)Ottoman forces under the command ofOmar Pasha seized Zugdidi in 1855. At the end of the 1855 and beginning of 1856, the city was liberated by the Mingrelian Militia commanded by Major General PrinceGrigol Dadiani. By the order ofIskender Pasha, Ottomans plundered, burnt and destroyed the whole city, especially palaces and botanical garden.[2] During theRussian Empire, the city was the administrative center of theZugdidi Uyezd of theKutaisi Governorate. Many buildings were heavily damaged during theGeorgian Civil War (1992–1993).
This theater's first performance,Molière'sLe médecin malgré lui (The Doctor Despite Himself), was staged on 11 April 1869 byAnton Purtseladze. The Drama Theater was founded in 1932. In 1959, the theatre was named after the famous Georgian novelist and theatrical actorShalva Dadiani (1874–1959).[citation needed]
Historically Zugdidi is known as a distinctly mono-ethnic city with a vast majority of Georgians. By the 2002 state census, 98.97% (166,039) of its total population (167,760) were ethnic Georgians (for both the city and its municipality).[7]
In the second half of the 1850s, due to the brief Ottoman occupation, the town's population decreased from 2,000 to 800.
The 1950s-1970s were an important period for Zugdidi's development, which affected the growth of the population, while the last 20-year growth was mainly caused by refugee displacement. After theRussian-Georgian war in Abkhazia (1992-1993) a large number of internally displaced peoples fromAbkhazia were forced to move to Zugdidi. As a result of this, according to the 2002 state census, Zugdidi became the fifth most populous city in Georgia, ahead ofSokhumi,Poti, andGori. As of the 2014 national census, the population of Zugdidi decreased to 42,998 inhabitants, making it Georgia's sixth most populous city afterGori.[8]
Zugdidi is a regional center of education. Institutes ofhigher education are:
Shalva Dadiani Drama TheaterZugdidi Railway StationThe Cathedral of the Blachernae Icon of the Mother of God
Shota Meskhia State Teaching University[11] – the main institution of higher education founded in 2007 on the basis of Zugdidi Branch ofIvane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Zugdidi Professional Lyceum andSenaki Agro-economic College. The university has three faculties of Humanitarian, Business Administration and Law and Health.[12]
Zugdidi Teaching University European Academy,[13] founded in 1991
Besides this Zugdidi has 13 public and 3 private schools, as well as kindergartens.
Alexander Gurtskaya Gymnasium – GG[14] – one more place of interest and unique educational space. Was founded in 2011, on the basis of a Presidential Decree instead of former Public School No.7. Today, GG is an innovative educational environment where each individual has a wide selection, capability and motivation of intellectual, physical and spiritual development and wonderful opportunities for achieving success in the global competitive society. The Gymnasium welcomes its students and guests with its unique, original facade, which is made of randomly spaced books on the shelves.
Library tradition in Zugdidi dates back to the reign of Prince (Mtavari)David Dadiani (1812–1853) of Mingrelia, who collected a large number of handwritten and printed books. The first public library in Zugdidi was established in 1887. After this, in 1899 new reading room was rearranged, which turned into a library in 1912 with its own building.[15] Currently, the library is calledZugdidi City Municipal Library.
The main annual event in Zugdidi isVlakernoba (Georgian:ვლაქერნობა - The day of the Blachernae's Virgin Mary) - anOrthodox Christian feast celebrated every year, on July 15. On this day, the robe of the Blessed Virgin Mary is taken from the Tower of Virgin of the Queen Palace (now a museum), where it is kept, to the Cathedral of the Blachernae Icon of the Mother of God. During the feast, thousands of the faithful from all over the world are able to venerate the holy relic upon the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.
From 2012, during the event, the holy robe was carried into the new cathedral of Iberian Theotokos.Vlakernoba is celebrated since the 1990s.
Zugdidoba (Georgian:ზუგდიდობა - the day of Zugdidi) is a newly reestablished public festival, featuring various cultural, sport and educational events in Zugdidi, mostly in October. The festival is managed both by Zugdidi Municipal City Hall and Zugdidi Municipality Government.
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