Gori
The Partnership Agreement dated 23 August 2008
Population: 60 000 inhabitants
Country: Georgia
Mayor of Gori: Zurab Jirkvelishvili
Head of Gori City Council: Papuna Koberidze
The city is situated in Kartliiska valley in the mouth of the rivers Kura and Liakhi, at a distance of 76 km in the north-west of Tbilisi. On the south and on the west the city is surrounded by mountains. Gori is the administrative, cultural and industrial center of a large agricultural region.
Population: Georgians – 83,3%, Azerbaijanians – 6,5%, Armenians – 5,7%, Ukrainians and others – 1,5%
History
Gori was founded in the beginning of the 12th century by the greatest Georgian ruler David Budivelnyk.
During an earthquake in 1920, the city was badly damaged. Gori is located near the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone. In 2000, Georgia strengthened military infrastructure in the city and its suburbs. In 2008, the city Gori was occupied by Russian troops.
Economy
The city economy is represented by powerful industrial complex, a device making plant and a tinned food plant, fruit and vegetable production. There is a research institute of automation, pedagogical college and some specialized and comprehensive schools.
Tourism
Interesting for tourists is the Historical and Ethnographic Museum, P. Kamo and J. Stalin museums(his memory is still revered locals), the ruins of the medieval fortress Horistsihe (VI cent.) which lie on a hill in the city center, as well as spa resort Horidzhvari. On the main square in front of the administration building an exquisite huge bronze figure of Stalin rises, one of the few which were preserved in the world.
In the end of 2008 after the events that happened in August in the building of Stalin museum the museum of “Russian Agression” was opened.
Cooperation
Gori and Lutsk take part in implementation of the Council of Europe and European Commission Programme "Intercultural Cities" and are both members of the Intercultural Cities Network. The cities regularly take part in the events, organized within the Programme.
Gori and Lutsk exchange official delegations during the celebrations, dedicated to the Day of Lutsk and Day of Gori.