Droshebi Chkara Monument

The Revolution Breaks Out monument, popularly linked to Galaktion Tabidze’s poem “Droshebi Chkara”, stands in 9th April Park on Tbilisi’s central Rustaveli Avenue. Completed in 1988, it is a late-Soviet memorial composition that commemorates the February Revolution of 1917 and forms part of the park’s memorial ensemble opposite the Parliament of Georgia.

Historical Context & Significance

The work was created by sculptor Georgy Shkhvatsabaya with architects H. Tevzadze, G. Japaridze and D. Sultanishvili. It belongs to the final phase of Soviet monumental art in Georgia, when dynamic, expressive forms were used to reference revolutionary poetry and civic ideals.

The title association comes from Tabidze’s verse “Let the Banners Wave on High!”, written about 1917. The monument therefore connects literature, politics and public space in one place. After 1989 the park itself was renamed for the 9 April tragedy, adding a second, post-Soviet layer of memory to the site.

Architecture & Hidden Details to Look For

The composition is built as a stepped, theatrical relief with figures in motion, flags and banner motifs. Look for:

• Expressive silhouettes that read clearly from Rustaveli Avenue and from inside the park.
• Textural concrete and stone typical of 1980s Soviet work, now weathered by decades outdoors.
• The relationship to the park axis: the monument closes a vista from the main entrance and dialogues with older greenery, benches and fountains.

Visitor Information & How to Get There

The park sits in central Mtatsminda district, directly on Shota Rustaveli Avenue. Access is by paved city streets suitable for a sedan all year. Driving in central Tbilisi can be slow at peak hours and on-street parking is limited; nearby paid parking lots off Rustaveli or side streets are the most reliable option.

From the car, the monument is a short walk on flat, paved park paths. The area is fully walkable and well lit in the evening.

Practical Travel Tips for Respectful Tourism

• Combine the visit with a slow loop of 9th April Park and the adjacent First Republic Garden.
• Mornings and late afternoons are quieter for photos; midday brings more shade under mature trees.
• The site is a memorial space. Keep voices low during commemorative dates, especially around 9 April.
• Wear comfortable shoes; the park paths are easy but you will walk on stone and asphalt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the Vake Park sculpture?

No. The coordinates place the monument in 9th April Park in central Tbilisi, not in Vake. Vake Park is about 3 km west and has a different WWII memorial ensemble.

How long should I plan?

20–30 minutes is enough to see the monument and walk the park. Add time if you want coffee on Rustaveli or to visit museums nearby.

Is the site accessible by car in winter?

Yes. Roads are paved and cleared in central Tbilisi. No 4x4 is needed.

What to See Nearby

• Parliament of Georgia and Kashveti Church, directly across Rustaveli Avenue.
• Georgian National Gallery and Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, a 3–5 minute walk.
• Freedom Square and the Old Town, about 10–15 minutes on foot south along Rustaveli.
• Mtatsminda Park funicular lower station, reachable by a short drive or walk uphill.