It was May 9th, 1945, when the world heard such good news that it deserved a holiday of its own. Victory Day is celebrated on this day in various countries across the globe, including Georgia, a country that used to be part of the Soviet Union and suffered significant casualties in WWII.

Not long after the victory day, about a year later a park was opened in commemoration in the most central district of Tbilisi. Vake Park (AKA Victory Park) is where I partly grew up and witnessed its transformation into modernity since the late 90s. The park still has some amusement rides for children and for adults to remember childhood. A bicycle track is an excellent addition.

What makes this park special is that each year actual WWII veterans gather to celebrate Victory Day on May 9th. It is indeed a rare experience to meet them and hear all about their heroic stories. Uphill a statue of victory gazes down on you, which is a mesmerizing sight. It is peculiar, but the statue depicts a woman celebrating the end of the war, which I think underlines the role of Georgian women in national history.

So, whether you happen to be here on May 9th, or any other day of the year, it is worth taking a stroll in Vake Park, the most iconic park in the city, near which two fascinating murals happen to be: a caged man and cartoon characters in the underground crossing.