Sculpture of Hippo Begi to Be Launched in Tbilisi

Tbilisi City Hall has presented 14 sketches for the sculpture of hippo Begi in Mziuri Park earlier today, which is to be launched in 2020.

Begi was among those animals, who escaped the Tbilisi Zoo after the collapse, during the tragic night of June 13 in 2015.

The photos and videos of the hippopotamus, walking in the damaged streets of Tbilisi, caught the eye of Georgian, as well as international media outlets and gained thousands of views and shares worldwide. Thus, Begi has become sort of a symbol of the devastating flood of 2015.

The special commission, boasting 12 representatives of the field of art, is to select among the presented sketches by Monday, in accordance with which the sculpture will be created. The location of the monument has not been specified yet.  

The competition was launched on April 3 of this year by Tbilisi City Hall.

Today, for years have passed since the deadly flood, which brought destructive results for the Georgian capital and took 21 lives.

By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya

Related story: 4 Years on from Destructive Tbilisi Flood