Taras Shevchenko Park in Tbilisi: monument to Ukraine's national poet
🌿 Memorial Square · ⏱️ 20–30 min · 📍 Peter Melikishvili Avenue, Tbilisi
🌿 Good to know before you visit
| 📍 Address | Petre Melikishvili Ave, Tbilisi near Rustaveli Avenue |
| 🕐 Hours | open 24/7, free admission |
| 📅 Unveiled | 2 March 2007 — the Year of Ukraine in Georgia |
| 🗿 Monument | bronze, made in Ukraine · Shevchenko seated on a rock |
| 🚇 Getting here | metro «Rustaveli» or «Freedom Square», 5–10 min walk |
🧭 Who this article is for
Taras Shevchenko Park is a small but meaningful memorial square in central Tbilisi. It's a gathering point for the Ukrainian diaspora, a symbol of Ukrainian-Georgian friendship, and a quiet spot for a break within walking distance of the city's main sights. This article covers the history of the place and how to find it.
🕊️ The Year of Ukraine in Georgia
In 2007, Georgia declared it the Year of Ukraine. One of the most symbolic events of that year was the unveiling of a monument to Taras Shevchenko in Tbilisi, on 2 March 2007.
Both presidents attended: Ukraine's Viktor Yushchenko, who was on an official visit to Georgia, and Georgia's Mikheil Saakashvili. At the ceremony, Saakashvili recited «Zapovit» («Testament») — one of Shevchenko's most celebrated poems — from memory. The two presidents laid in the monument's foundation a capsule containing soil from the village of Moryntsi in Cherkasy Oblast, where Shevchenko was born.
The bronze sculpture was made in Ukraine: Shevchenko is depicted seated on a large rock, with a serious and thoughtful expression. The Georgian side chose the location — Petre Melikishvili Avenue, near Rustaveli Avenue.
🌿 The square
The park is small but well maintained. Neat flower beds, benches, shaded by trees, a drinking fountain. It's accessible to wheelchair users, family-friendly and dog-friendly — as noted on the Madloba listing.
The square is open around the clock. It sits naturally in the neighbourhood, surrounded by residential buildings and cafes — a lived-in spot rather than a formal tourist attraction.
🎭 Who was Taras Shevchenko
Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko (1814–1861) is Ukraine's national poet, author of «Kobzar», the collection that gave him his popular name — the Kobzar, the bard. He was born a serf in the village of Moryntsi in the Kyiv Governorate.
His life was an improbable ascent. In 1838, he was bought out of serfdom: the painter Karl Bryullov painted a portrait of the poet Vasyl Zhukovsky, raffled it for 2,500 roubles, and used the money to free the young artist. Shevchenko entered the Imperial Academy of Arts in St Petersburg. In 1840, «Kobzar» appeared — his first collection of poems.
In 1847, he was arrested for membership of a secret society and exiled as a common soldier to the Orenburg region. Tsar Nicholas I personally added to the sentence a ban on writing and drawing. He served ten years. He returned broken in body but not in spirit. In 1860, he became an academician of engraving at the Imperial Academy. He died at 47 — almost to the day he was born, forty-seven years later.
He is buried on Chernecha Hill near Kaniv, as he asked in «Zapovit»: «Поховайте та вставайте, кайдани порвіте» — «Bury me, then rise up and break your chains».
On an ordinary day the square is quiet and unbusy — a good place to sit in the morning or late afternoon. If you want to see the memorial side of it, come on any Tuesday around 15:00: students from the Ukrainian school bring flowers every week, regardless of holidays. The square is small, but Rustaveli Avenue is right around the corner — easy to combine with a walk through the city centre.
🗺️ How to get there
1️⃣ Metro «Rustaveli» — exit and walk along Melikishvili Avenue, about 7–10 minutes.
2️⃣ Metro «Freedom Square» — similar distance, through the pedestrian zone.
3️⃣ By taxi (Bolt / Yandex) — ask for «Shevchenko square on Melikishvili» or give coordinates 41.7089, 44.7794.
💬 What visitors say
«A piece of Ukraine in Tbilisi.»
«This beautiful garden and monument in Tbilisi serves as a meaningful tribute to the strong cultural and historical connection between Georgia and Ukraine. Located near Rustaveli Avenue, it offers a peaceful escape in the heart of the city. The monument of Taras Shevchenko is a central feature here, capturing his thoughtful and visionary nature.»
«Nothing out of the ordinary. Just a few trees, some benches, a drinking fountain, and a statue.»
«The parent committee at our school organises a weekly flower-laying by students of the Ukrainian section. It takes place every Tuesday at 15:00, regardless of holidays. Everyone who wants to join is welcome.»
🏁 Where two nations meet
Taras Shevchenko Park is one of the places in Tbilisi where Ukrainian-Georgian history is visible in a very direct way. Two presidents, a capsule of earth from the poet's birthplace, a poem recited from memory. Since then, people come here every week — not as tourists. After 2022, the significance of this place for Ukrainians living in Tbilisi has taken on a different weight.
Save this article or share it with anyone planning a trip to Tbilisi.
ℹ️ The square is open 24/7, free admission. Information is current at time of publication.
🗺️ What to see nearby
Have you visited Shevchenko Park in Tbilisi? Did you come by chance or specifically to see the monument? Perhaps you were here on 9 March or on a Tuesday? Tell us — we read every comment ❤️
❓ Frequently asked questions
💬 On 2 March 2007, as part of the Year of Ukraine in Georgia. Both presidents attended: Viktor Yushchenko of Ukraine and Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia, who recited Shevchenko's «Zapovit» from memory. A capsule of soil from the poet's birthplace was placed in the foundation.
💬 A bronze sculpture made in Ukraine: Shevchenko is seated on a large rock with a serious and thoughtful expression. The monument stands in a small, well-kept square on Melikishvili Avenue, with flower beds and benches.
💬 The main event is 9 March — Shevchenko's birthday: the Ukrainian diaspora, Ukrainian schools of Georgia, a poetry recitation competition and a concert. Every Tuesday at 15:00, students from the Ukrainian school lay flowers — according to the parent committee, every week without exception.
💬 Taras Shevchenko (1814–1861) is Ukraine's national poet. Born a serf, he was bought out of serfdom in 1838 and became a student at the Imperial Academy of Arts. His «Kobzar» (1840) is considered the foundation of modern Ukrainian literature. He was exiled for ten years, banned from writing or drawing. He became an academician of engraving and died at 47.
💬 Ukraine and Georgia have deep historical ties. In 2007, Georgia declared it the Year of Ukraine, and the unveiling of the Shevchenko monument was one of the year's central events — a mark of respect for Ukrainian culture and the friendship between the two nations.
💬 Rustaveli Avenue is a few minutes' walk — Tbilisi's main boulevard with theatres, galleries and cafes. The Georgian National Museum (3 Rustaveli Ave), Freedom Square and Rike Park are all within easy walking distance.
4 comments
Log in to leave a comment
Кейде, мен өзіміздің мәдениетімізді қорғап, насихаттап, бір-бірімізді қолдаймыз деп ойлаймын. Ойыма келетін сұрақ: Тбилисиде Шевченко саябағына барғандар қандай әсер алады, адамдар ол жерде ұзақ уақыт өткізе ме?
J'aurais aimé voir plus d'événements autour de ce lieu, un vrai partage de cultures au-delà des simples rassemblements. Des récitals de poésie, peut-être. Des échanges réels. Ce parc mérite d'être un lieu de vie, pas seulement un coin de tranquillité. Si on en fait un point de rencontre plus vivant, qui sait ce que cela pourrait apporter ? Des vibrations, des rires, et pourquoi pas, des larmes. Ce serait un hommage vivant à Shevchenko.