Frida

...They began to disperse the demonstration. Thousands of feet, but no space for a single step. We were running into each other. With just a mask on, I continued my way as far as I could. People were shouting, crying, it was a complete agony accompanied here and there by the sound of shattered glass...

...How brutally they beat that boy!.. Each time I see the video, an unpleasant feeling of formication runs through my whole body. They're condemning us to death, and we haven't even lived yet...

...My folks think those of us standing there are traitors and want this country to collapse. I'm not surprised though - every day disinformation slithers in our home among the rooms like the most venomous snake...

...The photos of the Parliament I took on the 30th remind me of Harry Potter. When the fireworks illuminated it, it was the most beautiful and yet immensely sad spectacle; and so „O Children“* has been looping in my head since.I wish we can start dancing soon... / *A song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

...It's past 12AM and it's my mom's birthday. As a birthday present, I didn't go to the demonstration today and stayed at home so that she can get at least one night's sleep and not wake up with blood pressure of 140...

...How can I feel safe? The police keep their eyes closed to everything, as if they have never had it open. / Who is going to protect us? / I have never felt so hopeless, so powerless. / I'll be at the Parliament in an hour...

...Someone wrote, today it's the journalists who protect us, not the police. Why am I at all awaken in the world where this is reality? My heart is sinking...

...I love everyone who is standing there. This is probably what makes me endure, otherwise - my feet beg me to stay home every day. How can I stay home when they are twisting necks to the journalists? When 15-year-old kids remain in prison? When all „law enforcers” are hibernating? I'm very tired, very tired...

…I expect them to show up at my door any day now - like a black death. I only fear for my brother. Apparently, most of “Titushkas” live in our neighborhood and know my brother. If they hurt him…. / *Titushka - physically well-trained individuals who commit violent acts for political purposes.

…Yesterday after the argument my father declared he wishes for everyone standing at the rally to have the ground crack open under their feet so they can all fall in. So, it's true - only someone close can condemn you for such evil, but honestly, I'd rather die together with righteous people, than live together with slaves…

…The Georgian anthem was transferred like waves from one end to the other. It even made me giggle as when I heard “Glory to freedom” in my right ear, in my left one “rises and brightens between the two seas” was just starting. Yet I could feel great warmth in that sea - just like the one during the rain….

…I joined the procession from Vake Park. It's been a long time since I felt such warmth, such sweet charge. Sometimes I'm afraid this bubble might burst too. Here everyone loves and respects everyone else. What if it doesn't burst but instead will even grow bigger and will spread at least throughout our country, if not the world…

…Warm-hearted people joined us from their homes waving flags; some leaving offices a bit earlier and encouraging us with cheers. They climbed the tower crane with a flag; somewhere up, as high as the clouds and were looking down at us from there! Complete madness…

... with bloody heels and changed shoes I went back to the demonstration. (…) This was the day I first drank free tea. As if I felt I deserved it. I've never taken an offered meal from anyone before. But in that instance that tea melted both my heart and my brain at once. I realized that I want to lie on a boundless meadow together with all the people standing here and watch the morning sky…

... The Christmas tree is just as hideous as the one who put it up. Claiming that “if you take away the New Year from the children, we'll give it back to them” and children were nowhere to be seen.

…Today I make a promise that I will cancel my gap year, will finish the remaining 1 semester in spring and unlike the President of the Georgian Dream, I will have a diploma. That's it!...

... With joy and cheer we formed human chain. I almost cried - I had flashbacks from 2008. The images I had seen on TV at the age of 6 became reality and this brought up very mixed emotions in me… / *War in Georgia

... As soon as I came out of the metro station I could feel the New Year. It was a bit hard for me till then. I'm not quite in the mood, not that I love it much anyway. Everyone was singing and smiling, both old and young. They cordially exchanged treats both at the table and away from it. Everybody was cheering…