The town of Kazreti, situated in the breathtaking mountains of Georgia near the border with Armenia, was once a vibrant hub of culture and community. In its heyday, Kazreti boasted a cinema, a bank, musical fountains, two schools, and a kindergarten. It was a true Communist oasis where dance ensembles and volleyball teams from all corners of the Soviet Union would gather to perform and compete. The residents enjoyed the perks of a centrally planned economy – with free central heating and electricity.
However, the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s brought about a drastic change in Kazreti’s fortunes. The local gold and copper mines, along with an enrichment plant, were deemed unprofitable and were subsequently closed, leaving hundreds of people unemployed. Years later, these facilities reopened under private ownership but on a much smaller scale.
Today, the town of Kazreti paints a starkly different picture. Only one school remains, and the once-thriving cinema and bank have shuttered their doors. The majestic fountains that adorned the central square are now a distant memory, replaced by stray dogs roaming potholed roads lined with dilapidated apartments.
“It is a huge injustice what happened here,” lamented Davit Jakeli, a former carpenter who now ekes out a living by reselling scrap metal from his home.
