Tsalenjikha Municipality

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Tsalenjikha (Georgian: წალენჯიხის მუნიციპალიტეტი, Ċalenjixis municiṗaliṫeṫi) is a district of Georgia, in the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. Its main town is Tsalenjikha. Tsalenjikha Municipality is located in the valleys of the Enguri and Chanistskali rivers, the area is 646.7 km2, the population is 26,158 people (2014). The municipality includes 14 administrative units, including 2 cities Tsalenjikha and Jvari.

Tsalenjikha Municipality
The Enguri Valley
Flag of Tsalenjikha Municipality
Official seal of Tsalenjikha Municipality
Location of the municipality within Georgia
Location of the municipality within Georgia
Coordinates: 42°40′12″N 42°02′59″E / 42.67000°N 42.04972°E / 42.67000; 42.04972
Country Georgia
RegionSamegrelo-Zemo Svaneti
Administrative centreTsalenjikha
Government
 • BodyTsalenjikha Municipal Assembly
 • MayorGiorgi (Gia) Kharchilava (UNM)[1]
Area
 • Total646.7 km2 (249.7 sq mi)
Population
 (2014)
 • Total26.158
 • Density40.4/km2 (105/sq mi)
Population by ethnicity[2]
 • Georgians99,56  %
 • Russians0,27 %
 • Ukrainians0,08 %
Time zoneUTC+4 (Georgian Standard Time)
Websitetsalenjikha.gov.ge
Jvari reservoir
Tsalenjikha Stadium
Village of Potskho Etseri

History

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Tsalenjikha, Megrelian "Tsendikha", Chanistskali Megrelian "Tsentskari" River and such names of the geographical point are confirmed by both Georgian and foreign sources. Tsalenjikha and its environs were the original settlement of western Georgian tribes.

It is known from historical sources that the territory of the municipality was inhabited even when people used stone and bronze tools. Western Georgian tribes have been living on the territory of Tsalenjikha since that time. This is indicated by the names of this point and the river "Chelenjikha", "Tsendikha" Tsalenjikha.

In the 10th and 11th centuries, Tsalenjikha was an important settlement, as evidenced by such a large and important church as the Church of the Transfiguration. From this time on, the importance of Tsalenjikha gradually increased so that by the 13th and 14th centuries it became the only residence of the Dadiani. Here they had a palace, utensils (treasures) and apparently a ancestral tomb as well. Such an increase in the importance of Tsalenjikha led to the relocation of one of the most important dioceses of Odisha to Tsalenjikha in the 14th century. The relocation of the episcopal center to Tsalenjikha led to large-scale construction, as well as the painting of the Tsalenjikha Church during the 14th century during the reign of Vamek Dadiani (1384–1396).

Ak. Simon Janashia undoubtedly believes that 'Tseni' or 'Tsani' 'was one of the tribes of the Chanuri-Megrelian branch and not their own Zani'. (Tsen-Dikha) and the river that flowed into the castle (Tsen-water).

Materials about Tsalenjikha's past are taken from Inga Lortkipanidze's book - Tsalenjikha Painting, by Simon Janashia and Shota Meskhia.[3]

In 2001, the village of Lia was the site of the Lia radiological accident.[4]

Historical sites

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Kuakantsalia Rock
 
Tsalenjikha Cathedral
  • Tsalenjikha Cathedral
  • The ruins of Gamajistsikhe
  • Katskhara Fortress
  • Samikao Cave
  • Episcopal Church
  • Jagiri Castle
  • St. Barbara's Church
  • Uluria Castle
  • "Mamukia Tower"
  • "Dilakirse" fortress
  • The ruins of Skuri Castle
  • The ruins of Lesale Castle
  • Jgali conical tower
  • St. Nicholas Church in Jgali
  • Church of the All-Holy Mother of God on the Cross
  • Omune Castle-Tower

Politics

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Tsalenjikha Municipal Assembly (Georgian: წალენჯიხის საკრებულო) is a representative body in Tsalenjikha Municipality. The council assembles into session regularly, to consider subject matters such as code changes, utilities, taxes, city budget, oversight of Municipal government and more. Tsalenjikha Sakrebulo is elected every four year. The last election was held in October 2021.[5]

Tsalenjikha was one of only seven municipalities where ruling Georgian Dream party failed to gain a majority. After several attempts, the opposition parties UNM, For Georgia and Lelo agreed on a chairman of the Sakrebulo, four weeks after neighboring municipality Chkhorotsqu did the same.[6]

Party Seats (27) Current Municipal Assembly
  Georgian Dream 11                    
  United National Movement 11                      
  For Georgia 3      
  Lelo 1  
  Independent 1[a]  

Results in local election

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Municipal Assembly


Party Party list Constituency Total
seats
+/–
Votes % Seats Votes % Seats
United National Movement 5,439 37.78 7 4 11   8
Georgian Dream 5,008 34.79 7 4 11   13
For Georgia 2,730 18.96 3 1 4 New
Lelo 482 3.35 1 1 New
European Georgia
310 2.15   2
Alliance of Patriots 107 0.74   1
Labour Party 102 0.71  
Strategy Aghmashenebeli 95 0.66  
New Political Center - Girchi 75 0.52 New
Other parties 47 0.36
Invalid/blank votes
Total 14,395 100 18 9 27
Registered voters/turnout 28,737 51.11
Source: CEC


Mayor
CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Giorgi KharchilavaUnited National Movement5,65739.687,24851.10
Goga GulordavaGeorgian Dream5,45038.236,93748.90
Khvicha MeboniaFor Georgia2,72019.08
Tamari BelkaniaLelo4293.01
Total14,256100.0014,185100.00
Registered voters/turnout28,73728,737
Source: CEC, CEC

Municipal Assembly 2017-2021

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Party Seats (30) Current Municipal Assembly
  Georgian Dream 24                                              
  United National Movement 3                                                
  European Georgia 2                                                
  Alliance of Patriots 1                                                

Notable natives

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See also

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Explanatory notes

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  1. ^ Nana Lemonjava - split from For Georgia.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "მერი - წალენჯიხის მუნიციპალიტეტი" (in Georgian). Tsalenjikha.gov.ge. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  2. ^ "Ethnic composition of Georgia 2014". Pop-stat.mashke.org. Retrieved 2021-06-19.
  3. ^ "Ისტორია".
  4. ^ The radiological accident in Lia, Georgia. Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency. 2014. ISBN 978-92-0-103614-8. OCLC 900016880.
  5. ^ "Protocol elected municipal council members and mayors 2021" (PDF) (in Georgian). CESKO Central Election Commission. p. 67-68. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  6. ^ "Opposition Elects Chair in Hung Tsalenjikha Sakrebulo". Civil.ge. 2022-01-20. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  7. ^ "Two Sakrebulo Members Quit Gakharia's Party in Contested Municipalities". Civil.ge. 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
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