Sculpture of iconic hippo Begi opened in Tbilisi seven years from deadly flood

A sculpture of a hippopotamus named Begi was opened in Mziuri Park of Tbilisi on Monday, on the seventh anniversary of a deadly flood in the Georgian capital, claiming 21 lives, with the remains of two still missing.

The flood in Vere Gorge on the day back in 2015, also hit Tbilisi zoo, killing dozens of animals and birds there.

The hippo, who was walking on the central Freedom Square on the next day of the disaster, has become a symbol of the events, somehow easing the burden of the tragic days.

“Today is partly a pleasant day as a sculpture of Begi, who was walking freely in the city during the tragic days, was unveiled.  I would like there to always be a lot of joy, happiness and success around this sculpture,” Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said.

The author of the statue is Erekle Tsuladze.

He won a competition announced by Tbilisi City Hall in 2019, which was dedicated to the events of June 13, 2015.

The sculpture is made of stainless steel of the highest quality, using modern technologies.

This type of work was placed for the first time in Georgia.