Monuments in Tbilisi adorned with surgical masks in alleged protest against air pollution

Tbilisi residents woke up this morning to many of the sculptures of celebrated Georgian authors and public figures across the city wearing surgical masks.

Images of the monuments with the person’s mouth and nose covered with a white mask started circulating on Georgian social media early morning.

Some of the sculptures affected included iconic monuments to Ilia Chavchavadze and Akaki Tsereteli on Rustaveli Ave, Vazha-Pshavela on Vazha-Pshavela Ave and the Muse Statue in front of Tbilisi Concert Hall.

Nobody knows who stands behind this action but social media users assume that this is a performance protesting air pollution.

"It is not difficult to understand why. These people can no longer breathe the air that is in the city”, one user wrote.

"It is a very impressive performance. I thank those who thought of it and did it”, another commented.

Others said that this is the future for all of us if we do not solve the pollution problem now.

The masks were removed by afternoon by the Municipal Amenities Department of Tbilisi City Hall.