Issue no: 977 • SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... FOCUS Adjara to ON BOOSTING Celebrate TOURISM THROUGH Batumoba RACING NEWS PAGE 2 British Formula 1 driver Zoe Whittaker teams up with to Georgia’s Kvirikashvili Holds promote its tourism potential Meetings in Turkmenistan EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW PAGE 10 POLITICS PAGE 5 Trump Hopes for Better Relations between US & Russia

POLITICS PAGE 5 Georgia to Host World Tourist Guide Associations Convention BUSINESS PAGE 8 World’s Population Dynamics & Georgia 3rd Chaglar School Shut SOCIETY PAGE 10 Memorandum between GNM Down, Parents & Pupils React & Sokhumi State University Updated BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI

he Private Demirel College was offi cially closed on Tuesday in a decision made by the National Center for Education Equality Enhancement, a trusted source Tinformed GEORGIA TODAY on Tuesday night. The school's manager, Mustafa Emre Çabuk, has been detained since May 24, with his pre- CULTURE PAGE 15 extradition in a detention facility extended for another three months last week for alleged asso- ciation with Fethullah Gülen‘s terrorist organi- zation. The closure of Demirel is seen by some as a continuation of Turkey’s efforts to shut down schools associated with Gülen, a former Islamic Cleric and former ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The ‘Fethullah Terrorist Organ- ization (FETO)’ is considered a terrorist group only by Turkey. There has been a great political focus on Georgian-Turkish schools since the coup against Erdogan’s government last year, especially those schools educating non-Georgian students. Continued on page 6 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 Adjara to Celebrate Georgian Wine Named Batumoba Among 15 Best Rosé Wines in the World

the palate” she says, going on to recommend it to BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI red wine lovers “when it’s too hot outside to drink red wine.” The 2015 Mahana Pinot Noir Rosé from New Zea- n a recent article published by Conde Nast land, 2016 Pittnauer Rose from , 2016 Schloss- Traveller, Georgian 2015 Pheasant’s Tears gurt Diel Rosé “Rose Del Diel” Pinot Noir (Germany), Takveri Rosé was named among the 15 best and 2016 Chateau Musar Jeune Rosé (Lebanon), are Rosé wines, based on the choice of somme- also among the 15 Best Rosé Wines listed. liers from around the world. “While French Rosé is still the most popular, I“Hailing from a country with 8,000 years of vitis nowadays, some of the best rosé wines are made vinifera history, and still producing 525 indigenous outside ,” the author writes. grape varieties, it’s safe to say that this is the oldest The popularity of Rosé wine has increased sig- rosé you’ll ever try,” the article quotes Samantha nifi cantly; as the article states, sales doubled last Payne, Australian Sommelier and wine writer. year alone, reaching $258 million, which, “as experts “Takveri, when made into rosé, has a balsamic note, could be due to its rising popularity among strawberries-and-sage character running through the millennials today”.

Photo: Batumoba 2016 and bands in Square. BY TAMZIN WHITEWOOD • 12: 45 - Opening ceremony of 'Batumoba 2017', cutting of the ribbon at the start of the event. atumoba, a yearly festival in which • 13:00 - Parade on Memed Abashidze Avenue. Georgia’s seaside town is celebrated, After the opening ceremony, guests will be able will kick off this weekend starting Sep- to enjoy a variety of events, including exhibitions, tember 2. with Batumi's rich history described through pho- The program for the event, which is tos and art instillations. Local dance group 'Batumi Bset to run over the course of two days this year, has Start' will perform at the Batumi Summer Theater been released. at 6pm, alongside numerous other artists set to Schedule for the opening of Batumoba 2017 on perform throughout the weekend. September 2: Batumoba 2017 will be brought to a close on Sep- • 12:00 -Memorial service for the fallen heroes tember 3 at 9PM, with a Gala concert to be held on who fought for the unity of Georgia (behind Europe Square. Performers include the group the drama theater). "Ursa," Nodiko Tatishvili, Salome Bakuradze, Datuna • 12: 30 - Parade on Memed Abashidze Avenue, Mgeladze, Tamta Chelidze, Niko Beridze, Zviad accompanied by a brass orchestra. Bolkvadze, Sopho Khalvashi and the group 'Rezo • 12: 30 - 17:00 - Concert by local musicians and Children'. Public Defender Says 189 Public Schools Threaten Children’s Safety

measures for the safety of school pupils. BY THEA MORRISON The Ombudsman stressed that the buildings of 189 public schools are damaged across Georgia, posing a threat to the safety of the children. eorgian Public Defender (Ombuds- “In 2016-2017, the Public Defender’s Offi ce has man) Ucha Nanuashvili has addressed been actively studying the infrastructural situa- the government with a request to tion and physical environment of general edu- improve the infrastructure of public cational institutions,” he stated. “It has been schools and to implement necessary revealed that conditions in a signifi cant number G of general educational institutions are not safe for pupils. The situation is particularly grave in high mountainous regions and rural areas”. 42,394 pupils currently study in damaged build- ings, and although “some measures” are being taken for the safety of students in the damaged schools, the Ombudsman claims that such meas- ures, in most cases, cannot ensure the proper safety of pupils. In 2016, 209 public schools were functioning in damaged buildings, 42 of which are beyond repair. “Almost all public schools need some form of repair and rehabilitation,” Nanuashvili noted. Some new public schools were constructed in different regions of Georgia in the period of 2015- 2017, but the number “is small”. Preliminary data suggests that of the planned construction of public schools, 22 were started and only eight actually completed within the framework of the 2015-2017 Infrastructure Devel- opment Plan of the Educational and Scientifi c Infrastructure Development Agency. The Public Defender welcomed the fact that the rehabilitation of 35 public schools and partial rehabilitation of 518 public schools is planned within the framework of the 2017 Action Plan for Educational and Scientifi c Infrastructure Devel- opment. “However, it is necessary for the process to be implemented in a more timely manner and for the start of the 2017 autumn semester not to be hampered,” he added, going on to underline that the State must take all necessary measures to ensure the relevant standards in general educa- tional institutions. “The infrastructure of general education insti- tutions should be improved and the educational inventory should be upgraded, particularly in rural areas and mountainous regions,” he concluded.

GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 Out with the Russian Framework: the Untold Story of the Georgian March

that focusing on the signifi cant number cantly differ from the mainstream and OP-ED BY ARCHIL SIKHARULIDZE of Georgians illegally living abroad will has a tendency of continuous internal somehow solve the problem. destructive confrontation. Furthermore, The second Georgian March demand Georgian society fragments itself into n July 13, members of var- deals with increased facts of prostitution ‘desirable’ and ‘non-desirable’ elements. ious conservatist, nation- and other dubious activities in various Local liberal elites are no exception as alist and ultra-nationalist places of entertainment. It is a paradox they automatically create humiliating groups, alongside numer- that while so-called liberal elites advo- labels for those people or groups of peo- ous regular citizens, cate rule of law, they rarely recognize ple who do not share their main postu- marchedO in with pretty unpopu- that illegal prostitution exists in Georgia lates regarding NATO and EU integra- lar demands that irritated Georgia’s so and is a common practice in many Turk- tion, Russian politics, immigration laws, called liberal elite. In response to the ish and Iranian clubs. Furthermore, there land regulations, etc. This is a self-pro- “Georgian March,” on July 23, a counter- have been cases of child prostitution. tection mechanism which stimulates a strike was held by the Movement for This is not the fi rst time the topic has counter-response. As a result, terms such Liberty - European Georgia that united been raised. A few years ago, there were as ‘fascist,’ ‘Nazi,’ ‘traitor’ and other high- representatives of various political pow- calls to check a number of buildings in fl ying words are used on a regular basis ers and social movements protesting the settlement of Gonio, near the border by all involved parties. against what they believed to be an with Turkey, where allegedly illegal Something similar happened with the expression of fascist and xenophobic prostitution was taking place. The gov- Georgian March. Opposed to some argu- attitudes. The majority of international ernment hushed up the affair. Another ments, the fi rst unfriendly catchword experts and actors condemned the Geor- challenge is the harmful practice of price was thrown by the members of so-called gian March as a negative that could affect exploitation used at the same entertain- Photo Source: The Georgian March (Luka Pertaia/OC Media) liberal elites and marchers were given the country’s image and push away ment venues with the aim of gaining it is logical that more and more ques- and other covert organizations, for every a highly hostile reception before, during potential investors. maximum profi t from tourists visiting tions are being raised about the total unpleasant meeting or riot is guaranteed and after the event. Moreover, whether And while we may generally agree with Tbilisi. Such cases often end in threats and absolute dependence of these by default. Unfortunately, the Georgian participants belonged to any particular the lion’s share of said allegations, there and fi ghts that can cause signifi cant harm movements on foreign aid. This issue March was automatically analyzed in group or were just citizens dissatisfi ed are very important issues that have yet to Georgia’s tourism sector reputation. is nothing new in academic debates the given theoretical framework. By with the current state policy, was neither to be openly discussed. And while we do not need to focus on abroad, but in Georgia it is still a taboo. doing so, the government and opponents here nor there as they were all by default the ethnic or national belonging of the So far, the issues raised by participants easily managed to turn a blind eye to the proclaimed enemies of the State. This THE DEMANDS owners of said venues, we should rec- of the march are pretty relevant and we topics raised and, generally, fl aws within was a huge mistake. We need to keep in Beyond populist moves and statements, ognize the problem and take respective need to start debates and discussions the existing political order. We may mind that all that glitters is not gold- not we can easily outline the three main steps before it is too late. even if we do not share the general pathos boldly assume that the counter march everyone participating in the event demands the participants of the Geor- Finally, the march organizers of the movement. Further, it is crucial led by the Movement for Liberty - Euro- belonged to ultra-radical groups with gian March made: 1) tighten migration demanded the restriction of activities to avoid stepping on the same rake twice pean Georgia on July 23 with the slogan fi nancial assistance from the Kremlin; laws; 2) deal with harmful practices in of foreign-funded NGOs. Georgia’s by avoiding clichés. “No to Russian Fascism” is a continua- and, consequently, do not represent ‘non- clubs/bars managed by migrants; and 3) non-governmental sector has played a tion of this process. Additionally, it is desirable’ state elements. restrict the activities of foreign-funded crucial role in building democratic WHAT WE SHOULDN’T DO the refl ection of the total inability of NGOs. institutions and practices. We need to There are two important things that we Georgian actors to think beyond the WHAT NEXT? Migration is probably one of the most keep this in mind. But, at the same time, should stop doing if we aspire to build- ‘Russian framework’ and analyze events Georgia’s political and other elites must challenging issues that both developed we should realize that the third sector ing a unifi ed democratic society. First of based on the current local political, social stop using the ‘Russian framework’ to and developing states face. Regardless of has transformed over the years. Now- all, we need to fi nally abandon the so- and economic conditions rather than turn a blind eye to the challenges that whether the targeted migrants represent adays, some current non-governmental called ‘Russian framework’. Secondly, external factors. Briefl y, there is nothing such marches raise; they should work a small group consisting the local popu- movements are so actively involved in we must stop fragmenting Georgian that Georgia’s so called liberal elites can hard to start open debates to show their lation, or foreigners, what matters is that the country’s everyday life and, in par- society into ‘desirable’ and ‘non-desira- offer except the old “corny” story about readiness for dialogue and awareness of their number is obviously increasing. ticular, political processes, that it is ble’ elements. ’s menace. We should learn from the existing political, social and economic Foreign migrants mainly come from Asia sometimes too complicated to draw a Russia rather than further contributing challenges. Moreover, there should be or developing countries and work to clear line between political party, pri- THE ‘RUSSIAN FRAMEWORK’ to our fears. no further attempts to split society into occupy appreciable and “sensitive” areas vate sector and civil society. The best The Russian way has been a popular ‘desirable’ and ‘non-desirable’ groups – small and medium-sized businesses and example is the ongoing constitutional political method in Georgia for years. ‘DESIRABLE’ AND ‘NON- and elements. The fact that some issues the agricultural sector. In the wake of reform where it seems that every sin- Mikhail Saakashvili and his United DESIRABLE’ ELEMENTS may be or are brought up by question- poor social and economic conditions, gle actor, including NGOs and INGOs, National Movement started using it to There is widely-shared assumption able groups in a questionable manner some citizens are feeling increasingly is lobbying specifi c political and busi- consolidate society around a ruling gov- among Georgian liberals that they are does not undermine their importance. abandoned and “unprotected” by the ness agendas. The issue is even more ernment, slandering different “unneces- more tolerant than those who belong to Issues expressed by the Georgian March government in the face of comparatively addled if we recognize the well-estab- sary” groups and blaming hidden forces conservatist or other movements. But, have some logic as well as empirics fi nancially well-backed migrants. There lished so-called ‘revolving door’ prin- for various conspiracy theories. Russia in fact, this is a more-or-less false state- behind them and we need to talk about is nothing more dangerous than this pro- ciple in the country (the movement of may or may not be involved, but it is ment. Georgian society in general is them. If not, the existing dissatisfaction cess, as it will undoubtedly lead to a individuals between positions in the evident that blaming the so-called fi fth highly aggressive, non-tolerant toward will undoubtedly increase and such xenophobic backlash, and it is unlikely private and the public sectors). So far, column, Moscow’s intelligence services approaches that to some extent signifi - marches will be seen on a growing basis.

to help extinguish the fi re in the Borjomi- political in Georgia, and the smoke from Kharagauli National Park. We allocated the recent fi res had a stronger stink than an IL-76 for this purpose, but later the most. Georgian side thanked us and informed As early as the beginning of the sum- that the fi re hubs were already localized mer, there was mention of fi res when the and that they no longer needed our help”. South Ossetian Representative at the Zakharova’s inteview was soon followed IPRM meetings, Murat Jioev, made an by a statement from the Special Repre- announcement about the continuance of sentative of the Prime Minister of Geor- borderization works. Afterwards, the Fire Burnsing the opposition, accusing it of lying expressed goodwillAll and offered its help- gia for relations with Russia, Zurab Russian border guards started digging OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA to society when it declared that Georgia ing hand to its neighbor out of humane Abashidze, who confi rmed the Russian ground close to the so-called “borderline,” had asked Russia for help in extinguish- moral principles, to which it got a polite diplomat’s words... and that’s when the later explained as being the “anti-fi re ing the fi res. A few days ago, Mr. Kviri- refusal in reply. scandal began. trenches”. Jioev’s prophecy came true he fi re is still burning in kashvili publicly thanked Russia for The seemingly harmless comment was Now, as the Prime Minister and the and this summer really saw numerous Georgia. The Borjomi gorge showing its readiness to help extinguish followed by a TV interview with Deputy ruling party try to repel the blows from fi re hubs bloom across Georgia. Fire struck fi re was not yet dampened the Borjomi fi res. “Russia expressed Foreign Minister of Russia, Maria the opposition, it feels as if the forest the forest on the occupied territory, too, before another erupted in readiness to help despite the very dif- Zakharova, aired on channel Dozhd, fi res have moved to the backstage. In following military trainings by the occu- the unique coniferous for- fi cult relations between our countries where she declared that the Georgian reality, though, there seems no end to pants, but was extinguished before it Test of Abastumani. The government and this offer was welcome,” he told Prime Minister’s statement was an them: Ateni Valley, Tianeti, Kakheti... spread anywhere near the abovemen- moved the emergency headquarters tent journalists. This announcement left the unhealthy illusion: “We immediately the fi res are all across the country, which tioned trenches. Nevertheless, Jioev’s from Tsagveri to Abastumani and con- impression that it was Russia that had responded to the request from Tbilisi surely doesn’t look like a normal disas- prophecy is still worth analyzing, as doubts tinued “fi ghting” the fi res from there. ter resembling more that of sabotage. are further enhanced by the fact that the Turkish and Azerbaijani helicopters had The government and its supporting Borjomi fi re was very close to the Baku– left for their homeland just a few days media began to accuse the opposition Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline and the new fi re prior, but were quickly sent back to of starting the fi res, pointing its fi nger hubs in the forests emerged right along Georgia, and the emergency headquar- at “Misha and the United National Move- that pipeline. The recent events not only ters announced that aviation from Ukraine ment.” “Only a very well-organized group in Borjomi Gorge and Tbilisi do bring up and Iran was on its way. The world’s could plan this, one that cares much serious questions: the Special Services media didn’t fail to notice the issue of more about its own fate than that of the are responsible for looking into sabotage Iranian aviation, thus giving a geopo- country, one that has zero chance of or terrorist attack, since petrol canisters litical importance to the ongoing disas- returning to the government via elec- were allegedly found in the woods, etc. ter in Georgia. Apparently, everything, tions, one which had and still has a But the versions “Misha started the fi res from sports to disasters, is connected schizophrenic, maniac bunch of harmful against Georgian Dream” or “Georgian with politics and especially so in Geor- people,” wrote MP of the Georgian Dream Dream started the fi res to building Car- gia, where everything has political and and former Foreign Minister, Salome refour” – just don’t sound convincing. It party affi liations, even fi ghting fi res. Zurabishvili on her Facebook wall. The is more likely that one very specifi c “fac- As well as fi ghting forest fi res, PM statement was widely shared by the tor” is at work in all cases, and it should Kvirikashvili’s government is also fi ght- media. As I said, even fi res are very be revealed as soon as possible. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 POLITICS 5

Georgia’s Kvirikashvili Holds Meetings in Turkmenistan

eral relations in various spheres and cooperation BY THEA MORRISON between the two countries' legislative bodies. The Georgian PM expressed hope that the high- level visits carried out in the recent period will iorgi Kvirikashvili, the Prime Minis- help to develop bilateral links between Georgia ter of Georgia, arrived in Turkmeni- and Turkmenistan. stan on August 30 for a meeting with "I am sure today's meetings will give a new impe- President Gurbanguly Berdimuhame- tus to further development of our relationship. We dow to discuss the development of are grateful for Turkmenistan's position,” the PM Gtrade and economic relations, regional transport said. projects, and other bilateral issues. Members of the Cabinet of Ministers of the two “We take immense interest in stepping up regional countries also attended the extended meeting. transport projects which, I believe, serve the inter- ests of both sides,” the Georgian PM told the Turk- men President. Kvirikashvili said that there is an enormous untapped potential between two countries in terms of trade and economy. “There is a potential for developing trade and economic cooperation as well as the transit cor- ridor, which should be used for the benefi t of our There is a potential for nations,” he said. He thanked President Berdimuhamedow for developing trade and Turkmenistan’s support of Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty. economic cooperation, “Reciprocally, we, of course, support Turkmeni- stan's stance on international platforms,” he added. as well as the transit The Georgian PM’s Press Offi ce reports that he will attend the 5th Asian Games ‘Asiada 2017’. corridor, for the benefi t Kvirikashvili also met with Chair of the Mejilis Assembly, Akja Nuberdiyeva to speak about bilat- of both nations Trump Hopes for Better Relations between US & Russia

Russia, I say it loudly and clearly, I’ve said it for BY DAVID DRUMMERS years, I said that it would be good if we had a wonderful relationship with Russia, at least a good relationship. This is very important, and I resident of the United States Donald believe that this will happen someday," President Trump has expressed confi dence in Trump’s press agency quoted. the normalization of relations between "It's a big country, it's a nuclear country, it's a Moscow and Washington during a country we need to get along with, and we'll press conference with the President eventually get along ... It would be good for eve- ofP Finland, Sauli Niinisto. ryone, for the world and for other things," Trump "I hope that we will have good relations with added. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 Those Involved in Fire Fighting to Receive Bonuses

extinguished, work will begin to allocate BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI resources from the state budget both for this year and the next,” the PM said, going on to underline that systematic he Prime Minister of Geor- changes are needed in order for the gia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, country to have a higher level of readi- has asked the Minister of ness for challenges such as those encoun- Finance, Dimitry Kumsish- tered this month. vili, to arrange fi nancial The Prime Minister said that approxi- bonusesT for the employees of the various mately 200 hectares of forest have been structures involved in the recent fi re- burned in the recent fi res, but empha- fi ghting operations. sized that the precise area of damaged “All those who were involved in extin- forest is still being checked. guishing the fi res need to be encouraged “We will defi nitely restore the forest- for their work,” he said. it’s our responsibility,” Kvirikashvili said, The PM also said that systematic pointing to the necessity of a joint effort changes are needed and infrastructure with Georgian citizens. equipment needs to be renovated, along- The Prime Minister went on to once side a systematization of the Crisis Coun- again express his gratitude to all the cil. countries that helped Georgia in the “As soon as the Abastumani fi re is fully fi refi ghting operations. Georgia Selects New Candidates for Strasburg Court

will choose one to become the Strasburg BY THEA MORRISON Court Judge from Georgia. Lali Papiashvili and Otar Sichinava, along with the other two candidates, he Georgian government were selected by a special commission has selected two new can- from a list of 28 applicants. didates from the four short- The decision came after the ECHR; for listed for the position of various reasons, twice rejected Georgian the European Court of candidates, forcing the special govern- THuman Rights (ECHR) candidate judges mental commission to announce an from Georgia. opening for the third time. Georgia’s Ministry of Justice reports NGOs refused to participate in the that Deputy Head of the Court, Lali selection process of judges, saying the Papiashvili, and a judge of the Court of process was neither transparent nor Appeals and former judge of the Con- impartial enough. stitutional Court, Otar Sichinava, were The NGOs released a statement saying picked from the candidates. they would not take part in the work of Together with the previously selected the special commission headed by the Lado Chanturia, all three candidates will Justice Ministry, and calling on the Geor- be presented to the Council of the ECHR, gian government to change the rules and and, if approved, the European Court procedures for forming the commission. 3rd Chaglar School Shut Down, Parents & Pupils React

Continued from page 1 vate Demirel College, 250 were Georgian "I feel really sad now because of what that the closure of Private Demirel Col- and 70 Turkish. The number of non- happened to our school," Gvantsa, an 8th lege comes late for the 500 pupils who Demirel denies any connection to Gülen Georgians has since decreased. Strictly grader at Demirel, told GEORGIA TODAY. will have to register at new schools before or his alleged organization. following the rules of the Georgian National "To me, that school was everything. Eve- the start of term. Some of the pupils plan “It is vital to speak the language of the Curriculum, Skhivi is said to pay close rything was great until the day they closed to transfer to the partner school Skhivi, country you live in,” Çabuk told GEOR- attention to teaching the Georgian lan- it and I don't think they'll do anything to however, many of them fear that Skhivi GIA TODAY in an exclusive interview guage, increasing it from a regular fi ve change their stance or that they'll listen will be next on the "political list" for shut last year, “and the schools are making hours to nine in the fi rst and second grades to people's opinions on why they shouldn't down. Violations were every effort to make sure the Turkish and to eight hours in the third and fourth close it. Every student in Demirel was my The Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) families coming to Georgia have that grades. close friend. They're all really bright. I reports that the head of the Public Rela- found in the study opportunity". It has been reported that Demirel Col- still can't believe they had to do this to tions Department at the Ministry of Edu- Of the 320 students studying at Skhivi lege had its authorization revoked due to us". cation of Georgia, Nata Asatiani, announced process at Lyceum in 2016, a partner school of Pri- necessary standards not being met. Gvantsa moved to the Skhivi school, that the former Demirel College students “The State Commission, which either Tbilisi, from the Shahin Lyceum in Batumi, and teachers will be transferred to differ- Demirel grants or refuses authorization, acts accord- also part of the Chaglar group of schools ent educational institutions. According Enhancement. ing to Georgian legislation,” Gia Murgulia, and which had its license revoked by to GPB, the College administration admits "They have questions and I’ll try to Authorization Council Deputy at the Georgia’s Ministry of Education early that there were certain fl aws, but they answer them,” Sanikidze told Rustavi 2 National Center for Education Equality this year after the Turkish Consul in Batumi were not given enough time to deal with prior to the meeting. "The authorization Enhancement, told Imedi TV on Wednes- claimed that the school was “raising ter- them and the school authorization was council members have high competence day. He went on to claim that Authoriza- rorists”. She then moved to Demirel. cancelled without warning. and everything was done according to the The closure is tion Council members are not motivated Other schools under the umbrella of the “Demirel College had violations, but at educational standards. There was no for any school to be closed down, but that fi rm Chaglar Educational Institutions, the same time it had very good pupils and political infl uence or intervention regard- seen by some as violations had been found in the study aside from Demirel, are: Lyceum Skhivi, very competent teachers," Asatiani told ing the issue," she added. process at Demirel, and that "not every Marneuli David Agmashenebeli School GPB. "We will do our best to make the Gvantsa Lomaia, Lawyer from the Tol- a continuation of pupil was registered in the school". (at which all 146 pupils are Azerbaijani), process of their transferal to other schools erance and Diversity and Institute, says Bm.ge (buisnesscontact.ge) reports that, Kutaisi Niko Nikoladze School, and the as painless as possible. We’re negotiating that the scenarios in Shahin School and Turkey’s efforts to according to information they received Rustavi Rustaveli School. All are partners with several schools which have expressed Demirel College appear similar: both being from the National Center for Education of Demirel, owned by it. Chaglar Nikoloz their readiness to receive pupils and teach- now closed with their authorization can- shut down schools Equality Enhancement, Demirel had Tsereteli International School of Tbilisi ers from Demirel College. The results will celled without notice. "problems with infrastructure, resources (CIS), also part of the original seven be made public shortly”. Parents are planning a protest on Sep- associated with and staff, with Turkish teachers employed Chaglar Educational Institutions, was Parents of Private Demirel College pupils tember 5. on programs that needed to be taught in closed last year. met with Tamar Sanikidze, Head of the Keep up-to-date with this story on georgiato- Gülen the Georgian language". The Demirel pupil's parents point out National Center for Education Equality day.ge.

GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 Nord Stream-2 Will Be Built Regardless of US Sanctions

clarifi cation of lawyers, OFAC and other BY DAVID DRUMMERS structures". The main obstacle is the provision of the law, according to which President he new anti-Russian sanc- Donald Trump can impose sanctions on tions of the United States, persons investing more than $5 million as it turns out, can in no per year, or $1 million at a time, in the way can prevent Gazprom construction of Russian export pipelines. from completing the Nord However, Gazprom does not seem at all TStream-2 gas pipeline, Alexander Ivan- bothered by this. nikov the Head of the Department of "I don’t see any problem: external bor- Financial and Economic Policy of rowing can be directed at internal goals Gazprom explained during a conference and the revenues from commercial call with media on Thursday. activities directed to project activities. Gazprom is waiting for clarifi cation on Meanwhile, everything remains on sched- the terms of the sanction regime from ule, both for Gazprom, and for partners," OFAC (Department of the US Treasury Ivannikov explained. Photo source: GNTA Offi ce for Control over Foreign Assets). True, this option increases the debt However, it is already clear that the new burden on Gazprom, which can affect law does not close the ability of the the level of dividend payments. And the Holding to borrow in foreign markets to pressure from the government of the fi nance the project. Russian Federation, which currenly Georgia to Host "Like our partners in the project, we insists on payment to the amount of 50% are also engaged in trying to achieve of profi ts, will increase, the top manager certainty. The law is so vague that right noted. now not even Western law fi rms can give "The search for this compromise between a clear answer to the question of what the need to fi nance internal projects, can and cannot be done," Ivannikov said. between the availability of borrowed World Tourist Guide At the same time, the top manager of external resources and the need to pay Gazprom stressed that even if risks dividends at a level not lower than that exceeded the economic benefi ts for of the previous year, is a decision that can Gazprom's partners, "the Nord Stream-2 hardly be subjected to detailed analysis project will be implemented with the at the moment," Ivannikov concluded. Associations Convention

The GNTA also says that the President tion hosts,” a post on the WFTGA face- BY THEA MORRISON of the World Guides Association Fed- book page reads. eration and other members of the board Georgia was elected as a host country are on an offi cial visit now to Tbilisi to of the 2019 Convention at the 17th Con- he 18th International Con- agree on the details and prepare for the vention of the World Federation of Tour- vention of the World Fed- large-scale congress. ism Guides Association in Iran. eration of Tourist Guide “The guests have visited Tbilisi and Ketevan Meladze, Head of the Georgian Associations (WFTGA) is other regions of Georgia, including Kakheti Guides Association, stated that winning to be held in Tbilisi on 21 and Mtskheta, and, together with GNTA the vote is a precedent in the tourism T- 27 January 2019, the Georgian National head, Giorgi Chogovadze, they toured sector of Georgia. Tourism Administration (GNTA) Old Tbilisi,” the GNTA statement reads. “Having the convention in Georgia is announced. “This is an opportunity for the 2017- a very important event for promoting The agency reports that during the 2019 Executive Board, as appointed in the Georgian tourism sector and devel- voting process, Georgia’s competitors Iran, to meet in person to discuss excit- oping tourism guides in the country,” were the Thailand and New York Guides' ing new projects, the way forward and Chogovadze said. “The convention par- Associations but the Georgian candidacy to fi nalize an action plan for the rest of ticipants will share their knowledge in got the highest approval and gained a 2017. It is an exciting time, as we experi- tourism and the event will bring global signifi cant victory in the fi nal vote. ence the hospitality of our 2019 Conven- awareness of the country”. Wine Experts from US Visit Georgia sommeliers will visit representatives of Granik has made it her mission to organ- development of wine tourism BY THEA MORRISON the following 18 Georgian wine compa- ize visits of wine professionals to Geor- in Georgia,” she stated. nies and taste their wines: Alapiani, gia as well as numerous Georgian wine The NWA says that the US Batono, Giuaani, Orgo/Teleda, Mosmieri, tastings and presentations throughout is one of the most important even wine experts from the Satsnakheli, Shalauri, Maranuli, Papris the US. current and potential export United States (US) are paying Valley, Our Wine, Meghvineoba Nika, Granik believes that the quality of markets for Georgian wine. a fi ve-day visit to Georgia in Kakha Berishvili’s Wine, Winery Daniel, Georgian wine is increasingly better and “According to the numbers order to taste Georgian wines Naotrebi, Iago’s Wine, Chateau Mukh- aims to raise awareness of such in her for January-July 2017, 236 thou- and cuisine and explore the rani, Lagvinari and Gotsa’s Wines. homeland. sand bottles of wine have been Shistory of winemaking. The group of sommeliers is led by “The introduction of the Georgian tra- exported to the US. The The tour for the US experts is organ- famous Master of Wine and head of the ditional method of winemaking and growth compared to the pre- ized by the National Wine Agency of National Wine Agency contractor Amer- unique grape varieties to professionals vious year amounted to 89 Georgia (NWA), which says that the ican company, Tasting Works, Lisa Granik. will result in export growth and the percent,” the NWA stated. Photo Source: Wines of Georgia

Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 SOCIETY 9 The Abastumani Fire

Ukraine sent a fi refi ghting aircraft, BY THE GT TEAM Photo source: cbc.az АН-32П, belonging to the Ukrainian State Emergency Service, following a personal request from the Georgian PM to Ukrain- ires hit the steep mountainous ian President Petro Poroshenko on Tues- Abastumani area, Samtskhe- day night. Javakheti region, near the vil- The same day, the Ambassador of Tur- lages Sviri and Korkhi, on key, Zeki Levent Gumrukcu, stated that Monday, initially destroying Turkey was also ready to assist Georgia threeF hectares of forest. The Sviri blaze with two helicopters and one fi refi ght- was only put out after a helicopter got ing aircraft. involved in extinguishing works on Tues- “Around 1,000 fi refi ghters, rescuers and day morning. rangers are mobilized on the ground,” Around 100 fi refi ghters and 170 service- Mghebrishvili said late Wednesday. men of the Interior Ministry were involved in the fi refi ghting in Sviri and remained on site once the fi re was brought under control. Late Tuesday night, a new pocket of fi re erupted and additional manpower and equipment was sent to Abastumani. Georgia's Interior Minister, Giorgi Mghebrishvili, said Tuesday that Geor- The fi re in gia would address friendly states for assistance if necessary. Russia "would Abastumani is not not be among those countries". On Wednesday, with the blaze still as large-scale as being fought, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili announced that it was in Borjomi “Around 4 to 5 km of new road was cut At time of going to press, we under- If weather conditions are good, we could Azerbaijan had expressed readiness to last night in the woods for special equip- stand that all major areas of fi re in Abas- localize the fi re by the end of the day.” assist Georgia with a helicopter. and fi re ment to reach the point of fi re. Artifi cial tumani have been extinguished. Work continued in Abastumani Thurs- "The fi re in Abastumani is not as large- reservoirs were also arranged for avia- “We can now say that all the open burn- day morning, with aviation equipment scale as it was in Borjomi...and fi re extin- extinguishing tion,” he added. ing areas have been extinguished,” Min- from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Ukraine guishing works are actively underway. Abastumani is a mountainous resort ister Mghebrishvili told Imedi reporters. still involved in the fi refi ghting opera- A plane from Ukraine will join us and works are actively world-renowned for its mineral springs “Aviation and fi re crews are working very tion. The exact number of hectares dam- we will also receive a helicopter from and thermal baths. It also houses Geor- effectively, with helicopters being given aged in Georgia’s latest summer blaze Azerbaijan," the PM said. underway gia’s Space Observatory. the exact coordinates to drop the water. has yet to be announced. Fiery Days for Georgia

down on us by Mother Nature or just a OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE regular mortal. The most to-the-point question now is whether the fi res could have been prevented and the damage hat’s amiss in Geor- minimized if we had taken the relevant gia? Who wants to measures in expectation of one of the set us alight? Are we hottest summers Georgia has ever seen. being incinerated? Specialists have counted hundreds of And if so, who’s fi re hotbeds in the last fortnight and tens Wresponsible: Man or nature? Or both in of fi res in the latest half a year. This is a their own turn and way? Acres of wood very strange summer, but it cannot be gone, air polluted, businesses burned to helped except in the way it is handled the ground, damage calculated in mil- using available local and foreign capac- lions, and all this in just six months. ities. Believers ascribe the “disaster” to God’s I’m talking about future over-heated Will, nonbelievers nurse the desire to summers in our forests and possible hang it on a mismanaged country, while fi res in urban residential and industrial conspiracy theory addicts will throw in areas. We will probably have to coach sabotage for good measure. With our more people in the manner of fi refi ght- proclivity for investigating every little ing and have in reserve squads of incident in our everyday lives and wait- qualifi ed volunteers who will have gone ing for the results of that investigation through such training courses; our soldiers will have to add to their pro- grams a course on fi re-fi ghting; ample paths and roads will have to be cut through our woods and forests in advance; money will have to be spent on the purchase of more and better equipment and transportation; more Believers ascribe water reservoirs will have to be built in the most fi re-vulnerable spots; the the “disaster” to areas of interest will have to be manned in relevant numbers; not even a single God’s Will, fi re breeding ground should escape our attention or ability to quench it on nonbelievers hang the spot as soon as the fl ames begin to lick. This is by no means a complete it on a list of fi re do’s and don’ts. Investigation to be able to make a conclusion, we might I’ve been around for more than sev- consuming thousands of acres of Cali- of the entire fi re saga is, of course, an mismanaged have to sit on it for a while until the pre- enty-fi ve years and I’ve never in my fornia’s wonderful forests; claiming animal of a totally different color. This sumed “sabotage” is exposed and given lifetime seen anything like this in Geor- human lives and property in abundance is a fi eld of a very special considera- country, over to judgment. The role of misman- gia. We have gone through many scorch- in every corner of the planet except the tion, although the strange behavior of agement in things like fi re outbreaks is ing droughts and red-hot days, but never icy North, though even that part of the nature is still on our minds as the cen- conspiracy theory very diffi cult to prove; so for the time so many consequential fi res. Yet, based world is not safe from the wrath of the tral point of our focus. No matter how being, God’s Will seems to be the easiest on the presumption of the divine dis- fulminating creator of the universe. powerful and insistent the suspicions addicts throw in explanation for the continuing ubiqui- posal of our lives, anything can happen I certainly hate to sound overly mysti- of subterfuge ploys and tricks are, no tous fi res around the country and the to us if nature wants it to happen. On cal at this realistic moment of national solid deductions can be made at this sabotage for most affordable way to write the conse- the other hand, fi res occur everywhere hardship, especially being well-aware point in time. And so we wait again for good measure quences off. around the globe in summer; annually that damage is damage whether thrown the outcomes of the investigations… GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 World’s Population Dynamics & Georgia

newly diagnosed HIV infections from OP-ED BY EMIL AVDALIANI 2.3 per 100,000 in 2002 to 10.9 per 100,000 in 2013 (2,3). By June 2014, a total of 4,360 HIV cases had been registered at he world’s population the Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clin- dynamics is an important ical Immunology Research Center trend to watch as we assess (IDACIRC), with the estimated total Georgia’s economic and number of people infected with HIV at military potential in the around 6,400 (Spectrum EPP). The lat- comingT decades. The overall trend, est fi gures have yet to be released. according to the United Nations esti- The population dynamics of countries mates, is on the up. For instance, the neighboring Georgia vary. In Armenia, current world population of 7.6 billion the population is set to decrease, while is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, in Azerbaijan it will grow above the 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in current almost 10 million. Growth is 2100. The estimates count that 83 mil- also projected in Turkey. lion people are being added to the Thus, for Georgia’s future develop- world’s population every year, with that ment, one of the major challenges (along trend expected to continue, even assum- with a direct military threat from Rus- ing that fertility levels continue to sia) will be the decline of its population. decline. This will impact the economy of the Most growth will likely be happening country and the potential to thwart throughout the rest of the century in militarily any external threat. underdeveloped countries in Asia and One way around this is for Georgia to Africa. Alongside this is the fact of the allow a cheaper workforce into the world's population getting older. The country, but nationalistic sentiments trend is already observable across many may create diffi culties in this regard. parts of the globe, as medical aid becomes Another solution for Georgia, and which ever more effective, raising life expec- is perhaps more adjusted to the tune of tancy levels. the times, could be to increase invest- In the past, large families were an ment in the technological sector. Those economic asset, since economies were Source: ThoughtCo European countries which face similar agrarian and hard work was essential. problems are investing heavily in teler- However, now, women are less inclined 3-6 children per woman. Nevertheless, technological advances. caused by low fertility rates and emi- obotics. The decreased scope of the to bear children as it is extremely hard the developing world, too, will at some gration. HIV, so prominent in Russia, human workforce will thus be substi- to keep up with demanding costs. The point reach the red line after which TRENDS IN GEORGIA AND and its own case of population decrease, tuted by modern scientifi c solutions in availability of education for everyone fertility growth will stall. It could even ITS SURROUNDINGS which I discussed on Tuesday, also plays order to keep to a pattern of economic has pushed women to postpone hav- happen that by 2050, the older popu- Like the rest of the world, Georgia’s a minor role. growth. In other words, with the com- ing children in favor of building a lation will outnumber children aged population growth is dubious at best. Consider the following data. Since the ing of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, career. The number of children born 0-14. This will mean that the labor Projections and various calculations fi rst case of HIV was detected in Geor- staying competitive and attractive to per woman in the developed world is force will decline signifi cantly, lead- show that the population will have gia, the number of annually detected investments and global supply chains about 1-2. In the developing world, ing governments, in order to maintain diminished from 3.7 million to slightly cases has risen steadily. There was an through scientifi c progress is now as average birth rates stand at around economic growth, to invest further in more than 3 million by 2050, primarily almost fi vefold increase in the rates of vital as ever. Zoe Whittaker, Formula 1 Test Pilot to Promote Georgia’s Tourism Potential involving important meetings with Shalva Kamarauli adds. “We’re aiming to attract BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI Obgaidze, Head of the Georgian Auto- a slightly different category of people mobile Federation (GAF), where she was with it, as Georgia has the potential to appointed the Non-Executive Director be able to host classic car races, bring- oe Whittaker, one of the few of GAF to promote Classic cars and Clas- ing yet another dimension for promoting women Formula 1 racers in sic car international races in Georgia”. Georgian tourism abroad”. the world, is on a visit to During her trip to Georgia, Zoe visited The current visit is just the beginning Georgia to launch her new the International Motor Park in Rustavi, and is said to have received high interest project ‘Race with Zoe,’ the where she was hosted by Archil Talak- from potential Georgian and foreign focusZ of which is the promotion of Geor- vadze, member of Georgian parliament. partners, including a number of major gia’s tourism potential. A joint test racing with the MIA Force media outlets in the UK. The idea to do so came up on a visit Racing Club was organized, with Geor- “With Moto sports, Georgia can easily to Le Monde’s famous 24-hour race in gian champion, pilot driver David Kajaia. become a center for organizing interna- France, where Zoe, together with her Whittaker also met Giorgi Alibegashvili, tional sports events,” Kamarauli says. Georgian friend, Berdia Kamarauli, Chairman of Tbilisi City Council, where “Georgia has many possibilities, and we us that one of her most challenging races lutely stunning and the agriculture here, founder of the UK-based Cenimex, a future partnership possibilities were shouldn’t focus on promoting just food was -Monaco, some twenty years with all those walnuts and tasty pome- British import-export venture special- discussed. and wine”. ago. “I was very young, and there were granates, is just outstanding,” she says. izing in Georgian wine export to the UK At a meeting with Sofi o Katsarava, Zoe Whittaker’s decision to become a no women driving; women were all nav- “Everything is getting so commercial- under the Georgian Wine Club brand, member of Georgian Parliament, women racer was infl uenced by her father’s rac- igating, but now it’s slowly getting better”. ized nowadays, and Georgia still has that suggested that Zoe taste Georgian wine, drivers and child road safety issues were ing career and she followed in her father’s She claims woman are better drivers, authenticity. In Tbilisi itself, I’m surprised “because, of course, French wine is good, discussed. footsteps, starting out by driving the “women are very calm and we have a at the mix of old and new, it’s all so real,” but Georgian is better”. “The concept of the project is to pro- same routes at some of the rallies he better patience ratio. We’re getting to Whittaker adds. “I really want to pro- It was an ambitious statement which mote Georgian tourism in the West,” used to in her “beaten up Ford Fiesta”. the stage where women are actually mote Georgian tourism to the outside rightfully took Whittaker by surprise Wanting to go deeper, she got into the earning enough of their own money that world with my new project, ‘Driving and so was borne the idea of promoting motor school industry, and now boasts they can afford such cars,” she says. with Zoe Whittaker,’ as Georgia has so the Georgian wine route by organizing a career in Formula 1 British-American We asked her about her latest project much to offer people”. a rally, which later expanded into a pro- racing, in between which she attends in Georgia. “Since I started posting images from ject for promoting Georgian tourism. classic car rallies, like Paris-America, “I had no idea that Georgia produced the trip, I’ve had a huge response. I’ve “The idea was then introduced to the with around 20 years spent racing all wine. I wanted to see the country for been showing the roads, the countryside, Co-Founder and director of the British- over Europe. myself and, despite warnings that the the beautiful castles, monasteries and Georgian Chamber of Commerce, Mako Georgia has the “I want to get more women into racing country wasn’t safe, I decided to get in churches, and many people are already Abashidze, and Georgian Ambassador to break away from the stigma [of it being my car and give it a go,” Whittaker says. saying they’d like to come”. to the UK, Tamar Beruchashvili, who potential to be a man’s sport],” she tells GEORGIA “Now I’m here, I’m absolutely blown The project will start in June next year, were both instantly hooked,” Kamarauli TODAY, recalling the reactions she gets away. The people are so friendly. Every and before that, Whittaker says she’ll be tells GEORGIA TODAY. “Zoe’s introduc- able to host when people see her racing and fi nd out single person I’ve met has welcomed me back in Georgia for more exploring prior tory trip to Georgia was then organized, classic car races about the classic cars she owns. She tells like I’m family, the countryside is abso- to setting her race itinerary. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 SOCIETY 11 Rough (In)justice: Becho, Svaneti

which I still feel now, and a push or two, assured, I thought, that they would be BLOG BY TONY HANMER but I wasn’t about to be goaded into two fi ned for this. I learned much later that versus one. I seized a moment, got back their only fi ne was to be 250 GEL for into my 4x4, and headed down towards having caused the accident. No 1000 his is a note of regret that the start of Becho and the police sta- GEL fi ne for drunk driving or revoca- I let such an opportunity tion. tion of license, oh, no! Seemingly noth- slip through my fi ngers; About halfway there, I saw a friend of ing against the owner of the car either, and also a warning: The mine from Etseri driving towards me, as it wasn’t theirs but borrowed. rule of law has a long road and motioned for him to stop. He was MY breath was tested for alcohol aheadT of it in Svaneti! really a Godsend, because soon after (clean), which I said was a bit of a joke, I was returning from dropping some this up pulled the drunken pair; now as by this time 3.5 hours had passed. I guests off at the top of Becho village on he, big and very hard to intimidate, was assumed from this event that the other August 26, driving alone. Around a shal- able to deal with them. More demands two had already had their breath tested; low curve, where neither of us could to pay for their damage, which I ignored. this, too, was wrong, as this test hap- see ahead, an oncoming car came speed- More men came, including some from pened later, and was inconclusive, as it ing towards me. It skidded on the gravel Latali village, home of the two. Every- would be after so much time. (Online and its rear driver’s side hit mine. one was urging me not to call the police; digging indicates that, in the USA, breath I jumped out, as did the two men who this could be dealt with unoffi cially, testing must be done within three hours were in another car just in front of me. they said. In the end, two policemen of the suspected drunk driving time in I asked them in Georgian, before the came anyway, summoned by the Mayor order to be legally acceptable.) guilty party could approach, “Please of Becho, a friend of mine, who had got I left for home, bolstered by a few tell me you saw how fast they were wind of it. My attackers came and went; phone calls from local friends who had driving.” They indicated yes, and it was one of them was as verbally abusive to heard the news, including the priest of just as well that they were there, because the police as to me. The police drove Etseri. And only then did the fog of my two assailants were very drunk, and me back to the scene of the crash, agreed shock clear as I realized that there would furious, putting all the blame on me. I from the bits of my car’s rear light lying be no punishment at all for the drunk got out my cell phone to call the police. around that I had been on my side and driving, which has cost the lives of sev- “Who’re you calling?” they asked. “112,” that the other party were wholly at fault, eral of my friends and acquaintances in I answered. “Oh no you’re not!” they and then took me to the police station my years in Svaneti. said, and out came a long torrent of the for a report. After a word with a good friend of foulest language. The men from the At the beginning of this, I was asked mine in Etseri, trained as a lawyer, my front car stopped them from physically whether I wanted to press charges for bitter conclusion is that a cover-up to attacking me. But both the drunk men assault. If so, arrests would follow. I said do with my case was called for and were horribly aggressive towards me. no, let them formally apologize and pay arranged from higher up. So: if you’re They demanded that I pay for the for all repairs to my car, and be fi ned; visiting Svaneti and need to call the damage to their car, which was a bit that would suffi ce. One of the guilty police, be aware that hidden machinery worse off than mine; both had scrapes men’s friends came into the offi ce and may be working against you. Get your and dents from the collision in the asked me why I was making up stories embassy involved, too, if you can, and driver’s back corner. This was sheer about being hit, so I stood up and pre- demand justice! intimidation, but I knew I needed to pared to pull down my trousers to show stand my ground. The horrid verbal the bruise. He and the police wouldn’t Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since abuse continued, and eventually the let me do this; I suppose it proved, and 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been men from the front car left. One of the least, that I was not bluffi ng, and he a weekly writer for GT since early 2011. two drunks then actually held back the retreated. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook other, the younger, who claimed to be We wrote the report together in Geor- group, now with nearly 1700 members, the driver, from laying into me with his gian, and at this point I let go mention at www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRe- fi sts. He got in a vicious kick to my leg of the men’s drunkenness, having been naissance/ GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 Renovated Akhmeteli Metro Station Opens

At the opening ceremony, Tbilisi Mayor BY THEA MORRISON David Narmania stated that a lot has been done and changed for the safe and comfortable travel of citizens. n August 29, Tbilisi Mayor “Huge works have been carried out at Davit Narmania, together Metro station Akhmeteli Theater in order with his Deputy Irakli to make the station more secure, modern Lekvinadze and General and comfortable. The station is more Director of Tbilisi Trans- beautiful, safer and now comes equipped portO Company, Nugzar Cheishvili, opened with modern technologies that are the renovated metro station Akhmeteli attached to the unifi ed surveillance sys- Theater. tem,” the Mayor stated. City Hall reports that the rehabilitation He also added that an anti-fi re system of the station was launched in 2016. has been set up within the station. “The interior of the station's lower and Tbilisi Transport Company, with the upper vestibules was renewed, the angled support of the City Hall, launched a tunnel was repaired, and the fl oor gran- renovation project of metro stations in ite and the marble were cleaned. New 2016, within which the Akhmeteli operational booths were also installed Theater station was renewed. Reha- at the station,” the Mayor’s Offi ce says. bilitation of Varketili station will be The construction works were carried completed shortly and Avlabari station out by the tender-winner company Damba. is being reinforced. CNN: Georgia - Gateway to the Caucasus

ity Church stands at an elevation of 2,170 BY THEA MORRISON meters (7,120 feet), a popular destination for pilgrims and mountain trekkers alike,” the article reads. NN has published an article The author also mentions a glacier about Georgia, saying it pond that sits at the bottom of Mount offers “spectacular moun- Chiukhi nearly fi ve kilometers away tainscapes and unforget- through a gloriously green river valley table views”. fl anked by towering mountains. CThe author of the article, Alireza Haji- “The views are mesmerizing - pristine hosseini, tells readers about the unfor- nature unspoiled by human develop- gettable climb on Mount Kazbegi in ment,” the article reads. Stepantsminda, the capital of Georgia's The author says that Georgia is fast Kazbegi region. becoming a must-visit destination thanks “Mount Kazbek, the third-highest peak to its sweeping natural scenery. in Georgia, reigns supreme with a snow- “Georgia is unique. It has great nature capped summit that pierces the clouds. and good food coupled with generous Under its watchful eye, the Gergeti Trin- hospitality,” he says. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 CULTURE 13 Young Georgian Soprano’s Triumph at Covent Garden & Deutsche Oper Berlin

After London, I went to the Rossini Fes- INTERVIEW BY MAKA LOMADZE tival in Pesaro, where I sang the leading role. This festival occupies a particular place for me, as this gave a boost to a alome Jicia, soprano, soloist of number of changes in my artistic life. the Tbilisi State Opera and Bal- let Theater, was born in Zugdidi. YOU’VE ALSO HAD THE HONOR After training as a , she OF PERFORMING WITH THE went on to study vocal in Geor- GREAT JOSE CARRERAS giaS with Professor Davit Bejuashvili and It was a special day…to have had a chance at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa to emerge beside him on stage- it was a Cecilia, Rome, with Renata Scotto and at dream come true as he was a childhood the Rossini Opera Academy with Alberto idol of mine. Having sung with him means Zedda. Opera engagements include Elena a lot to me. We sang together in several (La donna del lago), Contessa di Foleville different countries. (Il viaggio a Reims) and Dorliska (Tor- valdo e Dorliska) in Pesaro, Aspasia WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE (Mitridate, re di Ponto) for the Tbilisi COMPOSER? State Opera and Ballet Theater. For me, opera is unimaginable without Her concert appearances include per- Verdi. The two words ‘opera’ and ‘Verdi’ forming with José Carreras in Kutaisi, stand side by side as one whole phenom- Georgia, and participating in the Final enon. World Tour Concert of José Carreras in Seoul, South Korea. In 2010, she took her WHICH IS YOUR DREAM ROLE? Master’s Degree in at the Tbilisi Madame Butterfl y in Puccini’s “Madame State Conservatoire and two years later Butterfl y”. won the Grand-Prix at the International Music Festival in Turkey; Grand-Prix at YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING the International Singing Competition ROLE IN ‘TRAVIATA’ AT THE in Armenia and First Prize at the Lado DEUTSCHE OPER BERLIN Ataneli International Singing Competi- It will be my debut in Berlin and, generally tion in Georgia. In 2014, she was awarded formance of a work by Stanisław Moni- GEORGIA TODAY met Jicia prior to he’s a great director and I learned a lot speaking, in Germany. I will perform Vio- the special prize of Max Klein and uszko at the 9th International Stanisław her Berlin debut to fi nd out more. from him. I played the part of Sifare in letta’s part. I have the fi rst performance on Madronita Andreu, for the best perfor- Moniuszko Vocal Competition, Poland. Mozart’s ‘Mitridate’. It was the most August 30. I am looking forward to meeting mance of Mozart at the Francisco Viñas Since 2009, Jicia has taken part in numer- YOU RECENTLY CONQUERED beautiful staging. the German public. Summer has turned International Singing Contest, Barcelona, ous concerts and performances, includ- THE STAGE OF COVENT GARDEN out to be quite busy – working with three Spain. Last year, she won First Prize and ing in Georgia’s own International Fes- Graham Week’s production was quite YOU ALSO DID WELL AT different composers, having two debuts… the Maria Fołtyn Prize for the best per- tival ‘Night Serenades’. an important debut for me in London- ROSSINI’S FESTIVAL An interesting autumn is still ahead. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER RUSTAVELI CINEMA EXHIBITS OF THE MEDIEVAL of "subversive" Georgian public September 5 Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. TREASURY fi gures, orders to shoot or exile, and FOLK MUSIC CONCERT Telephone: 2 55 50 00 Ensembles: Adilei, Ertoba, Dziriani, GABRIADZE THEATER other artifacts representing Soviet- September 27 (2016) – Sathanao, Shilda, The Veshapidzes, Address: 13 Shavtelis St. www.kinoafi sha.ge era cultural and political repression September 22 (2017) The Urushadzes, The Meladzes Telephone: 2 98 65 93 in Georgia. Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL EXHIBITION STONE AGE GEORGIA Singers from Premana (Italy) September 7 September 1-7 SVANETI MUSEUM OF Grand Hall May 18- November 18 THE AUTUMN OF MY HISTORY AND Start time: 19:30 EXHIBITION Ticket: 10 GEL SPRINGTIME JOUR J ETHNOGRAPHY GEORGIAN COSTUME AND Rezo Gabriadze (Info Above) Address: 7 A. Ioseliani Str., Mestia Directed by Rezo Gabriadze Start time: 22:30 WEAPONRY OF 18TH-20TH BATUMI MUSIC FEST 2017 CENTURIES Venue: Batumi Music Center Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 13-14 GEL July 30 – September 10 Ticket: 10, 20, 30 GEL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Georgian National Museum September 2 BABY DRIVER and Project ArtBeat present GEORGIAN STATE Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. BATUMI SYMPHONY (Info Above) Telephone: 299 99 09 HERE PANTOMIME THEATER Start time: 19:15, 21:15 ORCHESTRA A solo exhibition ELISSO BOLKVADZE- Piano Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 13-14 GEL Telephone: 2 99 63 14 August 10 – September 20 of New York based David Mukeria- Conductor EXHIBITION EDEN Georgian artist Alexander Chaushian- Violin 7 SISTERS September 1, 2 BY ROGER VON GUNTEN LEVAN MINDIASHVILI Program: WAGNER- Directed by Tommy Wirkola KRIMANCHULI ‘Edén’ is a visual journey through Rienzi Overture, Cast: Noomi Rapace, Marwan Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili the works of the artist. Roger Von GALLERY SAINT-SAINS- Start time: 20:00 Kenzari, Willem Dafoe Gunten is a member of ‘La Ruptura’ Cello Concerto N1 op. 33 a-moll, Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Ticket: 8 GEL (‘The rupture’) - a group of artists THE NATIONAL GALLERY BEETHOVEN- Language: Russian refl ecting the transition from Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. Piano Concerto N1 op. 14 c-dur Start time: 14:15, 19:45, 22:30 modernism to postmodernism in CINEMA www.museum.ge Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 9-14 GEL Mexico. Telephone: 215 73 00 Ticket: 15 GEL AMIRANI CINEMA ANNABELLE: CREATION IOSEB GRISHASHVILI Address: 36 Kostava Str. June 8 – September 11 September 3 Directed by David F. Sandberg TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Telephone: 2 99 99 55 EXHIBITION CONSTELLATION CHAMBER Cast: Alicia Vela-Bailey, Miranda - KARVASLA www.kinoafi sha.ge Artworks by Chinese contemporary ORCHESTRA Otto, Stephanie Sigman Address: 8 Sioni St. artists- Ai Weiwei, Hu Xiaoyuan, Program: GRIEG- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Fa Telephone: 2 98 22 81 Holberg Suite, Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 GEL Li Shurui, Liu Wei, Lu Pingyuan, Language: Russian DVORAK- September 1-7 July 5 - September 11 Lu Shanchuan, Ma Qiusha, Wang Start time: 22:00 Serenade for Strings, EXHIBITION OF DAVID Guangle, Wang Sishun, Wang Ticket: 13-14 GEL LISZT- JOUR J SULAKAURI'S ARTWORKS Yuyang, Xie Molin, Xu Qu, Xu Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 Directed by Reem Kherici The exhibition features up to 100 Zhen, Yan Xing, Zhang Ding, Zhang MUSEUM Start time: 19:00 works by David Sulakauri and a Cast: Reem Kherici, Nicolas Zhenyu, Zhao Yao and Zhao Zhao. Ticket: 15 GEL catalog of his artworks. This is Duvauchelle, Julia Piaton GEORGIAN NATIONAL the fi rst wide-scale exhibition of Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Fa MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA MUSIC September 4 the author dedicated to his 65th Language: Russian MUSEUM BATUMI SYMPHONY anniversary. Start time: 19:05, 21:15 Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. BLACK SEA ARENA ORCHESTRA Ticket: 13-14 GEL Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Address: Tsikhisdziri, Adjara David Mukeria- Conductor August 30 – September 20 www.museum.ge Nathanael Gouin- Piano BABY DRIVER Exhibition THE BORDER September 2 Program: BERLIOZ- Directed by Edgar Wright PERMANENT EXHIBITION: Curated by Inke Arns and Thibaut Black Sea Arena & Georgian State Hungarian March, Cast: Ansel Elgort, Jon Bernthal, GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY de Ruyter (Dortmund and Berlin), Folklore Center SAINT-SAENS- Jon Hamm FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. Production: Liaison des Arts, with Check in Georgia present: Piano Concerto No.2 op. 22, Genre: Action, Crime, Musical, Fa TO THE 4TH CENTURY A.D Karola Matschke (Berlin), BLACK SEA INTERNATIONAL SMETANA- Vltava, Language: Russian Project co-ordination in Tbilisi: FOLK FESTIVAL SUPPE- Overture from Start time: 19:00 EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN Lasha Khvedelidze (Goethe Special guest- La Moneta & Operette ‘Poete and Peasant’ Ticket: 13-14 GEL WEAPONRY institute Georgia) Flamenco Start time: 19:00 Ensemble Rustavi, Ticket: 15 GEL TULIP FEVER NUMISMATIC TREASURY MUSEUM OF SOVIET Ensemble Basiani (Georgia) Directed by Justin Chadwick The exhibition showcases money OCCUPATION Start time: 19:00 September 5 Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dane circulation on the territory of Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 5-40 GEL GEORGIAN VOICES DeHaan, Cara Delevingne Georgia from the 6th century BC. Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Folk Songs Genre: Drama, Romance to 1834. www.museum.ge TBILISI STATE Start time: 19:00 Language: Russian CONSERVATOIRE Ticket: 15 GEL Start time: 21:30 THE TESTAMENT OF DAVID PERMANENT EXHIBITION Address: 8 Griboedov St. Ticket: 13-14 GEL THE BUILDER AND NEW Discover the State's personal fi les Telephone: 2 93 46 24 September 6 Pietro de Maria- Piano Program: CHOPIN, LIGETI, LISZT Start time: 18:00 Ticket: 15 GEL

September 7 MURMAN JINORIA Poetry Evening Start time: 20:30

September 7 BATUMI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA David Mukeria- Conductor Alexandra Massaleva- Piano Ana Kipiani- Piano Program: MASCAGNI- Cavalleria Rusticana (Intermezzo), BACH- Piano Concerti N1 in D minor, MOZART- Piano Concerto N22 in E-fl at major Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 15 GEL

September 8 GALA OF FOUNDATION SOS TALENTS Special guest: MICHEL SOGNY Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 15 GEL

MUSIC FESTIVAL SAIRME 2017 Address: Resort Sairme

September 2 ENSEMBLE TBILISI Start time: 17:00 Ticket: From 20 GEL GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 1 - 4, 2017 CULTURE 15 Exhibition ‘The Border’ without Borders others European. But for me, a border REVIEW BY MAKA LOMADZE is more a mental thing”. GEORGIA TODAY also talked to Guram Tsibakhashvili, famous Georgia photo- here does Europe end artist. “The topic of border has always and Asia begin? What been interesting and is paramount today. infl uence do the bor- The world is getting smaller and it’s good ders have and who to see that the artists were offered such draws them? These a topical theme”. Ware the key questions posed by art pro- The exhibition is curated by: Inke Arns ject ‘The Border,’ which spans many and Thibaut de Ruyter, Dortmund and years and is being staged by the Goethe- Berlin Institut in conjunction with numerous Exhibition design: Thibaut de Ruyter, partner institutions in 2017/2018. Having assisted by Camille Rouaud, Berlin toured the cities of Moscow, St. Peters- Production: Liaison des Arts, Karola burg, Krasnoyarsk and Kiev, the exhibi- Matschke, Berlin tion is now being shown at the Georgian Project supervisor: Astrid Wege, Goe- National Museum (GNM) Tbilisi History the-Institut Moskau, Barbara von Münch- Museum (Karvasla). The opening took hausen, Director of the Goethe-Institut place on August 30. Georgia ‘The Border’ explores and refl ects upon Project co-ordination: Natalja Sabrod- all manner of borders and their demar- in, the motivations behind and the causes as democracy, human rights, and the rule new director of the Goethe Institute, skaja, Lisa Welitschko, Goethe-Institut cation: as a mark of territorial inclusion leading to the drawing of borders. of law. Georgia belongs to Europe, because stated. “We plan to arrange a dialogue Moskau or exclusion, as cultural, personal or “The exhibition is being held within the Georgian people do share these val- between Georgian and German artists Project co-ordination in Tbilisi: Lasha social dividing lines, as an instrument the framework of the Georgia-Germany ues. The polls showed that 80% of the with the aim of deepening Georgians’ Khvedelidze, Goethe institute Georgia we use to differentiate and distinguish year [to mark the 25th anniversary since Georgian population acknowledges knowledge of German art”. Montage: Alexey Kubasov, Saint Peters- between ‘us’ and ‘them’ or, indeed, to the establishment of diplomatic rela- western values. Since Georgia regained ‘Mugham Karaoke’ is one of the pro- burg generate this dichotomy through borders tions], said Mikheil Tsereteli, Deputy its independence, Germany has sup- jects, which connects the ancient musi- Graphic design: Dmitry Galsan in the fi rst place.’ “Border” should be Director General of GNM. “It is one of ported Georgia in all spheres and this cal Azeri style Mugham and contempo- Designer: Gocha Nemsadze understood as a metaphor, as a fi gure the most important events of the second year, we celebrate the 200th year since rary technology, Karaoke. From 1930 to which is not static, but rather the subject part of the year”. the arrival of the fi rst German colonists 1970, Mugham style, as with all other WHERE: Ioseb Grishashvili Tbilisi History of agreements and change - an extremely “There will be around 50 events in total to Georgia”. traditional music styles of Post-Soviet Museum (Karvasla) 8, Sioni Street, Tbilisi relevant topic for Russia and the former within the scope of Georgian-German The exhibition focuses upon a younger countries, was disqualifi ed as ‘primitive WHEN: August 30 - September 20, 2017 Soviet republics, as well as for Germany year,” said H.E. Ms. Heike Peitsch, Ambas- generation of artists who will be show- culture’. Today, traditional folk music and Europe in equal measure. Thus, the sador of Germany to Georgia. “We want ing their insight into and refl ections on Mugham is supported geographical and cultural border between to show the diversity; to look at the rel- the topic for the fi rst time together in a by the State of Azer- Europe and Asia is the topical thread evant topics from a new perspective. travelling exhibition. Around 24 works baijan. Farhad Far- running through the exhibition. The There are often talks as to whether (photos, videos, installations, objects) zaliev, from Baku, is project approaches this subject matter Georgia belongs to Europe or not. When of over 30 artists from Georgia, Germany, one of the participants. from an artistic angle and channels our the German Minister of Foreign Affairs Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, “Post-Soviet countries view beyond purely political or economic opened the Georgian-German year in Kirgizstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Rus- are disoriented,” he concerns to take in a cultural dimension. April in Berlin, he noted that Europe is sia and Tajikistan are exhibited. told GEORGIA The aim is to promote a differentiated anywhere where the government and “This is my fi rst offi cial occasion in TODAY. “Some people engagement with the processes involved people recognize western values such Georgia,” Barbara Von Munchausen, the call them Asian and Memorandum between GNM & Sokhumi State University Updated

logical expeditions. They also work as BY MAKA LOMADZE interns at GNM”. “The word ‘memorandum’ stands for ‘something to remember’ in Latin,” Zurab n August 29, in the audi- Khonelidze, Rector of Sokhumi State torium of Georgian University, told us. “We know the role National Museum (GNM), and importance of the Georgian National a Memorandum of Col- Museum in the united Georgian space. laboration was signed We are also well-aware of the signifi cance betweenO GNM and Sokhumi State Uni- of Sokhumi State University. It is not versity, aimed at mutual cooperation in only a higher educational institute, but the fi elds of historical-cultural and nat- also an analytical and scientifi c-research ural heritage as well as in the spheres of center of strategic importance. In respect education, science and museum works. of our functions and missions, we two The document was signed by Davit Lort- institutions share a lot of crossroads. We kipanidze, Director General of GNM, walk in the same direction in terms of and Zurab Khonelidze, the new rector our education, mentality and thinking. of Sokhumi State University. Our common aim is to serve the unity “This is an extension of a memorandum of our statehood and to ensure its secure fi rst signed approximately fi ve years future,” he said. “I believe the integra- ago,” Mikheil Tsereteli, Vice Director tion of Sokhumi State University into General of GNM, told GEORGIA TODAY. the united Georgian and European edu- “It implies tight collaboration in science cational space will not be possible if we and education. [Over the years], the stu- ignore the theme of Abkhazia. We, dents of Sokhumi State University have Sokhumi University, will do our best to been actively involved in our archaeo- make this process healthy”.

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