Issue no: 1175 • AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Politicians Worldwide Respond to 11th Anniversary of the August War NEWS PAGE 2 Offi cial Tbilisi Condemns Putin's Meeting with De Facto Abkhazia Leader

FOCUS ON THE POLITICS PAGE 4 AUGUST WAR The Trump Shtick Ricochets Ex-President Saakashvili tells in Georgia the tale as he remembers it PAGE 6

Saakashvili and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Gori. August 2008. REUTERS Gault&Millau’s Georgian-Basque Dinner Best Chef of 2019 G&M was awarded BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI to Guram Baghdoshvili, who owns and is a chef in restaurants "Chveni" Tbilisi and "Chveni" Bakuriani. He worked in he DREAMLAND OASIS Portugal for 17 years and was the exec- HOTEL Ajara will host a utive chef of 25 restaurants of the famous POLITICS PAGE 7 Georgian-Basque dinner Nosolo restaurant group. He taught at prepared by Georgian and the Institute of Nutrition in Northern Why Do Georgian foreign chefs and organ- Portugal, and was a brand chef of Nicci Tized by Gault&Millau Georgia on August Beach's three restaurants in Portugal. Customers Choose HUAWEI? 14. Guram Baghdoshvili is a member of a Gault&Millau is a French restaurant number of culinary competitions in SOCIETY PAGE 10 guide founded by Henry Gault and Georgia, including the jury of the Christian Millou in 1965 that covers 30 ‘Kitchen Wars.’ countries around the world today, "Gault & Millau's recognition, for me, National Geographic including Georgia, since 2017. The spe- shows Georgia's gastronomic progress cifi cs of Gault&Millau work include and development," Baghdoshvili notes. Team Visits Georgia to the positive promotion of restaurants Misha Avsajanishvili is a Georgian and chefs. The company's international chef working in Ukraine and the brand Prepare Publications tasters review restaurants with strictly chef in 12 restaurants, member of the SOCIETY PAGE 12 defi ned guidelines which are harmo- Ukrainian Chefs Association, Associate nized and identical throughout the Referee of the Culinary Championships, world. Restaurant reviews are based and jury member of the culinary com- on an evaluation of food, service, decor petition Kitchen Wars.’ Batumi-Tbilisi International and concept. "Cooking for me is self-expression, The best dishes of Georgian and self-actualization and a constant pursuit Fest "Night Serenades" to Basque cuisine will be introduced to of novelty," Avsajanishvili says of his guests by renowned chefs from numer- profession. Celebrate 11th Anniversary ous countries: Continued on page 2 CULTURE PAGE 15 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 Politicians Worldwide Respond to 11th Anniversary of the August War

anniversary of the August war. Georgia, I reiterate Latvia’s unwavering BY ANA DUMBADZE She once again pointed out that the US support for the territorial integrity and will proudly continue to support Geor- sovereignty of Georgia, Russia must end gia in the future. the occupation of parts of the Georgian his year marks the 11th anni- "The United States proudly continues territory and withdraw its troops,” he versary of the Russia-Geor- to stand with Georgia in caring for those tweeted. gia war when the Russian communities displaced by the war and A statement was also released by the Federation invaded the helping to ensure they have a dignifi ed Latvian Foreign Ministry: “We remind country and occupied two life here until they can safely return to you of the Russian aggression carried out TGeorgian regions, Abkhazia and Tskh- their homes," she stated. in Georgia in 2008. Latvia strongly sup- invali, so-called South Ossetia. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of ports Georgia's sovereignty and territorial The war lasted for fi ve days (7–12 Lithuania, Linas Linkevicius, tweeted: integrity within its internationally recog- August). These are the most tragic days ”Eleven years since the premeditated nized borders,” reads the statement. in the modern history of Georgia. aggression against Georgia, Russia con- The August 2008 war was assessed as Politicians from all over the world have tinues creeping annexation and occupies "occupation of Georgia by Russia" by once again responded to the August 2008 20% of Georgia's territory. Unfortunately, British parliamentarian Jonathan Russia-Georgia war, all expressing support lessons were not learned, Crimea and Djanogly. to Georgia and emphasizing that Russia Donbas followed. Appeasement is never “11yrs passed since Russian illegal occu- occupied the country in August 2008. an option.” pation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/ Elizabeth Rood, acting US Ambassador Latvia’s Foreign Minister Edgars Rink- South Ossetia. Let us show continued to Georgia, went to Tserovani, a settle- evics also expressed support to Georgia. support to Georgia's sovereignty, terri- ment of IDPs from the breakaway region “As we mark the 11th Anniversary since torial integrity, European &euro-Atlan- Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), on the 11th the beginning of Russia’s agression against tic aspirations,” he tweeted. The Tskhinvali Truth sessions, Russians are set to discuss a invali and fi nally the Russian Duma? OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA statement sent them from the occupied On March 23, 1920 a regional assembly Tskhinvali. The statement apparently of the Bolsheviks of Caucasus took place, repeats word by word what President headed by Sergo Orjonikidze. The assem- he occupied Tskhinvali has Putin described in his public statement bly discussed a single issue: the plan to resumed discussions on broadcasted on TV on July 9. Chairman overthrow the Independent Republic of uniting with the Russian of the Federal Assembly of Russia, Georgia through a Bolshevik rebellion Federation. The so-called Vyacheslav Volodin, declared that the that was to start in Tskhinvali. In line president of the occupied letter received from Tskhinvali has been with this, the 11th Army of Bolsheviks Tregime, Anatoly Bibilov, says that he can’t accepted and that it will soon be dis- had to cross the Georgian-Azerbaijani imagine Ossetian people living in two cussed in the Committee. “We have care- border and head towards Tbilisi. As separate states: “In such circumstances, fully considered the issue of recognizing planned, the Bolshevik’s did cross the Ossetian people won’t see any develop- the genocide that the Georgian govern- border, and so the rebellion of Tskhinvali ment,” he said at a press conference held ment organized against the Ossetians in began. The Ossetian Bolshevik’s expelled on the 11th anniversary of the August the 1920s. And during the next commit- the government representatives of the 2008 war. Instead of the war, a large part tee session comprised of Duma offi cials, fi rst republic and declared Bokshevik Image source: futbolgrad.com of the conference was dedicated to the the chairmen of all fractions and com- rule covering the territory from Oni to discussion of a period in recent history, mittees, we will discuss this statement,” Dusheti. The rebels held their positions been incited in the fi rst place by the That same “genocide” card was what the one that Russian President Putin Volodin told the media. in Tskhinvali, awaiting the attack of the Kremlin, to the hands of fate. Moreover, Putin wanted but failed to “play” during addressed a few weeks ago when he Yes, it is truly hard to believe that the 11th Army against Tbilisi. The govern- it signed an agreement with the oppo- the 2008 August war. 3000 peaceful offered the world his version of Georgian Russian Duma is attempting to falsify ment at the time evaluated the attempt nent party, in this case the Government Ossetian civilians that he declares died history. Georgian history on the legislative level, as an anti-governmental action, rather of Georgia, and recognized its sover- during the war have yet to be identifi ed Everything started on July 9, when, even more so as it was a participant in than a rebellion organized by an ethnic eignty. Afterwards, the government of by any international organization, not though the country was waiting for a that event. In the 1920s, an agreement minority group and initiated appropri- the fi rst republic, headed by Valiko to mention that “large scale violent mur- new economic embargo from Putin, sur- has been signed between Russia and ate measures. At the time, a few smaller Jugheli, suppressed the Bolshevik rebel- der on the grounds of ethnic cleansing.” prisingly he started talking about the Georgia. On May 7th, Soviet Russia, the scale Bolshevik demonstrations took lion across the whole of Georgia, includ- As opposed to that number, the statistics 1920s, for some reason, discussing the predecessor of today’s Duma, signed a place in other regions of Georgia, but ing Tkhinvali region. And it was those voiced by Bibilov during his last press- developments that took place in Tskh- document which recognized the inde- the fate of the Tskhinvali rebels was very Ossetian Bolshevik rebels who died conference mention 500 people, adding invali during a military operation and pendence of Georgia and its territorial decided in Poland. The Bolsheviks were during this incident, that President Putin that this loss is fairly high for a small recalling the death of Ossetians at the sovereignty. The document does not brutally defeated at the Polish front and mentioned in his speech. And it is in fact nation of Ossetians. Clearly, what Krem- time: “Such actions are called genocide contain a word about the Ossetian peo- lost half of the Ukrainian territory. the political stance of the group that lin failed to declare as genocide in 2008, these days,” explained Putin. It seems ple, nor South Ossetia as such. So, what Both the 11th Army attack and the rebel- Putin wants to falsely show as an ethnic it is now trying to do using the events this talk served as an inspiration not only actually happened in the 1920s that so lion of the Ossetian Bolsheviks failed. problem in his attempt to blame Georgia of 1920, all in its attempt to offer the for Bibilov, but for the MPs of the Rus- caught the attention of President Putin, As the Russian government is wont to for the “ethnic cleansing” and “crime international community a legislative sian Duma and, in one of the upcoming then the occupied government of Tskh- do, here too it left the rebels that had against humanity.” argument for the current occupation. Gault&Millau’s Recent Discoveries in Tsutskhvati Cave Near to Tsutskhvati Cave, in the so- called ‘Bronze Cave’, a molar of a Nean- Georgian-Basque Dinner derthal child was discovered – recent fi ndings claim that the tooth dates back Continued from page 1 Breton has experience as a speaker in to 50,000 BC. gastronomy and is Professor and Direc- Small scale expeditions took place in David Narimanishvili is a famous tor of the Culinary Department of the 1998-1999 and 2003-2004 and still, Tsut- Georgian chef in Spain and Chef of Basque Culinary Center, and Strategic skhvati Cave, for the most part, was not MasterChef Spain. He learnt his pro- Director of ‘Cooking Clubater.’ studied fundamentally. fession from world-renowned chefs in Gastronomic Guide presentations Multidisciplinary studies have been Spain and practiced in various award- and dinners will be attended by enforced since 2017 by the International winning restaurants. Gault&Millau hat chefs, Georgian chefs, Archeological Expedition of the Georgian Jorge Breton is a brand chef of La restaurateurs, and representatives of National Museum, with the support of Sucursal and Vertical, and a multiple the diplomatic corps, government and the Shota Rustaveli Georgian National award-holder in the culinary sphere. business. coveries there show Paleolithic Era lay- Scientifi c Fund, under the scope of pro- BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE ers characteristic to Homo Sapiens. ject “Neanderthals in the South Caucasus.” The practical study of Tsutskhvati Cave Among the new discoveries, a site of a began in the 20th century with an ini- former settlement from the Chalcolithic ocated in the municipality of tiative put forward by the Geographical Era was excavated in the “Bronze Cave”. Tkibuli, Tsutskhvati Cave is Institute of Georgian Science Academy. The scientifi c head of the expedition a place of ongoing expeditions In the years of 1970-71 and 1974-75, stone is Nikoloz Tsakaridze. organized and carried out by weapons and animal bones dating back Tsutskhvati Cave is a protected terri- International Archeological 400 – 40 thousand years were found in tory; under the Rule on Protected Ter- ExpeditionL of the Georgian National the cave, giving stimuli to further inves- ritories of the Ministry of Environmen- Museum, which reports that new dis- tigations. tal Protection and Agriculture. GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 NEWS 3 #madlobasakartvelostvis (thank you for the Country they saved for us) - AiGROUP’s Message to Families of Heroes Killed in August 2008 War

eorgian industrial company AiGROUP law enforcement personnel who were killed dur- has responded to the 11th anniversary ing the August 2008 War and in peacekeeping mis- of the 2008 Russia-Georgia War and sions. The implementation period of the program expressed condolences to the families is the second half of August and September. The of soldiers killed in the war. At the company AiGROUP will cover the fee of staying Ginitiative of AiGroup, the spouse and minors of in a hotel, as well as expenses of meals and trans- military offi cers and representatives of other law portation. enforcement agencies killed in the August War and Through this project, AiGROUP also responds other peacekeeping missions will be given a one- to the campaign “Spend Your Summer in Georgia”, week holiday in the mountainous resort of Baku- which itself envisages support of the resorts where riani as a gift. a lack of tourists is especially notable. Bakuriani is “It’s been 11 years since the August 2008 war. We one of the most famous summer and winter resorts want to show respect for the fallen heroes and sup- in Georgia, where local and foreign tourists spend port their families and children, the people they time with their children. used to care about and protect the most. The her- AiGROUP is the fi rst industrial group in Georgia oism of the Georgian soldiers is just as precious to face the challenges of the 21st century globally. for us as it is for their families, and we are proud The establishment of a healthy, environmentally of it just as they are. We will gift a one-week holi- clean business is the main direction of all the com- day to Bakuriani to the families of the heroes who panies united under the name AiGROUP. died in the August War and in military missions The subsidiary companies of AiGROUP: AiCAR, and who had minor children at the time.” AiPOWER, AiENERGY and AiPRODUCTION Through this project, we would like to thank our offer customers an electric car sharing service, heroes and their families for their dedication,” said creating a network of smart urban charging sta- Kakha Guledani, Chairman of the Board of Direc- tions for electric transport, generating and real- tors of AiGROUP. izing electricity through solar panels, and produc- The project includes 85 families of military and tion of electric cars in Kutaisi. EU Releases Statement on August 2008 War

of internally displaced persons and refugees. BY ANA DUMBADZE "The confl icts in Georgia have caused displace- ment and trauma to the lives of thousands of peo- ple and that legacy now affects generations. The he Delegation of the European Union EU welcomes and supports sincere and apolitical to Georgia released a statement in efforts on all sides to address humanitarian and connection with the 11th anniversary security issues. of the August 2008 Russia-Georgia "Since the 1990s, the European Union has striven war. to help fi nd a peaceful resolution to the confl icts T“Eleven years have passed since the August 2008 in Georgia. These efforts were substantially stepped confl ict between the Russian Federation and Geor- up 11 years ago and continue to this day. The Euro- gia. During this time, the Russian Federation has pean Union will continue these efforts, including not only maintained but increased its military pres- through the activities of the EU Special Repre- ence in both Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in viola- sentative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in tion of international law and its commitments under Georgia, its engagement as co-chair in the Geneva the 12 August 2008 agreement. International Discussions, and the continued pres- "Fundamental human rights of the confl ict-affected ence of the EU Monitoring Mission, the only inter- population continue to be violated, including national monitoring mission on the ground. through restrictions on freedom of movement by "The European Union will continue to support so-called ’borderization’, temporary closures of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia crossing points and illegal detentions and through within its internationally recognized borders,” reads the violation of the right to safe and dignifi ed return the statement. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 Offi cial Tbilisi Condemns Putin's Meeting with De Facto Abkhazia Leader

cooperation issues. BY THEA MORRISON The sides also discussed the issue of so called “presidential elections” in occupied Abkhazia, which are scheduled fficial Tbilisi has con- for August 26. demned the meeting of “I do hope that the elections will be Russian President organized strictly in line with democratic Vladimir Putin with Raul principles and will contribute to further Khajimba, de facto Presi- stabilization in the republic, both in the dentO of Georgia’s breakaway region of economic and political sense," Putin told Abkhazia, held in Sochi three days ago. the de facto leader of Abkhazia. Georgia’s State Minister for Reconcili- On his side, Khajimba thanked Putin ation and Civic Equality Ketevan Tsikhe- for the assistance received from Russia lashvili said this is not the fi rst meeting which, he said, gives Abkhazia the oppor- between Putin and Khajimba and empha- tunity to develop economically. sized that Georgia's territorial integrity The previous meeting of Putin and and sovereignty has the absolute support Khajimba took place in late August 2018 of the international community. together with the leader of another occu- “This was not a big surprise, as since pied region of Georgia, South Ossetia - 2008, Russian infl uence has been stead- Anatoly Bibilov, to celebrate the “recog- ily increasing in both occupied territories nition of independence” of the two of Georgia. In Abkhazia and the Tskh- regions, which were occupied by Russia invali region, in fact, all areas are under during the August 2008 war. the exclusive control of Russia, and such That day, the leaders of Russia and meetings only help to increase this infl u- breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia ence,” she said. held trilateral “talks” in Moscow. The Minister noted this is not a posi- In the aftermath of the August 2008 tive development for the local popula- War, the Russian Federation occupies tion and society in Abkhazia. 20% of Georgian territory and is slowly “From year to year, we more often hear moving the administrative boundary of the very critical attitude of locals Image source: Apsnypress line, pushing further into Georgia. towards the Russian policy, which is grossly ignores the fundamental norms that took place in 2008 and brought seri- we can clearly see in public statements Russia recognizes the "independence” actually against the identity of the local of international law. ous consequences for Georgia. and documents of individual countries of breakaway Abkhazia and South Osse- population,” she said. Constantinidi stressed the meeting “Despite similar efforts from Russia, and international organizations, as well tia along with only four other countries Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs represents another attempt to legitimize the international community will never as in their active steps to promote peace- - Syria, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Nauru. (MFA) also condemned Putin and the occupation regime and also empha- tolerate the illegal occupation of Geor- ful resolution of the confl ict," he said. The remaining international commu- Khajimba’s recent meeting. Spokesper- sized that the international community gia's inseparable regions. The interna- Abkhazian media reports that at the nity affi rms that the two regions are son for the MFA of Georgia Vladimir fully supports Georgia's sovereignty. tional community strongly supports the meeting with Khajimba, the President integral parts of Georgia and call on Constantinidi said Russia's move is The MFA spokesperson said that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of of Russia discussed the implementation Russia to revoke its recognition of the directed against Georgia's statehood, meeting was held on the eve of the 11th Georgia and the non-recognition policy of previously outlined plans, as well as breakaway regions and withdraw its sovereignty and territorial integrity and anniversary of the Russian-Georgian war of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which social development projects and mutual forces from the Georgian territory. Did Russia Really Win in the 2008 August War? vention into Georgia in 2008 also showed OP-ED BY EMIL AVDALIANI the West how far Moscow can go if a strategic decision is made to draw Geor- gia into the alliances. At the time (August- leven years have passed since September 2008) those seemed to be the short Georgian-Russian long-term (strategic) victories for Mos- war started on August 7-8 in cow. In international relations and geo- 2008. As every discussion political calculations, you can stop a on who started the war gen- country from attaining the aims harm- erallyE is, the Georgian-Russian one too ful to you, but in the long run you will is about fi nding moral grounds for be unable to reverse the process by military actions which both sides took forceful actions alone: you have to pro- at the time. vide a counter-policy to turn an Morality in geopolitics, and the Geor- unfriendly state into an amenable neigh- gian-Russian confl ict is indeed caused bor. by pure geopolitical calculations, is at Put all of this into the Russian case. most times a superfl uous thing. All these More than a decade has passed since years the Russians have been trying to 2008, only a few not-so-important states convince the world and the public inside recognized Georgia's territories as inde- the country that the Russian military pendent entities. The Georgian public moves actions and subsequent recogni- is overwhelmingly anti-Russian, the last tion of the independence of the Abk- hopes of a grand geopolitical bargain hazia and Tskhinvali regions were the - the return of the territories in exchange only possible and correct actions to be for reversing EU/NATO aspirations - taken. The Georgians also have their have disappeared among the Georgian dilemmas: some marginal political fi g- public, and support for western institu- ures still believe that it was the Georgian tions so far has only increased. government that was most to blame for In the end, though Moscow waged a Image source: wikipedia the catastrophe of 2008. Though close reasonably costly war in 2008, took and geographically, these diverging narra- still experiences a diplomatic burden the former Soviet space as the country's EU/NATO. attracted Russia’s major neighbors and tives and the constant need to prove for its moves against the West, and has economy is unlikely to be attractive to Overall, Russia defi nitely gained sig- it would have served the people of the one’s own truth says a lot about how yet to attain its grand geopolitical goal the neighboring states. Imagine a sce- nifi cant results in 2008, but in the long former Soviet space economically. But far apart Georgia and Russia have grown of reversing Georgia's pro-western nario where Russian internal problems run it did not change the strategic pic- Moscow failed to get Ukraine and other in the past decade. course. Politicians in Moscow, at least (Putin's upcoming succession, economic ture in the South Caucasus, though it states involved: without Kiev, the EEU, 11 years since the war and it is still strategists behind the scenes, all under- downturns, China's rise, stronger did produce a grand design for geopo- if not dead, is at least a marginal project. unclear what Russia has gained from stand that Georgia's persistence, which Ukraine, etc.) weigh ever stronger upon litical domination in north Eurasia: years This means that Russian policies towards its military and diplomatic actions since seems naive today, might turn into seri- the Russian decision-makers in the after the war, Moscow initiated its Georgia and the wider South Caucasus 2008. True, military build-up in Abk- ous business if Russia's geopolitical 2020s, then Georgia's western aspira- Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) to remain the same as before 2008 - keep- hazia and Tskhinvali Region limited positions worsen elsewhere in Eurasia. tions might become more concrete - it draw its neighbors into one economic ing foreign powers out of the region, Tbilisi's ability to become an EU/NATO Indeed, there are signs that Russian will be easier for the West to make a space - a prerequisite for building a while failing to provide an alternative member state. Moreover, Russian inter- infl uence is set to diminish further in strategic decision to draw Tbilisi into world power. Ideally, it should have vision for Tbilisi.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 "I Should Have Shouted Louder" - Saakashvili on the August 2008 War, Part 1

INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE PERCEPTION HARMED JUST DECISION TO TAKE CONTROL YOU? OR DID IT HARM THE OF TSKHINVALI WAS WHAT COUNTRY AS WELL? LED TO A FULL-SCALE WAR The country, for sure, but what can we AND INVASION. AND THAT hy has he become dis- do? We cannot just claim to be lucky WAS EXACTLY WHAT RUSSIA illusioned with the dummies, being successful. WANTED YOU TO DO. West? Was he pro- Russia’s scenario was very clear. It was voked into starting a DOES THIS ALSO EXPLAIN WHY articulated, not speculated. [Eduard] war with Russia? Why YOUR RECENT FOREIGN POLICY ‘Kokoity [the then de facto president of didW Georgia not have any defensive strat- ARTICLE, WHERE YOU ARGUED South Ossetia] said, ‘We will clean our humanitarian values. The Human Rights would never invade us; Condi Rice always egy whatsoever with an invasion from THAT THE NEXT THREAT FROM valleys of bandits’ - their scenario was a Watch report clearly says that when Geor- said that; she said I know the Russians, I Russia impending? Where did he miscal- RUSSIA WOULD TARGET NON- full-scale invasion but under the disguise gians entered some Ossetian villages, skated in Russia as a young girl, I went culate Putin and how costly did that mis- NATO MEMBER COUNTRIES, of Ossetian forces fi ghting some locals, they said, ‘Don’t worry, Misha [Saakash- to Moscow, MGIMO [the Moscow State take prove to be? Why does he attribute WAS DISMISSED BY MANY and if we at a certain moment started to vili] told us not touch you.’ But that was Institute of International Relations]; I part of the blame for not preventing (and WESTERN POLICY-MAKERS? resist, and it would be hard for us not to the attitude, they knew that they had to know them: they will provoke you but then not stopping) the August War to the WHY DO YOU THINK YOU resist because there were pictures of uphold norms but otherwise it was up to they will never do anything. The only guy "German & French Game"? Did he really WERE LABELLED A DOOMSAYER? people being killed and slaughtered and them what fi repower to use against tar- who said otherwise was Steinmeier; Stein- offer to abandon NATO aspirations to It’s because they never want to hear the cleansed, that would trigger some kind gets, you cannot control it politically. The meier put this to us very bluntly, now that have a better relationship with Russia? uncomfortable truth. They did not want of reaction and they would follow the problem was we couldn't get to those I think of it. It was an assessment of Ger- The former President of Georgia, Mikheil to hear uncomfortable truths about the victorious Kokoity all the way to Tbilisi valleys which were under attack any more man intelligence based on their internal Saakashvili, laid all bare about the 2008 possible invasion of Georgia and they did to secure South Ossetia’s independence. – the road was blocked, so the solution sources in Moscow because Steinmeier August War in a wide-ranging interview not want to hear about Crimea, Donbas; Had we not done anything, ok, they could was to clear a way to that road and if you came to Georgia in a very hasty way and with the Institute for War and Peace they don't want to hear the truth because have stopped there, but it would damage go through mountains to do it, you are a he was nervous, you could see that, he Reporting (IWPR). if you hear the truth and then you seri- us anyway, because a full-scale invasion clear target: GRU troops [Russian special just came because he thought an invasion “The thing is, the West is motivated by ously start to discuss it, then you have to was on the cards. There was no good forces] were on the main hill and could would happen and he wanted to show several instincts and one of the main act and they don’t want to act. The reason scenario for us in this. target that road easily. that beforehand. At least they tried to do instincts is appeasement. They always I said it about Scandinavia is that I know something and he told us, in the German want to delay the problem, they always Putin; he is desperate now, he's looking WAS THAT A SCENARIO WHATEVER THE GOAL MIGHT way, that there would be an invasion. want to refer to the past, to the future, for some kind of way out, to prolong his WHEN THERE WAS NO OTHER HAVE BEEN, WHAT HAPPENED anything but the present. Nobody wants reign. He already tried everything else, OPTION BUT TO FIGHT? IN TSKHINVALI WAS SEEN WHEN WAS THAT? trouble and the [Western] politicians’ and Putin is always increasing his red COULD NOT RESPONDING AS A MAJOR GEORGIAN When he came for his shuttle mission; basic instinct is to keep trouble away, to lines - he thinks, fi rst we went to Georgia, PERHAPS HAVE BEEN THE OFFENSIVE. WOULD YOU NOT then he went to see [Russian Foreign ignore it or to pretend they don't see it an easy target, a small target, then we LESSER OF TWO EVILS? THINK THAT LAUNCHING A Minister Sergei] Lavrov and then he came and that it’s not real.” went to Ukraine, in parallel going into From my perspective, if you don't fi ght, MAJOR OFFENSIVE WOULD to see the Abkhazian town of Gali; he Syria. Russia goes to the places where the at least you try. And we made other mis- BE A TIPPING POINT? came again back to Batumi and told us IS THERE A SENSE OF PERSONAL West wants to engage but not fully, and takes. Another mistake was that we were No, because it had a clear target and fur- that. We were sitting in a restaurant with DISILLUSIONMENT? HAVE YOU then they engage fully and that's how not ready: our fear had become chronic thermore it was in clear response to all several members of our government and BECOME DISAPPOINTED WITH they outsmart the West every time. If and we were not ready for what happened. their major offences because what they one of them asked him a question, ‘Mr THE WEST OVER THE YEARS? Russia attacks non-NATO member Scan- did was also major offensive; they attacked Minister, will you help us bring interna- Yes and no. At the beginning I was very dinavian countries, what will the West WAS THAT PARANOIA? our troops, they attacked our villages tional peacekeepers into both our confl ict idealistic about the West and I thought do? Not much. Not even attack back. They No… it was very tense; later, at a certain with all the fi repower that they could use zones?’ Steinmeier puts his fork down that it was motivated by exactly the same don’t want to attack because it’s risky. We moment we started to tell ourselves it against a peaceful population. What we and says, ‘Guys, what peacekeepers are values as I am, something special based are not talking about a full-blown inva- might be okay now, because in spring we did was an adequate response to their you talking about? You’ll soon have a on the rule of law, democracy of society. sion here. Will the population of Sweden were very close to war, then there was major offensive. Russian troops were large-scale war here.’ And we were, like, That’s not to say it’s completely gone - really fi ght for some small island and risk lots of mediation and then at a certain attacking from several directions with what? [Steinmeier said] ‘I'll tell you how these are still the main principles. In the thousands of lives for that small island? moment, we let ourselves think it was massed fi repower, GRU troops were it will happen there will be shooting West, you can always appeal to conscious- I don't think so. and will the West engage, ok… you know, it's a small country, people coordinating with the so-called South between you and them all the time, in the ness, but they might not always hear you. will NATO come to their help if Russians have to take holidays, offi cers have to go Ossetia troops - it was already an offen- past they've stopped but this time they Are they susceptible to manipulation or just take like a small, mini-Faulklands on holiday, government has to rest. I sive. The only way we could stop it, con- will not: they will shoot back and they self-manipulation? Sure. But are they still somewhere in that area? myself was very close to taking over Tbi- sidering we didn't have much presence will shoot back more. And at a certain the best ones available? Yes. That's how lisi Airport that night, August 7. I went to on the ground, was artillery. At least that's point you will have to go in and retaliate I look at it now, I look much more soberly. DO YOU REALLY THINK the airport twice and I came back twice; what the military decided. and then Russians will hit you with their I think that they can be very hypocritical, SEIZING SOMETHING IN I was supposed to be leaving for China. full force and then there'll be full-scale they have double standards, they also SCANDINAVIA WOULD BE We were going to Beijing for the Olym- AND WHAT WAS THE war; the only thing we can do is to sepa- have this attitude which I think might be A BITE PUTIN WOULD BE pics; the tension had become so chronic EXPECTED RESULT? rate it.’ He described it in very precise a remnant of colonialism, but they genu- ALLOWED TO CHEW? that there was shooting, subsiding, shoot- To move fast through the city and valleys terms. Then there was the Russian Ambas- inely think that the smaller newcomers Well, it doesn’t fall under Article 5 and ing, again subsiding and then we said ok, and get to the area where we could lock sador in the EU, who was good friends at the table are not supposed to succeed. the population of a small Scandinavian that's normal, nothing new there, I’d bet- the road and block their further advance- with the member of the European Parlia- Henry Kissinger told Sarah Palin once in country will not risk their livelihoods and ter go to Beijing and see the leaders. I’d ment. The Roki tunnel was already teem- ment Elmar Brok, and Brok told me at a private conversation that made its way future and everything for a small piece better go and complain. ing with Russian tanks, so we had to pass the Yalta Conference in July 2008 that he to me, that ‘Saakashvili is like a small-time of land, and even if they do, they will be through Tskhinvali, but we were late: the had mentioned to this Ambassador that player that comes to a poker table of big defeated. I remember the head of Swe- IF THE TENSION HAD BECOME Russians had already started what turned he was planning to visit Georgia in Sep- players with no cards in his pocket to den’s general staff saying they would be CHRONIC, IF YOU AND THE out to be an invasion. They were already tember to try and solve the situation play.’ defeated by Russia within ten days. Hav- ESTABLISHMENT BEGAN TO in the tunnel and they were in village of somehow. And the Ambassador up and ing this in mind, to the pragmatic Swedes COPE WITH IT, THEN WHAT Java waiting. So, if you want to talk about tells him ‘Elmar, September is too late, if WOULD YOU SAY IT’S QUITE that’s really not much of a choice: are we PROMPTED THE DECISION our mistakes, our mistake was to act too you want to go, go now.’ Elmar, being a AN ACCURATE TAKE ON WHAT willing to be defeated [with] 20,000 peo- REGARDING TSKHINVALI? late and do too little. In the end, we did smart guy, understood the clear hint given YOU WERE ACTUALLY DOING? ple killed or are we just going to go for Because in the evening they started shoot- whatever we could, but we were stalled to him and asked me, ‘Are the Russians In a way, yes, but look, we had cards; the diplomatic, legal means to solve this issue? ing en masse, that’s why I stayed. The and we had just some pieces of the big- planning something or what?’ thing is they didn’t want to acknowledge I think it’s obvious what path they would plan before that was to put them on ger picture, at that time all we had to act the cards we had; we were the biggest choose. standby before trying to take anything upon was merely pieces of information. YET YOU STILL THOUGHT soft power in this huge area of world: back and for me to go to Beijing and say, THAT RUSSIA WOULD Eurasia. That's the point; that's what they LET’S GO BACK TO THE CHIEF look we have the situation - to Bush or THE LATE ROBERT ASMUS’ NOT GO SO FAR. never realized. Their take is that nobody's TOPIC OF OUR CONVERSATION, somebody - we have this situation, please EXCELLENT BOOK ABOUT No, because many others told us no, no, supposed to create standards in our part THE 2008 AUGUST WAR. AN interfere. I tried to call everyone and THE 2008 WAR MAKES THE no, don’t worry. But let us look at their of the world, standards are only created OVERWHELMING CONSENSUS nobody would pick up; only Jaap De STRIKING POINT THAT GEORGIA timeline, what they did. They blocked us in the West and if you create your own AMONG WESTERN SCHOLARS Hoopscheffer, then-NATO Secretary AND YOUR GOVERNMENT in NATO but then they said let it be standards in this part of the world which AND POLITICIANS, NOT TO General, who spoke to me on an open HAD NO DEFENSE STRATEGY decided in the December ministerial are at all similar to Western standards, it MENTION THE CURRENT line and I couldn't say much on an open IN THE CASE OF WAR. IF YOU [meeting]; so they gave Russia this time won’t work. You can just take their fran- GEORGIAN GOVERNMENT, IS line. I just described the general situation. HAD SO LITTLE INFORMATION, framework, the Germans and French, to chise, you cannot create your own polit- THAT YOU WERE PROVOKED I tried to call Frank-Walter Steinmeier, HOW HARD MIGHT IT HAVE do something. And Russia had the moti- ical McDonald's, McDonald's can only BY RUSSIA AND FELL FOR then-German Minister of Foreign Affairs; BEEN TO ENVISAGE THAT vation to act because there was a chance come from the West; that's the point. IT, GOADED INTO STARTING he was on holiday. I tried to call someone SOME SORT OF DEFENSE we could have gotten the MAP in Decem- That's what I only realized through prac- A WAR. DO YOU AGREE? in Washington and nobody was there. STRATEGY WAS NEEDED? ber and basically the Germans gave them tice: that they want you to be successful, No, it’s not true. Crimea clearly proved [Senior Offi cial] Michael Carpenter was Because, politically, our approach towards the greenlight by saying ‘okay, we are but they don't want you to be too suc- there are two scenarios: either surrender the only one who was on duty in the state South Ossetia was very clear: soft power, postponing till December.’ cessful. We, on the other hand, we’d go fully or fi ght. There is no third scenario; department; then I managed to speak we don't fi ght there, and we never thought in and say, ‘Oh, by the way, we have the when they're already in, who started the with Carl Bildt, the Swedish Minister of the Russians would start fi ghting there. SO, RUSSIA GOT A WINDOW best business registration, fastest customs war? The [post 2008 war] Tagliavini report Foreign Affairs and that was it. We weren’t South Ossetia is like a chessboard: you OF OPPORTUNITY? in the world, we are the safest country in played on this in a very nasty way. They really sure of anything. have Georgian villages, Ossetian villages, Yeah, it was a kind of German-Russian Europe.’ said Russian troops were already in but and they are so intertwined that we though game; I don't think Germans wanted war, the confl ict was started by Georgia; excuse ONE OF THE MORE SEVERE they wouldn’t really think about starting of course, but they at least gave the Rus- WOULD YOU SAY YOU me, what do you mean by troops were ACCUSATIONS OFTEN AIMED a big scale operation there, it made no sians some leeway to do what they did. WERE CONSIDERED COCKY in? What the hell is that? Is that an accept- AT YOU IS THAT YOU BOMBED sense. Abkhazia, on the other hand, was AND IMPETUOUS BECAUSE able thing? Well, troops were already in A SLEEPING TSKHINVALI. a clear-cut case, because it's an empty See Part 2 in Monday’s GT Business OF THAT APPROACH? Crimea and confl ict never started because LOOKING BACK, IS THERE ANY territory, they can go through. And that’s newspaper. Yes. One Western ambassador when I the Ukrainians didn't fi ght, so does that OTHER WAY YOU WISH YOU where I miscalculated over Putin because was in Georgia said, ‘Saakashvili has the make it an invasion or not? Shouldn’t you HAD GONE ABOUT THAT? our thinking was that they would never pharaonic projects of Batumi and the resist invasion? It's quite simple. When you launch a military operation, go for Tbilisi, and we were also convinced houses of justice: he wants to be a phar- it’s military protocol: you don’t make by our Western friends about that. aoh, he just doesn't want to be a normal WHAT I THINK THEY ARE decisions on the political fi eld. When leader.’ REFERRING TO IS THAT AS you’re fi ghting an uphill battle, it’s the WHO WERE THOSE BAD AS THE SITUATION MIGHT military that calls the shots. Certainly, WESTERN FRIENDS? DO YOU THINK THAT HAVE BEEN BEFORE, YOUR they had been instructed to uphold Everyone. Everyone said the Russians GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 POLITICS 7 The Trump Shtick Ricochets in Georgia power show. The electoral battle cry OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE differs from president to president in the States. For instance, the insipid and watery Obama campaign wanted to hat on earth could an attract the constituency with the prom- American president ise of redistributing the American wealth have to do with the so that everybody would get a piece of situation in Georgia? the cherished pie, but the post-Obama A lot! And here is the conservative wannabe Donald Trump Wcatch: in the fi rst place, American pop made a well-targeted shot at a fi ery mor- culture has been amazingly infl uential alistic idea that America is fi rst . . . and worldwide over time, and Georgia is no he won the case. exclusion from the rule. Suffi ce to say Notwithstanding all kinds of contro- that America has uniformed billions of versial judgments against the American men and women in blue jeans and T-shirts multifaceted presence in Georgia, the around the globe; American talent has Trump political catchword was but guar- made the whole world play and listen to anteed to have a sharp effect on the aver- jazz. On top of that, the American dollar age Georgian heart and mind. Just imag- has been the dominant currency in the ine translating the American slogan world’s fi scal organism since America ‘America First’ into Georgian, and then was introduced as a nation; the tentacles adapting it to Georgia’s spiritual reality: of American capitalism widely and effec- ‘Georgia First’. This could trigger a bil- tively spreading all over the place; the low of the Georgian dormant but still American military power has become impulsively vibrant patriotism, which, Image source: nbcnews.com an omnipresent and omnipotent pres- if accordingly nursed and channeled, ence on earth; America has turned into could turn the country upside down. I unconditional political honesty of the second thought to the idea that freedom interaction in a normal society, repre- an informational force, dictating to call this a refl ection of Trumpism in our nonprofi ts. The Trump manner of doing never comes by itself – it is always accom- senting a good sample of behavioral humans what, where, when and how to little land of social and political drama. politics has ricocheted in Georgia’s direc- panied by the strings of citizen respon- model for our Georgia too. This is the do the things they do, and lastly, Amer- Trump’s image and action, his style and tion to somehow modify the public sibilities before the nation and its indi- good infl uence of the West, although the ica has acquired a fi nal say in all pivotal approach encourage the idea of main- approach to the unreserved style of action vidual members. western neoliberal waves of lifestyle international decisions, the world desir- taining traditionalism in the land where of minorities like the gay community, The golden rule of a civilized society often get stuck right in the middle of ing to stand up against it but not being family values are untouchable and sacred, unbridled freedom of human behavior is not only the unbridled fl aunting of the those good old conservative ways. able to do so. but currently at risk. and totally uncontrolled limits of the banners of freedom of speech, freedom In a word, Trump’s traditionalism, This is the overall background that any Trump’s treatment of the American freedom of speech. Understandably, after of behavior and freedom of conscience; mixed with his conservatism, has turned US president would enjoy when com- mainstream media and his attitude two hundred years of the Russian impe- civility dictates persistently that one’s into a great reminder for Georgia that it pelled and willing to demonstrate the towards the way the nongovernmental rial dominance and seventy years of own freedom in anything should not is not just the unreasonably boundless American clout over other nations, Geor- organizations work and behave has ruined soviet depression, the people of Georgia limit the freedom of others. The stand- freedom in a neoliberal style that rules gia included, although very fl imsily. in Georgia the myth about the unques- have delighted in the open air of freedom ing conservatism of America is currently the world but certain other well-weath- President Trump is a vivid case of that tionable righteousness of media and and independence, not even giving a holding up this particular principle of ered philosophies of life too. GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 Georgia Signs Convention on Trade Dispute Mediation ment of settlement agreements had been to delays and backups in the system BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE the main obstacle of the greater use of which hinder the swift administration mediation...The convention sets the of justice. standards for enforcing and invoking “A thoroughly prepared, impartial third he Singapore Convention settlement agreements, the requirements party in the mediation process helps on Mediation was signed for reliance on settlement agreements citizens and business representatives to on Wednesday, August 7, and the grounds for refusing to grant resolve civil disputes without long-term by 46 UN Member States, relief.” and expensive judicial processes, in a Georgia among them. Major Mediation is a common method for mutually agreed manner,” the explana- Tplayers in international trade also signed settling commercial disputes in the tory note of the draft law reads. on to the agreement, including the United United States and the United Kingdom, If adopted, as it is expected to be, the States, China, India, Turkey, and South but in other parts of the world it faces law will apply to disputes in various sec- Korea. Georgia was represented at the questions of legal grey areas, credibility, tors, including businesses, banking, labor, signing by Minister of Justice Thea Tsu- and public skepticism. and loans. Although in March, Tsuluki- lukiani. Georgia has recently increased its focus ani did note that there is a lack of trained, Offi cially called the UN Convention on mediation at the national level, with qualifi ed mediators in the country, and on International Settlement Agreements Image source: Ministry of Justice the support of UNDP and European expressed hope that the new law on Resulting from Mediation, the conven- ing “Georgia is one of the fi rst countries pore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Union programs. In March of this year, mediation would support the growth of tion is designed to ease the settlement that joined the convention. By joining announced, “This will help advance the Georgian government submitted a the profession. process for cross-border commercial the convention, Georgia took one step international trade, commerce and invest- draft law on mediation to Parliament, The aim of the Singapore Convention and trade-related disputes. Such conven- closer to the goal of becoming the regional ment...today, a group of states have come which calls for the creation of an alter- on Mediation is the same as Georgia’s tions regulate international trade struc- hub for mediation.” Vying for that honor together to recommit ourselves to mul- native agency of dispute settlement – a domestic draft law – to create an inter- tures and help maintain the relationships is Singapore itself, and, with its name tilateralism and to declare that we remain Mediation Institute. national framework to empower and that keep modern globalized economies attached to the convention as the place open for business.” As the Ministry of Justice, who wrote support businesses to settle international moving. of its signing, the tiny city-state has a leg UN Legal Affairs Assistant Secretary- the draft law, explained at the time of its disputes outside of a courtroom, through After the signing, the Ministry of Jus- up. General Stephen Mathias commented, submission, the current judicial system mediation, which will save signifi cant tice of Georgia released a statement say- During the signing ceremony, Singa- “Uncertainty surrounding the enforce- is overloaded with civil disputes, leading time and money. Luca Polare Opens 15th Branch, Continues Rapid Development the future.” and milk. None of the products contain Polare customers in Georgia. Georgian ice cream parlor network artifi cial additives in order to prolong In its 11 years, Luca Polare has become Luca Polare offers it customers up to 60 color, fl avor or shelf life. a favorite for both the young and not so varieties of ice cream and exclusive cof- A mix of 100% premium quality Ara- young thanks to its high-quality prod- fee. bica grains, collected in South America ucts, friendly service and focus on cus- The ice cream is produced in Georgia, and roasted in Germany with traditional tomer demands- all keys to the com- with natural products, using fresh fruit methods, is exclusively sent to Luca pany’s success.

he Georgian ice cream par- one in Kobuleti. lor network Luca Polare is Besides the highest quality and espe- expanding by opening its cially delicious ice cream, the Luca Polare 15th branch in Tbilisi. menu includes muffi ns, biscuits, cakes, Another spot of delicious caramelized roasted almonds, fresh juices, Tcoffee and the best ice cream has just and various fruit and salads. appeared at 9 Kazbegi Avenue. “We are happy that Luca continues its In 2008, a small ice cream parlor was rapid development and we are proud opened on Leselidze Street, in the area that it maintains international standards of 20 square meters. It was the fi rst branch both in product and service directions,” of Luca Polare. noted Tea Tabagari, the Director-General The Georgian brand is now represented of the brand. “We have big and ambitious in three cities across Georgia, with 10 plans ahead and we will make our fans branches in Tbilisi, four in Batumi and happy by offering exciting novelties in SUBSCRIBE!

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was not only one of the fi rst countries to recognize BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE the fl edgling state, but also one of the fi rst to pro- vide signifi cant humanitarian aid as Georgia went through a dark period of secessionist confl icts and witzerland and Georgia are brothers in civil war. And the support since has only seen more than mountains. Yet Switzerland is growth, with Switzerland never backpedaling on the paragon of stability, a state that seem- deepening the partnership, both on the political ingly works like a well-oiled mechanism and economic level. of the watch they so rave about: every- "We committed a total of $45 million in the period Sthing is in place, tick-tock, no rushing, no surprises, 2017-2020 and have all elements in place to start to GEORGIAN while Georgia is every bit a mixture of that bom- develop our next cooperation program for the years bastic chaos that is so quintessential to the Cauca- 2021/24,” Ambassador Franzen reported. “We are RESTAURANT sus that even the volatile Southern Europeans among the biggest donors in Georgia per capita of I FLOOR would be impressed. Mind you, it is still the most our population and we look forward to further devel- democratic country in the region. All that, though, oping our cooperation with our partners and to be is fi rst impression, barely scratching a surface. As focused, capacity building and business oriented, T: (+995) 591 914 416 / Ardagani Lake 6000, Batumi was well demonstrated in the speech of the Swiss and effective." And lest it is forgotten, Switzerland F: Grand Grill Restaurant / F: Ardagani Terrasa Ambassador to Georgia, His Excellence Patric still acts as a mediator between Russia and Georgia Franzen, that he gave to commemorate The Swiss due to the absence of diplomatic relations, while National day – an annual event where politicians, the Geneva Talks remain one of the main platforms journalists and civil sector representatives all gather for dialogue between Georgia and its volatile break- to pay their due respects to that small nation in away regions. Dialogue, as mentioned above, is one the Alps that has become synonymous with suc- thing Georgia can learn from Switzerland – the men- cess over the latest couple of centuries. tor's skill is perhaps the best in the world, and with It was perhaps an answer to a quintessential ques- an apt pupil the only way is up. tion for our country: how long will it take for Geor- “We try to facilitate interaction between them on gia to become a country where land is taken care concrete, operational issues that are important for of in this manner, where infrastructure and plan- their citizens. We act as mediator and facilitator, ning are not just fancy words you ask government for example, in the implementation of the Customs and international funding for? As long as it may Monitoring Agreement. And in the framework of take, baby steps, but we've got to move forward our Human Security Program we contribute to and there can hardly be a better model to follow confi dence building and dialogue in the region,” than the Swiss one. One particular message rang Franzen added, underlining his country's support especially important in the Ambassador’s speech: for Georgia's European integration. Switzerland the importance of political dialogue, and one prob- itself might have chosen to opt out both of EU and ably needn't have to be a political expert to fi gure the NATO, but it’s a luxury they can afford. And out that it was echoing the recent events that it's all about choice too: Switzerland chose that unfolded in our fair capital city. path, while the sovereign nation of Georgia chose "Over decades we had to learn that a construc- a different one, and the Swiss respect the choices tive compromise is not a weakness but a strength," of their partners. Ambassador Franzen said. "We had to learn that So, to go back to the very fi rst argument – instead power-sharing with the weaker is more sustainable of comparisons, mayhap we must look for lessons than dominance of the stronger, and we had to when it comes to the Swiss-Georgian relationship. learn that a respectful dialogue with the political And one simple, yet crucial lesson might end up opponent is more effective than its personal dis- being the most rewarding one: realizing that despite creditation. The culture of political dialogue has all differences in mentality, Switzerland is the become part of our DNA. Today, we can say that example Georgia has to strive for and look up to. we are united in our diversity through dialogue And although the situation for our country may and compromise and have a high level of political often look perilous, let us not forget that life was stability." not a piece of cake for the Swiss either, for centu- This, however, was not the only insight the Ambas- ries. They too had mighty empires looking down sador was trying to get across. Particular emphasis at them and fought more than once for the inde- was given to how much the bilateral relations pendence and sovereignty of their country. They between the two countries have evolved since endured and we must too: endure, and in enduring Georgia gaining independence, when Switzerland grow strong, as the saying goes. GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 Why Do Georgian Customers Choose HUAWEI? The Brand that Can Fully Meet the Needs of a Doctor, Photographer and PR Specialist

distinguished, which is the main reason I became a loyal user of HUAWEI. I’m not a technology expert, but I can use the features of the camera which are suitable for social networks. As for the rest, the main thing for me is not to have to charge the battery during the day and for the phone to last the use of several applications and games at the same time, which is just what my HUAWEI P20 Pro does!“ As it turns out, while choosing a smart- phone, the main, most important factors for the customer are: camera, battery, design and power. „During my 24-hour shift, which can even last up to 30 hours, I get a lot of incoming calls, messages, SMS, video calls. I love traveling and shooting wher- ever something unusual and interesting happens. Wearing a camera is very awk- ward. The advantage of a mobile phone camera is its speed of action, allowing you to capture that unique and special hy do Georgians users and then make a decision on pur- shot. Due to my active lifestyle, fast Choose HUAWEI chasing a certain product. I was inter- charging is very important. For some smartphones? Per- ested in HUAWEI due to its fast devel- time, I even thought that HUAWEI was haps because com- opment and progress. I got acquainted producing smartphones for me person- pany offers the best with its history, founders, production, ally, as it was so suitable for me,” said Wdevices on the market. Moreover, this is capital turnover, etc. The numbers were Kakha Bitsadze. a company which always cares for its impressive. As a result, there was a feel- „The four components I love HUAWEI customers and focuses on protecting ing that it would become the leader in for will always be its integral parts: the their interests above all. the market. Meanwhile, the gifted smart- best camera, strong connection, fast In recent times, there was a lot of news phone became old and when the time charging and immortalized battery. The and unconfi rmed information spread came to purchase a new phone, I bought other companies are far behind in this about HUAWEI, however, it seems the the HUAWEI P30 Pro without any hes- regard,“ says another HUAWEI customer, Georgian customers were unafraid and itation. I was happy with the signal qual- Giorgi Chokheli. went on expecting technological inno- ity, interface and of course, camera … „Exactly those components caused my vations from HUAWEI. HUAWEI is defi nitely the leader for its interest and I bought HUAWEI, because Kakha Bitsadze, a doctor, has been a main cameras in its price category. The it is more refi ned and accessible com- loyal customer of HUAWEI for fi ve years. fast charging system, best photo shoot pared to its competitors,“ he adds. no less important. I use the smartphone lation. There are 16 research and devel- „Initially, I did not choose the HUAWEI and zoom - these are the main features In addition to a competitive price and mainly for shooting, but I think that high opment centers operating worldwide in smartphone myself, it was a gift from which made the HUAWEI P30 Pro the design of smartphone, the main element quality graphics will be very attractive the USA, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India my friend. Before that, I was the victim model, I wanted most.” while choosing the phone for Chokheli for lovers of mobile games,“ Giorgi and China. HUAWEI Consumer BG is of a bad stereotype that „Chinese prod- Kakha Magradze, a PR Specialist, also was the power of the battery and photo Chokheli. one of three business units of HUAWEI, ucts have no good quality“ became a HUAWEI user fi ve years ago. shoot features, considering his profes- The fascination in HUAWEI smart- mainly focusing on the production of „Prior to buying the equipment, I always Currently, he owns his 5th model pro- sion: phones lies in one other detail: „If you smartphones, personal computers, tab- get acquainted with the product features duced by HUAWEI and as he claims, it „I like the battery power. I also use the decide to buy HUAWEI at least once, lets and cloud services. The HUAWEI in detail, making comparisons with is both comfortable and affordable. fast charging feature, which is very com- the power of attraction is so great that Global Network is based on 20 years of similar models. The ratio of price and „At fi rst, I bought HUAWEI for its qual- fortable. However, the main reason behind you will never give it up,“ Chokheli says. experience in the telecommunications quality is also important. Besides blog- ity and price. Even today this is the main my choice was the camera's stunning HUAWEI products and services are business and serves to the production gers’ reviews, I also get acquainted with defi ning argument for me. Additionally, features. Macro shooting mode, wide available in more than 170 countries and of innovative technologies to customers the thousands of comments left from the camera of the latest models is truly view lens and night shooting mode are are used by a third of the world's popu- around the world. Green Diamond Begins Handing over Flats to Owners as Second Stage of Construction Finishes

he second Stage of construc- tion of Green Diamond residential complex by MAQRO Construction has fi nished and the process of Thanding over the fl ats to owners has begun. Many new owners have already received keys to their fl ats and will soon able to move in. Residential apartments “Green Dia- mond” include three Stages of construc- tion and covers 70,000 square meters of territory. The project is located in an ecologically clean environment in Tbi- lisi, in Dighomi district, near the Olym- pic facilities. MAQRO Construction says that with all three stages of construction, the com- plex will include 23 living blocks and 1686 fl ats. Apart from fl ats made with high qual- important for them that their children our children. We are very lucky that ity building materials, owners have access grow up in a healthy environment. Future Green Diamond is a place that includes to open swimming pools, a basketball residents Ia Tsikhelashvili and Zaza just that,” says Ia. court and open training spaces, play- Soselia have already visited their fl ats MAQRO Construction has worked out grounds for children, running and walk- with their children, Ana and Nikoloz. a concept for Smart Living which envi- ing tracks, commercial stores, a kinder- Both of them confi rm Green Diamond sions comfortable living in one, eco- garten and a school. has satisfi ed all the criteria for a quality logically clean and green space. Recreational zones were a matter of and healthy environment. The hand-over process of fl ats is ongo- high attention for Green Diamond, so “For my family, it has always been very ing at Green Diamond, and the Company 1/3 of the complex is occupied by green important to live in a cozy, safe and of says that the number of fl ats left unsold area. course healthy environment. We also is already limited, but there are some The residents of the complex say it is wanted a safe and fun environment for still waiting for you to catch. GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 SOCIETY 11 Discount Program for Chronic Disease Medications Expands

Image source: PSP Pharmacy

issue. “We will be considering this very expressed his belief that the program is BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE important initiative at the Executive Gov- a poverty-fi ghting tool, as a large portion ernment Meeting today and adjustments of the incomes of many in Georgia is will thus be made to the program of med- spent at the pharmacy. Since the program’s any medications needed ication for chronic diseases,” said initiation in July 2017, it has helped more to treat six chronic dis- Bakhtadze. The Prime Minister concluded than 60,000 people. Earlier this year, the eases are available in his speech with a pledge that the Georgian program was expanded to include med- Georgia for one GEL or Government will continue working in this ications for epilepsy and Parkinson’s less. 35 different medi- direction to minimize out-of-pocket med- disease. Minister of Internally Displaced Mcations are included in the government ication costs for Georgians. Persons from the Occupied Territories, Program for Providing Medicine for Only certain groups deemed socially Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Geor- Chronic Diseases, which treat cardio- vulnerable are eligible for the program, gia, David Sergeenko, said previously that vascular disease, thyroid gland condi- including pensioners, people with dis- he aims to expand the program to include tions, chronic lung disease, type 2 dia- abilities, and those living under the pov- as many as 60 medications. betes, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. erty line. The new eligibility criteria While the program is mainly met with The program is being implemented at came into force on August 6 – initially, support, it is not without controversy. In 118 participating PSP-brand pharmacies it included only people registered as July 2018, GEORGIA TODAY reported throughout Georgia. ‘socially vulnerable’ according to the that, although a total of 5 million GEL On July 16, Prime Minister Mamuka Social Security Agency, which provides ($1.71 mln) had been allocated to the Bakhtadze announced plans to expand the social support to people living in pov- medication price-control program at that Program for Providing Medicine for erty. Additional targeted groups are time, and more than 70% of the program’s Chronic Diseases in a press conference at expected to be added into the program total budget had been spent, the partici- his offi ce. He told reporters, “One of the in the coming weeks. pation rates were well below targets. most painful challenges manifests itself Bakhtadze continuously emphasized Healthcare specialist Sergo Chikhladze in the fact that out-of-pocket payments of the need for affordable medication, and explained that the program was initially our citizens on medication are very high highlighted the diffi culty of many Geor- designed to provide nearly free medicine in Georgia,” noting that the government gians to afford necessary, even life-saving to 150,000 – 200,000 benefi ciaries, but has been actively working to mitigate the medication. The Prime Minister also was only reaching about 18,000 people.

Adapted Beach for PWDs Opens on Batumi Boulevard

BY ANA DUMBADZE

n adapted beach for persons with disabilities will be opened on August 9, on Batumi Boulevard, opposite the Old Ship restaurant. AAs reported by the administration of Batumi Boulevard, for the ongoing tour- ist season, the infrastructure at this loca- tion has been adapted to meet the full needs of persons with disabilities. As part of the Adapted Infrastructure Project for 2019, an adapted beach fea- turing a path, showers and fi tting rooms have been arranged. A complex with Photo: Batumi Boulevard/Facebook wheelchairs will be set up beside the been purchased, and customers can use purchased fi ve fl oating beach wheel- Old Ship restaurant. them for free. chairs for those with disabilities for Floating beach wheelchairs have also The Batumi boulevard administration 39,880 GEL. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 National Geographic Team Visits Georgia to Prepare Publications

BY AMY JONES

ational Geographic will publish extensive materi- als on Georgia to promote tourism in the region, the Ministry of Economy Nannounced Monday. The Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Nikoloz Ala- vidze, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Khvtisiashvili, met with the Editor in Chief of National Geo- graphic’s Traveler magazine, Justin Kavanagh to discuss the future content. On his visit to Georgia, Kavanagh will visit Tusheti and its national park, Kakhekti, Kazbegi, and Vashlovani national park to ‘get acquainted with the growing tourism potential of the coun- try,’ stated the Ministery of Economy. Kavanagh has been interested in fea- turing Georgia and the country’s grow- ing tourism potential since April, when he received information on Georgia’s wine culture, cuisine, traditions, and nature. National Geographic will feature Geor- gia in magazines, catalogues and on social media, using visual material taken dur- ing the visit. “We are very pleased to be in Georgia and impressed with the county’s hospitality,” said Kavanagh. The National Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Economy and Sustain- able Development of Georgian and the Embassy of Georgia to Ireland helped to co-ordinate the visit. “I hope that the National Geographic group, led by Justin Kavanagh, will be able to spread the relevant information that the government has various pro- WHERE IS NATIONAL Vashlovani dry weather as the roads can become via his publications and it will help us jects to encourage tourists to visit the GEORGRAPHIC GOING? Rolling emerald hills give way to very muddy. to increase the interest of tourists who country. Tusheti unique wavering rock formations and plan their tours through publications “We have ongoing contracts with CNN, Known as one of the last truly wild shallow forests as you descend south- Kazbegi such as National Geographic,” noted Bloomberg and National Georgraphic places in Europe, Tusheti is often con- erly into Vashlovani National Park. Perhaps Georgia’s most well-known Nikoloz Alavidze. “It is important for where Georgia is advertised and popu- sidered to be Georgia’s most beautiful Located close to Georgia’s border with national park, Kazbegi is known for us to cooperate with this publishing larized as being a safe and attractive region. Bordering Chechnya and Dag- Azerbaijan, you can fi nd rare species its stunning mountains and diverse group.” country for tourists,” she said. “Market- estan on the northern slopes of the of birds, an abundance of snakes and nature. Brown bears, Lynx, birds of Since the Russian-Georgia flight ing plans and campaigns have also been Greater Caucasus Mountains, the moun- animals here that you would maybe prey, Caucacasian snowcok, Caucasian embargo imposed by Russian President implemented in the Baltic States, Saudi tainous area witnessed centuries of fas- expect to see on African safari rather black grouse, and over 1,347 species Vladimir Putin from July 8, the Geor- Arabia, and Ukraine.” cinating history and culture which still than in Georgia, such as jackals, gazelles, of plants call the wild mountain slopes gian government has been working to National Geographic has already fea- lives on today. As there is no public and hyenas. To enjoy the wilderness home. To visit Kazbegi, you can easily promote tourism to Georgia. In July, the tured Georgia in their publications transport to Tusheti, you will need to of Vashlovani park, you will need a 4X4 take a marshrukta from Didube bus Minister of Economy and Sustainable numerous times. They also run regular drive with a 4X4 vehicle or pay for a vehicle that is capable of off-road driv- station in Tbilisi to Stepantsminda Development Natia Turnava announced tours through Georgia and Armenia. driver to Omalo village. ing. You should also try and visit in village. TransCaucasus Trailblazers ousy when the perception is that a trail before being ruined, a blow to the team. BLOG BY TONY HANMER on route X will be of benefi t to those They came to us to stay for a night nearest it, as hosts in guest houses or before moving on to trails between us shop patrons, but not to those further and the village of Becho. I had heard the hese people are high on my away. shocking news a bit earlier, and this was list of heroes. I just love Such a situation seems to have hap- my chance to hear it fi rsthand from the what they’re doing. Check pened with the building of a bridge to very people involved, an international it out at: replace an old existing one in the village team of 11 including a Georgian from https://transcaucasian- of K’ala, between Ipari and Ushguli, Tbilisi and a Svan. It really seems that Ttrail.org/en/home/ Upper Svaneti. The team, including a they did all they could to minimize prob- They’ve been at it for several years Svan from Mestia, went in carefully, lems and maximize mutual understand- now, renovating or making new trails meeting with locals formally, seeking ing. And still. throughout the Transcaucasus (south of their reaction to the project. It all seemed They press on, hoping to learn what Russia). Connecting with local commu- positive. They bought wood and other can be done differently to prevent such nities in advance, starting dialogs, asking materials, and spent several days mak- happenings in the future. They are very advice, asking for approval and blessing. ing this amazing bridge. rare in the organization’s experience This is important, because they don’t In the middle of the night, as soon as anyway, as generally things go only pos- want to just come in and try to do some- it was fi nished, chainsaws could be heard. itively. And they’re not going to let this thing on this scale without local involve- The next morning the bridge was visible, setback slow them down. ment and understanding! cut off and cast into the river. My feeling is that the Svans’ tendency The trails will bring new tourists, new The team, of course, were devastated. to be against one another, historically economic opportunities too, and also be All that work, fi nished, never used, demonstrated, is at play. I’ve seen it in good for local people to use, of course, destroyed! It was very discouraging, of my own village and elsewhere too. It’s on a daily basis in their pastoral lives. course. They desperately sought to learn not news to people here. I hope they can This is already happening, including in the community what had gone wrong; grow in their understanding; united, they right here from where I write, in Etseri. opinions and blame differed. But it does can do so much in and for their com- There can, of course, be slip-ups, mis- seem clear that not everyone was happy munities; divided, they can lose out on Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- understandings, even when 100% local with the project, although this did not a lot of opportunities to improve things 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a sance/ people are working side by side with come out at all in the extensive conver- in an area very far away from Tbilisi, weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He He and his wife also run their own guest house them. One of the things to deal with, sations before building started. For some with long winters and a comparatively runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook in Etseri: we notice in Svaneti, is potential jeal- reason, it was allowed to be fi nished hard life. They need each other. group, now with nearly 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 CULTURE 13 National Foundation for Culture to Be Established in Georgia

ences (2003), Full Professor, at Tbilisi BY THEA MORRISON State University. She also is a Head of the Department of General and Com- parative Literary Studies; Director of the few days ago, Georgia’s Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Minister of Education, Sci- Literature; Editor in Chief of annual sci- ence, Culture and Sports entifi c journals Sjani (Thoughts) and Mikheil Batiashvili LitInfo; and member of a number of announced that soon the international scientifi c organizations and Acountry will have a National Foundation associations. for Culture, which will be set up on the Nikoloz Vacheishvili, a former director initiative of the ministry. of the National Agency for Cultural Her- “The culture management system and itage Preservation, and a member of the funding model need real reform and not Tbilisi City Council, believes the crea- one-time fragmented changes. We are tion of a National Cultural Fund may be starting a complex reform in this direc- a good idea, but it is not excluded that tion. The reform is based on EU recom- it will increase bureaucracy and nepo- mendations and suits our country's needs. tism. Our goal is to make the system more He noted the Ministry of Education, fl exible, making processes more open Science, Culture and Sport itself is one and transparent,” he said. of the most bureaucratic agencies. He explained that the Ministry of Edu- “It is possible that funding will become cation, Science, Culture and Sports will more centralized, and more nepotism defi ne the policy and strategy for the Image source: mes.gov.ge and more subjective decisions will be culture fi eld, while the foundation will seen. If it does not happen so, it will be be responsible for the implementation orities and strategy of the cultural direc- “The Foundation will implement tar- January 2020, while preparatory works good, but there is a high probability that of this policy. tion, while the new foundation will geted programs and projects in the fi eld will be carried out until the end of the it will happen,” he said. “The Ministry performs the joint func- implement the policy and priorities set of culture, will administer state grant year. Vacheishvili explains Irma Ratiani tions of managing the institutions in the by the Ministry,” Batiashvili said. competitions and other competitions He added that the budget of the fund might be a good professional but in the fi eld of culture, and in the process of He also noted the foundation aims to planned for cultural priorities, and organ- will amount to GEL 50 ($17.05) million fund her work can turn out to be inef- managing and funding the competitions, support the development of Georgian ize and monitor issuing grants for people and Irma Ratiani is to be appointed as fective. events and project planning. This model culture and cultural economy, popu- working in the fi eld of culture,” he added. the head of the foundation. “There is a high probability that with is changing, and as a result of the reform, larization and internationalization of The Minister said the National Foun- Ratiani is a literary theoretician and such planning, the results will not be the ministry will defi ne the policy, pri- culture. dation for Culture will start working in translator, Doctor of Philological Sci- very good in the end,” he said. Georgia’s Acclaimed Composer Giya Kancheli’s Pieces Performed at Summit Music Festival in NY

recognition and has been named among music. It doesn’t matter in which place the world’s greatest movie composers among 22 countries I have played Kanche- alongside Ennio Morricone and Nino li’s music, be it Germany, Italy, Ireland Rota. or Mexico, everywhere the audience The hall was full of Georgian immi- listened to his pieces, they literally cried. grants and locals eager to see the fi lm It is really unbelievable,” he said. and enjoy heavenly beautiful melodies. The concert, presenting 18 miniatures The fi lm starts with Julian Milkis talk- full of deafening sadness and quiet joy, ing about Kancheli: “I heard his music bitter glee and merciless self-irony, left for the fi rst time in 1987. I was driving the guests speechless. The audience the car, the radio was on and I suddenly listened with bated breath. People who stopped and sat without moving for heard the music felt happiness and at around 15 minutes. It was a real shock, the same time sobbed. Half of the hall since I’d never heard such music before. was emigrants from Georgia, and to The melody captivated me to such an them the music of Giya Kancheli per- extent I got lost in it and arrived late to formed by Vadim Monastirsky and Julian my own concert,” Milkis recalled. Milkis was familiar from the old mov- “The fi lm Giya Kancheli: I used to hate ies, evoking nostalgia and arousing the Clarinet was born by chance,” says mixed emotions and memories from husband of the Director and famous TV- the past. The other half of the audience host Antimony Gregory. The couple paid was American. They did not suffer from a visit to Antwerp to record an interview childhood memories when listening to with the notable composer. The conver- this music, but cried from happiness sation with Kancheli lasted for over three and sadness on hearing the amazing hours. As a result, the recording was so melodies. They reacted to Kanchelis’ interesting that they decided to continue music in the same way as the people in also coined the only student of the clar- festival hosted the Kancheli Program recording the interview and make a 22 other countries, ultimate proof that BY LIKO CHIGLADZE inet legend Benny Goodman, paid a with the participation of distinguished documentary fi lm. Although at fi rst the Giya Kancheli’s music will endure cen- special visit from Switzerland, while musicians. maestro was hesitant, mutual friend turies and continue to impact people well-known pianist Vadim Monastirsky The acclaimed Georgian maestro com- Julian Milkis managed to persuade him. and their feelings. special evening celebrating came from Jerusalem. posed music for Georgian theater and Milkis is sure that Kancheli’s music will Georgia’s most distin- Founded in 1991, the Summit Music cinema for years and his works have not be forgotten after 50 years, or even guished living composer Festival assembles a faculty of the high- accompanied some of Georgia’s most after 100. Giya Kancheli’s master- est caliber, representing the fi nest tradi- iconic cinematography. Throughout his The second part of the Kancheli even- pieces was held at the tions of Europe, Asia and the American life, Kancheli has composed more than ing was opened with a grandiose concert Arenowned Summit Music Festival in New continents, to offer a concentrated study 37 orchestral pieces, 10 chamber music Miniatures for Violin and Piano. Vadim York on August 4. The evening consisted in ensemble and orchestral programs to pieces and 10 choral operas. Kancheli Monastirsky, famous pianist and Profes- of two parts: a documentary fi lm about talented students from all over the world. has lived in Western Europe since the sor at the Jerusalem Academy of Music Giya Kancheli was screened, followed Efrem Briskin, Artistic Director, and dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. and Dance in Israel played the Royal by a concert ‘Miniatures for Violin and David Krieger, Executive Director, began First, he lived in Berlin and later moved Piano accompanied by Julian Milkis’ Piano,’ unveiling pieces of the great with a small summer music camp pro- to Antwerp where he became composer- clarinet. They have already performed maestro. gram which transformed into a summer in-residence for the Royal Flemish Phil- the Miniatures both in Jerusalem and Particularly for this important occa- music festival of the highest quality with harmonic. Kancheli has seen world pre- America a couple of times. sion, Director of the fi lm Olga Gregory an international character. By 1993, they mieres of his works in Seattle, as well as “I play each note with pain,” Professor and Producer Antimony Gregory came had established the basic structure of its with the New York Philharmonic under Monastirsky said during the rehearsal, from Canada to screen their mutual present program to serve serious pre- Kurt Masur. He continues to receive a few hours before the concert. “This is documentary fi lm ‘Giya Kancheli: I used professional international musicians and regular commissions. New CDs of his amazing, I have played so many pieces to hate the Clarinet.’ In order to perform offer its host community an exciting recent works are regularly released, in my life, but I think that a musician the music of the great Georgian com- array of chamber music and orchestral notably on the ECM label. The spec- must feel Kancheli in order to under- poser, celebrated Clarinetist Julian Milkis, concerts. This year, for the fi rst time, the tacular musician has earned international stand and experience the pain in his GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI MUSEUM IOSEB GRISHASHVILI GRAND MASTERS FROM THE MUSIC BATUMI TENNIS CLUB TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM GEORGIAN Batumi Boulevard - KARVASLA NATIONAL MUSEUM GEORGIAN NATIONAL GEORGIAN FOLK SHOW 8 Sioni St. COLLECTION XIX – XX August 13 MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA 10 Rustaveli Ave. TEL (+995 32) 2 98 22 81 CENTURY GORAN BREGOVI MUSEUM Every Tuesday, Friday, Sunday A composer of many famous songs CINEMA 3 Rustaveli Ave. Until September 10 and soundtracks, Bregovic worked The fi rst full and systematic folk with director of many well-known TEL (+995 32) 299 80 22, 293 48 21 The Georgian National Museum www.museum.ge AMIRANI CINEMA show enabling tourists to visit the movies of Emir Kusturica and made within the project "Contemporary Georgian regions in just one hour songs which featured singers like Art Gallery" presents VAKHO 36 Kostava St. Exhibitions: TEL (+995 32) 2 99 99 55 and exploring the world-renowned Iggy Pop and Cesária Évora. His BUGADZE'S EXHIBITION: folklore. music mixes Balkan folk, rock and GEORGIAN COSTUME AND ‘THREE, FOUR" www.kinoafi sha.ge WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Start time: 20:00 symphony. Together with Vakho Bughadze are Start time: 21:00 CENTURIES Tickets: 40 GEL artists Gogi Okropiridze and Katrin FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: Ticket: 30-50 GEL NUMISMATIC TREASURY Bolt. EXHIBITION STONE AGE HOBBS & SHAW FOLKLORE CONCERTS FOR Directed by David Leitch SECTOR 26 GEORGIA TOURISTS Batumi Boulevard MUSEUM OF SOVIET Cast: Vanessa Kirby, Dwayne Sanapiro Str. Bldg 2. ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE OCCUPATION Johnson, Eiza González NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL 4 Rustaveli Ave. Genre: Action, Adventure August 14 COLLECTIONS Every Sunday ANJA SCHNEIDER TEL (+995 32) 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Language: English August 11 www.museum.ge Georgian Subtitles Start time: 22:00 Until September 10 Start time: 22:15 Folklore Evenings of ensemble Ticket: 40 GEL Under the joint initiative of Ticket: 15 GEL EGARI The exhibition hall is equipped Offering folklore events to SOHO BATUMI Georgian National Museum and with monitors, where visitors ONCE UPON A TIME ... IN popularize Georgian folk music Seafront Promenade, Batumi Georgian Post, Exhibition: STORY can see documentaries of various TOLD BY POSTAGE STAMPS HOLLYWOOD among tourists, the concerts historical events. The exhibition Directed by Quentin Tarantino present songs, trisagions, August 9 Dedicated to the 100th anniversary also includes one of the train LELA TSURTSUMIA of the fi rst Georgian stamp. Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, instrumental music, dance, and carriages in which the participants Margot Robbie urban folklore from different Start time: 23:00 of the national uprising of 1924 Genre: Drama parts of Georgia, as well as ethno- Ticket: 30 GEL Until August 31 were executed. It is also dedicated Language: English Multimedia technology exhibition- jazz music. Guest can hear live to the history of the anti- Georgian Subtitles polyphony and a diversity of August 10 IMMAGICA. A JOURNEY INTO occupational, national-liberation Start time: 15:00, 18:30 SUKHISHVILEBI BEAUTY instruments (Salamuri, Panduri, Start time: 23:00 movement of Georgia and to the Ticket: 10-14 GEL Chonguri, Chiboni, Doli). An impressive journey within Ticket: 35 GEL victims of the Soviet political Start time: 20:00 time, introducing us to Italian SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN repression throughout this period. Ticket: 50 GEL paintings of the XIV-XIX centuries; THE DARK August 12 a combination of voice, lighting, Directed by André Øvredal KORDZ & GIORGI ZAGARELI MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS LAGODEKHI BLUES immersive visual and multimedia. Cast: Zoe Margaret Colletti, Start time: 23:00 10 Betlemi Str. Michael Garza, Gabriel Rush FESTIVAL Ticket: 30 GEL Giotto– ‘Ognissanti Madonna’ and Lagodekhi the ‘Scrovegni Chapel,’ Leonardo Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller Discover the Museum of Illusions Language: English August 13 da Vinci– ‘Annunciation,’ Botticelli– Be brave enough to jump into an Georgian Subtitles August 10 IVAN DORN ‘The Birth of Venus’ and ‘Spring,’ illusion created by the Vortex, deform Start time: 16:00, 19:15 BLUES FESTIVAL Start time: 23:00 Raffaello– ‘The Madonna of the the image of yourself in a Mirror Ticket: 14-15 GEL Sharon Lewis & LUCA GIORDANO Ticket: 30 GEL Goldfi nch, Bellotto– ‘Piazza San Room, be free in the Infi nity room, Lagodekhi Blues Festival attendees Marco,’ ‘Castello Sforzesco,’ resist the laws of gravity and size ratio, CAVEA GALLERY will for the fi rst time be able to August 15 Canaletto– “The Chapel of Eton and take selfi es in every possible pose. 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. listen to classical blues in the MGZAVREBI College”, Canova– ‘Amor e Psyche’ Enjoy the collection of holograms, and Italian style. Start time: 23:00 and ‘The Graces’. discover optical illusions. ONCE UPON A TIME ... IN Ticket: 30 GEL HOLLYWOOD Start time: 21:00 (Info Above) Ticket: 15-40 GEL BATUMI DRAMA THEATER Until September 8 MUSEUM OF BROKEN The Georgian National Museum Language: English AJARA 1 Rustaveli Str. RELATIONSHIPS Georgian Subtitles and the Embassy of Japan 10 Betlemi Str. Start time: 12:15, 15:45, 18:45 Conceptart and fund Iavnana in Georgia present Japanese Ticket: 11-19 GEL BLACK SEA ARENA present: GALA CONCERT OF CALLIGRAPHY MASTER THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN Shekvetili YOUNG VIRTUOSO MUSICIANS KOSHU'S (AKEMI LUCAS) RELATIONSHIPS THE LION KING Start time: 23:00 EXHIBITION "ECHO" The unique collection of the Directed by Jon Favreau 13 August Ticket: 30 GEL Koshu took part in "Tokugawa and museum aims to provoke Cast: John Kani, Seth Rogen, THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS the Masters," part of which was feelings of understanding among Donald Glover Jared and Shannon Leto have sold SHERATON POOL hosted by the Georgian National individuals and serve as some Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama over fi ve million albums worldwide Sheraton Batumi Hotel, Pool Museum in October 2018. Koshu kind of therapy for those who have Language: English and the band’s videos have more says her fi rst visit to Signagi fi lled Start time: 11:50, 14:00, 16:45, 19:45, 22:15 than 300 million views on YouTube. August 10 experience break-ups. Ticket: 10-19 GEL her heart with love and this is They have received numerous MERCEDES-BENZ EVENT GALLERY Special evening, tasteful music and refl ected in her subsequent works. FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: awards, including a dozen MTV "I hope my love for Georgia, the main surprise, Milk & Sugar, HOBBS & SHAW awards worldwide, a Billboard the legend of House music poured into my artwork, is THE NATIONAL GALLERY (Info Above) Music award and honors from Start time: 23:00 refl ected and resonates in people's 11 Rustaveli Ave. Language: English NME, Kerrang! and Fuse. Ticket: 50-70 GEL hearts, rippling out and leaving an TEL (+995 32) 215 73 00 Start time: 12:45, 15:45, 19:15 Start time: 20:00 echo for the future," she says. Until February 26 (2020) Ticket: 11-19 GEL Ticket: 50-200 GEL UP2YOU Seafront Promenade

August 9 GIGA MIKABERIDZE Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 30 GEL

August 11 MAX THE SAX Start time: 22:00 Ticket: 20 GEL

BATUMGORA Cable car Argo

FOLKLORE SHOWS EVERY DAY All summer long, enjoy traditional folk shows every day from 8 pm. Enjoy UNESCO recognized traditional folk dances and songs, Georgian drum shows and master classes in dancing 250 meters above sea level. Start time: 20:00

KOBULETI PINEWOOD Kobuleti

August 10 GR-FEST Line up: Main stage: Kavel ZAPA Orim Giorgi Devadze Yanamaste NEWA Boyd Shidt Fabrizio Lapiana Art stage: Sally Gulordava Levan Samnashvili Gvantsa Aphkaidze Start time: 17:00 Ticket: 30-50 GEL GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 9 - 12, 2019 CULTURE 15 Batumi-Tbilisi International Fest "Night Serenades" to Celebrate 11th Anniversary

packed with extraordinary musicians others. The audience will attend these will continue to actively support it in from around the globe. This time a vocal unique events in Batumi and Tbilisi in the future,” she said. performance has been added to the fes- August-September and traditionally, our The Night Serenades Festival was tival program for the fi rst time, which Ministry will support it. I would like to founded in 1982 in Abkhazia, at the ini- makes it even more interesting. This thank the organizers and participants of tiative of famous Georgian violinist and time, I will be honored to perform together the Festival. I am sure that very exciting conductor Liana Isakadze. with Maestro Vakhtang Machavariani, adventures await for us within the frames It ceased due to the war in Abkhazia. who is my inspiration. I cannot wait to of Night Serenades,” he elaborated. The restoration of the festival became sing for the Georgian audience again,” The Deputy Head of Department of possible only after 18 years, in 2009, in she noted. Culture of Tbilisi City Hall, Maka Nas- Georgia’s magnifi cent seaside city of As the Deputy Minister of Education, rashvili, once again expressed Tbilisi City Batumi. Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Hall’s support towards the Festival and Isakadze is still the Artistic Director Levan Kharatishvili, stated, Night Ser- pointed out its importance for the devel- of the festival. Since 2018, her nephew, enade” is one of the most important opment of the country’s cultural life. artist Giorgi Isakadze, is also the Artistic festivals for the Ministry of Culture, as “The festival has been held for 11 years Director of the Night Serenades. well as for the whole country. already, and it plays a signifi cant role in Over the years, great interest in the “The Festival maintains a quality and the country’s cultural life, as well as tour- festival led to its expansion and was diverse program every year. This year’s ism development. Tbilisi City Hall is a renamed the Batumi-Tbilisi International program is especially impressive, as it constant supporter and partner of this Festival in 2015. n August 6, Georgia’s Min- linist and conductor Liana Isakadze; involves world-famous stars, such as festival. Such events are especially impor- Tickets for the 2019 Night Serenades istry of Education, Science, Nana Iashvili (violin); Nino Surguladze mezzo-soprano Nino Surguladze and tant for our country and Tbilisi City Hall Festival are available online at ticket.ge. Culture and Sport held a (mezzo-soprano); Anna-Liisa Bezrodny press conference on this (violin, Finland/England); Jan-Eric Gus- year’s Batumi-Tbilisi Inter- tavsson (cello, Finland); Pantelis Kogiamis nationalO Festival “Night Serenades.” (specially invited conductor, Greece- The press conference was led by the Austria); Kazakh State Trio - Erlan Serik- Deputy Minister of Education, Science, baev (piano), Bagdat Abilhanov (violin) Culture and Sport of Georgia, Levan and Kurvanzhan Akhatov (Cello); Geor- Kharatishvili, Director General of the gian musician Sandro Nebieridze (piano), Festival, Nina Tsagareli, renowned Geor- and more. gian mezzo-soprano Nino Surguladze, During the press conference, the Direc- and Deputy Head of Department of Cul- tor General of the Festival, Nina Tsagareli, ture of Tbilisi City Hall Maka Nasrash- pointed out the diversity of this year’s vili. Festival program. With the support of the Ministry, from “This year’s program is very diverse August 25 to September 4, the Batumi- and interesting for audiences of any age Tbilisi International Festival "Night and taste. Renowned Georgian composer Serenades" will be held for the 11th year. Vazha Azarashvili's cello concert will be A series of musical concerts will offer a performed by a famous cellist from Fin- variety of musical pieces to the enthu- land, Jan-Eric Gustavsson, for the fi rst siasts of classical music. time, and that’s not the only brilliant Concerts will be held on August 25, 27, performance and pleasant surprise await- 28 in the Batumi Ilia Chavchavadze ing guests!” she said. Drama Theater and on September 2 and Along with other Georgian and foreign 4 in the Tbilisi State Conservatoire Grand stars, this year’s festival will see the par- Hall. ticipation of world-famous mezzo- The Principal Conductor of the Festi- soprano Nino Surguladze, who says she val is Maestro Vakhtang Machavariani. is very happy and honored to participate The world-class concerts will be per- in the festival. formed by famous soloists and conduc- “I’m joining the Festival for the fi rst tors such as the Orchestra "Virtuoses time. This unique and prestigious festi- from Georgia,” created by the Artistic val is associated with the name of leg- Director of the Festival, renowned vio- endary Liana Isakadze and is always Jessie J Takes Over Black Sea Arena fantastic band, and high level of organi- “I decided to dress up as myself from regular person, equal to them. This integ- utive Director of Black Sea Arena, Tato zational management from the staff of 2010, because that’s where it all started, rity shone from the star’s personality Kharchilava, told the press: “I haven’t the Black Sea Arena, Jessie J’s show gave and I’ve never been to Georgia. So to throughout the two-hour show in many talked to her yet, but I don’t think we a new meaning to the combination of make up for it, I decided to take you all ways – adding a song to her playlist at need any further confi rmation – seeing words ‘tremendous success’. nine years back and sing the songs that the fans’ request, conversing with the her face and emotions on the stage spoke The gates opened at around 18:00, but I think you might want to hear,” said the audience and taking videos with their well of her satisfaction and happiness devoted fans of the British Pop star had British singer-songwriter over loud phones, reading a fan’s letter on stage, about today’s show.” Photo Copyright: Alex Ruadze been gathering around the Black Sea Arena screams from the audience. warming up the listeners by having them An excited fan, 20-year-old Katerina, hours prior, some had even spent the night Jessie J did not forget to mention her sing along to an improvised ‘Jessie J and shared her impressions with GEORGIA there to grab the chance to see their favorite gratitude for the sold-out show, admit- Georgia’ bit – all these and much more TODAY: “I’ve been to quite a few shows, BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE performer up close from the Golden Ring. ting that the love she gets from people made the Shekvetili show unique for but this one is particularly memorable for When the doors opened, they poured into never ceases to amaze her and that fame Georgian and foreign music lovers. me. Because I’m such a huge fan. She’s the Ring, many of them humming Jessie has never becomes normal for her. The The winner of the 2011 BRIT Awards such a modest person and an amazing rom Elton John to Christina J’s hits, from ‘Queen’ to ‘Domino.’ pop star united the audience, engaging expressed her desire to come back to performer – delivering 100% in every show. Aguillera, Check in Georgia Jessie J appeared on the main stage a them all with her hilarious self-depreci- Georgia and as her Instagram post post- I can’t describe the feeling with words: it has brought a lot of stars to little later than scheduled, opening the ating humor. The latter combined with concert reads: “…THE ENERGY WAS was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” the stage of the Black Sea Arena show with a 2015 single ‘Masterpiece’, her own words: “You came to see me, I MAD!!! My 1st show in Georgia and it While the Black Sea Arena cleaned up in the past three years since meriting endless rounds of applause came to see you.” She asked the audi- was SOLD OUT! YOU WERE SO LOUD after the show and started preparation itF opened. The venue opened the 2019 from the cheering audience. After a cou- ence not to record her performance of AND FULL OF LOVE. Thank you, thank for Thirty Seconds to Mars’ arrival on season with a successful Black Eyed Peas’ ple of songs, the performer saluted the ‘Domino,’ just so she could see everyone’s you…”. The singer also posted a photo August 13, the music lovers left slowly, concert on June 16 this year, meaning on audience and explained her choice of faces and the blissful moment could be on her page that shows her having a blast some of them admitting that they hadn’t August 6, Jessie J had a lot of pressure outfi t and hairstyle – so different to her caught and enjoyed by all – making the on Shekvetili beach. known much about Jessie J before this to keep up the audience’s expectations. look at her Amsterdam show just a few public feel that Jessie J, the incredibly When asked about Jessie J’s thoughts concert but were completely in love with However, with her astounding voice, days before the one in Shekvetili. talented famous pop star, was just a and satisfaction with the concert, Exec- her from there on in.

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