Issue no: 1245 • MAY 8 - 14, 2020 • PUBLISHED WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

Want to watch it LIVE? Scan here and enjoy! In this week’s issue... FOCUS Occupied South Ossetia ON THE FRENCH Reports First Coronavirus Cases RESPONSE NEWS PAGE 2 GT LIVE interviews the French Ambassador on COVID-19 PAGE 4 May 9 – Of Falsifi ed History & Kremlin Propaganda POLITICS PAGE 3 The Growing Divide between the US & China POLITICS PAGE 5 Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards Team Helps Support Tourism Sector during COVID-19 Crisis BUSINESS PAGE 6 Quarantine CSR: Sheraton GM on Volunteering the Hotel as a Lockdown Facility SOCIETY PAGE 7 No Time for Rest: Caritas Facebook Removes Hundreds of Czech Republic Responds to Covid-19 Related Needs Propaganda Pages, Accounts in Georgia SOCIETY PAGE 9

BY AMY JONES Liberty Bank Signs MoU with UNFPA to Promote Healthy, his week, Facebook announced that Active Ageing & Gender it had removed 511 assets from its platforms which discredited oppo- Equality in Georgia sition parties and supported the ruling party, Georgian Dream. The SOCIETY PAGE 9 Taccounts, pages and groups were linked to the Espersona media company, which has links to Georgian Dream. Prepared for Georgia Today Business by The Atlantic Council Digital Forensic Research Markets Asof01ͲMayͲ2020 Lab (DFRLab), responsible for investigating the STOCKS Price w/w m/m BONDS Price w/w m/m BankofGeorgia(BGEOLN) GBP9.86 +6,6% +16,0% GEOROG04/21 96.42(YTM10.72%) Ͳ0,3% Ͳ0,1% assets on behalf of Facebook, released an in- GeorgiaCapital(CGEOLN) GBP4.08 Ͳ2,4% Ͳ1,0% GEORG04/21 100.96(YTM5.80%) +0,0% +0,2% depth report on their work. GHG(GHGLN) GBP0.87 +2,5% +10,8% GRAIL07/22 98.39(YTM8.57%) Ͳ1,1% Ͳ1,6% The report noted that a further 23 Facebook TBCBankGroup(TBCGLN) GBP8.30 +7,9% +18,7% GEBGG07/23 94.45(YTM7.98%) Ͳ6,2% Ͳ9,6% accounts, 80 Pages, 41 Groups, and 9 Instagram COMMODITIES Price w/w m/m CURRENCIES Price w/w m/m CrudeOil,Brent(US$/bbl) 26,44 +23,3% +6,9% GEL/USD 3,2012 Ͳ0,4% +0,1% accounts investigation had been linked to indi- GoldSpot(US$/OZ) 1700,42 Ͳ1,7% +6,8% GEL/EUR 3,5136 +1,0% +0,2% viduals associated with the opposition party GEL/GBP 4,0018 +0,6% +1,1% INDICES Price w/w m/m GEL/CHF 3,3287 +0,7% +0,6% United National Movement. “We found this FTSE100 5763,06 +0,2% +5,7% GEL/RUB 0,0425 Ͳ1,4% +4,4% FTSE250 16148,34 +2,9% +11,0% GEL/TRY 0,4563 Ͳ1,0% Ͳ4,4% activity as part of our investigation into suspected on Facebook and Instagram that mimicked to conceal their identity, often using fake accounts, DAX 10861,64 +5,1% +13,8% GEL/AZN 1,8862 Ͳ0,3% +0,2% coordinated inauthentic behavior in the region. Georgian health authorities and political oppo- DRFLabs investigation traced them to Esperona, DOWJONES 23723,69 Ͳ0,2% +13,3% GEL/AMD 0,0067 Ͳ +4,7% NASDAQ 8604,95 Ͳ0,3% +16,9% GEL/UAH 0,1189 +0,3% +2,6% Our assessment benefi ted from local public sition members, seeking to discredit pro- which is owned by the former head of the Depart- MSCIEMEE 133,01 +2,5% +11,3% EUR/USD 0,9107 Ͳ1,4% Ͳ0,2% reporting in Georgia,” DFRLab said. democracy activists and members of the oppo- ment of Public Relations of the Government of MSCIEM 916,77 +4,2% +10,8% GBP/USD 0,8004 Ͳ1,0% Ͳ1,0% SP500 2830,71 Ͳ0,2% +14,6% CHF/USD 0,9614 Ͳ1,2% Ͳ0,5% In particular, of the 511 aforementioned assets, sition. Georgia, Koka Kandiashvili. MSCIFM 1981,99 +4,6% +7,6% RUB/USD 75,3596 +1,1% Ͳ4,2% DRFLab identifi ed pages, groups, and accounts Although those behind the assets attempted GTIndex(GEL) 1582,68 ͲͲTRY/USD 7,0122 +0,6% +4,6% Continued on page 3 GTIndex(USD) 1208,13 ͲͲAZN/USD 1,6982 Ͳ0,0% +0,3% GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS MAY 8 - 14, 2020 Occupied South Ossetia Reports First Coronavirus Cases COVID-19 had returned from Russia on Military School in Vladikavkaz. BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE April 30. With the fi rst case came two more - a "The man has been isolated in the woman and her 6-year-old son who, Infectious Diseases Hospital," Chief according to Kochiyeva, “had traveled n May 6, Russian-occupied Medical Officer Marina Kochiyeva to North Ossetia ‘for other medical con- South Ossetia (Tskhinvali reported to RES. As Kochiyeva claimed, ditions’ and tested positive upon their region) reported its fi rst “everyone who came into contact with return to South Ossetia’s southern Akhal- three cases of novel coro- him has also been isolated.” gori (Leningor) District yesterday.” navirus. Ossetian-owned Within a few hours, “the man” was Reportedly, these two patients were then newsO agency RES wrote on Wednesday identifi ed as a 14-year-old boy, a student asymptomatic and had been put into that the man who has tested positive for at the North Caucasus Suvorovskoe quarantine. Saakashvili May Chair Executive Committee of Ukraine’s Council for Reforms

Reforms. BY ANA DUMBADZE Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelen- sky had offered the former Georgian leader the seat of Deputy PM in charge ormer Georgian President of reforms, which caused dissatisfac- Mikheil Saakashvili claims tion among the members of the Geor- that he will be appointed to gian government. However, Ukrainian the National Reform Council media reported that the Cabinet of of Ukraine, not as Secretary Ministers of Ukraine has withdrawn Fof the Council, but as Chairman of the the issue of his appointment as Deputy Executive Committee, Ukrainian media Prime Minister from the Verkhovna outlet Censor.net reports. Rada. "Not as a secretary, but as chairman David Arakhamia, Chairman of the of the executive committee," the for- faction 'People's Servant' of the Ukrain- mer Georgian leader said in an inter- ian Rada, said that Saakashvili would view. He could not name an exact date work in the Ukrainian government in for his appointment. a "different format." Earlier, it was reported that the Ukrain- "As I know, another decision has been ian President a state of Saakashvili as made. It will be announced in the com- Secretary of the National Council on ing days," he said. US Ambassador Congratulates GT on 20 Years in Print mbassador Kelly Degnan: reporting on Georgia’s main political, As a former journalist, I economic, social, and cultural develop- understand and deeply ments. I congratulate the journalists, value the crucial role of an editors and staff of Georgia Today for independent media in a their valuable contributions to Georgia’s Ahealthy democracy. For twenty years, diverse media landscape and their com- Georgia Today has helped to fulfi l that mitment to media freedom and ethics. role, by providing reliable, non-partisan Keep up the good work!

Source: Ministry of Education of Georgia Microsoft Positively Evaluates Georgia's Distance Learning

response to the COVID-19 crisis. It was Culture and Sports of Georgia Mikheil BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI these steps that helped the students to Chkhenkeli took part in the fi rst summit continue their studies smoothly despite of virtual education transformation the challenges they faced. organized by Microsoft Corporation, nthony Salcito, Vice Presi- "The OECD recognized Georgia as a addressed the public and introduced dent of Education at Micro- leading country in this direction. That them to the challenges facing the Geor- soft Corporation, praised is why we wanted to give the opportu- gian education system and ways how to the measures taken by the nity to the representatives of other coun- solve them against the background of Ministry of Education, Sci- tries to learn more about Georgia's the COVID-19 pandemic. Aence, Culture and Sports of Georgia to approaches. We are proud that Minister The summit was attended by repre- promote distance learning during the Mikheil Chkhenkeli participated in the sentatives of the United Nations Educa- COVID-19 crisis. fi rst Virtual Education Transformation tional, Scientifi c and Cultural Organiza- “We are inspired by the tremendous Summit and shared his experience with tion (UNESCO), the International efforts and perseverance of the Ministry more than 300 leaders in the education Organization for Economic Development of Education, Science, Culture and Sports sector,” Salcito said. and Cooperation (OECD) and more than of Georgia in adapting the system in The Minister of Education, Science, 300 leaders in the education sector. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 8 - 14, 2020 POLITICS 3 May 9 – Of Falsifi ed History & Kremlin Propaganda

unpleasant reminder is that while Ger- OP-ED BY DAVID BRAGVADZE many was invading Poland and France, the Soviet Union kept itself busy subju- gating Finland and the Baltic countries. ay 9 is the day when in But aside from the Soviet contribution to Georgia and in some the starting of World War II, there are other post-Soviet coun- several other facts the Kremlin would tries, the day of victory rather you didn’t know, or if you do, to over fascism is com- forget. Mmemorated. Defeating one of the great Russian propaganda wants to portray evils in Mankind’s history is a remarkable the Soviet Union as the main force that feat, but when this event is exploited by put an end to the Second World War. In equally evil forces for their own propa- truth, the Soviet omnipotence is yet ganda and malign infl uence, things tend another, carefully concocted, myth. This to get a bit less straightforward. To address is why you won’t hear Russians mention- this, the Georgian Institute for Security ing the Lend-Lease Bill, that made pos- Policy (GISP) felt obliged to once again sible the instrumental US logistical and tell the uncomfortable truth, which despite humanitarian aid. At today’s rates, the being common knowledge, is diligently economic aid given by the US to the Sovi- ignored by the Kremlin. ets would make around $194 mln, an In Putin’s Russia, May 9 has become astounding amount at that time. Disre- one of the integral cornerstones of state garding the importance of humanitarian propaganda. Today, the day is almost aid, the Kremlin usually also downplays entirely devoid of its original meaning the importance of the military allied and has little to do with historical verac- forces, pointing to the fact that the Soviet ity. Union gave the biggest number of human In Russia, they call it the Great Patriotic lives to the common cause. While that is War, instead of World War II. The reason undoubtedly so, the absolutely majority for that being the convenience that the of contemporary historians maintain that Russian version offers: while the Second the astounding losses the USSR suffered World war started on 1939 with Nazi Ger- is partially down to the mismanagement to defeat the great evil. Understandably, this year, because due to the pandemic statue of General Ivan Konev from the many invading Poland and ended on 2nd of the military staff and their disregard these very nations also quite vividly threat, Russia had to postpone the parade. city center. Obviously, Dmitry Peskov, a September 1945 with Japan’s defeat, the for human lives. Stalin didn’t care about remember the time of Soviet occupation And one more note on veterans: unlike spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Russian timescale ranges from 22.06.1941 numbers. and how the Kremlin rule was always at other countries that welcomed the return- Putin, dismissed the news report as fake. to May 9, 1945. The reason for the differ- As for the end of the war, the Kremlin hand to change their lives “for the better”. ing Prisoners of War with open hands, The Kremlin actively uses public organ- ent start is simple: Russia starts with the didn’t deem it important that after the Just to name a few, the Hungarians in 1958 the Soviet Union branded them traitors izations, politicians, and infl uence agents date Germany invaded Soviet soil, because capitulation of Germany, the war would and the Czechs in 1968, in Budapest and and sent them to the Gulag. Which is in different countries. A clear example back in 1939, the USSR was an ally of the go on for another four months and con- Prague respectively, harbor clear memo- obviously an act that screams utmost care of this is the organization "Immortal same Germany that invaded Poland and clude with Japan’s surrender. This wouldn’t ries of the atrocities the Soviet army com- and appreciation towards war veterans. Regiment", which was registered in Geor- Moscow, having given a green light to the play into Kremlin hands, because the mitted on their soil. Putin’s Russia suffers painful spasms gia on October 10, 2019, but before regis- operation. According to the Molotov- Oceania front was manned by American Russia is adamant that it’s the only each time a sovereign country tries to tration, on May 9, managed to hold one Ribbentrop Pact, the two powers agreed forces and it would be a tad diffi cult to country that gives due honors to the vet- break free from Kremlin-brewed false provocative demonstration. on spheres of infl uence, which was fol- represent it as the Soviets singlehandedly erans of the Second World War. To prove narratives. The 2007 cyber war against The Kremlin will continue to manipu- lowed by an invasion of Germany within achieved milestone victory. This, of course, this, May 9 each year is marked by a mas- Estonia, after the latter took down a statue late the May 9 issue in the future. Obvi- a week. didn’t discourage Moscow from seizing sive military parade on Red Square. Inter- of a Soviet soldier, is but one example. ously, Georgia will be the target of this That the attack on Poland was a coor- the Kuril Islands from the defeated Japa- estingly enough, it appears that the num- Apart from trying to break down the propaganda. However, we need to think; dinated affair is further proven by yet nese, which remains a subject of dispute bers of WW2 veterans in Russia remains Estonian government sites, Russia resorted can we have a common future with those another detail: a month after signing the between the two countries to this day. practically the same, despite the passing to propagating anti-Estonian sentiments who can offer nothing but a falsifi ed agreement, there was a joint Soviet & As Putin’s Russia doesn’t have much to of time. Russian war veterans appear to among the country’s Russian-speaking past? German military parade in the city of offer what it considers to be the Russian be in possession of the elixir of youth, population. Brest, where both sides celebrated put- sphere of infl uence, the Kremlin has to because simple math dictates that if the Merely a week ago, even the pandemic ting Poland down. resort to the false narratives of May 9 to youngest Soviet soldiers at the time of media-storm couldn’t cover the purported Obviously, it’s not a pleasant reminder entice the nations of Eastern Europe and the Second world war were at least 16, murder plot, wherein a Russian spy was for the Kremlin propaganda machine, the former Soviet Union that it was the now they would be at 91, while on Red detained in Prague, possessing a diplo- which would rather portray itself as the Soviet army that freed Central & Eastern Square each year, you might stumble upon matic passport and carrying poison seem- great force of good that defeated the Europe from Nazi occupation, as the people that in no way resemble octoge- ingly destined for the Prague Mayor, who greatest evil known to Man. An equally Soviet people fought shoulder to shoulder narians. This, however, won’t be the case had been brave enough to remove the Georgian Gov’t to Ease Numerous Restrictions from May 11 Restrictions on entry and exit were shoe stores. All other types of stores will BY ANA DUMBADZE imposed in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Batumi and be open from Monday,” the PM noted. Kutaisi on April 15. The travel restrictions in Kutaisi and OPENING THE BORDERS he Georgian government, Batumi were lifted on May 5. From June 15, Georgia will open local in its efforts to minimize tourism services, and from July 1, the damage to the country’s EASING PURCHASING & country will be ready to receive inter- economy as a result of the PRODUCTION RESTRICTIONS national tourists. coronavirus pandemic, is All shops, except malls, clothing and “We will create safe corridors on land Talready moving to ease restrictions on shoe stores, are to reopen from next borders with our neighboring countries citizens and businesses. Announcements Monday. and, based on bilateral negotiations, with were made by Prime Minister Giorgi "From May 11, we will reopen all kinds countries that are of touristic interest to Gakharia at Thursday’s presentation of of production. In addition, retail and us. Talks have already begun. Georgia the Anti-Crisis Plan to Open Tourism. and exit to Tbilisi from May 11. Travel However, despite the process of grad- wholesale shops will be opened which will be one of the fi rst countries to open restrictions will also be lifted in Rustavi ually lifting imposed restrictions, the have an entrance from the street and its borders and tourist infrastructure to EASING TRAVEL IN COUNTRY and Gardabani from May 14, and in nationwide curfew between 9 PM and which do not sell clothes and shoes. This receive guests from abroad,” the PM Georgia will lift all restrictions on entry Marneuli from May 18. 6 AM will remain in force. does not apply to malls, clothing and elaborated. Facebook Removes Hundreds of Propaganda Pages, Accounts in Georgia

Continued from page 1 the account of his ex-wife, Nona Kandi- of the pages were created on the same its platforms. In 2019, assets by private The spread of disinformation online ashvili. day in 2019, and had similar “About” marketing fi rm Panda, which is also threatens democracy in Georgia, which He worked for Georgian Dream from Espersona also took advantage of the descriptions and external websites, mak- linked to Georgian Dream, were taken has already slipped over the past two April until December 2013, before becom- COVID-19 pandemic. DRFLab identifi ed ing it highly probable they were managed down. years, according to fi gures by the Econ- ing a consultant to the Government on fake pages impersonating prominent by the same body. With parliamentary elections to be omist Intelligence Unit. A report released public relations. health offi cial Levan Ratiani, which In addition, Facebook removed 99 held at the end of the year, Georgian by Freedom House, a US-based NGO, Kandiashvili has been accused of regularly posted updates about the groups that posted diverse content, such Dream is promoting its public image to similarly assessed that Georgia’s level improper information operations in COVID-19 outbreak in the country. as news and religion. These groups were help its political agenda, especially fol- of democracy had slipped from 3.29 to Georgia before. Recently, local media The investigation also identifi ed 269 often run by the same administrators lowing many anti-government protests 3.25. Georgia is classed as a hybrid democ- and NGOs linked him to a troll factory, inauthentic pages and fringe news agen- and were used to share content from the in 2019. The use of fake groups and racy, however Freedom House noted a claim he has repeatedly denied. Face- cies which had around 8,400 followers fringe news agencies. accounts can heavily infl uence the online that the country has moved closer towards book removed his personal account, as in total, and that published pro-govern- This is not the fi rst time Facebook has political climate in a country, and in turn, an authoritarian regime in several param- well as his managed pages, groups and ment and anti-opposition content. Most removed assets related to Georgia from refl ect on voting. eters over the past year. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS MAY 8 - 14, 2020 GT Live Interviews Meets French Ambassador to Georgia Diego Colas to Discuss COVID-19 & Beyond will benefi t from it and therefore sustain BY TEAM GT Want to watch it LIVE? a vigorous recovery. These are the gen- Scan here and enjoy! eral short-term and medium-term meas- ures to try to weather the economic n the second interview from GT crisis. LIVE INTERVIEWS’ “AMBAS- SADORS GO LIVE,” series, GEOR- WHAT ABOUT BRINGING GIA TODAY’s Editor-in-Chief SOCIETY BACK TO A We need to Katie Ruth Davies met French NORMAL ROUTINE? make sure that as IAmbassador to Georgia Diego Colas. Schools will start opening in France This week, French fi nancial newspaper starting May 11, fi rst with elementary Les Echos published an article titled schools, followed a week later by middle we press for "Georgia in the EU: and why not?" writ- schools. At the end of May, we will assess ten by economist Sébastien Cochard, whether the high schools will open again. economic which noted that “what is happening in Universities will start again in Septem- Georgia concerns us and we should be ber. What has not been completely organ- recovery, we interested in it.” Earlier last week, the ized yet is the end of year exams. For the French edition L’opinion suggested in Baccalaureate, we will rely more on don't leave the an article titled 'The European Union: testing throughout the year. Is Size Decisive?' that “Georgia offers a Notwithstanding this signifi cant effort vulnerable behind much more favorable environment for of the teachers, this [online learning] is AND IN GEORGIA’S CASE, HOW investors and entrepreneurs than most a system that cannot go on, especially LONG DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT EU countries." in households where the parents don’t TAKE FOR A FULL RECOVERY? Before we spoke to Ambassador Colas, speak French and so cannot help their CONCERNING THE TOURISM we looked at the latest COVID-19 statis- children study. Another reason for the SECTOR, FOR EXAMPLE. tics from his home country France, which desire to open schools soon is to support I think Georgia has done the right thing is 643,801 km² and has a population of children from vulnerable families. in the past 20 years, across society, 66.99 million. May 11 is a day we have quite a lot through its chosen western path of devel- France is the 6th on the Worldometer restarting: younger children at schools, opment, and has broadly benefi ted from coronavirus list after the US, Spain, Italy, some shops, some public transport, we it. I think it's been a great success. the UK and Russia, with 174,191 total will have more children voluntarily going Today, though, Georgia is counting a cases. 25,809 French citizens have died, back to school after a few weeks, then lot on international tourism, on its West- and 53,972 have recovered. There are more businesses and restaurants will ern investments. International tourism 94,410 active cases, 3,147 (4%) of whom kick in, so it is a gradual process. Based is probably not the fi rst thing to expect are critical. on the epidemiological situation, we will to quickly return at the end of confi ne- assess whether to slow down the open- ment. But that doesn't mean we should WHAT STEPS HAVE YOUR ing, or to go into confi nement again. despair. Quite the opposite. Western COUNTRY’S GOVERNMENT donors and Western countries have reaf- AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WHERE IS FRANCE IN TERMS fi rmed their commitment to stand by TAKEN TO FIGHT COVID-19, OF DEVELOPING A VACCINE? Georgia. France and other countries have AND HOW EFFECTIVE DO YOU WHAT IS THE EXPECTED signed a letter, committing us to a very THINK THAT FIGHT HAS BEEN? OUTCOME? ARE THERE ANY strong level of support to the [Georgian] One of the fi rst measures when the virus PLANS TO SUPPORT COUNTRIES government, so there will be quite a lot started accelerating in Europe and glob- At the beginning of the pandemic, we government has shown itself to be com- THAT DON'T HAVE THEIR of support coming on our side. Among ally was to make sure that people stayed had about 4000 beds for corona cases, petent and transparent, and society OWN VACCINE RESEARCH the donors is, obviously, the European or returned home. It was a particular which we increased to 8000, as the num- proved to be resilient, united, not losing GOING ON AT THIS TIME? Union, which has developed three assis- challenge for the Foreign Service because ber of infected increased. But we always that critical spirit which is a factor of We have research going on in France. tance packages. But it’s not only about we had about 180,000 French people managed to keep on top of the situation. success, but being disciplined and show- We do not have a vaccine yet, but we money, it is also about political support abroad trying to return home. From At the peak there were about 8000 beds ing a very good image of Georgia to the have results. We're also very keen to and expertise. Georgia, fl ights heading towards West- ready and 7000 people in care. The strat- world. make sure that it's not just some coun- One aspect that needs careful focus ern Europe were always available, so it egy worked to slow down the virus so There's been some controversy recently tries or people developing a vaccine that [during the recovery] is the vulnerable. was not too diffi cult to do. But in the rest that we were able to deal with all the about the Lugar Lab. So I want to be on only benefi ts themselves. We really want We really need to make sure that as we of the world, there were some countries cases as they came. It was quite a chal- the record as among those who support to make sure that for all the studies, we press for economic recovery, we don't where it was quite a challenge. lenge for the hospitals. But the strategy the Lugar Lab. I think it has been a very put the resources of the world together leave them behind, fi rst because a crisis When it comes to the health response, as a whole was a success and I want to key factor in the success of the Georgian to develop vaccines. That’s why on May like this is harder on the vulnerable, but I think the response that we put in place pay homage to those doctors and nurses response. I also want to praise the trans- 4, we launched an EU-organized program also because at a moment like this, the in France was inspired by the same prin- who made it happen. parency, because Georgia was very much of cooperation between states and inter- country needs all its forces. Take women, ciples as in Georgia, which was very in a transparent mode and very open national organizations, such as WHO, who tend to have a double burden both much a scientifi c process. A board of IF YOU COULD GO BACK with the numbers. as well as partner foundations, in order in Georgian and French societies: it's scientists advised the President, PM and IN TIME, WHAT WOULD We're not at the end of the story yet, to pool our resources. very often women working on the front- Government what measures to take. This YOU DO/RECOMMEND BE but so far, I have the impression that line in hospitals and supermarkets, and implied a lot of testing at the beginning DONE DIFFERENTLY? things have been handled in a transpar- HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR who also have families and homes to in order to identify the virus, its loca- It's a good question and one I think peo- ent and competent manner. And Georgia COUNTRY IN 6 MONTHS OR support. There's also the global issue of tion; to introduce confi nement or close ple will have to ask a lot over the coming has proven to be a very reliable partner 1 YEARS’ TIME? AND INDEED violence against women and children. schools, things like that. And then at the weeks and months as we assess the to the West, being itself a very Western THE WORLD? HOW CAN The Georgian government has taken mature stage, when the virus spread response. We don't have the luxury of country in its way of doing things. THE ECONOMY RECOVER? quite a lot of measures in this regard. It's throughout France, a general confi ne- being able to go back in time. And we We don't really know whether the virus important that all the vulnerable people ment measure was put in place to make have to acknowledge that this is a virus WHAT IS FRANCE DOING will disappear or whether there will be in society are helped so that they can sure the virus did not develop too quickly which didn't behave the way many viruses TO SUPPORT ITS CITIZENS, a second wave. But one of the factors of contribute to the [post-COVID] recov- and we had time to increase the hospital behave, so there were a lot of surprises ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO success will be whether we are able to ery. response capabilities. for the doctors and scientists, which LOST THEIR JOBS DUE keep the productive capital operating. meant we had to adjust our measures TO THE PANDEMIC? In the longer run, most countries will WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST more than once. We've taken measures to support people think a little bit differently than they did TAKE-AWAY FROM THIS The legitimate debate is, was there a who are at home and not at work because before, in particular when it comes to WHOLE EXPERIENCE? need for generalized confi nement? Is it either their companies have stopped what sort of productive capacities they We live very frenetic lives, and this has a measure that had to be taken, despite working or because they themselves have on their own territories, what they forced us to stop. It's been somewhat the obvious cost to the economy? Was cannot get to work. can produce in their own country. Of brutal. You become a diplomat because it too much? I think with hindsight, it is We have a system in place where more course, we don't want to plunge into a you want to meet people and as Ambas- Countries will pretty clear that it was right, when we than 80% of the salaries are being paid world of autarchy or a world of protec- sador in Georgia, I've been lucky to meet see the rise in the mortality rate, when by the government. Of course, this tem- tionism because this is guaranteed to a lot of people. But suddenly that stopped think differently we see the pressure at hospitals to deal porary unemployment scheme can’t fail. and there were fewer people around. with all the cases. work forever, but for the short term of One strategically important sector is Contact by phone and other means is than they did the containment measures, it's an effec- agriculture, an area Georgia has great not quite the same, and for that reason, MANY PUBLICATIONS, BOTH tive tool so people don’t lose their potential in. 1950s France was in a simi- it's been somewhat diffi cult to do. But IN THE US AND EUROPE, incomes. Then the solution will be a lar situation, where much needed to be it's an occasion to refl ect on and redis- before when it HAVE OVER THE PAST MONTH strong recovery. rebuilt. We developed plenty of tools, cover the essential people in our lives. PRAISED GEORGIA’S HANDLING For that, we're taking various measures especially in agriculture, and we're very Now we have time to think about what comes to what OF THE PANDEMIC. FROM WHAT to support companies, among them tax keen to share this expertise with Geor- is most important to us, what duty of YOU’VE READ OR HEARD, breaks, bank guarantees and solidarity gia. care we have for others, both in our fam- productive WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON THAT? funds. The point of this approach is to Reconstruction can be a very exciting ily and working lives. I would hope we I very much agree with these publica- make sure that the productive capital is thing if it is done quickly and vigorously don’t merely slip back into that frenetic capacities they tions. I think the government and soci- not destroyed, so that when the recovery and making sure we protect the vulner- lifestyle again, but take what we have have ety at large did a very good job. The happens, there are companies there who able. refl ected on during this time into account. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 8 - 14, 2020 POLITICS 5 When the United States Catches a Cold

of any other president, especially demo- world napping. In its statement, the Fed- Why should Georgia or this journalist question: America’s wellbeing is directly BLOG BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE cratically appointed ones, the situation, eral Reserve said it is "committed to be interested in the current condition of proportional to the standard of living in namely the American attitude toward using its full range of tools to support the American economic mechanism? It is this country. It’s not very diffi cult to under- China, could have been utterly different the US economy at this challenging time." more than simple to answer this trivial stand and recognize this basic truth, is it? here is no such thing as from the one the world is witnessing right Despite this optimistic evaluation, the absolute certainty in poli- now. Trump revived the American econ- damage to the economy is already colos- tics and economics, but I omy once, and he can do it again, starting sal and it needs serious intervention to have a feeling in my bones by disengaging from China and bringing alleviate the strife. The Federal Reserve that Georgia may be affected American manufacturing, and the jobs is doing its utmost to use every possible Tby a reduction in US aid, though we’re that comes with it, back to the United cushion to smoothen the destructive locked in until at least the end of the fi s- States, or alternatively, by sending them impact on the domestic economy and cal year in September. Most likely, the to countries like Georgia. global fi nancial markets, but this is cer- effect won’t be immediate. In the mean- At the same time, the Feds are confi - tainly happening at the expense of the while, things look not so attractive in dently predicting that the next three invidious standard of living which the America itself. The crux of the matter months might be worse than anything States created under the leadership of is that the American Federal Reserve America has ever experienced in history. this president. So far, Corona looks has lowered its interest rates to zero. It also emphasized that an unparalleled stronger than the human efforts. There goes a saying in America: “When drop in economic activity is quite think- The global economy, including Amer- the United States catches a cold, the able in the next few months, openly ican and Georgian, will weaken further, world gets the fl u.” Now the whole world hinting that an augmented governmen- but it cannot deteriorate forever: ways has the fl u, but the current American tal incentive might be necessary, and the out have to be sought. This is exactly administration loudly proclaims that economy will need further support from what America, together with the rest of America will be the fi rst to recover. the entire workforce of the country if the world, is engaged in, but nobody can Undeniably, acrimonious political lan- they want the recovery to be quick and say now for sure how effective the efforts guage has developed between some nations, vigorous. Because 30 million Americans are going to be. the most audible altercation having have joined the ranks of the unemployed The American economy looked to be occurred between China and America, all in the past two months, it will presum- in perfect health just a couple of months connected with the distribution of the ably take a solid amount of time to get ago until the virus attacked it with its killer microbe. Does this mean anything? back to where the country was before gigantic destructive force, followed by It might, assuming that eventually the the virus, the ultimate goal being the ubiquitous layoffs and business shut- world will benefi t, except for China, as the highest rate of employment. This is the downs, annihilating consumer spending, American press tells us. That’s because current governmental policy which can- exterminating the country’s manufactur- the United States of America has a presi- not be simpler and clearer in the force ing potential and wiping out its construc- dent like Mr. Donald Trump. In the hands majeure which has caught the entire tion prospect. The Growing Divide between the US & China cratic US and non-democratic (even foreign policy refocusing after WWII to OP-ED BY EMIL AVDALIANI autocratic) China, a similar feature the counter the Soviet Union in Eurasia. Cold War divide between the US and Then, as it is now, the US political elite the Soviet Union was famous for. had trouble coming up with a concrete any an analyst can exag- The pandemic thus ushers in an epoch and long-term foreign policy agenda. gerate the impact the of distinct distrust between China and Years passed before Washington created the novel coronavirus America. The latter will gradually shift a containment policy which stopped the might have on the its geopolitical attention away from the Soviet expansion. Similar is happening world. After all, global Middle East and toward China and South- nowadays. Those in the top American Msupply chains are unlikely to dissipate east Asia. This was visible before, in the leadership who have so far been ambiv- and the European Union will continue presidency of Obama, but from 2020 alent regarding China will slowly be to exist. That said, the pandemic makes onwards will only accentuate, irrespec- sidelined. More and more American and will continue to make changes trans- tive of who will be the next US president. allies around the world will be re-engag- lating into the geopolitical realm. The US will fumble but will eventually ing the US. China will be seen as an We are likely to see increased efforts come up with a coherent geopolitical outright competitor. in the US to create momentum for a stance covering the entire Eurasia. This Not all is guaranteed success on the disentanglement from China, primarily follows an interesting pattern in US for- US side. China is much more powerful in the economic sphere. Washington will eign policy. To form a defi nitive foreign than the Soviets. Its infl uence is far wide- also be active in regards to its allies in policy stance, that is, to cast a foreign ranging and more diffi cult to contain Europe, where calls for a similar policy state as an unequivocal geopolitical than was the case in the Cold War. But will grow louder in Europe. Indeed, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump attend their bilateral enemy, the US usually needs to experi- the US will nevertheless have to come recently in Europe we have seen a hard- meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka on June 29, 2019. Brendan ence a deep geopolitical shock that would up with a far more stringent stance on ening stance on Beijing. As in the US, Smialowski—AFP/Getty Images consolidate its vision of the rival. China and ways to counter it. Still, the this follows a trajectory that was already The pandemic has also set the scene battle, but the crisis will accentuate the The coronavirus could serve as a defi n- Americans look far beyond the pandemic. visible before the pandemic when, in for another straw of continuous ideo- divide between the West (especially the ing moment for American foreign policy What is at stake is dominance over the 2019, the EU institutions characterized logical competition. Both the US and US) and China. Many in the West now for the next decade. We can expect to ocean, without which the US’ geopo- China as a “systemic rival.” China were already engaged in such a say the division is between the demo- see something on the scale of the US litical power will be questioned. Les Echos: Georgia in the EU: and Why Not? nearest foreign country" for the EU. "Along with political stability in Geor- BY ANA DUMBADZE Therefore, what is happening in Georgia gia, the economy is also growing signifi - concerns us and we should be interested cantly, which is crucial, especially if we in it,” he writes. remember that the European Union is rench fi nancial newspaper Les "On the one hand, Georgia is a bridge fi rst and foremost a common market. For Echos has published an article, between Europe, Russia and the Middle example, the World Bank highlighted the titled "Georgia in the EU: and East, and on the other hand, the political signifi cant improvement of the country's why not?" written by economist and economic situation in Georgia is economic and social system during the Sébastien Cochard. improving," reads the publication. 25th anniversary of its cooperation with F"While the European Union has just "Georgia is committed to democracy. Georgia. Poverty reduction is particularly lost one of its members to the West, Last month, the government announced noteworthy. This fi gure was 32.5% in 2006 another country, to the East of Europe a major reform of the country's electoral and 16.3% in 2017, ” the author writes. this time, hastened to emphasize that it system. Thus, the government fulfi lled The author also said that "during the would replace the United Kingdom in the main promise of the Georgian Dream. reign of the previous Georgian govern- Brussels: Georgia. This is essentially what Agreement on electoral reform was ment, the 2008 Russia-Georgia war Salomé Zurabishvili, current President achieved through multilateral negotia- reminded Europe that it is necessary for of Georgia and a former French diplomat, tions with opposition parties, mediated the protection of the security and prosper- said," reads the article. by the European Union and the United ity of the European Union to pursue a The author of the publication notes that States. Proportional representation in the prudent and active policy outside the EU." some may meet this proposal with a smile Parliament of Georgia will increase and "Does this mean the enlargement of the and look at "Small Georgia" with pride, Georgians will vote with about the same European Union and Georgia's member- however, "this would be a mistake for system as Europeans," it further notes. ship in the long run? The challenge is many reasons." The article also emphasizes that the great and largely depends on the Geor- "The fi rst reason is that in these tragic vast majority of the Georgian population gians. However, it is in the interests of days of the pandemic, when the EU is strongly supports interation with the the European Union and France to con- still facing a migration crisis that has European Union. The author notes that stantly keep an eye on a politically stable caused great damage to the EU, it is clear Georgia has signed an association agree- country with a dynamic economy and a for everyone that part of our lives is deter- ment with the EU, which includes a free pro-Western government and population mined by events on our borders. Georgia trade agreement. Georgia is also the chair located on the European border," the turned out to be what Russia calls "the of the Council of Europe. Source: lesechos.fr, Image: Elodie Gregoire/REA author concludes. GEORGIA TODAY 6 BUSINESS MAY 8 - 14, 2020 Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards Team Helps Support Tourism Sector during COVID-19 Crisis

times!” she tells us. nesses, plus questionnaires, news stories, cess is still active may change the over- “The group was created on March 24, meetings and webinars about various all picture. Of high concern is loan and since then we’ve been providing issues related to the sector. We’ve already repayments, with companies wishing to information about governmental, busi- conducted an online webinar with Aneta resume paying loans in some months, ness and consulting company programs Korobkina about the Algorithm of how after they recover from the crisis. that support business, and offering news to deal with emotions in a crisis. Aneta articles, online meetings and webinars Korobkina is a professional international BASED ON THE INFORMATION about various issues connected to the trainer, coach, speaker and General Man- GATHERED FROM THOSE industry. We carefully choose relevant ager of KA World (Leadership, Effective- EMPLOYED IN THE TOURISM content to share that can help industry ness and Service). She has 12 years’ SECTOR, HAVE YOU GIVEN players to recover and adapt to the new experience in the restaurant and hospi- OUT ANY RECOMMENDATIONS reality faster, which is why we believe tality sector in seven countries- the USA, TO THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT the information shared in the group is Switzerland, India, Russia, Turkey, Greece HOW BUSINESSES CAN BE valuable for every member.” and Macedonia, and for the past 5 years, SUPPORTED AT THIS TIME? she has been a consultant business trainer As mentioned above, the research pro- WHAT HAS THE RESPONSE BEEN and speaker at conferences, forums, cor- cess is still ongoing. After closing and FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR porate events and seminars with up to analysing it, Welcome to Georgia! National TO THIS INITIATIVE? ARE MANY 800 participants. Tourism Awards will offer the results to BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES Concerning local professionals, we’re every interested fi eld, who can make the ACTIVELY INVOLVED? actively involved in the planning process necessary changes and be really produc- Business representatives are actively and will share news soon through our tive in the SME segment. involved in our initiative. They’ve already social media platforms. Also, we plan to organize an online developed some SME business support- conference and put the most relevant ing programs, and we would be more DOING RESEARCH IS and crucial topics for the tourism and than happy to build valuable connections CRUCIAL. WHAT MESSAGES hospitality industry to discussion, with between them. AND REQUESTS HAVE YOU a list of speakers from both the private RECEIVED THROUGH YOUR sector and governmental side. We are TELL US MORE ABOUT THE QUESTIONNAIRES? WHAT DOES sure that together with different initia- FACEBOOK GROUP. WHAT TOURISM NEED RIGHT NOW? tives, the market leaders will come up DO YOU POST THERE AND Based on our surveys and current sta- with an effective anti-crisis plan and we WHO IS INVOLVED? tistics, the main problems for business will all fi nd ways to recover fast. The Content shared in the group is about is the fi nancial impact and operational biggest focus in the current situation governmental, business and consulting processes; they need help in the men- will be development and promotion of company programs for supporting busi- tioned directions. But the research pro- domestic tourism.

ity sector during this diffi cult period. INTERVIEW BY TEAM GT “The Welcome to Georgia! National Tourism Awards team’s goal was to help tourism and the hospitality industry by he tourism sector is suffer- providing helpful information, and to ing, and will continue to motivate all to remain positive during suffer, due to the global these hard times. We had a brainstorm- COVID-19 pandemic. It is ing session with the marketing team and on the shoulders of govern- were thinking about a platform that could Tment, business owners and the public do the above, and we came up with the to ensure that the economy is ready for idea of a facebook group ‘Tourism while the long haul on its way back to success. COVID-19’ (ტურიზმი COVID-19-ის GEORGIA TODAY spoke to Maryna პირობებში) Our project made quite a Chayka, Founder of the Welcome to big contribution to the industry in good Georgia! National Tourism Awards, on times, and we sure weren’t going to be her team’s initiative to help the hospital- quiet and do nothing during the hard EU, UNDP Help Georgia’s Rural Regions Respond to COVID-19 Crisis

o help Georgia’s rural regions the rural economy,” said Levan Dav- “Georgia’s exemplary COVID-19 respond to the economic itashvili, Minister of Environmental response has saved lives,” said UNDP and social challenges Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) of Head Louisa Vinton. “Our new grants emerging amidst the Georgia. “It will help diversify economic program is aimed at saving livelihoods COVID-19 crisis, the Euro- activities in Georgia’s regions and fos- that are threatened by the shutdown, Tpean Union and the United Nations ter non-farming businesses across the and also at applying the principle of Development Program (UNDP) launched country.” ‘building back better.’ We have a chance a GEL 9 million grant program together “The EU is mobilizing all possible now to promote green alternatives in with the Agriculture and Rural Develop- resources to assist Georgia to recover rural areas that will benefi t both people ment Agency (ARDA) of the Ministry from the current crisis. I’m especially and planet.” of Environmental Protection and Agri- glad that these grants will target rural The EU and UNDP are long-term sup- culture. The grants are designed to boost areas around the country, where eco- porters of rural development in Georgia. rural entrepreneurship, create sustain- nomic development can be a challenge More than GEL 600 million (EUR 179.5 able jobs, improve the management of even in normal times,” said EU Ambas- million) in EU assistance has been allo- natural resources and promote climate sador Carl Hartzell. cated to Georgia under the ENPARD action. The Rural Development Program is program for 2013-2022. This support is The program will be implemented in assisting non-agricultural business start- designed to improve agricultural pro- eight municipalities – Akhalkalaki, Bor- ups and growing enterprises with grants ductivity, refi ne rural development pol- jomi, Dedoplistskaro, Kazbegi, Keda, worth up to GEL 170,000 per project. icies and create new economic oppor- Khulo, Lagodekhi and Tetritskaro – where Additional grants worth up to GEL 30,000 tunities for rural communities, both in UNDP and the EU are working together will be provided to businesses to improve agriculture and outside of it. In parallel to promote livelihoods outside agricul- energy effi ciency. To ensure sustainabil- to UNDP’s work in rural development, ture. Applicants can be based elsewhere ity, all grantees are expected to provide the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organi- in Georgia but will need to show a con- at least 20% co-fi nancing for their pro- zation (FAO) is working with the EU and nection with the targeted municipalities. jects. Applications for the current round MEPA to operate a grants program to “The grant program is a fl exible and are due by 1 August 2020. More informa- support farm businesses and improve effective instrument for strengthening tion is available at www.arda.gov.ge food security. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 8 - 14, 2020 SOCIETY 7 British American Tobacco Organizes Special Concert in Sheraton Metechi Palace for People in Quarantine

quarantine, which is really good. Then, BY ANA DUMBADZE other companies, and individuals decided to cheer their guests up with this special musical event. The concert n Friday, May 1, British caught the attention of the international American Tobacco organ- media, such as Reuters, BBC, etc. So, it ized a special concert at will be a very motivational thing for the Sheraton Grand Mete- other companies and individuals to fol- chi Palace Tbilisi, aiming low both in Georgia and abroad. It’s a toO cheer up those placed in mandatory very good project and we are going to quarantine in the hotel. continue our CSR efforts in the future.” Singer Elene Kalandaze stood in the Master Chef Guram Baghdoshvili, who Sheraton Open Space Yard and performed cooked special dishes for the residents well-known songs to improve the mood of the hotel in quarantine, noted that of the “guests” watching from balconies, caring for people in need is the most while top Master Chef Guram Baghdosh- important thing in a crisis. vili cooked special dishes for them. “Today, the most important thing is The event represents a great continu- not what we cook, but what we do for ation of British American Tobacco’s people. When we have isolation prob- corporate social responsibility. lems, it’s not easy. We cooked everything “British American Tobacco continues with heart. I would like to thank the Want to watch it LIVE? its corporate social responsibility staff of Sheraton, everyone who con- Scan here and enjoy! efforts,” Zviad Skhvitaridze, Corporate tributed to making these people happy. Director of British American Tobacco, All of us are doing our best to survive told us. “We started with different pro- and defeat the coronavirus,” he said. jects, such as providing face masks, GT also spoke to singer Elene Kaland- protective shields for essential workers zadze. like doctors and journalists, and we “I’m really honored to participate in continue this project with Sheraton, this mini concert. We have beautiful because the Sheraton Metechi Palace people stuck in quarantine and we had a great idea to host people in quar- should never forget that the most impor- antine. This process will continue until tant thing in the whole world is caring the end of May. They are hosting up to for and loving each other. I hope eve- 2000 people absolutely free of charge. rything gets back on track soon. I want Sheraton was one of the fi rst hotels to humanity to be the main thing and I am come up with the initiative to allocate defi nitely sure that humanity is going more than 200 rooms with 3-course to win. We will defeat this virus and meals and 5-star service for people in everything will be just fi ne.” Quarantine CSR: Sheraton GM on Volunteering the Hotel as a Lockdown Facility

excited about the event, and it was chal- tourism industry will regain its INTERVIEW lenging to move the equipment around strength; how the restrictions from the hotel so that people on each side country to country will pull back; this would all hear the performance from will take time. We shouldn’t expect a s part of our facebook series their balconies. boom of tourists this summer, but we GT LIVE INTERVIEWS, The best compliment for us was a gen- will see it coming back slowly. we had a chat with Fred tleman who was dancing on the balcony The great thing about Georgia is that Smits, General Manager of and drew a big heart on the window; he it has a very low number of infected the Sheraton Grand Tbilisi was one of the many happy guests who persons compared to other countries AMetechi Palace, one of the 60 plus hotels were delighted with the performance of around the world; this I think is due to throughout Georgia which kindly opened a renowned local artist. Overall, I think the effective measures taken by the gov- its otherwise tourist-bare rooms to the Elene’s performance was one of the things ernment. I also think this is a good mes- healthcare service as quarantine facili- our guests will remember long after their sage for future tourists- that Georgia is ties. There are around 5000 people in quarantine experience with us. a country that takes things seriously and 14-day quarantine in Georgia right now, can take care of its citizens. I think the and 180 of those are being hosted by WHEN DO YOU SEE success in tackling the coronavirus pan- Sheraton Tbilisi. Last Friday, the Shera- SHERATON GETTING BACK demic is going to be a big, big help for ton team treated these guests to a free TO "BUSINESS AS USUAL"? the country’s future. concert in the Sheraton Open Space Yard, HOW WILL IT DO SO? featuring singer Elene Kalandaze, and It’s diffi cult to say. In Georgia, we have DO YOU THINK THERE IS served them a special meal made by Top six phases of gradually relaxing the restric- ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE Master Chef Guram Baghdoshvili. Want to watch it LIVE? tions. The hotel will be offi cially empty DONE TO GET THE ECONOMY Scan here and enjoy! as of May 25. Then we’ll conduct disin- BACK ON TRACK FASTER? WHAT FIRST INSPIRED fection works throughout the building. I know there is a lot of interest from SHERATON GRAND TBILISI When do we expect our fi rst guests abroad concerning Georgia as a country METECHI PALACE TO after this? We’ll open the terrace on June to invest in. It’s an attractive country for VOLUNTEER ITS SPACE AND 8; if we’re allowed to open earlier, we’ll many foreign companies due to a myriad SERVICES TO THE STATE FOR do so. Inside restaurant facilities will of factors. I do think that once the global QUARANTINE PURPOSES? probably be open by June 23. Rooms- in restrictions are lifted, Georgia will attract Since opening the hotel in 1991, we have the fi rst week of July. many investors. The main thing is to stay never closed our doors; except when we Nobody knows exactly what awaits us, positive; if we fail to do so, we won’t get did the renovation a few years ago. Dur- so people are hesitant to book their stays anywhere. ing any crisis, our hotel was always a safe now. However, we do see requests com- haven in the city. During this crisis too, Health provided them with training too. Children get toys…There are still plenty ing in for September, October, November. WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST we were determined to not close our As to how they're coping- those here are of things you can do to entertain people It’s all very tentative and slow. How- TAKE-AWAY FROM YOUR doors, to remain open for our guests. And working voluntarily. They are very moti- in quarantine. We try our best to bring ever, if you look at China, the majority #STAYHOME TIME? now, when the country needed assistance vated to help! a little bit of joy to the everyday lives of of the hotels that were closed a few I think there are a lot of take-aways from in a time of crisis, we were all set in terms our guests. months ago are operating now. this period. How our staff has approached of our mindset and facilities to provide WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE Business will surely be back, but very, the situation has been one of the great- accommodation for persons in need. QUARANTINED IN SHERATON? TELL US ABOUT THE SPECIAL very slowly. est take-aways for me. They have stood When you arrive at the hotel, you enter EVENT YOU PLANNED up and done whatever had to be done HOW WERE THE STAFF your room and the door is closed for 14 FOR QUARANTINED WHAT DO YOU FORESEE with sincerity and passion. And they did TRAINED AND HOW ARE days. Your temperature is measured three "GUESTS" LAST WEEK. FOR THE FUTURE OF THE this totally voluntarily. THEY COPING WITH THE times a day, and meals are delivered three In order to amuse our guests, we try to COUNTRY, AND HORECA CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCE? times a day in disposable boxes and fi ll every day with something. The fi rst SECTOR, IN TERMS OF Transcribed by Elene Dzebisashvili From the very onset of the coronavirus plastic bags. Thus, it’s a very different event we did was cooking with Guram. POST-COVID RECOVERY? GT LIVE INTERVIEWS is a weekly series of crisis, we were training our staff to fol- experience from what you would nor- He’s a very passionate chef, and was very In Georgia, the tourism sector was live interviews hosted by our Editor-in-Chief low all offi cial recommendations, includ- mally get during a stay at a fi ve-star hotel. well received by the guests. We also do fl ourishing before the pandemic. That’s Katie Ruth Davies on the @GeorgiaToday ing personal hygiene and wearing masks. However, we still try to make the guests’ yoga classes, and quizzes where people not gone; it’s not that suddenly that facebook page, where we meet ambassa- The company also ensured their local stay a pleasure. If someone has a birth- win prizes. Elene was also very passion- the country is not attractive anymore. dors, celebrities and businesspersons to discuss and online training. The Ministry of day, we make them a birthday cake. ate about singing for our guests. We were It’s more about how the worldwide the latest hot topics and hot projects. GEORGIA TODAY 8 SOCIETY MAY 8 - 14, 2020 Green Budget to Address Environmental Issues in Georgia - A New Joint Initiative of ADA/CENN and the Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Committee of the Georgian Parliament

“The Green Budget Project could kickstart major reforms in the country for more a resilient and sustainable future, and I am glad that we will be one of the catalysts for these changes,” said CENN Director Nana Janashia. “CENN is ready to assist the government to become more accountable for their environmental commitments and support them in Nana Janashia, CENN Executive Director Nino Tsilosani, Chairperson of Environmental Protection and transitioning the country Natural Resources Committee new Green Budget Project decisions. The Green Budget Project is is set to develop a manual a result of a joint initiative between towards sustainable and Basic Data and Directions document and recommendation docu- CENN and the Environmental Protec- then the mid-term action plans of facil- ment for the Georgian Par- tion and Natural Resources Committee resilient societies” ities working in the fi eld. The results of liament in order to effec- of the Georgian Parliament, fi nanced by During the March 11 assembly of the said analysis will assist the working group Atively create and implement budgeting the Austrian Development Agency Environment Protection and Natural to develop the aforementioned manual mechanisms for environmental protec- (ADA), with funds of Austrian Develop- Resources Committee, a working group document for Parliament for the 2021 tion. The project utilizes instruments ment Cooperation, within the scope of was formed to implement the Green budget hearing, sharing important rec- that facilitate and align both national the project - ‘Promoting Sustainable Budget Project, made up of Members of “The Green Budget ommendations to assist Georgia in reach- and global environmental protection Forest Management for Climate Resilient Parliament, representatives of environ- ing its environment protection goals. goals by making informed budgeting Rural Development in Georgia.’ mental protection organizations and the project will be the fi rst Ministry of Environmental Protection document of its kind for and Agriculture of Georgia, as well as relevant specialists. The working group the Parliament of will create the Green Budget Project Georgia, which will document and present it to Parliament for approval. The document will identify unite the priorities in the the fi nancial challenges of environmen- direction of tal protection and facilitate the estab- lishment of an effective parliamentary environmental protection budgeting process. and will implement The document will also analyse the effi cacy of putting into practice the State’s these priorities in the environmental protective functions and fi scal policies of the obligations and will outline priorities that will serve as a foundation for form- country” said Nino ing recommendations to fulfi l environ- Tsilosani, Chairman of mental protection goals for the 2021 budgeting process. Within the scope of the Committee on the project, the fi rst environmental pro- tection aspects of the state budget will Environmental Protection be assessed, followed by the budget’s and Natural Resources Glass recycling in Georgia – Ltd Kere

galaxies of our own? It seems utterly were in the process of being choked to matter, either to me or to the world. chaotic at the moment, but I’m equally death by a slow but seemingly inexora- Without an eternity and absolutes, life sure that, months or years and billions ble parasitic creeper, covering them from to me seems to be devoid of all real of currency units later, it will all be sorted ground to crown. It was horribly ugly meaning. I can’t accept that. Believing What a Mess out and result in nice smooth driving and chaotic, one of the examples in nature in the absolutes, I fi nd the meaning, and down, and we continued. The roads were through neckless bottles for us all. We’re of a life form which I would rather not the hope. BLOG BY TONY HANMER nice and free; of four checkpoints, only not wasting all this time and money, are see at all, would rather didn’t exist. I the last one, already in Kakheti, actually we? No, indeed, we have planned much suppose it has its place in the grand Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since stopped us to check our temperatures. too carefully for that. scheme of things, but I can’t see this, and 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a y wife got the phone We made the 600 km in about 9 hours. Which turns out to be a nice metaphor its presence disturbs me. weekly writer and photographer for GT since call at just after 6 AM, The east-west Georgia crossing pass for the situation I see the whole planet And then I remember and return to early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renais- and knew as soon as of 60 km was slower and more clogged in at the moment. The confusion is grow- what I consider to be the bedrock of sance” Facebook group, now with nearly she saw the caller’s than I’d thought it would be, but this was ing, even among and inside the most truth, my faith. If someone says “There 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/ name what it must be our only bottleneck, the highways’ fi n- developed and educated nations, over are no absolutes,” I reply, “Absolutely?” groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ aboutM at this hour. Never not bad news, ished parts making up for lost time dra- this Virus thing and what to do. News I don’t peer into Scripture and see how He and his wife also run their own guest house unless it’s a drunk! “Dad died about an matically. Through that pass, I had plenty reports of such astounding polarity are this will all play out, to the last detail. in Etseri: hour ago…” He had been declining for of time to see how Chinese-Georgian jamming the airwaves, the pages real But I can accept that this life is less than www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti some time, but this was still a shock. progress is going on the huge engineer- and virtual, that I hardly know what or a drop in the timeless We knew that we had to race to Kakheti ing project of extending this highway whom to believe at all anymore. The ocean of eternity, at once for the funeral, current conditions not- through this most challenging part. My feeling grows in me that the most pow- a joke to be laughed at withstanding. But while we packed and last trip through was in December, and erful nation in the world, with whom we from the perspective of settled affairs, we also had to wait until they haven’t been wasting time since. must all sink or swim, has placed Free- there and a time of deadly 9 to call the 144 hotline and fi nd out if The sheer scale of the thing boggles dom on its main pedestal of godhood, signifi cance in determin- our trip would even be legal. Yes, they the mind. Enormous ramps, deforesta- above all else, no matter the risk to life. ing what “there” there said, as long as we circled the quaran- tion and land moved where needed, new Medical and scientifi c reports soberly will be; while “that there” tined cities, such as Kutaisi and Tbilisi, bridges. Double tunnel mouths in such contradict each other; people apparently turns back and refl ects which lay in our path. No problem, and bewildering locations and orientations of great importance lie and accuse each on “this here” at the same off we set. that I can only ask myself: by what Escher/ other of lying, or at least untruth (what’s time, infecting our mote I had been wondering if we could arrive Moebius/Mandelbrot tricks of fractal the difference?), but don’t bother to sue with the infi nite signifi - before the curfew of 9 pm kicked in, but dimension will they even be connected, each other for libel. It looks to be all cance of our… choices. this fear was quite unfounded. In Zug- in ways which do not mock the laws of going to Hell. I don’t have children to didi, I drove through the open McDon- time and space and send the hapless The other metaphor I saw along the inherit my property? So ald’s line, had a quick stop to wolf it driver to other universes, let alone other way was a set of roadside trees which what? In the end it won’t GEORGIA TODAY MAY 8 - 14, 2020 SOCIETY 9 No Time for Rest: Caritas Czech Republic Responds to Covid-19 Related Needs the logistics of sample collection, and continue to take care of the health of our BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE the tracking of test results. To assure citizens”. seamless data exchange, the system will be linked to the current NCDC´s labo- MEDICAL MATERIAL edical equipment deliv- ratory management system. Subsequently, AND EQUIPMENT FOR ered, hundreds of phy- at least 100 staff of laboratories and KHULO HOSPITAL sicians trained, thou- medical facilities will be trained to use The CCR team has also handed out sands of fl yers printed. the system. various equipment and materials to a That's how Caritas hospital in Khulo in the Adjara Autono- MCzech Republic (CCR) has aided Geor- AWARENESS RAISING mous Republic as part of the EU funded gian authorities, physicians and the gen- AND THERMOSCREENING project ‘Promotion of Rural Develop- eral population in their battle against CAMPAIGNS IN ZUGDIDI ment and Diversification in Khulo COVID-19. By the end of April, the value To address the needs arising from COVID- Municipality’. The items in question of such interventions had amounted to 19, the CCR team also tailored its devel- included medical masks, face shields, 63,000 EUR. opment activities in the Samegrelo-Zemo medical gloves, medical cap, shoe cover, “Just after the outbreak, we started to Svaneti region. The goal is to provide disinfexol, and a cardiac monitor. The identify immediate needs and then to the local population with accurate infor- hospital's 70-strong staff members and tailor our projects to respond them,” says mation about the disease, and proper about 90 daily visitors will benefi t from Jan Blinka, head of CCR´s mission in ways of protection and safe behavior, as those supplies necessary to prevent the Georgia. The list of such needs has quickly well as to support local institutions in further spread of COVID-19. grown, from providing accurate informa- their thermoscreening efforts. “This subproject was not originally tion to the population and training doc- During the initial stage, the team had planned for. It was the ENPARD project’s tors and journalists, to developing a new 12 000 fl yers and 4000 NCDC informa- quick response to the Khulo hospital’s information system for laboratories. tion posters printed and disseminated need to improve its operational capacity lage doctors in Georgia experience tech- organizing of a remote triage system and in the Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti region. and protect its staff and visitors from ONLINE TRAINING FOR nical problems. Some of them don’t have reporting system. Follow-up supervision Then CCR set out to support thermo- the virus,” says Giorgi Murvanidze, CCR RURAL PHYSICIANS computers, some don’t have internet will be provided to the physicians for screening conducted by the Zugdidi project manager. One of CCR´s most important, and in connection or simply lack IT literacy. six weeks until the end of May. Public Health Offi ce. “We could not have achieved any of equal measure, logistically challenging Many of them can be reached only “We are glad to cooperate with the above-mentioned interventions without tasks was to familiarize all of the country´s through mobile phones and therefore, NEW DATA SYSTEM local government. With our joint actions, cooperation with our partners at the 1274 physicians with the new State Pro- using an online learning platform was The development of a unifi ed laboratory we can contribute to Georgia’s return to Ministry of IDPs, Labor, Health and tocol "Management of suspected cases no easy task for them,” says Rusudan information system is another interven- a normal state as early as possible with Social Affairs and without fi nancial sup- of COVID-19 in primary healthcare”. The Chkhubianishvili, CCR Project Manager. tion, whose benefi ts will be reaped by minimum losses,“ explains Tamar Kur- port from our donors, the Czech Devel- doctors, divided into 66 groups of 15-20, The content of the trainings included the country's entire healthcare sector. tanidze, CCR Project Manager. “We are opment Agency and EU-funded ENPARD participated in online training sessions. infection prevention and control meas- The system is designed to facilitate the ready to resume provision of screening program,” adds Jan Blinka, CCR´s Head “Organizing it was very diffi cult as vil- ures, communication with patients, and process of patients' testing registration, services at our center in Zugdidi and of Mission. Liberty Bank Signs MoU with UNFPA to Promote Healthy, Active Ageing & Gender Equality in Georgia n Thursday May 7, JSC the country. UNFPA Georgia and Liberty erment of women in Georgia.” Liberty Bank signed a Bank will also conduct a joint campaign “We at the UNFPA see huge potential memorandum of under- to raise awareness on COVID-19 among in this partnership with Liberty Bank,” standing with the United older people, their family members and said Lela Bakradze, Head of the UNFPA Nations Population Fund caregivers; Georgia Country Offi ce. “Promoting (UNFPA)O Georgia Country Offi ce. The Liberty Bank will support “60+ clubs healthy and active ageing and gender purpose of this MoU is to provide a for healthy and active life”, initiated by equality will help the country to progress framework of cooperation and facilitate UNFPA Georgia in partnership with towards achieving sustainable develop- collaboration between Liberty and local municipalities and NGOs. ment. It is very important to partner UNFPA in areas of common interest: to UNFPA Georgia and Liberty Bank will ulation in Georgia and also prevention tional and entertainment programs offl ine with Liberty Bank, a company which promote healthy and active ageing and also explore opportunities to promote and raising awareness regarding COVID- and online. Today, we are excited to greet shares our values and is ready to invest gender equality in Georgia. gender equality and the empowerment 19.” said Vasil Khodeli, the CEO of Lib- UNFPA as our partners and join the in the better lives of senior citizens, Liberty Bank will partner with UNFPA of women and girls in Georgia. erty Bank. “For the past few years, at forces towards promoting the importance women and adolescent girls in Georgia. Georgia to inform older people about “I am extremely proud of this new Liberty, we have been continuously cre- of a healthy and active life for the elderly, We believe that our cooperation will be COVID-19 and disseminate relevant partnership, which reinforces Liberty’s ating special spaces and events for the as well as explore the opportunities to a new step towards building a more equal materials among the older people across commitment to the safety of older pop- 60+ population through various educa- promote gender equality and the empow- society where no one will be left behind.” Isolation Diaries #5 – Keep Moving

exercising does wonders for my mood. exercise outside or do homework outs. BLOG BY AMY JONES I collapsed in a heap on the corner of In light of the current crisis, many gyms my street, tired but happy, having run are offering online classes. YouTube also through my thoughts and cleared my has a huge range of workouts including unning is far from conven- head. everything from yoga to HIIT training. ient in Tbilisi’s streets, Exercise is not just important to keep Around Tbilisi, you’ll also fi nd workout where cars block the pave- physically fi t, it’s also vital for mental stations. ment and random lumps, well-being. That’s why many govern- 3. I’m too unfi t to exercise bumps and holes are every- ments have encouraged their citizens to If your body is happily hibernating where.R At the start of lockdown, I swim- continue exercising through lockdown. through lockdown, take small steps each ming-pool-esque dived onto the tarmac So, if you’re feeling a bit “meh” about day to be more active. Take a 10-minute during a run, breaking my fall with my the eighth week of lockdown, get your walk and increase the distance each day. face. I didn’t run much after that. trainers on and get active. You can buy Being active, even if only for a few min- This week I decided to bury the excuses sports equipment online if you need to. utes, is better than doing nothing at all. and hit the streets once again. I ignored I wish you good luck! 4. I don’t have time to exercise the stares as I ran along Barnovi Street Common excuses busted: There are lots of ways you can increase towards Vake Park, legs wobbling in my 1. People are watching me when I exer- activity during the day without noticing running shorts. I tried to forget the burn- cise outside it. You could walk to a supermarket that ing in my lungs as I pounded along the It’s normal to feel self-conscious when is slightly farther away, spend time play- river next to the pollution chugging cars, exercising in public spaces. But, remem- ing outside with the kids, do some exer- back in mass after the travel ban. Yes, ber, no-one is really looking at you and cises whilst watching your favorite Net- Tbilisi really is not great for running. even if they are, who cares! fl ix series. It’s important to carve exercise Despite the obvious discomfort, get- 2. My gym is closed, I can’t exercise into your routine, no matter how busy ting out in the (not so) fresh air and There are plenty of opportunities to you are. GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY MAY 8 - 14, 2020 EU-Supported Sewing Workshop, Run by Nuns, Produces 5,000 Face Masks

the sewing workshop of the Kviratsk- BY NINI DAKHNDARIDZE hovloba Convent. This is not the fi rst time that the nuns have won a grant. In 2019, the nuns won n response to the crisis caused by their fi rst EU grant when they took part the coronavirus pandemic, states in the competition announced by and companies around the globe Dedoplistskaro LAG and organization have stepped up to increase the HEKS/EPER within the framework of production of medical masks. In the EU’s ENPARD program. With EU Iaddition to over eight factories in Geor- support, the nuns built a sewing work- gia already producing medical masks, shop and bought several sewing machines. the European Union supported a sewing At the time, the sewing workshop aimed workshop in Dedoplistskaro municipal- mostly at promoting tourism services in ity in Kakheti, at the Kviratskhovloba the municipality. The village of Mirzaani Convent in Mirzaani. The workshop, run is home of the Museum of landmark by nuns, has produced 5000 face masks. Georgian 20th century primitive painter The nuns handed those masks to the Niko Pirosmani, who only rose to inter- Municipality City Hall to ensure that national fame posthumously. Tourists they are distributed to the people at risk, often visit the Pirosmani Museum and medical staff and those at the frontline the nearby monastery. The nuns’ work- of the fi ght against the pandemic. shop and its giftshop offer tourists hand- “Due to the crisis situation, we decided made items and souvenirs inspired by to produce medical masks,” said Mother traditional Georgian ornaments. Ketevan. “They are in high demand and The nuns’ workshop also works to in a very short supply, not only in our empower local women by giving them municipality, but countrywide. Given the opportunity to learn traditional the state of emergency, people fi nd it handicrafts and become employed. They diffi cult to purchase them. Our nunnery learn to embroider, sew, process felt, and workshop produced 5000 masks within make various handmade souvenirs in 10 days. The ultimate benefi ciaries of the Convent workshop. The items cre- our production are the residents of ated by them are also sold in the nunnery Dedoplistskaro municipality.” shop, which gives local women economic Image source: The European Union To help reduce the risk of getting benefi t. infected during the pandemic, the EU- Increasing employment opportunities (PROCEED)’ is implemented by HEKS/ Kakheti region. The nunnery’s involvement in the fi ght supported Dedoplistkaro Local Action and thereby reducing poverty is one of EPER Georgia in partnership with the The EU has been supporting agricul- against the coronavirus shows that Group (LAG) announced a small grant the missions of the EU-supported pro- Biological Farming Association ‘Elkana’. ture and rural development in Georgia although many representatives of the competition back in early April. On the jects in Georgia. The EU-supported The project aims to contribute to the through the ENPARD program since Georgian Orthodox Church act to prove LAG’s decision, the EU grant, to the ENPARD project ‘Promoting Citizen diversifi cation of the local economy in 2013, with a total budget so far of EUR otherwise, some members of the Church amount of 6,120 GEL, was awarded to Engagement for Economic Development the Dedoplistskaro municipality of the 179.5 million. take the social responsibility seriously.

CULTURE Discovering 19th Century Georgia in Images, Part 2 Finally we turn to Roinashvili, born in BY TONY HANMER mountainous Dusheti and educated in the Khlamov studio of what was then called Tifl is. He began his own independ- eorgia has had long contact ent photographic career and studio there with outsiders who entered in 1865, and even set up a traveling and began getting to know museum of photography which moved it, both those hostile and around Georgia and elsewhere in Russia seeking to conquer it and proper, showing many people such images Gthose who were conquered by its beauty for their fi rst time ever. His work con- and numerous charms. The 19th century centrated on both landscapes and images really saw the numbers of such visitors of famous intellectuals of his day. He is increase and, as this century had also regarded as the premier pioneer of the seen the birth and popularization of art among his people. photography in its 3rd decade, many of Photographs helped introduce many the country’s fi rst photographs were thousands of people to a land of which taken by foreign visitors as well as by they had perhaps never even heard, in much deserved, the visitors usually richly Georgians themselves all its exotic nature. No doubt many of rewarded for their efforts. Vittorio Sella, hailing from the town of them were also spurred to visit Georgia Biella in northern Italy, was both a moun- for themselves. Writers had done a sim- Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since taineer and a photographer, visiting the or so to see its fi rst automobile-navigable people in their village and home settings. ilar job for some centuries already, and 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a high places of Racha and Svaneti 3 times. road. Challenging conditions for the box- And he named his daughter Tinatin in continue to do so to this day (as do pho- weekly writer and photographer for Georgia He scaled 30 peaks in the general Cauca- camera photographer indeed. Sella was honor of the country where much of his tographers and more recently fi lmmak- Today since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti sus, too. Svaneti was his main focus, and also active in other mountainous regions best photography was done. This writer ers, the latter beginning in the early 20th Renaissance” Facebook group, now with here his name is revered amongst much of the world, including the mighty Him- has had the honor of visiting his home century). Now, when images, sound, nearly 2000 members, at www.facebook. of the population, his works on display alayas and Alaska. His work includes not town and residence in the early 2000s, video and words recorded a second ago com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ everywhere. The main road through the only magnifi cent landscapes and multi- meeting his elderly grandson who man- can reach practically anywhere on the He and his wife also run their own guest Svaneti he knew was nothing more than plate panoramas but also wonderful out- aged his extensive, fragile archive of glass planet, Georgia is being rediscovered all house in Etseri: a horse track, Ushguli waiting until 1929 door portraits of both famous and unknown negatives. over again. Rightfully so, the attention www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti 2020 Kolga Tbilisi Photo Award Winners Announced This year, the winners of the photo This nomination saw two winners: rible war through their determination, BY ANA DUMBADZE contest were chosen by an international Mouneb, 'War Notes,' and Kiran Ridley, hope and desire to live”. jury in the following categories: BEST REPORTAGE: Mouneb, War Notes The project 'War Notes' illustrates the & Kiran Ridley, Hong Kong Pro-Democ- struggle of civilians to overcome the war aking into account the exist- BEST REPORTAGE racy Protests in Eastern Ghouta, Syria, which was ing reality, this year Kolga different meaning, everything about under siege by Syrian government forces Tbilisi Photo Week was normality disappears," Mouneb says. for over 5 years. The siege ended when held in a rather different "The daily, life has a different meaning, the Syrian regime, supported by Russian format, seeing all events everything about normality disappears. forces forced the people to leave the area Thosted in a virtual space at www.kolga. The daily routine is defi nitely abnormal, after months of heavy shelling that caused ge. even if it seems normal for people who the deaths of thousands and led to full On May 4 the International Photo live there. Every day, bombs fall, people destruction of the area. plunged into a political crisis, with waves Awards Ceremony was held and shown die, buildings are destroyed. The reality of demonstrations and several violent on social media networks, on the offi cial of the war cannot be denied; however, 'HONG KONG PRO clashes between Police and protestors. Facebook page and through Artarea/ there are people who are signifi cantly DEMOCRACY PROTESTS' What started as a protest against a pro- Tv2.0 live broadcasting. trying to resist the bitterness of this ter- “Since 9 June, Hong Kong has been Continued on page 11 GEORGIA TODAY MAY 8 - 14, 2020 CULTURE 11 “Corona Days” Artworks Promote Young Georgian Artists: Vakhtang Khelashvili & Tamar Tali Toidze

he’d much rather let the paintings speak BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE for themselves and encourage personal refl ections from viewers. Although he’s been productive during EORGIA TODAY is con- these trying times, Vakhtang says he’d tinuing collaboration with like to see the lockdown end soon. “I BI Auction, presenting do hope these days of isolation will end artists participating in the soon, and that a vaccine will be devel- online exhibition ‘Art- oped fairly quickly and there’ll be a worksG @Corona Days.’ This issue, we bright future for us all!” says the artist. present to you two young artists, Vakh- Our second young artist is Taliko tang Khelashvili and Tamar Tali Toidze. Toidze, better known professionally as BI Auction founder partner Bengü Tamar Tali Toidze. Akçardak Küçük tells us that one of the A young woman of various artistic biggest plusses of the ‘Young Artists interests, Taliko is now based in Tbilisi. ‘King of Hearts’ by Vakhtang Khelashvili Competition’ is that it gives us a chance She, too, graduated from Tbilisi State artist tells us enthusiastically. Although to motivate young artists to work in Academy of Arts and has taken time to making her art helps her get through, different mediums. Vakhtang and Tamar, learn Govelin tapestry, cloth design and she still feels anxious about what the for example, usually sculpt. painting. “I express myself in many post-pandemic world might mean. “But for the competition,” Bengü ways,” the artist explains. “But I really “I think we're going to see big changes explained, “as we restricted the medium found myself in sculpture.” She creates in our routines. I think some things are to ‘oil on canvas’, they applied with their sculptures with her own stylizations going to become more distant, but peo- oil works. We hope they’ll smile back and has taken part in numerous exhibi- ple will get used to it.” on this in 30 years!” tions. Vakhtang, the fi rst young artist we’re Although she still considers herself a presenting to our readers in this piece, sculptor first, she has a beautiful painted his ‘fi rst’ oil on canvas for the approach to painting, sowthing which competition; another fi rst step in an can be clearly seen in her works exhib- artistic career which already counts ited by BI Auction. works exhibited abroad. The artist’s fi rst piece is titled ‘Vacuum Born and raised in Tbilisi, Vakhtang Self-isolation’. “Isolation is a vacuum; has been attached to the fi eld of visual we sink into our minds, our depths, arts and architecture since he was very infi nitely; reaching out in search of our About BI Auction ‘for ART’: BI Auction is the little, he tells us. He got a Bachelor’s in own selves,” Taliko explains. fi rst Art Auction Company of Georgia, estab- Architecture and a Master’s in Sculp- The second piece, named ‘Compre- lished in 2016. The company’s aim is to ture from Tbilisi State Academy of Arts hend’ is an artwork that for the creator promote Georgian art and artists and enlarge in 2017. He is now studying digital and visually represents the words: “I will the market. In four years, BI Auction ‘for ART’ traditional arts. try to clear my mind and escape my has organized seven auctions and presented During his “Corona Days,” Vakhtang melancholic isolation.” more than 400 paintings from 120 Georgian has been working on his second and Taliko is making the best of the quar- painters. In every auction, the collection is third oil paintings: ‘King of Hearts’ and antine, expressing, exploring, and even selected from among a thousand paintings ‘Essence of Light’. He doesn’t like to losing herself in her works. “I literally from the well-known legendary artists of Geor- explain his perception of his own works, ‘Comprehend’ by Tamar Tali Toidze turned my house into a workshop,” the gia and also from promising young artists. 2020 Kolga Tbilisi Photo Award Winners Announced Continued from page 10 his work is distributed by leading pho- he decided to take a course in photojour- daily life when the coronavirus outbreak isters, heads of states, generals and trad- tographic agencies Getty Images (Europe) nalism in the school of Marangoni. Dur- began in the very fi rst world epicenter. ers. I deliberately don't show you the posed government extradition bill allow- and Polaris Images in the United States. ing his studies he also got to know photo During the outbreak, he collaborated faces of the participants. It is not my ing citizens to be extradited to China BEST MOBILE PHOTO: MERAV agencies (Prospekt, TerraProject) and with Associated Press. intention to fi x everything upon a certain has since morphed into a wider call for MAROODY, 'CÁDIZ' their works. After fi nishing his fi rst photo person. I just want to give insight into democratic rights in the semi-autonomous Merav Maroody, a Berlin-based set and project (four rooms) he moved back to BEST DOCUMENTARY: this exclusive happening. The pictures city. Since the controversial extradition actors photographer and an art magazine live to Tbilisi to work on independent NIKITA TERYOSHIN, were taken at 14 defense fairs on 5 con- bill was withdrawn, protests continued, chief editor (msuse art and sexuality photo projects. In 2014, he was chosen 'NOTHING PERSONAL - THE tinents," says the author. with protestors calling for Chief Execu- magazine), has been working in the last for Noor-Nikon Masterclass Istanbul. BACK OFFICE OF WAR' Nikita Teryoshin was born in Leningrad tive Carrie Lam to meet their remaining 10 years on various fi lm productions in "Coincidences often condition changes. (RU) in 1986, studied photography at FH demands, which included an independ- the US, Europe, and Israel. While work- My family's photo archive burned long Dortmund, and now lives in Berlin. His ent inquiry into police brutality, the ing on a small Hollywood production in ago. Only a small number of photos sur- genres are street, documentary and eve- retraction of the word 'riot' to describe Los Angeles, fresh out of school, she was vived. Burned, torn, cropped, and dis- ryday horror. He has participated in protests, amnesty against prosecution discovered by a Sony pictures’ producer torted small photos speed up the search- group exhibitions in Germany, Italy, the for all those arrested, Carrie Lam's res- and for the next fi ve years was one of ing process. The small nostalgic photos UK, United States and Singapore. His ignation, and genuine universal suffrage Sony’s top fi ve set photographers in inspired me to work on a new genre that fi rst solo exhibition was in 2017 at La in a call for true democratic rights”. Europe. Throughout her career, she has would give me the same feelings as the Chambre Gallery in Strasbourg. His work Kiran Ridley is an award-winning pho- had the chance to work alongside tal- photos surviving the fi re. I try to create has been published in magazines such tographer working throughout Europe ented DOP’s, including Douglas Milsome this mood in accidental portraits that I as VICE, SZ Magazin, ZEIT Magazin, and Asia. Most of his work concentrates (“The Shining”, “Full Metal Jacket”) and see every day," says the photographer. GUP, Mouvement and VRIJ. on news, social-political topics and the actors including David Hasselhof, Jean- “Every day we see pictures of war and Until May 10, viewers will have the human experience. Fascinated by people Claude Van Damme, and, in a recent ONE SHOT: AREK RATAJ, 'AN destruction on the news; the expenditure opportunity to visit local and interna- and naturally curious about the human fi lm, Alexander Fehling. Maroody’s expe- HOUR BEFORE THE LOCKDOWN' on armaments is setting new records tional, personal and group exhibitions condition, Kiran is passionate in docu- rience with working on fi lm productions year after year. Well, let’s take a look at in the virtual space. menting ongoing situations throughout has laid the way for her to start develop- the other side of the subject – behind Along with the exhibitions, Kolga Photo the world, capturing the human dynamic, ing her own personal fi lm ideas. For the the curtains of the global defense busi- Week's Education Section hosted discus- trying to seize the unexpected in a suc- last 8 years, she has been living in Berlin ness. Nothing Personal shows the back sions of international photo experts, cession of unique moments that we and taking pictures of actors and sets. offi ce of war, which is the complete portfolio reviews of international pho- humans create, whether in our hopes opposite of a battlefi eld: An oversized tographers, editors, curators and art and dreams or in anger. His work has BEST CONCEPTUAL PHOTO playground for adults with wine, fi nger critics. Additionally, as part of the week, been published globally, including in PROJECT: GIORGI SHENGELIA, food and shiny weapons. Dead bodies the TBC Status Education Platform ‘Sta- The Sunday Times Magazine, The Times, 'ACCIDENTALLY PORTRAITS' here are mannequins or pixels on screens tus Meetings’ hosted two discussions: The LA Times, The New York Times, Giorgi Shengelia was born in 1984 in Tbi- of a huge number of simulators. Bazoo- on May 5, José Luís Neves ‘Let’s Get Wall Street Journal, Le Figaro, Le Point, lisi, Georgia. He graduated in 2006 and Arek Rataj is a Poland-born freelance kas and machine guns are plugged into Physical! Interrogating the Boundaries Die Welt, El Pais, Forbes, Observer and in 2009 moved with his family to live in photographer and lecturer. In 2019, he fl atscreens and war action is staged in of Photobook Making’ and on May 8 at Guardian newspapers, Time, Spiegel, Florence, Italy. While there Giorgi became started teaching at Jianghan University an artifi cial environment in front of a 7PM, Canon Ambassador Clive Booth amongst many others. Based in Paris, interested in art and photography. In 2012, in China's Wuhan and photographed tribune full of high ranked guests, min- with ‘Recipe for a Portrait’.

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