Issue no: 1051 • MAY 25 - 28, 2018 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue...

Check out PAGE 14 to see What’s On this weekend to celebrate Georgia’s 100th Anniversary Independence Day on MAY 26! Members of the Georgian National Council, Tbilisi, 26th May, Members of the European 1918 Parliament on Georgia’s First Democratic Republic & the 100th Anniversary POLITICS PAGE 4 100-year-old Petition Linked

INDEPENDENCE DAY to Georgian Independence Discovered & Digitized by Oxford University’s Bodleian On May 26, we celebrate 100 ON DEMOCRACY years since the formation of the Libraries First Democratic Republic of POLITICS PAGE 7 FOCUS & INDEPENDENCE Georgia. See inside for exclusive interviews and related news! 80% of Early Land Works of Anaklia Port Completed EXCLUSIVE! Redjeb Jordania BUSINESS PAGE 9 on Georgia, Past Uniting Nations through German Language Month & Present SOCIETY PAGE 11 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY KYRA DEVDARIANI Kunsthalle Tbilisi – First Mobile Exhibition Promoting s Georgia prepares to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Georgia (DRG) declaring independ- Contemporary Georgian Art ence on May 26, 1918, everyone’s attention is focused on Noe Jordania, the man who led his country for three short, but very productive, years, until February 25, 1921, when ASoviet troops annexed the fl edgling First Republic. Jordania’s govern- ment left the country and lived in exile in France, working tirelessly towards restoring Georgia as an independent state. The son of the First President and Head of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, Redjeb Jor- dania, is visiting Tbilisi this week from New York, where he lives with his extended family, to celebrate this day in the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi. We meet in the lobby of his hotel. The 96-year-old man walking towards me looks remarkably fresh after the long transatlantic fl ight the day before. Continued on page 6 CULTURE PAGE 15 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS MAY 25 - 28, 2018 The National Interest Magazine Tbilisi Mayor: Focuses on Georgia City Hall Cannot only a few years before being invaded Increase Salaries of BY THEA MORRISON and annexed by the USSR,” the article reads. Metro Employees The authors of the article underline he National Interest (TNI), that after separatist confl icts, corruption, BY THEA MORRISON an American bimonthly extreme poverty and threats from Rus- international affairs maga- sia, Georgia has overcome many of these zine published by the challenges and now stands as a “striking Photo: Metro employees will strike on June 3. Source: tbilisicore.online Center for the National example of a reforming and Western- bilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze TInterest, has dedicated an article to Geor- oriented country transcending the lim- says City Hall has no funds to increase the salaries of metro staff,” asking for improved labor and safety gia, after the US Secretary of State, Mike itations of decades of Soviet rule.” to increase the salaries of he reiterated, and expressed readiness conditions in Tbilisi Metro. After they Pompeo, met with the Georgian Prime However, the article reads that Georgia Tbilisi Metro employees, to meet the metro workers once again. failed to win the case at court, the metro Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili in Wash- could do more on its own to achieve its who plan to go on strike on The Deputy-Mayor says City Hall will workers announced a large-scale strike. ington this week. European and Euro-Atlantic ambitions. TJune 3, if they do not get a raise in their fi le a lawsuit in court if the metro work- The Chair of Unity 2013 says in 2016 The TNI reads that Georgia represents “Overcoming political and economic salaries. ers really go on strike. they reached an agreement with the a key test on the possibilities of reform vestiges of the former Soviet system— The Mayor explained that the average On May 21, Tbilisi City Court made a Mayor’s Offi ce and Tbilisi Transport in the former Soviet space, adding that one-party dominance; weak institutions; salary of metro workers is 1400-2000 decision which reads that metro work- Company regarding the salaries and at the meeting with the PM, Pompeo outsized importance of individual lead- GEL, and that the Mayor’s Offi ce cannot ers may go on strike only during out-of- improved working conditions, but noted stated President Trump “stands by the ers who attain their infl uence based on afford to increase this even in the near offi ce hours. that nothing has changed since then. 2008 Bucharest declaration,” which charisma, populism, or wealth—requires future. The union of metro workers ‘Unity Georgia’s Public Defender Nino Lom- affi rms that Georgia “will become a sustained effort,” the authors note. “It is impossible to increase their sala- 2013’ says the decision of the court is the jaria released a statement saying the member of NATO.” The article also mentions that visa-free ries when we have some workers employed equivalent of a restriction of their right decision of the Tbilisi City Court, by “Pompeo’s remarks underline the travel to many EU countries, and other in very responsible positions who get not to express protest, as the strike itself which the right of the employees of Tbi- quarter-century of strong US support benefi ts from the EU-Georgia Associa- more than 700-800 GEL,” he stated. means workers refusing to perform their lisi Metro (Unity 2013) to strike has been for independent Georgia, which this tion Agreement, offer a wider window Kaladze says around 400,000 people duties as a form of protest. restricted, is “a harmful and dangerous month is celebrating the 100th anniver- into Europe and encourage Georgians use the metro every day and claims the This is the third time Tbilisi City Court precedent” for labor rights. sary of the establishment of the fi rst to persist on a westward course. ultimatum of the metro workers is unfair. has ruled against the metro workers, Lomjaria says that metro drivers planned Georgian Republic. A democracy, it It also says that the country's Western He added that if the workers go on saying that a strike during working hours a strike on May 3, but the strike was post- embraced a liberal constitution and military training and equipment, and com- strike, City Hall will do its best to avoid would paralyze traffi c in the capital. poned for a maximum period of 30 days sought a European future but survived bat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq, suspension of the underground trans- Union 2013 claims they will not obey on the court’s decision. June 3 was have bolstered Georgia’s port. the “unlawful” decision of the court and announced as the new date of the strike, defense capacity. According Deputy-Mayor Irakli Khmaladze says will strike on June 3. although this time, the court restricted the to the authors, Georgia’s City Hall would be happy if they could The Chair of the trade union, Rati Kap- Metro drivers’ right to strike during work- substantial force contribu- increase the salaries of the people. anadze, says their strike will be legal, ing hours for an indefi nite period of time. tion to the NATO mission “We appreciate the work of the metro because it is their right as granted by the “The Organic Law on the Labor Code in Afghanistan demon- employees: they are professionals and Constitution. of Georgia provides for a one-time post- strates its dedication to the serve thousands of people every day, but He says the workers suggested Tbilisi ponement of strike only for a maximum purposes of the Alliance. the municipality has no funds to increase Transport Company gradually increase period of 30 days. The Organic Law is a “Georgia represents a their salaries. This is the reality,” he told their salaries but the answer was no. superior legal act and it also contains key test of whether it is Georgia’s Public Broadcaster. “We are going to appeal the decision special norms related to striking,” the still possible to reform Khmaladze explained that fi rst the of court, which restricts our right to Ombudsman stated. countries in the former economic situation in the country has strike in working hours. This decision The Public Defender considers that Soviet space to become to be improved in order to manage and is absolutely absurd and unlawful,” Kap- the restriction of the right of Metro work- integral parts of the Euro- increase the salaries of people employed anadze stated. ers to strike for an indefi nite period of Source: The National Interest Atlantic community,” the in the public sector. The collective dispute of Unity 2013 time contradicts the law and violates the Photo source: trend.az TNI reports. “At present, we really have no resources started in March 2016, with the workers essence of the right to strike. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 25 - 28, 2018 NEWS 3 Foreign Minister: Georgia Ready to Take Further Steps to NATO

BY THEA MORRISON Photo: Foreign Minister Janelidze at the Second Annual US – Georgia Strategic Kvirikashvili: Georgia Is Honored eorgia’s Vice Prime Min- Partnership ister and the Minister of Conference in Foreign Affairs, Mikheil Washington to Be US Strategic Partner Janelidze, says that Georgia among the fi rst to recognize Georgia's BY THEA MORRISON has all practical instru- independence in 1991. Gments necessary to become a NATO “America supported us when we most member. needed it - during some of the most try- The Minister made the statement at eorgian Prime Minister ing episodes of our own national con- the Second Annual US-Georgia Strategic Giorgi Kvirikashvili spoke solidation. In the last 27 years, since our Partnership Conference in Washington about the Georgia-America declaration of independence, Georgia ‘100 Years of Georgia's First Republic.’ cooperation while opening has had no greater friend than the United Janelidze participated in the Panel the US-Georgia Strategic States. Together we have crafted what Geopolitics and Security: US-Georgia GPartnership Conference in Washington. may truly be called a strategic partner- Strategic Partnership in Action. “Georgia is honored to be one of Amer- ship,” he added. In his speech, Janelidze talked about ica's strategic partners. And we are According to Kvirikashvili, for its part, Georgia's First Democratic Republic as extremely pleased that this annual con- Georgia understands and contributes to one of the fi rst democratic states in ference will strengthen and deepen the the US developing and defending its Europe. He also emphasized the impor- understanding of our partnership to interests in this region, and democratic tance of Georgia in the aftermath of the everyone's benefi t,’’ the PM stated. values everywhere. independence of Georgia in 1991 and the The main topic of the conference was “Georgia honors its part of the partner- role of Georgia in today's world. 100 years of history of independent ship bargain by fi ghting alongside Amer- He underlined the special efforts of the diffi cult and a confl ictive region, makes individual regimes today try to discredit Georgia, which celebrates its Independ- ica and its NATO allies in hotspots like United States which have contributed a a signifi cant contribution to regional and the Euro-Atlantic space and challenge ence Day on May 26. Iraq and Afghanistan, where Georgia has lot to Georgia's democratic development global stability and security by partici- its security, which requires additional “100 years ago this month, Georgia took suffered more casualties per capita than after the declaration of independence. pating in NATO peacekeeping missions. effort to ensure peace and development a leap into the future. We gave birth to any NATO country except the United “We have done a lot of things to reach Janelidze also focused on the recent in the Euro-Atlantic community. the Democratic Republic of Georgia, as States. We are proud to do so, and to sup- the point where we are now; we are meetings of the Georgian delegation in "In such a period, Georgia's integration turmoil, revolution, and civil war swirled port our common security agenda. We proud that Georgia is a strategic partner Washington, whereby US offi cials praised into Euro-Atlantic institutions is very around our small country, powered by are stronger together than apart: the lit- of the United States and the main ally Georgia’s reforms and noted their belief important. Georgia is among the most forces much larger than ourselves. Our eral meaning of partnership,” he claimed. in the region," Janelidze said. that soon it will become a NATO mem- advanced and we should not allow forces predecessors may or may not have real- The Georgian Prime Minister expressed The Minister emphasized the geopo- ber. to cut Georgia from this family. Now it ized at that exciting moment that Geor- hope that the signifi cance of Georgia's litical signifi cance of Georgia, which has “Georgia will become a member of is time to take new steps in both bilateral gia's independence-our freedom-would unique position and the importance of attracted much attention from the West NATO; we have all practical tools to lead and multilateral formats, "Janelidze said. be delayed still further, for nearly two- its strategic partnership with the US will since the 1990s, adding Georgia is "a us to Alliance membership. We have The Minister also spoke about the Rus- thirds of a century more. The Red Army only grow. gateway and plays an important role in more tools than NATO membership sian occupation of Georgia’s breakaway swept into Georgia just three years after “Now is the time to pursue a bilateral the development of transit and energy candidates and we believe that we are regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, we reclaimed our statehood, and, at least trade agreement that will bring economic routes between Europe and Asia, as well quite well prepared to take further steps saying restoration of territorial integrity temporarily, swept our independence and security benefi ts to both our nations. as the security of the Euro-Atlantic space." on the path of joining NATO,” he said. through peaceful means is the main pri- away,” the PM said. Partnership and strategy go hand-in-hand He says Georgia, which is located in a According to the Georgian Vice-PM, ority of the Government of Georgia. He underlined that United States was with peace and stability,” he stated. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS MAY 25 - 28, 2018 Members of the European Parliament on Georgia’s First Democratic Republic & the 100th Anniversary

delegation, once more indicates the respect and BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE support that the EU has for Georgia and its Euro- pean aspirations. Let me congratulate you once again and say that I hope to see Georgia as an EU o celebrate Georgia’s Independence member state in the not so distant future. Day, we pass on to the Georgian peo- ple the messages of congratulations GUNNAR HOKMARK, MEP, SWEDEN from numerous Brussels-based MEPs- I would like to congratulate Georgia on the estab- messages of support, admiration, lishment of it as a Democratic Republic 100 years fondT memory and recognition of the struggles ago. Georgia was one of the fi rst countries to enter Georgia has gone through and is still battling with real democracy. Then followed the interventions on its path to European integration. The material from the Soviets, the repression and the dictator- was prepared in the scope of the “Messages from ship, but now we see a new Georgia emerging and Brussels” series, a project of the European Alli- I can only say that all of us in Europe hope that ance for Georgia, a Brussels-based NGO aiming Georgia is on a stable path of development to to bring more Georgia into Europe. being more democratic and more stable in its rule of law. Georgia belongs in the European family ROMAIN STRASSER, SECRETARY we are forming today, and I would like Georgia GENERAL OF THE EU & GEORGIA to be as close as possible. I’m not talking about FRIENDSHIP GROUP IN THE geographical distances, I’m talking about the com- EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT munity of democracies. The 26 of May 2018 is an important date in Geor- gian history. 100 years ago, the act of independ- URMAS PAET, MEP, ESTONIA ence was adopted and the First Democratic Repub- Dear people of Georgia, I congratulate you on lic of Georgia was established. I express my warm your Independence Day! Coming from Estonia, congratulations to all the citizens of Georgia on I know very well what the value of being free this important event. Georgia’s history was and is, and what the value of being independent is. still is not an easy one. Therefore, the country Georgia has not had the easiest history, even decided to fi ght for freedom and democratic val- during the 20th century where there were dif- ues and has undertaken lots of reforms with the fi culties which we Estonians also shared. The aim of coming closer to the EU and NATO. The value of freedom, the value of liberty, be it free- EU welcomes this process and gives its moral dom of expression, press freedom, economic political and fi nancial support to assisting Geor- freedom, citizens’ rights: are all of utmost value gia on its path to EU integration. The visit of the and utmost importance for Georgia’s future. I every day to secure that freedom, to secure the the future brings years of prosperity and good EC President Juncker, together with high-level hope that the proud people of Georgia work liberties in your society. I congratulate you on governance to you! your independence! ANDREJS MAMIKINS, MEP, LATVIA ANA GOMES, MEP, PORTUGAL Dear citizens of Georgia, I wish to congratulate My congratulations to the Georgian people on the you on the anniversary of your country's inde- anniversary of the fi rst republic. My congratula- pendence! I sincerely wish your country prosper- tions also on the European future for which Geor- ity, liberty and peace. gians clearly demonstrate a desire. It will be a Your country fi rmly overcame all the diffi culties, future of freedom, of democracy, accountability, defended its values, built a successful democratic good governance, respect for the rule of law, and country, and created a happy and free society with respect for the rights of all citizens of Georgia. formidable infrastructure. Georgia has really become We all know that Georgia lives in a very, very a visiting card of the Caucasus region. For a cen- rough neighborhood, under the weight and dark tury, the proud Georgian people have proven the shadow of its northern neighbor, which is occu- strength and the independence of their soul. pying the Georgian territories of Abkhazia and Georgia and the EU have long maintained inten- South Ossetia. But it’s only through the will of sive friendly relations. That is why Georgia is an Georgians, through their desire, that they can important partner of the European Union both in prevail and live up to the European values. There the framework of the European Neighborhood are forces that do not want change, forces that Policy and the Eastern Partnership. The Associa- don’t want to relinquish old allegiances, but I trust tion Agreement signed between the EU and Geor- that the people of Georgia, judging from the expe- gia four years ago and the visa-free regime to the MZA CHITILI rience of the very fi rst republic and from the more Shengen Zone prove it. I’m confi dent that Georgia recent past, will remain strong on the path lead- and the EU are moving to a new level in their “Mza Chitili” produces vegetable and fl ower seedlings. "Mza Chitili" is the fi rst company in ing towards Europe and democracy. relationship. Georgia, which is making both, normal and grafted seedlings. For grafting we are using the latest Italian technologies and robots. CLARE MOODY, MEP, UK JAROMIR STETINA, MEP, WG Techno I want to congratulate Georgia on the centenary CZECH REPUBLIC: "Mza Chitili" was founded by WG Techno. WG Techno is the fi rst and largest supplier of anniversary of the Parliament that was set up in Dear Georgian friends! I was born in Prague. Why contemporary irrigation systems in Georgia, company aslo produces polyethylene pipes in 1918. Reading about how it was at the time, there is this important? Because I was born in the for- Tbilisi, which exports to the neighboring countries. were multiple comments from my country, from mer Czech Republic and the fates of our two countries across Europe, celebrating what that countries are very similar. We too celebrate the government did for the people of Georgia, the 100th anniversary of our own country this year. laws that it brought in: it was seen as an incred- We have common enemies, too; both countries ibly progressive government. As I know, it also had to endure the rule of great totalitarian regimes, involved full voting rights for women, which didn’t be it one of Hitler or a soviet one. But I’m sure happen for another 10 years in the UK; so there’s we share a common future too! I hope that in sev- a lot to celebrate about that 1918 government, and eral years, we’ll be meeting in the European Union. I think it’s right that you are doing so; and in cel- All the best to you! ebrating that, celebrating your current democracy as well! HEIDI HAUTALA, MEP, FINLAND (VP OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT) Our Branches Rafael Agladze St 37, Tbilisi, Georgia +995 322 30 98 90; REBECCA HARMS, MEP, GERMANY We are celebrating the centennial of Georgian Tskhinvali Highway 4, Gori, Georgia +995 599 63 60 30; Let me tell all the Georgian citizens that I feel independence. My country, Finland, celebrated Agmashenebeli Avenue 47, Tsnori, Georgia +995 555 41 87 06; very honored that I can support your commit- the same date one year ago. We were the lucky Rustaveli st. 70, Marneuli, Georgia +995 322 18 08 40; www.mzachitili.ge ment, your development towards European inte- ones: we retained our independence. But I think [email protected] gration, which Georgians want so much. Especially the three years of the independent Georgian fb.com/mzachitili on the occasion of your anniversary, I wish you a Republic were hugely important: it established a fb.com/wgtechno very successful future. Kvelaper Kargs Gisurvebt! new parliament where women were allowed to (Georgian: “I wish you all the best!”) vote and stand as candidates in elections. Unfor- tunately, this period didn’t last long, but I was very DORIS PACK, FORMER MEP, happy and privileged to visit the new Georgia, in PRESIDENT OF EPP WOMEN 1992, when I was invited by your former PM Zurab You Georgians have a long tradition of fi ghting Zhvania, who was my good friend. And I have and overcoming your obstacles. You’re celebrat- seen spectacular progress towards freedom in ing the 100th anniversary of your country’s inde- Georgia ever since. My warmest congratulations WG Techno has ISO 9001:2015 certifi cation for design, sales and installation of irrigation pendence as a republic. You should and are right- and I am sure this year will prove to be very systems. Sale of components (pipes, pumps, fi ttings) for water supply system. fully proud of what you’ve achieved so far. I hope important for EU-Georgia relations.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS MAY 25 - 28, 2018 EXCLUSIVE! Redjeb Jordania on Georgia, Past & Present

Continued from page 1 proud moment for the DRG was that writing articles, support from the party the fi rst time in the world that a Muslim members. When we were living in exile He’s been in touch with Georgia, woman was democratically elected to in France, our means were very despite not having visited it since 2011. the assembly, was in Georgia.” restricted,” Redjeb remembers. “As I The fi rst time he ever visited Georgia explained in my book, there were regu- was to address the democratically elected ON MINORITIES lar payments from the Polish govern- statesmen in 1990, and he wrote a pas- That brings us to yet another chapter in ment for repatriation of a large number sionate speech to all Georgians on May the 1921 Constitution: protecting minor- of Polish soldiers stranded on the Turk- 26, 2015. ity rights. Both the concept and the ish front post-WWI, which Georgia took “After that fi rst visit in 1990, I have wording are decades ahead of even well- upon itself. Those funds fi nanced the been to Georgia many times, for vari- developed countries, for example: ‘It is activities of the Georgian Government ous reasons,” Redjeb tells us. “It was forbidden to bring any obstacle to the in Exile and provided modest pensions always a part of my life: my daughter free social development, economic and to its leaders, all the way till 1939, when and grandson lived here. Myself, I was cultural, of the ethnical minorities of Poland was annexed in WW2.” looking for ways to help a restored Georgia, especially to the teaching in Georgian state. It’s been several years their mother language and the interior PERSONALITY POLITICS & CULT since my last trip, though: in 2011, I suf- management of their own culture.’ In Georgia, there’s more personality fered multiple broken bones as a result “Yes, the whole chapter on ethnic politics than platform politics. Redjeb’s of an accident, and for a long time was minorities was very progressive; no father seems to have had both, and was in no shape to travel. Then, Nicole [his restrictions of any rights, civil or polit- probably the last president, the last daughter] and her family moved to NYC, ical,” Redjeb says. “But I want to tell political leader, that Georgia has had and there were fewer reasons for me to you something else: I don’t like the cur- who had both the personality and a make this long journey. But my heart rent Georgian fl ag. I like the old one political platform that he stuck to. was always with Georgia,” he confesses. [points to his lapel pin]. This is my fl ag- “If the personality doesn’t have a solid He has published books and articles, I was born and raised with it. In 2004, platform, it doesn’t work for long,” Noe’s participated in conferences – just a cou- when Saakashvili changed the national son says. “In the First Republic, my ple of weeks ago, in Washington, and fl ag, I thought, what is it that I don’t like father, and everyone around him, had this April, “The Forgotten Father of about it? It’s a wonderful banner, very a platform of Social Democrats, which Georgia’s Modern State” was published, joyous – so what’s wrong? And I real- sometimes scared people of the 1990s. with a preface from Molly Corso, an ized, it’s because Misha’s fl ag has all But Georgians in 1918 didn’t have the article by Prof. Stephen Jones, and an these crosses, and it carries a subliminal view of what they knew in 1990, the excerpted memoir from Redjeb’s book message: if you are not a believing failure of the USSR that called itself a “All My Georgias.” In it – and among Christian, you are not a Georgian: this socialist country. So, to judge 1918 from many other memoirs, Noe Jordania is is not your fl ag. If you are a Jew or a todays’ standpoint is wrong; at that time described as a very imposing fi gure, Muslim, or anybody else, you cannot socialism was on the rise everywhere. larger than life; an intellectual tran- be a Georgian, and it’s priming people’s The 20th century was a triumph of scending his time; authoritative, but not mind to be less tolerant to non-Chris- socialism in terms of instilling socialist authoritarian. One gets a sense that one tians.” institutions: social security, insurance of the biggest things that defi ned our – the types of institutions that didn’t fi rst president, was charisma. ON THE CHURCH exist a century earlier. Progressive “Well, people said that he would seem The DRG Constitution had a chapter countries like France had the systems taller when he was in Georgia, and I dedicated to the separation of the Church protecting its citizens and even Amer- saw that when the important visitors and State, putting all confessions in an icans, who hate the word ‘socialism:’ came to our place in France, he would equal position before the law. But after they had socialist institutions there that change,” Redjeb says of his father. “But the collapse of the Soviet rule, the Church they wouldn’t give up, like social secu- my personal impression was totally took the leading position in Georgia, and rity.” subjective – as a child, I regarded him every government since seems to be very The First Democratic Republic of just as a father; tenderly and with love dependent on their support. We won- Georgia platform was very progressive, that doesn’t need analysis.” dered if Redjeb thought that Georgia some even called it idealistic, and it had perhaps regressed from the princi- only had very few months to test itself ON WOMEN IN POLITICS ples of the 1921 Constitution. out. We wondered if, hypothetically, the All his life Redjeb Jordania was sur- “You noticed that the same thing is First Republic had not lasted three years, rounded by strong women- all very happening in Russia? Despite claims but 13, where Redjeb thought Georgia independent and determined, starting that Georgians have turned their back would be positioned among the coun- with his grandmother. His mother Ina, on the ways of Russia, they are doing tries that take social issues more seri- Redjeb Jordania, 96, son of Noe Jordania, the First President and Head of the First who was the fi rst woman of any nation- the exact same thing,” he tells us. “The ously than others, like Scandinavian Democratic Republic of Georgia ality to be enrolled in Sorbonne Law Church is very strong both in Russia states. dia’s time. In 1918, people supporting started at the end of 1960s-70s, that’s school, and her sister Felichka, who was and in Georgia. This is understandable “I’m glad you mentioned Scandinavian my father. Many of them had been where the nostalgia in Georgia became a Professor of Math in Tbilisi, were not as a reaction against the years when it countries. There’s a good example for abroad, they studied and learned from clear (after the clashes tied to the use just independent, but exquisitely edu- was forbidden under Soviet rule. In Georgia to consider: small countries, the institutions in progressive countries. of Georgian as a state language, the cated. So, the tradition of strong profes- Article 144, it states, ‘It is forbidden to very prosperous, not particularly rich In contrast, the Gamsakhurdia elector- Soviet system had to back down and sional women in Georgia is not news to make any levies on the resources of the in terms of natural resources. Except ate was a product of the Soviet rule, of bury the idea of instilling Russian Redjeb. We asked him how he viewed state or the bodies of self-government for Norway, but even then, 30 years ago, the “iron curtain:” they had never been instead). For the USSR Bolsheviks, the the chances of their being a female pres- for the needs of any religious order.’ In Norwegians didn’t have them, and were abroad, they were afraid of progress, biggest enemy was not the capitalism, ident in the upcoming elections. 1918, the Church as an organization still doing very well. Another similar and pushed ultra-nationalism as their but the social democrats of the DRG, “Georgia has a way of surprising,” he owned signifi cant properties in Georgia, state is The Netherlands. All of these platform. Gamsakhurdia was very ada- because their appeal was to the same replies. “It’s a fi eld of personality poli- and Jordania’s government took that states boast excellent social institutions, mant in calling himself the First Presi- base.” tics. So, who do you have here? Who land and distributed it among peasants.” so, yes, Georgia, could have been among dent of Georgia, as if he was competing As the interview draws to an end, we can be the contenders? I don’t know the them, if not for the Soviets.” with my father; saw him as a rival, not agree to meet on May 25, to go to the personalities, I don’t know the situation ON FINANCES Georgians are prone to the cult of per- as a statesman whose institutions museum offering a lecture on an origi- in Georgia well enough to even attempt His father, when he was in exile, had very sonality. Even in post-Soviet years there restored an independent state. And nal coat of arms from 1918. Redjeb is to answer. But let me bring in the angle limited sources of income, so the fi nancial was Gamsakhurdia, then Saakashvili. another President, Saakashvili: he intrigued: he wants to hear the story that is not discussed much in modern situation of his family was quite diffi cult. “The reason is possibly that the Tsa- replaced the fl ag of the DRG with his behind it, and this youthful curiosity in Georgia. Every time the state is under Despite that, Noe Jordania was very dis- rist Empire didn’t leave room for per- own banner, it was a part of his cult, a 96-year-old is unmistakably sincere. a strong infl uence from the religious criminating about who he would accept sonal development. It lasted for many instilling his symbol.” The 1918 coat of arms that he used for circles or authorities, there’s never a money from. In many developed coun- years, and continued with the Soviet the cover of his book “All My Georgias: woman in a top-power position. In order tries, there are debates about campaign rule, which didn’t help, either,” he notes. THE SOVIET EFFECT Paris-New York -Tbilisi” (2011), he likes for this to happen, as a pre-requisite, fi nancing. We asked Redjeb what his “It is interesting that of all the Georgians “The DRG, albeit short-lived, managed more than the current one. More opti- the religion has to loosen its grip on thoughts were of the money in politics who have emigrated to the USA, 90% to create a sense of nation, to build insti- mistic, he says, and less aggressive. people’s lives. Virtually everywhere, and why it was imperative for a man like vote Republican- they still want the tutions,” Redjeb says. “For centuries, Indeed, on the current coat of arms, St. organized religion is supporting male his father to keep integrity, and why it strong fi gure, the strong hand. But going Georgia had not been a united independ- George is slaying a dragon; on the old, domination and doesn’t let women get isn’t commonly seen in today’s politicians. back to Gamsakhurdia, compared to the ent state. My father told me that in the he’s portrayed on horseback but just ahead.” “It seems to me that back in the day, First Republic, which had a diffi cult 1900s, people had the sense of belonging holding a spear. The background is sim- The conversation turns to the Consti- money was not that important,” he local situation, collapse of the empire, to a very limited, local community- within plistically elegant, without being over- tution of 1921 and the role of women replies. “Politicians didn’t have to pay civil war in Russia, WWI, he inherited the village, maybe, or province. There burdened by decorative elements. This who, for the fi rst time, were given the for TV time, or media, or take advertis- an ideal situation: a peaceful environ- was no ‘nation.’ And that’s what the First is the way of Noe Jordania’s son: refl ec- right to vote. ing. The idea of money wasn’t essential ment, support of all big powers like the Republic managed to change in three tion instead of hasty judgement, opti- “Georgia was one of the fi rst states to politicians in 1918: discussions were US. And he managed to fail, brought short years. The Soviets inherited this mism with a healthy dose of reality, that allowed women to vote from 1918,” centered around platforms.” the country to civil war, was ousted out and kept the institutions created in 1918. simplicity of wisdom over convoluted Redjeb confi rms. “Norway had univer- Noe Jordania came from a modest of offi ce in few months, lost Abkhazia. “This fi t into their desire to erase the innovation. As we celebrate 100 years sal voting rights from 1913, Sweden, and background, and supporting a large Also, I want to mention the contrast, memories of the 1918 Republic, and yet of independence proclaimed by the First several states in the USA (until the 19th family, and the activities of the exiled the difference in people in the time of feed the historic pride that Georgians Republic, these are the qualities that Amendment in 1920 took it to the fed- government, came fi rst. the Democratic Republic and Jordania carry within themselves,” Redjeb con- Georgia, restored to independence, eral level). Another very interesting and “There were not too many options: Government, and the 1990s, Gamsakhur- tinues. “This substitution of a narrative could certainly use. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 25 - 28, 2018 POLITICS 7 100-year-old Petition Linked to Georgian Independence Discovered & Digitized by Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries

o mark the centenary of the sory education and a high rate of illit- memory of his sister Marjory Wardrop independence of the Repub- eracy, the petition is the fi rst documented who died aged 40 in 1909. The Wardrop lic of Georgia on 26 May instance when the Georgian national collection contains a wealth of many 2018, a ‘lost’ century-old historic narrative of the Georgian-Russian unseen letters and materials relating to ‘Petition of the Georgian relationship comes not from elite groups, Georgia’s 20th century struggle for inde- TPeople’ to the 1907 Hague International but from ordinary people of all social pendence, which so far have only been Conference has been digitized and made classes,” said Dr Beka Kobakhidze Geor- studied by a handful of scholars. freely available online by the Bodleian gian Studies Fellow at the University of Dr Gillian Evison, Head of Oriental Libraries, University of Oxford. The Oxford. “Men and women, entrepreneurs, Collections at the Bodleian Libraries 29-page petition details an important workers, nobles, peasants, clergymen said: “Marjory and Oliver Wardrop had moment in Georgia’s struggle for national and teachers from all regions of Georgia a remarkable relationship with the coun- autonomy and is the fi rst documented put their signatures to this address to try and people of Georgia. I’m delighted instance of Georgians from all back- the political west.” that the importance of this petition has grounds coming together to petition the The petition was bound and presented been recognized and is now available to international community to uphold to The Hague in a way that gives no Georgians online in this special year of Georgian rights and autonomy. greater precedence to the signatures of Georgian independence.” The historic petition has been held in well- known names than those of teach- Dr Beka Kobakhidze, Georgian Studies the Bodleian’s world-class Georgia col- ers, clergymen and workers. The peti- Fellow at the University of Oxford added lection since 1920, and was catalogued tion’s format is something that particu- “I am honored for that part I’ve played in the 1970s, but its signifi cance was larly struck Dr Gillian Evison, Head of in making these signatures and many only revealed in March 2018 due to the Oriental Collections at the Bodleian forgotten names public after 111 years. research efforts of two Georgian aca- Libraries. Looking through the petition, I had a demics, Dr. Beka Kobakhidze and Dr. “As a librarian, I’m always interested feeling that I was interacting with my Nikoloz Aleksidze, and Dr Gillian Evi- in the physical form as much as the con- ancestors, people who stood for national son, Head of Oriental Collections at the tent, and this petition is particularly liberties while risking their lives. Over Bodleian Libraries. The general princi- The 1907 petition of ‘the people of Georgia’ presented at the International Conference striking,” she said. “Signatures have been a century after these people made their ples outlined in the petition have been on ‘subjected races’ at The Hague. Source: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford collected on many different sheets of mark on this petition, I realize that Geor- translated into Georgian, English and paper – accounting paper, on the back gia has inherited not only the legacy of French and are widely known, but the of Georgia in 1801, in violation of the Georgian rights. Cherkezishvili became of the petitions, and written in ink, or their deeds, but challenges too. Today’s original copy of the petition containing 1783 Georgian-Russian Treaty, and calls a close friend of siblings Oliver and pencil – so it tells its own story of how Georgians are eagerly awaiting the pub- over 3,000 signatures has never been on the Great Powers to stop Russian Marjory Wardrop. At a time when most keen Georgians were to make their mark lishing of names of some 3000 signato- made public or been readily accessible atrocities and pogroms in Western and people were unaware of Georgia, much through whatever means were available ries where they expect to fi nd their great to scholars until now. It can be viewed Central Georgia. Although the petition less spoke the language, the Wardrops to them.” grandparents, relatives and the like, and on the Bodleian Libraries’ Digital.Bodle- itself didn’t directly lead to the independ- developed a remarkable passion for Sir Oliver Wardrop later went on to I hope they will enjoy reading it in full ian website: 1907 petition ence Georgia would enjoy in 1918, it Georgian history, culture and literature become the United Kingdom’s fi rst Chief online.” Signed by men and women from all marks the fi rst time that people across and are still revered in Georgia for the Commissioner of Transcaucasia in Geor- Richard Ovenden, Bodley’s Librarian regions of Georgia, at great personal risk, Georgia, from all social classes, came impact they had in widening apprecia- gia, 1919-1920, and maintained a lifelong said: “The Wardrop Collection is one of the petition was presented at a confer- together to speak up for the rights of tion of this country. In 1891, Oliver interest in the country. The petition the Bodleian’s globally-signifi cant collec- ence at The Hague in 1907, when ‘sub- Georgian citizens. Wardrop entered UK diplomatic service came to the Bodleian Libraries with the tions and its long-overlooked presence jected races’ had the chance to air their The Georgian petition was instigated and in 1907 informally helped Cherkez- donation of the Wardrop Collection, one of the Petition in our library shows the grievances on an international stage. The by Georgian nationalist, Varlam Cherkez- ishvili draft the petition and circulate of the largest collections of Georgian important role that libraries play in the petition outlines Georgian grievances ishvili, who had escaped from Siberian it among political and diplomatic cir- materials in the world. The collection preservation and dissemination of infor- against Imperial Russian Policies, pro- exile in the 1870s and settled in London, cles. was donated to the Bodleian between mation on behalf of society. testing at Imperial Russia’s annexation where he continued to campaign for “At a time when there was no compul- 1910 and 1948 by Sir Oliver Wardrop, in Continued on page 12 GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS MAY 25 - 28, 2018 Idealism in Foreign Policy: More of Image source: indianapublicmedia.org a Myth than Historical Evidence? Kennan. While the latter was advocating 1970s. These policy goals were given a BY VICTOR KIPIANI for a balance-of-power approach with practical meaning by his trusted adviser an emphasis on containing and resisting Henry Kissinger through the Nixonian Soviet domination in key geographical policy of Détente, but more importantly y stating in his 1905 inaugu- areas (the United States, the United this policy deviated from the ‘contain- ral address that ‘to us as a Kingdom, the Rhine valley, the USSR ment’ vision of the 1950s and 1960s, which people it has been granted and Japan), whereas Truman himself was strongly focused upon an ideologi- to lay the foundations of our went beyond Kennan's conceptual cal opposition to communism by a US- national life in a new conti- boundaries in favor of a more global role led liberal world and rested upon the nent’,B but that ‘we have [both] duties to for the US as a defender of the world multipolarity of the international system. others and duties to ourselves’, Theodore liberal order, fi ghting against all forms In practical terms, the Nixon-Kissinger Roosevelt became the fi rst leader to of opposition to freedom, democracy strategy, shunning the ideological rejec- strongly argue in favor of the extension and human rights. Moreover, the under- tion of communism, called for a thaw in of international law. He was not, how- lying principle of idealism under Tru- relations with the USSR and the con- Ronald Reagan. Two basic documents of moting universal principles of repre- ever, solely emphasizing the persuasive man's presidency was not only guaran- struction of a new multipolar security the Reagan era, NSDD 32 (US National sentative democracy and human rights, force of international law, but also the teeing order in places in which liberalism architecture premised on ‘peace through Security Strategy’) and NSDD 75 (US Obama mostly did so in words only and ‘power… in exceptional cases to stand was already fi rmly entrenched, but also partnership’. Besides, the US administra- Relations with the USSR), unequivocally with strong reservations when it came up for the rights of others’. This newly promoting and advancing it even further; tion's vision of American global leader- signaled not just a return to Truman's to concrete actions (e.g. warning Assad emergent, idealistic facet of American an approach which was in clear confl ict ship involved greater reliance upon local strategic vision of containment, but also ‘not to cross red lines’ but then deciding foreign policy was later expressed by with Kennan's preference for the defense allies to maintain the balance of power, went beyond it with the goal of rolling not to punish the Syrian regime when Woodrow Wilson, who proclaimed that of several geopolitically important and and realpolitik power considerations back communism. The underlying prem- those lines had effectively been crossed). the United States had not intervened in selected points or regions of the globe. were treated as more important than ise of the newly proclaimed policy was With hindsight, Obama's administration the First World War in order to restore It should also be mentioned that while domestic policies or human rights records. a reversal of the idealistic vision of the was from the very beginning dominated the balance of power, but instead to make Truman's idealism rewarded the pain As a clear testament of the shift in US United States as the leader of the free by the concern to ‘avoid another Iraq’, the world safer for democracy. Yet it still which Greece and Turkey experienced foreign policy at that time was Nixon's world engaged in a global struggle to fi ght and in practice resulted in eschewing took time and the pain of two world wars joining NATO in 1952 and successfully Address to the Nation on the War in repressive forces. All in all, Reagan's America’s post-World War Two mission for this idealism to become integrated containing the spread of Soviet infl uence Vietnam, which spelled out a pragmatic, vision, so well encapsulated in his West- as the guarantor of global security. The within decision-making on international towards Western Europe, the same ide- calculating foreign policy which held minster Address to the British Parliament Trump administration paid this strategy matters. alism dramatically failed during the that ‘any nation today must defi ne its in June 1982, when he boldly stated that of ‘retrenchment’ and ‘leading from This introduction is not accidental. Korean War. There, US efforts at the interests with special concern of the ‘if the rest of this century is to witness behind’ even greater attention, and a Georgia's security is very much anchored head of a multinational UN force did not interests of others. If some nations defi ne the gradual growth of freedom and dem- nationalistic ‘America First’ policy poses to US foreign policy trends; a simple achieve their primary goal of rolling back their security in a manner that means ocratic ideals, we must take action to serious challenges to the international statement of truth, with no disrespect communism, and instead only succeeded insecurity for other nations, then peace assist the campaign for democracy’, security architecture, which is now prac- to any other meaningful partners, and in containing it above the infamous 38th is threatened and the security is dimin- appealed to the allies to ‘be staunch in tically hanging by a thread. Moreover, it so imagine for a second the potential parallel. Yet regardless of its very limited ished.’ Accentuating ‘coexistence’ in the our conviction that freedom is not the is worth noting that, to put it mildly, the magnitude of the damage which Amer- success in Korea, the US continued to spirit of a classical realpolitik attitude sole prerogative of a lucky few, but the Trump administration’s ad hoc policies ica’s ‘splendid isolation’ could infl ict maintain an Asian "pivot" by committing to international matters, Nixon’s détente inalienable and universal right of all human and improvisation, which overtly and upon the global security system and itself to defending Taiwan against a pos- called for ‘patient and precise efforts to beings’, and announcing ‘a crusade for unabashedly engage in trade-offs, appear mutual trust. That said, the key patterns sible communist invasion and by inter- reconcile confl icting interests on con- freedom that will engage the faith and to shun those very principles that the that determine such a policy need to be vening in Indochina in support of French crete issues’ and required ‘the defi nition fortitude of the next generation ... for the free liberal order was meant to rest upon. carefully analyzed. efforts to fi ght insurgency. Once again, of positive goals which can be sought sake of peace and justice’. The Reagan all these events were expressions of the and achieved cooperatively.’ For all its administration’s idealism was translated HOW ARE WE TO RESPOND? THE AFTERMATH OF idealistic spirit of US foreign policy at oddness and ambiguity, compared to into a whole range of practical means By breathing new life into Georgia’s WORLD WAR II: REBIRTH the time. previous ones, Nixon’s administration which spurred the break-up of the Soviet somewhat obsolete ways of addressing Idealism in foreign policy matters was The same line of idealism was fi rmly was more willing to work with allies Bloc and formally ended the Cold War. foreign policy concerns. We are histor- given a new expression within the Tru- maintained in Eisenhower’s ‘New Look’ without due regard for their democratic The follow-up period under presidents ically famous for our proclivity to ideals man Doctrine: in his speech to Congress, policy, which adopted an even broader credentials and with less concern for George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton could and idealistic developments around us, Truman stated his conviction that the defi nition of a global communist threat. democratic development, this policy was be described as a kind of interim period yet whilst ideals should of course remain, US must ‘support free peoples who are Whilst different in terms of strategy and still somewhat successful thanks to its which witnessed signifi cant disruptions seeing the world through the lens of resisting attempted subjugation by armed means, relying as it did upon nuclear creative use of various sticks and car- in the consistency of US foreign policy idealism does more harm than good. minorities or by outside pressures. I deterrence and a greater use of covert rots. Among its few successes were the as well as attempts to switch from ad hoc Instead, a bias towards less conformist believe that we must assist free peoples operations and military support to local slowing down of the nuclear arms race dealing to a more cohesive and strategic thinking that would result in a greater to work out their own destinies in their anti-communist movements, Eisenhow- with the USSR through the signing of a approach (e.g. enlargement, assertive transactionality of action would be of own way.’ The very fi rst demonstration er's New Look was to avoid ‘losing the number of important agreements, and multilateralism, ‘armed humanitarian- real use. The lessons that can be learned of this Doctrine in action was the Iranian free world bit by bit’ by ceding the ini- the opening up of China. Fundamentally, ism’). This failure of sorts can also be from developments around the world crisis in March 1946, when the US pres- tiative to the USSR in the long run. however, it was to introduce precisely partly attributed to the US becoming an tell us that any lack of ability to think sured the Soviets to fully withdraw troops America’s Basic National Security Policy that chord into US foreign policy which uncontested global leader, and to the and act ‘outside the box’ leads to the from Iran in accordance with the 1943 (NSC-162/2) was to shape an enduring is being strongly reinvented during the practically unimpeded expansion of free ossifi cation of policy. Such an ossifi ca- Tehran Declaration, and to dismantle Cold War and have a strong impact on Trump era, albeit according to the char- trade and market economies in the new tion is eminently perilous and threatens the communist government in the Ira- later foreign policy decisions to counter acteristics of our times. world of ‘liberal hegemony’. to engender national security risks. nian province of Azerbaijan. This was Soviet expansion through asymmetric Appreciating the challenges ahead followed by US dealings to counter com- (and not always fl awless) actions (e.g. THE END OF THE COLD CHRONICLES OF (DEATH) requires a maturity of thought among munist infl uence in Greece and Turkey, the 1954 and 1958 crises in the Taiwan WAR: RE-EMERGENCE OF IDEALISM FORETOLD? the rank and fi le as well as true leader- while the very pinnacle of the Doctrine Straits, toppling Mossadeq in Iran, etc.). The interruption in the use of the prin- First Obama and then Trump's presi- ship skills in terms of political steward- was expressed through massive fi nancial ciple of idealism as the yardstick for for- dency highlight a high water mark dif- ship (and not a mere ‘checks and bal- aid under the auspices of the Marshall SETBACK: SHEER eign policy making did not last very long, ferent from previous policy lines, espe- ances’ approach to power). Idealism, as Plan. CALCULUS ONLY and the Kissingerian premise, referenced cially those which heavily emphasize a policy factor, is seemingly approaching When considering the Truman Doc- President Nixon came to power fi rmly in his memoirs, of ‘purging our foreign idealism as the decisive factor. Yet even its end: it is high time for us to recognize trine, it should be underlined that the believing in the need to redesign the policy of all sentimentality’ was later between those two presidents, a clear this fact, and to change the lens we have entrenchment of idealism within it devi- principles of US foreign policy faced reversed by liberal presidents such as distinction remains: although he contin- become used to looking through when ated somewhat from the views of George with the new geopolitical realities of the Jimmy Carter and, even more vigorously, ued to adhere to the importance of pro- dealing with the world around us. The Customs Headache awaiting the Swiss the agreement about customs monitoring The development of events shows that Georgia’s occupied territories. Ekho Moskvy wrote: “They can call OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA at the borders, which concerned three it was in the same period when Tbilisi Kremlin’s imagination is truly bound- Abkhazia a corridor, or a porch, but the trading corridors: Adleri-Zugdidi, Nari- and Swiss SGS made an agreement last less, but what they don’t get, or perhaps prerequisite won’t be the dreams writ- Gori and Zemo Larsi-Kazbegi. This was year, that the so-called customs offi ces do not want to realize in Moscow, is ten in the agreement, but the polite hile the people the tribute that Russia paid in return for of the occupied territories started oper- well-known and apparent to those liv- treatment of friends and even ill-wish- debated on who, Georgia’s agreement that allowed them ating within the Russian customs sys- ing in the occupied territories. The de- ers. Otherwise, the Swiss company will where and when to to become members of the World Trade tem. This meant that according to the facto leaders argue that not a single fl y have to monitor the fl ow of cargo from celebrate May 17 in Organization. About seven years have Kremlin documents, the Russian cus- can get into the territories without their territory beyond Abkhazia: it will be Tbilisi, whether passed in which Tbilisi and Moscow have toms border begins not at Psou or the consent. “Someone must provide for hard to maintain the work of the ‘chips,’ thoseW fighting against homophobia read between the lines differently. Tbilisi Roki Tunnel, but by the River Enguri the safety of cargo, transport and those if the Russian army dislocated in Abk- should head to Rustaveli Avenue or believed that by signing the agreement, and Ergneti village. Russian customs people who are carrying the goods. hazia and Russia don’t turn from allies those protecting the holiness of the Russia recognized Georgian borders, manipulations do not fall under any Georgia cannot do this on our territory, into prison guards.” family in the churches, the Swiss SGS because the document never stated names logic. Even if this combination were nor can Russia do so because South Neither Tskhinvali nor Sokhumi are company started to monitor the Russo- like ‘South Ossetia’ or ‘Abkhazia’ and was correct, it is still confusing why the Ossetia controls its own land,” said the planning to let the goods over the bor- Georgian border. Finally, Russia signed itself named “The Agreement Between Swiss monitors should be standing at “former Minister of Foreign Affairs of der without negotiating fi rst that Tbilisi the agreement about control of the the Government of Russia and the Gov- the Northern exit of the Roki Tunnel South Ossetia,” Davit Sanakoev. “There- and Moscow sign an agreement spe- “trade corridor,” thus giving a green ernment of Georgia,” while Moscow or the River Psou and why they should fore,” he went on, “South Ossetia should cifi cally with them as an “independent light to the new transit order in the argued that it was Georgia that had rec- give data about monitored cargo to the be participating as a party in this agree- state”. Great headaches await the Krem- South Caucasus. Georgia signed said ognized its borders by Enguri and Gori, integrated database of the WTO, which ment – this is logical in light of the said lin regarding these “trade corridors” if agreement six months prior to this, so because these locations are described in will be sent to Offi cial Tbilisi. In inter- issues.” it really wants to realize the agreement why did the Kremlin fi nally make up its the document in geographic terms of national political language this means Sokhumi’s position is similar and local that it signed with the Swiss SGS on mind now? "latitude" and "longitude" instead of their indirect recognition of Georgia’s legit- political analysts believe that Russia May 18. Otherwise, this document too Three years after the August War, in names. So what kept the Russians wait- imacy to have information about what will face diffi culties using the Abkhaz- will be just plain paper, like many oth- November 2011, Russia and Georgia signed ing? cargo is moving between Russia and ian territory for transit. Izida Chania of ers that the Kremlin has signed before. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 25 - 28, 2018 BUSINESS 9

80% of Early Land Works of Anaklia Port Completed orks at Anaklia are pump station are underway. chosen by the ADC in December 2017. on schedule, with During all stages of land construction As a result of an open tender, according 80% of the early land works, there is constant surveillance of to tender documents published on www. works of the first fl ora and fauna in order to ensure the etenders.ge, the company was chosen phase of the Anaklia appropriate environmental conditions from among 14 candidates. WDeep Sea Port already complete. in the construction process. In the summer of 2018, the fi rst marine The Anaklia Development Consortium The construction works on the terri- construction of the port is planned. Spe- (ADC) and land work contractor ‘Black tory of the Anaklia Deep Sea Port are cialized dredging equipment for marine Sea Group’ carried out the work. underway in compliance with both Geor- and land works will be brought to the A 110-hectare area of fertile (humus) gian and international safety standards. Anaklia territory. At this stage of works, soil has so far been removed and 100% Consortium representatives continue 5 million cubic meters of material will of the construction area has been cleared meetings with local residents about their be collected for the purpose of freeing of waste, including buildings and other safety rules and expected construction 110 hectares of land from the sea bed. structures and hazardous waste. activities. Locals were employed in the Completion of the fi rst phase of the Construction works are ongoing. A 2.5 phase of early land works. fi rst deep sea port of Georgia and the km amelioration channel has been dug The Anaklia Port's early land works beginning of operations is planned for and the construction of pipes and a water are being carried out by Black Sea Group, late 2020. GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY MAY 25 - 28, 2018 Drug Policy Debate Continues

draft a bill and submit it in the next two BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE weeks, which will be a precondition for adopting a law by the end of June. We have a clear vision about the general n May 12, Georgia’s Min- principles. The main task is to reduce istry of Internal Affairs drug use in Georgia and pursue a human- conducted a raid on two itarian policy.” of Tbilisi’s most popular Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili nightclubs, Bassiani and said that the fi nal draft law will consider CaféO Gallery, while the Saturday night signifi cant liberalization and a “more party was in full swing. Eight drug deal- humane attitude, including medical ser- ers were arrested before the raids were vices and psycho-rehabilitation commis- conducted. The clubs remained closed sions. It will also take a very strong on the order of the Ministry of Internal approach towards drug dealers.” Affairs while they conducted their inves- The meeting produced two working tigation. Bassiani was reopened on groups, one to work on the legislative Thursday, May 24, after more than a reform of drug policy and the other to week of worries that it may be forced study the legality of the May 12 police out of business due to fi nancial pressure. action. Government representatives have On the 22, the Deputy Interior Minis- refused to comment specifi cally on the ter, Nino Javakhadze, made a statement issue of marijuana legalization, another on the investigations, saying that strict hot topic. sanctions should be imposed for drug- White Noise has been an active voice related offenses. She said that the Min- against what they call “repressive and istry strives to “not to encourage drug inhumane” drug policies, holding vari- use and not to make it a source of crime,” ous non-partisan rallies, including out- but that “discussion is underway about side the capital, and is vocal on social how humane the drug policy may be media. The Movement calls for a more towards drug users.” This framing of liberal drug policy, including de-crimi- drug users as criminals is still the most nalization of soft drugs and medical care common perception in Georgia. The Public Defender of Georgia and rehabilitation for drug addicts rather Javakhadze said that it would be “wrong the key word used by the government proposed that “All drug addicts should for compromises on the drug policy than imprisonment. to relate this [investigation] to political throughout the discussions. be registered and there should be a num- reform. The Minister of Internal Affairs White Noise claims that liberalized processes,” but it is diffi cult to separate Zoidze promises that by June 7, the ber of restraining factors in terms of agreed to meet with opposition leaders policies will bring 10,000 people out of the two as the raids led to protests, then party will have come to a unifi ed con- drug promotion, including in the fi eld to ease tensions during the May 13 rave- prisons. For several years, Georgia had a dialogue on the drug policy between clusion, saying, "There has not been any of employment. Drug addicts should not protest in front of the Old Parliament the second highest rate of citizens impris- the protest leaders and the government. principled confrontation, but we still be able to get a job in state agencies, building on Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi, at oned per capita in the world, after only Akaki Zoidze, Chairman of the Health- have time to reach a fi nal decision... while the private sector should have which ultra-right activists attempted to the United States of America, largely care Committee of Parliament, held an Decision-making will not last forever. If access to information about whether the break through police barricades in order linked to harsh drug penalties. A Coun- important meeting in the Georgian Dream necessary, an internal ballot will be held.” job seeker is a drug addict. In addition, to attack those participants in favor of cil of Europe report released earlier this central offi ce on Tuesday, after which Zoidze supports toughening penalties there must be a constant information liberalizing the drug policy. Chairman year with data through the end of 2016 he said that the positions of members of towards drug dealers but humanizing war against drug abuse.” Some of the of Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze reported ranked Georgia as having the second the ruling party on the drug policy have the policy towards users and those suf- most fervent anti-liberalization advocates that progress was made at the May 14 highest percent of its population incar- moved closer to each other, but that dis- fering from addiction. He stated that the include members of the government, meeting, saying, “We are intensively cerated in Europe, after Russia. Georgia cussions will continue. Zoidze claims members of the internal party discus- police, and the Orthodox Church. working on the draft law. Even though also ranked fi rst with the highest per- that all members, including Party Chair- sions agree that “people should not go On the opposing side, organizations there are different positions in the rul- centage of prisoners serving sentences man Bidzina Ivanishvili, support a humane to jail only for consumption.” such as the White Noise Movement have ing party, we also have resources for for drug offenses, with 88.3 inmates per drug policy. In fact, “humane” has been Georgian Dream MP Kakha Okriashvili met with offi cials at the Ministry to look achieving an agreement. We want to 100,000 inhabitants. In Need of Those Aristotelian Virtues great man’s moralistic values have not such, oriented on reasonable purposes, OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE quite become a yardstick through which would successfully work in our reality to measure our national character. as a moderate feature of human charac- To my unassuming mind, moderation ter versus the commonplace foolhardi- n May 26, Georgia will is still mocked in this culture, where ness that is killing the prospect of our celebrate the centennial temperance, or self-control, has no con- steady development. Correct me if I’m anniversary of its national siderable weight. If westernization still wrong, but the excessive foolhardiness sovereignty. The story of means anything to us, then the ceaseless is a part of our character which does not independence is long and daydreaming about NATO and EU alone uphold the purpose of our membership widelyO told, so I will not deliberate on will not promote our cause. The gist of in the family of western nations. Fool- facts historical. I would rather wax phil- the matter lies in our character, which hardiness is not what has moved the osophical this time. Life has certainly is miles away from what we call “west- West forward. It was courage and wis- changed in Georgia in the last 100 years, ern.” On the other hand, what I’m going dom taken together that did it. So please as it has in the rest of the world, but the to say now is just a mere statement, let us know well the difference between nature of our character - temperament, devoid of facts and specifi c cases. My the courage preferred by Aristotle, and values, and attitudes - has gone through only concern is the Aristotelian virtues, the foolhardiness utterly discarded by only a barely-noticeable modifi cation, concentrated on moderation: would it him. having remained almost the same, in do this nation any good, if, by any pos- If we could add more temperance to fact. For instance, putting it a little jovi- sible presumption, such were put to life our style of action, excluding the licen- ally, the Aristotle philosophy stays still here? tiousness often demonstrated in our unappreciated in this country, and the It is my belief that genuine courage as everyday life, that might be helpful too.

Proceeding with Aristotelian vocabulary, also learn without delay that envy is descriptive of our character, vanity is mortifying and it curtails our lifespan, one of the epithets to be used here. The and only the righteous indignation can prudent Greek prompts us to equip our- do the right trick. selves with magnanimity instead. Iras- And fi nally, justice: the sum of all val- cibility is also conspicuous in the inter- ues, known to humankind, will have to action among the Georgians, whereas be fully introduced and cultivated on gentleness would have been more rational our soil. to exercise with aims of achieving a con- All those Aristotelian virtues sound sensus in our quarrels and clashes. We like theory that would either be defi ed also lack truthfulness because we suffer or entertained by our people, who need the case of severe preponderating towards a perpetual reminder of what is good boastfulness and ambition. It would also and what is evil. This is the way I would be very winsome if the average Georgian congratulate Georgia and its good peo- managed to go more for kindhearted and ple with the rounded national day and well-meant wit rather than regular, and wish my beloved nation to elevate itself often wicked, buffoonery. The obvious to the values that are accelerating its obsequiousness and repulsive fl attery admittance into western circles and should be rejected too, and friendliness structures that we so badly need to be be taken up as the best instrument to hit part of. Our social culture is hungry for Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 the cherished targets. It would also work those Aristotelian values, based on tem- 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] in our own favor if we said no to bash- perance and moderation, making life fulness in favor of modesty. We must easier, much easier for all of us. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 25 - 28, 2018 SOCIETY 11 Uniting Nations through German Language Month

who migrated to Buenos Aires in 1935. BY SHAWN WAYNE Through synchronized music, theater and dance, the Swiss artist not only nar- rated the story of a girl and her struggle he Embassy of Switzerland for survival, but also touched upon the in Georgia, together with issue of migration and the challenges the Embassies of Germany related to it, an issue which is also famil- and Austria, opened the iar to Georgians today. Month of the German Lan- “I love Georgia!” Prusa told us. “I think Tguage 2018 last week with a performance Georgia’s a great place with very nice by the prominent Swiss artist Alexandra people. I was afraid they might not like Prusa. H.E. Lukas Beglinger, Ambassador the performance, as the setup was quite of Switzerland to Georgia, H.E. Arad different from what I am used to, but in Benkö, Ambassador of Austria to Geor- the end, I think they did.” gia, and H.E. Heike Peitsch, Ambassador Georgia coming closer to Europe is a of Germany to Georgia, opened the even- very long process, and the German Lan- ing with welcome speeches and intro- guage Month is just a small part of a duced the program. the 6th edition of process which will ultimately lead to a the festival, which brings together Ger- better relationship. man-speaking communities under the “One of the main goals of the European slogan “Drei Länder, eine Sprache” (three Union is to foster and support diversity,” countries, one language). Ambassador Benkö said. “On the one “Thanks to these joint activities, the hand, the EU wants the unifi cation of month of the German language has Europe, but at the same time they do not become a tradition in Georgia and a want people to feel afraid that they might symbol of the importance of the German lose their identity or culture, so these language for the relations and multifac- they also convey ideas, perceptions and we plan to bring Austrian lecturers who German Language Month has been performances speak to the culture of all eted exchanges between our countries attitudes which stimulate dialogue and will teach at Georgian universities.” celebrated since 2013 and aims at foster- countries. It was fascinating to see how and Georgia – not only in the area of may promote change and reforms. For “Almost 25,000 school children learn ing multilingualism with the spread of much more a part of European culture culture, but in many other important Georgia, which points its compass towards the German language, which helps to the German language through a diverse Georgia was, more so than today, before fi elds such as education, science, busi- European culture and values, this kind broaden the horizon for people, making cultural program. Until 17 June 2018, the occupation of the Soviet Union, and ness, etc. These exchanges are mutually of exchange is of great importance,” the it easier to fi nd a profession. We have a mixed events including lectures, movie we wish to bring Georgian culture back benefi cial, and the solid position of the Swiss Ambassador told GEORGIA very interesting program which we hope screenings and workshops will take place to where it used to be.” German language in Georgian schools TODAY. will raise interest amongst youth. We in various parts of Georgia, including We can look forward to many more and universities, which we endeavor to “German Language Month is a varied have great support from the Ministry of Tbilisi, Telavi, Gori, Bolnisi, Zestaphoni performances, lectures, movie screen- promote throughout the year, is a major program of events when it comes to Education, and we thank all the other and Kutaisi. ings and workshops during this German asset for Georgia and its German-speak- Austria; we are dedicated to meeting institutions who help us to promote the The music-theater project “Abrazo - Language Month as we work on the uni- ing partners. Cultural events and per- with writers and focusing on literature,” German language to the people of Geor- Tango of Survival” presented last Thurs- fi cation of nations through culture, art, formances are not only attractive as such, Ambassador Benkö told us. “Next year, gia,” the German Ambassador noted. day was about a poor, young Swiss girl music and, of course, language. Human Rights Court in Strasbourg Rules on Russia vs Georgia ment of a barrier separating many Geor- The ECHR said it had heard from 33 do their best to ensure that the European Russia was ordered to pay compensa- BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE gians from their lands, homes, and places witnesses: 16 summoned by Georgia, 12 Court delivers a judgment that corre- tion. of worship and burial. Georgian repre- by Russia, and six directly by the court. sponds to the historical truth,” Bakradze While Russia is participating in the sentatives used the term ‘ethnic cleans- Chairman of Parliament Irakli Kobakh- said. A fi nal verdict is not expected before proceedings, the country is not expected fter years of litigation, the ing’ to describe the forced expulsion of idze said that, “All relevant measures the end of the summer. to uphold the court’s ruling if it is unfa- fi nal hearing in the Euro- ethnic Georgians from their homes in will be taken to ensure that the Stras- The fi rst case Georgia brought against vorable. In 2015, the Duma passed a law pean Court of Human South Ossetia, and the targeting of eth- bourg Court delivers a judgment in favor Russia concerned the mass arrests and allowing Russia's Constitutional Court Rights (ECHR) took place nically Georgian villages. of Georgia.” collective expulsion of Georgia citizens to disregard international court rulings this Wednesday, May 23, in Russia fully denies the accusations Davit Bakradze, leader of the European from Russia in 2006, when more than if Russia believes they violate its consti- Athe case of Georgia v. Russia (II). A Geor- against them. On behalf of the Russian Georgia political party, believes Geor- 2,300 Georgians were detained and for- tution. The Council of Europe has little gian delegation attended the hearing in government, lawyer Mikhail Galperin gia’s chances for success are high, but cibly deported or expelled. Georgia recourse to enforce its rulings. Strasbourg, headed by Deputy Justice emphasized South Ossetia’s right to self- could be hindered by “the statements argued that the deportations were in In March, the Russian RIA news agency Minister Gocha Lortkipanidze. determination, and claimed that the 2008 made by the current government of retaliation for the arrest of four Russian reported that Russia was considering Georgia is accusing Russia for the sec- confl ict was initiated by Georgia in an Georgia, according to which Georgia is intelligence offi cers in Tbilisi in Septem- withdrawing from the European Con- ond time of violating the Articles of the attempt to enforce South Ossetia’s status guilty of starting the war. I hope that ber 2006, while Russia argued that the vention on Human Rights and ending European Convention on Human Rights, as part of Georgia, which was artifi cially these statements cannot change the deportations were a routine enforcement cooperation with the European Court to which both countries are party. After created in 1922 by Josef Stalin. Galperin overall picture and I hope that the gov- of its immigration policy. The ECHR of Human Rights, as many of its deci- the Georgia-Russia War of August 2008, said, "no one asked the Ossetians if they ernment and the Ministry of Justice will eventually ruled in Georgia’s favor, and sions run counter to Russian interests. Georgia fi led an application with Europe’s wanted to become Georgians." top human rights court against Russia After the 2008 war, Tbilisi and Moscow on August 11, 2008. On April 3, 2012, the severed diplomatic ties as Russia recog- case was sent to the Grand Chamber for nized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as consideration. Georgia accuses Russia independent states, although almost of committing serious aggression during every other country in the world recog- and after the 2008 war, and violating nizes the territories as Georgian. In 2009, human rights and fundamental freedoms a European Union investigation found guaranteed by the European Convention Georgia to be at fault for "illegally" start- on Human Rights and its Protocols, spe- ing the war with Russia, but said that cifi cally the articles pertaining to the Moscow then "violated" international right to life, prohibition of torture, inhu- law by invading its neighbor in response man and degrading treatment, freedom to the attack.” Both sides interpreted the and security, and freedom of movement. investigation’s fi ndings as positive. Then- At the fi nal hearing on Wednesday, a Minister for Reintegration Temur Iakob- lawyer for the Georgian side, Ben Emer- ashvili said, "The report proves that son, argued that Russian forces bombed Russia was all the time preparing this villages, burned down homes, and ter- war and August 7 and 8 were the culmi- rorized civilians during the war in Geor- nation," while a Kremlin spokesperson gia’s Tskhinvali region. The brief but said, "We can only welcome that the deadly confl ict resulted in the occupation commission found that the war was of Georgian territory and the establish- started by Georgia." Council of Europe GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY MAY 25 - 28, 2018 The Play’s the Thing: Etseri, Svaneti

fully from under it and become our best, of the same name to advance the action, BLOG BY TONY HANMER freest, truest selves. but almost all of the 45 minutes was our It’s also the time of year when schools youngsters acting out their parts before release their grade 1 and 12 classes a parents, teachers and fellow students. t’s an amazing time to be in Geor- month before everyone else, the “last Between stopping and starting the car- gia: on May 26, we commemorate bell” ritual for the latter as they close toon scenes on our laptop, I had the the 100th anniversary of the dec- one door and walk through another, opportunity to squeeze off a few shots laration of the first Georgian hopefully taking our pride with them. I on my camera for posterity. Republic, along with many coun- can indeed be proud of my wife and our Such a thing has not been seen in our Itries around the world acknowledging school’s other English teacher that not school for quite some years, even in the jubilee in various ways. It was a one of their grade 12 pupils has failed Georgian; this, in their third language, tumultuous time, 1918, with the “War to their fi nal exam in English since Lali was even more of a challenge. But they End all Wars” concluding, the “Peace to started there in 2011! pulled it off well, enthusiastically and End all Peace” beginning, the October Another English event impressed our with plenty of volume as required, fac- Revolution recent and the USSR in cha- school recently, too. My wife put on a ing the audience properly and not fl ub- otic formation. New ways replacing play of “pipkia da shvidi juja” (“Snow bing their lines. All enjoyed it despite ancient ones; rules, powers, kingdoms, White and the Seven Dwarfs”), with pupils the language barrier, as they knew the borders and so much more changing. from grades 3 and up taking part. Her story and could follow along. The chil- Sadly, Georgia’s freedom from Russian university major was theater, so this is a dren got over any stage fright and jumped domination was not yet to be, not by a good fi t for her, and it was great fun. Some right in. Just as well, as they’ll have a long shot. Having signed itself into natural talents in acting emerged as the considerably larger space and audience becoming a vassal of the Russian Empire lines and roles were learned, and we have next week in Mestia… at the beginning of the 19th century in been asked to take the thing to Mestia as order to prevent yet another Persian well, as one of several plays to be shown Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since invasion and devastation, Georgia then for Intellect Day celebrations on June 1! 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a saw its monarchy quickly dissolved and The grade 3s were well suited for the weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He its territory absorbed by its younger but parts of the dwarfs, but Snow White, the runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook larger Orthodox brother. This period, magic talking mirror and the evil step- group, now with nearly 1900 members, at forced entry into the USSR just over a mother-queen were also of this tender www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- century later after trying to throw it off, age. The huntsman was a few years older, sance/ was no kinder. And now we still live in as was the prince; narrators were from He and his wife also run their own guest house the shadow of that long bondage. Gen- the higher grades. We spliced in a few in Etseri: erations may be necessary to emerge projected scenes from Disney’s cartoon w.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

100-year-old Petition Linked to Georgian Independence Discovered & Digitized by Oxford University’s Bodleian Libraries

Continued from page 7 Bodleian Libraries: The Bodleian Libraries at the Univer- I hope the interest in this item will The nucleus of the Bodleian Library’s sity of Oxford is the largest university encourage greater scholarship on Geor- rich holdings of Georgian books and library system in the United Kingdom. gia, the Wardrops, and this turbulent manuscripts is the Wardrop Collection, It includes the principal University library period of history.” formed by Sir Oliver Wardrop and his – the Bodleian Library – which has been "The re-emergence of this petition and sister Marjory. After Marjory’s early a legal deposit library for 400 years; as the rich detail now available online is death in 1909, the Marjory Wardrop Fund well as 27 libraries across Oxford includ- very exciting,” said Justin McKenzie Smith, was founded for the encouragement of ing major research libraries and faculty, British Ambassador to Georgia. “In many Georgian studies and from 1910, through department and institute libraries. ways, the history of links between Britain this fund, the Bodleian became the ben- Together, the Libraries hold more than and Georgia is still being written. The efi ciary of all Marjory Wardrop's papers, 13 million printed items, over 80,000 Wardrop Collection at the Bodleian Library books and manuscripts. They were sup- e-journals and outstanding special col- is a treasure trove of information. Out of plemented by further donations from lections including rare books and man- the friendships made by Oliver and Mar- Sir Oliver until his death in 1948. As a uscripts, classical papyri, maps, music, jory Wardrop and their solidarity with result, the Bodleian has become the major art and printed ephemera. Members of the Georgian people has come the strong, European repository of Georgian mate- the public can explore the collections fast-growing relationship that exists rial outside of Russia and continues to via the Bodleian’s online image portal between our two countries today." add to this remarkable collection. at digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk or by visiting the exhibition galleries in the Bodleian’s * * * ABOUT THE BODLEIAN Weston Library. For more information, About the Georgian collection at the LIBRARIES visit www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 25 - 28, 2018 CULTURE 13

UK Celebrates 100 Years of Georgia

Inauri’s and someone whose reputation appears to BY ROBERT EDGAR have been compromised through association with the KGB. Gillian Evison gave a technical talk on the numerous efforts expended on cataloguing and aturday May 19 was a particularly signifi - collating Georgian historical documents at the cant date for the United Kingdom; not only Bodleian and British Libraries (putting my meagre was there a major event which sent ripples day job managing a small lending-library into stark through the national consciousness, fi nding perspective!), whilst Nikoloz Aleksidze entertain- its outlet in an intense outpouring of pat- ingly plugged Georgia: A Cultural Journey Through Sriotism and country-wide celebration (in the end the Wardrop Collection, a book intended for peo- Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0), but apparently ple like me; not too academic (read ‘bright’) but some bloke with a beard married that actress off Suits interested in the history. which was pretty big news too. Deep in darkest Kent, Most affecting though were the lectures from however, away from the football and the Royal Wed- author and historian Eric Lee, novelist Dato Turash- ding, there was another celebration of a rather lesser- vili, and Dr. Beka Kobakhidze. Lee enthused over known but historically signifi cant event, held at the the idea that the First Georgian Republic proves house of the late Sir Oliver Wardrop: the centenary that a democratic socialist revolution is possible of the First Georgian Republic. and argued for its wider signifi cance with refer- There is a tendency for Georgia-related events ence to its effect on Ramsay MacDonald and the here to have a sense of having been thrown together British labor movement; Turashvili remarked touch- much in the manner of a late-night dinner; chuck- ingly on diffi culties faced after the Soviets took ing whatever’s left in the fridge together in a pan over, and the strange internal dichotomy felt by in the hope of an edible result. Sometimes it’s a people such as he who experienced both the scourge disappointment, but occasionally one ends up with of Soviet communism and the mixed blessing of something intriguing, confusing on the surface, but successive liberalization. Kobakhidze explained ultimately somehow harmonious. This celebration that Oliver Wardrop’s important contributions to was the latter. Lectures covering different areas of the Georgian story have been frequently eclipsed the tragically short-lived republic and its subse- by those of his sister Marjory (redoubtable though quent infl uence were broken up by readings from she was) and that his signifi cance is only just start- The Knight in the Panther’s Skin, a musical inter- ing to become apparent, having been ‘covered up lude from soprano Lali Chilaia, the reading of let- by Soviet historiography’. ters between Marjory Wardrop and Ilia Chavchavadze Taken together, there was a common theme run- by pupils from the First Georgian Supplementary ning through the day: after the enforced ignorance School, and a break for tea and cake. At fi rst, I of Soviet rule, Georgians are still enduring the thought this last was a sop to our quaint English arduous task of rediscovering and learning from village surroundings, but of course the cakes were their time before that appalling 70-year limbo, but made according to Georgian recipes and the tea the seeds are germinating and will hopefully fl our- was Gurieli. ish, given the right support. Justin McKenzie Smith, I’m not joking when I compare the seminar with the British Ambassador to Georgia, rounded off bubble and squeak: Professor Donald Rayfi eld – the speeches with reference to the United Kingdom stalwart of all things Georgia – talked about the and Georgia’s “rock-solid relationship with a single contributions from and characters of two English worldview based on friendship.” scholars of Georgia: William Edward David Allen If that statement is to have practical, real-world and David Marshall Lang. A curious duo, Allen was signifi cance, then the relationship has to come from from a wealthy family and had the leisure of fol- the bottom up. Politicians frequently wax lyrical lowing his interests wherever they led him. After about ‘deep and meaningful relationships’ or ‘deep a spell as a war correspondent during the Greco- and comprehensive partnerships;’ cotton wool Turkish War, he became a noted scholar on Tran- words which mean nothing in themselves and can scaucasia, leaving a huge collection of research bring the frothing inner cynic out of the most meek pertaining to the area when he died. His reputation and gentle soul. But if there is a will to cooperate, was marred by his association with Oswald Mosley then events like these are a good way to start. and the British Union of Fascists, although evidence has emerged that he may have been an MI5 inform- There is a fund which has been set up to help the transla- ant. Lang was another peculiar fi gure, a brilliant tion of Georgian non-fi ction to English which this seminar scholar whose writings on the region have been was in aid of. Search https://mydonate.bt.com/chari- invaluable to future researchers, but a friend of ties/farig to support it. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE MAY 25 - 28, 2018

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI MAY 26 of the Knight in the Panther's May 25, 26, 29, 30 Language: Russian GALLERY INDEPENDENCE DAY Skin, performances of pantomime RAMONA Start time: 13:45, 16:45, 19:45, 22:30 CELEBRATION PROGRAM theater and Theater of Movement . Rezo Gabriadze Ticket: 9-14 GEL THE NATIONAL GALLERY Popularization of the lost recipes of Directed by Rezo Gabriadze Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. Program: ancient Georgian cuisine. English Subtitles DEADPOOL 2 Themed street art. www.museum.ge Venue: Freedom Sq. Start time: 20:00 (Info Above) Sports activities. THE CEREMONY OF Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Start time: 22:30 Exhibition at the National Museum- May 15 – August 5 RECRUITMENT OATHS Ticket: 11-19 GEL For International Museum Day, the Knight in the Panther's Skin SHALIKASHVILI EXHIBITION OF MILITARY translated into 51 languages. GNM presents the Georgian EQUIPMENT PANTOMIME THEATER CAVEA GALLERY National Museum festival, dedicated Start time: 12:00 Address: 37 Sh. Rustaveli Ave. Address: 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. to the 100th anniversary of the Pavilion of the National Telephone: 595 50 02 03 Telephone: 200 70 07 Broadcaster: Democratic Republic of Georgia. Venue: Rustaveli Ave. Intellectual game- "We Read the Exhibition CHILDREN'S CONCERTS May 25 Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL TITIAN - MASTER OF COLOR: Knight in the Panther's Skin". LIKE THIS May 25-31 Start time: 11:00 - 11:40; 12:30 - 13:10; Start time: 11:00-21:00 THE VIRGIN AND CHILD 13:30 - 14:10; 14:30 - 15:30 Comedy genre novels based on Georgian national motives. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY Venue: Rose Sq. KOLGA TBILISI PHOTO 2018 QUIZ ON THE TOPIC OF THE Start time: 20:00 (Info Above) GALA CONCERT Ticket: 15 GEL KNIGHT IN THE PANTHER'S SKIN Start time: 21:00 Language: English May 5 - June 3 Start time: 19:30, 22:15 Address: Tbilisi History Museum Start time: 13:10 - 13:30; 14:10 - 14:30; CINEMA 15:30 - 15:50 ; 17:40 - 18:00 THEATER Language: Russian (Karvasla), 8 Sioni Str. Start time: 13:30, 16:30, 20:00, 22:30 THOMAS DAHMEN AMIRANI CINEMA I Have Seen the Light ELECTRONIC MUSIC TBILISI VASO ABASHIDZE Ticket: 11-19 GEL Address: 36 Kostava St. Start time: 15:50 - 17:40 and 18:00 - 00:00 MUSIC AND DRAMA STATE THEATER Telephone: 2 99 99 55 DEADPOOL 2 MEINRAD SCHADE www.kinoafi sha.ge Unresolved CREATION OF PAINTINGS BY Address: 182 D.Agmashenebeli Ave. (Info Above) ARTISTS Telephone: 2 34 80 90 Language: English Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL JAN GRARUP Start time: 12:00 - 16:00 www.musictheatre.ge Start time: 19:45, 22:15 May 25-31 Language: Russian And Then There Was Silence May 29 Start time: 16:45, 19:30 FUNDRAISING AUCTION OF SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY VANESSA WINSHIP PAINTINGS BY GEORGIAN WELCOME TO GEORGIA Ticket: 11-19 GEL A musical, theatrical play and Directed by Ron Howard She Dances on Jackson ARTISTS TO SUPPORT Cast: Emilia Clarke, Paul Bettany, SOLIDARITY FUND OF GEORGIA romantic comedy telling a story AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR MUSIC about Georgia and its people by Alden Ehrenreich Start time: 17:00 (Info Above) combining song, dance, culture, Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Language: English traditions, history, national Language: English TBILISI CONCERT HALL Exhibition and sale. Start time: 13:45 Address: 1 Melikishvili St. costumes and local cuisine. Start time: 19:15 Language: Russian Archaeological activities for Musical Language: Russian Telephone: 2 99 00 99 children. Start time: 19:30 Language: English, some Georgian Start time: 16:30, 19:30, 22:15 Ticket: 11-19 GEL Painting in sand - illustrations of (with English subtitles) Ticket: 11-19 GEL May 31 characters and scenes from The Start time: 20:00 GEORGIAN FIRE WITH NEW ANON PROGRAM Knight in the Panther's Skin Ticket: 60-80 GEL DEADPOOL 2 (info Above) The Royal National Ballet Presents Construction of the Castle of Devils Directed by David Leitch (Kajeti Castle) and children's area. Start time: 22:00 * Premiere MOVEMENT THEATER Cast: Morena Baccarin, Josh Brolin, Ticket: 16-19 GEL Participation in parchment aging Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave. THE FIRE OF GEORGIAN DANCE Bill Skarsgård, Ryan Reynolds Start time: 20:00 process. Telephone: 598 19 29 36 MUSEUM Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy Ticket: 10-40 GEL Large-scale royal chess with the Language: Russian images of the characters of The May 25 Start time: 16:30, 19:45, 22:00 Knight in the Panther's Skin. RECITATIVE IN THE CITY GEORGIAN NATIONAL TBILISI STATE Ticket: 11-19 GEL CONSERVATOIRE Alley of loved ones, knights and Movement theatre Band: MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA Address: 8 Griboedov St. friendship. El banda del " ”- MUSEUM მუდო AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Telephone: 2 93 46 24 "Free lessons" for children - fairy- Kakha Bakuradze, Sandro Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Directed by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 tale area. Nikoladze, Simon Bitadze, DaTo Cast: Karen Gillan, Josh Brolin, Kakulia, Irakli Menagarishvili www.museum.ge May 27 Flash Mob with the participation Letitia Wright, Chris Evans THE ANCHISKHATI ENSEMBLE of the young generation of Start time: 21:00 Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy GEORGIAN COSTUME AND Georgian Folk Singing Concert Georgian National Ballet Ensemble Ticket price: 10 GEL Language: Russian WEAPONRY OF 18TH-20TH I DARE TO SING Sukhishvili. Start time: 12:30, 22:15 May 26 CENTURIES Start time: 19:30 Exhibition and sale of agricultural Ticket: 10-14 GEL Ticket: 7-15 GEL products. SILENCE! REHEARSAL! NUMISMATIC TREASURY Exhibition and sale of products Directed by Kakha Bakuradze ANON Exhibition showcasing a long May 28 manufactured by around 80 Start time: 20:00 Directed by Andrew Niccol history of money circulation on the ANA MAMISASHVILI’S CONCERT entrepreneurs and cooperatives. Ticket price: 15 GEL Cast: Clive Owen, Amanda territory of modern Georgia from Concertmaster- Inga Lobzhanidze Products manufactured by In program: the works of H.I.F. May 31 Seyfried, Colm Feore the 6th century BC. to 1834. startupers featuring scenes from THE STORY OF A MURDERER Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Biber, W.A Mozart. P. Tchaikovsky, The Knight in the Panther's Skin N. Milstein. B. Bartok, E. Chabashvili Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Language: Russian EXHIBITION STONE AGE Presentation of the Knight in the Start time: 19:00 Start time: 20:00 Start time: 22:10 GEORGIA Panther's Skin using rare species Ticket price: 10-15 GEL Ticket: 15 GEL Tickets: 5 GEL of plants. Glasses for virtual ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE sightseeing of the protected areas GABRIADZE THEATER RUSTAVELI CINEMA May 31 of Georgia. Exhibition of waxworks PAPUNA SHARIKADZE Address: 13 Shavtelis St. Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL stored at the National Center of TRIO FROM NEW-YORK Telephone: 2 98 65 93 Telephone: 2 55 50 00 COLLECTIONS Manuscripts. 3 art cafes. www.kinoafi sha.ge Start time: 20:00 Concert featuring the scenes of the Tickets: 35-65 GEL May 27, 28, 31 April 26 – September 1 Knight in the Panther's Skin. Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL An animated documentary fi lm UNKNOWN COLLECTIONS Installation featuring foreign May 25-31 TBILISI EVENT HALL REZO OF GEORGIAN NATIONAL editions of the Knight in the Address: 1 Melikishvili St. Directed by Leo Gabriadze MUSEUM– INDIA, CHINA, JAPAN Panther's Skin and "Alphabet". Start time: 20:00 SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY Telephone: 2 99 00 99 Virtual animation of the characters Ticket: 15 GEL (Info Above) IOSEB GRISHASHVILI May 27 TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM MAMUKA CHARKVIANI & FRIENDS - KARVASLA Start time: 20:00 Address: 8 Sioni St. Tickets: 30 GEL Telephone: 2 98 22 81 MIKHEIL MESKHI STADIUM May 19-June 20 Address: 761 Chavchavadze Ave.gabr THE EXHIBITION OF Telephone: 291 26 80 KETI KAPANADZE'S ARTWORKS 8 MINUTES May 26 JAMES BLUNT MUSEUM OF SOVIET With James Blunt in the festival are: OCCUPATION The Parlotones, a rock band from Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. South Africa Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Host bands: Young Georgian Lolitaz and Loudspeakers www.museum.ge 18:30- LOUDspeakers 19:30- Young Georgian Lolitaz PERMANENT EXHIBITION 20:30- The Parlotones (South Africa) 22:00- James Blunt (UK) SIGHNAGHI MUSEUM Start time: 18:30 Address: 8 Rustaveli Alley, Sighnaghi Ticket: 65-270 GEL Telephone: 223 24 48 ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL- April 21 – May 31 4GB EXHIBITION Venue: The Center of space DOLLS OF JAPAN constructions, Saguramo The exposition showcases traditional Japanese dolls - among them Hina May 25, 26 Ningyo (girls' festival dolls) and 4GB ELECTRONIC MUSIC Gogatsu Ningyo (boys' festival dolls) FESTIVAL MICHAEL MAYER originating from ancient Japanese AND MORE traditions and customs. Start time: 23:00 GEORGIA TODAY MAY 25 - 28, 2018 CULTURE 15 Kunsthalle Tbilisi – First Mobile Exhibition Promoting Contemporary Georgian Art

Co-founder of Kunsthalle Tbilisi and Free Uni- BY LIKO CHIGLADZE versity Tbilisi Dean, Irena Popiashvili, told GEOR- GIA TODAY more about the mobile exhibition.

rt has no frames and no boundaries, HOW DID THE IDEA OF FOUNDING so one can go as far as one’s mind KUNSTHALLE TBILISI COME ABOUT? wishes. This year, from May 18 – July The idea of Kunsthalle Tbilisi came as a result of 14, for the fi rst time Tbilisi is host- discussions I had with KT co-founder Lika Chkuaseli. ing a moving exhibition that will be I was thinking of an institution with museum-level withoutA one specifi c location. The exciting and exhibitions that does not necessarily have a per- revolutionary project ‘Kunsthalle Tbilisi’ rolled manent collection. Also, we wanted a contemporary out its very fi rst inaugural exhibition through art space whose title would immediately reference presenting two expositions by Georgian artist the art of today – thus, the Kunsthalle. Anyone with Nika Kutateladze and Paris-based artist Angelica a knowledge of the western art world would know Mesiti. The two distinct shows were presented the meaning of the word. In short, we wanted to Morse Code message sent by the French Navy on sthalle exhibitions and the idea of Kunsthalle in at two separate locations. Strange as it may sound, start a space where one can look for contemporary January 31, 1997: ‘Calling all. This is our last cry itself is very community-oriented. The current Kutateladze brought an authentic watermill from art in Georgia. before our eternal silence’. shows will continue till July 14 and Kunsthalle plans Georgia’s Guria region part by part and set it up weekly public talks and guided tours in both loca- in an old Soviet-era apartment on Kazbegi Street, HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THIS FIRST WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR tions. while the Sydney-born artist unveiled video EXPOSITION AND WHAT SHOULD THE PROJECT? WHAT IS THE CORE Kunsthalle Tbilisi has an advisory board that installation Relay League in partnership with VISITORS EXPECT FROM IT? AIM OF KUNSTHALLE TBILISI? includes curators from MoMA New York. With the Protocinema in collaboration with Artspace Syd- Kunsthalle Tbilisi opened with two parallel exhi- The aim of Kunsthalle Tbilisi is to put contempo- support of Goethe Institute Tbilisi, I organized an ney that was followed by a public talk at a former bitions that set the model we would like to follow. rary Georgian art in the wider context of the inter- Artforum panel discussion for TAF, inviting cura- wine factory on Petriashvili Street. Kutateladze, One local artist’s project (Nika Kutateladze’s Water- national contemporary art scene, to put Tbilisi on tors from Kunsthalle Vienna, the Director of Kun- with his installation Watermill On Former Pavlov mill) on Former Pavlov Street at 53 Kazbegi Avenue, the map of the contemporary art scene with paral- stverein Hamburg, and the Curator of Lenbachhaus Street, embarked on an ambitious exercise with and one internationally acclaimed artist’s show lel exhibitions of established international artists Munich to share their experience with us and a his trilogy to slice up and display elements of (Angelica Mesiti’s Relay League presented by Pro- and by doing projects with regional artists. Kun- Tbilisi audience. Georgia’s recent Soviet past where they intersect tocinema at Kunsthalle Tbilisi, commissioned by with his own. They are monuments that are both Artspace, Sydney with support by Commissioning public and personal, infused with the artist’s Partner the Keir Foundation and the Australia emotion. Council for the Arts) at 1 Petriashvili Street in a This was not the fi rst experiment of bringing former winery building. architecture into art by a Georgian artist, as his Kutateladze’s Watermill on Former Pavlov Street previous exhibitions include: Wall, Coarse calico, is fi nal part of a trilogy and making it happen seemed Parquet, organized by the Iare Pekhit organization as unlikely as opening Kunsthalle in Tbilisi. We in 2016, and Minibus and Playground in My Old helped the artist realize his project to buy, trans- Apartment at 20 Mickevich Street in 2017. His work port and install an actual watermill from the moun- has also been shown in group exhibitions, includ- tains of Guria in a typical soviet studio apartment ing Festinova Garikula 2014-2015. Additionally, Nika in Tbilisi. The work addresses many issues, among participated in residencies at La Station in Nice, them the abandonment and dying out of Georgian France, in 2015 and the Yarat Contemporary Art villages. The watermill is the heart of the village: Center in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2017. once you take it away, it’s like taking the heart of Angelica Mesiti, an internationally renowned the village out. The artist followed the river down artist, will represent Australia at the 58th Venice from the mountains of Guria. There is only the Biennale in 2019. Mesiti’s work can be found in foundation left of some watermills; some roofs major collections throughout Australia and inter- have caved in and the watermill that was in the nationally, including: the National Gallery of Aus- best shape was the one Kutateladze had transported tralia, Canberra; The Museum of Contemporary to Pavlov street. The soviet studio apartment is Art Australia, Sydney; Kadist Art Foundation, Paris, very much a part of the work itself. San Francisco; Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt; and in Angelica Mesiti’s new 3-channel video installa- the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space, Tokyo. tion Relay League 2017 engages with the language Within Kunsthalle Tbilisi, her three-dimensional of Morse Code as an extinct form of communica- show, created in 2017, utilizes as its medium the tion. In this case, a musician-composer, a dancer Morse Code from a 1997 emergency message sent and two dancers who have developed their own out by a group of French sailors in 1997. movement-sign-language, each interpret the fi nal

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