Issue no: 1125 • FEBRUARY 15 - 18, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Marneuli Mayor Resigns, Facing Criminal Charges NEWS PAGE 3 The Lucifer Effect: How to Turn Georgian Judges Good POLITICS PAGE 4 Is it Worth Keeping Abkhazia Switched On? The Enguri Dilemma

FOCUS ON THE BRUSSELS VISIT POLITICS PAGE 5 Check out the latest -NATO news PAGE 2 Hosted 3rd Annual B2B Luxury & MICE Workshop BUSINESS PAGE 6 Energy Effi ciency: The Sleeping Illusions Museum to Open in Tbilisi Giant of Climate Mitigation SOCIETY PAGE 8 Prima Ballerina Nino BY AMY JONES Image source - EU4Energy Ananiashvili on the State Ballet’s New Program & ith climate change a huge con- cern for the future, discussions Kiev Tour often revolve around the reduc- tion of gas emissions rather than how societies can save energy. WHowever, energy effi ciency is a method that not only tackles environmental issues by minimizing energy consumption, it also brings about positive changes in health, education and the economy. From 11 - 13 February, EU4Energy and the Inter- national Energy Agency (IEA) held a EU4Energy policy forum, focusing on energy effi ciency in buildings. Bringing together experts and policy- makers from around the world, attendees were able to expand their knowledge and draw on experi- ences from other countries in the region. GEORGIA TODAY sat down with speakers Armin Mayer and Brian Dean from IEA to discuss energy effi ciency in Georgia and the world. Continued on page 7 CULTURE PAGE 11 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS FEBRUARY 15 - 18, 2019 NATO & Partner Defense Ministers Gather in Brussels from 2014 – 2017, recommended that BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE NATO invite Georgia to the Alliance during the next summit. “Georgia should be an Alliance mem- efense Minister of Georgia, ber because it can improve the situation Levan Izoria, took part in in terms of security. In addition, Georgia a two-day series of meet- has done everything that it was required ings with defense ministers to do,” he said. He also emphasized the from NATO allies and positive reputation of Georgian soldiers Dpartners in Brussels, February 13-14. among the Allies – “Everyone wants to NATO declared that the talks centered fi ght [alongside] Georgians because they on “pressing security challenges, includ- are so good. So, they have nothing to ing ’s violation of the Intermediate- prove. Now, it's the turn of the Alliance Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Ministers to take the next step and invite Georgia will discuss efforts to strengthen the to be a NATO member.” Alliance’s deterrence and defense, and In other news coming out of the NATO review NATO missions in Afghanistan, meetings in Brussels this week, it was Kosovo, Iraq and the maritime area. announced that the Embassy of Burden-sharing and NATO-EU coop- in Tbilisi will replace as the eration will also be high on the agenda.” offi cial contact point embassy between On Wednesday, Izoria met with NATO NATO and Georgia for the next two-year Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and term. Deputy Secretary General Rose Gotte- Poland’s Ambassador to Georgia, Mar- moeller. The main topics during the iusz Maszkiewicz, noted that “Poland meeting included, according to the Min- has always been a faithful friend of Geor- istry of Defense’s Twitter account, Geor- gia,” and expressed his hope that the role gia’s unwavering aspiration to NATO would allow Poland to help facilitate Image source: Ministry of Defense of Georgia membership, increasing public support Georgia’s continued process of NATO for NATO in Georgia, and the upcoming that they discussed a series of bilateral held brief meetings with the defense gia in areas of military training and edu- integration, while strengthening the NATO-Georgia exercises in March. issues, including “perspectives of Georgian ministers of Bulgaria and , thank- cation, stratcom, cyber security, and relationship between the two countries. This year will be the fi rst NATO-Geor- membership in NATO and NATO’s Open ing the Bulgarian Embassy in Tbilisi for implementation of the Substantial NATO- The contact point embassy model was gia exercise where Georgia leads the Door Policy that was recently implemented being an “effective contact point” between Georgia Package,” said the Georgian developed in the early 1990s, “to support planning and execution process. Secre- in relation to North Macedonia and previ- Georgia and NATO and thanking Roma- Ministry of Defense. the Alliance’s partnership and public tary General Stoltenberg will visit Geor- ously Montenegro,” as well as defense nia for its faithful support of Georgia’s The day before the ministers descended diplomacy activities” in partner coun- gia during the exercises. plans for 2019, Georgia’s Defense Readi- territorial integrity and sovereignty. on Brussels, retired US Army Lieutenant tries, says NATO. The functions of the While in Brussels, Izoria also met with ness Program (GDRP), fair distribution Earlier in the day, Izoria and his staff sat General Frederick Benjamin Hodges III contact point embassy include serving US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey of budget and resources, multinational down with the Lithuanian delegation for was interviewed by Voice of America. a public diplomacy role and providing Hutchison. Izoria called the meeting “very exercises, and the “Total Defense” concept. bilateral consultations. “ Hodges, who served as commanding support, as needed, in implementing interesting and meaningful,” and noted After meeting with Hutchinson, Izoria expressed continuous support to Geor- general of US Army (USAREUR), Alliance activities with partners. Discover as You Ride: Where.ge to Publish Georgian Bus Onboard Magazine

Georgian Bus is one of the leading BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA transport companies in the country, ensuring the travel of 95% of interna- tional and local passengers from he CEO of the Georgian International Airport to Tbilisi, Batumi, Bus Company, Shalva Khut- Gudauri and Svaneti. In addition, Geor- sishvili, and George Shar- gian Bus is the exclusive transport part- ashidze the Publisher of ner of WizzAir, with 73% of international Where.ge, an English lan- tourist fl ow coming from Europe. Tguage guidebook, have signed an agree- Direct fl ights to new destinations are ment according to which the latter has scheduled to be launched this summer, become the offi cial publisher of the and Georgian Bus is looking forward to Georgian Bus onboard magazine. welcoming and serving the resulting The magazine will be published quar- increased number of passengers. terly and will give passengers the most Currently, the company caters for important and up-to-date information approximately 15,000 passengers per about Georgia. month. The given number is expected

George Sharashidze, the Publisher of Where.ge and Shalva Khutsishvili, CEO of the Georgian Bus to increase to 25,000 in the high season making the trips around the country told us. “Our agreement with Georgian this year. maximally comfortable, informative and Bus contributes to the development of Khutsishvili announced that clientele interesting for passengers. Georgia’s tourism industry, as only of Georgian Bus will be served with “This is a big achievement and respon- accurate information regarding the brand new buses, launched two weeks sibility, giving us the chance to pass on country’s multiple sightseeing oppor- ago. He accentuated the signifi cance of information, based on Where.ge mate- tunities is given to visitors through our the memorandum with Where.ge for rial, to a wider audience,” Sharashidze content”. GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 15 - 18, 2019 NEWS 3 Marneuli Mayor Resigns, Facing Criminal Charges

manov was angry about E. Alakhverdiev’s BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE comments at the rally, and accused him of insulting Abazov’s wife at the instruc- tion of someone else, whose name he arneuli Mayor Temur demanded. “After that, Suleymanov, Abazov was arrested in Ramin Alakhverdiev and E.G. physically June 2018 on charges of abused him,” the Prosecutor’s Offi ce abuse and inhumane reported. treatment towards one Badly beaten, E. Alakhverdiev was then Mof his constituents – Elchim Alakhver- taken to a local restaurant by Jeikhun diev. Choidarov, another member of the Three other men have also been charged Marneuli City Assembly, where Abazov with abuse: United National Movement was waiting. “As soon as they arrived, MP Azer Suleymanov, a Georgian Dream Abazov spat at Alakhverdiev, forced him member of the Marneuli City Assembly, to turn on Facebook live and verbally Ramin Alakhverdiev (no relation to the insult his own wife. Then Abazov forced victim), and a relative of Abazov’s iden- the man to urinate in a glass and wash tifi ed by the initials E.G. his face with it,” according to the Pros- In a press conference on the day of his ecutor’s Offi ce. arrest, a representative of the Chief Pros- Abazov was held in a local jail from his ecutor’s Offi ce explained the circum- arrest on June 13, 2018, until December stances of the charges levied against 2018, when he was released on a 10,000 Abazov. Elchim Alakhverdiev, a resident GEL ($3,752) bail at the approval of the of Marneuli, attended the protests in Rustavi Regional Court. Image source: Reginfo Tbilisi on June 10. During the rally, he Two months after his release, on my innocence,” said Abazov. The former member of Parliament, he is protected affi liation or political position. “It is broadcast a video live on Facebook where Wednesday, Abazov addressed the mayor maintains that the entire incident by immunity and was not detained. The necessary to punish each participant in he expressed his dislike of Mayor Aba- Marneuli City Assembly with his resig- “was a well-organized provocation and Prosecutor’s Office brushed off the the incident," said Kobakhidze. zov and insulted his wife. Later that nation from his post as mayor. “I consider there is no evidence or facts about my charges against him, saying it was not Abazov is also a member of the ruling evening, he received a phone call from that a person acting as a defendant [in involvement.” serious and his role as an MP would not Georgian Dream party. Tbilisi Mayor Askerov asking to meet at the United a legal case] should not perform the Abazov was suspended from offi ce be affected. Chairman of Parliament Kakha Kaladze, Georgian Dream Secre- National Movement offi ce. When E. duties of a civil servant before the fi nal pending the trial, replaced ad interim by Irakli Kobakhidze, however, sent a letter tary General, affi rmed at the time of his Alakhverdiev arrived, Suleymanov, R. verdict is delivered in the criminal case. Deputy Mayor Zaur Tabatadze. to acting Chief Prosecutor Mamuka arrest that everyone must be held account- Alakhverdiev, E.G., and several other This is the only reason I am resigning. Accomplice Azer Suleymanov was also Vasadze encouraging him to fully inves- able for their actions, regardless of which unidentifi ed persons were waiting. Suley- I will continue the legal dispute to prove charged with physical abuse, but as a tigate the charges regardless of party party they represent. Scholarships Given to Bright Pupils at Okrokhana School

books and equipment to set up a small The principal of the school stated that He also announced two further initia- library in the school, something which the process of choosing the benefi ciar- tives in the pipeline, seeing fi nancial before that moment the local children ies was totally transparent and unbiased support being given to children from the had only dreamed of. and that the scholarship will be given to most socially vulnerable families and “We are extremely grateful to everyone different students each academic year. providing pupils with the equipment who donated to our library, and to Mr At the meeting with the students, David needed for their own dedicated “study Bejuashvili for choosing to help our Bejuashvili congratulated the recipients corners”. school pupils,” she said, adding that along of the fi nancial aid and awarded them At the end of the meeting, Bejuashvili with motivation, the New Life scholar- with certifi cates and bouquets. asked the pupils to pass on that feeling ship is an incredibly important fi nancial As to why he had chosen the Okrokhana of gratitude got when receiving a reward. source allowing access to a number of school to feature among his benefi ciar- “It is equally important to be thankful extra-curricular activities, such as dance ies, Bejuashvili said that he had recently for a gift and to value the effort of others or singing classes, for those children moved to Okrokhana with his family and made to support you. Such thinking the lucky chosen few. whose families are otherwise unable to wanted to do something to help the local makes us kinder people and encourages BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA On February 12, Bejuashvili met this afford them. community. us to help others in turn.” year’s winning pupils to personally con- gratulate them on their success. krokhana, a small village GEORGIA TODAY attended the cer- on the outskirts of Tbilisi, emony and spoke to him and to the Prin- though very close to the cipal of the school, Giuli Kharkheli. capital city, represents “Even though we have a wonderful quite a leap between the team of well-qualifi ed and experienced urbanO and the rural, with residents liv- teachers, who do their utmost to ensure ing much as they do in a typical Georgian our pupils receive a high quality of edu- village- which includes the regular cation, the location and general social appearance of cows and chickens walk- conditions of the community of ing the lanes and many houses in a Okrokhana raise a number of issues,” dilapidated condition. The pupils of the Kharkheli told us. “There is the social local school (Public School #28) face a stereotype that if a school is not located number of challenges with regards the in the city center, it will be unable to condition of their building, despite hav- provide the right education. There are ing a team of motivated and oft-trained only 135 pupils at our school this year, teachers engaged in the daily teaching and unfortunately the living conditions process, doing their best with what they of the majority of them are far from sat- have. With the Ministry of Education isfactory”. budget stretched to capacity and beyond, Kharkheli emphasized the importance these days it often comes down to par- of the wonderful initiative of scholar- ents, generous donor individuals or ships to motivate children and encourage organizations to make a real difference them to dedicate themselves to their to schools and the lives of pupils in studies. Georgia. Okrokhana school is lucky “There is lack of such projects in Geor- enough to count itself the benefi ciary of gia,” she said. “That’s why when the one such generous initiative. opportunity was offered me to do it at David Bejuashvili, founder of the non- our school, I could barely believe it was profi t organization ‘New Life’, established real. It represents an incredible oppor- in 2014, has launched a scholarship for tunity for our students”. three Georgian schools, offering 100 GEL Further good fortune came recently per academic month to the three most when members of the Tbilisi and ex-pat successful students of each school. The community, headed by GEORGIA Okrokhana School counts itself among TODAY’s Katie Ruth Davies, donated GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS FEBRUARY 15 - 18, 2019 The Lucifer Effect: How to Turn Georgian Judges Good

three basic assumptions. The fi rst: there BY ARCHIL SIKHARULIDZE AND is no way we can build a judiciary that TEIMURAZ SIKHARULIDZE is fully trusted by all, meaning that we will never have a system that is accept- able for everyone; hence, we need to eorgia has a plethora of learn to obey judgements unless they issues needing attention are clearly partial. Second, we need to and reform, but there is make it clear to local political powers probably no topic as sig- that the judiciary is not a subordinated- nifi cant and crucial as the to-the-ruling-elite political mechanism Gjudiciary. Since the dissolution of the or weapon. Finally, we cannot afford to Soviet Union, Georgian governments fi re every judge who had a past miscon- have been trying hard to build a com- duct; Georgian society does not have the prehensive, sophisticated, independent human resources required to repeat and, most importantly, publicly trusted Saakashvili’s period formula of “fi re eve- judicial system. Unfortunately, these ryone and hire new staff”. As such, we attempts have been unsuccessful, largely must work with those people who are due to the unwillingness of the ruling in the system today. political powers to give up such a strong Based on these three pillars, the gov- and infl uential mechanism, a tool still ernment should push for systemic and widely used by ruling regimes in non- environmental change, meaning that democratic states to oppress and punish “good” people are not pushed to do bad counterparts. and “bad” people are turned “good” or The current rulers, Georgian Dream, are kept out of the system. Those judges are today pushing for another grand who had a strong background of mis- reform that, in theory, should fi nally put conduct must be severely punished and into the judiciary some widely accepted, expelled from the judiciary, while others recognized and embedded democratic are given chance to prove their profes- standards such as the check-and-balances sionalism and devotion to the new dem- model. This process is chock-full of con- ocratic standards. The idea of life-long troversy due to a number of highly ques- judges must be temporarily abandoned. tionable decisions that have so far been The existing political reality and human made, among them the appointment of resources are not enough to pursue this judges who are blamed for unlawful past approach. Rather, we need a long-stand- judgements in extremely sensitive and ing project, perhaps “judge of the future”, scandalous criminal cases. The majority which will prepare a new generation of of local and foreign experts and NGO/ public servants who will be appointed INGOs expressed their astonishment at on a life-long basis later on. These deci- the appointments and are calling on the that independent variables such as envi- of publicly trusted institutions that will judgement made and, thus, questions the sions ensure that the most prominent government to show the political will to ronment or a stressful situation may contribute to a judicial system that sup- judiciary. Furthermore, representatives of “guilty judges” are punished, others are truly reform the system. have. Human beings are not, by default, ports “good” people and keeps away and/ Georgian society have no general culture given a second chance, relatives of vic- In the wake of such turbulence, Irakli “bad” or “good”, meaning that their or sets a working framework for the of obeying court decisions unless they are tims get at least minimum justice and Kobakhidze, Chairman of Parliament, behavior is not pre-determined by nature “bad”. Kobakhidze raised the important victorious. As such, at the end of the day, Georgian society has time to establish a poured fuel on the fi re during a TV but rather conditioned by a set of inter- issue of systemic change but did so in a the demand for an impartial, fair and free functional judiciary with trusted life- appearance on February 5 where he com- nal and external characteristics that may non-diplomatic manner and without trial is never-ending. long judges. mented on the appointments, stating force “good” people to turn “bad” and explanation. Another obstacle is the local political By and large, the judiciary reform is that those judges who had misdemean- “bad” people to turn “good”. culture that, according to the best tradi- probably one of the most relevant and ors in the past had in fact been “made One the most prominent representa- APPLYING THE FRAMEWORK tions of Georgian mentality, is tolerant sensitive topics today. Kobakhidze’s argu- good” as a result of systemic and envi- tives of the Social Psychology school is Before arguing the steps the government only towards those institutions which ments are not by default false; moreover, ronmental changes. These remarks were Stanford University Professor, Philip needs to take to achieve a successful are politically and ideologically accept- his views totally fi t into the Social Psy- considered by some as unacceptable and Zimbardo, who argued these ideas in his reform, we should speak about at least able and benefi cial. Mikhail Saakashvili’s chology paradigm which argues for a unethical. But if we put political and prominent work The Lucifer Effect (TLE), two important issues that are frequently regime had no issues with the corrupt healthy system and environment to pre- ideological rivalry as well as populism How Good People Turn Evil. Zimbardo overlooked. judicial system of the time until it was vent “good” people turning “bad”: the aside, it is obvious that Kobakhidze’s takes a look at the so-called Stanford subordinated to the political elite. Yet, “bad” may turn “good” if they are put into statements perfectly fi t into the social Experiment and misbehavior of Ameri- READINESS TO OBEY representatives of the former ruling such conditions. Georgian society needs psychology paradigm and refl ect a work- can soldiers in the Abu Ghraib prison in While debating the judicial system reform, movement are dissatisfi ed with this less not only to reform the judiciary but also ing policy that, at the end of the day, Iraq. He is confi dent in his judgements analysts often undermine the importance (but still) corrupt institution under Geor- to reform its mentality and political cul- must be pursued with minor changes. that the cases prove the signifi cant role of the Georgian mentality and political gian Dream governance. The unwilling- ture. Furthermore, it needs to recognize of the system and environment on the culture. Representatives of Georgian ness of local political powers to give up that we cannot simply fi re everyone who THE LUCIFER EFFECT: HOW behavior of individuals who had previ- society, as well as elites, frequently talk the judiciary as a political mechanism does not satisfy the high moral and ethi- GOOD PEOPLE TURN EVIL ously never had records of violence and about building a publicly trusted institu- prevents the establishment of a truly cal standards- Georgia lacks the human Social Psychology is a fi eld that studies misconduct but who were keen to engage tion, but, factually, neither side is really independent institution. resources for that. That said, it is wise to the infl uence of social processes and in such actions once affected and pushed ready to contribute to the building. Thus, it makes no sense to debate judi- punish those who deserve it (within rea- environment on people’s behavior. It by external factors. This reality is determined by the widely- cial system reform unless we bring sig- sonable and existing limits) while con- basically argues that individual behavior Irakli Kobakhidze’s comments may shared perception that a fair and free court nifi cant changes into the Georgian men- tinuing to cooperate with others. The is not determined solely by a human sound cynical and irrelevant, but actu- is a court that makes “respective” judge- tality and local political culture. idea of life-long judges must be postponed being’s personal character, ethics, values ally the creation of a healthy, free, inde- ments which are acceptable for everyone. in order to prepare a new generation of and attitudes; obviously, it is highly sen- pendent and transparent environment/ But this is practically impossible, as the MUST DOS public servants to be appointed accord- sitive to external impact and/or pressure system is crucial for the establishment “loser” always opposes and questions the We should express and keep in mind ing to the approach later on. SUBSCRIBE!

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Image source: orangesmile.com Is it Worth Keeping Abkhazia Switched On? The Enguri Dilemma

OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA

n just a few weeks, the leading energy colos- sus of the country, Enguri Dam, will grind to a halt. To be more precise, it will be switched off for the huge rehabilitation works The fact that providing underway. Preliminary information suggests the occupied territories Ithat it will take 3.5 months as the 1.5 km tunnel connecting the turbines (which are on occupied territory) with the dam will undergo “capital repair”. with free energy can’t The project’s estimated budget is 27 million GEL and EUR 35 million, money allocated to Offi cial last much longer is Tbilisi by donor countries. The de-facto leaders of the occupied territory already being openly were informed about the planned rehabilitation in 2018. For 3.5 months, they will be unable to receive discussed in Tbilisi free electricity and will have to look for alternative is Russia. That same Russia from which we are sources. A month ago, in mid-January, the separa- planning to purchase the energy in spring, which tists came forward with an initiative to hold a closed means that we will be paying 10 times more for meeting with offi cials from Tbilisi whereby they energy that was produced by Enguri Dam to keep asked for guarantees, demanding that electricity the occupied territory lit. be supplied. The discussions revolved around The fact that providing the occupied territories importing the energy from Russia and Tbilisi foot- with free energy can’t last much longer is already ing the bill. It is unknown if we will need to import being openly discussed in Tbilisi, but Abkhazia that electricity from Russia, but the separatists did doesn’t have enough resources to pay for it and get a guarantee that Anklav wouldn’t be left in the Abkhazian media says that the breakaway regimen dark. We are also unaware of the costs that Georgia isn’t planning to allocate the relevant expenses in will need to cover in order to supply the occupied their annual “budget.” territory with energy for 3.5 months, but consider- “As it turns out, Georgia is negotiating with Rus- ing the appetite of the separatists, we can image it sia whether or not the latter will supply us with would equal a few million. the needed amount of electricity. And who knows Today, residents of the occupied territories are at what expense. In light of this, our government paying 1 Tetri (40 Russian Kopecks) per 1 kWh, does nothing other than talk about its partnership while legal entities pay 3.5 Tetri (85 Kopecks). In with Russia. What do we need the government the rest of Georgia, the cost of 1 kWh is between for?” – wrote one Abkhazian on social media. Oth- 14.5 and 23 Tetri. And since nobody in occupied ers wrote that Russian military bases are being Abkhazia has paid for electricity for the last 25 supplied with energy from Abkhazia, and the volt- years, it shouldn’t be diffi cult to calculate the colos- age is so low that the electric appliances hardly sal expenses that the Georgian annual budget suf- work. fers in keeping the occupied territories supplied. For Offi cial Tbilisi, Enguri Dam is a real dilemma. Another problem for Georgia is that the use of If we recall the events of last year, when the pipe- electricity on those territories is increasing. Today, line of one of the turbines broke and the entire about 180 thousand people reside in occupied Abk- occupied territory was saved from a catastrophe hazia, and the usage of energy per capita equals to only miraculously, it is undeniable that in order to that of and . Recent statistics suggest avoid it in future, this rehabilitation is much needed. that the annual usage has reached 2 billion kWh. However, wasting the budget of Georgia is no less Strange, isn’t it? How can Japan, being among the of a catastrophe for us. If we continue supplying top three leading economies in the world, and electricity for free, the Enguri Dam will stop bring- occupied Abkhazia, with literally no economy at ing any economic benefi ts for Georgia, and there all, use the same amount of energy? It seems that will come a day when we will need to examine if the laws of mathematics don’t work in Anklav and it is worth us investing millions of Lari to keep we are dealing with a phenomenon. Enguri working. In this current situation, the life- The electricity generated from Enguri Dam is cycle of the dam is getting shorter and shorter. In lost without trace in Abkhazia, and if we take the end, the costs of its rehabilitation will exceed advantage of our knowledge of the laws of con- all limits and neither Georgia nor the European stancy and conservation of energy, we will under- Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) stand that the only place the energy could be stored will consider it worth the investment. GEORGIA TODAY 6 BUSINESS FEBRUARY 15 - 18, 2019 Tbilisi Hosted 3rd Annual B2B Luxury & MICE Workshop

by Slovenian Tourism Board represent- workshop,” said Ia Gedevanishvili, Direc- ative Anja Bezgovsek, followed by B2B tor of Check-In Travel Agency. “It was, meetings and, that evening, by a cocktail as ever, an extremely interesting and gala at Tifl is Veranda. engaging event which contributes to the GEORGIA TODAY spoke to some attend- establishment of partnerships with ees to gauge the success of the event. important and useful companies, which “It was organized to the highest level,” then helps us to boost sales. Slovenia is said Grecotel Hotels & Resorts Director one of the best but lesser developed of Sales, Michalis Markakis. “The work- destinations which we need to work on shop helped me to meet new clientele and to make large-scale investments in”, and prolong and advance collaboration she said. with already existing partners,” he told B2B Luxury & MICE Workshop was us, noting in particular the need to organized by the British company TMI, improve air transport between Georgia a travel marketing and communication and . “The air transportation sec- company which is part of Travel Consul tor needs to be advanced, as there are alliance (www.travelconsul.com), work- no direct fl ights from a number of cities ing in partnership with Brandor Consult- in Greece. Direct fl ights are especially ing, Georgia. GEORGIA TODAY and important for families with minors. We OK! magazine were offi cial media part- also plan to revise the prices of fl ights. ners of the event. A complete list of for- As for the workshop, through it we have eign participants and the event details high expectations to attract more clients”. can be found here: www.B2Btravelwork- “This is my second time attending this shop.com and here: Facebook page.

kets, where travel and specifically Catalonia and Tenerife, and saw the BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA Luxury travel is emerging. return of the national tourism boards of The Workshop focused on luxury and and Slovenia. There were also up-market travel products including some new hospitality participants includ- ooms Hotel Tbilisi this year luxury hotels and resorts, destination ing international hospitality brands such hosted the third edition of management companies and travel des- as the Intercontinental - Vienna Hotel the prestigious professional tinations such as national and regional from , the historical Hotel luxury travel event B2B tourism boards and allowed local Geor- Metropol, in Moscow. S7, Russia’s 2nd Luxury & MICE Workshop. gian travel companies to have one-to-one largest airline also took part in the event AsR an established specialist travel indus- meetings with prestigious international for the fi rst time, as did Turkish Airlines. try event, the B2B Luxury & MICE Work- exhibitors. There was also a number of hotel and shop brings together a variety of luxury This year’s B2B Luxury & MICE Work- DMC representatives from Slovenia and hospitality and destination travel prod- shop brought prestigious new destina- . ucts in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakh- tions to the Georgian market for the fi rst Slovenia and its potential were put into stan, and introduces them to new mar- time, including the tourism boards of the spotlight in a presentation delivered

SOCIETY Our Recurrent Educational Vicissitudes abrogation of the Skills Test with the OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE possibility of reinstating corrupt exam- inations; and some would nihilistically emphasize that no good education is ducation per se is a global possible without enough money to actu- problem, but here in Georgia, ally run the schools. it has been one of the acutest Controversy is hot, characteristic for issues since the erstwhile com- a young and developing democracy like munist era. The Ministry of ours, but controversy alone will not save EEducation here is a very big deal, and it the day. Facts push us to believe that regularly uses its overwhelming power education in Georgia is suffering a sud- to introduce changes in the system, main- den and ignominious failure, and faced taining its everlasting authority in dictat- with this seemingly insurmountable ing to the nation what to learn and how. debacle, the nation has to fi nd a way out Meanwhile, the effect is zilch, and changes without delay. The cancellation of the continue from generation to generation earlier experimental Skills Test might and from minister to minister. be one endeavor to cope with the diffi - Discussions on the topic are ubiquitous, culty of the situation. the internet bursting with comments Well, it might work, and it might not, and families lost in thought. I too am but trying is always good. At least it never sailing that boat. The other day, I found hurts. The entire world is living in an a couple of minutes of rare leisure time educational experiment and only a few and browsed the local TV channels, nations have had some success in reno- fl icking through literally every available vating the process and optimizing the program making affordable attempts to results. What do we need our education elucidate the recent changes in the edu- for after all? Probably, to make a better cation system of Georgia, And what do living, and if this is true, it is worth con- Image source: dailytimes.com.pk you think I came across? Almost every tinuing to experiment with it. It feels show was a genuine madhouse, all the is that the nation has no clue what’s bet- The State is using a lot of taxpayer’s who have gone through special drills in good that we are not alone in our con- participants talking over each other, ter – to have the graduation examination money on the primary, middle and higher the hands of expensive private tutors. frontation with modern enlightenment practically shouting, hysterical, not giv- in schools or not. Actually, the crux of education of the generations, and it is Listening to public comments, one can demands and exigencies. All the nations ing each other even the slightest chance the issue is that the so-called Skills Test, natural that the State wants to know if hear umpteen different opinions. Some of the world are dragging their educa- to speak their minds. purely based on Western testing experi- that spending is justifi ed. Therefore, say the Skills Test is optimal and neces- tional feet in the same boots. What might The reason for the current national ence with a somewhat modifi ed name, checking the knowledge and skills of sary because it reveals the preparedness help here, though, is to know that pump- exaltation is the abrogation of high-school was made obligatory in Georgia as the high school graduates seems to be indis- of a youth for contemporary norms of ing our kids with the maximum of useful graduation examinations, singlehand- high school graduation examination, pensable – you spend money, you want civilized life; others would try to prove information in the minimum of time and edly executed by the newly appointed opening the way to higher education. In to know what you get for that money. that it is the most corrupt and unfair test then turning the yielded product into Minister of Education of Georgia. But a word, the change in question is mostly Isn’t this natural? On the other hand, a that has ever been invented because kids general and private wellbeing so that that’s not the reason for the resulting about making access to college educa- scary number of high-school students are tested in matters that are not taught translation of knowledge into money is all-national delirium. The real problem tion easier for our young men and women. fail the obligatory Skills Test, even those in school; still others would connect the recognized as the bottom-line. GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 15 - 18, 2019 SOCIETY 7 Energy Effi ciency: The Sleeping Statistics Show Crime Giant of Climate Mitigation Continued from page 1 they’re all very similar, you can do a cost-effective makeover. You can make Energy effi ciency has the potential to them look beautiful and be effi cient in save both energy and money in various a clever way, you just have to use imag- on the Rise in Georgia areas. For example, on a government level. ination. That’s an opportunity, I think.” Many countries, including Georgia, heav- The Adjara Group has demonstrated ily subsidize energy. Energy effi ciency how Soviet buildings can be successfully BY AMY JONES therefore offers an opportunity to lower transformed into liveable spaces. “We’ve subsidies without transferring the cost stayed in interesting hotels in Tbilisi to consumers. “The government is heav- that have been completely renovated,” tatistics published by the Min- ily involved in the traditional energy sec- says Dean. “I’ve been in lots of buildings istry of Internal Affairs have tor,” says Mayer. “Energy effi ciency is a around the world that have been refreshed shown an increase in crime in smarter way for the government to be and made to be useful, beautiful and Georgia involved. There’s this notion that for effi cient.” The fi gures released on 6 energy effi ciency to work, the govern- One of the biggest challenges facing SFebruary show that the number of mur- ment has to step in and offer incentives, energy effi ciency in Georgia and around ders remained unchanged in 2018 com- which is true to a certain extent.” He the world is its enforcement. Georgia pared to 2017. However, there has been continues. “However, governments are must not only implement new policies an increase in crimes involving bodily subsidizing fossil fuels as well.” to ensure that energy effi ciency is incor- harm (14.8%), human rights and freedom Photo source: AJC.com Consumers should also be informed porated into building regulations from violations (23.2%) and crimes against monitoring and government transpar- consideration.” about the advantages of energy effi ciency. the very beginning, but also enforce these property (8.1%). In particular, reported ency. Until this year, they had not pub- However, some believe that the sta- It’s important that the market and con- regulations. “There needs to be an occu- cases of domestic violence have increased lished crime statistics since 2016. tistics reveal a crime hike in Georgia. sumer behavior changes to profi t from the pancy permit,” says Dean, “if you don’t by 122%. The Ministry of Internal Affairs “The numbers not only determine the European Georgia, an opposition party, possibilities of energy effi ciency and the have an occupancy permit in the con- believes this to be a result of increased real crime state of the country,” reads a released a statement condemning the money it can save in the long term. “Most struction process, then it’s hard to do public awareness and confi dence in the statement published by the Ministry of ruling party Georgian Dream: “Euro- countries are hovering just above the least any enforcement at all.” police. Internal Affairs, “it is important to take pean Georgia believes that these alarm- available technologies because that’s what Energy effi ciency results do not hap- The Ministry of Internal Affairs has the content of registered crime, the prac- ing fi gures show one thing: the Geor- consumers see,” says Dean. “Consumers pen overnight. “We show charts that go pledged to publish crime statistics tice of crime accounting, police perfor- gian Dream government has let things buy something that’s less effi cient if they back to the 60s and 70s because that’s monthly, representing improved crime mance indicators and other factors into slide.” don’t have more information.” Tactics such how long it sometimes takes to show as energy effi ciency labels help to educate results,” says Mayer. However, with bet- and change behavior. “If consumers can ter education, policy, and enforcement, see they’re getting a product that can save energy effi ciency offers Georgia a chance them energy and therefore money, they’re to simultaneously improve living stand- Luxury French Bakery & Sweet- more likely to buy it. That’s a real oppor- ards and help the environment. The tunity in Georgia.” EU4Energy and IEA are working together Despite its advantages and potential to educate policymakers on its huge savings, energy effi ciency has often been potential. “We believe that policymakers Maker ‘Ladurée’ Launched in Tbilisi neglected as an effective method to in Georgia have the tools and there’s an reduce energy consumption. “There’s a opportunity to make it happen here,” massive untapped potential that’s invis- concludes Mayer. BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA ible to most people,” says Mayer. “It The EU4Energy Initiative covers all [energy effi ciency] doesn’t get the credit EU support to improve energy supply, it deserves.” security and connectivity, as well as to ne of the most luxurious For example, Tbilisi’s Mayor, Kakha promote energy effi ciency and the use and historical French Kaladze, last week reiterated his promise of renewables in the Eastern Partner bakeries, Ladurée, has to replace khrushchovka Soviet-era apart- countries Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, entered the Georgian ment blocks in Tbilisi with little consid- Georgia, Republic of Moldova and market and welcomed eration of the energy that was spent to . It does this by fi nancing pro- itsO fi rst guests in February 2019 at 21a build the original blocks and that will be jects and programmes that help to reform Abashidze Street in Tbilisi. used to construct new apartments. energy markets and to reduce national The history of Ladurée began in 1862, If the khrushchovka are structurally energy dependence and consumption. when Louis Ernest Laduré e from cities around the globe, including being given an opportunity to taste a sound, they are still salvageable and there Over the longer term, this makes energy southwest opened a bakery in London, Milan and Tokyo. selection of unique seasonal classic are ways of making them more liveable supply more reliable, transparent and at 16 Rue Royale. Today, it is The Ladurée team aims to recreate fl avors of macaroons and other sweets, in an effi cient way. “With Soviet-era affordable, thus reducing energy poverty famous for its incredible assortment the Parisian air in every branch of the and to spend a pleasant time in an buildings, maybe there’s a psychological and energy bills for both citizens and of pastries and delicious macaroons. bakery wherever it is in the world. authentic, super fascinating French desire to change them, but there’s also the private sector. Find out more: www. The brand is present in the largest And now, Georgian customers are also atmosphere. an opportunity,” says Mayer. “Because eu4energy.eu GEORGIA TODAY 8 SOCIETY FEBRUARY 15 - 18, 2019 Illusions Museum to Open in Tbilisi was a miniature of what it is today. We Croatian counterparts. The exhibits BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI chose a museum building and saw that have already arrived from different the potential was much greater than cities and are being installed ahead of just a Holozeum, and so the idea for the the March 9th opening,” Ananiashvili his is a space where you Illusion Museum came about.” says. can laugh, scream, take She notes that visitors can fi nd out The museum is intended for all gen- pictures and do many other about human vision, perception and erations and will have the facilities to things that are usually for- science through attractive and enter- host birthday parties for 5-15-year-olds, bidden in museums. taining installations. with a program including a tour of the TIn the historical and tourist part of “The museum also has a gaming room museum, didactic games and puzzles. Tbilisi, the globally renowned Illusions and a souvenir shop where visitors of Corporate events, meetings and pres- Museum is to open a branch at 10 Beth- all ages can play, compete, learn some- entations will also be possible. lehem Street on March 9. It is set to thing new and buy original gifts such “The Tbilisi Illusions Museum is part offer many interesting visual and intel- as fun wooden didactic toys and puzzles of a global project and does not differ lectual experiences, combining perspec- that develop and stimulate creativity. from one country to another,” Anani- tives, optical and other types of illusion, “The museum collection consists of ashvili notes. “The only difference is in and a “play room” where visitors can more than 70 exhibits based on knowl- the format size. In relatively small muse- try out some didactic games. edge of science, mathematics, biology ums, there is naturally not enough space The fi rst Illusions Museum opened in and psychology. You can fi nd informa- to exhibit every room or attraction that Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, in 2015. tion and explanations about installa- other bigger museums have [in the other This was soon followed by openings in tions next to the exhibits. The narrative 22 countries]. Yet the Tbilisi museum the Zadar Museum, Ljubljana, Vienna, language will be Georgian, English and format is more then 400 m2 and so will Muscat, Belgrade, Kuala Lumpur, New Russian. The technical support for the offer visitors the complete collection York, Toronto, Berlin, Athens, Dubai, museum in Tbilisi comes from our of Illusion Museum exhibits.” Hamburg, Kansas, and now Tbilisi makes it 23. Head along with your kids or friends and learn about human vision, percep- tion and science through the static and interactive installations. The concept of the Illusion Museum is radically dif- ferent from the classical understanding of the word "museum" and it offers a unique new space that is designed for entertaining cognition. The Illusion Museum’s illusion collection aims to simultaneously encourage an observer, surprise and make them think about their own feelings. The opening of one in Georgia was thanks to Sarke Group. “Our original idea in 2016 was to set up a ‘Holozeum’, or hologram museum, with co-funding from Startup Georgia,” said Natalie Ananiashvili, Head of Mar- keting of Sarke Group. “That project GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 15 - 18, 2019 SOCIETY 9 From the Miry Clay: Etseri, Svaneti

and glazes through the guild, which BLOG BY TONY HANMER offered facilities and fi ring in their big gas-fi red kilns. I became an avid potter, as well as a sculptor and founding mem- his is a fi rst. Among our ber of the Sculptors’ Association of current group of guests for Alberta. two weeks, seven foreign- I must have had a stroke of beginner’s ers based in Tbilisi, are a luck, because after years of watching The very fi rst time couple from Nizhniy potters on TV or live, the very fi rst time TNovgorod (formerly Gorky), Russia, who I sat at a wheel myself, a small stoneware I sat at a wheel have uprooted themselves in the process vessel emerged which was good enough of meeting some of their Georgian cous- to keep. I have it to this day, here at home myself, a small ins, and resettled in Mtskheta. She is a in Etseri. If anyone else has experienced potter, with dreams of helping to revive the sheer magic of not only watching, stoneware vessel this ancient industry and art in the coun- but successfully centering and making try’s old capital. something from a lump of the feature- emerged which And they have brought with them an less mass, you know what I’m talking electric potter’s wheel, proper clay and about. was good all the necessary tools! Local children Then the work must be dried slowly are getting their hands into it with great enough to prevent cracks, until it reaches enough to keep gusto, hand-building all manner of exotic the state we call “bone dry”. At this them. The center of this process seems things and creatures every day after point, however, it can still be broken to be Shrosha, near the Roki Pass sepa- school, and a few of the older ones are with ease (being its most fragile), and rating eastern from western Georgia, also trying their hand at the wheel. even dissolved back into a pliable state with permanent displays of wares for This takes me, too, back to my fi rst ever and reused. sale from small cups all the way up to time at this art. I joined the local Potters’ Then comes the bisque or fi rst, low- the full-size wine vessels with necks a Guild of my town in , Stony Plain, temperature fi ring in the kiln, which foot or two across. Alberta, in 1986. A requirement was that drives out all the remaining chemical As for Georgian art pottery and sculp- every new member take at least one water from the composition of the clay ture, this too has been around for a very wheel course, and also buy their clay and makes it forever impervious to dis- long time and awaits discovery by the solution in water. Glazes can then be enthusiast or collector. Ah, so many pos- applied, if you like; their colors may be sibilities, so little time. But I am thrilled nothing like what the next fi ring will that new friends of mine are both intro- show. This is usually the fi nal fi ring, ducing local Georgians to these crafts and which takes the clay near (but not too seeking to reestablish them in their origi- near) to its point of vitrifi cation, past nal locations. Projects dear to my heart. which it would melt like glass. For earth- P.S For videos of the children in action, She is a potter, enware, the second fi ring it still a com- please see the Hanmer Guest House FB paratively low temperature; but both page, details below. with dreams of stoneware and the usually translucent porcelain need a much higher second Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since helping to revive fi ring, up to 1400 degrees C or 2552 F, to 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a fi nish them. Now they can—and some- weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He this ancient times do—last many thousands of years, runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook having achieved a composition similar group, now with nearly 2000 members, at industry and art in to rock: brittle, but very hard indeed. www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- I still need to see how the producers sance/ the country’s old of the huge clay kvevrebi, the Georgian He and his wife also run their own guest house wine amphorae sometimes big enough in Etseri: capital to enter, actually make and then fi re www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY 10 CULTURE FEBRUARY 15 - 18, 2019

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER Author: Ketevan Chachanidze ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY GALLERY Choreographer: Lasha Robakidze Directed by Robert Rodriguez Directed by Bryan Singer TBILISI ZAKARIA Start time: 20:00 Cast: Mahershala Ali, Rosa Salazar, Cast: Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello, THE NATIONAL GALLERY PALIASHVILI OPERA AND Ticket: 10 GEL Eiza González Mike Myers 11 Rustaveli Ave. BALLET THEATER Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance Genre: Biography, Drama, Music TEL (+995 32) 215 73 00 25 Rustaveli Ave. SHALIKASHVILI THEATER Language: Russian Language: English 37 Rustaveli Ave. TEL (+995 32) 2 99 04 56 Start time: 16:45, 20:00 Start time: 14:30 Untill October 5 Ticket: 13-14 GEL Ticket: 11-15 GEL EXHIBITION February 15, 16 February 15, 16, 17 MASTERS OF GEORGIAN ART Premiere LUARSABI MUSEUM CAVEA GALLERY Paintings of Kirill Zdanevich, Shalva Based on ’s story DON CARLO Kikodze, Ketevan Magalashvili “Man is a man?!” 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. Giusepe Verdi GEORGIAN NATIONAL and Elene Akhvlediani together Start time: 20:00 Conductor: Zaza Azmaiparashvili MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA with 's and David Ticket: 15 GEL Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL Directed by Cesare Lievi MUSEUM Kakabadze, giving a comprehensive Set and Costume Designer: February 15-21 3 Rustaveli Ave. picture of the diversity and Maurizio Balo CINEMA TEL (+995 32) 299 80 22, 293 48 21 aesthetics of Georgian Art. Start time: 19:00 BEN IS BACK AMIRANI CINEMA (Info Above) www.museum.ge Ticket: 10-200 GEL Until February 24 36 Kostava St. Language: Russian Exhibitions: FELIX VARLAMISHVILI (VARLA) February 21 TEL (+995 32) 2 99 99 55 Start time: 22:15 GEORGIAN COSTUME AND SOLO EXHIBITION Concert dedicated to the 100th www.kinoafi sha.ge Ticket: 16-19 GEL WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH For the fi rst time, enjoy more than Anniversary of the premiere of 60 artworks by the author from the Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL CENTURIES ABESALOM AND ETERI ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL Georgian National Museum and Featuring: February 15-21 (Info Above) NUMISMATIC TREASURY EXHIBITION STONE AGE private collections. Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater Language: English GEORGIA Soloists, VAN GOGH Start time: 17:00, 19:45 KHIDI ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE Chorus and Orchestra Directed by Julian Schnabel Language: Russian V. Bagrationi Bridge, Right Emb. NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL Start time: 19:00 Cast: Willem Dafoe, Rupert Friend, Start time: 14:15, 22:30 Every Tuesday, from 15:00-20:00 Oscar Isaac COLLECTIONS Ticket: 15-150 GEL Ticket: 11-19 GEL Genre: Biography, Dramaiography, Until February 20 GABRIADZE THEATER Drama Until February 28 GLASS Multidisciplinary exhibition project 14 Shavteli Str. Language: Russian In the framework of the Directed by M. Night Shyamalan IN-BETWEEN CONDITIONS Start time: 17:15, 22:15 celebrations of the European Year Cast: Sarah Paulson, Bruce Willis, ‘In-between conditions’ displays February 15, 16 Ticket: 13-14 GEL of Cultural Heritage in Georgia 18 work contributions expressing Samuel L. Jackson Animated documentary fi lm the Georgian National Museum cultural impulses affected by Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi REZO THE FAVORITE presents the exhibition political or social forces. Directed by Leo Gabriadze Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos Language: Russian WISDOM TRANSFORMED INTO Start time: 20:00 Cast: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Start time: 22:30 GOLD SOLO LOUNGE Ticket: 15 GEL Rachel Weisz Ticket: 16-19 GEL 70 I. Abashidze Str. Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama MUSEUM OF SOVIET MOVEMENT THEATER Language: Russian THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE OCCUPATION Solo and Dedicace Gallery present: 182 Aghmashenebeli Ave. Start time: 22:00 SECOND PART 3 Rustaveli Ave. EXHIBITION TEL (+995 32) 598 19 29 36 Ticket: 15 GEL Directed by Mike Mitchell, Trisha TEL (+995 32) 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 HIM & HER Gum www.museum.ge February 15 GREEN BOOK Cast: Jason Momoa, Alison Brie, IART GALLERY IGGI Directed by Peter Farrelly 13 Uznadze Str. Chris Pratt December 11 – March 1 Story By Jemal Karchkhadze Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Genre: Animation, Action, Exhibition Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Ali, Linda Cardellini February 14-26 Adventure RED TERROR AND GEORGIAN Music: Sandro Nikoladze Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama OLEG TIMCHENKO’S Language: English ARTISTS Start time: 20:00 Language: Russian EXHIBITION Start time: 12:00, 17:30 Ticket: 10-15 GEL Start time: 22:15 A showcase of artworks by Dimitri POSTCARD Ticket: 10-19 GEL Ticket: 15 GEL Shevardnadze, Petre Otskheli, February 16 Henryk Hryniewski, Richard MUSIC INTRO BEN IS BACK ESCAPE ROOM Sommer, Kiril Zdanevich, Vasily Sandro Nikoladze's Musical Allegry Directed by Peter Hedges Directed by Adam Robitel Shukhaev, Elene Akhvlediani, Lado DJ. KAKHIDZE CENTER FOR Start time: 20:00 Cast: Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges, Cast: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Gudiashvili, David Kakabadze, Ucha MUSIC & CULTURE Ticket: 10-15 GEL Courtney B. Vance Jay Ellis Japharidze, Aleksandre Bajbeuk- 123a Agmashenebli Ave. Genre: Drama Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Melikov, Korneli Sanadze and more. February 17 Language: Russian Language: Russian The exposition also showcases February 16 PARADISO Start time: 19:30 Start time: 17:00, 22:15 documentary footage depicting the THE CONCERT OF ORGAN Directed by Irakli Khoshtaria Ticket: 15 GEL Ticket: 13-19 GEL 1920-30s repressions. MUSIC ALEXANDER VASADZE Program: Johan Sebastian Bach, David German, Healy Willan and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Start time: 29:30 Ticket: 10-23 GEL

CAFE MZIURI Mziuri Park

February 17 SAKVIARO FOR CHILDREN Start time: From 12:00 Ticket: 13 GEL

ELEKTROWERK 2 Monk Gabriel Salosi I Turn Str.

February 15 MILLENIALS NIGHT: DECEPTION Line up: 23:00-00:30- Downwell 00:30-02:00- Obsidion 02:00-03:30- Sarasvat 03:30-05:00- Disorder 05:00-END- Yawohl Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 10-20 GEL

BASSIANI 2 A. Tsereteli Ave.

February 15 BASSIANI: JEFF MILLS, KANCHELI, KVANCHI HOROOM: MERCURRIO, IKA Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 20-40 GEL GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 15 - 18, 2019 CULTURE 11 Prima Ballerina Nino Ananiashvili on the State Ballet’s New Program & Kiev Tour are invited to tour the world with our fi eld and it has immense potential all EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW contemporary shows. over the world!” BY LIKA CHIGLADZE “Kiev is a city with theatrical traditions that appreciates and loves art very much. TELL US ABOUT THE Ukraine boasts many distinguished and PROGRESS MADE BY THE he Georgian State Ballet, gifted dancers, some of whom currently GEORGIAN STATE BALLET. led by Prima Ballerina Nino perform on various renowned stages In the 1990s, Georgia experienced hard Ananiashvili, is to deliver worldwide. I remember dancing with times, so no one had time for ballet, and a new program for the Tbi- bright Ukrainian star Denis Matvienko it was somehow put to one side. Yet, lisi Opera and Ballet State in Japan. Kiev always meets us with there were people who despite all the TTheater from 27 February to 30 June, warmth and respect, and in response we obstacles stayed in the theater and worked promising distinguished productions as try to show the audience new modern passionately. These people are real heroes, well as old favorites. The state ballet plays that are not included in their gen- since they worked enthusiastically when ensemble is currently touring Kiev, pre- eral program. This time we’re performing there was no electricity, no heating and senting a modern program to the Ukrain- in the concert hall, which has a capacity no salary. Zurab Lomidze, who was Direc- ian audience. of around 2000 people- twice as big as tor of Tbilisi State Opera back then, Ananiashvili, a world-famous Prima our opera! So this is big challenge and saved our theater and did his best to Photo by Merab Nikolaishvili Ballerina who was named among the 12 simultaneously an exciting experience keep it up and running. Even though I edge and experience I have accumulated From time to time, they attend our Greatest Ballerinas of All Time by The for us. Such tours are important for our lived and worked abroad at the time, I over the course of my career to the new rehearsals and they assist us in many Telegraph, is met with grand celebration ballet company, since the dancers get to would visit Tbilisi and tried to help and generation. We try to maintain high qual- ways, be it festivals, competitions or and admiration in many countries. She introduce themselves to the international contribute to this process. ity, we are offered the chance to perform scholarships for our students to study was awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising audience and are charged with positive When I became Artistic Director of in many countries, and we plan to embark abroad. They are our great supporters. Sun and has been directing the Georgian emotions and energy, something which the National Ballet Ensemble of Georgia, on bigger tours in future. We are work- Our foreign audience is very active- troupe since 2004. is essential for a performer and serves as it was very diffi cult to start from scratch, ing non-stop and we have many premieres they love and appreciate our perfor- Before they headed off to Kiev, GEOR- a great stimulus.” since everything needed restoration; the in our agenda ahead. mances. We, the whole team, work hard GIA TODAY was lucky enough to get a In the past, when making an agreement, conditions were not the same in the to exceed their expectations. Although peep inside the opera and attend one of producers required Nina to dance in opera as we have now. The actors and TELL US WHAT’S IN STORE. currently we are doing well, I want our the rehearsals. We were warmly wel- order to sell more tickets, since the Geor- actresses sometimes didn’t even have We have a new program with varied theater to have many more performances comed by the Prima Ballerina who gave gian State Ballet was not so widely known. money to get to the theater from differ- productions, including Laurencia by in the program to grab the growing us an insight into the Georgian ballet Now they have made it and Nina will ent districts and even towns. Yet despite Vakhtang Chabukiani, The Sleeping interest and demand. Ballet and opera and upcoming performances. not be performing with them in Ukraine. all these diffi culties, they kept coming Beauty and Romeo and Juliet. A lot of are fi elds of art that need no language, “We have prepared a contemporary Their renown is such that their troupe out of love for their jobs. I’m happy that people living abroad told me they want meaning anyone can enjoy them. So program for our Kiev tour that includes is made up of numerous nationalities today’s youth has not had to experience to plan their trips to Georgia around apart from sightseeing and sampling Jirí Kylián’s Petite Mort, Sechs Tänze aside from Georgian. such hardship. Still some problems remain our ballet shows, so we try to publish local cuisine, I invite our foreign guests and Falling Angels, and Medhi, Waler- “Many dancers from different countries the same; the issue with the Tbilisi Bal- the agenda well ahead of time. And now to experience this part of our culture, ski’s Petite Cérémonie. Although all come to Georgia to be trained here, and let Art State School is still unsolved. theater and ballet enthusiasts can pur- like tourists go to La Scala or buy tick- members of the ensemble are classical eventually become members of our Although we have 300 students and there chase season tickets to attend our per- ets in advance to get into the Royal ballet dancers, including such home- troupe,” Nino tells us. “We have dancers is high demand, we cannot bring children formances and bring their kids as well. Opera House in Covent Garden. When grown talents as Eka Surmava, Nutsa from Japan, the UK, , Greece, the from the regions as we don’t have a dor- all the tickets are sold, it’s a great joy Chekurashvili, Nino Samadashvili, they USA and Korea. We have a lack of Geor- mitory for them to stay in. We don’t have ANYTHING TO ADD? and stimulus for the troupe and danc- perform it splendidly and are excited by gian male dancers, and I would like to conditions to bring up and train small I’d like to say a big thank you to the ers. Each spectator who buys a ticket the experiment. I’m glad our theater has emphasize to young male dancing enthu- children and give them a profession from Friends of the Georgian Ballet. It was is considered our sponsor and supporter, permission to perform these produc- siasts that this is very masculine profes- the age of eight. This is the main thing established 10 years ago and counts helping us to preserve this fi eld of art tions, since not all troupes are allowed sion that requires hard work and com- that concerns me right now. As for the wives of foreign diplomats serving in in Georgia. So we are extremely thank- to dance them, and I’m doubly glad we mitment. Ballet is a highly-appreciated theater itself, I try to transmit the knowl- Georgia and other foreign ballet-lovers. ful to each of them. English-Speaking Union Awards Sachkhere Teacher as Runner-Up in Global Excellence in Oracy 2016 New Year Honors List for services YOU FACE WHEN STUDYING quake that happened there in 1991 was I always try to use interactive methodol- to UK-Georgian cultural and educational ENGLISH AND HOW DID YOU another catalyst of my choice. Even though ogy in my classes and to involve the relations. With the support of ESU Geor- MANAGE TO DEAL WITH THEM? I had an offer to continue my studies in children in debates, discussions and gia, Tsitsishvili launched the British Cor- It was certainly very complicated to learn Tbilisi, I felt the need to help my home- games in order to boost their speaking ner, an English Language Center. a foreign language back in my day, as town and its residents. I wanted the chil- and listening skills. I also actively use The ESU llaunched the very fi rst Inter- within the borders of the USSR we had dren from Sachkhere to be able to learn theater and stage performances in the national Teacher Award, which aimed no communication with foreigners at all. English and develop. The classes were teaching process. We have already pro- to recognize global excellence in oracy The learning environment was also dif- given in vans instead of classrooms for a duced four stage plays, including Romeo (the development of speaking and lis- fi cult, as the process was based on mem- decade. I have always had a strong desire and Juliet and Snow White and the Seven tening skills) teaching. orization and there were few chances for to somehow help the people of the small Dwarfs. With dedication and hard work, a Geor- self-expression. Even though I had the town. This artistic approach has been most gian teacher from a small town of Sachkhere, highest grades at school, I could barely effective, as it also involved the work of BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA Maia Tkemaladze, nabbed the runner-up understand even the names of foreigners WHAT ISSUES REMAIN IN the school’s Art teacher for the costumes spot in this incredibly important contest. at our fi rst meetings. THE TEACHING PROCESS? and stage decorations. The rehearsals GEORGIA TODAY went to meet her. During my studies at university, I was Even though there is access to a lot of were a lot of fun for the students and he English-Speaking Union lucky to have a tutor from Britain who information through the internet, and participation helped them not only (ESU), an international WHY DID YOU BECOME AN helped me to ameliorate my level of Eng- there have been a number of reforms and improve their level of English, it also membership organization ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER? lish. The fi rst ever training in Georgia policies implemented in the sphere of helped them to develop presentation and and educational charity I made the decision to become an English regarding integrating debates in the class- education, there are still a number of communication skills and increase their founded in 1918, has been language teacher at a very young age, room, in 1998, was a turning point in my important issues remaining in the rural self-esteem. promotingT international friendship and when I was in the 5th grade. I’d just started life and profession. After the training, I areas of Georgia. Children are somehow understanding through use of the English learning English and I would say my totally changed my approach towards isolated in small towns and villages and WHAT PLANS DO YOU language for more than 100 years. Based teacher contributed a lot to my choice of teaching English and decided to make have no communication with their foreign HAVE FOR THE FUTURE? in London, the ESU is a charity established profession. The way she explained and the learning environment much easier counterparts. The technologies and school Last year I was named among the 10 best by a Royal Charter, with Her Majesty the delivered the material was so interesting and more interesting for my students so equipment are not well enough devel- teachers in the country. The fi nancial Queen as Patron. The former President and motivating that I decided to try it as to prevent their facing the challenges oped, a fact that hinders the process of rewards I obtain from different awards, of the ESU, His Royal Highness the Duke myself. I had. acquiring English. And this is not a prob- I dedicate to my school and the develop- of Edinburgh (1957 2012) was succeeded I also thought about becoming an actress, lem only for Sachkhere and the school I ment of the facilities for pupils. I am going by HRH Princess Anne. The organization but I ultimately followed my childhood WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO work in: it is a problem in most Georgian to continue working to improve the level has a network in 64 countries worldwide. dream and kept acting and directing as BACK TO SACHKHERE AFTER rural areas. of English among the children of Sachkhere Georgia joined the given list in 1998, and tools to help my students learn through GRADUATING IN TBILISI? and will do my best to implement new ESU Georgia was offi cially founded in work on plays and theater shows. I did it for my family, who live there. It WHAT APPROACHES DO and interesting methods which will make 2000 by Marina Tsitsishvili, who was was of paramount importance for me to YOU APPLY WHILE TEACHING the process of studying equally engaging awarded an honorary MBE in the Queen’s WHAT CHALLENGES DID live close to them. The destructive earth- YOUR STUDENTS? and entertaining.

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