Issue no: 1063 • JULY 6 - 9, 2018 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Armenian Prosecutors to Question Ex-President & Arrest Ex-Minister of Defense NEWS PAGE 2

Delays at the Georgia-Russia Border Due to Issues with FOCUS Customs POLITICS PAGE 4 ON THE RIGHT Russia & the US Try to MESSAGES Revive Relations MEPS visit Georgia to gauge POLITICS PAGE 7 religion's role in EU integration PAGE 6

Why Did Georgia’s Adjara Gov't Chair Resign?

BY THEA MORRISON Tensions Rising in & around Iran

he Chairman of Georgia's Autono- POLITICS PAGE 8 mous Republic of Adjara, Zurab Pataridze, who had held the post Georgian Agency of Protected since July 2016, announced his res- ignation on July 4, meaning that the Areas Joins Europarc Twhole cabinet also had to step down. As Pataridze stated, he and his team made the SOCIETY PAGE 10 decision together after “some consultations,” however, no other reasons were named by the Kids to Get Caught Reading in ex-offi cial. In addition, the former Adjara Government Georgia this Summer Chair underlined that he will remain in the rul- ing Georgian Dream (GD) to “serve his country, SOCIETY PAGE 13 as before.” Opposition parties claim Pataridze’s resignation Katamadze was demanded by the “informal” ruler of the country, GD founder, its Chair and the former & Insight to Prime Minister, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. On June 13, the former Prime Minister of Geor- Open Art Gene gia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, resigned due to a dif- ference of opinion with Ivanishvili. Festival 2018 Photo Zurab Pataradze with the new PM, Mamuka Bakhtadze, in Batumi. June 26. Continued on page 2 Source: adjara.gov.ge CULTURE PAGE 15 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS JULY 6 - 9, 2018 Armenian Prosecutors to Question Ex- President & Arrest Ex-Minister of Defense tions of Armenia according to which and wounding a hundred demonstrators. BY KAREN TOVMASYAN Serzh Sargsyan was announced the win- After the crackdown on the demonstra- IN YEREVAN ning candidate. tion, Pashinyan had to spent almost 1.4 The protests against the offi cial results years in the underground, and then will- of the presidential elections were led by ingly went to the General Prosecuter's he Special Investigative the main opposition candidate, Arme- Offi ce in July 2009, where he was arrested Service (SIS) of Republic nia's First President, Levon Ter-Petrosyan and sentenced to seven years inprison- of Armenia has reopened (1991-1998) who raised a huge popular ment in 2010. the investigation of the movement in support of his nomination Pashinyan spent just 1.5 years in prison March 1st events of 2008 in 2008 and demanded the annulment and was released in an act of amnesty, Twhen the government opened fi re against of the election results by the Constitu- which was announced as a result of peaceful demonstrators who were chal- tional Court. The increasing pressure another popular movement raised by lenging the offi cial results of the presi- by Ter-Petrosyan and 10-day non-stop Ter-Petrosyan in 2011, which pressed the dential elections. demonstations in Yerevan, which put government to release the dozens of The SIS has decided to question the the government under risk of collapse, pollitical prisoners imprisoned during former President of Armenia, Robert "forced" Kocharyan's regime to use bru- the 2008 presidential elections. Kocharyan (1998-2008), for his connec- tal actions against the opposition to During the 10 years of the presidency tion with the deadly crackdown on the maintain his power. of Sargsyan, no serious steps were made peaceful demonstration, which Arme- After the crackdown of the protest early to investigate the killings of the peaceful nians often call “The March 1st Slaugh- in the morning followed the arrests of demonstrators, with the opposition par- ter”. most opposition leaders as well as the ties and human rights defenders marked On July 4, the Press-Secretary of decided to arrest Kocharyan’s Minister from using the Army in internal political house arrest of Ter-Petrosyan. Current all the actions made by Sargsyan's gov- Kocharyan, Victor Soghomonyan, speak- of Defense, Mikael Harutyunyan, who developments, while Harutyunyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashin- ernment in this direction as "imitation ing about the recent developments and played a key role in the event. according to a secret order released on yan, was one of the few opposition lead- and show." the decision to question his boss for the According to the SIS press-release, February 23, 2008, formed special regi- ers who escaped arrest, to lead the main The Armenian National Congress party shooting, stated that Kocharyan is out Harutyunyan illegally used, together ments in Yerevan, giving them combat demonstration later that day. lead by Ter-Petrosyan and other parties of the country at present. According to with “other individuals,” the armed forces weapons and arsenal to depress the The negotiations between Ter-Pet- opposing the former government lead the Azatutuyun radio station (Radio Free against peaceful protesters in what peaceful demonstrations. rosyan and the authorities received no by Sargsyan, have already expressed their Europe/ Radio Liberty) Kocharyan stands amounted to an “overthrow of constitu- The protests in Armenia started on 20 results and later the same day the gov- satisfaction with the recent move of the ready to testify for his actions before tional order.” February 2008 and lasted 10 days. The ernment announeced a state of emer- Special Investigative Service of Armenia and during the March 1st events. According to the Armenian Constitu- demonstrators were protesting the most gency and opened fi re against Ter-Pet- and have announced their willingness Meanwhile, the law-enforcement agency tion, the Army commandership is banned criticized and disputed presidential elec- rosyan's supporters, killing at least 10 to support the investigation. Specialists: Transport Exhaust & Constructions Pollute Air in Tbilisi

“Yellow buses, minibuses and their BY THEA MORRISON exhaust fumes cause serious problems for the environment. We need to tighten regulations in order to reduce car and pecialists of the Environmen- bus emissions in the capital,” he said. tal Pollution Monitoring The Mayor added that along with Department of the NEA public transport, old cars also pose a (National Environmental threat to the ecology, adding their import Agency of Georgia) have must be banned. Sstarted to examine the air quality in The World Health Organization (WHO) various locations throughout Tbilisi with says polluted air also increases cases of the help of mobile stations. premature deaths. According to the They have already checked some of WHO 2016 survey, the countries ranked the busiest streets, and claim that by deaths per 100,000 people attributed Tsereteli Avenue in the Didube district to air pollution are led by Georgia, fol- is the most polluted place so far regard- lowed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, North ing air pollution. Korea, and Bulgaria, though countries The specialists added that the Queen like China and India have more total Tamar Avenue monitor showed that the deaths from air pollution since they amount of nitrogen dioxide exceeds the much more population. norm by 1.3 times, which is dangerous Environmentalists say that Tbilisi to health. desperately needs green zones and that Meanwhile, the cleanest air so far more recreational areas should be set observed was in the Vashlijvari settle- up throughout the city. ment. Experts state that the quality of fuel The Head of the Environmental Pol- consumed in Georgia determines how lution Monitoring Department of the severe and damaging the emissions are, NEA, Marina Arabidze, says the moni- Photo source: skyscrapercity.com claiming the fuel used by city-dwellers toring will cover suburbs and other in the capital is not regularly checked. streets too, adding that air quality will the places where traffi c is the busiest luted air affects water and food quality of their private cars, of which there are As Numbeo, one of the world's largest be constantly controlled in the capital. are the most polluted in terms of nitro- in Georgia, adding this increases the too many in the capital,” she noted. databases of user contributed data about She stated that the main reason for gen dioxide. cases of cancer and deaths. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated cities and countries worldwide states, the air pollution in Tbilisi are car exhaust Doctors say that polluted air increases Disease Control Center Department at a City Hall sitting that old yellow as of June 2018, the air pollution index fumes and the ongoing constructions the risk of cardiovascular diseases such Head Lela Sturua says the situation is buses are the main source of the air in Georgia amounts to 79.22, while the in Tbilisi, with construction companies as strokes and ischaemic heart diseases, “alarming” but can be solved by con- pollution in the capital. pollution index itself is 77.52, which is not following the standards to avoid in addition to its role in the develop- trolling fuel quality, banning old cars Kaladze claimed that in the coming a high indicator. polluting the air. ment of respiratory diseases, including and renewing public transport in the days, the Mayor’s Offi ce will present a The NEA of Georgia says that the Noe Megrelishvili from the NEA says acute respiratory infections and chronic capital. new Transport Policy, which will be country is taking steps to provide bet- they have measured air quality at 25 obstructive pulmonary diseases. “Public transport must be developed aimed at solving the mentioned prob- ter systems of measuring air quality and locations periodically and revealed that Oncologist Giorgi Dzagnidze says pol- so that the population reduces the use lem along with a number of other issues. tighten control in this fi eld. Why Did Georgia’s Adjara Gov't Chair Resign?

Continued from page 1 missed for his friendship with ex-PM with the current situation in the coun- the post is unclear to the President's Government Chair candidates with the Kvirikashvili. try…However, no matter who is appointed Administration. Giorgi Margvelashvili's Adjara Supreme Council, and not with The opposition says Pataridze was “The ruling party is replacing Kviri- to offi cial positions, they will have to political secretary, Pikria Chikhradze, the GD majority, the standard procedure Kvirikashvili’s team member and after kashvili’s staff with Bakhtadze's people, serve Ivanishvili,” said Zurab Chaberash- points to the recent tendency of state being for the President to submit to the Ivanishvili dismissed the ex-PM, he but nothing will change, because anyone vili, European Georgia MP. offi cials leaving their posts mysteriously. Supreme Council of Adjara a candidate “decided to replace the Adjara Govern- who does not want to be substituted in The GD majority categorically denies “We should hear a proper explanation who will be nominated by him. ment Head too.” the future will have to follow Ivanish- that Pataridze was dismissed. GD MP from Pataridze or the ruling team as to The Adjara Supreme Council consists Unoffi cial sources say the newly-elected vili’s directions,” UNM member, Tinatin Anri Okhanashvili claims he made the why he resigned. Earlier, we saw the of 21 members. In order for the head of PM Mamuka Bakhtadze complained to Bokuchava claimed. decision himself, while GD parliamen- PM’s resignation, now he is followed by the government to be approved, 11 MPs Pataridze regarding the infrastructure Meanwhile, European Georgia says that tary majority leader, Archil Talakvadze, Pataridze. Society deserves to know the must be in support of the candidate. The of the coastal city Batumi when he paid Pataridze’s resignation confi rmed that in mentioned that before Pataridze’s res- truth,” she said. Ana Natsvlishvili, the majority of the Georgian Dream has 14 a visit to the Adjaran capital on June 26. parallel with the economic hardship in the ignation, there were discussions in the Parliamentary Secretary of the President mandates in the council, meaning the The United National Movement (UNM) country, there is a political “crisis” too. team regarding this issue. stated that within two weeks, Margve- selection of the new Chair is up to them, says it is obvious that Pataridze was dis- “I am sure GD has no idea how to cope The real reason for Pataridze’s leaving lashvili will discuss potential Adjara not the President. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 6 - 9, 2018 NEWS 3 It’s Peach Season in Kakheti generally count on Azerbaijani buyers, BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE but some buyers came too late in the season, claiming hold ups at the border with customs agents. Speaking with he peach harvest has begun OC Media, Gela Khanishvili, Deputy in Georgia’s eastern Agriculture Minister, blamed customs Kakheti region. issues at the Russian border for the Commersant is report- hang ups rather than the Azeri border. ing that, although the har- One farmer quoted by OC Media, said vestT has begun, the region’s fruit pro- he gave up farming due to last year’s cessing factories are not yet running. failed harvest. “I am considering cut- Archil Khandamashvili, Mayor of Gur- ting the peach trees down and creating jaani, said that 80-90% of Georgia’s a vineyard. At least [grapes] don’t spoil peaches are exported, due in part to so easily. I wasn’t able to earn even half inadequate domestic processing facil- of what I invested. This is a disaster,” ities. said the man, identifi ed only as Kemash- Khandamashvili is quoted as explain- vili. Mayor Khandamashvili says that, ing that there are plans to open a major "Unlike last year's trend, this year we canning factory in Gurjaani, but it “has expect a much better harvest." not been opened yet due to some tech- Shalva Kereselidze, Head of Regional nical problems, but it is said that the Coordination at the Ministry of Envi- factory will be launched in the near ronmental Protection and Agriculture, future. Exporters buy peaches and sell says that Kakheti has not yet demon- it to Azerbaijan, Turkey and Russia.” strated a need or demand for a fruit Peach prices have held steady, ranging processing facility. In Gori, two-and- from GEL 0.50 – 0.78 per kilogram a-half hours away by car, there is the ($0.20 – 0.28). factory of Kula, a Georgian company In 2013, a fruit-processing and stor- that makes fruit juices and compotes. age enterprise called Georgian Fruit Some Kakhetian farmers sell their Company Ltd. opened in the Gurjaani peaches to Gori and the Kula factory municipality, funded under the frame covers the transportation costs and of the preferential agro-credit project. logistics. In 2017, Kula bought 500 tons At least $1 million has been invested of peaches from Kakheti. in the business. In 2016, the facility Since 2013, the government has been helped the harvest run smoothly. encouraging farmers to form coopera- In 2017, peach and nectarine growers tives to sell their produce, but most in Kakheti suffered from too much of are not interested in such a scheme. a good thing. Much of last year’s har- The Ministry of Environmental Pro- vest spoiled or was distilled into peach tection and Agriculture of Georgia chacha by locals unable to sell their released a statement on this week say- Kakhetian peach farmers. Source: Food Perestroika fruit. The nectarine harvest was robust, ing they expect this year’s peach harvest According to the Ministry of Agricul- In the fi rst quarter of 2018, Georgia chain analysis by PMCG and Iakob and demand for the fruit is relatively in Kakheti to reach a total of 23,600 tons ture, Georgia has exported 1,608 tons exported $37.8 million of agricultural Gogebashvili Telavi State University, low, driving down already low prices. of peaches, collected along with an of peaches so far this year, which is goods – 22% more than the fi rst quar- Kakheti produces 74% of Georgia’s Some farmers also reported that they estimated 13,000 tons of nectarines. 1,537.58 tons (22-fold) more than in 2017. ter of 2017. According to a 2016 value peaches.

AT THE BILTMORE HOTEL 29 Rustaveli Ave, 0108 Tbilisi, Georgia GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS JULY 6 - 9, 2018 Delays at the Georgia-Russia Border Due to Issues with Customs

fl ow is not affected.” BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE There is some unclarity over the actual cause of the customs delays. According to the Ministry of Transport of Armenia, the problems are caused by he Georgian Revenue Service, respon- the introduction of a new pass system in Russia, sible for customs and tariffs at Geor- which allows drivers to pre-book a border crossing gia’s borders, reports that the Russian slot. A third possibility is capacity. Deputy head of customs checkpoint at Upper/Verkhny the Transport Department of the Ministry of Trans- Lars, just north of Kazbegi is operat- port, Communications and Information Technolo- Ting at reduced capacity with half the normal num- gies of Armenia, David Melkonyan, told the Novo- ber of cargo trucks being processed daily. The sti Armenia news agency that the only explanation Revenue Service emphasizes that the delays are for the situation is seasonality and the capacity of caused solely by issues on the Russian side of the the checkpoint. According to Melkonyan, "The border and that everything on the Georgian side design capacity of the customs post of Upper Lars is running smoothly. is limited by natural features, usually on any given The Revenue Service released a statement say- day there are 70-80 units of cargo, 200 units of pas- ing, “We are already working on a limited basis for senger transport and 40 buses, as well as 4,000 the sixth day, as the Russian side does not pass individuals. However, over the past few days, the vehicles in the quantities it can. As a rule, 500-600 fl ow of freight transport has reached 200 vehicles, trucks pass through the border a day, but now no and individuals – 10,000. The accumulation of more than 250. The reason is associated with the trucks is due to the fact that priority is given to tourist season, as for the Russian customs the pri- cars.” ority is to service citizens and cars.” He adds that nothing can be done to alleviate the The delays are causing problems throughout the backup other than to open an alternate route, and region as the narrow, high mountain pass is a major that “negotiations are being conducted with both regional transit point for ground transportation. the Georgian and Russian sides.” Armenian trucks are particularly heavily affected, border into Georgia. At the height of summer hol- Sergei Trotsko, head of the North Ossetian Cus- Speaking about Russian cooperation, a spokes- as Russia is Armenia's main trading partner and all idays, with thousands of Russian tourists heading toms, saying "Both us, RosGranStroy, and the Bor- person for the Georgian Revenue Service said, ground cargo moving between the two countries to Georgia’s popular warm weather destinations, der Guard Service will take measures to ensure "They have yet to say when the normal operation must pass through this checkpoint. Armenian media the situation is particularly problematic. Each sum- that, despite the engineering and technical works, of the checkpoint is to resume. We offered them outlets are reporting that 1,500 trucks with agricul- mer, Russia is among the top fi ve countries whose the checkpoint functions, and passenger and cargo several solutions to the problem, but to no avail.” tural products from Armenia are currently stuck at citizens visit Georgia, according to statistics from the Russian-Georgian border – as many as 600 cargo the National Tourism Administration. From Janu- trucks have accumulated on the Georgian side. ary-March 2018, 233,100 Russians visited Georgia Russian news outlet Mir24 reports that there are – up 25% from the same period last year. hundreds of passenger vehicles stuck on the Rus- Russian sources blame the delays on engineering sian side of the border in a traffi c jam of at least 3 and technical work, including preparation for plans Abkhazian Passportization km. Despite efforts to address the situation, it is to expand access roads to the checkpoint on the taking cars an average of 3-4 hours to cross the Russian side and equipment upgrades. Mir24 quotes & the New Criminal Residents of the Region

OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA

ld “passports” are being replaced in occupied Abkhazia once again. This time the reason is regulations, the same ones that triggered the plan- ning of the Mandarin Revolution four yearsO ago and brought Raul Khajimba to power in the occupied territory. At that time, Khajimba tried to convince the local population that the Georgians living in Gali had acquired “Abkhazian citizenship” illegally and that this conscious crime needed fi x- ing. The latest Abkhazian “passportization process” Abkhazian ABL. may well evolve into an ethnical confrontation as Source: girlonawander.fi les.wordpress.com it concerns not only the Georgians of Gali but also plans to reside in Abkhazia. After the criminal syn- ethnic Russians and Armenians. dicate of Russia violated the agreement they had The regulation suggests that only those who lived with police the beginning of the World Champion- on the territory of Abkhazia between 1994-1999 have ship, everyone is convinced that the Kremlin will the right to obtain an Abkhazian “passport,” the not forgive the misdoing and will force them to period when the separatists declared independence. leave the country. For days the criminals, together Each citizen who claims to have the right to one with police, have been searching for the jewelry must prove that they really lived in Abkhazia within worth 800,000 Euros that went missing from the the said timeframe. The main discontent has been hotel room of famous singer Shakira, wife of the caused by the fact that the obligation to provide Spanish National Team member Gerard Piqué. proof does not concern ethnic Abkhazians, as the Moreover, there have been minor robberies reported “legislation” of the separatists says that an ethnic by tourists. The initial criminal moratorium sug- Abkhazian automatically has the right to “citizen- gested that there would be order in the city, in ship.” Moreover, even those who really lived in the return for which the criminal authorities received region in that 5-year period and can’t provide proof the right to attend the football games in VIP lounges face serious problems because they can’t bring the at the stadium and inviolability. Russian media documents, since there was no functioning enter- suggests that the second wave of cleansing of prise or educational institute in that period. criminal authorities is already underway. The new “passportization campaign” is running The fact that the criminal authorities no longer with an anti-Georgian motto, but, subtly, it still have a resting place in Europe is proven by the concerns those ethnic Russians and Armenians special operations that have taken place in differ- who have relocated to the territory of occupied ent countries. The ultimatum of the new Prime Abkhazia since 2000 and claim ownership rights Minister of Armenia has been added to this, Pashin- on real estate there. These are people who illegally yan demanded the local criminal authorities leave started living in the deserted homes of Georgians the country by September as in early autumn, and continue living there today. There is an opin- Armenia plans to adopt the same law which was ion that the issue of these houses was raised after adopted by President Saakashvili. People believe Syria recognized “Abkhazian independence” and that after this campaign, all roads for the criminal its citizens decided to immigrate to Abkhazia, but authorities will lead to Sokhumi, instead of Rome, there are other versions as well. Athens or Paris, especially since crime is fl ourish- There are open discussions in Sokhumi about the ing on the occupied territory. And the so-called criminal authorities, so-called “thieves in law,” that Abkhazian “passportization” is just a doomed were expelled or fl ed from Europe and Russia with attempt to put a stop to this blossoming.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS JULY 6 - 9, 2018 The EU Integration – What Role Do Churches Play? Georgian churches and the Euro-Atlan- the Church, in terms of the institution guests for their visit and the assistance tic community, who was eager to share and the people, will be open to discuss, provided to Georgia at the international her fi rst-hand experience. debate and to see the truth of Europe.” level. Remaining as sharp as ever even “After initiating the dialogue with the Olbrycht’s Hungarian counterpart did in his reclining years, he spoke at length religious leaders, we soon saw them become not mince his words either, when, after about the importance of spirituality in the carriers of the pro-Western messages,” discussions with the Georgian academia, today’s turbulent world. He pointed out she said. “The importance of dialogue and he was asked what practices Georgia that Georgia is a country with an ancient direct communication is very important, should learn from the EU in all matters Christian culture, where people of dif- and religious leaders should not be left religious, stressing that fi rst and fore- ferent faith, beliefs and ethnos have lived, out of the discussion. They need to have most, Georgia should take into consid- and still live, in mutual respect and love the right information about what is hap- eration its own values. for centuries and that the Orthodox pening because they are among the most “We have not come here to teach you Church has been nurturing and contrib- trusted carriers of messages.” European traditions; we are here to listen uting to their peaceful co-existence. At the meeting with the clergy, the to you and to learn from you. You do not The MEPs thanked the Catholicos representatives of various churches and need to copy. And I think that the churches Patriarch of All Georgia for his hospital- confessions expressed their support and in Georgia have huge added values that ity, declaring that the role of his Holiness commitment towards the country’s Euro- are sorely needed in Europe,” he said, not- was instrumental in maintaining peace pean aspirations, while MEP Olbrycht ing that Georgia was a good example of in the Caucasus region and expressed was quick to underline the importance different churches coexisting peacefully. their hope and willingness to further of religion and spirituality for the Euro- Further meetings included a visit to strengthening relations with the GOC. his successor Johannes Hahn, both paid pean Union and dismiss the harmful the Georgian Parliament, where the EPP The MEPs in fact did little to hide their BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE a visit to the Patriarch, Ilia II. Therefore, stereotypes concerning religion, the delegation met the Chairwoman of the admiration for the Patriarch, with Slo- it was little surprise when the delegation question of morality, and the question European Integration Committee, MP vakian MEP Anna Zaborska noting how of the EPP, the largest party in the Euro- of family inside the EU. Tamar Khulordava and other members the people they had met from the vari- n addition to it being one of the pean Parliament, decided to pay a visit “What we observe today is the very of the committee. The MEPs discussed ous churches, were “indeed very reason- fi rst European countries to adopt to Georgia to discuss the role of religious important and growing role of religion the role of religion in the development able and desiring of the best for their Christianity, Georgia is also a actors in the European integration pro- and churches inside the European Union,” of society and in state building. The sides country.” The overall consensus was country where a multitude of cess. It was not their fi rst visit of this Olbrycht noted. “The [Georgian] Church spoke about disinformation and propa- clear – be it from the perspective of the faiths and confessions has peace- kind to the EaP country: in 2017, a del- is a very important actor, especially in ganda aimed at discrediting the EU Church, politicians or civil society: it is Ifully co-existed for centuries. The Geor- egation of the EPP Working Group (WG) Georgia because of its history and tradi- policy and European values. The MEPs crucial for the European Parliament and gian Orthodox Church (GOC) in par- visited Ukraine to discuss the role of the tions. So, we hope that the Church will expressed readiness to strengthen com- Georgian churches and religious com- ticular, as the biggest religious churches in Kyiv’s European aspirations be also be interested in what is going on munication with society. munities to be on the same page when community, enjoys tremendous support - in return, the Ukrainian Patriarch inside Europe. Very often, we see that The focal point, however, was undoubt- it comes to moving forward towards a and trust from Georgian society and is Philaret paid a visit to the European there are stereotypes or accusations that edly the top-level meeting with the more integrated, resilient relationship an important civil society actor. Parliament in May this year. Just one Europe is anti-Christian, that the Euro- Catholicos Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, between Georgia and the European And since the Georgian Church enjoys month later, it was Georgia’s turn to host peans are non-believers, etc. No, Europe at the Georgian Patriarchate. The octo- Union. As MEP Olbrycht quipped in his way more public trust than the govern- high-level guests from the European is complex and there are different tradi- genarian Patriarch, invariably regarded fi nal remark, “churches also mean peo- ment, it has become embedded in Geor- Parliament. tions, different debates inside the EU. I as the country’s most popular fi gure in ple, and we need people to know what gian society’s collective conscience that “We came to Georgia for two reasons: think it is much more useful to present the last 20 years and widely regarded as the real image of Europe and the Euro- that which the Church liketh, they should fi rst, because Georgia is a frontrunner the real image of Europe and hope that a living saint by believers, thanked the pean Union is.” also like, and that which it loatheth, they among the Eastern Partnership countries should loathe too. And this also involves and second - it is also a country where the EU, NATO and Georgia’s Euro-Atlan- the Church enjoys tremendous public tic aspirations. The EU and NATO, in trust and support,” explained Romain order not to be considered an alien con- Strasser, Head of the Unit at the Inter- cept imposed over national identity in cultural and Religious Activities Direc- exchange for security and welfare, also torate of the EPP group. “We have come need to be trusted by the GOC, especially to fi nd out what role the different reli- in the eyes of the older generations. The gions play in the European Integration fact that the ruling party has learnt the process.” past lessons of its predecessor all too well The delegation of the EPP WG “Inter- was demonstrated when the government, cultural and Interreligious Dialogue,” in cooperation with the local NGO Center headed by co-chairsMEPs Jan Olbrycht for Development and Democracy, sent a and György Holvenyi, arrived in Tbilisi delegation of high-ranking clergymen on June 28. In the scope of the two-day from the Patriarchate and other churches visit, meetings were held with ambas- to the EU and NATO headquarters, soon sadors, members of civil society and followed by a visit to the US. academia, and representatives of the However, it’s not only about the Geor- Patriarchate, Armenian Apostolic Church, gian government’s attempts to legitimize Muslim and Jewish communities and the pro-Western course through the other religious fi gures. Church’s infl uence - the EU is also well The meeting with civil society and aware that the GOC is an important actor, academia focused mostly on issues of as became increasingly evident when secularism, transparency and the clash the high-ranking EU offi cials arranged between liberal and more conservative a meeting with the Patriarch while visit- approaches. ing Georgia. The former EU Commis- Among the speakers from the Georgian sioner for Enlargement and the European side was Ketevan Chachava, one of the Neighborhood policy, Štefan Füle, and “enablers” of newly-built bridges between

Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 Chat with us 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY JULY 6 - 9, 2018 POLITICS 7 Russia & the US Try to Revive Relations Quite naturally Ukraine and Georgia OP-ED BY EMIL AVDALIANI became worried as top politicians in Kiev and Tbilisi fear their countries’ core geopolitical interests could poten- he U.S. lawmakers visited tially be compromised in an apparent Russia this week in what is Russo-American rapprochement. considered as a mission to Indeed, there is a substance behind the try to help revive much need for Russia-US cooperation. Both worsened Russian-US rela- countries want improvement in relations Ttions. The senators also aimed at observ- primarily in the realms of Syria and ing how Russia's economy has been Ukraine. It is in the Russian interests to doing after four years of Western sanc- have gain some (even minor) geopoliti- tions. The main meeting took place with cal concessions from Washington in the Russia’s foreign affairs minister Sergey time when the western front has been Lavrov on July 3. kept pretty much united against the Rus- The senators’ visit in itself is important sian actions in Ukraine since 2014. as there have rarely been any similar However, the intention behind the Rus- events taking place in the last several sian diplomatic moves (although the visit years. However, what makes this nascent by the senators seems to be originating Moscow-Washington cooperation more from the US) is based in the Russian strat- crucial is the sequence of events leading egy of trying to divide the the Western up to the July 3rd meeting with Lavrov: opposition. Indeed, the time seems to be the visit comes at the time as both coun- ripe for those efforts to succeed. The tries are preparing for the Trump-Putin Transatlantic alliance between the US and summit on July 16 in Helsinki, Finland. the European Union has been strained The presidents are expected to discuss recently as the US pulled out of the Iran a whole rage problematic issues con- nuclear agreement and heaped additional Putin and Trump (2016). Source: ktla.com cerning the two states across the Eura- taxes on European steel and aluminum. in the fi eld of NATO military build-up that they need each other to keep Russia True that it is for the moment unclear sian landmass. Moreover, Russia and the Moscow clearly sees that dangers to in eastern Europe. Yet, even if this hap- at bay. Europe understands that without what Moscow and the US are hoping for United States have also agreed that their the western unity are indeed there, but pens, from a broader perspective, the the US’ military resolve in eastern Europe, in trying to revive the bilateral relations. top diplomats will meet after a summit it is still unclear what will come out of EU will still hold important leverage in Ukraine’s military capabilities are unlikely There is simply so many fronts where between the two countries' presidents these US-EU economic and diplomatic Ukraine as Kiev remains fi rmly under to improve, making Moscow less hesitant both countries’ geopolitical agendas scheduled for later this month, Russian confrontations. True that for Moscow it the European economic infl uence. in its actions on its borderlands. clash that any prospective cooperation FM Lavrov said. will be a big opportunity to use, but the The EU-US disagreements are impor- Same goes for Georgia. In Tbilisi’s under- would need a clear concession from This also follows Trump’s recent con- maximum the Russian leadership can tant, but for the moment not so much as standing, any meandering on Western part either Russians or the Americans. Trump- sistent rhetoric that Russia must be read- hope for is the (partial) lifting of EU to cause real fractures in the trans-Atlan- would near geopolitical concessions and Putin summit will bring some more clar- mitted to G8 and the relations be improved. sanctions as well as minor concessions tic partnership. Europe and the US see the increase of Russian infl uence. ity into the discussion. GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS JULY 6 - 9, 2018

Trump and the Iran Nuclear Deal. Source: nbcnews.com

Tensions Rising in & around Iran Washington is actively taking steps to foment an and Hezbollah forces from the Syria-Israel border antee of continued economic benefi ts as a condi- BY BENYAMIN POGHOSYAN anti-Iranian regional alliance, putting together and Israel’s tacit acceptance of an Iranian military tion to stay in the deal. Meanwhile, Tehran clearly Israel and Sunni Arab powers led by Saudi Arabia. presence in other parts of Syria. understands that in the case of uranium enrichment The Tel Aviv-Riyadh cooperation is altering the Meanwhile, other signatories of the Iran nuclear resumption, it may face a tough reaction from the resident Trump’s decision to pull out from decade-long security architecture of the Middle deal are not in line with Washington. The UK, EU which will pull the EU closer to the US. the Iranian nuclear deal has signifi cantly East with long-term impact on the Palestinian issue Germany, France, and EU as an institution, are Russia is effectively balancing between Iran, Israel, increased tensions in and around Iran. The and legitimization of Israel within the Arab world. struggling to keep the deal alive. Europeans are Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Middle East. Presi- return of “regime change” policy will have Syria is one of the battlefi elds in the American interested in investing in the Iranian economy and dent Putin has successfully transformed Russia profound implications on Iran and the struggle against Iran. The US is effectively exploit- view the vast Iran oil and gas resources as a source into a regional power broker, keeping channels PMiddle East. The Iranian economy is in steep decline ing Israel concerns over a growing military pres- to increase EU energy security. The biggest irrita- open with all actors. Simultaneously, the US deci- with the sharp devaluation of the Iranian Rial and ence of Iran and Tehran backed paramilitary forces tion for the EU, however, are the US threats to use sion has increased Russian importance for Iran. large-scale protest rallies in different regions. The in Syria, especially along the Syria-Israel border. extraterritorial or secondary sanctions against Tehran views Russia as a source for military prod- rising prices of consumer products, shortages of water Israeli military strikes against Iranian targets in European companies involved in Iran. Given the ucts and advanced technologies. The “North-South” and problems related with mismanagement are fuel- Syria are part of the US strategy to put pressure growing US – EU tensions on trade, with bilateral international transport corridor, which will connect ling the protests. The decision of some European on Iran. Both Israel and the US are demanding that imposition of additional tariffs, as well as US India with Northern Europe via Iran, Azerbaijan companies to cease their activities in Iran, such as Iran pull its military out of Syria. However, Iran is demands to Europe to pay more for the American and Russia, is another key project for Russia and Total and Maersk, exacerbate the situation. Mean- not likely to accept such demands as it will mean Defense Umbrella, the EU is increasingly concerned Iran. Meanwhile, the current situation raises Rus- while, the US strategy against Iran has multiple lay- squandering the Iranian achievements in Syria. over the US Administration’s new assertive policy. sian capacities to use Iran as a bargaining chip in ers, and economy is only one of them. The most likely scenario is redeployment of Iranian Iran will demand from European countries a guar- its relations with the US in the upcoming Putin- Trump Helsinki summit. China views Iran as a key source for oil and gas imports. China is the number one buyer of Iranian oil, consuming 24% of Iranian oil exports in 2017. Iran plays a signifi cant role in the Chinese fl agship “Belt and Road” initiative as a gateway to Europe, given the China-Iran sea transit and China – Kazakhstan – Turkmenistan – Iran railroad. Beijing is concerned about the US policy of secondary and extraterritorial sanctions, perceiving them as a clear violation of international trade rules. Given the uneasy US-China bilateral trade negotiations, Beijing perceives the US actions as another sign of growing American asser- tiveness. Meanwhile, the signifi cant role of the Chi- nese in the North Korea nuclear issue negotiations gives Beijing additional leverage in its talks with the US to ease American secondary sanctions on Chinese companies involved in Iran. Thus, Iran and the other fi ve signatories of the Iran nuclear deal are interested in keeping the deal afl oat. On July 2, President Rouhani started his European tour, visiting Switzerland and Austria which just assumed the six month Presidency of the Council of the European Union. On July 6, the Iranian Min- ister of Foreign Affairs will meet with his counter- parts from Russia, China, UK, Germany and France. Most likely, all sides will continue to explore ways to keep the nuclear deal and provide Iran with some economic benefi ts. However, given the tough US stance, it will be more and more diffi cult to keep foreign and especially European companies in Iran. The Iranian economy will continue its sharp decline which in its turn will stoke domestic protests. Thus, in the coming months the international community and regional actors will be carefully watching devel- opments in the Iranian domestic policy and adjust- ing their policy accordingly.

Dr. Benyamin Poghosyan is executive director of Political Science Association of Armenia. @benyamin_poghos GEORGIA TODAY JULY 6 - 9, 2018 BUSINESS 9 Georgia Mentioned in Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue

mark, Australia, Spain, Netherlands, Georgia stated that the occupying BY SHAWN WAYNE Tunisia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada, power, and its regime, had denied the Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, United King- Offi ce of the High Commissioner access dom, Sweden, Turkey, Iceland, Egypt, to Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali/ he Human Rights Coun- Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Iran, with South Ossetia regions, completely dis- cil held an interactive multiple NGOs also present and taking regarding the Council’s resolution on dialogue on July 4 with part in the discussions. cooperation with Georgia, that the occu- United Nations High Switzerland urged Myanmar to nor- pied regions were black holes, inacces- Commissioner for Human malize relations with all human rights sible for the international community TRights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, on the mechanisms, as it was horrifi ed by the and without a mechanism to assess the human rights situation of the Rohingya serious human rights violations and human rights situation. The demolition people, with a presentation given by abuses which called for the creation of of the houses of the internally displaced Deputy High Commissioner for Human an Independent Commission of Inquiry, in Tskhinvali under the so-called Rus- Rights Kate Gilmore on Burundi and condemning these actions. sian investment program continued, as Georgia. Azerbaijan stated that since the sign- well as the deprivation of the local pop- Presenting his update, the High Com- ing of the Repatriation Agreement, ulation of medical services, property, missioner said that in recent months, regretfully, none among the 720,000 education and freedom of movement. Myanmar forces had engaged in an eth- Rohingyas in Bangladesh had been able The Georgian Government reminded nic cleansing campaign which had caused to return as no measures had been taken the council of the introduction of a new over 700,000 Rohingyas to fl ee to Bang- to address the security and safety of peace initiative to facilitate trade across ladesh since August 2017. these people. Azerbaijan acknowledged the dividing lines, in order to improve Myanmar claimed that many of the the challenges being faced and stood in the standard of living for the people in allegations in the address by the High solidarity with the people of Bangladesh, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. However, with- Commissioner were fl awed, incorrect who had granted protection to the dis- out objective international monitoring, and misleading, and that the situation placed Rohingya. the situation would only worsen, and so was more complex than explained, involv- Bangladesh stated that it had accepted the Georgian Government requested ing terrorism, rule of law, illegal migra- over 700,000 Rohingyas since last August immediate access to the Offi ce of the tion, and other factors. Myanmar was and its capacity had reached its limit, High Commissioner to be ensured. disturbed that the High Commissioner hence, immediate action is needed. Gilmore added that restrictions of free- did not mention these atrocities. Multiple statements were also made dom of movement remained the most In the interactive dialogue, speakers by NGOs such as Minority Rights Group visible and pressing concern in both expressed concern over the deteriora- International and Christian Solidarity regions. Access to the territories was tion of the situation, and condemned the Worldwide important to ensure an objective analy- widespread attacks against the Rohingya Deputy High Commissioner for Human generated a host of human rights con- progress towards passing legislation on sis of the human rights situation on the community. Rights Kate Gilmore presented updates cerns, with reports of activities by armed establishing a mechanism to investigate ground. Speaking were representatives of the to the council relating to Burundi and groups linked to the ruling party’s youth alleged violations by law enforcement The Council met on July 5 to hold gen- European Union, Pakistan on behalf of Georgia. wing. She also stated that the Govern- agencies and on policy steps to combat eral debates on Burundi and Georgia. It Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Gilmore stated that the human right ment of Burundi was not cooperating domestic violence. The Offi ce of the will then start taking action on draft Maldives, Qatar, Finland, Brazil, Pakistan, situation in Burundi continued to dete- by cancelling the visas of experts being High Commissioner counted on its part- resolutions and decisions before it con- Jordan, Libya, Croatia, Kuwait, Belgium, riorate. Restrictions on civic space and deployed to the country. nership with authorities and civil society cludes its thirty-eighth regular session Switzerland, Japan, France, Iraq, Den- proposed constitutional revisions had Regarding Georgia, Gilmore welcomed to continue addressing these issues. on Friday 6 July. GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY JULY 6 - 9, 2018

CENN Celebrates 20 Years of Awesomeness at the Bulachauri Green Center

n 2018, the environmental organ- development oriented projects lead by tive director, Nana Janashia “Since 1998, environment. When we fi rst started new people and challenges, wins and ization CENN celebrates 20 years the mission to foster modern and sus- when we created CENN, I have had the operating in the politically turbulent the occasional losses, but always moving of operations in the South Cau- tainable development values, building honor of working with many different environment here in the Caucasus, peo- forward. While refl ecting on this time, casus region. With more than 60 bridges between communities and their people as part of our team. Over the ple around us were pessimistic about on behalf of our entire team, I want to full-time staff members and a surroundings, to develop a progressive years we have succeeded in striving for our ability to deliver on the vision we express our greatest gratitude to every- Inetwork of volunteers across the region, society which protects its environment. excellence and brought together leaders held, and it was hard not to be. The years one who has shared this amazing journey CENN is actively working on sustainable As noted by the organization’s execu- united by one goal — to protect our since have been full of ups and downs, with us — our friends, volunteers, part- ners, and donors — together, we have served the greatest value that we share, our love for our home, our planet.” Since its establishment, CENN has implemented over 200 projects, created a global network of around 30,000 sub- scribers, empowered up to 10,000 young people through youth activities, green camps and competitions such as the Niko Ketskhoveli School Award, created more than 250 eco clubs, 20 Rural Women Councils (RWC), published different environmental publications and worked actively with different governmental, non-governmental and private institu- tions. Following its slogan “shaping the future by changing today,” the organization made a vital decision to expand and promote its values of ensuring sustain- ability, quality education, environmen- tally sound thinking, and empowerment of women and girls beyond the South Caucasus as its next milestone. Batumi Beer Festival Georgian Agency of Protected Diasamidze from Batumi, who has been suffering BY ANNA ZHVANIA from a severe disease in the past two years. For Areas Joins Europarc detailed information regarding the fundraising campaign, follow the link: http://bit.ly/gvancastvis atumi will host a beer festival on 7 July, The Batumi Beer Festival is organized by Gvant- where guests can enjoy a summer sa’s friends. The main sponsors of the event are: theater, cold beer, pleasant music, ‘ICY’, ‘Aragveli’, ‘Shavi Lomi’ (Black Lion), ‘Batu- exhilarating competitions and prizes muri’, meatproduct company ‘Vake’ and marketing from 12pm. Throughout the day, local company ‘ShinDi’. bandsB will perform, including Soundlab, Paata Festival partners and supporters include: adver- Dzidziguri (Melomaniac), Free Space Band, Lucky tising company ‘Brilliant Promotion’, hotel ‘Col- 13, Road Radio (BSU), Pacifi c (BSU), Nervozi osseum Marina’, tour operator ‘Adjara Tour’, (BSU) and DJs Lasha Guruli, Chicki and Rezi set ‘Tsibakha Game Club’, ‘Kvariati Breeze’, advertis- to entertain the crowd. ing company ‘OL Print’, ‘Guru Holding’, ‘Metro The Festival is designed for all ages, and friends Georgia’, ‘Enjoy’, ‘Giffer’, ‘Pizza Mizza’, ‘Tourism and families can head along to enjoy a cozy, relaxed Institute, ‘Batumi State University’, ‘Batumi Boule- atmosphere with fun-fi lled activities. A children’s vard’, ‘Batumi City Hall’, security company, ‘TV corner will host entertainers, while games will be 25’, and newspaper ‘Batumelebi’. offered by the Tsibakha Game Club to older gen- erations. A football space will be available for Web page: batumibeerfest.ge sports-fans to watch the quarter-fi nals of the World Facebook Page: Cup 2018. Only Georgian products will be available facebook.com/BatumiBeerFest during the event. The festival’s main goal for the Facebook Event: facebook.com/ day is to raise money for 24-year-old Gvantsa events/1706017492846521

of Georgia throughout Europe and the world.” BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE The Europarc Federation includes 36 member countries and hundreds of protected areas. It is an umbrella organization of European Protected Areas eorgia’s Agency of Protected Areas and is recognized worldwide as the professional has announced that it is joining Euro- network for national parks and nature reserves. parc, Europe’s primary network for Discussing the importance of joining the federa- natural and cultural heritage. A cer- tion, Davitashvili said that "Nature lovers are bet- emony was held yesterday at the ter acquainted with the unique biodiversity of GBiltmore Hotel in Tbilisi to announce the member- Georgia's protected areas. It is very important that ship. Michael Hosek, an elected Europarc council we are able to actively cooperate with other mem- member, presented the certifi cate to the Vice- bers of the federation, sharing the best experience President of the Agency of Protected Areas. and knowledge.” Minister of Environmental Protection and Agri- The Agency of Protected Areas joined Europarc culture, Levan Davitashvili, remarked on the agen- with the support of the Czech Embassy, WWF- cy’s ascension, saying “From now on, Georgian Caucasus Offi ce, TJS and KFW. The event was protected areas will be presented next to Europe’s attended by members of the diplomatic corps, best protected areas and this fact will play an international donor organizations, and media rep- important role in promoting the protected areas resentatives. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 6 - 9, 2018 SOCIETY 11 The Aromas of Memory

Old bookshops and their wares… includ- of it with me anywhere, across the world, BLOG BY TONY HANMER ing comics, once I cottoned on to these and opening the container transports with some now quite valuable issues of me back to my adopted home of the last the New X-men, which sadly I no longer 18 years. More than any local wine, cheese, here are several olfactory have. But the reading was an early pleas- walnut paste, chakapuli or ajapsandali moments in my life, specifi c ure as TV did not grace our household or kharcho stew, this smell recalls me to times for which a recur- until our 1977 move back to Canada, and its place of origin. It goes so well with rence of that smell takes me aged ten. Static print has always been many traditional Georgian or non-tra- me back irresistibly to that more important to me than video screen, ditional savory foods, either raw or dur- Tpoint in time and space. I was there; a and now, when more of my reading of ing cooking. whiff—and I’m back. print IS off the screen of either my lap- This is the power of what enters our The earliest is bacon. Not just any top or my e-reader than off paper, it nose, without the sense of which we also bacon, mind, but cooked until its oblig- remains more important than ever. The would not be able to taste and would atory thick rind is crispy. I would tie smell of old books always reminds me lose all the fl avorsome joy of eating too. knots in this as a young child, then, once of the hours of delight I derived from More than sound, sight or touch, smell either of my parents cut it off the rasher the bookshops, just browsing for seren- returns those memories associated with for me, before devouring it, the best part, dipity, seldom with an agenda but almost it to fullness. Bad smells may have sim- with great relish. One of my earliest always fi nding a treasure. The musty ilar evocative powers, unfortunately, to memories, summoned back by the aroma. smell of aged paper just sends me. take us back to nightmare times, but let England or Canada, about 1968 or 1970? Samosas: back to Southern Africa, us stay focused on the good memories Freshly laid tar is another one. It puts where I fi rst encountered their delight- for now. They are worth many a return me back to Rhodesia in the early 1970s ful pastry pocket triangles fi lled with visit. when I fi rst remember the roads being savory goodness, and fell in love with resurfaced. Some of the joy would be Indian spices and cuisine, well before Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since lost, that of a rough lane with long grass age ten. 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a growing in its middle, between the wheel- In Georgia it’s the Svan salt. A rich, weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He ruts. My sister and I would see this grass complex aroma, varying from village to runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook being bent down as we were driven over village, some of its component plants’ group, now with nearly 1900 members, at it, then spring back up again after our names unknown even to my Georgian www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- passage, and shout out, “Head fi rst, then wife in anything but Svan, which she sance/ feet!” as the grass bobbed down and up. understands about as well as I do, in He and his wife also run their own guest house But the new tar was a thing all of its own, other words hardly at all. So, a mystery in Etseri: progress. concoction. All I have to do is take some w.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY JULY 6 - 9, 2018

‘Get to Know Georgia’ Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

news reports. Photos, news reports and relevant BY ANNA ZHVANIA information were published on social media platforms giving the remainder of the population the chance to discover different areas of Georgia he project ‘Get to Know Georgia,’ through the perspective of the journalists. initiated by the Ministry of Economy Giorgi Chogovadze, Head of the GNTA, thanked and Sustainable Development and the journalists and producers for their work at Georgian National Tourism Admin- the celebratory event. “Thank you, my friends, istration (GNTA), is celebrating its for taking part in promoting our country. Do not 3rdT anniversary at Hotel Ambassadori. hold your energy back: travel with us to unfa- Throughout the past three years, 35 press tours miliar destinations of our beautiful land and have been held giving journalists the opportunity prepare noteworthy news reports,” he encour- to visit 300 locations and prepare more than 200 aged. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 6 - 9, 2018 SOCIETY 13 Kids to Get Caught Reading in Georgia this Summer

ing to do- pushing youth to enjoy disappearing into BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES the world of a book; exploring and learning along the way. It is also a popular program in Europe and there are various GCR websites with activities to y eldest just fi nished 2nd grade at do in families or small groups. The Get Caught a Georgian school. Her teacher set Reading-Sakartvelo summer campaign, which you her four books to read and report can check out on facebook, has a competitive ele- on before mid-September and I’m ment this year, sponsored by the Integrated School lucky that she dived right in with- of English Language, and asks children in four age Mout protest. Those who know me may remember a groups (covering grades 1-12) to post photos of them- collection I set up for a local school in Tbilisi, whose selves reading English books and then videos of Director had “dreamed of having a library” in the them reviewing those books. Guidelines are provided school but had yet to get round to making it a real- in English and Georgian, and prizes will be given to ity. Thankfully, kind donations came from far and those judged as best presented. The deadline for wide and that library got fi lled within a month. If videos is August 31, 2018. not- what would the students be doing this summer? “This year, we’re starting small and just in English Which is why I was excited to hear that the Get but next year we hope to expand to include Geor- Caught Reading (GCR) campaign which we’ve heard gian, because children should get to know their own about in the West has fi nally been brought to Geor- literature and get excited about it,” Carolyn tells us. gia, the goal of which is to motivate Georgian youth “The challenge we face is that teachers are often to read over the summer holidays. This summer, the overworked and underpaid or underappreciated program is for reading in English. and can’t think of taking on even one more thing. It Get Caught Reading is a global campaign to pro- may be diffi cult to get teachers motivated to inspire mote the fun of reading books for all ages. First students to read. Interestingly, it’s the teachers from launched in the US in 1999 by the Association of the regions that have shown the most excitement American Publishers and now managed there by about this project so far. Another problem is access Every Child a Reader with support from the Lois in villages to books- most schools don’t have librar- Lenski Covey Foundation, Get Caught Reading ies, and even if they live near a large town with a encourages youth to pick up a book and talk about bookshop, fi nances can be an issue.” it… again and again. The campaign also aims to pro- We discuss the idea of a mobile library serving the mote reading in schools and provides support to regions and the fact that Giorgi Kekelidze, Head of teachers and librarians. the National Library, set up a project collecting books “Because of research indicating that early language for regional libraries. Another challenge that comes experience actually stimulates a child's brain to up, one which I’ve noticed as a teacher myself, is grow and that reading to children gives them a huge the lack of adapted books for young readers on sup- advantage when they start school, we hope to encour- ply in Georgia. It’s easy enough to pop into a Biblus age people of all ages to enjoy books and magazines and fi nd a classic thinned down to pre-intermediate and to share that pleasure with the young children level, but you’ll be hard pressed to fi nd a book that in their lives,” the organizers state. a child will want to read, leaving us having to order The campaign has the support of well-known fi g- inspiring material from amazon. ures including Donald Duck, Whoopi Goldberg, Carolyn Rice and her colleagues have set up a Billy Graham, Jake Lloyd, Rosie O'Donnell, Dolly fundraiser (https://www.gofundme.com/get-caught- Parton, The Rugrats, Jane Seymour, Spider Man, reading-sakartvelo) to help raise money to buy prizes Erik Weihenmayer, and Robin Williams, who have for the readers and their teachers, though they are all been "caught reading" their favorite books and also just as happy to take donations of new or good magazines for print ads and posters seen by millions quality children’s books (ideally in Georgian or of people across the US. In addition, more than 200 adapted) to deliver to various village schools ahead Members of Congress have been photographed of next year’s campaign. If you have books, or ideas "caught reading" on Capitol Hill. to push this campaign forward, write to callie.rice@ Hundreds of teachers and librarians across the US gmail.com. have embraced the campaign, setting up "Get Caught “If we raise more funds than we need for this sum- Reading" corners, allocating a special time each day mer's campaign, we will use the funds for the next for leisure reading, and taking photos of students Get Caught Reading campaign, which will include "caught reading" for classroom posters. Georgian books!” Carolyn says. Carolyn Rice, co-founder of Get Caught Reading- Sakartvelo has lived in Georgia for 10 years, working as an English teacher. “I love reading and come from a family of readers,” she told GEORGIA TODAY. “I have tried all along to encourage my English students to read, and two years ago I did a summer reading bingo with my class of fi ve, where they needed to read 15 minutes a day in different locations to check off a square on the bingo card. Last summer, we added a GCR pro- gram and it was so successful with the students and parents, that another of my colleagues started it up in her school.” In the US, May is ‘Get Caught Reading Month.’ Pictures are taken of celebrities reading and they write why they like the book they were caught with. Reading is promoted as something fun and excit- GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE JULY 6 - 9, 2018

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER CINEMA Language: Russian NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL The Georgian National Museum Start time: 22:30 COLLECTIONS and the Embassy of Italy to Ticket: 13-14 GEL Georgia, within the Museum Fest, MOVEMENT THEATER AMIRANI CINEMA April 26 – September 1 present the exhibition Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave. Address: 36 Kostava St. CAVEA GALLERY UNKNOWN COLLECTIONS Telephone: 598 19 29 36 Telephone: 2 99 99 55 EVIDENCE. A NEW STATE OF ART Address: 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. OF GEORGIAN NATIONAL www.kinoafi sha.ge The National Gallery is hosting Telephone: 200 70 07 MUSEUM– INDIA, CHINA, JAPAN July 6 the exhibition of Garuzzo Institute THE TEMPEST Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL for Visual Arts- presenting Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL May 26 – September 30 Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze July 6-12 contemporary Italian artists' Start time: 20:00 July 6-12 THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC artworks created since the 1950s. Ticket: 15 GEL SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO OF GEORGIA - 100 YEARS Directed by Stefano Sollima ANT-MAN AND THE WASP The Georgian National Museum May 25-August 26 July 7 Cast: Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro, (Info Above) and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi GENIUSES OF RENAISSANCE THE STORY OF A MURDERER Isabela Moner Language: English State University, National The Georgian National Museum Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Genre: Action, Crime, Drama Start time: 20:00, 22:30 Parliamentary Library of Georgia, and the Embassy of Italy to Start time: 20:00 Language: English Language: Russian Korneli Kekelidze Georgian Georgia, within the Museum Fest, Ticket: 10-15 GEL Start time: 17:00 Start time: 11:45, 14:30, 17:15, 19:20, 22:15 National Center of Manuscripts present the exhibition Ticket: 9-14 GEL and National Archives of Georgia, Language: Russian MUSIC July 8 Start time: 19:45 presents the exhibition INTRO Ticket: 14-15 GEL INCREDIBLES 2 Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Directed by Brad Bird June 12 – August 31 ART GENE FESTIVAL Start time: 20:00 ANT-MAN AND THE WASP Cast: Sophia Bush, Samuel L. Georgian National Museum Start time: Folk Crafts and Ticket: 15 GEL Directed by Peyton Reed Jackson, Holly Hunter presents the exhibition contemporary art exhibitions- Cast: Evangeline Lilly, Hannah Genre: Animation, Action, CAUCASUS BIODIVERSITY 12:00 -18:00 SHALIKASHVILI THEATER John-Kamen, Walton Goggins Adventure The exhibition is dedicated to the Folklore Region- 20:00-21:30 Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Language: English 100the anniversary of the First The Final Concerts- 22:00 Telephone: 595 50 02 03 Language: English Start time: 14:15 Democratic Republic of Georgia. Venue: Ethnographic Museum Start time: 19:15 Ticket: 11-15 GEL July 6 Language: Russian IOSEB GRISHASHVILI July 8 Giorgi Shengelia Exhibition Start time: 14:30, 16:45, 19:30, 22:10 SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Folk Crafts and contemporary art Spilo and Pantomime Theater Band Ticket: 9-15 GEL (Info Above) - KARVASLA exhibitions Pantomime Theater Bubble Show Language: English Address: 8 Sioni St. Folklore Region: Shida Kartli Performance ‘The old man and sea’ OCEAN’S 8 Start time: 14:30 Telephone: 2 98 22 81 Closing Concert: Start time: 19:00 Directed by Gary Ross Language: Russian NINO KATAMADZE AND Ticket price: 20 GEL Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Start time: 22:00 June 27 – September 10 "INSIGHT" Blanchett, Anne Hathaway Ticket: 11-19 GEL Georgian National Museum and July 7 Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime The Goethe Institute, in connection July 9 Goga Osepashvili Workshop Language: Russian OCEAN’S 8 with 200 years of relations between Folk Crafts and contemporary art Exhibition Start time: 13:45, 22:00 (Info Above) Germany and Georgia, presents a exhibitions Pantomime Theater Live Ticket: 13-15 GEL Language: English project Folklore Region: Samtskhe- Performance Start time: 17:00 THE DYNASTIES - PARALLEL Javakheti Pantomime Theater Neon Show JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN Language: Russian PERSPECTIVE Closing Concert : DJ NIKOLOZ KINGDOM Start time: 19:45 The exhibition features the “ASEA SUL” Start time: 19:00 Directed by J.A. Bayona Ticket: 13-19 GEL historic-cultural and, in particular, Ticket price: 20 GEL Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris architectural legacy that has been July 10 Pratt, Jeff Goldblum JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN created and developed in parallel in Folk Crafts and contemporary art July 8 Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi KINGDOM Germany and Georgia, representing exhibitions (Info Above) Rusudan Petviashvili Exhibition Language: Russian two different architectural family Folklore Region: Imereti, Svaneti- Language: Russian dynasties- the Böhms and the Amiran Shalikashvili and Marcel Start time: 16:45 “Kviria” Start time: 12:00 Kurdianis in Germany and Georgia, Marcou Book Presentation Ticket: 13 GEL Hip-Hop Day Shalikashvili/Petviashvili Showcase Ticket: 10-15 GEL respectively. Performance ‘The Nigth of King’ LOVING PABLO July 11 MUSEUM MUSEUM OF SOVIET Kakha Bakuradze ‘Recitative in the Directed by Fernando León de Aranoa Folk Crafts and contemporary art OCCUPATION City’ Cast: Javier Bardem, Penélope exhibitions GEORGIAN NATIONAL Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 19:00 Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard Folklore Region: Kvemo Kartli & MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Ticket price: 20 GEL Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama Guria-Iadoni MUSEUM www.museum.ge Language: Russian Closing Concert: Start time: 22:15 Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. ROBI KUKHIANIDZE AND GABRIADZE THEATER Ticket: 15 GEL Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 PERMANENT EXHIBITION “OUTSIDER” Address: 13 Shavtelis St. www.museum.ge Discover the State's personal fi les Telephone: 2 98 65 93 RUSTAVELI CINEMA of "subversive" Georgian public July 12 Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. Exhibitions: fi gures, orders to shoot or exile, and Folk Crafts and contemporary art July 12 Telephone: 2 55 50 00 GEORGIAN COSTUME AND other artifacts representing Soviet- RAMONA www.kinoafi sha.ge WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH era cultural and political repression exhibitions Rezo Gabriadze CENTURIES in Georgia. Folklore Region: Tusheti, Kakheti- Directed by Rezo Gabriadze Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Patarakakhi,Pankisi-Pankisi English Subtitles July 6-12 NUMISMATIC TREASURY SVANETI MUSEUM Closing Concert: Start time: 20:00 Exhibition showcasing a long Address: Mestia, Svaneti “FRANI” Ticket: 20, 30 GEL ANT-MAN AND THE WASP history of money circulation on the (Info Above) territory of modern Georgia from May 19 – August 19 SOUNDS OF GEORGIA July 7, 8, 10, 11 Language: Russian the 6th century BC. to 1834. The Svaneti Museum of History Address: 2 I. Turgenev Str. An animated documentary fi lm Start time: 14:30, 17:00, 19:45, 22:30 and Ethnography hosts an REZO Ticket: 9-14 GEL EXHIBITION STONE AGE exhibition "MAGNUM PHOTO 70 July 11 Directed by Leo Gabriadze GEORGIA - GEORGIAN JOURNAL: ROBERT Regular mini-concerts of traditional Start time: 20:00 SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO CAPA 1947, THOMAS DWORZAK Georgian live music in Old Town Ticket: 15 GEL (Info Above) ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE 2017". will make you get to know and fall in love with Georgian character SIGHNAGHI MUSEUM and culture. Address: 8 Sh. Rustaveli Blind-alley HOMEMADE MUSIC- A cozy atmosphere of "Italian" yard The exhibition with the aroma of homemade food. PORTRAITS OF KAKHETIAN Start time: 17:00 NOBLES – Ticket: 23 GEL FROM THE BEGINNING OF GEORGIAN EASEL PAINTING UP BATUMI STATE MUSICAL TO 20TH CENTURY CENTRE The exposition comprises portraits Address: 1 O. Dimitriadi Str. of Kakhetian historical fi gures, such as: King Erekle II, Queen Darejan, July 7 Prince Vakhtang Dimitris-dze BASTI BUBU & BBB ACADEMY Janbakur-Orbeliani, Princess Tekla Performs Kid’s favorite heroes and David Guramishvili, as well as Babilina, Dodi Gio, Qajar paintings of representatives Sopo Khalvashi, Basti and Bubu of the Andronikashvili family. Start time: 14:00, 19:00 Ticket: 10-18 GEL GALLERY BLUES FEST THE NATIONAL GALLERY Venue: Lagodekhi Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. www.museum.ge July 7 The second blues festival May 15 – August 5 Organized by the company Exhibition BluesfestGe Presents TITIAN - MASTER OF COLOR: The legendary bluesman THE VIRGIN AND CHILD CHARLES BURTON Start time: 19:00 May 25-August 26 Ticket: 20-70 GEL GEORGIA TODAY JULY 6 - 9, 2018 CULTURE 15 Guess Who Was in Town! might stir human curiosity. I have never seen any Georgia, set as an example to the whole world by ists, including famous Georgian photo artist Badri BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE better reading matter for my leisure, usually counted GNOC(Georgian National Olympic Committee), Vadachkoria and myself, and we took our new not in days and hours but in minutes and seconds. headed by Olympic Champion and Olympic silver friend to western Georgia. One of the highlights I still read and reread it. medal winner, fi ve-time World Champion Leri Kha- of our trip was the Niko Nikoladze Museum in the he great David Wallechinsky himself The People's Almanac was published in 1975 and belov and assisted by his tireless lieutenants Elguja village of Didi Jikhaishi. And we had a good reason chose to sojourn in Tbilisi for a cou- became a best-seller with one of the most popular Berishvili, Nino Salukvadze - Olympic gold, silver for this: David Wallechinsky is an Olympic Histo- ple of days to get an extra taste of chapters in it about the selection of lists soon turned and bronze medal holder, Mamuka Khabareli, Emzar rian, and who if not he would follow through the Georgia. Encyclopedias call him a into a separate edition - one of the most popular Zenaishvili and Rusudan Aptsiauri. life of Giorgi Nikoladze, son of his great father Niko ‘Populist Historian,’ which he defi - books ever, called ‘The Book of Lists.’ I have that The event was a huge public sports festivity, Nikoladze. The historical presumption, constructed Tnitely is, and he currently serves as the President one sitting in the corner of my spacious desk too, involving every generation. The famous Wallechin- by Professor Natsvlishvili, has it that Giorgi Nikoladze of the International Society of Olympic Historians but behold, fate would have it that I came across sky came to Tbilisi to take part in this glorious might very well be the ‘Unknown French Boy’ who (ISOH). David is also the founder and editor-in- another man in Georgia who turned out to be a Wal- demonstration of the Olympic spirit in Georgia. fi gured as a cox of the winning Dutch team in a chief of AllGov.com, which provides up-to-date lechinsky fan. The man’s name is Paata Natsvlishvili, His life story says he was taken to the Rome Olym- rowing event at the 1900 Paris Olympics. Wal- news about more than 340 departments and agen- the famous Georgian journalist and sports writer, pic Games in 1960 by his father, the most delightful lechinsky was not indifferent to that piece eyebrow- cies of the US government. I have a story about the Georgian Olympic Historian, researcher and fruit of which was The Complete Book of the Olym- raising information, having taken it with him to this famous American, which I have been avidly poet. I couldn’t believe my ears when he called me pics. Since then, many following editions were put France where he currently resides. Who knows telling people in the last week or so: in the past the other day and told me that David Wallechinsky at the disposal of tens of millions of the world’s what the future harbors for Giorgi Nikoladze in mid-seventies, I was presented a bulky book in himself was going to be visiting Tbilisi for several Olympic readers. As a matter of fact, the last edi- the hands and future books of this great American. English of 1481 pages titled ‘The People’s Almanac’ days as an honorary guest of the Olympic Forum, tion of the book was happily presented to GNOC Incidentally, my copy of the People’s Almanac now by David Wallechinsky and his father Irving Wal- the mass get-together of all Georgian Olympians of by the author at the end of a rousing speech at the proudly and expensively carries the author’s valu- lace. Since then, the book has been sitting on my all time, including the family members of those who Gala in the Rustaveli Drama Theater in Tbilisi. able autograph. This one will surely go long down desk unmoved. The Almanac is the story of the are no longer around. Without an iota of exaggera- To continue the Wallechinsky saga in Georgia, into generations as a precious family relic and one entire world, including just about anything that tion, this was the triumph of Olympic thinking in Paata Natsvlishvili put together a group of journal- of the most unique collector’s items. Katamadze & Insight to Open Art Gene Festival 2018 region, coinciding with the opening of a newly- BY LIKA CHIGLADZE erected monument dedicated to the homeland. From Keda, the festival moved to Lanchkhuti and was followed by concerts in Tskaltubo and Tsageri. f you’re stuck in Tbilisi and wondering how All the concerts in the regions were held for free, to cool off AND have fun this weekend, head so the locals were able to attend and take part in on up to the annual Art Gene folk festival, the jam sessions.” the best way to get to know Georgian cul- The musicians who took part in Art Gene and ture, music and cuisine and simultaneously preserved their authentic style and bands are pre- Icool off in the lap of nature. The festival, marking sented in this year’s program. its 15th anniversary this year, is set to bring all the “I’m glad that many new local ensembles that most important elements of Georgian culture into have emerged in the regions of Georgia are taking one space for a mixed local and foreign audience. part in the festival,” Gogashvili told us. “There are This year the festival started on June 21 in the also a lot of older ensembles that have breathed goals. Within the frames of Art Gene, the ehposi- folklore and ancient traditions, dances and other regions of Georgia and toured around Adjara, Guria, new life into folk and will perform in front of the tion of contemporary Georgian groups Frani and customs. Through the festival, these important Imereti, Lechkhumi for nine days, making it the public with a renovated program. From 8 to July Reggaeon held several concerts in the regions. The elements have been archived and transferred to largest-scale regional tour in its history. 15, each day will be dedicated to a particular region festival also gave local artists and musicians the new generations- spreading Georgian culture and Over the years, Art Gene has proven to be one of of Georgia, introducing its unique culture and music chance to perform in front of the audience and raising awareness among young generations.” the most successful, self-sustained festivals attended to the guests.” introduce their songs typical to the place where Those who want to attend the festival, spend the by all generations, since it covers a wide range of He went on to speak of other novelties being set they come from. The festival also brings the rep- weekend in a pleasant environment, listen to Geor- cultural activities. The series of concerts start in the up this year besides traditional folk music and resentatives of all regions to Tbilisi, to introduce gian music and enjoy good food should drop into the regions of Georgia and end up in the capital Tbilisi, contemporary Georgian singers: one day of the Georgian folk music, traditional songs and culture,” Open Air Museum of Ethnography, on the road to at the Open Air Museum of Georgia, which itself festival will be dedicated to Georgian rap. On July Chikhladze noted. “The festival is aimed at pre- Turtle Lake in Tbilisi. Tickets can be bought online showcases the regions of Georgia through the typ- 10, after the folk shows of the Imereti and Abkhazia serving Georgian culture and promoting Georgian from the Facebook page of as well as at the gate. ical architecture of each, dating back centuries. regions, a hip-hop show will be held. Young Geor- The Art Gene Festival was formed by a group of gian hip-hop performers will have the chance to friends whose mission was to identify problems demonstrate their talent and introduce Georgian http://www.rentmaster.ge/en/ associated with traditional and folk culture and rap to the audience. Additionally, ‘Shavparosnebi’ E-mail: [email protected] fi nd ways to solve them. Apart from organizing (Black Shields) a Georgian martial arts federation Tel: ( +995 ) 591 930 303 concerts and cultural events, the group has carried that is known for its combat art performances, will out signifi cant investigation in the regions of Geor- also once again showcase their combat skills and gia by exploring local culture, folk music, various present the art of Georgian battle to spectators. forms of art and customs, and chronicling them. “Shavparosnebi have been integral part of our This year, as per tradition, the festival is to pre- festival over 15 years. This year they will deliver sent the bright stars of Georgian contemporary the show on July 14. As a supplement, the area will music as well as folk music ensembles and per- also see various entertaining games and the tradi- formers from different parts of the country. In tional Georgian game Lelo,” one of the organizers Tbilisi, the festival opens on July 8 with the concert told us. of celebrated Georgian musician Nino Katamadze Apart from concerts, the festival will also show- & ‘Insight,’ on July 9 ‘Asea Sul’ (a brother-sister duo case traditional Georgian handicraft, various types from Batumi) takes to the stage, for the fi rst time of art, including black-smithery, tannery, jewelry, this year on 10 July there’ll be a day of Hip-Hop, cloisonné enamel, basket making, knitting, weav- on July 11 Robi Kukhianidze & ‘Outsider’ will per- ing, sewing, embroidery, “gobelin”, cloth and felt- form, on July 12 there’ll be popular Georgian group making, musical instruments, pottery and ceramics, ‘Frani,’ on July 13 Georgian ballet ‘Sukhishvilebi,’ carpentry and stonemasonry, wood carving and, on 14 July the fi rst Georgian reggae group ‘Reg- most importantly, Georgian cuisine. Guests will be gaeon’ and on July 15 the festival will be closed the able to enjoy traditional organic food brought by popular Georgian folk-rock band Niaz Diasamidze peasants, including delicious bread, barbeque, & 33a. cheese and wine. Solomon Gogashvili, one of the organizers of As Gaga Chikhladze, the lead singer of Georgian the festival, gave a brief overview of Art Gene group Frani and one of the organizers told us, those 2018. who want to explore Georgia within eight days, RENTMASTER OFFERS: “This year the festival counts 15 years of its exist- this is the best and easiest way to get deeper insight ence,” he told GEORGIA TODAY. “The series of into the country’s culture, traditional arts, hospi- VIP Car Services (pick-up and drop/transfer) Art Gene events throughout western Georgia has tality and national cuisine. Daily Car Rentals already fi nished. This year, Art Gene had its grand “This is a festival that has been held annually Tours in Georgia opening in Keda, in the highlands of the Adjara since 2004, having kept the same meaning and

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