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Issue no: 861 • JULY 15 - 18, 2016 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn Visits Georgia

NEWS PAGE 2

The Georgian Sky Isn’t Falling

POLITICS PAGE 4 Two Key Ministers Quit as Georgia’s Election Campaign FOCUS Season Begins ON NATO LET-DOWN And so the wait goes on for Georgia PAGE 3

Vanessa-Mae to POLITICS PAGE 5 Rattling the Sabre: Ogden on Grace the Black the Georgian Armed Forces SOCIETY PAGE 11 Hyperrealist’s Sea Stage Talent Lauded by Ferrari Designer uperstar and Britain's most successful artist, Vanessa-Mae, a violinist who has sold over 10 million albums globally, is to perform her world famous CULTURE PAGE 17 hits during a grandiose concert at the newly-opened Black Sea Arena in Shekvetili on August 6th for Georgian and international guests. The queen of electronic classical music is the fi rst ever classical performer Dinamo Arena to be Available Sto receive the Brit Awards nomination for the Best Female Artist. Being one of the most famous stars of the classic scene, she has received numerous other awards, for Visually Impaired among them the 1997 World Music Award. Tickets can be purchased from 9:00 am on July 18th on tkt.ge. SPORTS PAGE 19 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS JULY 15 - 18, 2016 EBRD to Support Solid Waste Management in Georgia

Photo: EBRD

he European Bank for Reconstruction vehicles and approximately 7,000 containers will and Development (EBRD) is provid- be included in the project. Khaduri also said the ing a EUR 10 million (26 million GEL) EBRD and fi nance ministry will cooperate on future sovereign loan to Georgia’s Municipal ventures. Development Fund as part of a cam- “I am very happy to sign this agreement, which Tpaign to improve solid waste management through- marks another important successful step in the out 64 municipalities including in remote areas of development of the municipal infrastructure sec- the country. tor in Georgia,” said Balvanera. “Creating better Georgia’s Finance Minister Nodar Khaduri and public awareness of the benefi ts of sustainable solid the EBRD’s Director for the Caucasus, Moldova waste services is an integral part of the project, and Belarus, Bruno Balvanera signed the loan agree- and we will continue working on a better and ment on July 12. healthier environment.” The project is a signifi cant step towards the imple- The EBRD is a leading institutional investor in mentation of the Georgian government’s plan to Georgia. Since the start of its operations in the coun- modernize the country’s waste management system try, the Bank has invested over EUR 2.73 billion (7 to European Union standards and help preserve million GEL) into 195 projects in the fi nancial, cor- the environment, the EBRD said. porate, infrastructure and energy sectors, with 91 A minimum of 140 new solid waste collection per cent of these investments in the private sector. EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn Visits Georgia

he EU’s Commissioner for Neighbor- discuss European affairs and other current issues hood Policy and Enlargement Nego- as well as to exchange ideas on EU-related chal- tiations Johannes Hahn visited Geor- lenges. gia on July 14 to deliver the keynote After the conference, Hahn visited a number of speech at the 13th Annual Batumi EU-funded agriculture projects in the Adjara region TInternational Conference, meet with Georgian with the EU’s Ambassador to Georgia Janos Her- offi cials and visit EU-funded projects in Adjara, man and United Nations Resident Coordinator Georgia’s Black Sea Region. Niels Scott. He will also hold a bilateral meeting with Prime The visit included meetings with small farmers Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, President Giorgi who offered their assessment of the role of agri- Margvelashvili, Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze cultural cooperation aimed at boosting rural devel- and the Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic opment in Georgia. Integration David Bakradze. The projects are funded through the EU’s ENPARD The Batumi conference is widely program. Since 2013, ENPARD has supported regarded an important forum Georgia’s agricultural and rural development for offi cials from Georgia, with donations of over USD 106 million (250 and other EU partner million GEL). nations, to analyze and Read the latest on georgiatoday.ge

Contact: www.edelbrand.ge Phone: 599 461908 GEORGIA TODAY JULY 15 - 18, 2016 NEWS 3 NATO Warsaw Summit: Only a Minor Favor for Georgia?

All the Alliance member states offi cially “Given these disputes with Russia, the BY ZVIAD ADZINBAIA said that [they] will continue to provide likelihood of full membership seems the resources needed to strengthen quite distant, and the Warsaw Summit Georgia’s capabilities and, thereby, help did not offer much in the way of hope n July 8-9 Warsaw hosted Georgia advance in its preparations for for their goals.” a NATO Summit that membership in the Alliance. The allies Offi cials in Tbilisi, including Foreign brought together 28 Alli- in particular will provide support to the Minister Mikheil Janelidze, underscored ance members to discuss development of Georgia’s air defense that Warsaw was a success as a sitting the security challenges the and air surveillance. of the NATO-Georgia Council within Euro-AtlanticO community faces. Georgia NATO stated that it does not recognize the Summit was held for the fi rst time was invited as a loyal partner to the Alli- the so-called treaties signed between and NATO reaffi rmed its commitments ance, who has done everything to become the Abkhazia region of Georgia and Rus- toward Georgia and sent clear messages a member of the family but has yet to sia in November 2014, and the South in terms of Georgia’s sovereignty and see its NATO dream come true. Ossetia region of Georgia and Russia in territorial integrity. The fi nal declaration of the Summit March 2015. “These violate Georgia’s On the other hand, security experts in reiterated the decision made at the 2008 sovereignty and territorial integrity and Georgia explain that while the Summit Bucharest Summit that Georgia will blatantly contradict the principles of egy with Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania and role in the process. was not a failure for Georgia, it did not become a member of NATO with the international law, OSCE principles and Turkey. The NATO declaration only Hamilton believes that the US should bring very much to a country that is fac- Membership Action Plan (MAP) as an Russia’s international commitments.” generally stated that the allies will also consider guaranteeing Georgia’s security ing fundamental security threats from integral part of the process. It also wel- Prior to the Summit, six major political deepen their focus on security in the against external attack in this period Russia. comed the signifi cant progress realized parties in Georgia, including the Ruling Black Sea region. between the announcement of Georgia’s Opinions are also divided as to whether since 2008. “Georgia’s relationship with Georgian Dream coalition and United In their article on the Atlantic Council, invitation to join NATO and its actual the Georgian government needs to carry the Alliance contains all the practical National Movement, jointly addressed US, the two ambassadors highlighted accession into the Alliance. He calls the out more proactive diplomacy and pur- tools to prepare for eventual member- NATO that despite their substantial that Georgia’s NATO membership will MAP process outdated as “Georgia has sue more effective policies or if NATO ship,” the document stated. domestic political disagreements, they put an end to uncertainty about the future met all MAP requirements already.” should make a fi rm decision and open Interestingly, an important emphasis stand united on one principle: “Georgia of Georgia and, in turn, the future of Summarizing the Summit results, James its door to the South Caucasian heart- was given to this year’s parliamentary is a sovereign, independent state, and Europe and its eastern fl ank. Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Allied land. The answer can be two-fold: Geor- elections that “will be another key step the Georgian people are committed to US Army Colonel and a professor in Commander, currently the Dean of the gia should do its best in terms of advanc- towards the consolidation of democratic building a European democracy that the Department of National Security and Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy ing further democratically, growing institutions.” In addition, NATO “highly cherishes freedom, economic opportu- Strategy at the US Army War College, at Tufts University, said that among other economically and becoming a more appreciates Georgia’s signifi cant and nity, and security, and aspires to full Robert E. Hamilton, said that NATO’s losers coming out of Warsaw are Ukraine reliable partner for the western countries continuous contributions to the NATO membership in all Euro-Atlantic institu- declared policy that every country has and Georgia. and the Alliance as a whole. On the other Response Force and the Resolute Sup- tions.” the right to choose its own alliances, is “Both have been invaded by the Rus- hand, NATO’s further expansion will port Mission in Afghanistan and recog- Former Georgian Ambassadors to the untrue, referring to Georgia. He said sian Federation (Ukraine in 2014 and probably much depend on the conse- nizes the sacrifi ces and contributions US, Vasil Sikharulidze and Batu Kutelia, that, having such a principle, in reality, Georgia in 2008), and the Russians con- quences of the forthcoming US elections the Georgian people have made to our hoped for Georgia’s to become part of Georgia would already be a NATO mem- tinue to occupy signifi cant chunks of and on geopolitical fl uctuations on the shared security.” NATO’s wider Black Sea regional strat- ber, emphasizing Russia’s obstructive their territory,” the security expert said. old continent. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS JULY 15 - 18, 2016 The Georgian Sky Isn’t Falling

while the current government should security arrangements that Georgia has that victory for their party is essential BY LINCOLN MITCHELL get much of the credit for this, in some been building for years proved to be to the country’s future, some perspec- cases they are building on the work of very valuable even if they did not tive on that is also valuable. Regardless their immediate predecessors in the lead directly to NATO member- of who wins, Georgia is unlikely to again he Georgia Analysis is a UNM and even of the Citizen’s Union ship or a Membership Action lose its democratic moorings as it did in twice monthly analysis of block led by former President Eduard Plan (MAP) for NATO. the late UNM period. Another way to political and other major Shevardnadze, that was in power Instead, political signals look at the Georgian election is that there developments in Georgia. before being ousted in the 2003 from Georgia’s western is no likely outcome that will destabilize Lincoln Mitchell is a polit- Rose Revolution. allies, increased coop- the country and threaten the rights and Tical development, research and strategic This view should not be over- eration of the kind we standing of minorities the way a Trump consultant who has worked extensively stated, nor should it be so saw this week in Tbilisi, victory would in the US. The possible in the post-Soviet space. He has agreed quickly minimized. It is true and the broad opposi- exception to this is if former President to share some of his analyses exclusively that some substantial prob- tion to Russia within Mikhail Saakashvili seeks to return to with GEORGIA TODAY. lems remain. The economy Georgia all helped Georgia following the election to try to On the eve of the Warsaw Summit, with is still not meeting the needs halt whatever ambi- mobilize an extra-legal effort to gain the Parliamentary elections only a few of many Georgians as con- tions Moscow had power, but even if that were to happen, months away, it is easy to see all the big cerns about infl ation and towards Georgia in it would be unlikely to be successful. picture problems facing Georgia. Russia unemployment have been the last two or three There is, of course, a lot at stake in this is not going away; NATO membership a constant for years, begin- years. election, as is the case with any national is not going to happen anytime soon; ning well before the GD Additionally, election, but the basic stability of Geor- Abkhazia and South Ossetia are still came to power. Similarly, Georgia is not lurch- gia will not be quite as central to the functioning as de facto Russian protec- Abkhazia and South Ossetia ing from crisis to outcome as was the case in, for example, torates or even colonies; political life is remain under Russian control. crisis the way it did 2012. still extremely polarized; and while eco- However, a closer look at both for many years. The Building a modern functioning economy nomic proposals are easy to come by, the economic and foreign country’s political life for Georgia will be the central challenge solutions to Georgia’s ongoing economic policy realm is less discourag- is no longer character- for whoever wins the October election, challenges are not in the immediate off- ing. ized by shooting wars just as it has been of the previous two ing. More than two years after the with Russia, massive dem- governments, but there are some accom- In the strange logic of Georgian polit- Russian invasion of Crimea; and onstrations occasionally plishments upon which the next govern- ical life, it is possible that both major almost eight years after the Russia- violently dispersed, fake ment can build. The most signifi cant of political blocks will agree on these points Georgia war of 2008, Russia has contin- invasions by Russia, spy intrigue these may be the slow, but unmistakable, in the election discourse. The difference ued to harass Georgian citizens living and similar fare. There are advance of stability in Georgia. While will be that the opposition United National in and near the disputed territories, and still occasional govern- Georgia still fi nds itself in a geographi- Movement (UNM) will seek to blame have moved the line between Abkhazia ment shakeups, vocal and cal region that is unsettled with an all these problems on the incumbent and the rest of Georgia further south, passionate political debates, aggressive Russia to the north and the Georgian Dream (GD) coalition, while but they have been unable to gain any the continuing role of informal leader- Middle East wrought with confl ict, ref- the GD will argue that these problems, meaningful international support for ship, although that also existed before ugee crises and terrorism, Georgia itself The positive developments in Georgia may which may be getting slightly less severe, their actions, gather the wherewithal to help frame this election as one about 2012, concerns about abuses of power increasingly stands out from the region were caused by the decade of UNM move substantially further into Georgia choice, policy, vision and politics rather and the like, but no longer of a degree in this respect. misrule. or fi gured out exactly what to do with than as being about a last chance to save where the fear of the other foot drop- The government in Georgia, while not Lost on both these parties is another Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Even fol- the country from collapse. Source: fanart.tv ping dominates political life. exuding reformist enthusiasm as publicly possibility, one for which there is an lowing Russia’s successful incursion into The coming election promises to be and boisterously as its predecessor, has increasing amount of evidence. Perhaps Crimea, they were unable to turn their didn’t want to commit any more acts of close as the outcome is genuinely in continued to build Georgia while strik- things are not going quite as badly for attention to Georgia in the way that many aggression in Russia’s neighborhood, but doubt with fewer than three months ing a tone that is less fraught with adren- Georgia as the election narrative may feared. This might be because Russian that is a bit of an oversimplifi cation. until votes are cast. While partisans of aline and more hands off than the Geor- suggest. Moreover, it is also possible that President Vladimir Putin decided he Rather, the network of political and the GD and UNM undoubtedly believe Continued on page 5 GEORGIA TODAY JULY 15 - 18, 2016 POLITICS 5

Two Key Ministers Quit as The Georgian Sky Isn’t Falling Continued from page 4 However, when it is clearly the result of hyperbole rather than more objective gia of fi ve or ten years ago. While some analysis it is damaging to the country, Georgia’s Election Campaign see this as a sign that the government is any country, in the longer term, and not competent, others see it as a wel- makes it harder for that country to mean- come reprieve and a signal that business ingfully address problems or achieve will be unharassed by government. The politically stability. fruits of that approach are visible for Contesting elections without relying Season Begins those who care to look. The indicators on what might be called the Chicken are still mixed, but the recent upgrade Little approach to politics is a challenge from a low-middle to upper-income to both the opposition party as well as BY TAMAR SVANIDZE country, the increasing investment from to the incumbent party. It forces both to abroad and the steady expansion of tour- articulate a view more sophisticated than ism all suggest that the economy is not simply raising irrational but alluring wo top Republican Minis- as bad as many suggest. fears about the opposition. This is what ters will leave their posts This may or may not have much bear- Georgia needs now, but it is not some- in Georgia’s cabinet as the ing on the upcoming election. In demo- thing with which Georgia’s political class, Republican Party launches cratic countries voters have the right, regardless of party, has much experience. its election campaign ahead even the obligation, to ask their leaders The GD, after all, came to power warn- Tof parliamentary polls in October, the “what have you done for me lately?” ing, not without accuracy, that their vic- party’s leader and Parliament Chairman Accordingly, Georgian voters may deter- tory in 2012 was essential to stave off David Usupashvili announced at a spe- mine that the pace of progress has been creeping authoritarianism in Georgia, cial briefi ng Tuesday. too slow, that the current government while the UNM stayed in power for years Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli – the is not likely to solve the remaining and by claiming that their defeat would mean fi rst woman to hold the position – who ongoing problems facing Georgia or victory for Russia, and, in so many words, has served in her post since May 2015 and At the briefi ng, Usupashvili announced Dream’s chances at re-election. Recent simply that it is time to give another the end of the Georgian state. Reconciliation and Civil Equality Affairs that the Republican Party is offi cially polls have shown widespread discontent political party a chance. However, the Breaking old habits, particularly ones Minister Paata Zakareishvili, will resign launching its election campaign. with the incumbents due to their poor positive developments in Georgia may that have worked under similar, but also from the cabinet in the coming days and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, handling of Georgia’s crippled economy help frame this election as one about critically different, circumstances, is dif- focus their attention on the Republican who is also the chairman of the ruling and a lack of policy cohesion amongst choice, policy, vision and politics rather fi cult, but it will be essential for Georgia’s Party’s pre-election activities. Georgian Dream coalition, has yet to its disparate members. than as being about a last chance to save future. In 2016, the politics of anger and Environmental Protection Minister name his replacements for Khidasheli The coalition has been the dominant the country from collapse. calamity have thus far proven successful Gigla Agulashvili – also a Republican – and Zakareishvili. political force in the country since it Claiming that victory for your party is in many places, although most polling has opted to leave the party but remain The Republicans are the second larg- defeated former President Mikheil all that is standing between your coun- suggests that it will not continue to be in the government. est faction in the Georgian Dream coali- Saakashvili’s United National Movement try and disaster is a well-worn political the case in the US in November. Georgia, “We are ending our alliance with the tion. The party announced in late March in the 2012 elections. ploy because it is easy and always appeals however, can ill afford this approach. Georgian Dream Coalition. We are proud that it plans to withdraw offi cially from The Republicans are a self-described to the hardest core supporters of that Recognizing the accomplishment not that we have done a lot of work with our the Georgian Dream before the October pro-European, pro-Western, center-right party. Rarely has that tactic been pursued just of the GD government, but of the partners over the past four years, but the 2 elections and run on its ticket. party that champions a liberal market more unambiguously than in the US Georgian state, is essential both for deep- country needs much more,” Usupashvili The departure of the Republicans is economy and close integration with West- election this year. This tactic is appeal- ening Georgian political stability and said. expected to complicate the Georgian ern institutions like NATO and the EU. ing and can lead to short term success. for building on those accomplishments. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS JULY 15 - 18, 2016 Georgia’s Ruling Coalition Releases Georgian President’s List of Election Candidates Statement the Right Step,

BY TAMAR SVANIDZE says Volker

BY IA MEURMISHVILI, VOICE OF AMERICA he head of the Georgian Dream coalition and current Prime Minister Giorgi Kviri- kashvili, announced his t the NATO Warsaw Sum- party’s list of candidates set mit, Georgian President toT run in the upcoming October 8 parlia- Giorgi Margvelashvili mentary elections. announced a joint statement I think it is important to look at both Kvirikashvili named 15 new candidates by all the major political sides – internally, inside Georgia, and who will take part in the parliamentary partiesA in Georgia, in which the signa- externally, outside. elections. Of note is the fact that eight tories unite under an overarching national Starting externally, one of the image from 15 are Western educated, and several dominates the current parliament with Irakli Kobakhidze – The coalition’s goal to advance the country’s Euro- problems Georgia has had over the past are accomplished women in their 30s. 85 seats. executive secretary since early 2015; Atlantic aspirations. Executive Director several years is that it is not a mature After publicly presenting the new can- The coalition - founded by Georgia’s Sopho Japaridze – An Essex University of the McCain Institute for International democracy: that the different political didates, Kvirikashvili said that it is critical eccentric billionaire oligarch Bidzina graduate, PM’s assistant on human rights Leadership and former US Ambassador parties in Georgia cannot agree on any- for Georgian politics “to have new energy, Ivanishvili - swept to power following a and gender equality issues; to NATO, Kurt Volker, participated in thing, cannot work together; that there a new vision.” major prison scandal in 2012. Mariam Jashi – Former deputy health- coordinating the agreement. Ia Meur- have been politically oriented prosecu- “Today’s realities push for a new agenda, Comprised of six independent parties, care minister, who now chairs state-run mishvili of Voice of America spoke with tions; that there have been fi ghts over new requirements…and our party meets it won the parliamentary elections four charity Solidarity Foundation; A Harvard Volker about the signifi cance of the joint controlling the media; that there have these challenges with a renewed team years ago and unseated pro-Western Pres- University graduate, a holder of Kennedy statement. been accusations about one party or the that is ready to respond to every chal- ident Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National School of Government master’s degree other. Despite all of that, and despite all lenge,” said Kvirikashvili. Movement (UNM) in the process. in public administration; WHAT DOES THIS DECLARATION the differences among them, the politi- “I believe that along with the existing The Georgian Dream candidates for the Irina Pruidze – A chairwoman at the MEAN FOR GEORGIA? cal parties have shown that they are team, the Georgian Dream’s newest mem- October elections are: Eurasia Regional Committee of the World I think it is tremendously important. united around this one idea – that Geor- bers will win a convincing victory in the Nino Goguadze – A member of Geor- Scout Movement; she was with the New When you have a country with Georgia’s gia is a European democracy that belongs elections,” Kvirikashvili said without gia’s Central Election Commission, Rights Party almost a decade ago. geography and history, and you have a to the community of transatlantic nations specifying how the newly named candi- recently a member of the Tbilisi City Sophiko Katsarava – Former political population that has always looked west– and should be a part of the EU and part dates would be positioned in Georgian Council she is a member of the Conserv- offi cer at the British embassy in Tbilisi; always looked to be a democratic coun- of NATO – is tremendously signifi cant. Dream’s party list. ative Party, which has been in the Geor- Kakha Kuchava – Legal scholar, Not- try, a market economy, a part of the com- Internally: when you look inside Geor- Candidates ranked higher on their respec- gian Dream coalition; tingham University graduate and corpo- munity of Europe –for all of the political gia, there are always debates, questions tive party’s list of MP candidates have Tamar Chugoshvili – Head of a Tbilisi- rate law master’s degree holder. Currently leaders of the current and former gov- and doubts: “Can Georgia make it as a more chances of getting a seat in the leg- based legal advocacy group Georgian a corporate lawyer; ernments to get together around this European democracy?” Russian propa- islative body if that party clears the 5 per Young Lawyers’ Association in 2010-2012; Mamuka Mdinaradze – a practicing one idea is tremendously signifi cant. ganda certainly plays on that – trying to cent threshold in a nationwide vote. Tamar Khulordava – First deputy min- lawyer; I’m not aware of anything else where we convince Georgians that they have no The Georgian Dream has yet to name ister of the penitentiary system since Roman Kakulia – Head of the EU assis- have seen the government and opposition alternative, that they will be tied to Rus- its MP candidates in single-mandate con- September 2015; tance coordination department at the parties unify around one statement, one sia. This is a statement of all the politi- stituencies. Sophio Kiladze – Former deputy rector State Ministry of European and Euro- idea, in the past. Seeing it this time – pre- cal party leaders in Georgia – of the Under the constitution, the Georgian of the Police Academy; Atlantic Integration; sented by the President of Georgia at the current and former government – saying Parliament’s 150 members serve four-year Archil Talakvadze – Deputy Interior Akaki Zoidze – Columbia University Warsaw Summit – is very signifi cant. ‘No. We believe that Georgia does have terms, with 77 seats set by proportional Minister since December 2014; graduate specializing in governance with a future as part of Europe and, despite representation and 73 in single-seat con- Giorgi Gakharia – Business ombudsman seven years of experience in public ser- HOW DOES IT REFLECT ON everything, we will work together towards stituencies. at the PM’s offi ce since the GD coalition vice. He served as deputy state minister GEORGIA’S IMAGE OUTSIDE that goal.’ The ruling Georgian Dream coalition came into power in late 2012; in healthcare. OF THE COUNTRY? Continued on page 8 GEORGIA TODAY JULY 15 - 18, 2016 POLITICS 7 #shareyoursuccess

shareyoursuccess is an active • Agricultural enterprise of the year; 2016. SMEs should not miss this excel- the award ceremony, in November. comprised of specialists in the fi elds of campaign which has taken off • Georgian product of the year; lent opportunity to make their business “The concept of the prize design in economy and business. The list of fi nal- on social networks. Based on • Innovative enterprise of the year; popular with more people. We should based on infi nite opportunities, 360 ists will be revealed in September and the principle of sound com- • Small enterprise of the year; all share our success to encourage the degrees, a circle – this is a symbol of their marketing support will be carried petition, representatives of • People’s favorite. creation of more enterprises. Sound infi nite opportunities and development. out by TBC Bank and Geocell. #various companies are encouraging each competition is good for consumers, as I think that civilization and development Business Award 2016 is the largest other to participate in the Business Award Snap Fitness Georgia is a tightly knit well as for the development of business,” is not possible without sharing success, award to aim to support successful entre- 2016, jointly organized by TBC Bank and team with an ambition to do sound busi- - says famous basketball player and and what is more important, success is preneurs and encourage them to achieve Geocell. Online registration on http:// ness. We believe that nothing is impos- founder of Snap Fitness Georgia, Zaza contagious: this is why it is important even more. It also aims to inspire others, businessaward.ge will last until August sible and want to pass this drive to oth- Patchulia. that everyone tells their stories,” says embrace diverse opportunities that exist 15. Companies can participate and com- ers. We have already registered for the Designer Zviad Tsikolia has already designer Zviad Tsikolia. in the country, and develop businesses. pete in the following nominations: competition and would like to encourage started working on the design of the Winners of the Business Award 2016 • Tourism enterprise of the year; everyone to participate in Business Award prize, which will go to the winners at will be revealed by a special jury that is ADVERTISING GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS JULY 15 - 18, 2016 A Road Runs though It “The road crossing South Ossetia is in greater loss to our businessmen and oth- to make him agree and crossing Georgia, which is OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA good condition, and so negotiations are ers. The Russian Federation responded both Tbilisi and offi cial vital for Armenia, will be taking place between Russian and Geor- with an answer directly connected with Yerevan were given a closed again. This gian parties so that they can come to an the status of the territories recognized diplomatic could be the reason he 135 km highway between agreement,” Beglaryan was cited as say- by them, and so we refused to let the refusal. Tibilov our neighboring Armenia Tbilisi and Vladikavkaz, the ing in Armenian media. PM Giorgi Kviri- cargo through on the alternative road. then announced the is so active in the issue of diver- only road connecting us with kashvili confi rmed that consultations took Our offer was to open this route only if offi cial position of the Kremlin: sifying transportation routes in Geor- Russia, destroyed by a natu- place (apparently within the Karasin- in compliance with our legislation,” said “We talked about the issue of the open- gia, offering recommendations about ral disaster, has been restored Abashidze format), however the agree- Kvirikashvili. ing of the road through South Ossetia opening the railway through occupied afterT a closure of two-weeks. Truck driv- ment was not made, since, as he said, Kvirikashvili’s words were confi rmed with our partners in Moscow, but Arme- Abkhazia. However, this “support” from ers from neighboring Armenia, who waited Russia raised political demands about the by the so-called President of the South nia has not addressed us offi cially about Offi cial Yerevan only goes as far as trans- patiently, were especially happy with the status of the occupied territories. Ossetia Leonid Tibilov, who at the time this case and everything depends com- portation and does not include other restoration, unlike the representatives of “To me the hysteria following [Beglar- Beglaryan was seeking alternatives for pletely on the normalization of relations directions, for example, in the voting that their government, who were able to cre- yan’s] announcement is absolutely unrea- the cargo, was for some reason in Mos- between the two states (that is South took place in the UN some weeks before ate a new scandal within this short period, sonable,” said PM Kvirikashvili. “The law cow talking about transportation issues Ossetia and Georgia).” the disaster about returning Georgian with the Minister of Transport, Gagik about the ‘occupied territories’ includes in the Kremlin. It does not need much The prompt restoration of Dariali Gorge IDPs to their homes, Armenia voted Beglaryan, visiting Tbilisi to ask Prime the point where in force majeure situa- guesswork to deduce Tibilov was urgently and opening of the highway has appar- against. Naturally, their decisions are Minister Kvirikashvili to give them per- tions the cargo can be released with neu- invited to Moscow to talk exactly about ently put a full stop to this political scan- shaped by Russian interests. Thus, all we mission to take their cargo through occu- tral status through the occupied territories. this road issue. However, the Russian side dal, however the stability in such an can hope for is that if the Georgian Dream pied South Ossetia. Moscow was also That is how we wanted to move the was unable to make him agree, or to be unstable place as Dariali is quite theo- is unable to answer our neighbors, at least involved in the talks. stopped cargo, in order not to create more precise, they did not try hard enough retical, as nobody knows when the road nature will help us in doing so. Georgian President’s Statement the Right Step, says Volker Continued from page 6 direction all the political leaders of BE A REACTION FROM RUSSIA to have security just as much as any other PRECEDENT INTERNALLY Georgia want take. ABOUT THIS UNITY? Europeans. And this idea is now fi rmly FOR THE GOVERNMENT DO YOU THINK THE STATEMENT The one thing I would say about Russia anchored in the policies of both the gov- AND OPPOSITION TO CLARIFIES ANY AMBIGUITY WHAT NEXT? is that you cannot really pay attention ernment and the opposition. WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS IN REGARDS TO GEORGIA’S I think it’s important to build on the unity to what they say. Russia is always trying One of the things I think is important ACHIEVING A NATIONAL GOAL? WESTERN ASPIRATIONS IN in this area, and start developing concrete to infl uence the actions and beliefs of about this declaration that the president I hope so, but I wouldn’t want to make THE MINDS OF WESTERNERS? steps that need to be taken to make it a others through what it says. Russia would has put forward is that each of the polit- too much out of it at this point. As a mat- I think it’s a step in the right direction. reality. In order for Georgia to qualify as of course react to this very negatively, if ical parties is taking responsibility. This ter of foreign policy and national security, Under the previous government, we had a member of the EU, or as a member of they react at all. They will say that it is was not something that was thrown I think there is agreement on this orien- questions in the West if Georgia really NATO, there is still a lot of work to do. If just a statement, that NATO does not together or imposed on them- each of tation for Georgia, and it was possible to was a mature democracy and– as a result we want to look at how Poland, the Czech really mean anything, that the Warsaw them is accepting responsibility that this write it down for the parties to agree. On – if we were ready for membership, or Republic, or Hungary developed at the Summit will not offer the MAP… and so is important for Georgia. That idea that domestic politics, there are still a lot of the “Membership Action Plan” at the time - in terms of democracy, market they will point to this as a failure. Do there is a national interest that is greater very deep differences. Over time, I hope Bucharest Summit (in 2008). NATO economy, good relations with neighbors, not believe any of it! That is just Rus- than any one party’s political interest is that will be possible to establish overarch- decided to take a pause on that. interoperability with NATO, contributions sia’s way of trying to infl uence what a tremendously important idea. I hope ing national goals that go beyond any one Since then, we've had questions under to common security –all of these things Georgians think. What is more impor- that this is something that begins to party’s interest– whether it is in foreign the current government as well about took time to settle in society. It took time tant is that all the political leaders in strengthen Georgia, and becomes a way policy or a domestic issue. At this point, what direction Georgia is taking. This to build consensus around them, to build Georgia are refl ecting what Georgians of shielding Georgia’s democracy from because Georgia is going into an election statement is now something that every- the programmatic steps behind them, and actually think which is that they deserve the infl uences that can pull it apart. season, it would be very diffi cult to see one can point to, whether it is NATO, to strengthen institutions to support them. to be a free society, a democracy, and a this develop further, but at least this one the EU, or political leaders inside Geor- market economy, just as much as any DO YOU THINK THIS step forward. Every bit of progress made gia. It is unequivocal that this is the DO YOU THINK THERE WILL other Europeans – and that they deserve UNITY COULD SERVE AS A starts with a step somewhere. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 15 - 18, 2016 POLITICS 9

TBILISI-BATUMI BATUMI-TBILISI KUTAISI AIRPORT

TBILISI CENTRAL BATUMI CENTRAL 09:00, 12:00, 20:00, 01:00 09:00, 12:00, 19:00, 01:00 The Liberating 2 Station Square TAMAR MEPE AVE. Power of Brexit 595 99 00 00 www.eurobus.ge data analysis. has been implementing since then, with OP-ED BY ISIDOROS KARDERINIS Germany's assiduous effort to put exaggerated dominance, a kind of eco- under its complete control the European nomic totalitarianism, mostly against people and once again the continent – the weak Member States of the Euro- he referendum of June 23, this time not through the use of military pean periphery. 2016 regarding Britain’s weapons as in the past, but the use of The anti-grass roots economic plans remaining in or exit from economic ones-, presents a similar igno- of the strictest neoliberal austerity the European Union (EU), rance of history characteristics. It is imposed by Berlin have indeed leveled through its subversive obvious that the Germans, who cannot the societies of the southern European BREXITT result undoubtedly shook the control in any way their great political countries. In Greece, which is certainly dominant British and European politi- and economic power, are completely the most typical example of the pilot cal and economical system. ignorant of history, and so now, fi nd implementation of these incredibly The British, taken as a whole, are not themselves -by mathematical determin- absurd and economically irrational the people of a protectorate who might ism- on the verge of a new defeat that policies, unemployment has increased have a slave mentality. They are the will come through the imminent unrave- dramatically to 26.8 percent of the work- proud people of a great country that in ling of the EU. force, while 36 percent of the Greek the past has been an empire and today The EU, which in 1993 through the population lives below the poverty line. is one of the world's largest economies. Maastricht treaty replaced the until In Italy, 24.4 percent of the population Source: Manny Francisco The British, who are also the winners then EEC, is basically by default an is facing the risk of poverty and social www.straitstimes.com of two world wars, have developed a unnatural and defective political and exclusion. In Spain, 22.2 percent of highly dignifi ed attitude and behavior. economic union of states with different households live below the poverty line So, it is understandable that the British political, legal, economic, military and and more than one in three children, citizens who endured with unprece- cultural levels, but as well a union of 2.6 million, are facing the risk of poverty dented fortitude and bravery the fi erce people who feel like strangers to each and social exclusion. In Portugal, one bombardments of the Nazi air force in other, without any mutual or brotherly in four children lives below the poverty World War II, would not be able to feelings of solidarity Thus, the grandi- line and a total of about two million est rates. That means that Germany onic and dominant Germany at the accept, against any short-term negative ose pronouncements and unrealistic people, 20 percent of its population, not only does not pay to borrow, but expense of other Member States and economic impacts arising from the visions for a democratic and prosperous live amid poverty and destitution. on the contrary, investors, given the mainly at the expense of the southern BREXIT, German domination and lead- from end to end EU could not but be At the same time, Germany has clearly insecurity in the euro zone, pay it in European countries. The extremely high ership in the EU. bitterly ruled out. received unprecedented economic order to safeguard their money. Thus, trade surpluses achieved by Germany Thus, the incredible surprise of the Germany, taking advantage of the benefi ts. Its extreme profi ts arise from in fi ve years (2010-2015), Germany (for example, in 2013 it had a trade sur- German political leaders and far away impacts of the crisis erupting in Sep- the transfer of investors’ money to managed to save a total of EUR 100 plus of 200 billion thus remaining a standing bureaucrats in Brussels com- tember 2008 through the grandiose “low risk” German bonds due to the billion, equivalent to 3 percent of its highly competitive state) are certainly ing from this amazing, liberating for collapse of the banks (Lehman Broth- crisis plaguing the eurozone. Espe- GDP, precisely because of the dramatic due to the great German economic ordinary people result, on that prom- ers), and invoking -of course- the Maas- cially after 2009, yields on German reduction in borrowing costs. machine but at the same time are scan- ising and sunny dawn of June 24, 2016, tricht Stability Pact and the need for bonds have reached the bottom of the It is obvious that the EU, and surely dalously increased by the unfair euro- does not comply in any way with any reform packages so that the negative barrel, while in some cases (eg 5-year the extremely neoliberal Eurozone, zone monetary system. historical knowledge and thorough effects of the crisis could be confronted, German bonds) reached negative inter- operates in the interests of the hegem- Continued on page 10 GEORGIA TODAY 10 POLITICS JULY 15 - 18, 2016

SOCIETY The Liberating What We Want is Not Power of Brexit Always What We Can Get Continued from page 9 making processes lack democratic legitimacy and they are distant and among the broader population does not OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE Germany for the fi rst time in many inaccessible to the ordinary European allow all of us to splash in the wavy years, apart from its economic boom, citizen. Thus, a deep democratic defi cit waters of its main pool under open skies. has become a fi rst rate international directly opposing the founding treaties What I am trying to say is that some- player, given that its political leadership of the EU grossly violating the original et us drop our political con- times Georgia amazes us with the level has found itself in a key position thus declaratory core of values, is clearly cerns this once and embark of service business, like Gino. Yet some- being able to represent the other Euro- visible. The people of Europe exert on something more humane times even at its lowest prices, it might pean countries without being asked to. absolutely no direct infl uence on the like our regular happiness day still be fi nancially out of reach to many So the exit of Great Britain- the fi rst important EU decision-making institu- in day out, part of which, as I of us, the reason being the low standard military power, a permanent member tions, i.e the European Council with its understand,L must be the agreement of living in the country rather than prices of the UN Security Council and the strong centralized role and the European between our desires and solvency. there. Frankly, the same kind of service country with the third largest contribu- Commission with its highly bureaucratic Georgia is a typical country of contrasts, would have cost us in America fi ve times tion to the EU budget- from the EU, and technocratic nature, while these where prices for service are of a Western as much, if not more. What can busi- represents a fatal blow to the interna- institutions have absolutely no account- level and the ability of the majority of nesses like Gino do? Should they go for tional status of the EU and fi rst of all ability to the citizens. On the other hand, people to pay for that service is as low charity all the time? Impossible! Lower to the status of Germany. the directly elected European Parlia- as it would be in any developing country, the prices to the minimum level? Then Likewise, EU institutions and decision- ment, which is based in Strasbourg, maybe even less. Incidentally, I recol- you cannot run the business at all! possesses no suffi cient powers and lected here my son’s quick joke of several So, how to turn things around? Prob- continues to be a weak link. years ago: ‘Dad, it’s so frustrating to have ably, through the general enhancement In conclusion, the European Union, a Lord and Taylor eye, but a Wal-Mart of living standards in Georgia to the which has been reduced to a type of pocket-book all your life’. Source: nooga.com point where entertainment centers like German colony, despite the illusions I do not exclude that one of the main standing: numerous swimming pools, Gino would thrive thanks to the solvency cultivated by certain political circles, obstacles to business development here both outdoor and in, spas, eateries, enter- of the population. Otherwise, there might Thus comes the is not willing to change or improve, or is the fact that people want to use certain tainment and what not. They often do be an empty plot, as there was not very even to acquire a democratic, social amenities, suggested by various busi- courtesy admissions in special cases, long ago, just where Gino stands today. role. Thus comes the great time for the nesses, but are unable to afford to do so. giving a chance to those who cannot Nobody wants that to happen. Just the time for enslaved enslaved countries within the European For instance, tourists do not want to return afford the pleasure. I have personally contrary, we all wish to have our water Union and the euro zone to follow the to Georgia because of price incongruity witnessed some of those events a couple parks full of kids and their happy parents countries within shining example of Great Britain and on many products and services, especially of times. The other day, Gino Paradise watching their progeny learning how to the proud British people, to break their in the short summer season they intend hosted the schoolchildren from socially swim, how to become physically fi t and the EU to follow steel shackles and become liberated, to enjoy here. I come across sporadic vulnerable families to enjoy an entire how to relax. looking forward with greater hope and stragglers in chic boutique or perfume day program, including transportation Gino is just an example. There are the shining optimism. stores in Tbilisi – another example of the and food. On the other hand, Gino is a numerous other businesses that are sail- example of Great sharp discord between our appetite and business which was created thanks to a ing in the same boat with Gino. Gener- Isidoros Karderinis was born in Athens in ability to quench it with dough. huge fi nancial investment, and it is eas- ally speaking, entrepreneurs in Georgia, 1967. He is a novelist, poet and economist Compounding the story, Georgia has ily understandable that it needs to make both foreign and local, are trying hard Britain; to break with postgraduate studies in the tourism econ- places where it is just a pleasure to be. money to operate as a remunerative to build useful businesses – spending a omy. Articles of his have been published in We have all heard, for example, about enterprise. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be lot of money on this – to make profi t and their steel shackles newspapers, magazines and on websites the Gino Paradise which is just a haven able to stay in business. Gino defi nitely to cater to all desires and appetites, but worldwide. His novels and three of his poetry to hide out in for a day – with equal has ample clientele, especially in the they also need people in the market who and become books have been published in the USA and pleasure in winter and summer – but summer season, but the regretful thing can pay for their service. Why would liberated Great Britain. with summer offering something out- is that the general economic situation their efforts make sense otherwise? Welcome to Indian Restaurant

Sanjha Chulha Website www.sanjhachulha.ge Indian Restaurant Mail [email protected] Agmashenebeli Avenue, 130 Tbilisi 0112 Georgia

Mobile + 995-596-03-1313 + 995-596-56-1313 Phone +995-322-95-96-14 Skype: SANJHA.CHULHA Facebook: sanjha chulha Indian Cusine GEORGIA TODAY JULY 15 - 18, 2016 SOCIETY 11 Rattling the Sabre: Ogden on the Georgian Armed Forces

thing together. A brigade might be cen- OP-ED BY TIM OGDEN tred around one particularly corps (such as tanks, or light infantry) but it will still be capable of going up against almost hat with the parlia- any type of hostile unit. Georgian bri- mentary elections gades, however, are centred around one coming up and man- corps; infantry brigades seem to contain ifestos being thrown only infantry, while artillery brigades around like confetti, only have heavy guns etc. To my civilian WI've found it rather odd that so little readers, imagine being given a bowl of emphasis has been placed on defense. rice and only a knife to eat it with; a dif- Although NATO membership is being ferent tool for a different job. talked about a lot, little is being said I have it on the authority of a friend of about what the future of Georgia's Armed mine who's a junior offi cer in the Geor- Forces might be, which seems odd to me gian Army that should Georgian infan- since the two seem to go hand in hand. trymen need support from combat engi- NATO forces have helped Georgia neers or artillery, they have to call for train its own troops over the years, as assistance from bases some distance well as building bases and training cent- away; not overly useful if the country is ers throughout the country as part of ever invaded and attacked again and its jargon-laden packages that it gives Georgia fi nds itself facing a multitude to Tbilisi rather than anything mean- of threats. Georgia's light infantry units ingful like membership (it seems to me have apparently served well in Afghan- that there isn't anything substantial istan, but since the Taliban do not fi eld about the NATO Substantial Package, tanks or air assets, Georgia's brigade the projects it has initiated being simi- structure was not an issue, especially as lar to those it was doing on Georgian Georgian contributions to NATO deploy- soil before the Package was granted). ments make use of NATO combat sup- Yet despite continuing to praise Geor- to popular belief, during the 2008 war is oddly out of touch with the much- though). However, the Army's structure port arms. gia for its military reforms (and its sac- the Russians did not swarm Georgia with vaunted Georgian patriotism and fi ght- seems relatively unchanged. This may Another war with Russia looks to be rifi ces when Georgian troops are killed millions of troops and overwhelm the ing spirit. It sounds trite, but the will to partly be to do with a lack of equipment highly unlikely for the time being, but if on NATO missions) and help modern- Georgian Army by sheer weight of num- win is everything: ask any soldier. If you or men (although the Georgian Army NATO really does want to improve Geor- ize Georgia's army, it strikes me as bers. Bad organization contributed to believe you’ll lose, you've already lost. has far more equipment than it is usu- gia's self-defense capabilities, it might strange that little is being done to Georgia's defeat – fi ghting Russian reg- The Army has changed a great deal ally given credit for), but I can't fathom start with the basics rather than just restructure the military. ulars was clearly not as easy as South since 2008; a great number of its rank- why NATO and the Georgian MoD have throwing equipment and training teams Online information about the structure Ossetian militia, and Georgian troops and-fi le have combat experience from not drawn more attention to this. at Tbilisi. Russian sabre rattling over the of the Georgian Army is limited, but the were quickly driven out of Ossetia and Afghanistan, and experience can make A Western military brigade contains Baltic States and military adventurism available information from the Internet then fl ed Gori without fi ring a shot. I'm all the difference in combat (I still don't everything it needs to engage an enemy in Ukraine and Syria should convince and military friends of mine suggests a not advocating last stands around the like the way the uniforms have been force, whether it be made up of infantry, even the most sceptical that even if the highly infl exible brigade model. Contrary fl ag as a legitimate military tactic, but it directly copied from the US Army, armoured vehicles, air assets, or every- threat is not immediate, it is ever present. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY JULY 15 - 18, 2016 New Runway Random Opens at Tbilisi Airport

Musings: BY EKA KARSAULIDZE

ore than three months after a heavily criticized reconstruction project Svaneti began, which forced isfi ed. Svans, are you too proud to turn those travelling to and BY TONY HANMER your hand to "art from garbage"? Mfrom Tbilisi to fl y in the middle of the A mountain, even a relatively small night or early morning, the main runway one such as that on which half of my of Tbilisi’s Airport has now opened to ince my wife and I visited Zim- village's cows graze every day through regular traffi c, Economy and Sustainable babwe, birthplace of my father, the summer, is a big thing to get lost Development Minister Dimitry Kum- a couple of winters ago, I see on. They go up each morning if you sishvili said. cows here in Svaneti with new lead them to the edge of the village, but “We plan to do everything to make the eyes. There, we could buy (if won't come down again in the evening airport ready for any new challenges Swe were rich enough) tanned cowhide without being chased! And if you go for ahead,” said Kumsishvili. “The new light- sofa throws at USD 1000 a skin, each one them too early, a herd will scatter six ing system will further improve the fl ight uniquely beautiful, never just a plain ways into the forest, leaving you fum- safety level of the airport. The incoming solid color but the best patterns that the ing while they munch away. There has and outgoing aircraft will now be able species offers. The stripes, the spots, the to be an easier way to do this! GPS to better land and take off during poor swirls! No need to turn to zebra, giraffe, tracking, a responsible and mutually weather conditions.” leopard! Now, every special bovine skin agreed rota system for herding the beasts The decision to upgrade the runway here, still on its owner, makes me wish every evening, something. At stake is was made after the government renewed I knew the tanning art, to turn it into the milk, which will dry up if you aban- singing competition in Tbilisi. Best vocal mountain forage. Another piece of good its agreement with TAV Holding, which something potentially much more valu- don them to their wishes: they should group from around 400, that's four hun- news. I don't yet know whether he's is responsible for operating the Tbilisi able than the purchase price of the live be milked twice a day, though missing dred groups, and best regional choir. planning a permanent move or just to and Batumi airports. animal. an occasional milking won't bring imme- Svaneti sweeps the winnings! I'm very have a summer house, but I hope the The renovation project cost USD 30 I also see wire and metal garbage here diate disaster. Spring and fall they're in proud of you guys, and not very sur- former. In any case, such optimism does million (70 million GEL) to carry out. differently after that trip. What the Zim- local fi elds, which is much easier, but prised, I have to say. Strength to strength. us all glad. The airport will begin building a new babweans can make from these things this mountain! Next door to one of the Riho guys, a Just a few of my recent thoughts revolv- terminal later this year, with the comple- should belong in the Met in New York I'm now waiting to hear back from an returning villager based in Tbilisi is ing around life up here, where it's never tion date set for late 2017. as design classics, sculptures! That's actual company, UK-based, which sells rebuilding a house. This is a huge dull. what they were selling as. My childhood the blessed GPS cow trackers: how much endeavor, involving several other work- reminds me of shoebox-size cars, every per unit for one, ten, fi fty? Will this 21st men, and it represents a considerable Tony Hanmer runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” part from wire, with rolling wheels and century dream come to our humble vil- faith in the future of this province and Facebook group, now with over 1300 mem- a working steering column which lage and make our lives THAT much village. They're setting beams in place, bers, at extended up a meter or so. African boys easier every summer and fall? Time, I pouring concrete into forms, replacing www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- would take their car and run behind it, hope fervently, will tell. an entire vanished roof. No small task, sance/ steering as they went. Again, miracles Recently, I heard from one of the mem- but most pleasant to see their progress He and his wife also run their own guest house of form and function too. I now own a bers of the local Riho Svan choir that each morning as I send my pair of cows in Etseri: pair, my nostalgia on that front fully sat- they've just scored a double coup in a to the edge of the village for their daily www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

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BY MAKA LOMADZE

bsence of repertoire, corruption, nepotism and threats of unfair dis- missal... World-famous Georgian opera singers such as Mzia Nioradze, Tamar Iveri, Nana Kavtarashvili, Anita Rach- Avelishvili, and Lado Ataneli, with members of the Tbilisi opera choir, are up in arms at the current situation in the opera and have named their artis- tic director Davit Kintsurashvili “unprofessional” for having only staged three operas in the two years of his leadership at the opera theater. Mzia Nioradze, Mezzo Soprano, principal soloist at the Metropolitan Opera: “In the two years of Kintsurashvili as artistic director, there have been no artistic councils. Only now, following a recent Zura Balanchivadze, facebook meeting with the Minister of Culture to bring our sion, the entrance hall was used to host a lesbian complaints to light, was it suggested and a council strip-tease show. “Kintsurashvili graduated from formed. It’s unimaginable for any theater in the the faculty of choir conducting; he is not even a world to function without an artistic council. Now, conductor of orchestra. Thanks to the PR he does the soloists are stuck without a repertoire. If a worldwide via articles and lies, in three months, singer does not sing on stage for a year or two, it he says he has “staged seven performances,” which can be the end of their career!” is absurd. Ingolstadt recently invited him, but after Among other things, the singers accuse the opera his failure, they quickly said a polite good-bye to head of redistributing 335,000 GEL among 17 mem- him,” Nioradze said. bers of the management since January. “The book- “Even though the majority are united, Kintsurash- keeper received 21,000 GEL. This all happens while vili says that this [protest] is merely a well-organ- not a single soloist or choir singer has received an ized conspiracy against him,” Iveri said. “Yet we, extra penny as a bonus,” Tamar Iveri a soprano the singers, merely want a stage to sing on. We will with a successful international career since her always be happy to serve our theater as best we debut at La Scala in 2011, having appeared at Cov- can. In the two years since Kintsurashvili took on ent Garden, Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State the position, there were 40 ballet premieres, thanks Opera, Royal Opera House, Opera Bastille, and to Nino Ananiashvili’s dedication. Yet Kintsurash- others, told GEORGIA TODAY. vili has only organized one new and two old opera The protestors also say that while the former performances, when our opera can take pride in Minister of Culture, Guram Odisharia, expressed having 36 soloists. Less than 10 are actively employed, his good will by letting the opera theater hold while the rest are currently receiving salaries as a democratic elections, they were bitterly deceived. pension, depressed and without any chance of self- Iamze Gurchiani, member of the Opera Choir, realization. There is a police regime inside the who has participated in rallies against the regres- theater. Kintsurashvili strictly controls all the com- sive leadership of Kintsurashvili: “We were waiting ments on social media and then reprimands authors for the re-opening of the Opera House for six years, of anything negative and threatens to sack them. and in vain. We can’t realize our creative potential Nor has he kept his word to open an atelier work- while secondary modern musical pieces are given shop in the theater, for decorations and costumes, priority. We have the Philharmonic Concert Hall meaning the Opera House is no more than a con- and Music and Drama Theater for such concerts, cert hall. These days it is a house without a foun- but the Opera is fi rst and foremost for an opera dation,” Iveri continues. repertoire. It is pure fact that the Head of the Opera It seems fault for today’s disarray can be found House does not have enough competence to han- within both the current and former Opera admin- dle his duties. Choirs are an inseparable part of istration and within the way the Ministry of Culture opera, and a rich repertoire exists in world music has handled the complaints. history. Our choir is the core of the theater, we have Kakhaber Tetvadze, Chairman of the Trade Union magnifi cent voices; we are all worthy soloists.” of Opera and Ballet Theater, Bass, told us: “There “We also have a great school of conductors, start- were juridical question marks inside the adminis- ing from the fabulous Odyssey Dimitriad, Jansugh trative order. Recently, Kintsurashvili made a num- Kakhidze, Evgeni Mikeladze, Vakhtang Machavar- ber of concessions and came to an agreement to iani, and Zaza Azmaiparashvili. Today, Kintsurash- make some amendments. Our fi rst step forward vili, who was previously unknown to the Georgian was the election of a trade union. However, the musical elite, has appeared and is now using the theater is going backwards. I will be very straight- Opera Theater for his own gains,” Nioradze said, forward: the Ministry of Culture is where the shoe going on to tell GEORGIA TODAY of the time the pinches. They sent an audit, but it was again staffed Opera was hired out to a Russian Oligarch for his with Kintsurashvili supporters. However, we daughter’s wedding and how, on a separate occa- shouldn’t blame him for everything. The previous Opera Head, Sakvarelidze, having been dismissed, ordered the burning of costumes of 10 performances, as there was a problem where to store them. Had his orders not been carried out, it would have been easier to stage many more operas.” “I left Georgia in 1994, when there was no elec- tricity, no gas, nothing in Georgia. In those days, “In two years, only there were no embassies in Tbilisi,” Mzia Nioradze said. “I attended ‘Clowns’ recently and saw that three performances the hall was full of tourists. I know a lot of ambas- sadors who wish to come and see the famous Tbi- have been staged. It’s lisi opera, but what will we show them? We have a theater of European standards, world-famous stars, and it can offer nothing to its spectators who an embarrassment to had been looking forward to its opening. I just returned from Riga Theater, which despite being us and to the old and needing renovation, has such a high artis- tic level- they dedicate a separate festival to Verdi! international Here, nothing happens. We wish to sing on our native stage, but how, if there are no performances?” community who want “However, we won’t stop, as this is a national to hear us sing!” matter of dignity. We will fi ght to the end.” GEORGIA TODAY 16 CULTURE JULY 15 - 18, 2016

Ballet from Georgia to Japan

in well-known ballet companies around we’ve used for posters, fl yers and the teachers that can inspire students to BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES 'TEAM' BE INVOLVED? the world. To me it was strange that these Karin has been helping promote the web. Yonen is also trying to get some pursue a career as a ballet dancer. dancers were unable to share their art event on the web. He will also travel ballet critics interested in reviewing the form at home through their own festival. with us to Fukuoka to act as a translator event. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS eorgia boasts a long history In February 2014 I got the idea to organ- between the Japanese team and the for- FOR THE FUTURE? of ballet. Yet in Japan it ize a performance that would bring the eign dancers that will participate. Yuma WHAT CHALLENGES We hope to organize this festival once was, until not so long ago, ‘Fukuoka born’ dancers together (at has been providing Japanese and English HAVE YOU FACED? every two years. We really hope that this considered the “art of the home) in which they would share the subtitles for the promotion videos. Yonen As a dancer each day is very physical so fi rst time will have a great impact on the enemy” and even today it stage with their colleagues and friends Takano and Nutsa Chekurashvili will it’s challenging to come home after audience and the students at the work- Gis seen by many as a hobby, not a career from the international dance scene. perform at the Gala Concert and we’ve rehearsals or a performance and start shops and that we can increase our sup- choice. The new generation are hoping Machi and I took on the challenge and done a photo shoot with them which replying to e-mails, create promotional port for the second edition of the festival. to change that view. spent a lot of time talking to people in material, write letters to get fi nancial Of course, we want to keep inviting Next week a number of the Georgian the area, looking at the theaters and - Fukuoka is 2 hours by boat from Korea support, etc. We’ve been working until members of the State Ballet of Georgia State Ballet Company’s top ballet solo- consulting dancers and organizers with and 6 hours from Tokyo by high speed 2 or 3am most nights! and who knows, Nina Ananiashvili could ists will be travelling to Fukuoka, Japan experience of such event-planning. train. We don’t aim to make a profi t from this be with us next time in Fukuoka as well! - It is the fastest growing city in Japan to put the fi nal touches to the fi rst Fukuoka We realized we should present not only - It was recently rated the 7th most event, but we want to cover our costs International Ballet Festival, having spent classical or already known works but liveable city in the world from the ticket income and the few spon- WHAT HAVE YOU the past two years planning it. something new, created especially for sors helping us with the fi nances… it’s LEARNED FROM THE GEORGIA TODAY spoke to the lead the Festival. We have three not easy, especially since we PREPARATORY STAGE? organizers, Frank van Tongeren from choreographers that have are dancers ourselves and We learned how much organization you the Netherlands and Machi Moto, from created new work that will we want to treat the Festi- need to create one performance! This Fukuoka, prior to the Festival. premiere at the Fukuoka Inter- val dancers how we would event has totally changed our view and national Ballet Festival Gala Con- want to be treated. We are going we now understand every single aspect HOW DID YOU COME UP cert. One of them, Yuka Kawazu, is to lay a special dance fl oor (sprung that comes with this beautiful art form! WITH THE IDEA OF THE originally from Fukuoka and is now fl oor) in the theaters there, like we have I’m sure that most people underestimate FESTIVAL? WHY DID YOU working in Germany. Then we have here at the Opera House in Tbilisi. You what it takes when they watch a perfor- DECIDE TO DO IT IN JAPAN Kaloyan Boyadjiev from the Norwegian can still perform on linoleum, but it’s mance... AND WHY IN FUKUOKA? National Ballet and Peter Leung from very uncomfortable when you land from Frank: Machi is originally from Fukuoka, the Dutch National Ballet. jumps because the surface under the The Fukuoka International Ballet Festival will which is the capital of the southern island linoleum is very hard, increasing the take place on July 27 at the Fukuoka City Kyushu. Over the past eight years I’ve WHO IS WORKING WITH chances of injuries and bringing the level Acros Fukuoka Symphony Hall and on July often travelled to Fukuoka. The city has YOU ON THE PROJECT? of the performance down. We will rent 28 in Kitakyushu (Fukuoka State) at the Kitaky- a lot of ballet schools, several great theat- Two ballet schools, technicians and an the fl oor from Japan Arts in Tokyo. ushu Performing Arts Center. The workshops ers, and whenever there’s a ballet per- experienced architect in Fukuoka, a web will be held in Fukuoka from July 30 to August formance by either a ballet company designer in Tokyo and the Japanese danc- WHAT ARE YOUR 1 and in Kyoto on August 3rd and 4th. from abroad or a gala concert that tours ers at the State Ballet of Georgia, Karin EXPECTATIONS FOR Machi Moto has been dancing ballet since Japan, it generates a lot of interest with Washio, Yuma Sumi and Yonen Takano. THE FESTIVAL? she was nine, inspired by friends. Frank van the local people. Over my time as a stu- Will Pratt is also helping with adminis- We believe that we have a very Tongeren says he was following in his elder dent and professional dancer I met many tration. unique program and something sister’s footsteps when he chose ballet. At age dancers that are originally from Fukuoka truly special to offer the audience. We’ll 11 he joined the professional ballet academy or its surroundings and who now work HOW WILL THE GEORGIAN also be offering workshops with great in Amsterdam.

ROUTING FLIGHT NUMBER WEEK DAYS DEPARTURE ARRIVAL TK 379 02:35 04:05 TBILISI - ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT TK 387EVERYDAY 06:35 08:05 TK 383 22:55 00:30+1 TK 386 01:40 04:55 ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT - TBILISI TK 382EVERYDAY 18:10 21:30 TK 378 21:15 00:30+1 TK 381 1/2/4/5/6/7 04:25 05:50 TBILISI - ISTANBUL SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT TK 381 3 05:05 06:30 ISTANBUL SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT - TBILISI TK 380 EVERYDAY 19:40 22:55 TK 391 1/2/4/6/7 10:35 11:40 BATUMI - ISTANBUL TK 393 1/3/4/5/7 20:15 21:20 TK 390 1/2/4/6/7 06:25 09:20 ISTANBUL - BATUMI TK 392 1/3/4/5/7 16:20 19:20 Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected]

TIFLIS 7.5x6cm ING.indd 1 13/06/16 15:16 GEORGIA TODAY JULY 15 - 18, 2016 CULTURE 17 Hyperrealist’s Talent Lauded by Ferrari Designer

BY MAKA LOMADZE

avid Dron is a young free- lance artist and illustrator. For a week, visitors had an opportunity to see his hyperrealist water-color Dand pencil sketches at Art Palace, Tbilisi. GEORGIA TODAY went along to fi nd out what makes him tick. David Dron is a freshman of the Inter- national School of Design coming from a course of industrial design at the Tbi- lisi State Academy of Arts. His career, it seems, is rocketing. “My fi rst introduction to design hap- pened when I was only fi ve, at the Youth Technicians’ Club, where I met Zviad Tsikolia, a prominent Georgian designer,” Dron told us. “The model cars I saw there made a strong impression on me. Before that, I was drawing for fun, but when I drew a black Porsche, I realized I was going in the direction of hyperrealism.” Cars are an on-going theme in his works, yet the 22-year old has no car of his own. FOR SALE: BMW – 321 model “It’s too stressful to drive in Tbilisi,” he Date of issue 1936 says. PRICE 10.000 USD But he does have a computer- the entrance of which into his life encour- aged him further in the techniques of Giugiaro, the designer of Ferrari and with an interpreter, sitting inside the car. hyperrealism. Lamborghini, on a visit to Georgia in He asked what I was doing. I told him I Dron says that there are very few hyper- 2012, had written “Bravo” and praised was fond of cars and showed him some realists in Georgia. “It requires a lot of the artist for his talent. “I painted Audrey of my sketches in my phone. He was very observation, nerves, patience and con- when I was 17 as a gift to my mom. It is interested and asked me to show him centration. First and foremost, you should one of my best pencil sketches. I went the pictures themselves. I took a taxi and love your job very much. The most dif- to an event in Batumi where Guigiaro brought them to him immediately. He fi cult sketch I did was a Mustang that I was visiting with his son, and showed liked them a lot and offered me a job. spent over a year on. My average start- him my work. I was still in public school That is how my talent helped me to fi nd to-fi nish time is four weeks. I basically then. It was a great day in my life- I’ll work at the age of 14.” paint from the Internet. The main goal never forget it. He took off his sunglasses Car design, concept-art, industrial CONTACT PERSON 557 12 38 90 for me is to paint so that the pictures and put on glasses just to see my Audrey design – this is an incomplete list of have an impact on spectators.” better,” David remembers in rapture. directions in which the artist works with Legendary models like the Lamborghini Reportedly, the portrait of Churchill pleasure. And he is in demand in Europe. Miura, Lamborghoni Countach, etc are was an order from his American neigh- The European School of Design says also something Dron takes great inter- bor, as was Chaplin. Dron could get a 100 percent scholar- est in. The latest exhibition at Art Pal- He remembers one interesting story: ship. Dron says: “I have two options: ace was dedicated to cars, with just “One day, at the age of 14, I saw a red either graduate from the International three portraits of his collection on dis- Ferrari for the fi rst time in Tbilisi. I was School of Design, or quit and continue play, showing Charlie Chaplin, Audrey delighted. My mum wouldn’t let me near getting an education abroad,” he con- Hepburn and Winston Churchill. On it but I went back. Walking around it I fi des. We wait with interest to see where the back of Audrey’s portrait, Giorgetto saw the owner, an Italian businessman, this talented young man will end up. Historic Video Footage of Tbilisi Projected onto Riverside Cliff

BY EKA KARSAULIDZE

istoric video footage of Georgia’s capital is being projected onto the rocks of the old city’s Legvtakhevi Gorge in the old city’s Abanotubani district until July 25, the Tbilisi Center ofH Cultural Events said. Visitors will be able to see historic photos of Old Tbilisi, as well as newly produced video compila- tions of Georgia, shot by a drone, as well as a history of the city and video animation. The Legvtakhevi Gorge is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Georgian capital. As the Tbilisi Center of Cultural Events noted, this site is an ideal fi t for the project as it uses both technology and the natural surroundings to tell the history of Tbilisi. According to the organizers, the project hopes popularize and inform foreign visitors about the 1,500-year history of Tbilisi. GEORGIA TODAY 18 CULTURE JULY 15 - 18, 2016

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER RUSTAVELI CINEMA THE EXHIBITION “MEDIEVAL July 16-30 EXHIBITIONS Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. TREASURY” THE EXHIBITION "UNROLLING Start time: 12:00 - 19:00 FOLKLORE REGION: ADJARA GABRIADZE THEATER Telephone: 2 55 50 00 The exhibition showcases pre- THE UNIVERSE" BY GEORGIAN Start time: 19:00-22:00 Address: 13 Shavtelis St. www.kinoafi sha.ge Christian and Georgian medieval ARTIST IRINA GABIANI FINAL CONCERT NINO Telephone: 2 98 65 93 art which refl ects the continuity of The exhibition presents a selection KATAMADZE, “INSIGHT” Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL the cultural traditions that were the of large-scale mix media works July 1-7 by the artist, who is inspired by Start time: 22:00 July 17 basis for the formation of Georgian ME BEFORE YOU the micro and macro worlds that, Ticket: From 23 GEL THE AUTUMN OF MY statehood and national identity. (Info Above) seen in a different perspective, SPRINGTIME Start time: 22:30 becomes a source of endless July 17 Directed by Revaz Gabriadze Ticket: 13-14 GEL June 16 – December 16 inspiration. Showcased artworks FOLK CRAFTS AND English subtitles THE EXHIBITION “NEW have been created especially for the CONTEMPORARY ART Start time: 20:00 EXHIBITIONS SADAKO VS KAYAKO DISCOVERIES - GEORGIAN exhibition. Ticket: 10-30 GEL Start time: 12:00 -19:00 Directed by Kôji Shiraishi ARCHAEOLOGY” FOLKLORE REGION: RACHA, Genre: Horror The exhibition will be held in GALLERY POTI MOVEMENT THEATER Cast: Mizuki Yamamoto, Tina the frame of the international Start time: 19:00-22:00 Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., conference On Salt, Copper, and Tamashiro, Aimi Satsukawa THE NATIONAL GALLERY THE FINAL CONCERT NIAZ Mushthaid park Language: Russian Gold: The Origins of Early Mining Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. Telephone: 599 555 260 DIASAMIDZE”33A” Start time: 17:30, 19:45, 22:30 and Metallurgy in the Caucasus” www.museum.ge Start time: 22:00 Ticket: 11-14 GEL July 15 Ticket: From 15 GEL MUSEUM OF SOVIET PERMANENT EXHIBITION RECITATIVE IN THE CITY THE SHALLOWS OCCUPATION Niko Pirosmanashvili, David MOVEMENT THEATER Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili and Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Start time: 21:00 Address: 3 Sh. Rustaveli Ave. Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller sculptor Iakob Nikoladze Mushthaid park Free Entry Cast: Blake Lively, Óscar Jaenada, PERMANENT EXHIBITION Telephone: 599 555 260 Brett Cullen June 24, 2016 – June 24, 2017 Here, visitors can discover the July 16, 17 Language: Russian NIKO PIROSMANASHVILI’S July 19, 21 FAN DO’S MAGORY Start time: 12:45, 15:15, 22:00 State’s personal fi les of “subversive” WORKS “YARD CLEANER” AND JAM SESSION Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Ticket: 8-14 GEL Georgian public fi gures, orders to “EAGLE SEIZING A HARE” WITH THE RESO KIKNADZE Start time: 20:00 shoot or exile, and other artifacts QUINTET Ticket: From 10 GEL MUSEUM representing Soviet-era cultural TBILISI FLEA MARKET Start time: 21:00 and political repression in Georgia. Address: Mtatsminda Park Free entry CINEMA GEORGIAN NATIONAL The exhibition hall is equipped MUSEUM with monitors on which visitors July 16 July 20 SIMON JANASHIA MUSEUM AMIRANI CINEMA can watch documentaries of TBILISI NIGHT MARKET TANGO MILONGA Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 20:00 Address: 36 Kostava St. various historical events. Music by KONO and VINCENT Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Tango Lesson: 5 GEL Telephone: 2 99 99 55 Snacks and drinks available www.museum.ge Start time: From 18:00 www.kinoafi sha.ge IOSEB GRISHASHVILI BATUMI TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM PERMANENT EXHIBITION: MUSIC Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 Lari GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY - KARVASLA BLACK SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL July 1-7 FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. Address: 8 Sioni St. ART GENE FESTIVAL Address: Batumi Tennis Club ME BEFORE YOU TO 4TH CENTURY A.D Telephone: 2 98 22 81 Address: Ethnographic Museum Directed by Thea Sharrock Season ticket: 70 GEL July 15 Genre: Drama, Romance THE CAUCASUS NATURAL July 6 – August 30 QUINCY JONES & THE GLOBAL Cast: Emilia Clarke, Sam Clafl in, HISTORY MUSEUM EXHIBITION “QUARTER OF THE July 15 GUMBO ALL STARS Janet McTeer COLLECTION RENEWED DAY” BY TAMAR MELIKISHVILI FOLK CRAFTS AND Start time: 20:00 Language: Russian EXHIBITION The exhibition showcases 70 CONTEMPORARY ART Ticket: 50 GEL Start time: 22:00 paintings depicting people united EXHIBITIONS Ticket: 13-14 GEL July 16 EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN Start time: 12:00 -19:00 by emotions: passion, melancholy, MILES ELECTRIC BAND WEAPONRY FOLKLORE REGION: KASPI, alienation, and mystery. Start time: 20:00 GENIUS NUMISMATIC TREASURY PANKISI, TUSHETI Ticket: 50 GEL Directed by Michael Grandage The exhibition showcases a long SHALVA AMIRANASHVILI ABKHAZIAN DAY Genre: Biography, Drama history of money circulation on the MUSEUM OF ART Start time: 19:00-22:00 July 17 Cast: Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole territory of modern Georgia from FINAL CONCERT "FRANI" Kidman Address: 1 Lado Gudiashvili St. Ms. LAURYN HILL the 6th century BC. to 1834. Start time: 22:00 Start time: 20:00 Language: English Telephone: 2 99 99 09 Ticket: From 17 GEL Ticket: 50 GEL Start time: 19:30 June 11 – March 11 (2017) www.museum.ge Language: Russian Georgian National Museum and July 16 OUTDOOR CINEMA Start time: 17:00, 19:30, 22:00 Korneli Kekelidze National Center May 18 – July 18 FOLK CRAFTS AND Ticket: 10-14 GEL of Manuscripts present AVANT-GARDE 1900-1937 CONTEMPORARY ART July 17 Start time: 20:00 Address: Batumi Black Sea beach

THE CONCERT OF FOLK AND MUSIC GROUPS

July 16, 17 Start time: 13:00 Venue: Khulo Municipality, Beshumi resort, Open Air

GEORGIAN CORNER

Georgian National dishes Cheese, Wine Every Day Start time: 19:00 Address: Batumi Boulevard Colonnades

MUSIC FESTIVAL ‘ORANGE KOBULETI’

July 15, 16, 18, 21 Start time: 19:00 Address: The Amphitheater, Seaside Park, Kobuleti

BATUMI ART CENTER Address: 1 O. Dimitriadis Str.

July 16 CONCERT OF CTA "VIPMUSIC" Free Entry

July 17 MUSICAL EVENING ‘SPRING MELODIES’ Start time: 20:00 GEORGIA TODAY JULY 15 - 18, 2016 SPORTS 19

CULTURE Black and White Work by Georgian Photographer Goes on Dinamo Arena to be Available Display in Tbilisi for Visually Impaired like physical descriptions and facial BY EKA KARSAULIDZE expressions, to recreate the full experi- ence seen by non-disabled supporters present at the games. The audio descrip- he Ministry of Sport and tion technology can be used to cover the Youth Affairs of Georgia entire football stadium with its frequency, integrated an international meaning disabled fans can choose any system of audio description seat and still receive the service. (Tiflo commentary) for This system has already been widely Tvisually impaired fans at Dinamo Arena used at leading football matches for sev- stadium for the fi rst time during the eral years around the world. For example, Champions League qualifying round visually impaired fans were able to fully match between Dinamo Tbilisi and enjoy the Euro 2012 and World Cup 2014 Armenian club Alashkert FC on July 12. matches, as well as the recent Euro 2016 Tifl o commentary was created to ena- in France. ble fans with any degree of visual disabil- The system was implemented in Geor- ity to receive an audio description of the gia with the support of Center for Access match they are attending. Thanks to this to Football in Europe (CAFE), Georgia's system, they are able to feel the real Ministry of Sport, and Tbilisi City Hall. atmosphere at the stadium as much as In the framework of the program, com- possible. mentators have been retrained to provide Specially trained commentators nar- people with disabilities with specifi c rate the game through an audio system information. The new technology was reaching visually impaired people via tested before the recent match by a their personal mobile devices and head- selected group of visually impaired indi- phones. The commentary includes details viduals.

Photo: Beso Gulashvili

series of black and white Georgian capital after a deadly fl ash play throughout July. photos by Georgian pho- fl ood in June 2015, are now on display The T.G. Nili Art Space is located at tographer Beso Gulashvili, at Tbilisi’s T.G. Nili Art Space. 12 Grishashvili Street in central Tbilisi. known for his famous More than a dozen black and white The exhibition is free to the public photo of Begi the Hippo photos from his collection, taken and is open every day from noon to 6 wanderingA around the center of the between 2006-2008, are on public dis- pm.

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