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www.georgiatoday.ge Issue no: 833 • APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Government Launches $13 Million Check-in-Georgia Promotional Project NEWS PAGE 2 2016 Parliamentary Elections – The Great Political Shootout for Power

FOCUS ON BORDERS An in-depth look at the latest outbreak POLITICS PAGE 4 of war in Nagorno-Karabakh PAGE 3 Cooperation between Georgian and Chinese Museums Georgia’s PM to Speak at the Annual

Investment Meeting in Dubai NEWS PAGE 2

SOCIETY PAGE 16 Irakli Jgenti: Neither talent Nor Higher Powers Decide My Success CULTURE PAGE 23 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 Government Launches $13 Million Georgia’s President Sets Check-in-Georgia Promotional Project Parliamentary Elections for October 8

billionaire oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili - swept to BY TAMAR SVANIDZE power following a major prison scandal in 2012. Comprised of six independent parties, it won the parliamentary elections four years ago and unseated eorgian President Giorgi Margvelas- pro-Western President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United vili announced Tuesday at a special National Movement (UNM) in the process. briefi ng that parliamentary elections Saakashvili and the UNM had dominated Geor- will be held on October 8. gian politics since the 2003 Rose Revolution ousted “I want to inform the public that the long-time former President Eduard Shevardnadze’s Gdate of the parliamentary elections is set for Octo- corrupt administration from power. ber 8. The prime minister will receive the docu- In recent weeks, however, the Georgian Dream mentation to be signed into law by no later than appears to be unraveling as a number of its coali- tomorrow,” Margvelashvili said. tion members have withdrawn from the party. Georgia’s constitution calls for parliamentary The Republicans, a key faction in the ruling coa- election to be held in October, with the country’s lition, announced on March 31 that it plans to offi - president setting the exact date no later than two cially withdraw from the embattled Georgian Dream months before voters go to the polls. and run on its own ticket in October. calendar,” Culture and Monument Protection Min- Under the constitution, the Georgian Parliament’s The departure of the coalition’s second largest BY TAMAR SVANIDZE ister Mikheil Giorgadze said. 150 members serve four-year terms, with 77 seats faction could complicate the ruling party’s chances Giorgadze also said that the project plans to cre- set by proportional representation and 73 in single- at re-election in the upcoming election. ate modern open-air concert venues on Georgia’s seat constituencies. Recent polls have shown widespread discontent eorgia has launched its 29 million Black Sea coast. The ruling Georgian Dream coalition dominates with the Georgian Dream due to their poor han- GEL (USD 13 million) Check -in “This will be unique chance for local producers the current parliament with 85 seats. dling of the country’s faltering economy and a lack -Georgia project aimed at promoting and artists to use this facilities for free during the The coalition - founded by Georgia’s eccentric of policy cohesion amongst its disparate members. the country’s tourism potential. summer season,” Giorgadze said. The project will include a series of The project will also include the promotion of Ghigh profi le events beginning in April and continu- Georgia’s locally produced food products. ing until the end of the year. Well known local and “We are going to arrange wine, cheese, and other international artists – including Italian pop singer festivals to promote Georgian agro-products. We Georgia’s PM to Speak Eros Ramazzotti and Britain’s Robbie Williams, as also want to promote eco-tourism in the country, well as world renowned Spanish opera tenor Jose because of its potential to develop,” said Giorgadze. Carreras and US pop rock band Maroon 5 - will hold According to the latest statistics released by the live concerts in cities across the country. Ministry of Internal Affairs, tourism is on the rise at the Annual Investment “Check in Georgia promotes Georgia’s popular- in Georgia. ity abroad and will make it an attractive destination More than 1 million foreign nationals have been for tourists…this will also enhance our image on registered as having entered into Georgia since Meeting in Dubai the international market. Georgia should occupy January, a 14.7 per cent increase compared to the its deserved place on the international cultural same period last year.

BY TAMAR SVANIDZE

op investors, experts and practition- ers from around the world will gather in Dubai, one of the most populous cities in the United Arab Emirates, to attend a Global Forum for Investment Tand Strategic Networking on April 11-13. During the three-day Annual Investment Meet- ing (AIM) at the Dubai World Trade Center, the world’s leading academics and experts will show- case upgrading information strategies and knowl- edge on attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) alongside a sharing of their vision about innovative activity for growth and development of the econ- omy. Participants will discuss and share views on effec- AIM is the region’s fi rst Emerging Markets FDI- tive policies to attract investment, particularly new focused event to offer cross-industry project devel- forms of FDI from emerging sources in growing opers a safe platform to present their projects and markets. schedule tête a tête meetings with institutional, The Georgian Prime Minister plans to highlight corporate and private investors seeking lucrative Georgia’s positive investment climate, healthy and reliable projects for their capital. The event environment for business, and the trade and eco- will also seek to identify legislation that will help nomic potential of the country. He also will empha- stimulate the local economy through new invest- size Georgia’s role within the New Silk Road pro- ment opportunities. ject and will speak about the reforms the Georgian On Monday, Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi government is carrying out within the four point Kvirikashvili will stand beside the world’s business plans of economy. leaders, senior public offi cials and heads of inter- national institutions to take part in a Global Lead- The event is organized Under the Patronage of Sheikh ers Plenary Session. Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, The debate will focus on the New World of FDI, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Georgia Today is the the theme of the 2016 Annual Investment Meeting. key media partner of AIM 2016. GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 NEWS 3 Armenian, Azeri Forces Cling to Tenuous Nagorno- Karabakh Ceasefi re After Days of Heavy Fighting

civilian deaths continue to circulate, BY NICHOLAS WALLER though no independent verification regarding non-combatant casualties has been made available. fter four days of intense Armenia’s ambassador to the US, Grigor fi ghting that left up to 70 Hovhannissyan, stated in an interview people dead, a tenuous with the Associated Press that Azerbai- ceasefire appears to be jan had launched a major offensive in holding between Armenian Karabakh as part of an effort to divert Aand Azeri forces in the disputed South domestic attention away from “growing Caucasus region of Nagorno-Karabakh. social unrest and discontent throughout Both sides were quick to accuse each the country.” other of violating the truce, though most The authorities in Azerbaijan have of the fi ghting along the internationally steadfastly refuted the claim, saying an imposed contact line separating the two unprovoked attack by Armenian forces armies has stopped since a Russian-led required a response. delegation brokered a ceasefi re that Elin Suleymanov, an Azeri offi cial, brought an abrupt end to the hostilities accused Armenia of launching combat early Wednesday. operations to divert attention from a The fi ghting has deeply shaken the visit by Azerbaijan’s President Ilham international community who fear that Aliyev to Washington, which has been largely recaptured most of the areas that in the Soviet Union’s titular republics, The incident caused mass civil unrest an escalation could turn into a full-scale described by independent sources as were fi rst overrun by Azerbaijan’s forces Nagorn0-Karabakh became a fl ashpoint in the city and later forced Gorbachev war between the two long-time enemies, having been highly successful. in the early hours of the confl ict. for ethnic violence in the fi nal years of to send units of the army as well as Soviet with Turkey and strategic partner Israel Both the Armenian and Azeri defense Azeri offi cials have angrily stated that the Soviet Union. MVD interior ministry troops into the strongly backing Azerbaijan and Russia ministries state that their armies have they will refuse to cede control of terri- Armenians, who made up 80 per cent city to quell the violence. coming to the aid of close ally Armenia infl icted heavy losses - numbering in the tory captured in the fi ghting and that of the population at the time, attempted As the Soviet Union imploded, open and its proxies in Nogorno-Karabakh as hundreds - on their enemy, though the any such demand would be a “major to wrestle the region back from Azer- warfare broke out between the two com- part of their mutual security pact. rival claims appear unlikely and have non-starter” for upcoming peace nego- baijan in the late 1980s during Soviet munities in late 1992. not been independently confi rmed. tiations. President Mikhail Gorbachev’s liberal- Allied to Russia and heavily supported MAJOR ESCALATION Reports from the battlefi eld indicate izing Perestroika period. by volunteers from its vast diaspora in Fighting erupted in the early morning that Azerbaijan was initially success- TROUBLED PAST The Christian Armenian population the West, Armenia’s superior forces hours of April 2, with both sides using ful in gaining ground against Kara- Landlocked Nagorn0-Karabakh, an eth- claimed they were subject to a growing quickly overran and routed Azerbaijan’s heavy artillery, mobile rocket launchers, bakh’s Armenian forces, with military nic Armenian exclave surrounded by number of discriminatory policies poorly trained, Turkish-supplied army rotary-wing aircraft and drones in the offi cials in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku Azerbaijan, has been under Yerevan’s enacted by the local Muslim Azeri minor- in 1992-1993. ensuing three days of combat. claiming that the Azeri military had control since a bloody two-year separa- ity, who then dominated the local police Both sides were later accused of ethnic Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry said 31 captured several villages and a stra- tist war that killed an estimated 40,000 and Communist Party apparatus. cleansing and war crimes, including the of its soldiers had been killed in action tegic piece of high ground along the people and left more than a million as Deadly clashes broke out between the April 1992 massacre of more than 100 since Saturday; Armenian forces stated contact line. refugees ended in 1994. communities in 1988-1991, reaching their ethnic Armenian civilians in Maragah that 29 of their soldiers died in the fi ght- A massive counterattack by Armenian Placed within the boundaries of the peak in February 1988 when Azeri mobs and the slaughter of 160 Azeri villagers ing and 101 were wounded. forces halted the Azeris’ advance and, Azeri SSR by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin killed at least 26 Armenians in Sumgayit, in Khojaly in February 1992. Confl icting claims over the number of according to Armenian media reports, in an attempt to suppress nationalism a drab industrial suburb outside Baku. Continued on page 5

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www.facebook.com/georgianhouse.ge/ www.georgian-house.ge GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 2016 Parliamentary Elections – The Great Political Shootout for Power

Nino Burjanadze’s Democratic Party and OP-ED BY ZVIAD ADZINBAIA Leader of the United The Patriots’ Alliance. Notwithstanding National Movement in Russian sentiment plunging in the new a protest against the government. Photo: generation, the two seemingly marginal eorgian President Giorgi www.ipress.ge parties have assembled their respective Margvelashvili announced audience among the elderly, who are Tuesday at a special brief- authentically anti-Western. ing that the 2016 parlia- Last but not least, the newly estab- mentary elections will be lished Pine Cone and the New Party of heldG on October 8. the Georgian philanthropist, Paata Bur- The main political competition in the chuladze will be trying their best to be last four years is believed to be one of competitive in the election process. the critical moments in the Georgian Georgia’s political landscape is highly democratic life. colorful and the forthcoming summer As the country partially enters into a is prognosticated to be politically very pre-electoral campaign, several players hot. As the elections can signifi cantly seem to be aspiring to gain the favor of determine Georgia’s future democratic the traditionally wavering Georgian elec- fate, there will be a massive unconven- torate. In fact, the recent polls by several tional shootout between the role play- reputable local and international organ- ers to succeed. izations clearly reveal that the popularity The elections are also expected to of ruling coalition Georgian Dream (GD) Party Chairwoman Khatuna Samnidze governmental positions including ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili, cur- have a crucial role in terms of Georgia’s is plummeting. One of the motives for announced the decision following a Defense, EU-NATO integration, Parlia- rently serving as Odessa Governor in positive perception in Western com- that failing belief in GD by Georgian lengthy debate within the Republican ment and more, to secure Georgia’s Ukraine, has only indirectly been munities and in solidifying the country’s citizens is the government’s economic leadership over the future path of the Western path. involved in Georgian politics. Other state institutions for successful future failure and weak foreign policy. party. They are planning to play an Currently, having arrived at a cross- UNM frontrunners, including ex-PM governance. Relatively, Georgia’s EU At the same time, Georgia is strongly independent game in the October race. roads, even though the Republicans and Vano Merabishvili, were imprisoned, and NATO aspiration can be in direct considered to still be under the unof- Notably, the ruling coalition’s unity the FD have been sympathized with for which makes it hardly likely that the correlation to conducting democratic fi cial leadership of the Georgian tycoon, started its obvious fl uctuation from their Western orientation, they lack the former government will regain a sig- elections, which further underscores Bidzina Ivanishvili, who moved to the November 2014, when one of its key needed public support that would ena- nifi cant amount of power this term. the utmost signifi cance of this year for backstage in 2013, after a one-year term western-facing allies, Free Democrats ble them to gain a signifi cant number As for GD itself, although their poli- the territorially tiny country in the South as Prime Minister. (FD), notoriously departed from the of seats in the next parliament. Their cies and politics have been prone to Caucasus. Observing GD’s visibly impalpable ruling team. They accused the govern- strategic adversary in the elections is wider public criticism, they are expected ZVIAD ADZINBAIA is an Analyst at success on the Georgian political scene, ment of betraying Georgia’s European the country’s main opposition party, to seriously modify the existing team Georgia Today, covering security, for- it is hardly unexpected that the Coali- and Euro-Atlantic path by fl irting with the United National Movement, who and advance some new faces in the party eign policy, and the domestic politics tion has been facing an internal disso- Russia. ruled Georgia for nine years following circle. This strategy is most likely of Georgia. He is affi liated with the lution in recent days. Both the Republicans and Free Dem- the Rose Revolution of 2003. designed to alleviate the negative pub- Georgian Foundation for Strategic and The Republicans, a key faction in the ocrats are strongly believed to have The UNM was expected to rebrand lic attitudes toward the government in International Studies (GFSIS). From fall Georgian Dream coalition, announced played their nontrivial role in the Geor- itself after the painful fi asco with GD order to get the second mandate. 2016, Zviad will be joining the George Thursday that they plan to offi cially gian Dream government, who were in the 2012 elections, though the party In these convoluted circumstances, it Washington University’s Elliot School withdraw from the embattled incum- otherwise labelled as Russia-affi liates. remains on almost the same rails. More- would be least pragmatic to forget about of International Affairs as a Master’s bent party prior to the elections. The two parties controlled some key over, the UNM leadership, including openly Russian-leaning parties, such as student in Security Studies. GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 POLITICS 5 Armenian, Azeri Forces Russia Has More to Lose than Cling to Tenuous Nagorno- Karabakh Ceasefi re After South Ossetia if it Allows Days of Heavy Fighting Unifi cation with the North Continued from page 3 manner as Putin’s Russia. Turkey is a staunch, vocal ally of Azer- collapse of the Soviet Union. After said Alexey Malashenko – not much, “We OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA By the end of the war, the overwhelm- baijan with no diplomatic relations with collapse, the issue of South and North will just thank our Ossetian brothers and ing majority of Azeris fl ed the region as Armenia. Georgia, while a strategic bor- Ossetia uniting became more active with tell them it is impossible.” refugees. dering state, lacks any serious clout ethnic Ossetians but was always opposed There are about 25 thousand people An uneasy ceasefi re brokered by Rus- within the international community to he De-facto leader of occu- by Moscow. living on the occupied territory, not sia, the US and France in 1994 left act as a true mediator. pied South Ossetia started As the last meeting of Tibilov and Putin counting the Russian soldiers that live Nagorno-Karabakh under Armenian As both sides announced a break in talking about joining Russia suggested, the Kremlin wasn’t so enthu- on the Tskhinvali and Java military bases, control, but years of wildly unsuccessful the fi ghting on Wednesday, U.S., French again this week. Leonid siastic about this initiative from Tskh- the number of which exceeds 10 thou- negotiations headed by the Organization and Russian offi cials prepared a series Tibilov announced that at invali. After meeting President Putin, sand. Keeping the territory populated for Security and Cooperation in Europe of high-level visits to Azerbaijan and Tthe referendum that will be held by the Tibilov started talking about the delicate with only 25 thousand people costs have left the tiny mountainous region a Armenia to seek an agreement. end of this year, citizens will have to nature of the referendum issue and the Kremlin RUB 7.3 billion, about USD 120 highly militarized breakaway separatist But it was Russian President Vladimir answer only one question: “Do you sup- international prestige of Russia. The fact million. If we take into consideration the state, with its status still unresolved. Putin who held separate phone calls port us joining the Russian Federation?” that the Kremlin does not support the scale of Russian corruption then it is Tuesday with the leaders of Azerbaijan Tibilov made the announcement about growth of its federal subjects within its easy to imagine what sort of fi nancial RETURN TO THE STATUS and Armenia, demanding an immediate this constitutional initiative in the Geor- territory has also been confi rmed by “laundry” Tskhinvali really is for the QUO ANTE halt to the fi ghting and a return to the gievsky Hall in the Kremlin, on a visit Russian analysts. Political expert Andrey Russian offi cials today. Therefore, unsur- In light of the recent escalation, questions 1994 cease-fi re line. to President Putin to settle the fi nancial Epiphantsev believes that the adoption prisingly, changing this corrupt scheme now arise for the major players in the He’s dispatched his Foreign Minister problems of the occupied territory. of South Ossetia into the Russian Fed- will not suit Russia today. However, any- region and the two sides that are party Sergey Lavrov to meet with Aliyev and It is nothing new that occupied South eration won’t change anything for Tskh- thing can be expected from the unpre- to the confl ict as to what the state of affairs Iranian offi cials in Baku and Vice Pres- Ossetia wants to join the Russian Fed- invali, but is rather disadvantageous for dictable Kremlin. will be in the highly disputed region. ident Dmitry Medvedev to Armenia to eration. To be more precise, that it wants Russia. “South Ossetia is on our shoul- Unlike the Russian analysts, their col- Moscow’s position as a mediator in the talk with Sargsyan. to be united with North Ossetia which, ders in any case, both fi nancially and leagues in Tbilisi have different thoughts confl ict arises mainly by default rather While the West has continued to dither as everyone is aware, is the federal sub- politically. As for the losses, these will and arguments in fear that the de-facto than through its infl uence over Aliyev over how to respond to the confl ict, Rus- ject of the Russian Federation. While in be quite big for us. Taking a step like this leader of occupied South Ossetia voices or his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarg- sia’s quick shuttle diplomacy between Tskhinvali they call it the restoration of after Crimea means we should stop the position of the Kremlin and that it syan. Yerevan and Baku will likely leave Mos- historical justice, whether it really is dreaming about the international eco- serves the purpose of Georgia being Russia has supplied vast quantities of cow as the key arbiter in any future peace “historical justice” or not is a question nomic sanctions being lifted – forever. refused its Euro Atlantic course. An highly sophisticated weaponry to both agreement. of another debate. The fact that the term In addition to that, Georgia might be opinion exists that raising this issue is Azerbaijan and Armenia as a means to Stability in Nagorno-Karabakh, how- “South Ossetia” emerged on the world accepted to NATO, which will be a polit- connected with the investigation that expand its infl uence over a region that ever, will continue to be elusive as nei- map only after the Bolshevization of ical disaster for us. Therefore, the issue started in Hague regarding the war crimes was once key to its imperial ambitions. ther side is willing to give ground over Georgia is already suffi cient argument. of receiving South Ossetia into the Rus- committed in 2008. In light of the pre- This double game has angered many their rival claims. Though Moscow has Afterwards, despite this political casus, sian Federation is no more than a differ- dictions by analysts, whether Russia will in Armenia, which has maintained close the strongest hand to play to pressure the issue of unifi cation of South and ent tool in order to stop the events from receive South Ossetia and unite North security and economic ties with Moscow both sides into occasionally abiding by North Ossetias has never left the agenda. developing in this direction,” Epiphant- and South Ossetias is as yet unknown. and has longed looked to the Kremlin the ceasefi re agreements, the absence Moreover, there was even a period in sev told journalists of the newspaper One rather important and unusual thing for political guidance. of any international mechanisms to the 1930s when North Ossetia wanted ‘Arguments and Facts’. But what will happened during the Russian tour- Tskh- Though both Turkey and Georgia have enforce a lasting settlement over a highly to unite with South Ossetia and this time happen if the de-facto leader of South invali accused its Northern brothers of offered to play a part in fi nding common militarized Karabakh will leave the within the borders of the Georgian Ossetia does really address Putin about treason because of the concerts that have ground between the Azeris and Arme- impoverished region in limbo as another Socialistic Republic. At that time Stalin joining the Russian Federation based on been held in the Vladikavkaz where nians, neither country holds much sway of the half dozen post-Soviet frozen con- made the decision and the map that was the outcome of the referendum? Accord- Georgian folk Ensembles Rustavi and over the two warring nations in the same fl ict zones. marked by him was left intact until the ing to Carnegie Moscow Center analyst Bani participated. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 Russia Sitting Pretty: Ogden on Georgia

Georgia had best be Walking the careful walking the diplomatic tightrope, especially as the government is becoming increasingly fractured and Political Tightrope October’s elections draw ever closer. Photo: thenationstatewerein. remaining hostile. Russia’s intervention in Ukraine OP-ED BY TIM OGDEN co.uk/2016/02/ – predictably unchallenged by the West beyond the regular sycophantic chant of ‘strong condem- nation’ – led some in Georgia to believe that Rus- ad Socrates been in Georgia in August sian forces would come rolling over the hills again that while it is indeed a brutal form of fascism, it airspace and Georgia declines, it will serve solely 2008, no doubt he’d have said some- in the near future. does not compare with the barbarism of the Islamic to enhance Moscow’s image and damage Tbilisi’s; thing suitably philosophical about This week’s fl are up between Azerbaijan and State: between the Scylla of Al-Qaeda rebels and given Russia’s past form, it will not be hard to spin war and the folly of man – not that Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh (which has already the Charybdis of IS, Russian-backed President Al- the outbreak of fi ghting in Nagorno-Karabakh as he’d have had much chance; he’d resulted in the loss of thirty lives) has caused the Assad is cast in a more favourable light. being the fault of Azerbaijan (and it might well Hprobably have had an AK47 thrust into his arms old worry to come back once more, especially due Russia’s brief campaign of support for the Syrian have been, for all we know). Georgia, then, will be and then bungled on a bus bound for Gori, before to rumours of a Russian request to use Georgian government propped up the regime, bloodied the seen as spitefully preventing Russian peacekeepers being hastily brought back to Tbilisi when the Rus- airspace in order to assist its Armenian allies. Geor- nose of the Islamic State and retired in good order from being allowed to restore order and end the sians hove in sight. gians are worried that if Russia offi cially requests (a far cry from the Western quagmires of the Afghan fi ghting. That, you’ll gather, is my enduring impression of permission to transit its military forces through and Iraq wars). With an increasing number of IS The rebrand of Russia’s image has served to the Georgia-Russia war of 2008 (the chaos, I mean, Georgia (as per a pre-2008 war agreement between attacks in Europe, some segments of the Western change the perception of Moscow amongst the not the hypothetical presence of Greek philoso- Russia and Georgia), Tbilisi will deny the request public view military intervention in Syria as being Western public, which in turn might cause Euro- phers). I’ve heard stories of Georgians with prior and thus provoke Russia into fi nding a more aggres- the only way to prevent terrorist activity on the pean and American politicians’ attitude to change military experience scrambling to volunteer to get sive way of getting its forces into Armenia. continent, since any criticism of Islamic immigra- as a result; this could have a number of positive back in uniform and fi ght off the invader, only to While hardly an impossible scenario, it remains tion and integration in Europe being a metaphori- outcomes for Russia, such as the lifting of the West’s arrive at military depots and been given empty unlikely. The European and American publics are cal minefi eld laced with words such as ‘discrimi- sanctions and unfreezing Russian assets in Europe rifl es; likewise, I’ve heard of people who’ve never becoming increasingly tired with Islamic extrem- nation’ and ‘prejudice’. It is hardly surprising that and North America. done a day’s service in uniform be issued equip- ism in general and the Islamic State in particular, many are describing Russia as fi ghting a European For its part, Georgia had best be careful walking ment that even Rambo might have raised his eye- and with Russia’s intervention in Syria, President war that Brussels is unwilling to wage. the diplomatic tightrope, especially as the govern- brow at. Then there are the tales of overwhelming Putin has managed to rebrand his country as an In this way, any further aggression towards Geor- ment is becoming increasingly fractured and Octo- Russian air power, despite American and European international peacekeeper, far from the image cul- gia at this time would badly damage the new per- ber’s elections draw ever closer. It is, as I like to reports of one of the few Georgian success stories tivated by the West of the Russian bear bullying ception of Moscow as a sensible international tell my friends, a damn good (or interesting; pick of that war being the downing of numerous Rus- its smaller neighbours. policeman. If Russia requests the use of Georgian one) time to live here. sian aircraft and the deaths of their pilots. The West’s support of a number of Syrian rebel Naturally, the fear that it all might happen again factions was strongly criticised by some media has never gone away, especially with the thousands outlets when it emerged that a number of these of Russian troops sitting pretty in South Ossetia groups are linked with (or sympathetic to) Al- Dutch PM: Aspirant Countries Should and Abkhazia, and Moscow and Tbilisi’s relations Qaeda; the new perception of Ba’athism contends Anchor to Both Russia AND Europe

BY IA MEURMISHVILI FOR VOICE OF AMERICA’S GEORGIAN SERVICE

utch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, cur- rently holding the European Council presidency, told the Voice of America Georgian Service that Association Agreements with aspirant countries Dmakes the EU stronger; however, he argued that Ukraine should not be allowed to become a mem- ber of the economic block. PM Rutte claims that countries in Eastern Europe should build and main- tain strong relations with Russia. “I think the Eastern Partnership is important. I was at the Vilnius Summit in 2013 and I still remem- ber the Summit we had in Poland in 2011. I think it is extremely important that the European Union Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte build its bridges with the countries in Eastern Europe, while at the same time also acknowledg- Kiev. Of course, what happened in Crimea, in East- ing that these countries will also have strong rela- ern Ukraine, has created a situation where a stable tions with Russia,” stated Mr. Rutte. relationship with Russia is very diffi cult to see. The Dutch Prime Minister reiterated his previ- Still, in the near future, or in the somewhat distant ous position on EU expansion and said that the future I hope that Ukraine will be able to have as aspirant countries should not look at the EU mem- strong relations with the European Union as to bership as a zero sum game and should not choose Moscow.” between Russia and the West. “It should be a choice PM Rutte has similar views on NATO expansion. to anchor these countries to both Europe and Rus- According to him, before inviting new members, sia,” he said. the Alliance should consider its physical proximity Some in Eastern Europe believe that it would take with Moscow and base the expansion policy on years for Ukraine and Georgia to establish normal balancing this factor. “Before the Berlin Wall came relations with Moscow – if at all. Russia occupies down, the distance between Moscow and the West about 20 percent of Georgian territory. It annexed was 3000 kilometers. I’m not in favor of this, but Crimea and supports separatists in Eastern Ukraine. if Ukraine were to have an exclusive relationship Despite this predicament, the Dutch Prime Minis- with the West and have no relationship with Rus- ter believes that EU and NATO aspirant countries, sia, then that distance will be 1000 kilometers – including Ukraine, should get closer to Europe to 2000 kilometers less than in 1989. When we discuss strengthen their democracies, which in turn will the expansion of NATO, we need to remind our- help them to have stable relations with Russia. selves of this and what it means in terms of our “I think the Association Agreement will help relations with Russia,” said the Dutch PM. Ukraine to fi ght corruption, to improve democracy, While opposing Ukraine’s accession into NATO, improve the standards of human rights for many the Dutch PM does not object to the ambitions of minorities- the gay community, Jewish community, aspirant countries. “I understand the ambitions of who are very much in favor of this. A stronger the countries in the east that are close to Russia to Ukraine would also be able to build a relationship become members of NATO,” he said. However, with Russia,” said PM Rutte. referring to physical or political threats coming He also believes that Ukraine should not forget from Russia, he added “there is no simple yes on its historic ties with Russia: “Let’s not forget that no answer. NATO constantly needs to balance a part of the Russian history started in Ukraine, in these facts.” GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 POLITICS 7 StratCom and Russian (Not So) Soft Power All the Talk at 2016 NATO- Georgia Public Diplomacy Forum

practical terms during the Warsaw summit,” said BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE the PM. The sentiment was shared by Minister Bakradze, who voiced the hope that the Forum would facili- ATO Week, the ninth of its kind, took tate further expansion of the network of public off in Georgia on April 4 with the diplomacy experts, “ensure information and expe- launch of NATO-Georgia Public rience sharing and development of common strat- Diplomacy Forum, which was held egies and approaches.” for the fi rst time in Tbilisi. The event, “Tangible deliverable is the best way to tackle Nas well as the NATO Week, was organized by the disinformation” he added. Information Center on NATO and EU in coordina- True to the Minister’s wishes, participants at the tion with the Offi ce of the State Minister of Geor- fi rst day of the Forum discussed issues including gia on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration with hybrid warfare and the role of strategic communi- the support of the Ministry of Defense of Georgia, cation in countering it, the establishment of state NATO Liaison Offi ce in Georgia and the Embassy run media as a tool of propaganda and the limits of Romania in Georgia (CPE). of freedom of expression in an era fi lled with the The Forum took place in the cozy conference hall perils of growing extremism and violence. Particu- of Radisson Blu Hotel. The high-profi le debate, larly noteworthy was the contribution of Anneli with an abundantly rich selection of strategic com- Kimber, a representative of the European Union’s munication actors from the West’s top decision East Stratcom task force that is dedicated towards making organizations, enjoyed the attendance of exposing and distributing information about Rus- an engaged and motivated audience. The Prime sian propaganda. The honest and objective review Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili; State of their own strengths and limitations, provided Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integra- by the speaker, was arguably the best way for the tion, David Bakradze; and Deputy Assistant of Brussels-based unit to set reachable goals in an NATO Secretary General, Ted Whiteside, welcomed uneven battle. The ongoing revamp and redesign- the participants. The PM emphasized the impor- ing of the approaches employed by the EU com- tance of ever-strengthening cooperation between munication actors, particularly those aiming at Georgia and the Alliance in his speech, stressing more active involvement from the local (in this that Georgia’s desire to become a member of the case, Georgian) media outlets, also seemed reason- North Atlantic Treaty Organization is unwavering able and full of promise. and that the country “wants to hear a clear mes- The second day of the Forum was devoted to sage” regarding its closer integration into the North NATO-Georgia cooperation, expectations for the Atlantic block at the NATO Warsaw Summit in NATO Warsaw summit and, once again, the impor- 2016. tance of effective strategic communication. In this “We spare no effort to retain the positive dynam- scope, a specifi c workshop for media professionals ics of the NATO integration process and to make was also held – where the offi cials from NATO HQ , NATO-Georgia relations even more signifi cant in the US, the EU, Britain, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, terms of progress and tangible results in this direc- Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova sat down with tion. Georgia, as an aspirant country, puts particu- Georgian journalists to speak about effective strat- lar emphasis on strengthening its ties with NATO egies in strategic communication. Engaging and and performs important responsibilities in terms lively, the workshop sparked many interesting and of NATO’s rapid reaction forces and NATO mis- innovative ideas. sions. In view of NATO approximation, Georgia The NATO Week in Georgia is due to last until expects signifi cant progress in both political and April 19th. The Flight You Deserve BY AIR GEORGIA! International charter flights throughout the Caucasus region, Europe and Asia!

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Just let us know when and where on: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 Ukraine’s Anti-Secession Strategy- Russian, Georgian or Moldovan Way?

Shamba, head of the Abkhazian Interior BY ALEXANDER TOKAREV Ministry. Given Georgia’s strong swivel towards the West in 2006 and onwards, Russia has apparently decided that the hree general strategies can January 2004 scenario should not be be defi ned from the post- repeated – namely, when its own Foreign Soviet anti-secession Minister Igor Ivanov convinced Aslan approaches: the diametri- Abashidze, the virtual owner of Adjara cally opposed Russian and province, to leave the republic, thus play- TGeorgian ones, and an intermediary ing a pivotal role in restoration of Tbi- Moldovan one. Neither of the three envi- lisi’s constitutional control over the area. sions active warfare in relationships By 2008, Russia could no longer work between secessions and “mother states” with Georgia on maintaining its terri- in the near future. Despite it being hard tory, as its growing military-political and to predict the Donbass situation (neither economical rapport with NATO and USA its institutional structure nor values or was openly opposed to Russia’s national actors’ behavioral strategies are fi rmly interests. established), my suggestion is to com- Long before that, President Saakashvili, pare secession factors in Eastern Ukraine seeing the immense demand for restora- to those that came to be in Russia, Geor- tion of statehood and territorial integrity gia and Moldova. from the masses, started to deviate from The strategy of Vladimir Putin towards the “Chechnya method” while still hop- Chechnya and that of Mikheil Saakash- ing to implement it later, with support vili towards Abkhazia and South Ossetia/ of Western partners (what took place in Tskhinvali region were more or less 2008 was basically such an attempt). of law, reinforcement of the Armed denizens of Abkhazia and South Ossetia/ the unrecognized territories that are now similar. However, while the Kremlin has After the Rose Revolution, Georgian Forces, Police and the state apparatus, Tskhinvali region (partly via Dmitry separate formations, did not burn the managed to rally strong support for the elites started to develop the territory as well as privatization and cuts to Sanakoev’s administration, which rep- bridges. federal center via Kadyrov and Yama- under their control. What Martin Malek bureaucratic expenses. “Instead of wait- resents offi cial Tbilisi in the area), a joint The Kremlin’s strategy towards daev clans, as well as ex-militia turncoats, aptly named “Inner Georgia” (UN major- ing for occupied territories to come back, EU stance known as “Involvement with- Chechnya was completely opposite to nobody in South Ossetia/Tskhinvali ity-acknowledged Georgia without 19% let us develop what we can” can be called out Acknowledgement”, creation of a the one described above and, in our region took Dmitry Sanakoev, Saakash- of its territory) became a place for large- an unoffi cial motto of the Georgian Reintegration Ministry and its evolution opinion, more successful. After the vili’s appointed fi gurehead, seriously. scale anti-corruption reforms, restora- approach towards secessions both before into a Civil Accord Ministry – all these militia was largely exterminated and The Georgian president’s offer, made in tion of statehood and its function, increas- and after 2008. This included provision steps show that Georgia, despite not those willing to lay down their arms April 2008, was declined by Sergey ing fi scal performance and supremacy of highly qualifi ed medical assistance to having a precise strategy of taking back Continued on page 9 GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 POLITICS 9 Ukraine’s Anti-Secession Strategy- Russian, Georgian or Moldovan Way?

Continued from page 8 will become Romania overnight.” On the and at the moment is physically incapa- other hand, Chisinau never broke eco- ble of dealing with its restoration. Sec- granted amnesty and accepted into nomic ties with PMR, despite periodi- ondly, neither the armed forces of the Chechen departments of Russian power cally blockading the unrecognized repub- self proclaimed Lugansk/Donetsk Peo- structures (Armed Forces, Internal lic together with Ukraine: export of ple’s Republics, nor Russia will allow Security, MVD, FSB), the federal center electricity, textile goods, machinery use of force to return the breakaway took to restoration of the devastated produced in PMR reached the EU through territories under control of Kiev. republic. By 2016, Russia had turned it Moldova, same as import. The Moldovan- The Georgian approach is far more into a controllable territory with func- Transnistrian border is nonexistent – a likely for Ukraine. There is a consider- tional state institutions, well-developed single policeman manning an improvized able demand for massive social-econom- social space (healthcare, education, post and checking documents arbitrar- ical reforms (which Mikheil Saakashvili interreligious communication, culture) ily, depending on his mood, hardly lives and part of his old team are already try- and a high level of security for common up to the title of a border guard. Moldova ing to implement) and Europeanization. citizenry. Alongside those, however, an still does not have an eastern border, Given lack of a national and ethnic bor- openly authoritarian regime was estab- save for the fact that since the beginning der in Eastern Ukraine and obvious lished, with zero tolerance towards of the confl ict in Ukraine, the border immaturity of the national community, A local resident riding a bicycle is pictured through damaged power lines while a criticism, utter ruthlessness against between it and PMR came under the many Ukrainians cannot answer some Ukrainian tank (rear) patrols the area in the eastern Ukrainian town of Vuhlehirsk public political opposition, no legal tight control of Kiev. The Transnistrian- very important questions, such as: what August 14, 2014. Photo by Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters opponents within the republic’s borders Moldovan border, however, is very real, are the criteria of membership in a nation? approach. The Moldovan strategy seems LNR and neighboring Russian-inhabited and a personality cult to support its down to mass document checks, inspec- Are the denizens of Donbass members to be impossible to implement due to and Russian-speaking regions of Ukraine, legitimacy. The Russian anti-secession tion of heavy transports, brandishing of of the community or not? Should Rus- the confl ict being drenched in blood. pressure of sanctions upon Russia, which strategy amounted to “Bring the repub- state symbols, presence of border guards sian be accepted as a second state lan- Approximately 1000 people perished on (unlikely, but not worth overlooking) lic back into the constitutional fold and and fi lling out of admission forms. In guage or not? Would federalization be each side of the war in Transnistria in might stop supporting the self-proclaimed building a peaceful life within, with such an attitude towards border control appropriate or not? And more. There is 1992. According to UN data for May 3 republics, constant skirmishes between clear incentives for the local elite.” and secessionist policy lies the main dif- no national consensus regarding the 2015, 6243 people have perished in the elite groups at Donbass in a struggle for The Moldovan approach turned out to ference between Moldovan and Georgian DNR/LNR problem – while Ukrainians Donbass confl ict. There were six waves resources and an extremely low level of be a sort of a middle ground between its strategies: while Georgia de facto defi nitely want to get their territories of military mobilization in Ukraine, in internal sovereignty of breakaway terri- Georgian and Russian counterparts. acknowledges the borders of Abkhazia back, reintegration of Donbass denizens addition to volunteer battalions. In Don- tories, Ukraine will be unable to reinte- Chisinau never tried to create a success and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region by is under a big question mark. According bass, the level of involvement of the local grate the population of Donbass. Nega- story like “Inner Georgia” did, nor did maintaining constant presence of troops to polls conducted by Ukraine’s Razum- population in local militia is even higher. tivity towards the Ukrainian state is lodged it risk using force for reintegration of there, Chisinau considers PMR to be its kov Center, when confronted with the The war has already “made it to the in mass consciousness. Some pro-Ukrain- Transnistria (PMR), as Russia did with territory, making do with a tiny police question “What is the further course of museums” on both sides, and families ian denizens remain, although they are Chechnya. This course of action was presence and lack of border infrastruc- action in resolving the confl ict in the of the deceased already tell stories of in absolute minority. Positive recollections caused by hard factors: the Moldovan ture. southeast?” 33-35% of those polled insist men heroically dying in battle. The over- of life in Ukraine generally survive only economy was barely managing to deal Which strategy can Ukraine opt for in on continuing military action until the all national narrative on both sides is as nostalgia for a peaceful life. Given such with its own challenges and could not returning the Donbass region, consider- full liberation of occupied areas is changing towards hatred and resistance attitudes, even if Ukraine manages to get have handled raising living standards in ing that the given situation involves achieved, 24-30% want the region to have of the enemy, which clearly distinguishes its territories back through some mirac- the already industrially developed Transn- interaction of global powers? The Rus- a special status, 18-20% suggest separat- Donbass from PMR, which does not view ulous feat, they will act as a time bomb istrian region. Besides, Russian peace- sian approach, a military operation with ing these territories from the rest of the Moldova with such negativity. that will inevitably explode at the fi rst keepers stationed in PMR are guarantors subsequent social-economic develop- country, while the remaining 18-23% Finally, even if we consider the geo- sign of a new wave of Ukrainization. of stability, and not just formally. As our ment is excluded for the following rea- provide no answer. Therefore, the Geor- graphical conditions (lack of natural bar- respondents stated in in-depth inter- sons. Firstly, the correlation of Ukraine/ gian approach of “restoring what you riers functioning as borders between This article was commissioned for the “Regional views, maintaining the presence of Rus- Donbass industrial potential resembles control while hoping to get the seceded Donbass and its formal owner Ukraine, Dialogue” Platform initiated by the Caucasian sian troops is of vital importance: “Even that of Moldova/PMR; Ukraine simply territories back in the future” is more as well as an ambiguous “contact line” House. This is a downsized version - for the if Russia decides to move their guys out, does not possess the same level of eco- likely for Ukraine. between the sides), lack of ethnic and full version of the article, please visit the we won’t let them; otherwise, this place nomic development as pre-war Donbass, Now let us take a look at the Moldovan linguistic disagreements between DNR/ Regional Dialogue platform. GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 ‘Five Rings for Georgia’ ‘soviet’ in the Games rather than by their could be a better token of a nation’s OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE ethnic belonging. In those times of com- independence? What could be a clearer munist rule, all of us together – tens of expression of Georgia’s most celebrated various soviet nationalities – made up national idea –freedom? So Georgia is nce, Juan Antonio Sama- the so called Soviet People, the short- proudly standing to take its physical ranch, the seventh presi- lived and unfortunate historical con- strength and sporting morale to Rio to dent of the International glomerate. Nobody would mention us compete with the rest of the world in Olympic Committee (IOC) by our original national identities. Often, modern sportsmanship. told the world that Georgia we were all applied to as Russians, totally One of the highlights of this prepara- isO a small state by territory and popula- ignoring the ethnic identity of the remain- tion took place last weekend in Borjomi tion, but it belongs among the big nations der of the smaller soviet nations. None when the sports writers of the country, in its traditions and potential in sports. of us liked the blunder but the rules of offi cially accredited to Rio-2016, went As a matter of fact, this could very well survival of those eerie times made us through a vigorous Olympic training be true, judging by the outcome of pre- swallow the offence. Thus, the medals session in their fi eld. The seminar was vious Olympic bouts of Sakartvelo, but earned by Georgian men and women organized and headed by director, First let us look into the future for a second were credited to soviet sports, not Geor- VP of GNOC, Elguja Berishvili and his rather than back at the past. assistant Rusudan Aptsiauri. President The Rio-2016 Games are approach- of GNOC, Leri Khabelov, made a ing fast, and Georgia is diligently special trip to Borjomi to attend the getting ready to add some luster seminar and encourage the par- Construction of this summer to its usual Olympic ticipants to sharpen their pens and shine. Georgia has enjoyed its share pencils to duly covering the future of Olympic triumphs in the years, Games in Rio de Janeiro from August but these are bygone. Indeed, this min- 5 to 21. Your obedient servant was among iature country has harvested 118 Olym- those ladies and gentlemen of the press, pic medals throughout the history of the which makes it presumable that he might New Zoo Starts new-time Games – 37 gold, 28 silver and gian. The talent was absolutely the be reporting – if fortune and remaining 53 bronze by only 259 participating ath- property of the soviet ‘motherland’. time still has it – under the heading of letes in 21sports. This is a fact that fairly Since 1989, Georgia has been partici- ‘For GT from Rio’. puts our little Georgia next to the dis- pating in the Olympic Games as an inde- Incidentally, here comes to mind Mark tinguished Olympic nations, considering pendent player, and hence all its current Twain’s famous words: ‘There are only the award/population ratio. and future trophies are recognized purely two forces that can carry light to all the in Tbilisi One of the most outstanding red-letter and fairly as its national fortune. But this corners of the globe . . . the sun in the days on Georgia’s calendar, and its his- could not have happened without the heavens and the Associated Press down outskirts of the Georgian capital with a BY ANA AKHALAIA tory on the whole, is the 6th October of sweat of the dexterous and valiantly here.’ Let us assume that in this particu- strategy aimed at causing minimal dis- 1989, the date of the founding of the determined guardians of the Georgian lar case, AP means the media of mass turbance to the area’s natural beauty. Georgian National Olympic Committee sports like Tengiz Gachechiladze, Emzar communication of the world that includes The project will replace the existing (GNOC), headed by legendary Nona Zenaishvili and Paata Natsvlishvili, Georgia’s journalistic forces, too – as bilisi’s City Hall announced zoo in the city center, most of which was Gaprindashvili, the fi ve-time world chess together with numerous other patrons free and independent as it is today. Inci- Tuesday that eight hectares destroyed in a fl ash fl ood in June 2015, champion. Rumor has it that Gorbachev of past and modern times, whose out- dentally, the title of this piece ‘Five Rings of land have been fenced leaving half of its animal inhabitants – the then-leader of the still extant USSR standing efforts have yielded what we for Georgia’ is borrowed from a major off for bear and wolf cages either dead or on the loose. – had inadvertently given the green light are enjoying today – Georgia’s Olympic fi ve-volume illustrated edition on Geor- as part of the construction The USD 40 million project will be to Georgia’s Olympic independence from individuality and freedom, now offi cially gia’s Olympic experience and achieve- Tof the city’s new zoo. carried out in stages, with the German the soviet sports system when Gorby recognized as part of the Games in a ments, created by the well-known jour- London-based HASSELL studio Corporation for International Coopera- was told by one of his aides that Georgia full-fl edged capacity of an independent nalist of the country P. Natsvlishvili. Any designed the new zoo’s concept with tion paying for the construction of the was going to openly declare its desire Olympic component. It was exactly this Olympic country of the world would help of British engineering and planning cages. to create its own Olympic committee. triad of poised Georgian enthusiasts who envy Georgia’s capability to have in print company, Arup. The zoo expects to get fi nancing from Before the mentioned date, athletes from made things possible in favor of the many such a publication about sports. Like The studio won Tbilisi City Hall’s other foreign donors to complete the Georgia would only be recognized as generations of athletes to come. What athletes, like books! approval to carry out their design on the project. Braving the Stage to Promote Friendship and Understanding through English

ing. Death is number two,” she said. across all the selection criteria – how tial, and then how this could be used to and setbacks along the way. Some of BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES “Which is why I am especially proud of well he presented and delivered his the wider benefi t of society.” the participants were living examples the brave and confi dent young speakers speech, the depth of reasoning and argu- “One of the nicest aspects of this year’s of putting this into practice – for exam- we will hear today.” ment, and the organization and structure event – apart from the fact that we had ple, our overall winner, Guga, had him- his week the British Corner, The winner was 20-year-old Guga of his presentation,” Ambassador Hall excellent candidates, and a very engaged self competed last year and learned Vake Park, hosted the Sukhiashvili from the Tbilisi State Uni- Hall told GEORGIA TODAY. “His speech jury including both international and from the experience in order to do bet- annual English Speaking versity who spoke on the subject of “True was engaging, witty, and nicely struc- Georgian members – was that the theme ter this year. The runner up, Irakli Kork- Union’s Public Speaking Idols.” tured, starting with a personal anecdote itself was very motivating and inspir- aia, similarly, did well last year, and Competition which saw “It was a tough choice, with all the about how he found confi dence in him- ing,” the Ambassador said. “Many of better this year.” Teight young Georgian English-speakers participants performing well in at least self, and then expanding on his own the participants spoke about the need Second place winner Irakli Korkia chose braving the stage before an audience of one or other of the selection criteria, but experience to draw larger lessons about for people to overcome their fears and the title: “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall” experts and fellow students. ultimately we chose Guga Sukhiashvili, how others could learn to develop their hang-ups, and have confi dence to real- and the third prize was awarded to Eter The aim of the English Speaking Union who displayed the best performance confi dence and realise their inner poten- ise their potential, overcoming adversity Chumburidze who spoke on the “The (ESU) is to promote friendship and Seed of Power.” understanding through the English lan- The winner will go to London to take guage. The Public Speaking Competition part at the ESU International Public is one of its most successful projects, Speaking Competition on the 13th of with 64 countries taking part in the Final May. The theme at the Finals will be: in London- up from just three when the “Integrity has no need of rules” project was started in 1981. “As ever, witnessing these talented Georgia has participated for 19 years young people display their skills gave and has so far sent 34 youngsters aged me great optimism for Georgia’s future,” between 16 and 20 to speak there. Ambassador Hall Hall told us. “It takes This year’s topic was “The most com- courage to stand up in front of strangers mon way people give up their power is and give a speech in a foreign language. by thinking they don’t have any” with Their skills will serve them, and their the eight speakers each having fi ve min- country, well, and I wish them all the utes to give their take on the topic and best.” be asked on-the-spot questions by the The ESU was set up in London in 1918 panel of fi ve judges: Deputy Director of as an independent, non-political, non- the Bank of Georgia, Archil Gachechiladze, governmental, educational charity. The Deputy Minister of Defense, Ana Dolidze, Patron of the ESU is Queen Elizabeth II, Head of BP Georgia, Chris Schlueter and the President - HRH The Princess Anne. UK Ambassador to Georgia, Alexandra One of the ESU’s fi rst chairmen was Sir Hall Hall. Winston Churchill. Georgia joined the “Cisero said the aim of Public Speak- ESU in 1998 and is supported by the ing is to teach, delight and move,” said British Embassy. Marina Tsitsishvili, President of ESU The sponsors of the Public Speaking Georgia and Director of the British Cor- Competition-2016 were the Bank of ner. “According to many studies, most Georgia, British Petroleum and the Eng- people’s number one fear is public speak- lish Speaking Union.

GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 Paint the World - Peace Project Week 2016, Tbilisi Georgia

BY MERI TALIASHVILI

outh Organization Paint the World organized Peace Project Week in Tbi- lisi involving charity work and com- munity service aimed at benefi ting both people and the environment. YNumerous foreign guests took part in the project in Georgia, the birthplace of the Organization, and got the chance to meet the local community and learn about Georgian culture and traditions. “We’ve created a fi rm bond between the partici- pants of our project from various parts of the world, helping towards future world peace,” Lika Tori- kashvili, founder of the Paint the World told GEOR- GIA TODAY. Paint the World - Gauperade Samkaro - was found in 2012 by a current Atlantic College student, Lika Torikashvili, in Tbilisi, Georgia. After Lika went to study in the college in the UK, the Movement went international and now boasts various branches around the world. Peace Project Week in Georgia hosted students from Miri, Malaysia, who have already established a branch of Paint the World in Malaysia, and four students from UWC Atlantic College. Aziza Azni- zan (from Malaysia, the founder of Paint the World in Malaysia and Oman), Saiora Immamkulova (from in the US, we are Georgians, and we have a great grown to live together and acknowledge the rich- member of Paint the World and a Brown University Ossetia), and Anton Tekhniriadov (from Russia) country and an ancient history. And we want peace!” ness that each brings to a country. This goes deeper freshman. “I’m extremely grateful to Lika for get- also participated in the events in Georgia, together Lika. than tolerance. It is openness to possibility, and ting me involved in ‘Paint the World,’ an unimagi- with young Georgian members. They spent time Dave Booker, Vice Principal of UWC Atlantic makes Tbilisi a rich city of faiths but also of com- nably wonderful organization that not only brings visiting orphanages and hospitals and had Clinton College, became so interested in Lika’s Paint the merce, architecture and culture,” Booker said. vital colors into the lives of people who lack them Chua, famous Malaysian singer, singing live at each World Project that he decided to take part and visit In one day, the participants of the project visited but also unites “painters” of all ages through an event. In order to get more participants for their the “mysterious country” called Georgia, together a local Mosque, Synagogue, and the Holy Trinity unbroken chain of collective events and the invin- future projects, the Paint the World organized with his students. Cathedral. Jews, Muslims, Christians together. cible power of friendships that have begun in hos- presentations of Paint the world in local schools. “I heard and experienced a great deal of the hos- The members of the Georgian team got to know pitable, tolerant and incredibly amicable Georgia.” Mr.Giorgi Maisashvili, a Georgian Politician, attended pitality of the Georgians, and I’ve no doubt I’ll be members of Paint the World from all over the world, The members were invited to UWC Dilijan Col- one presentation of Paint the World and expressed back to visit again. It’s in the quiet, unacknowledged another very important aspect of the project as lege, a branch of UWC in Armenia, where they huge support towards the Movement. aspects of the life of Tbilisi that I found most to Georgian students rarely have the opportunity to organized the presentation of the project and The participants of the 2016 Project Week came value, celebrate and respect: how a people has travel, so meeting youngsters from completely dif- inspired the students of Dilijan to start their own from various religious and national backgrounds. The ferent backgrounds was a huge inspiration. Paint the World Branch to have future exchange project was unique not only because was entirely “Our parents taught us to be tolerant towards projects between Georgia and Armenia. organized by teenagers, but also because it brought others no matter what their religion, skin color or All the participants and guests left Georgia inspired together religions and countries that have been in culture is, but we see people killing each other for and motivated by the hospitality and love of Geor- confl ict for centuries. their differences, we see the sick world getting even gian hosts. In the future, Paint the World plans to “I myself am a Jew. My best friend from Malaysia, sicker and we see how nobody seems to care. But hold more Project Weeks in Georgia and keep host- Aziza, and her friends that came over to Tbilisi are we do care,” said Keta Bagashvili, an 18-year-old ing UWC students in the country through exchange Muslims, and lots of my Georgian and Russian Paint the world Georgian team member. “We don’t programs between Georgian and Malaysian Paint friends are Christians. We all stood together, side The participants of the want to see any more blood, aggression and cold the World branches. Seven Malaysians received by side on Georgian land, to show the world that, hearted people running around our cities. We don’t sponsorship from the Ministry of Youth and Sports no matter how much hate there has been, we, the 2016 Project Week want borders, just brushes to paint our world to visit Georgia this year- the next step is a project future generations, are ready to change the world. together. in Malaysia, Borneo, in which Georgian students This “act of peace” happened in Georgia, on our came from various “If I was going to compare ‘Paint the World’ to will take part. The hope is to create a bond and land, because I believe we are one of the most anything, it would defi nitely be a sparkling star, connect two parts of the world, Georgia and Malay- peaceful countries in the world, and we need to religious and national and if stars are lit it means there is someone who sia, with this idea of spreading colors in part of a emphasize this one more time. We are not a state backgrounds needs them,” said Anton Tekhneriadov, the Russian worldwide Movement.

Read. Learn. Enjoy.

Pick up a copy of Georgia Today Education at any BIBLUS shop or phone 229 59 19 Price: 2 Gel GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 SOCIETY 13

Caucasus Nature Fund Offi cially Welcomes New US-Born Director

he spent much of the last 15 years directing regional BY TAMAR SVANIDZE and country programs for Save the Children in the Caucasus and, most recently, in Egypt… CNF is planning a strategic shift in its center of gravity erman non-profi t organization the which makes Geof’s experience in and commit- Caucasus Nature Fund (CNF) on ment to the region crucial,” board member and Wednesday offi cially welcomed its outgoing director David Morrison said in his mes- new regional executive director sage on CNF’s Web site. George Giacomini via a message Morrison had served as the organization’s direc- Gposted on its offi cial Web site. tor since its inception in 2008. He offi cially stepped A dual citizen of the United States and Italy, down in March, but intends to remain on CNF’s Contact: www.edelbrand.ge Giacomini - who goes by the name of Geof - previ- advisory board. ously worked as the country director for US NGO Though not offi cially announced until Wednes- Phone: 599 461908 Save the Children in Azerbaijan and Egypt. Accord- day, Giacomini was hired as Morrison’s replace- ing to the organization’s Web site, Giacomini is a ment in 2015. Russian speaker who graduated from the University The CNF’s stated mission is to guarantee the of Berkeley in California, one of the US’ top ranked conservation of the Caucasus’ unique fl ora, fauna centers for higher education. and ecosystems by providing funding for opera- “Geof is ideally suited to lead CNF’s next phase. tional costs and sustainable development in the Premium Georgian Eggs: An experienced director of programs and people, region’s numerous protected areas. The Best Start to Your Day Georgia’s First Book Museum to Open in 2016

The museum is a part of an on going restoration BY ANA AKHALAIA of the historic building housing the National Library. Constructed in 1913-1916 as the Bank of Nobility by architects Anatoly Kalgin of Russia and Poland’s eorgia’s fi rst book museum will open Henryk Hryniewski in a Neo-Georgian Monastic later this year in the National Par- style, the building will be restored to its original liamentary Library and will be the appearance lost during the Soviet era. biggest in the Caucasus region. The museum will be built along international The general public will, for the fi rst standards with a state-of-the-art ventilation sys- timeG in history, be able to view the country’s old- tem to protect the artifacts on display and a digi- est and rarest books including copies of medieval tized database containing all of the library’s con- Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli’s epic “The Knight tents. in the Panther’s Skin”, with illustrations by Hun- The project is sponsored by the David Bezhuash- garian painter Mihaly Zichy; Georgia’s fi rst printed vili Education Fund and supported by the Geor- book, a Georgian-Italian Dictionary published in gian Industrial Group holding company. Rome in 1629; and a 1709 book of psalms from Upon its completion, the museum will be the Georgia’s fi rst printing house. largest of its kind in the Caucasus region. The daily intake of an egg has a lot of advantages. BY KETI DIDEBULIDZE It contains antioxidants which improve vision and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is also indispensable for diets - to lose weight and keep iving a healthy lifestyle in the modern you in shape. world is diffi cult. The correct nutrition, However, to get all these benefi ts, it is neces- physical activity, recreation - all this sary to select for our breakfast a high quality, requires time and money both of which fresh product. Such as those products of the may seem inaccessible at fi rst glance. Georgian company “Savaneti,” which is now LHowever, our body does not demand a lot from us! replacing low-quality, low-priced, imported eggs It is enough to have a breakfast full of vitamins and on the Georgian market. In 2013, “Savaneti” car- minerals on a daily basis as a step towards living a ried out a remodeling of production, replaced healthy life without spending extra time. machinery, raw materials, and manufacturing One of the best examples of a healthy breakfast procedures. Once the company started following is an egg. There are many reasons why this product international protection and quality control, it is indispensable: Eggs are rich in protein, which received a well-deserved ISO certifi cate. Each will provide you with energy throughout the day. egg produced by “Savaneti” undergoes up to 100 It also contains vitamins and minerals, such as control procedures only after does it head out vitamins A, B, B2, B5, B12, E, folic acid, calcium, to the customer. Starting the morning with a magnesium, iodine, iron, fl uorine, and more. An “Savaneti” egg means you are choosing a high- egg also contains Vitamin D, which helps calcium quality, healthy breakfast full of vitamins and absorption, and choline, which is recommended minerals, that guarantees your health, energy, by doctors for cancer prevention. and therefore success. GEORGIA TODAY 14 SOCIETY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 World Down Syndrome Day at European School

WDSD, European School IB students BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES prepared some questions. Actors with Down Syndrome (DS) had leading roles in the play and after the performance, rade 4 and 5 students in students took interviews from the par- the Georgian and Inter- ticipants and the director. The inter- national sectors of Euro- views were then used within exhibition pean School recently con- presentations to raise community aware- ducted long term projects ness on the topic. “The theater was inG connection with World Down Syn- great,” said 11-year-old Luka Demetrash- drome Day (WDSD) which offi cially vili. “We talked to the playwright and took place on March 21st. he said his blood pressure was usually In the International Baccalaureate (IB) over 400. But when he started working section it all started with the unit ‘Let’s with the disabled actors, his blood pres- help each other’ in Grade 4 whereby stu- sure went down to 200. He says that the dents discussed different learning and people with disabilities he worked with physical disabilities and initiated projects were kind and very good learners and to help benefi ciaries with disabilities. that helped him.” Grade 5 students in their turn began to The Georgian section of European prepare for an exhibition on Human School also hosted an awareness talk Rights. The central idea for the unit was about Down Syndrome. Grade 4 stu- ‘Accessibility of opportunities affects dents collected stationery for benefi - equality’ with the lines of inquiry as: ciaries with DS and visited the reha- Our right to live freely; bilitative center for DS children named How opportunities enhance or hinder ‘The Children of the Sun.’ Students were our future; involved in joint activities and celebrated Infl uences that affect opportunities; the day together. They then created Action that can be taken to ensure informative posters with the title ‘Chil- human rights are being met. dren of the Sun’ and the tag line “one In connection with the above, students more chromosome- one more merit” created various projects, one of which and presented various aspects of Down was to have the group attend a specially Syndrome to others by discussing what qualities…) and what the children can dents presenting the positive sides of The messages from the events organ- prepared inclusive stage show in Mar- DS means, what can cause it, how it is do to help these people become valu- DS people, leaving pupils with the com- ized were both impressive and very janishvili Theatre. Prior to the premiere identifi ed visually, what is typical for able members of society. mon impression that DS children are supportive of real inclusion and com- of the theater play in celebration of Downs sufferers (physical signs, mental Videos were also shown to fellow stu- “smart, friendly and caring.” munity based friendships. GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 SOCIETY 15 From Striving to Thriving: Spectra Post Studio Has High Hopes for the Georgian Movie Industry

BY MERI TALIASHVILI GEORGIA HAS A LONG FILM HISTORY BUT ISN’T WELL KNOWN IN INTERNATIONAL FILM CIRCLES. WHY DO homas Burns, a Hollywood YOU THINK THAT IS? trained and award-winning In order for fi lmmaking in Georgia to director of photography, grow from a strictly artistic endeavor first came to Georgia into a sustainable industry, in order for almost twenty years ago it to move from surviving to thriving, andT since then hasn’t been able to stay it requires foreign investment; invest- away. After seeing the hardships of the ments in terms of foreign productions 1990s in Georgia, Burns, who holds a shooting here. When foreign produc- Master’s degree in fi lm production from tions come here and shoot, the local Stanford University, felt a burning desire infrastructure expands and Georgian to do something meaningful for the crews have an opportunity for inter- country. So he came back and set up national training. The more profes- ‘Spectra Post’, a post-production studio sional international training they have, for fi lms and television, to contribute the more productions will come here to the Georgian fi lm industry. Burns has to shoot. I want to see fi lmmaking in over a decade of training experience in Georgia become a viable industry not Hollywood on feature fi lms, including only as an artistic pursuit for the few, well-known names like ‘Where the Wild but as a bigger fi nancial engine for the Things Are’ and ‘Die Hard 4.’ His dra- country in general. I think the Georgian matic television experience includes government has realized the potential CSI, Lost and Dexter and he has worked of portraits about the South Caucasus— to that, over the course of my time as a One hundred percent of our resources, of the fi lm industry and the new cash on documentaries for National Geo- and had an exhibition in Karvasla Gal- director of photography, I have also expertise, and contacts go into color rebate program (offering 20-25 percent graphic and Discovery Channel, along- lery. After that I began thinking that worked in post-production in an area grading. Today we work mostly with cash back for foreign productions that side numerous commercials for, amongst Georgia was a place I wanted to live we call ‘color grading.’ After a fi lm is American clients, but would like to be shoot here) is an incredibly interesting others, Porsche, McDonalds, Capital more permanently. In summer 2014 I shot and edited, it goes through a pro- doing more work with Georgian fi lm- project because it will dramatically One, US Air Force and Toyota. Add to came back to check out the possibilities. cess where we adjust every shot for makers and advertising agencies. One increase the number of such produc- this the fact that he is a former US Ful- It was a big move from Los Angeles to color and exposure. Color grading allows of our fi rst Georgian projects was a fea- tions. Georgia is a great place to make bright Scholar and was awarded by the Tbilisi. us to make the lead actress’ dress look ture fi lm for Georgian director Nana movies but nobody really knows about European Independent Film Festival more red, the glass of beer look more Jorjadze and it was a wonderful project— it. Just in the past three or four months for Best Cinematography in Paris in WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A refreshing, and the thunderstorm look she’s a talented fi lmmaker. I’ve started getting calls from foreign 2009. GEORGIA TODAY sat down with DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY? more dramatic. It’s a very important There are some gifted professionals producers asking me what kind of Thomas Burns to talk to him about his A Director of Photography is the main part of the process. working in post-production in Georgia country Georgia is, asking if they can life in Tbilisi and about Spectra Post. visual designer of a fi lm project. If you One of the challenges for fi lmmakers but the industry will benefi t from lead- shoot here and so on. I think it’s a time are a producer or director you hire me in Georgia was that until now there was ership trained to international standards. of renaissance for Georgian cinema. WHEN DID YOU FIRST to move your ideas from the script onto no professional color grading studio here This is something Spectra Post can pro- Georgian cinema went dormant for a VISIT GEORGIA? the screen. I work closely with the in Tbilisi. Higher budget fi lms and adver- vide. Our training, our network, and our few years, but now it’s coming back. I fi rst came to Georgia about twenty Director and the Production Designer tisements had to send their projects to professional ethic come from Hollywood. Now it’s aiming to come up to inter- years ago. At the time I was working for to develop a style for the project and Europe for color grading, and those We want to use that to support adver- national standards very quickly and the Eurasia Foundation and I then spent then use camerawork and lighting to without bigger budgets did the best they tisements and fi lms that are being shot we hope we can contribute to this a year working for a small English lan- make sure we achieve our visual goals. could here in Tbilisi. in Georgia. Georgians generally have through the color grading we do at guage magazine in 1998-2000. Then I I trained for a decade in Hollywood on We started Spectra Post here in Decem- strong visual literacy––they know good Spectra Post. Our main goal is to help came back in 2009 as a Fulbright scholar feature fi lms, dramatic television, music ber. Unlike most production companies visual design when they see it––and that’s Georgians push their fi lm and adver- to do a photography project¬—a series videos, and commercials. In addition here, we focus only on post-production. a good starting point for cinema. tising projects onto a bigger stage. GEORGIA TODAY 16 SOCIETY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 Cooperation between Georgian and Chinese Museums

Giorgi Kekelidze and Rati Amaghlobeli at the presentation of the new Saba Audio Book project First Audio Books App Coming to Georgia

Audio Books will not be just audio fi les, BY EKA KARSAULIDZE but high-grade books with all attributes: pause function, bookmarks, and more. Work on the creation of the new audio lectronic Book House ‘Saba’ books has just begun and ‘Saba’ proposes has started work on the fi rst cooperation and a platform for all inter- Photo by GNM: JI Yanchi, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Georgia; Shan Jixiang, Director of the Palace Audio Books in Georgia, ested persons. “We know that there is a Museum; David Lordkipanidze General Director of the Georgian National Museum and Mikheil Giorgadze, Minister of which will include 400 works large base of audio books fi les and vari- Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia at the Memorandum signing event of Georgian and world-famous ous organizations and individuals who Eauthors. The fi rst Audio Books applica- have engaged in recording books on disk tion is scheduled for release in Septem- and other storage formats for many years. collection. Soon we will begin work on said the Minister. BY EKA KARSAULIDZE ber 2016. The fi rst presentation was held We want to invite them to contact us to their detailed study, conservation, res- With over 15 million annual visitors, in the National Library of Georgia on work together to create new, high-qual- toration – these are one of the main for- the Palace Museum is the most visited April 6. ity audio books,” said Maia Dzirkvelish- mats of our cooperation with our Chinese museum in the world. The Museum is ‘Saba’ launched this project together vili, Director of ‘Saba’. he aim of the Memorandum colleagues,” said General Director of the located in the center of Beijing and rep- with Open Society Georgia Foundation. In addition, the authors and actors of Understanding, which Georgian National Museum, David Lord- resents a grand architectural complex According to the organizers, besides the who are interested in this project are was signed between the kipanidze. consisting of 980 buildings. During the many positive sides of audio books, they also welcome to join the organization Georgian National Museum In the framework of the Memorandum, mid-Ming and the Qing Dynasties, it was are fi rst and foremost being created for team. The fi rst team, which includes and the Chinese Palace exchange exhibitions will take place, the imperial palace and it was recognized visually impaired and blind people. local contemporary authors, recorded TMuseum on April 1, is the care and pres- public lectures and educational programs as such in 1987 when the complex was “Unfortunately, we have a big problem the ‘Guest Poets Anthology’ for the ervation of a unique collection of Chi- will be organized and Georgian scientists declared a World Heritage Site. The col- in literature as a whole in our country. new Audio app. Some have compared nese culture housed in one of the net- will be sent to China for training to raise lections of the Palace Museum include Very few people are interested in read- this project with another successful works of the Georgian National Museum the level of employee qualifi cation. ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, bronzes, ing. Moreover, people with limited vision one – ‘Live Book’- in which Georgian (GNM). The initiative belonged to the Georgian Minister of Culture and timepieces, jades, palace paraphernalia, suffer the most. Thus, with our new app authors travel through Georgia and Chinese side, although the Memorandum Monument Protection, Mikheil Gior- ancient books, and historical documents. soon they will have a unique opportunity publicly read literary works. is also expected to bring many benefi ts gadze, noted that the signing of this The Palace Museum is listed by UNE- to explore the wealth of literature inde- “These days, there is a tendency of re- for Georgia. Memorandum is doubly important con- SCO as holding the largest collection of pendently. It certainly is a gift for them,” creating the old rather than inventing the GNM’s oriental collections are pre- sidering the international community’s preserved ancient wooden structures in said Rati Amaghlobeli, one of the organ- new. In the past, people heard literature, served at the Shalva Amiranashvili increased interest regarding Georgian the world. izers of the project. especially poetry, instead of reading it. Museum of Art in Tbilisi. The collec- museums. “Our museums are success- “I admire the collection stored in your ‘Saba’ already has the mobile applica- The work acquired a peculiar value with tions include exhibits of Egyptian, Islamic ful at cooperating with major interna- Museum,” Director of the Palace Museum, tion Saba Reader on which readers can the voice of the author. Therefore, I’m and Far East cultures. A vast range of tional organizations, and today’s new Shan Jixiang, told his Georgian counter- access a large library of electronic books. very pleased that to some degree we are items are on display, such as ceramic agreement once again confi rms this. It part. “In the near future, we plan to work From September, audio books will also returning one of the original functions dishes, decorated weapons, paintings is also especially important that we are closely and launch a lot of interesting be added. The creators claim that the new of literature,” said Amaghlobeli. and costumes. “We own a very important seen as an important strategic partner,” joint projects with the GNM.” Bohema: The Best of All Worlds The smell of sulfur serenades your senses décor. Patrons are treated to a prime BY JOSEPH LARSEN while you stroll through bucolic Heydar view of the Narikala Fortress whether Aliyev Park. If there’s a place to feel sen- choosing to sit inside or out on the timental while enjoying all of the com- veranda (I chose the former; it was a s a former resident of Tbi- forts of the present day, it’s here. chilly night). The setting couldn’t be lisi’s Abanotubani neigh- The district has major nostalgia appeal, more Georgian, but the interior décor borhood, I don’t have to be but diners can fi nd much more than is overtly modernistic. The entryway is sold on its charms. The standard Georgian fare. Bohema is a all glass, but instead of looking down slice of the old city lies just prime example. This restaurant markets from a Manhattan skyscraper I was look- Aacross the river from the Mtekhi and is itself as “Georgian new fusion” and this ing up at the Narikala. nestled underneath the Narikala fortress. claim is immediately born out in the Bohema’s management has made an effort to cultivate a lively aesthetic. A DJ performs two nights per week; Friday features a saxophonist; and on Saturday nights delighted patrons are treated to a live band. Notable Georgian jazz musi- cian David Evgenidze has even performed there. “Fusion” defi nes all things Bohema. The cuisine blends Georgian and Euro- pean dishes with a few Asian fl avors the need to go with at least one tried and I’m not a dessert enthusiast, but I took thrown in. With too many options to true option!). This I matched with the a glance at the menu. Items of intrigue comprehend, I opted for several appe- steak salad—marinated steak, arugula, included the “exotic red cake” (mascar- tizers rather than a true main course parmesan, and almonds. pone with a cherry glaze) and the “Napo- (though the steaks did look divine). The drinks menu was also lavish, with leon.” An ode to Bohema’s European I started with the Elarji balls. This tra- a number of Georgian red and whites, inspirations, the latter dessert is panna ditional Georgian appetizer is fried corn- as well as some French wines and the cotta with cherry and blueberry topping. fl ower stuffed with cheese and topped full array of cocktails—a glass of wine The unique menu combined with excel- with an almond sauce. It was delicate, will cost 8-10 lari with a bottle coming lent service (by Tbilisi standards) and delicious and a perfect prelude to what in at about 140. My server recommended a prime view of the city add up to an came next: the glazed shrimp with tke- the Caipirinha—the most popular cock- outing that isn’t cheap. Choosing Bohema mali. An example of East meets West, the tail among customers. But it being a for your next night out means choosing Asian glazed shrimp built a bridge of chilly night, I opted for a Manhattan. I’m to spend more than you would at a typ- fl avor with the traditional Georgian sauce. not sure which whiskey the bartender ical Georgian restaurant. But given the Next came the Imeretian khachapuri used, but it worked to wash down the fantastic fusion menu and upscale aes- (with so many contrasting fl avors I felt fl avorful meal. thetic, you will get what you pay for. GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 SOCIETY 17 Gender Policies and EU Integration, Experience of Visegrad Countries for Eastern Partnership Countries

‘Avangardi’ – Georgia. The fi rst pillar of the project envisages aware- ness-raising toward questions of gender equality and their importance in the democratic develop- ment of States. For this purpose round tables and public lectures were held at different universities and NGOs throughout Georgia and Ukraine, accompanied by radio and TV broadcasts. The second pillar activities are concentrated on com- parative analysis of the gender equality status quos in Georgia and Ukraine, and on drafting recommendations for better gender equality policies based on the Visegrad experience. Sys- tematic description of the reformation path of the Visegrad Four (Poland, Czech Republic, Slo- spiration towards EU membership For insight into Visegrad experience, the expert vakia and Hungary), covering the issues of equal is in the top agenda for Georgia. opinion-sharing ‘Fund of Women Entrepreneurs’ opportunities, will be available in English and The recently signed Association (Georgia, Kutaisi), has been running the project: Georgian. Broad public engagement is the means Agreement makes this path more ‘Gender Policies and EU Integration, Experience to setting a high priority score to gender equal- direct and goal-oriented. Among of Visegrad Countries to EaP Countries’ since ity issues. theA cohesion aims toward the EU family are issues September 2015. The project has an international The ultimate, long-term usable output of the of gender equality. Reformation experience scope with the involvement of the following project will be a bilingual publication describing already accumulated in Visegrad countries makes organizations and experts: GURT Resource Center the gender equality situation in Georgia and it easier for EaP countries like Georgia and - Ukriane, Gender Studies, o.p.s – Czech Repub- Ukraine, reformation experience of Poland, Hun- Ukraine to get preliminary insights on potential lic, Hungarian Women’s Lobby – Hungary, Insti- gary, Slovakia and Czech Republic in creating challenges that might occur when setting actions tute of Sociology Slocak Academy of Sciences national and regional mechanisms for gender toward gender equality policies based on EU – Slovakia, Professor of Jagiellonian University equality, recommendations, and possible steps directives. Katarzyna Zielinska – Poland, and Women’s NGO that Georgia and Ukraine should take to over- come the gender gap and create equal opportu- nities for all.

Project fi nanced by the International Visegrad Fund (http://visegradfund.org) Project Number: 31550123 web: www.fwevisegrad.ge facebook/pages/გენდერული პოლიტიკა და ევროინტეგრაცია Fund of Women Enterpreneurs, www.fwe.ge Article Prepared by the Project coordinator: Elena Kuparadze, [email protected] Georgia On My Mind – the Country that Astonished Me

The soul of my Georgia is on fi re, and as alive as BY ALEXA SHEARER ever. My mom cried the day we moved here sixteen years ago. Our plane landed on a runway without am so pleasantly confused. Is this Tbilisi, lights or modern asphalt. The terminal was one dark my childhood home? As I walk the cobble- room, fi lled with people in black. They stared at our stoned streets of the historic old-town my blonde heads and touched our hair for good luck. ears are fi lled with the sounds of club music, We drove up to a house on a gravel road covered Russian tourists, and the laughter of young with pot-holes. Dead leaves hung over metal poles, Iteens out on a Saturday night. The smell of fruity a few remainders of last seasons’ grapes clung to ‘shisha’ layers the brightly lit alleyways. A crowd the dry vines. ‘Houses,’ built on the slant of a hilly of kids and their parents squeeze into a tiny corner street, stared at us with sad expressions, as if ask- ice-cream shop for an after-dinner treat. A cute ing for help. They looked strangely rich, but lost... boutique offers different types of ‘Churchkhela.’ as if they had been part of a most important king- This is a modern city; I think to myself. dom...but then were somehow forgotten. It felt like Looking up towards the mountains, I’m proud to everything was broken. see the blurred glimmer of ‘city lights’ from afar. We were caught in a lost nation only nine years If I squint it looks like millions of orange fi refl ies since their independence from the Soviet Union, fl uttering together in the distance. I feel at ease as and less than fi ve years since a brutal civil war I turn towards the river, and I see, yes, another severed the country. And yet...somehow identity Tbilisi, Georgia--March 2016 modern change: the addition of an enormous glass was still very much there. A place with so much bridge, strangely curved, and way too white. How- life; all it took was to knock on a neighbor’s door no money to pay staff. The entrance to the theater the dancers never stopped moving. Art was not ever, it is hoisted neither on freshly paved river- and they would invite you inside to meet their was never lit. Of course we would always go in the fi xated on light. banks nor by newly developed concrete walls. I’m whole family, offer you every crumb in the house, back-way, and walk up seven fl ights of stairs, since As I end my evening walk in my modern Tbilisi, glad to see that the greenish, murky Mtkvari cradled and make you drink more than your weight in wine. the elevator didn’t work when the electricity shut I reach Rustaveli Street, just a few steps from my against those cliffs, extremely authentic--about to I could write a 200-page novel about Georgian off. The halls smelled of sawdust, urine, and water- hotel. I notice strange things like street lamps, collapse at any moment--has not changed. The hospitality. melon fl oor cleaner, used to scrub around the holes paved roads, and I come across a beautifully blue- rocky walls scream antiquity and by observing I know my simple words would not give it justice in the broken linoleum. The walls were always lit fountain--water fl owing, and bronze ballet danc- them it’s as if I am looking into history. but I wish they could. My pages would be full of sticky, with large chunks of chipping yellow paint ers gracefully posed in the middle. I look up, and As I mosey my way down the stairs of a skinny stories of never-ending dinners; of plates stacked and graffi ti marking who had been there before us. there it is: my Opera House, freshly painted, with avenue, my focus changes...the hollow sound of on top of each other and the art of ‘toasting.’ We had a live pianist with a grand piano, and renovated cupolas and beautiful golden brown rich harmony draws me closer. The tune is haunt- My book would talk of the power in their national splintering fl oors, and we always danced in the stripes. A crowd breaks through the doors for a ingly sweet and I fi nd myself standing in the mid- dancing and how if you stayed at the dinner long dark. cigarette break during intermission. They are all dle of a 6th-century church. enough, someone was sure to get up to dance...or My teacher regularly snuck us into the VIP box smiling. The dancers are probably performing on Every word echoes around me, the sound of wor- sing...or play the piano...or play any kind of instru- seats in the almost fully empty theater after we a fully lit stage. ship bouncing off the stone walls and fl oating up ment. fi nished class late in the evening. The golden ceil- The theater must be full tonight. towards the frescoed ceiling. I see a blur of wax My sister and I would be driven twice a week to ings, bright scarlet velvet seats, and sparkling chan- Nothing around me is crumbling. candles, held by strong hands. Heads covered by the Tbilisi Opera House for private ballet lessons. delier (that did not have the means to be turned Alexa Shearer is a 22-year-old American daugh- silk scarves bow as knees are bent. Dark eyes close, The theater was taken over during times of war, on) would make us forget in a second the grimy ter of diplomats. She lived in Georgia as a child and defi ned lips kiss the gold icons and then mum- used as shelter, and had been burned to the ground- classroom we just came from. The electricity would from 2000-2002. Tbilisi quickly became ‘home’ to ble and move along with the words of honest prayer. -twice. When it reopened shortly before we moved go off in the middle of Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, her and her family, and now they try to visit once Despite a tidied exterior, not much has changed. here, tickets had to be priced so cheap there was Giselle, but the orchestra never stopped playing; a year. GEORGIA TODAY 18 SOCIETY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 Milking the Moment: Etseri, Svaneti

kick back. Grab the stool and have a seat, calved and, once her calf was weaned, I BY TONY HANMER bucket on the newly manure-shoveled added her to my twice-daily repertoire: fl oor. how much extra time, and strength, Then you begin milking itself. I was would this demand? But it was a gradual es, Tony, but what is milk- taught this by a man fi rst, not by my wife, process, still happening as she slowly ing actually like? and here the genders’ grips seem to be gives more and more milk while her I speak as a relative new- different. He uses the whole hand, while udder and the warm outdoor grazing comer to this delicate art, she tends to favor just thumb and fore- weather both improve. So I have time to but nonetheless one who fi nger. But the former only works if the get used to it, physically and time-wise, hasY performed it for several years now teats are long enough! Our newer mother while my own skills also ramp up to meet and has most of the responsibility for a had her fi rst calf only a few months ago, the challenge. whole (small) barn’s worth of cattle, as and her udder, while supplying a good Milk, yoghurt, cream, butter, sour cream, well as for the milk and its byproducts. amount of milk, is still not as developed ice cream, ordinary Georgian cheese, You open the doors in the morning, as that of the older cow, which also hap- the sulguni variant, versions of cheddar, greet your charges, and assess how they pens to be her mother. So, even for me, blue and Camembert cheese: these are are. If nothing is amiss, then you fi rst two fi ngers are the best way with her, what we have made and can make from clean their udders with a bit of water, to for now. Pull, squeeze, repeat. the output. Plus the whey left over from remove the chance of any stray hairs, Udders are tough! They have to be, to cheese making, which the calves love. bits of straw and other foreign elements endure the amount of abuse available All full-fat at the moment. Very satisfy- falling into the bucket. This also adds for even a newborn calf to dish out in ing, and worth the effort, if you ask this just the right amount of lubrication to its frantic quest for milk. The pulling lover of the European cheeses who hopes the teats. You’re aiming for a mix of slip and pushing never seem to bother mother to see his productions standardize and and friction, so that your sliding grasp much, though, so I realize that my arms go commercial in 2016. will neither fall off nor get too sticky. and hands are no match in strength for pairs of teats, not fi nishing either set in immediately on the offensive, letting her Give them something to distract them that little one’s neck, and feel free to pull one go to get every last drop. know that this is quite unacceptable Tony Hanmer runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” while you’re milking: the morning’s food, as necessary. The milk fl ows immediately Always keeping an eye on the back legs, behavior. And she will move about a bit Facebook group, now with over 1300 mem- usually hay from the second fl oor of the when you’ve got the knack, and gives though, because here “kicking the bucket” while feeding, disregarding your prefer- bers, at barn, conveniently sent down through you a good upper body workout twice is an all too literal possibility! I don’t ence for her stillness, so the hair-trigger www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- a hole to their level. You will have trained a day too. Both hands, so, two teats at a punish a cow if she misses; but if she awareness is vital. Just don’t let it get on sance/ them to move the back leg closest to you time. A good while of steady fl ow, grad- knocks the thing over, or gets her hoof your nerves, though! Here too a balance He and his wife also run their own guest house back out of the way at your touch, so ually slackening off as you go, but you into it, or (something I hope never to is good to avoid unnecessary stress. in Etseri: that they’re used to this and won’t try to move back and forth between the two experience) actually breaks it, then I’m I did worry a bit when the second cow www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 CULTURE 19 Breathing New Life into the Tbilisi Main Library

BY IRMA KAKHURASHVILI

part from serving its classic purpose, a library should be a place where new ideas are formed, where educational and cognitive projects are planned. Thematic events, book presentations, Aliterature evenings and numerous other things should be held there- anything that will widen the circle of readers. However, most of the libraries here are still of the soviet-type: small reading halls, scarce book funds and obsolete service. The 107-year-old Tbilisi Main Library is facing that challenge – together with its 32 libraries spread throughout various neighborhoods in the city, it is struggling to meet the needs of modern readers, not helped by a lack of state funding. Nevertheless, Tbilisi Main Library does have the ambition to turn itself into an exemplary space which will be actively involved in the cultural and educational life of the city. The acting General Director of the library, We’ll restore the Movie Club, which was sus- Lena Askurava, says that the fi rst steps to this aim pended due to renovation works and we’ll also were taken in March. cooperate with publishers and provide booths and spaces for presentations. We also want to organize YOU HAVE A LOT OF ELDERLY READERS, Georgian language classes for foreigners. WHICH IS GOOD, BUT HOW DO YOU PLAN ON ATTRACTING THE YOUNG? DO YOU PLAN ANYTHING Lena Askurava: We plan to offer additional services FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS? to the younger generation. We want to implement At the moment we’re negotiating with hospitals as an electronic management system in the library, we want to take books to children that have leuke- which includes purchasing an integrated library mia and hold book-reading days there. A social program. The users will be able to register online, project - Mobile Library – will be supported by use e-catalogues, learn about our book depot and volunteers. We’ll offer the same service to adults even reserve the book they want online. The library in the Dialysis Center. At present, we have an will analyze the most in-demand books and con- employee who’s been taking books to a young girl duct various internal studies. in Varketili district who has a disability, and also to pensioners, for years. We want to transform this THE LIBRARY WAS ALWAYS IN LINE WITH wonderful act into one of our services. THE EDUCATIONAL POLICY, BUT HAS We also want to introduce a family package, where GRADUALLY LOST THIS FUNCTION... a mother can bring her child to the library for a Events are held in the library to this day, though of couple of hours and be able to work or study in the a small-scale. This is due to the lack of informa- library while her child is kept entertained. tion. We plan on working with society in this regard. What’s more, we plan to arrange a Saturday School It is vital to arrange a working space where vari- for children, with socially vulnerable families ous meetings can be held. To help build social exempt from fees. networks we want to set up comfortable book cafes- places for exchanging ideas and meeting AT THE MOMENT OF ITS friends. From March, we plan on carrying out FOUNDATION THE LIBRARY FUND various activities each weekend, which started on STORED 3438 ITEMS. WHAT IS THE February 24th with World Book Day during which SITUATION A CENTURY LATER? we organized meetings with contemporary writ- The book depot now holds around one million ers. editions. Last year we made one of the biggest pur- We aim to set up a Board of library supporters chases, buying bestsellers from almost all publish- comprised of people who will be oriented towards ing houses. We’ve had a Special Fund since the its development, who will help us fi nd foundations Zubalashvili period. These unique books are scat- for funding and help to form relations with the tered throughout our libraries. We want to create International Library Association. We are putting a separate fund- at fi rst we’ll ask experts to evalu- our hope in our energetic youth who can contrib- ate them and later will digitalize the books so that ute to the revival of libraries in their own neigh- they become accessible for our customers in the borhood. form of e-books. IT will be a new process of dis- covery.

DO YOU PLAN TO RETHINK THE PERSONNEL POLICY WHEN SWITCHING TO THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM? We will train our staff. I’m sure that, in spite of their age, they’ll be able to master the new system. Parallel to the development of infrastructure, the image of a librarian will change too. We need to become members of the International Library Association, to share the experience with our employees, to arrange online conferences. This form of communication will help us structure a modern model for the library.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU FACE? The development of infrastructure, which requires huge funding, as the existing budget is insuffi cient. This is why we want to make an exemplary model of ‘library’ in the Tbilisi Main Library. And as for the branches, we might keep the vintage style in some of them: with catalogue boxes, table lamps, large shelves, wooden tables... It would be great if the private sector would engage in the process. Libraries in the neighborhood need to develop. Our social advertisement will be aired on the Public Broadcast soon and we’ll be cooperating with other media channels as well. GEORGIA TODAY 20 CULTURE APRIL 8 - 11, 2016

Masterclass of Eclecticism at Vanda Gallery

his recent creative work,” Keti Charkhalashvili, BY MAKA LOMADZE art historian, told GEORGIA TODAY. “His paint- ings are mainly fi gurative and depict concrete scenes, however, this time, we’ve been treated he latest solo exhibition at Vanda to abstractions, which is very important in the Gallery is calling all those who wish sense that it expresses the painter’s conception to get acquainted with professional and attitude towards the world. These fi gures artist Gela Zautashvili, one always are as if modifi ed into abstraction. The colors open to novelties and experiments used in his works articulate his attitude towards Tand with a Major in eastern wisdom. Having life. The mere name of the exhibition ‘And Life lived in India for years, he is interested in the Goes On’ is an exact description of these paint- East and his work is characterized with an Ori- ings.” ental infl uence expressed in bright colors. We talked to Sandro Mujiri, co-founder of the Zautashvili’s exhibition ‘And Life Goes On’ was Gallery Vanda: “Two years ago, we hosted Gela opened on April 5 at Vanda Art Gallery. Zautashvili’s third exhibition. This is his new It is diffi cult not to notice that this is a painter series of abstractions. However, this is just a who goes along with the subconscious fl ows of teaser of a bigger project that the painter is a person’s mind, resulting in the full savage starting under the title ‘Footstep’ which will be desire for life. His colors remind me of those of exhibited at the end of the year. I’m very happy Matisse and Gauguin. I have not seen many that Gela works so actively, representing one of Georgian artists who are so unveiled and brave the big names in the Georgian painting school. in terms of eroticism. Not only the exhibition He used to live in India and is in love with Asia. itself, but also the catalogue of his works, which There were some Hindu viewers at his previous is also on sale, demonstrate his interpretation exposition and they said that in his works, they of Oriental motifs, where nudity and extremely saw real India.” bold sexual scenes are presented. These paint- In spite of the inescapable realism that the ings are shocking for the Orthodox aesthetics mature painter acknowledges and takes with all and very exotic, too. However, in the exhibition its pros and cons, Zautashvili retains an opti- itself you will not fi nd such explicitness. Those mistic view by saying ‘And Life Goes On’, which who love painting will discover new color mar- is quite topical, together with the arrival of riages – a masterclass of eclecticism, as well as spring. The exhibition will be on until Tuesday a huge energetic charge. 12th April at Vanda Gallery, Chonkadze 14. The exhibition ‘And Life Goes On’ was opened in an original way, without any offi cial speeches. Everyone was able to enjoy a glass of wine, the cozy interior, and pleasant atmosphere, adorned with live piano music. Here, a spectator can witness a wide range of titles for the works of abstraction, from ‘Prayer’ to ‘Libido’. In the catalogue, a variation on the masterpiece by Gustaf Klimt, named ‘Three Ages of Woman’, Buddhism and is worthy of note Gela Zautashvili’s version, depicting the similar theme, is titled ‘Merciless Hinduism came to my Time’. “I entered into the Georgian Fine Arts as an abstractionist in the 1980s. Today’s exhibition life during my student features the work of the last three months. Bud- dhism and Hinduism came to my life during my years. I dedicate this student years. I dedicate this exhibition to the continuation of life, joy and kindness,” Gela Zautashvili told GEORGIA TODAY. exhibition to the “My attitude towards this painter is special, because we are friends. I’ve written several continuation of life, joy articles about Gela Zautashvili’s works in the near past, therefore, I’m particularly aware of and kindness GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 CULTURE 21 Large-Scale Seasonal Exhibition – Spring Gift for Art Lovers

BY MAKA LOMADZE

n April 1-7, almost 60 paint- ers were showcased in one space – the State Center of Georgian Folklore Gal- lery. This is a rare scale forO a fi ne arts exhibition in Tbilisi, a city of moderation. The beautiful old tradi- tion was restored in 2014. From year to year, our artists look forward to being exhibited every autumn and spring and perceive themselves via the gallery space – so crucial for all artists - and share the joy of meeting old and making new pro- fessional friends at the same time. Until recently, annual exhibitions held in spring and autumn at the Georgian National Gallery played a signifi cant role in the promotion of achievements in local fi ne arts. Following Georgia’s inde- pendence, artists were deprived of the National Gallery. For this and many other reasons, fi ne arts were almost forgotten. Happily, in spring 2014, three Georgian painters decided to restore the tradition and arrange exhibitions every spring and autumn. “This is the fi fth time we have organ- ized such a large-scale exhibition. A FOR SALE painter needs a gallery, a space, just like a writer needs a book – in order to look 9,8 ha non-agricultural, privately owned parcel for industrial use at his/her own works and estimate them critically. This is like a club. Tbilisi enjoys (cadaster code # 01.19.26.004.088) having plenty of painters. Our exhibition in fact showcases 1/5 of them. There are Mimo Mondal is a young located next to Tbilisi Airport some 30 painters who regularly partici- painter from Bangladesh pate, while the other half changes from who is desperately in love (It is possible to divide it into several parts) exhibition to exhibition. We discuss the with Georgia and works, and give discreet pieces of advice especially Tbilisi Address: Airport settlement, Samgori district, Tbilisi to each other. Those who receive this positive criticism tend to develop much The project is not only for professional ity to estimate your own work against Tel: +995 599 529 529 faster than those who are self-satisfi ed,” artists. “I never painted before. My hus- the background of others. No matter Gela Kenchuashvili, one of the organ- band is a painter. When I watched him, whether your colleagues are old or young, [email protected] izing trio and participant, told GEORGIA I thought it looked very easy,” one ama- you can always see something interest- TODAY. teur artist exhibited there, Nino Mikoi- ing in their paintings. We were absolutely The spring and autumn fi ne arts exhi- ants, told GEORGIA TODAY. “One day, free in genres and topics. Here one can bitions have been distinguished by a I was sitting at home looking after my see landscapes, still lives, portraits, and diversity of genres and styles, which kids. I really wanted something to do more.” makes them far more attractive. Report- and I picked up a paintbrush. Now, every Young female amateur painter Nino edly, painters of various nationalities time I get tired of the housework, I Dvalishvili, 24, is a lawyer by profession. have also participated. Mimo Mondal is immediately start painting and it helps “I paint abstraction as well as realistic a young painter from Bangladesh who me to relax. In this way, I convey my works. I’m participating for the second is desperately in love with Georgia and emotions.” time in the autumn and spring sessions. especially Tbilisi. “It was really interest- Nato Sirbiladze, a renowned female I started to paint just eight months ago. ing for me to meet lots of good Georgian painter, has participated in all spring and It is a great joy to spend hours painting artists in person. I am thankful to the autumn exhibitions. “Two years ago, and in the end to have somebody appre- Center, as they suggested holding my painter Gia Markozashvili contacted us ciate your work.” solo exhibition free of charge in future.” and printed a wonderful catalogue. Then Tsisana Marindashvili, Head of Fine A number of local ethnic minorities he said: “Why don’t we do it every year? and Applied Arts Direction of Folklore also took part in the expo, setting it as This gives an artist stimulus. We make Center, told us: “We greatly support these an example of the character of Tbilisi, new acquaintances, too.” seasonal exhibitions which feature inter- which has always been multiethnic and Temur Samadashvili, an experienced esting artists of different generations. tolerant to other religions and nation- artist, told GEORGIA TODAY: “A group Our next aim is to hold a display of por- alities. exhibition always gives you the possibil- traits by great artistic names of Georgia.”

Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 22 CULTURE APRIL 8 - 11, 2016

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATRE Choreographer: Konstantine 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE Directed by Kim Farrant PERMANENT EXHIBITION Purtseladze Directed by Dan Trachtenberg Genre: Drama, Thriller Niko Pirosmanashvili, David Language: Georgian Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery Cast: Nicole Kidman, Joseph Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili and GRIBOEDOVI THEATRE Cast: John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Fiennes, Hugo Weaving sculptor Iakob Nikoladze Address: 2 Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 19:00 Winstead, John Gallagher Jr. Language: Russian Telephone: 2 93 43 36 Ticket price: From 8 Lari Language: Russian Start time: 22:00 March 25 – April 14 Start time: 17:30 Ticket price: 13-14 Lari April 10 April 10 Jubilee exhibition of Georgian Ticket price: 11-14 Lari SCARLET SAIL MACBETH prominent Temo Gotsadze Alexander Grin William Shakespeare COLONIA FROM BLUE STALLIONS TO Directed by Avtandil Varsimashvili Directed by Davit Doiashvili LOUDER THAN BOMBS (Info Above) ABSTRACTION Language: Russian Choreographer: Konstantine Directed by Joachim Trier Start time: 17:00 The exposition showcases 140 Start time: 12:00 Purtseladze Genre: Drama Ticket price: 10-11 Lari paintings by the artist, among them Composer: Nikoloz Rachveli Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Rachel monumental abstractions which Ticket price: From 5 Lari MUSEUM Language: Georgian Brosnahan, Amy Ryan will be exhibited for the fi rst time. MOVEMENT THEATRE Start time: 19:00 Language: Russian Also on display is the graphic series Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Ticket price: From 10 Lari Start time: 19:30, 22:00 GEORGIAN NATIONAL of “The Knight in the Panther’s Mushthaid park Ticket price: 13-14 Lari MUSEUM Skin” created in 2015. Telephone: 599 555 260 CIRCUS SIMON JANASHIA MUSEUM Address: 1 The Heroes Sq. RUSTAVELI CINEMA Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. ART AREA GALLERY April 9 Telephone: 2 98 58 61 Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Address: 10 D. Abashidze Str. LABYRINTH www.krakatuk.eu Telephone: 2 55 50 00 www.museum.ge Telephone: 595 29 88 55 Directed by Kakha Bakuradze www.kinoafi sha.ge THE TRAVELING MUSEUM OF Composer: Sandro Nikoladze April 9, 10 April 8-14 Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 Lari THE CAUCASUS Choreography: Lasha Robakidze TRAINED LEOPARD SHOW Kote Jincharadze’s project Start time: 21:00 Start time: 13:00, 17:00 TIME SUBSTANCES April 8-14 THE PERMANENT EXHIBITION Ticket price: 15 Lari Ticket price: From 8 Lari Opening: 19:00 NUMISMATIC TREASURY April 10 CINEMA EDDIE THE EAGLE GAMREKELI GALLERY RECITATIVE IN THE CITY Directed by Dexter Fletcher March 24 – April 15 Address: 14 Ingorokva Str. Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama PHOTO EXHIBITION Participants: Kakha Bakuradze, AMIRANI CINEMA Telephone: 2 99 57 23 Cast: Taron Egerton, Hugh “ILLUSIONS” BY MANANA Sandro Nikoladze, Address: 36 Kostava St. Jackman, Tom Costello MENABDE Ana Kordzaia-Samadasvili, Telephone: 2 99 99 55 April 4-10 Language: Russian The exposition showcases the Irakli Menagarishvili www.kinoafi sha.ge IRAKLI JGENTI Start time: 21:00 Start time: 12:00, 17:15, 19:45 artist’s photo series created on PERSONAL EXHIBITION Ticket price: 8-14 Lari different photo motives from Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 Lari TBILISI VASO ABASHIDZE the 1990s to the present: Tango TBC GALLERY MUSIC AND DRAMA STATE 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE Shadows, Mannequin and the Life, Address: 7 Marjanishvili Str. April 8-14 THEATRE (Info Above) Graphic Photos, Watercolor, Pastel, Telephone: 2 27 27 27 Address: 182 D.Agmashenebeli Ave. Start time: 22:30 Light and Shadows. BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN Telephone: 2 34 80 90 Ticket price: 13-14 Lari March 30 – April 9 OF JUSTICE www.musictheatre.ge April 6-16 KONSTANTINE MINDADZE Directed by Zack Snyder BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN SOLO EXHIBITION BY TENGIZ LIFEFORMS Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy April 8 OF JUSTICE SOSELIA (CHAPTER TWO) Cast: Ben Affl eck, Henry Cavill, CARMEN (Info Above) The exhibition will showcase DEVIATION Prosper Merime Amy Adams Start time: 16:00, 22:30 the artist’s graphic portraits Composer: Bize-Shchedrini Language: Russian Ticket price: 10-14 Lari and paintings created in various MUSIC Choreographer: Konstantine Start time: 19:00 techniques. Tengiz Soselia’s works Ticket price: 13-14 Lari Purtseladze LONDON HAS FALLEN show distinguished esthetics of RUSTAVELI THEATRE Choreographic drama Directed by Babak Najafi color, emotion and poetry and has Address: 17 Rustaveli Ave. COLONIA Language: Georgian Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller clearly defi ned individualism. Telephone: 2 72 68 68 Directed by Florian Gallenberger Start time: 19:00 Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan www.rustavelitheatre.ge Ticket price: 8, 10 Lari Genre: Drama, History, Romance Freeman, Charlotte Riley GALLERY Cast: Emma Watson, Daniel Brühl, Language: Russian April 8 April 9 Michael Nyqvist Start time: 14:30 THE NATIONAL GALLERY SAMMARTINI CHOIR MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Language: Russian Ticket price: 9-10 Lari Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. (BELGIUM) William Shakespeare Start time: 22:15 www.museum.ge ABKHAZIAN STATE CAPELLA Directed by Davit Doiashvili Ticket price: 13-14 Lari STRANGERLAND Artistic Director: Guram Kurashvili Georgian Philarmonic Orchestra Conductor: Mariam Mitea Small Stage Start time: 18:30 Ticket price: 25, 35 Lari

MOVEMENT THEATRE Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Mushthaid park Telephone: 599 555 260

April 12 LIVE JAZZ EVENING WITH RESO KIKNADZE Start time: 21:00 Free entry

April 13 TANGO MILONGA (TANGO LESSONS) Start time: 20:00 Ticket price: 5 Lari

GENERATOR 9.8 Address: Atoneli Str. 29

April 8 MELLOW YELLOW Live Concert Folk Rock, Blues, Psychedelic Rock, Funk, Fusion Lead Guitar: Gigi Tsintsadze Drums: Nika Ruhadze Bass Guitar: Iko Elbakidze Rhythm Guitar: Levani Turdziladze Start time: 21:00 Free entry GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 8 - 11, 2016 CULTURE 23 Irakli Jgenti: Neither Talent Nor Higher Powers Decide My Success

oung artist Irakli Jgenti Ah, this I’ve thought about often. It’d chases success in his pro- be nice to get to an age when life’s whole fessional field through show opens up to me. I like thinking tireless hard work and about having a place in me where death constant self-improve- doesn’t seem so frightening. Yment. He started drawing just 5 years ago. ARE YOU PLANNING ON He experienced an inner rebellin towards TURNING YOUR WORK INTO the medium at a young age because of A SOURCE OF INCOME? his artist grandmother and father. He I haven’t tried, but I guess it’s a goal for played football up until the age of 20, any artist to get their name out there after which he had a fi ve-year period of and turn their work into a profi t. “being lost”, as he himself describes it. During this time he tried his hand at WHICH FAMOUS ARTISTS’ many different fi elds, even playing the WORKS WOULD YOU guitar for a few months – but they all LIKE TO OWN AND HANG proved to be temporary. UP AT HOME NEXT TO “I wouldn’t make a doctor or a math- SOMETHING OF YOURS? ematician which is why I ended up I’d love to hang up something of Sezan’s, turning to painting despite my child- Bacon’s, and Kiefer’s. hood rebellion,” says Irakli. He’s not hiding that painting is a job to him, IN ONE OF YOUR INTERVIEWS much like being a doctor or a teacher YOU SAID THAT AN ACT OF would be. From today’s perspective, he PAINTING CAN BE INSPIRED thinks he’ll never abandon painting, BY POWERFUL LOVE OR although he insists that nothing is out INTENSE DISTRESS. WHAT of the question. MAKES YOU WANT TO PAINT? Visiting him proved to be interesting It all happens by accident, something and different, even in my profession. no longer than 20 minutes in length. It’s An unpredictable respondent will often just work. Oftentimes I might not have beget unpredictable questions from the any desire to paint; I just need to do it, reporters’ side. so I do. It’s very much like work. There And so we began. might only be a few minutes per day during which I actually get enjoyment IRAKLI, DO YOU DEVOTE out of it. A LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PAINTING? YOU’VE ALREADY HAD AN I need to keep practicing to get better EXHIBITION. TELL US ABOUT IT. at it! I have to! In order for me to draw My fi rst art exhibition was on April 4th, better today than yesterday, it’s vital for YOU’RE PARTICULARLY The fi rst and most important problem me are my works. Loneliness only works which was an important date to me – me to allocate 7-8 hours a day to it. PROUD TO HAVE DONE. is the amount of time that painting when it’s a result of your own choice. just a day after my birthday. It wasn’t “William” is the title of the piece. It requires. Another could be loneliness. an offi cial sales exhibition, but some of WHERE WOULD YOU HANG depicts my mother’s husband. He kept Despite enjoying time by myself, some- WHAT WOULD BE the interested visitors did get a chance YOUR WORKS, AND WHY? asking how he should have behaved, times I have an impulse to get in contact YOUR GREATEST to purchase my works. I hope that inter- I’d hang them in many places. Homes, what sort of character he should have with someone else, but all that surrounds ACHIEVEMENT IN LIFE? est will continue. galleries – what matters are the owners’ channeled during the process. Bill could desires and their sense of pleasure from show whatever he wanted to show, but observing my paintings every day. I tried to capture what he was trying to hide. I’d like the rest to be up to the HOW AND WHERE DO YOU people to decide and evaluate. SEE YOURSELF AS AN ARTIST 10 YEARS FROM NOW? DOES YOUR WORK DEPICT I’ve not thought about it. So far, I still EXISTING ISSUES IN SOCIETY? see myself at my workshop. I want to Despite not touching on any specifi c be a really good artist. I might give a issues during painting, the viewer can different answer tomorrow; it’s a mood draw their own parallels with various thing. The one constant and most impor- events. I leave the freedom of choice to tant plan that I have at this point is to everyone. travel to America for my Master’s. WHAT IS SOMETHING TALK ABOUT A PROJECT THAT YOU DISLIKE ABOUT OR A PIECE OF WORK THAT WHAT YOU DO?

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PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Photographer: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Tamar Svanidze, Zviad Nikolaishvili 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Zviad Adzinbaia, Beqa Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Kirtava, Meri Taliashvili, Eka Layout: strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Karsaulidze, Zaza Jgarkava, Misha Mchedlishvili Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Commercial Director: Maka Bibilashvili, Karen E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Iva Merabishvili Tovmasyan, Dimitri Webmaster: F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Marketing Manager: Dolaberidze, Maka Sergey Gevenov is registered in Mtatsminda Mako Burduli Lomadze, Tim Ogden, ADVERTISING & district court. Ana Akhalaia, Robert Isaf, Circulation Managers: SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: Joseph Larsen, Will Cathcart, David Kerdikashvili, +995 595 279997 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: Vazha Tavberidze, Nugzar B. David Djandjgava E-mail: marketing@ Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies Ruhadze georgiatoday.ge