Issue no: 939 • APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... FOCUS Georgian-German Year: A Rich ON THE ROAD Program of Celebratory Events TO EUROPE NEWS PAGE 3 The French election, the Georgian France’s Policies toward the tobacco confl ict and a look at the Norway model. How can Georgia Eastern Partnership Countries in best go forward? PAGES 4,6,8 Context POLITICS PAGE 4 The Norway Model for GeorgiaGeorgia’s s EU Future?

POLITICS PAGE 6 New Structure Planned for Produce in Georgia Agency BUSINESS PAGE 7 The Invisible Parents SOCIETY PAGE 12 TripAdvisor to Launch Marketing Contemporary Ballet: Why are Campaign about Georgia You Missing Out?

BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI

eorgia is to be promoted during a massive six month marketing cam- paign on TripAdvisor, one of the largest and most popular sites, George Chogovadze, Head of Geor- gianG National Tourism Administration (GNTA) CULTURE PAGE 15 and Chad Shiver, Marketing Manager for Des- tinations at TripAdvisor, announced this week. Cooperation between TripAdvisor and the GNTA is ongoing, with TripAdvisor promot- ing Georgia’s touristic destinations in ten countries: Germany, Poland, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Ukraine, Russia, Israel and Turkey. Having 390 million visitors a month with over 7 million hotels, restaurants, vacation rentals and booking possibilities listed on the site, TripAdvisor is considered one of the largest travel web portals. The GNTA plans to allocate $65,000 for the marketing campaign. GEORGIA TODAY 2 POLITICS APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 President Margvelashvili: We Should Listen to Public Defender’s Recommendations

ical system will be more focused on by examining the premises of develop- human rights and freedoms," he added. ment of the international and regional The International Conference, held NHRI networks. on April 19, gathered ombudsmen of “During 20 years, the Offi ce of Pub- various countries, human rights defend- lic Defender has undergone serious ers, representatives of international evolution,” Nanuashvili said. “It has and civil societies, as well as repre- developed as an independent institu- sentatives of government. tion which has gained signifi cant inter- The participants discussed the cur- national recognition”. rent situation, challenges and He added that his offi ce does its best advancements relating to the multi- to cover all fi elds where human rights mandated human rights institutions, need to be protected. while representatives of foreign During the conference, special empha- human rights institutions shared the sis was placed on the role of NHRI experience and best practices of their networks in the promotion and protec- countries. tion of human rights. The event also provided a brief over- International perspectives were also view of the evolution of the Public provided on the challenges that mul- Defender’s Institution in Georgia dur- tiple mandated institutions are facing, ing the last 20 years and was followed together with the benefi ts.

ical culture in Georgia. BY THEA MORRISON “The Public Defender has a diffi cult mission to detect the mistakes made by us in daily political life. Our reac- he President of Georgia, tion to it shows how we tolerate and Giorgi Margvelashvili, develop a European political life,” expressed his support of Margvelashvili said, going on to under- the Public Defender’s line that the main thing is not to turn institute by stating that a blind eye to the Public Defender’s Tthe Ombudsman’s recommendations recommendations. should be taken into account, in order “It is important that Parliament care- to make daily practice more civilized. fully listen to those remarks and rec- Margvelashvili made the statement ommendations cited by the Ombuds- while delivering a speech at the Evolu- man in his annual reports…Listening tion and Challenges of Multi-mandated to the Public Defender and having a National Human Rights Institutions dialogue with him is of utmost impor- (NHRIs) dedicated to the 20th anni- tance,” Margvelashvili said. versary of the Public Defender's Offi ce. The President expressed hope that The President welcomed the Geor- the intensive dialogue in the format gian Public Defender’s integration with offered by Ombudsman Ucha Nanu- European institutions and noted that ashvili, will also be further developed. this process will further develop polit- “I hope each year the Georgian polit-

14 Georgian Wine Companies Presented at Tokyo Exhibition

according to the Georgian National “Large marketing campaigns are BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI Wine Agency had more than 75,000 being planned in Japan for the future,” guests this year, is considered one of says Irakli Cholobargia, Head of Mar- bilvino, Corporation Geor- the most important expos in Asian keting and PR Department at the gian Wine, Kakhuri, Wine- countries and is seen as yet another National Wine Agency. “Since 2015, man, Kakhetian Tradi- possibility to increase the popularity the Georgian Wine Agency has par- tional Winemaking, of Georgian wine. ticipated in two major exhibitions: Maranuli, Shilda, Giuaani, “The import of Georgian Wine FoodEX Japan and Wine and Gourmet TShumi, Dugladze Wines and Spirits, increases by 15-20% each year and at Japan, with seminars on Georgian Satsnakheli, Royal Khvanchkara, Imeri least three Georgian importer compa- wines and tastings organized. It’s an and Telavi Wine Cellar were among the nies join the Japanese market annually,” excellent opportunity to promote fourteen Georgian wine companies said Levan Tsintsadze, the Ambassador Georgian wine, develop on the Japa- presented at the international exhibi- of Georgia to Japan, adding that he nese market and fi nd potential dis- tion: Wine and Gourmet Japan 2017, in hopes that Georgian wine export to tributors”. Tokyo, with a special wine tasting event Japan will continue to grow. “The uniquness of Georgian wine and a seminar: ‘Georgia – 8,000 Vin- “Georgian wine, especially Qvevri and its diversity gives it a potential tages,’ attended by famous Japanese wine, suits the Japanese cuisine very to be well established on the Japa- sommeliers and wine professionals. well, which is a very important factor,” nese market,” Cholobargia con- Wine and Gourmet Japan 2017, which, the Ambassador noted. cluded. GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 NEWS 3 Georgia’s State Security Service Head PresentsPresents 2016 RReportepo to Parliament

funding, supporting or being a member of a terrorist group,” he said. Moreover, Gomelauri claimed the corrupted public servants are potential targets of criminal groups and foreign intelligence services. He said that the Anti-Corruption Agency launched investigations into 47 alleged cases of corruption from 1 January to 31 December 2016. H.E. Ambassador of Among the cases were: 22 cases of bribe-tak- Germany to Georgia, ing, 2 cases of offering a bribe, 8 cases of fraud, Mrs. Heike Peitsch. “ 5 cases of commercial bribery, 4 cases of abuse of authority, 2 cases of misappropriation or embezzlement, 2 cases of negligence, and more. Criminal charges were fi led against 59 people. “Corruption in public services results in the loss of trust of the citizens in the State, prevents democratic development of the State and the BY THEA MORRISON proper functioning of its institutions. At the Georgian-German Year: A Rich same time, corrupt public offi cials are potential targets of criminal groups and foreign intelli- errorism, corrupt civil servants and gence services,” he stressed. Program of Celebratory Events the diffi cult humanitarian situation Gomelauri added that the State Security Ser- in Georgia’s Russian-occupied vice had revealed foreign citizens who had tance to mark the German year much impressed me: between the BY MAKA LOMADZE regions were the main aspects of alleged ties with foreign security services. The in Georgia in the context of German Embassy and Goethe the annual report presented to the agency also learned of their connections with Georgia’s being an honorary Institute, between the Georgian Tparliament by State Security Service (SSS) Head Georgian citizens and permanently monitored his year, Germany guest at the Frankfurt Book Fair Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vakhtang Gomelauri on Wednesday. them in order to prevent any illegal activities. and Georgia are that is to take place in 2018. Georgian Ministry of Culture and Gomelauri said that the existence of the occu- According to him, currently such actions are celebrating the 25th Various towns throughout Ger- Monument Protection, and with pied territories, with the Russian military con- being carried out regarding 99 people, both anniversary of the many have already hosted a other German organizations in the tingent located there, is a top threat to the State. Georgian and foreign citizens. establishment of number of Georgian literary cultural sphere,” said H.E. Ambas- He added that the serious criminogenic situ- After the presentation of the report, the MPs Tdiplomatic relations. 2017 is also events in which Georgian writ- sador of Germany to Georgia, Mrs. ation in these regions, discrimination of the asked the SSS Head questions. The presenta- signifi cant because it is 200 years ers took part. Georgia’s partici- Heike Peitsch. “Our aim is to show ethnic Georgian population, illegal arrest of tion of the report was open to media but the since the fi rst German colonists pation at Leipzig Book Fair is our bilateral relations, that count citizens, the so-called borderization process, parliament session closed to journalists once came to Georgia. The third impor- also worth mentioning. What’s 200 years, from a fresh angle. By restriction of free movement and access to the question-answer format began. tant date is connected with the more, this year, Berlinale marking the Georgian-German education and intensive military exercises are The opposition parties say that Gomelauri did acknowledgment of the centen- screened three Georgian fi lms.” year, we wish to research the diver- serious challenges for Georgia. not fully answer their questions. nial of Georgian independence The Georgian-German year in sity and intensity of the cultural, The SSS Head also touched upon terrorism, Giga Bokeria, member of the parliamentary by Germany. Georgia is to feature a number political and economic relations saying the country is not at high risk for ter- minority European Georgia party, said that SSS On April 19, the Georgian Min- of cultural events, including that already exist. We wish to high- rorist attacks, but still there are some challenges. merely eavesdrops on its citizens and so fails istry of Foreign Affairs hosted concerts, exhibitions, theatrical light them in order to make the He said that throughout 2016, the State Secu- in fulfi lment of its duties. the offi cial opening of the Geor- soirees, sports events, as well as knowledge of that history even rity Service uncovered several individuals in “We do not have a security service that pro- gian-German year. other types of meetings, through- deeper in the German and Geor- Georgia connected with ISIS. tects the interests of citizens,” Bokeria stressed. Khatuna Totladze, Deputy Min- out Georgia. gian social consciousness.” “An investigation was launched into nine dif- The ruling party Georgian Dream (GD) believes ister of Foreign Affairs, was the “The tight collaboration that has ferent criminal cases in Georgia in 2016 for the report covered all the important issues. hostess: “It is of utmost impor- formed between parties has very Continued on page 11 GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 France’s Policies toward the Eastern Partnership Countries in Context

BY DAVID CADIER FOR THE GEOR- GIAN INSTITUTE OF POLITICS

rance’s strategic attention inter- est and diplomatic engagement in the Eastern neighborhood have increased signifi cantly during the last decade. Of the twoF geographical areas covered by the European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), the ‘South’ remains a greater priority for Paris than the ‘East’: France has deeper economic, cultural and historical ties with, and is more exposed to security challenges emanating from, North Africa and the Near East than Eastern Europe or the Caucasus. Nevertheless, France has played a central role in two critical moments for EU policies towards the Eastern Neighborhood: it acted as a peace- broker in the 2008 Russo-Georgian war; and with Germany it is currently co- leading the mediation efforts in Eastern Ukraine. While France’s involvement in the Russo-Georgian war mainly amounted to a punctual exercise in crisis manage- ment, the latter is a much more protracted and entangling process. In that sense, Paris’s implication was not a given, espe- cially as Ukraine was never prominent on the French foreign policy radar while the regions that are prominent are them- selves mired in crisis. Paris nonetheless accepted co-leadership over the Minsk process because it considers a crisis that implicates the EU to be a crisis that impli- cates France, both in the sense that it feels concerned by the crisis; and that it seeks to shape the EU’s response in part to ensure that the decisions taken do not limit its own room for maneuver. Libya, Ivory Coast, Mali, Sahel, Iraq, and and for both sides to avoid unnecessary for increased cooperation and meaning- internal cohesion that underpins it’. In France’s policy priorities regarding the Syria). Yet, especially as its military forces infl ammatory postures. ful interaction with actors in the region Paris, the perception is that the 2004 and Eastern Neighborhood coalesce around are currently mobilized at home to patrol While the European integration project and of supporting political and economic 2007 enlargements not only contributed two main vectors: supporting confl ict the streets against terrorist threats, the is currently at a crossroads and French reforms in partner countries. This logic to paralyzing EU decision-making struc- resolution mechanisms; and supporting country needs to avoid overstretch. Thus, presidential candidates promote diver- is at the heart of the ENP, and France tures by increasing the number and het- political, economic and administrative France wishes to rely on NATO and EU gent views in that context, there are nev- adheres to it. The Hollande government erogeneity of member states but also reforms in the region. The fi rst is mainly resources and solidarity. ertheless certain permanent features of repeatedly voiced its support for imple- diminished France’s own relative power pursued at the UN and through France’s As far as NATO is concerned, this means France’s vision for the EU, even if Paris mentation of the Association Agreements inside the bloc, since the Central Euro- individual participation in dedicated con- that Paris wishes for the alliance to focus has pursued them unevenly and, at times, concluded with Georgia, Moldova and pean countries have tended to reinforce tact groups. The second, and more impor- on power projection capabilities and ambiguously. They are manifested in two Ukraine. Paris sees these agreements the infl uence of Germany. tant, pillar is pursued through the EU remain fl exible in allocating them – if slogans. Internally, more than simply a both as a means to consolidate state What’s next after the Presidential elec- and, in particular, the Eastern Partnership NATO was to become locked in a per- common market, the EU is regarded as structures in the region and as benefi cial tions? (EaP) initiative. France strongly backs manent territorial defense posture on its a political project toward closer integra- to its own economic interests, notably by The upcoming presidential elections the implementation of respective Asso- Eastern fl ank, the opposite would prob- tion (‘Europe politique’). Externally, rather facilitating French companies’ access to seem bound to oppose, in the fi nal round, ciation Agreements concluded between ably be achieved. Similarly, France wishes than a mere trade alliance, the EU is con- regional markets and by ensuring the two candidates with radically divergent the EU and Georgia, Ukraine and Mol- for the EU to continue to channel resources ceived as an actor and even as a power protection of intellectual property rights, programs: Emmanuel Macron and dova. It also adheres to the so-called ‘dif- to consolidating state structures and in international politics (‘Europe puis- geographical indications and rules of Marine Le Pen. As it stands, Macron, a ferentiation principle’, namely the pos- security apparatuses in the Southern sance’). In both dimensions, materializa- origin. This being said, in light of its con- pro-European liberal, has the greatest sibility for countries who are more neighbourhood, both though the Com- tion of this vision requires a strong degree cern about structural instabilities in the chance of becoming the next French advanced in the reform process and who mon Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of cohesion and harmonization of mem- Southern neighborhood, Paris remains president. His victory would most likely express a stronger desire to deepen ties and through the ENP, where the ‘South’ ber states’ positions and policies. This wary of seeing the ENP tilt eastward in mean continuity in terms of foreign with the EU to deepen their political fi nds itself in competition with the ‘East’ vision and the drive for closer integration its budgetary allocations. policy and, potentially, greater engage- association and economic integration over budgetary allocations. Overall, a have been re-activated following Donald France insists that the EaP should not ment in European affairs. Notably, he with the bloc within the ENP framework. static, protracted confl ict between Russia Trump’s presidential election victory in be designed in opposition to Russia. Being would continue France’s current policy Paris has also a clear position on what it and the EU and NATO over the Eastern the US; Trump signaled not only his intent strategic in nature implies that means toward Russia and support for the EaP, does not want the EaP to become: in this Neighborhood would limit France's room to withdraw some US support for Europe align with ends, and the EaP is not equipped as well as opposition to additional EU vision, which is rather consensual among for maneuver in these organizations and but also his readiness to attempt to play to be used as a geopolitical instrument. enlargement in the near future. Marine French political forces, the EaP should thus potentially reduce its strategic Europeans off another. This also leads, however, to Paris reject- Le Pen, a far-right populist, would rad- neither be instituted as a pre-accession autonomy. Implications for France’s policies toward ing the Kremlin narrative that the pros- ically overturn France’s foreign and mechanism nor designed in opposition This does not mean that France is ready Eastern Partnership countries pect of Kyiv signing a DCFTA with Brus- European policies. She stands out as to Russia in a geopolitical struggle for to tolerate Russia’s use of military force The EU cannot pretend to be a global sels caused the confl ict in Ukraine. the most pro-Kremlin of the 11 candi- regional infl uence. to redraw state borders in Europe, how- power if it is not able to signifi cantly Finally, along with several other mem- dates and has announced the intention Contrary to what is often assumed, ever. Paris fi rmly supports the sovereignty contribute to security and stability on its ber states, France is opposed to turning to organize a Brexit-like referendum to however, this position does not derive and territorial integrity of Eastern neigh- own continent. France’s involvement in the EaP into a vehicle for EU accession. take France out of the EU. As such, her from considerations linked to the EaP borhood countries and condemns the confl ict resolution endeavors in the East- Paris considers that, beyond those coun- election would likely lead to France countries themselves, or to Russia. Rather, actions by Russia that violate them. ern neighborhood proceed from this tries to which membership has already greatly disengaging from Eastern Part- it proceeds above all from France’s vision France’s reaction to the annexation of rationale: its mediation of the Russo- been promised (i.e., the Western Balkans), nership matters. and priorities in the EU. Hence, to unpack Crimea in particular has been clear: it Georgian war of August 2008 while it the enlargement dynamic should be this position and analyze France’s poli- has cancelled the delivery of Mistral war- held the EU Council Presidency is espe- paused temporarily as the EU’s ‘absorp- The Georgian Institute of Politics was founded cies toward the EU’s Eastern Neighbor- ships to Russia, suspended its annual cially illustrative in this regard. The tion capacity’ is reaching its limits. This in 2011 to strengthen institutions and pro- hood, it is necessary to fi rst refl ect on bilateral strategic meetings with Moscow mediation also showcased, however, a position mainly proceeds from the vision mote good governance and development several major trends and key priorities and supported the EU sanctions regime. tendency to perceive the EU as an exten- for the European project set out above: through policy research and advocacy in in France’s foreign and European policies. This reaction has been above all prompted sion of France, which is actually detri- the logic of pursuing enlargement as the Georgia. It publishes its blog with Georgia Current trends in France’s EU and NATO by the nature of Russia’s actions in Ukraine mental to Paris’s strategy inside the bloc. preferred foreign policy instrument of Today twice per month. Check out our web- policies and by considerations linked to the EU Beyond the EU framework, France is also EU is criticized on the basis that it ‘weak- site in English and Georgian at gip.ge for The war in Syria and the recent terror- context. The latter has become especially participating in confl ict resolution con- ens the project of political union and the more blogs, data, and analyses. ist attacks on French soil have increased important in shaping France’s Russia tact groups as a permanent member of France’s security concerns and reinforced policy, not least because the political basis the UN Security Council (such as the its strategic prioritization of the Southern for its bilateral relationship with Russia OSCE Minsk format for Nagorno-Kara- neighborhood. In addressing crises and has eroded in recent years. Inside the EU, bakh). countering threats from the region, France France stands among the member states The EU’s engagement with EaP partner counts a great deal on NATO and the EU. that believe that, for damage limitation, countries cannot be simply reactive and It has resorted to military interventions crisis avoidance and cooperative security limited to confl ict management, however. alone or in conjunction with its allies purposes, it is important for Brussels to The EU must act as a ‘structural power’ several times over the recent years (in keep lines of dialogue with Moscow open both in the sense of setting up structures GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 POLITICS 5 Planes, Trains and Political Wheels

from Sokhumi. OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA Lavrov is the fi rst per- From the 1987 son to have landed in a movie 'Planes, passenger plane at Trains and he Kremlin opened a Rus- Babushera Airport in 15 Automobiles' sian Embassy in Sokhumi, years. In September last the occupied territory of year, he came in via Abkhazia. The airplane Sokhumi. “This is the fi rst carrying the Russian For- time I’ve landed in Teign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, landed Sokhumi since my ado- in Babushera’s closed airport (for a lescence, I just don’t long time it has had an internal Rus- remember former land- sian aviation code, just like Rostov, ings because I was so Krasnodar and Taganrog airports in young,” he said at the time, Russia). In a speech made beside the emphasizing the quality airplane, Lavrov stressed the statehood of the airport and smiling of the so-called Abkhazian Republic, for the journalists. “After saying that it was further highlighted today’s landing, as a pas- by the fact that a Russian Embassy had senger, I can state that in opened on the territory. my opinion this airport is Apart from this political/aviational ready to receive any type casus, which clearly illustrates the of aircraft. I hope that the reality of the so-called independence number of those will only of the Abkhazian Republic, Lavrov’s increase.” This statement visit was accompanied by others, too. was instantly mocked in When he and other members of the aviation circles, and delegation visited the famous Brekh- though no offi cial state- alovka on the Sokhumi coast and sat ments were made, Russian down to drink coffee, Lavrov invited aviators ridiculed his a female journalist to take the free chair incompetency widely on and join him. She refused, to which internet forums: “Lavrov airport in occupied Sokhumi, though interested in supporting our cause, At the press conference in Sokhumi, the Minister jokingly remarked, “Do is happy that his plane did not crash”, in vain: the International Civil Avia- which is directed towards providing Lavrov said that there is legal basis for you refuse to drink coffee? Is it forbid- “Lavrov had to survive an air crash in tion Organization (ICAO) still believes equal rights to Abkhazia’s citizens, so the activation of this transit route, den for women?” By doing so, he once order to smile”, “Gloomy Sokhumi and that Abkhazia's airspace is part of that everyone feels themselves peace- based on the 2011 agreement signed again reminded the hosts of their “wild” smiling Lavrov,” - these were some of Georgia. ful and in national agreement,” the between Russia and the World Trade Caucasian origins. the headlines of articles appearing on Parallel to the opening of the Embassy, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister stated. Organization. “We know that our Arme- At a fi rst glance, Lavrov’s two day various blogs and forums. issues about transport were the main With this, he once again implied to the nian colleagues are interested in renew- visit to occupied Sokhumi was nothing The minister took a risk when he priority of Lavrov’s visit. Apart from de-facto leaders that unlike their offi - ing the transit route. The President of special, but if we examine it more made the decision to land at Babush- Babusheri Airport, the matter of open- cial position, Yerevan’s initiative has Abkhazia also said that he is not against closely, we will see that it was more era Airport because the runway is ing the railway connecting Abkhazia many local Armenian supporters. All it,” said Lavrov. “If the Georgian side than accidental that Lavrov’s govern- nowhere near any standards. However, with Tbilisi was one of the themes this should also be notable for the is ready to solve this issue, I’m con- mental plane landed directly at the Lavrov claims it can take any passen- discussed with the de-facto President. Georgian Dream in Tbilisi. vinced that the process will begin and non-functioning airport of the occupied ger or military-transportation liner. Notably, the offi cial initiator of the Russia does not think there is any- bring benefi ts to Abkhazia,” said Raul territory rather than at Sochi Interna- The Kremlin has been working hard project is Yerevan and de-facto Sokhu- thing wrong in resuming transit ship- Khajimba, the so-called President of tional, which is just half an hour’s drive to grant international status to this mi’s management is against it. “We are ments to Armenia across Abkhazia. Abkhazia. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 The Norway Model for Georgia’s EU future?

of. This is also a moment of concen- INTERVIEW BY TEONA LAVRE- tration for the EU, when we have to sit LASHVILI & VAZHA TAVBERIDZE and think what to do next after so many enlargements. But once again, the right to apply is there and that’s why I men- orn, married, MEP - is how tioned the Norwegian model - it would then German Bundeskan- secure already about 30-40% of the zler Helmut Kohl summa- Acqui Commutaire of the EU. So, I rized (sarcastically) the think it’s a step by step solution for longstanding European Georgia: it looks more innocent, more BParliament servant Elmar Brok’s effective and more realistic. resume. Ahead of Easter, Panorama Talk Show and GEORGIA TODAY sat APRIL 9TH, A SYMBOLIC DAY down with the veteran German delegate FOR GEORGIAN INDEPENDENCE, to discuss Georgia’s European aspira- WAS MARRED BY SOUTH OSSE- tions. TIA’S “REFERENDUM” AND "PRES- IDENTIAL ELECTIONS". BRUSSELS WITH VISA LIBERALIZATION FOLLOWED ITS COURSE OF NON- SECURED, WHAT SHOULD GEOR- RECOGNITION, BUT IS THERE MORE GIA DO NEXT? TO BE DONE? Well, we have visa liberalization, we This is an issue which has to do with have the Association Agreement and Russia. Add that to the issues of Transn- we should build on that. I think this istria and Donbas in Eastern Ukraine: relationship can become closer and as at the end of the day, what Russia is for the next step, with the implemen- doing is creating frozen confl icts eve- tation of the Association Agreement, rywhere, to manipulate them and we could perhaps move to something destabilize these countries. And this like the Norwegian solution. Which, is a very principal question in our rela- in turn, will bring Georgia closer to tionship with Russia. Ironic as that the internal market and Schengen and may sound, the question we need to economically, politically and in the THE EU? and it has a very limited market. For a such issues. ask is whether Russia is really in good sense of the rule of law. This would be We have to see to it that the Georgian lot of reasons, for countries like Geor- face to solve any confl icts in the world? the most dangerous thing to Mr. Putin, economy is well adjusted and adapted gia and Ukraine, the only chance to NORWAY ISN’T A MEMBER OF And we have to demand more reliable because then he would have to explain to the EU’s internal market economy. have positive political, economic and THE EU. WHAT ABOUT GEORGIA’S and credible cooperation from Mos- to his own people how that came about. And the internal reforms program, the social development is in cooperation MEMBERSHIP? cow. And on the other hand, this will so-called transformation program that with the European Union. Every European country can apply strengthen the will and belief of people we have, is really a great asset here. for EU membership provided they ful- WITH A SECOND REFERENDUM in these countries in the European The utmost importance is in increas- WOULD IS YOUR GOODWILL fi ll the conditions outlined by the ON JOINING RUSSIA EXPECTED solution. ing the competitiveness. Education for EASTER MESSAGE TO GEORGIA Kopenhagen criteria. But then again, IN TSKHINVALI, AND FM LAVROV innovation, that’s key too. There is a AND GEORGIANS? there is a question of the European OPENING A RUSSIAN EMBASSY MOST GEORGIANS ARE IN FAVOR lot to do, but then you have to assess Look into the future with hope. See Union’s current integration capacity. IN ABKHAZIA, WHAT CAN GEOR- OF THE EUROPEAN WAY. WHAT the other possibilities – You cannot what was already achieved and not just At the moment, we fi nd ourselves in a GIA DO? WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO THE look to Russia for sustainability. Rus- what couldn’t be achieved yet. See the reality where we face several kinds of The best way is to make Georgia, GEORGIAN GOV’T AND SOCIETY sia cannot support the Georgian econ- positive things. Be optimistic! It gives crises which we want to fi nd a way out Ukraine and such countries successful TO SUCCESSFULLY GET CLOSER TO omy because it has no money either you more courage to move forward. Anti-Torture Committee Asks for Changes to Remand Processes can help to reduce prison overcrowd- lines that any restriction should be ing.” specifi cally substantiated by the needs “Detention on remand can have severe of the investigation, require the psychological effects – suicide rates approval of a judicial authority and among remand prisoners can be sev- be applied only for a specifi c period eral times higher than among sentenced of time. prisoners – and other serious conse- Further, the CPT recommends erad- quences, such as the breaking up of icating the practice observed in some family ties or the loss of employment countries of holding remand prisoners or accommodation”, said the CPT in law enforcement establishments for President Mykola Gnatovskyy. weeks or even longer. Such facilities “Remand detention should be imposed are not designed for lengthy periods for the shortest time possible. It should of stay, and prolonged detention on be based on a case-by-case evaluation the premises of law enforcement agen- of the risks of committing a new crime, cies increases the risk of intimidation of absconding, of tampering with evi- and ill-treatment by law enforcement dence or witnesses or of interfering offi cials. with the course of justice”, he added. In its annual report, the CPT also Within Europe, the frequency and welcomes that, in 2016, Austria, Fin- duration of remand detention appears land, Monaco and Sweden authorized to differ enormously from one country the automatic publication of CPT to another, with the proportion of reports, thus joining Bulgaria, Luxem- remand prisoners of the total prison bourg, the Republic of Moldova and population ranging from 8% to 70%. Ukraine, which had agreed to this On average, some 25% of all prisoners practice previously. As a rule, CPT in Council of Europe (CoE) member reports are published at the request of states have not yet received a fi nal the member states concerned. sentence, according to the CoE Penal In 2018, the CPT will carry out peri- Statistics (SPACE). For foreign nation- odic visits to Albania, Andorra, the als, this proportion is signifi cantly Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, higher (around 40%). Norway, Romania and the Slovak During its country visits over the Republic. years, the CPT has found that remand The European Committee for the he European Committee persistent problem of overcrowding for foreign nationals, who are frequently prisoners are often held in dilapidated Prevention of Torture and Inhuman for the Prevention of Tor- in prisons is due to a large extent to held on remand because they are con- and overcrowded cells. In some cases, or Degrading Treatment or Punish- ture (CPT) is urging the the high proportion of remand prisons sidered to constitute a higher risk of the CPT has concluded that conditions ment (CPT) organizes visits to places 47 Council of Europe among the total prison population. fl ight. could be considered to be inhuman of detention in the 47 Council of member states to use In its annual report, published Thurs- “The CPT has regularly identifi ed and degrading. Europe member states in order to Tremand detention only as a measure day, the CPT stresses the need for serious shortcomings in the condi- In the annual report, the Commit- assess how persons deprived of their of last resort and to provide remand member states to ensure the use, to tions in which pre-trial prisoners are tee expresses concern about the liberty are treated. These places prisoners with adequate detention the extent possible, of alternative meas- held in Europe,” said Council of restrictions which are imposed on include prisons, juvenile detention conditions. During visits to prisons ures to pre-trial detention such as Europe’s Secretary General Thorb- remand prisoners in several coun- centers, police stations, holding cent- throughout Europe, the CPT has often provisional suspension of detention, jørn Jagland. “I call on states to ensure tries, in particular as regards their ers for immigration detainees, psy- found that remand prisoners are held bail, house arrest, electronic monitor- that their conditions of detention are contact with the outside world. Such chiatric hospitals and social care under very poor conditions and an ing, removal of passports and judicial in line with human rights standards restrictions may include a total ban homes. After each visit, the CPT pre- impoverished regime. supervision. In the CPT’s view, these and that pre-trial detention is only on telephone calls or visits or even pares a report containing its fi ndings In many European countries, the measures should also be considered applied if absolutely necessary, which solitary confi nement. The CPT under- and recommendations. GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 BUSINESS 7 New Structure Planned for Produce in Georgia Agency

ger economies in our direction,” he told BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI attendees. “We had a 30% increase in foreign direct investments in the last four years and have a 30% export growth in he Produce in Georgia export today, which means that the mar- Agency will now operate kets and demands with our major trade with a new structure, ena- partners are stabilizing. Accordingly, bling it to become more every reform oriented towards quick fl exible and making its state economic growth will have a strong effect Tsupport programs more effective. The on growth in production, export and presentation of the Produce in Georgia investment directions. This is the value agency’s new structure was given by of uniting all those components under Giorgi Gakharia, Minister of Economy one umbrella.” and Sustainable Development of Georgia, As Gakharia noted, the transformed on April 19, with Georgian Prime Minis- agency will work under new manage- ter Giorgi Kvirikashvili and members of ment headed by Mariam Morgoshia, the Georgian government and business while the agency activities will be curated sphere representatives also in attendance. by Giorgi Cherkezishvili, the Deputy “The agency will now be transformed Minister of Economy. and will work under the Produce in Geor- The Produce in Georgia Business com- gia title,” Gakharia said. “In order to ponent will support micro, small and ensure dynamic economic development, medium enterprises, with increased the agency is to unite three intercon- access to fi nancial resources. Produce in nected layers of the economic develop- Georgia will have a “front desk service,” ment: Business (local production), export, creating comfortable conditions for entre- and investments, thus developing the preneurs to receive information on exist- Produce in Georgia concept in three dif- ing support programs. “It will be a busi- ferent directions under one umbrella- ness hub working on a one window a mediator between the Georgian entre- close cooperation with existing investors gia will now have economic attaches Produce in Georgia Business, Produce principle, offering business entrepreneurs preneurs and international buyers. Tech- and introducing and offering projects to working in Georgian embassies abroad, in Georgia Export and Produce in Geor- full range services to start their business,” nical assistance to Georgian entrepreneurs potential future ones. Its function will with the aim of introducing the country’s gia Investment”. Gakharia clarifi ed. will also be an important part of the be promoting Georgia as a country and possibilities and attracting potential new “Our Geographic location, business The Produce in Georgia Export com- component, helping them to establish developing consultancy services for foreign investors. Commercial attaches environment, legislative base and tax ponent will focus on supporting Georgian themselves on international markets. investors interested in starting their busi- will present Georgian export products sphere give us a serious opportunity to exporters to explore potential new mar- The Produce in Georgia Investment nesses in Georgia. and attract more international businesses transform the trade turnovers of the big- kets. Produce in Georgia export will be (Invest in Georgia) component means Additionally, the Government of Geor- to the country. Russia May Lose 3rd of Turkey's Gas Market, but Will Get Revenge through Egypt

However, Russia's dominance may come not only in the dynamics of demand, BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE to an end in the foreseeable future. but also in the policy of Brussels. According to analysts of the authori- "Turkey has plans to create a gas hub, tative Institute of Energy Economics at so the Turks want to concentrate as many hile Turkey is almost the University of Cologne, during the gas pipelines as possible," said Igor Yush- completely "sitting" 15 years specifi ed in the Albaiar doc- kov, a leading expert of the National on the Russian gas trine, the share of Gazprom in the Turk- Energy Security Fund and lecturer at needle, Ankara is ish market will drop to 38.9% (35.3 bil- the Finance University under the Gov- trying its best to lion cubic meters per year). At the same ernment of the Russian Federation. "It diversifyW its energy consumption. The time, due to the introduction of the is unprofi table for them if Russia resumes reduction of dependence on foreign TANAP pipeline, Azerbaijan will the South Stream project in Bulgaria. resources and the country's transfor- increase its weight by 34.8% (31.5 bil- Although, for Russia itself, this would mation into the main gas hub of Europe lion cubic meters). be the most attractive route. Further, he have become the main goals of the new "Turkey's total gas imports will grow EU does not want to fall into additional National Energy Program of Turkey. from 54.1 billion cubic meters in 2017 dependence on transit through Turkey- According to present forecasts, during to 90.5 in 2030," European analysts and Azerbaijani gas is already to go its implementation, Russia will lose wrote. This volume takes into account through it. And then Ankara wants to almost a third of its share in the local not only the needs of Turkey itself, "drag" in the Iranian transit. However, market of blue fuel due to exports from which will grow to 67.2 billion cubic Tehran, as I understand, is not rushing Azerbaijan. However, this scenario is meters, but also in the EU countries - to Europe with its gas pipelines. gloomy for Moscow only at fi rst glance. primarily Greece and Bulgaria. By 2030, wrote in their recent report, Egypt can by British Petroleum (BP). The cost of Thus, Turkey is unlikely to become according to experts, Turkey's share in prevent Turkey from becoming the main the Rosneft stake, according to analysts, such a signifi cant transit player "diver- The great energy "sultanate" the EU energy supply will be 6.8%, even hub in the region. This is primarily is about $1.12 billion, while Igor Sechin's sifi er" from Russia. Preserving and, if The Ministry of Energy of Turkey, in though it is now zero. In comparison about one of the world's largest depos- (Head of Rosneft) total investment in possible, multiplying its leverage on early April, headed by the department with such energy "monsters" as Russia its of blue fuel, called Zohr. The real the project over four years could reach Ankara is extremely important for Mos- of Berat Albayrak, presented the National or Norway, this is not enough. But for situation is attached to the strained $4.5 billion. cow. The Turkish wolf will never attack Energy Program: "not a revolution, but the gas market of South-Eastern Europe, relations between the leaders of the This is why the Russian energy expan- the Russian bear alone. And after the evolution," the fi rst signifi cant results Turkey's contribution will be signifi cant. two countries- it's no secret that the sion in the Mediterranean through Egypt referendum held in Turkey a few days of which will be achieved within the In addition, Ankara intends to seri- Turkish president still refuses to rec- is ongoing. Rosneft Trading SA (RTSA) ago, the results of which for Europe next 15 years. Saying this, the son-in- ously engage in its own production. In ognize his colleague Abdul-Fattah As and the Egyptian State Gas Company were not positive, Turkey can expect law of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan particular, the Ministry of Energy of Sissi, who headed Egypt after the mili- Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company to receive a much smaller supporting emphasized that the main goal of the Turkey announced the fi rst-in-its-history tary coup in 2013. (EGAS) signed a contract for the sup- pack from West Europe when it howls. doctrine is to win the title of leading purchase of a drilling vessel. Yes, from According to Italian geological depart- ply of ten LNG tankers, with a total However, despite the warming of energy hub of the region and "to reduce Russia. Why should that be cause for ment Eni, which is developing Zohr, an volume of 600,000 tons, at the begin- recent months, relations between Mos- Turkey's dependence on foreign surprise, you might ask. Because Mos- open fi eld of 100 square km can store ning of 2017. Thanks to these invest- cow and Ankara are far from trusting. resources." cow with its own hands is helping up to 30 trillion cubic feet of dry gas ments, Russia is becoming an even more The positions of the countries differ Russia was not mentioned, but it is Ankara to reduce its energy dependence within. For comparison, the stocks of signifi cant player in the energy market both in Syria, in Crimea, and in the obvious that one of the main "victims" on Moscow and become the largest the Israeli Leviathan oil advertised by of the region. And this quite signifi cantly issues of the food embargo. Yes, for of the program implementation will be "transit sultanate" on the gas map of the European press are "only" 14-20 limits the prospects for the growth of some important energy projects for Moscow. According to the Turkish state Europe. But, as I said, this is only how trillion cubic feet. Russia made sure to Turkish infl uence as the main gas hub Moscow, such as the "Turkish stream" monopoly Botas, the Russian Federa- it appears at fi rst glance… get its hands on a part of that grandiose in Europe. An increase in demand for and the “Akkuyu” nuclear power plant, tion is leading in the gas import scheme project and at the end of last year, Ros- blue fuel in the EU is the only thing that from time to time there are certain con- of the country with a colossal share of "Revenge" through Egypt neft bought about 35% of the concession could make the situation more profi t- cerns. But the main problem in the Rus- 56%. Next comes Iran (19%), Azerbaijan As analysts of the authoritative research agreement for the development of Zohr able for Ankara. But such a scenario is sia and Turkey scenario is that a wolf (9%), Algeria (9%) and Nigeria (7%). center Turkish Energy Fund (TENVA) from Eni. Another 15% was purchased hard to believe. And the point here is is no comrade to a bear. GEORGIA TODAY 8 SOCIETY APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 Special Announcement from the Tobacco Control Alliance o the Speaker of Parliament stricter regulations regarding tobacco participation of tobacco industry repre- of Georgia, Mr. Irakli Kob- control. sentatives in decision-making processes akhidze; Prime-Minister of On the level of principles, the Parliament regarding health issues, which directly Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Kviri- of Georgia has affi rmed the political will, contradicts the requirements of FCTC kashvili; Chief Prosecutor of that: article 5.3 and guidelines to said article. TGeorgia, Mr. Irakli Shotadze. 1. Smoking will be prohibited in all pub- The Government requires consultations We would like to kindly remind you that lic places except private homes and pris- with the tobacco industry, which contra- on April 5, Georgian Parliament adopted ons from 2018; dicts the same internationally taken obli- amendments to the tobacco control leg- 2. Electronic cigarettes will be regulated gations, violates international regulations islation on the fi rst hearing. The package as tobacco products, from 2018; and affi rms offi cial relations and collabo- of amendments was elaborated in 2013 in 3. All kinds of tobacco advertisement, ration of government offi cials, in the the Ministry of Health with participation sponsorship and promotion will be pro- elaboration of health decisions, with of all key stakeholders. The proposed hibited, including display of tobacco prod- tobacco industry, which is responsible for changes to the tobacco control legislation ucts in points of sale both outside (from every fi fth premature death in Georgia. aim to: meet the requirements of the 2018), as well as inside (from 2019); This creates concern that the Parliamen- Framework Convention on Tobacco Con- 4. The size of health warnings on ciga- tary Secretary is in illegal relations with trol (FCTC), part of which Georgia joined rette packs will be increased from 30% to the tobacco industry or is forcing other tobacco industry and hopefully not the ing the ongoing processes; in 2006; harmonize with the EU accession 65% and pictorial warnings will be intro- governmental bodies to legalize such rela- interest of the Government. Said industry 2. The Chief Prosecutor of Georgia to requirements; ensure universal human duced, from 2018; tions, which is clear violation. wishes us to leave this law a powerless begin investigation of relations and fi nan- rights and the rights of children; guaran- 5. The administration process will be Following the interests of specifi c busi- piece of paper and continue involving our cial interests of high governmental offi cials tee rights under the Constitution of Geor- simplifi ed and size of fi nes increased. nesses, the Government requires loopholes youth in this abusive business, causing and public servants involved in elabora- gia in order to create a healthy environ- Despite the fact that in June 2016, the be made in tobacco control legislation, the deaths of our people and in this way tion and decision making of tobacco con- ment for all; ensure the security of the Government offi cially presented its con- namely requires allowing smoking in some gaining enormous profi ts, transferring trol legislation with the tobacco industry country- because no other products bring clusion on the proposed legislative pack- enclosed places, the circle of which could millions of Lari from our country and and during this investigation suspend their economic and humanitarian catastrophes age and the majority of items were con- be quite wide and not banning the display pushing the economic crisis in the coun- authority; in such large scale as tobacco products, sidered in the draft adopted by the fi rst of tobacco products in trading points. In try. 3. The Parliament of Georgia realize the which directly affects the demographic hearing; on April 5 this year, in Parliament, such changes, the lobbying of the tobacco Several days ago, the Secretariat of the political will declared during the fi rst and economic interests of the country. a new consolidated conclusion of the industry is visible, which will put hospi- FCTC, with the support of the British hearing and ensure real protection of We would like to remind you that in Government, signed by the Parliamentary tality sector providers in unequal condi- Government, decided to support the Geor- public interests and not the interests of 2013, your government stated the political Secretary of Government, Mr. Tadumadze, tions and create risks for implementation gian government in its initiative to halve specifi c businesses. Once and irreversibly, will to improve the tobacco control situ- was hastily distributed. It aimed to infl u- of the law. tobacco consumption by 2030. The situ- Georgia should join the list of countries ation in the country and, because of this, ence the decision of Parliament and derail The Parliamentary Secretary also leaves ations developed recently in the country that care for their citizens; the appropriate governmental commission adoption of a draft legislation at the fi rst the issue of enforcement unclear and had and, namely, the irresponsible activities 4. If, during the second hearing, the Par- was created and a state strategy and action hearing. no transparent consultations in this regard of several governmental offi cials, make liament changes its position and votes in plan adopted. It is especially noteworthy The “conclusion” of the Parliamentary in order to clearly mark in the conclusion this support questionable. favor of the requests of the tobacco indus- that in the 2016 governmental plan, 2 arti- Secretary is extremely weak. The major- which governmental structures will be Following the above mentioned, the try, we, as the co-authors of the draft leg- cles are dedicated to increasing tobacco ity of new comments directly repeat the responsible for the main pillars of the law. Tobacco Control Alliance categorically islation, will be forced to distance ourselves taxes and banning smoking in public offi cial positions of the tobacco industry Therefore, this issue may cause postpone- requests that: from these dirty games and declare pub- places. Even more, for years the popula- and pose a threat to public health and life. ment or even failure of the fi nal adoption 1. The Prime Minister make an offi cial licly that the Government is serving not tion (app. 90%) has been supporting Namely, the Government requests the of the legislation. This is the interest of statement and declare his position regard- the people, but the tobacco industry.

GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 Shabatoba: Becho, Svaneti

BY TONY HANMER

aving alluded to the proud Russian tradition of the subbotnik (not really vol- untary work Saturday) in my last article, I now refer Hto it by its Georgian name with the same roots, the Shabatoba, from the words in these languages for Saturday. Actually, it is somewhat fl exible in detail, and can even occur on any other day, replacing that day’s normal routines, if called for. The entire population of Becho pub- lic school no. 1 found itself outside when I turned up last week from my fi rst-hour lesson in fi lial Kartvani school. The former’s already magnifi cent yard was getting a serious makeover, as we will shortly be having a weekend festival there. Animals were strictly forbidden; every scrap of garbage must be picked up. The winter’s leaves and pine nee- dles, too, were destined to be raked up and burned. It must be spotless! Rakes, twig brooms, anti-fi re cones for carrying water, plastic gloves and woven sacks were our weapons in the fi ght against a general relaxed air. Nature would be tamed. All hands were on deck, cheerfully pitching in, anything to avoid regular lessons. The schoolyard is, from what I have seen, the best in all Svaneti: huge, fl at, grassed, both deciduously and coniferously treed, fenced, with a vol- leyball net and soccer goals and all the space you could ask for to run and play in. It had only recently shed its several feet thick winter whites, but the debris of that long season and the preceding fall must go before we begin our numer- only with envy, otherwise muddy brown mottoes, activities to sort out, a jury, pristine as possible while using it to Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia ous sports and intellectual competitions or stony gray. There really is nothing to point system, prizes, food and drink. the fullest. The other failings, chiefl y since 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and in three teams, from grade one through compare to it. Now, a number of world But it’ll really be worth it, adding much the long winter cold in huge, poorly been a weekly writer for GT since early the oldest teacher, while parents and fl ags, as well as long strings of colored to the great atmosphere I feel in this heated classrooms, would seem much 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” other guests look on or cheer. triangular paper pennants, stretched place, also unmatched elsewhere. less when I looked or went outside. So, Facebook group, now with over 1350 Well, such a fi ne yard does not spring above us from second story windows Which causes the other, between the we sweep and rake up and burn, here, members, at www.facebook.com/ up without plenty of hard work to level, to high up in the trees. I hope they will yard and the prevailing mood? Chicken too, in friendly competition with each groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ plant, weed and maintain it. How many last whatever weather brings us between or egg? other as well as in cooperation; teach- He and his wife also run their own decades had these huge trees witnessed? now and then: snow is unlikely, but rain If I was a pupil in such a school, I ers and children together. There are guest house in Etseri: While other schools, including my for- is practically a certainty. would feel natural pride in what we far worse ways to spend either a school www.facebook.com/hanmer.house. mer haunt of Etseri, looked on, green We still have team fl ags to design, have, and would also want to keep it as day or a Saturday! svaneti Do We Live Like Good Christians? of them title (Matthew 23:23 • Proverbs 3:9-10 • OP-ED BY NUGZAR RUHADZE Matthew 5:17) on a regular basis? How many of those believers refuse to come to church empty- handed? Yes, there are some rich people, some nce in America, I read the question of them rich as Croesus, who build churches, and of a fretful reader in a local news- that happens for a reason, too, and dedicate part paper, addressed to the author of of their riches to a good cause, but how many of the Question & Answer Column – our well-to-do would bring to church one tenth popular shrink of the neighborhood, of their profi ts annually? Some of us think that herselfO a believer and a great friend of her faithful we are free to sin, and after having indulged in readers. The concerned gentleman had formulated some kind of transgression, feel like rushing to his issue as succinctly as he could, and I am quot- church and asking the Creator to forgive. Then ing him: “Dear Sally, I have a problem with the rinse and repeat- again doing the same sort of community of the new residential area my family peccadillo and return to the minster for the same has just moved to; we do not go to church, although purpose of feigned confession. I said some of us, we consider ourselves real Christians. Our new not all of us, but it is still commonplace! neighbors keep asking us questions concerning Being a Good Christian, to my not very religious our church-going manners, and they are doing mind, means being a Good Samaritan, too. I can- this with infl ated curiosity and a certain amount not but recognize that Georgians are good help- of acrimony in their tone, telling us that the pas- ers. We are always ready to give a hand to those tor himself was interested to know the reason. who need our aid. We truly have this in our blood. Soon, everyone in the community will likely deduce But, again, anybody can be a Good Samaritan – that we are some sort of aliens who look and sound believer or nonbeliever. I have nothing against strange because we do not have a habit of going the Church as such, I am not saying I never go to church without failure every Sunday morning to church, but I think it has nothing to do with as every one of them does. I am a good family being a Good Samaritan. Can the church-going man, loving, and I take good care of my wife and drunkard from my anecdote ever be a Good kids. We adore each other and make a wonderful Samaritan? No, he can’t! How about our good team together. Meanwhile, I have a neighbor across family man from the same episode? Yes, he can! the street that goes to church on a regular basis, That is the entire quintessence of this piece, try- but gets drunk every so often so bad that he feels ing to prove that it is not the church that will no pain, and when tipsy, he beats his wife and help one to be a good Christian, but our own children black and blue, hurling at them all kind good self, although the Church can be part of our of obscenities; he does not want to work, idling not necessarily mean sitting in God’s house day golden cross around your neck, burdened with fi ne upbringing, too. The Church has a role, of away all his time in the streets and bars, his can- and night and praying in ardent lacrimal hope sins that have been confessed several times but course, but our nature and rearing is no less a tankerous character hurting all of us around. Now that God will help you, or crossing yourself in never redressed by the Lord. factor. In a word, living the life of a good Chris- I would like to ask you a question: who is a better the street every time you accidentally fi nd your- For me, personally, a good Christian is a man tian is not only a God-given delight, but also a Christian – he or I?” self in front of a church, or genufl ecting before or woman who behaves accordingly. Almost eve- responsibility before God, the nation, society, The moral I am drawing out of this sad and your favorite icons and lighting a couple of can- rybody in Georgia goes to church and behaves church, family and our own selves. Are we ready funny story is that being a good Christian does dles to your beloved saints, or carrying a huge in a ritualistically justifi ed manner, but how many for a responsibility of that magnitude? GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 SOCIETY 11 Georgian-German Year: A Rich Program of Celebratory Events

Continued from page 3 men will have an opportunity to attend tender of the German Embassy: a chil- The Ambassador also stressed the a start-up forum. Discussions will be dren’s playground will be installed by importance of emphasizing the common followed by reports and publications Georgians and Germans, a street fes- achievements in any fi eld in terms of a about Tbilisi architectural heritage as tival will take place on Aghmashen- “common democratic future”, even more well as depicting the private memories ebeli Avenue, and the German Embassy so that the motto of Georgian-German of Georgian citizens about the shared plans a great “surprise” musical event year is ‘Future Heritage’. “We have tried history. In the program of the cinema at some point within the Georgian- our best to involve as many participants festivals, the main emphasis will be German year. as possible. The feedback surpassed all made on German fi lms and directors. our expectations,” she said. The Tbilisi Literary Festival of 2017 On April 21 at Tbilisi City Assembly, an “The cultural ties between Georgia will also put Germany in the spotlight. exhibition-presentation of the unique web- and Germany are longer and richer It is also planned to hold meetings archive 'Future Heritage 200 years: Geor- than those between many other coun- between Georgian and German writ- gian-German Stories' will take place. http:// tries,” said Stephan Wackwitz, Director ers, curated by Nino Kharatishvili, german-georgian.archive.ge/ka. The web- of Tbilisi Goethe Institute. “This tradi- herself a German-Georgian author. archive aims at protecting and popularizing tion comes from the 19th century, when German authors will be taken on a documentary and historic sources depicting the Georgian National Movement tour around the regions of Georgia, Georgian-German relations. It was created received important infl uence from after which a publication will be pre- by the Georgian organization Sovlab and German romanticism and classical lit- pared for Frankfurt Book Fair 2018. funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of erature. Germany travelers, writers Moreover, a lot of small events are Germany and the Georgian Ministry of and architects described Georgia as planned featuring the winners of a Culture and Monument Protection. the place where East and West meet.” He went on to highlight the German hue that is characteristic to Bolnisi and Asureti architecture, as well as the great part of Tbilisi architecture of the 19th century. He also remembered Goethe’s ‘Sorrows of Young Werther,’ found on the table of great Georgian writer and poet, Vazha-Pshavela. “In my opinion, the past is not just the past, but it also continues in the present. We want to show our history to all inter- ested parties; to inspire them via our past to future collaboration.” The program of the German-Georgian year is rich. Within its framework, Sasha Waltz, the most famous German choreographer, and her dance com- pany, will return after two years since her last visit. The Tbilisi Theater Fes- tival is to feature one of the most interesting German troupes, ‘Rimini Protocol’ to present the experimental theater performance ‘Home Visit Europe’ with the collaboration of the Marjanishvili Drama Theater, Tbilisi. The Georgian National Museum will open an affi liated offi ce in Bolnisi, Kvemo Kartli region, which was built by German captives. Young business- GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 Lithuania Disappearing

50,000 remaining, the water will rise BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE in price, and so will heating bills”. "Everything was being done with due f nothing changes in Lithuania, regard for the development of cities, the prospect that awaits it in the but now everything has changed,” coming decades is far from Rudzkis points out. “So, either they encouraging. With the number need to re-equip the systems, for exam- of workers and children decreas- ple, for each block of fl ats drill wells Iing, and the number of pensioners and build boiler houses, or somehow growing, the potential result is disas- support the central systems if the num- trous: no money to increase pensions ber of residents stabilizes. But this has and increased costs for the maintenance yet to happen- the number of residents of infrastructure. is declining”. The majority of pensioners are found Another problem is where to get in the districts of the following regions: money for future retirees, especially Ignalina (313.9), Anykš iai (301.9), if there are more of them and the work- Zarasai (284.3), Varenskiy (282.1), Bir- ing population is down. "State pensions zai (281.1), Ukmergsky (279), Moleti depend on the economy- fi rst on the (277.8) and Lazdijsky (276.2). The number of workers, since their contri- youngest districts are Neringa (162.7), butions are the main source of pen- Vilnius district (177.1), Klaipeda district sions. But there may be other taxes, (179.9), Kaunas district (185.2) and Vil- for example, from businesses," said nius (190.7), where pensioners make economist, Professor Romas Lazutka, up every fi fth person. adding that “the more taxpayers, the In addition to pensioners, the popu- better for pensioners”. lation is also made up of children, Rudzkis proposes a solution for the disabled people and the unemployed. high number of pensioners: "I see an According to Sotsmin, at the beginning opportunity that could be grabbed- of 2016 there were 594,400 recipients offering Lithuania, Ignalina for exam- of old-age pensions, 201,600 disabled ple, as a permanent residence for the people and 152,000 unemployed in elderly of Western Europe; offering Lithuania, totaling almost a million them care and the provision of medi- Germany to live in Lithuania: he would He adds that it is necessary to con- close to the cultural traditions of, say, inhabitants. What awaits Lithuania in cal services. We have a small popula- receive money from his homeland but sider the possibility of a more fl exible Ukrainians, Belarusians; that they have the coming decades if nothing changes tion density, the country is beautiful, would spend it here, so in Lithuania procedure for issuing permits for the a similar mentality and will not create and the number of workers does not there is nature, and now it is quite the amount of funds would grow, con- residence of foreigners in Lithuania. problems”. increase? cheap… so you can readily consider sumption would increase, and it would "All proposals need to be discussed; it As it appears, it needs to be done "If you look at what awaits Lithuania the export of medical services." be easier to maintain infrastructure," is important not to step over the line, sooner rather than later. in 20 years, then we are defi nitely fac- He adds that Lithuania boasts a fairly Rudzkis said. so that the foreigners do not pour in “Entire areas are actually empty, and ing problems,” says fi nancial analyst good healthcare system, and remote According to him, pensioners in massively and make life unpleasant for something must be done now. Ignalina Rimantas Rudzkis. “Firstly, the infra- medical services are used in the West- Lithuania could settle not only from local residents. A certain number of is such a beautiful town- nature, eve- structure in the regions will ‘hang’ due when, for example, a blood analysis the EU. "We would inevitably have to people can be admitted, provided that rything is there, and yet the inhabitants to a shortage of residents”. He explained needs to be done, the sample can be let people in from other countries, too, they can be expelled from the country are half that of 20-30 years ago. Better that, for example, the Šiauliai central taken in the care home and sent to a to fi ll the areas that are now empty and if they do not comply with the laws let Ukrainians live there than have water supply is designed to serve large research center abroad. "It would in order to prevent loss or damage of and so on. It is also important that everything fall apart,” Ruzdkis con- 150,000 residents; “if there are just be very benefi cial for a pensioner from infrastructure," the economist said. visitors come from countries that are cluded. The Invisible Parents eing a parent is already a huge of Georgia, at a discussion organized by ever, as the name of the mother is written responsibility but it is doubly HRDF. “However, it should be taken into on the birth certifi cates, the man cannot complicated when you have account that the second category is dou- take the status of a single father,” says to cope with diffi culties alone, bly vulnerable because they are often Andriashvili, adding that the recording of without help. Often, such par- isolated from families and society”. a second parent on the birth certifi cate entsB become targets of negativity from “For some reason, we narrow the defi ni- should not prevent a single parent from society. tion and view it only in relation to the taking single parent status. Nor is the State very generous towards social benefi ts,” Skhiladze added. “Nowhere She went on to recall a case of another single parents. The only positive step the else does the status mean only fi nancial benefi ciary which saw a mother appeal- State took with regards to single parents support. Often, it is enough for the women ing at court for single parent status. She was applying the defi nition of the status if the State acknowledges them as single had obtained the identity of her child’s of single parent in the law in 2014. How- mothers and creates legislative guarantees. father based on a DNA test in order to ever, on the one hand, the State acknowl- So, the benefi ts for single parents should respond to the negative attitudes she edges that these people have to bring up be determined based on the social welfare was experiencing from society. After their children alone, but on the other hand of each parent; maybe, in some instances, the expertise conclusion, the informa- did nothing to set any benefi ts for them. it will not mean fi nancial support at all”. tion about the father was recorded on Nowadays, single parents get assistance Single fathers also face problems in the birth certifi cate. For that reason, she only based on the kind will of local self- acquiring the status. While on the one cannot take the status of single mother governments, though not in every munic- hand, the State gave them the right to take even though the child’s father does not ipality. Moreover, benefi ts are granted the status, it is only in compliance with take responsibility for the care of his only to single mothers while single fathers the same criteria as set for mothers. The child. The State has no effective mech- tend to become victims of discrimination. gle parents get under the law is also dis- majority wants to tackle their primary Deputy Ombudsman says this particular anism to enforce court judgments about Further, women are unable to get benefi ts criminative: single mothers whose annual problems and request legislative guaran- provision in the law excludes the notion alimonies. without pre-conditions – they should have income is less than 3,000 GEL, do not pay tees, social benefi ts and material assistance. of single fathers at all, because it is impos- In February 2017, a special group was the status of socially indigent person. income tax. Fathers cannot enjoy the same. Some also have health problems and need sible that a mother’s name not be written established in Parliament to work on the Non-governmental organization Human HRDF representatives said they have medical assistance,” HRDF representative on the birth certifi cate of a child. So, the issues of single parents. Deputy Ombuds- Rights Development Fund, which imple- already recommended the Ministry of Salome Mezurnishvili said. father is restricted in taking the status of man Skhiladze hopes the group will draft ments a project to advocate for the rights Finances amend the law. However, the problems experienced by single parent. Ms. Skhiladze said the sta- legislative amendments which will widen of single mothers, surveyed the budgets If a single parent wants to get social single parents do not end there. It is a tistics prove the same: 1417 persons received the circle of potential single parents and of 25 municipalities in the regions of Shida benefi ts from the State, he/she must fi rst miscarriage of the law that only certain the status since the law went in force and fi x benefi ts for them. Kartli, Kakheti, Imereti, and in Tbilisi. take the status of socially indigent person. categories of people can take the status. none of them were fathers. The State needs to be aware that if these They found that only 13 municipalities However, here we face another obstacle: However, people who got divorced or Nino Andriashvili, lawyer at HRDF, people are strengthened today, tomorrow envisage funds for the assistance of single in accordance with the Law of Georgia became widowed are deprived of the right spoke about the miscarriage in the law, the State will no longer need to pay ben- parents in their budgets, but that 10 of on the State Pension, a person cannot take to have the status of single parents, though explaining that the organization has a efi ts to them. It is within the interests of them assist only single mothers. HRDF two or more benefi ts simultaneously. they also bring up children alone. They benefi ciary who cannot take the status the State to take care of single parents. It representatives said they had already rec- Consequently, if the government fi xes can get neither alimony nor benefi ts for because of the aforementioned loopholes is also important to remember that with ommended all municipal councils to social benefi ts for a single parent, she/he the lost breadwinners in an amount suf- in the law. the strengthening of the parent, we assist amend the discriminative norm; and to will lose their socially indigent person fi cient to support the family. “We have a benefi ciary who was aban- the child, defending his/her best interests; date, Khoni and Signagi municipal coun- benefi ts, and vice versa. “Both categories of people should get doned by his wife and now brings up his surely the biggest priority for any state. cils have fulfi lled the recommendations. “When we meet single mothers in the the status: divorced people and those who two underage sons alone. He has done so Yet, it is not just the problem of local regions and Tbilisi, they fi rst inquire what have children outside of marriage,” said for six years and says the mother does not Ketevan Ghvedashvili is the Advocacy Man- self-governments. The only benefi ts sin- benefi ts they can get from the status. The Eka Skhiladz,e Deputy Public Defender call the sons, let alone help them. How- ager at the Human Rights Development Fund GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 14 - 17, 2017 CULTURE 13 Robert Sturua & Rustaveli Theater Mesmerize the Mexicans BY MAKA LOMADZE

obert Sturua is a name well-known in the world of theater. This living leg- end staged Shakespeare so well that even the Brits jokedR they should study the staging from his example. On April 19, at a press conference held at the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection, another success of his and, consequently, of the Geor- gian cultural scene, was announced. This time the news that Robert Sturua’s masterpiece, fi rst staged several years ago and titled ‘Maria Callas. Lesson,’ had conquered the Mexican stages. The Shota Rustaveli State Drama Theater visited the South American country within the framework of the Festival del Centro Historico de la Ciudad de Mexico (the Spanish name that stands for: festival of the histori- cal center of the City of Mexico). The tour lasted from March 29 to April 5. The performance ‘Maria Callas. Les- son’ was met with extremely positive appraisal. In the spotlight were: Lela Alibegashvili, the actress playing the role of Maria, Davit Darchia, Lela Akhalaia, Davit Uplisashvili, Keti Sva- nidze and tenor Archil Gogitidze. The performance of the theater from Geor- gia is said to have become the main event of the festival. Sergio Vela, director of the Mexican festival, was particularly interested to let Robert Sturua and his cast partici- pate in the occasion, and the Rustaveli Theater was the only Georgian theater to do so. The Minister of Culture of Mexico, diplomats from various coun- tries, and representatives from the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and other institutions of the cultural field, Mikheil Giorgadze, Minister of Cul- as well as the success of other Georgian Stepmother’. After 30 years, the Mex- actress Keti Svanidze. “I was honored attended the performance. The inter- ture, opened the press-conference: theaters, is very important in terms of ican spectators could not hide their to participate in this performance. It national tour was supported by the “I’m glad the performance was so well raising awareness about our country surprise at how different this perfor- was a great joy to play alongside Lela Georgian Ministry of Culture and received in Mexico, and seen by so and popularizing and international- mance [‘Maria Callas. Lesson’] was Alibegashvili, such a high-class actress. Monument Protection and the Geor- many offi cials. I’m glad that our min- izing its theatrical culture”. from those they had seen before.” We are very glad to have visited Mexico gian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. istry supported this tour. This success, “This was a successful tour for our Davit Uplisashvili is an actor who with such a great success. Even though theater,” said Gia Tevzadze, Director has witnessed all three successes of there were subtitles, the Mexicans were of Rustaveli Theater. “It was our third the theater in Mexico. “This third tour so deep into the performance that they visit to Mexico. Our fi rst tour was of ours was a huge success. The locals didn’t even look at them, as if the Geor- ‘Caucasus Chalk Circle’ and the second saw Sturua’s work from a different gian language was intelligible”. ‘Richard the Third’ and ‘Samanishvili’s angle and expressed great admiration Purportedly, and surprisingly, even and gratitude to our [maestro]. I want Robert Sturua noted that the Mexican to highlight Lela Alibegashvili’s bril- spectators were even more involved liant acting. I want to thank all the in the performance than Georgian ones actors who participated in the perfor- had been. mance, for their dedication. I want to 2017 is an anniversary year, with congratulate our theater and Mr. Rob- Georgia and Mexico marking the 25th ert Sturua on this success. As we walked year since the establishment of diplo- through the crowded streets of Mexico, matic relations. The participation of The locals saw there were times when we were con- Rustaveli Theater in such an important gratulated by strangers who had seen cultural event of the world will undoubt- Sturua’s work from the show”. edly enhance the deepening and devel- “I would like to extend my gratitude opment of the diplomatic and cultural a different angle to the Ministry of Culture,” said young relations between the two countries.

Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE APRIL 21 - 24, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER April 19 GOING IN STYLE September 27 (2016) – April 1-30 PILLOWMAN Directed by Zach Braff September 22 (2017) SALOME RIGVAVA’S PERSONAL Giorgi Eristavi Cast: Morgan Freeman, Joey King, EXHIBITION TBILISI ZAKARIA EXHIBITION Directed by Davit Doiashvili Ann-Margret STONE AGE GEORGIA PALIASHVILI OPERA AND Salome Rigvava is an active Musical Comedy Genre: Comedy, Crime BALLET THEATER representative of young painters English Subtitles Language: Russian Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS whose exhibitions are organized Start time: 19:00 Start time: 22:15 Telephone: 2 99 04 56 Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. abroad and after a 4-year break, for Ticket: 15 GEL Ticket: 13-14 GEL the fi rst time in Georgia. April 20 EXHIBITION ROYAL DISTRICT THEATER RUSTAVELI CINEMA CARMEN LADO GUDIASHVILI AND LITERATURE MUSEUM Address: 10 Abesadze St. Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. Starring: Anita Rachvelishvili, GEORGIAN MONUMENTAL Address: 8 Chanturia Str. Telephone: 2 99 61 71 Telephone: 2 55 50 00 PAINTING George Oniani, Nikoloz Lagvilava, www.kinoafi sha.ge Telephone: 2 99 86 67 Irina Taboridze, George Chelidze, April 18, 20 April 6-13 Nino Chachua, Nutsa Zakaidze, Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL April 4-22 WOMEN OF TROY GEORGIAN PAINTING OF THE Tamaz Saginadze, Irakli Mujiri, April 14-20 VAKHO BUGADZE’S Lasha Sesitashvili Directed by Data Tavadze EARLY 20TH CENTURY PERSONAL EXHIBITION Documentary The exhibition features the best Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS 8 Dedicated to Oto Bagrationi. Language: Georgian Theater chorus, Premiere works of artists who laid English Subtitles Ballet dancers, orchestra. (Info Above) the foundations for 20th century GALLERY Start time: 20:00 Conductor- Zaza Azmaiparashvili Start time: 12:30, 13:30, 16:30, 19:30, 22:30 art in Georgia: Mose Toidze, Ticket: 10 GEL Stage Director- Levan Tsuladze Ticket: 8-14 GEL Dimitri Shevardnadze, Kirill THE NATIONAL GALLERY Choreographer- Gia Margania CINEMA Zdanevich, Shalva Kikodze, Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 19:00 From April 20 Ketevan Magalashvili, Elene www.museum.ge Ticket: 40-120 GEL HOSTAGES Akhvediani, Apolon Kutateladze, AMIRANI CINEMA Premiere Felix Varlamishvili, Petre Otskheli, Address: 36 Kostava Str. GEORGIAN PAINTERS GABRIADZE THEATER (Info Above) Irakli Gamrekeli, Sergo Kobuladze, Telephone: 2 99 99 55 PERMANENT EXHIBITION Address: 13 Shavtelis Str. Ticket: 13-14 GEL Ucha Japaridze and others. Telephone: 2 98 65 93 www.kinoafi sha.ge MUSIC LIFE March 6 – August 30 Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 Lari Directed by Daniel Espinosa EXHIBITION April 20 DJANSUG KAKHIDZE April 14-20 Cast: Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan MASTERPIECES FROM THE MARSHAL DE FANTIE’S TBILISI CENTER FOR MUSIC Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS DIAMOND & CULTURE Rezo Gabriadze THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS 8 Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller COLLECTION Address: 125/127 Agmashenebeli Ave. Directed by Rezo Gabriadze Premiere Language: Russian The exhibition includes works by Telephone: 295 01 19 English Subtitles Directed by F. Gary Gray Start time: 17:10 Bernardo Daddi, Lucas Cranach Start time: 20:00 Cast: Charlize Theron, Dwayne Ticket: 10-14 GEL (Elder), Guido Reni, Jan Steen, Johnson, Vin Diesel April 20 Ticket: 10, 15, 20 GEL MUSEUM Jacob Van Ruisdael, Auguste Rodin, Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller Pablo Picasso, Vassily Kandinski; FROM EASTER TO ASCENSION GRIBOEDOVI THEATER Language: Russian Masterpieces by Niko The program includes vocal and Address: 2 Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 13:45, 16:15, 19:15, 22:15 GEORGIAN NATIONAL Pirosmanashvili, Lado Gudiashvili orchestral excerpts from popular MUSEUM SIMON Telephone: 2 93 43 36 Language: English and David Kakabadze. operas of Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Start time: 19:00 JANASHIA MUSEUM Bizet, Cilea, Ponchielli, Wagner Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. April 16 Ticket: 9-14 GEL MUSEUM OF SOVIET and Paliashvili and the well-known Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 SCARLET SAIL OCCUPATION piece by Patriarch of Georgia Ilia www.museum.ge Directed by Vakhtang Nikolava From April 20 Address: 3 Sh. Rustaveli Ave. the 2nd “Ave Maria” Language: Russian HOSTAGES Start time: 19:30 Premiere PERMANENT EXHIBITION: Ticket: From 10 GEL Start time: 12:00 GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY PERMANENT EXHIBITION Directed by Rezo Gigineishvili Ticket: 10 GEL FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. Visitors can discover the State's Cast: Irakli Kvirikadze, Tinatin TBILISI CONCERT HALL TO 4TH CENTURY A.D personal fi les of "subversive" TBILISI VASO ABASHIDZE Dalakishvili, Avtandil Makharadze Georgian public fi gures, orders to Address: 1 Melikishvili St. MUSIC AND DRAMA STATE Genre: Drama EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN shoot or exile, and other artifacts Telephone: 2 99 00 99 THEATER Language: Georgian WEAPONRY representing Soviet-era cultural Address: 182 D.Agmashenebeli Ave. English Subtitles and political repression in Georgia. April 13 Telephone: 2 34 80 90 Ticket: 13-14 GEL NUMISMATIC TREASURY GIFTED CHILDREN'S CONCERT www.musictheatre.ge The exhibition showcases money ART PALACE Start time: 18:00 GHOST IN THE SHELL circulation on the territory of Address: 6 Kargareteli Str. Ticket: 5 GEL April 17 Directed by Rupert Sanders Georgia from the 6th century BC. Telephone: 2 95 35 63 DIVORCE Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Juliette to 1834. NIGHT OFFICE Giorgi Eristavi Binoche, Rila Fukushima PERMANENT EXHIBITION Address: Under Baratashvili Bridge Directed by Davit Doiashvili Genre: Action, Crime, Drama THE TESTAMENT OF DAVID Telephone: 599 32 33 13 Musical Comedy Language: Russian THE BUILDER AND THE NEW MOMA TBILISI Start time: 19:00 Start time: 22:00 EXHIBITS OF MEDIEVAL Address: 27 Rustaveli Ave. April 19 Ticket: From 8 GEL Ticket: 13-14 GEL TREASURY Telephone: 2 98 60 30 Hardcore Punk, Grind core, Death Metal band From Great Britain NAPALM DEATH Start time: 18:00 Ticket: 50-60 GEL

JAZZ CAFÉ SINGER Address: 8 Sioni Str. Telephone: 599 89 35 29

April 14 ZURA RAMISHVILI TRIO Zura Ramishvili / Piano Misha Japaridze / Bass Daniel Adikashvili / Drums Start time: 21:00

April 16 DINI VIRSALADZE TRIO Dini Virsaladze / Piano David Masteranov / Bass Daniel adikashvili / Drums Start time: 21:00

CAFE-GALLERY Adress: 34 Rustaveli Ave. Telephone: 299 57 47

April 14 GIO SHENGELIA Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 20 GEL

April 15 WILL GATES BODY THRILLS BRELOKA Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 10 GEL GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 CULTURE 15 Contemporary Ballet: Why are You Missing Out? focused on the light bar, which descended and tion; at times the dancers working in perfect rose again in test-style. At this point, the audi- unison; at times the stage in total fantastic chaos. ence was awash with whispered exclamations: I heard a monologue for the fi rst time from a Why? How? Did something go wrong? Then a ballet stage when British dancer William Pratt middle-aged lady came out with a large mop; came on, juggling balls, to talk about the Mind then an elderly lady with another, cleaning the of a Man (with Georgian subtitles), occasionally stage. Finally, a soloist appeared: David Ananeli, asking his comedy side-kick, Frank van Tongeren, dressed in a suit. He walked on, looked around, holding the mike, for his opinion and earning and then started moving slowly from foot-to- no more than a shrug: clearly an example of the foot (“Does he need the toilet?” my daughter “empty box within the male mind” that Pratt asked me in a too-loud voice). The other danc- had highlighted. Petite Ceremonie was funny, ers slowly appeared from each doorway to the exciting and thought-provoking, and was greeted main auditorium, walking haphazardly down the with a well-deserved standing ovation. aisles and climbing onto the stage. They gradu- My thanks go, sincerely, to Prima Ballerina and ally arranged themselves into a line and, once Artistic Director Nina Ananiashvili and her incred- there, began the same foot-to-foot dance (my ibly hard-working team of dancers and soloists- daughter was now giggling much too loudly!). not only did you take me to a new and better What came next was a mix of coordinated moves, place in my ballet adventure, but you made a great shouting, running, jumping and solo improvisa- night out for a mum and daughter, too!

Some broke off to dance alone: the main couple REVIEW BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES being Diego Buttiglione and Ekaterine Lominadze, the latter at one point speaking aloud in English to her loved one (a shock to the ears of the clas- hough contemporary ballet is noth- sic-lovers!). The dances refl ected human rela- ing new for many, and Georgia has tionships: at times soft, gentle, loving; at other been seeing it on-and-off (more off) times wild, passionate and even hateful. I asked since the mid-1970s, Georgian soci- my seven-year-old daughter seated beside me ety is still struggling to get to grips how the fi rst act had made her feel, and she said Twith it. Artistic Director since 2004, Nina Ana- “sad.” I suppose the fantastic video animation niashvili has added many contemporary pieces (Predrag Milosevic) did tend towards the mel- to the repertoire of the State Ballet group, includ- ancholy at the end: with the couples walking ing Kylián, Ratmansky, Medhi Walerski, Yuri away from us into the sunset. But I, as a grown- Possokhov, and choreographies by Teet Kask, up with more experience of the ups-and-downs Sasha Evtimova, Trey McIntyre and Jorma Elo. of the average lifetime, also felt a sense of peace; I, myself, have had little experience with the of the inevitability of life, which always has an contemporary side of things; preferring to stick end. to the comfortable familiar. But then I went to Then onto the drums! The next wowzer, ‘Fall- last Thursday’s performance at the Tbilisi Opera ing Angels’ by Kylian, had me and the audience House and my mind was literally transformed. glued to our seats, our jaws on the fl oor: a non- Previously a fan of the classics, and oft feeling stop tribal beat with the female ballet dancers in awe at the grace and magic of them, I can now spotlighted and dressed in simple black leotards, say my tastes have changed. Never have I laughed all moving as one (with the occasional clever at a ballet; never have I felt so engaged with the fl ick of a knee or hand to break the rhythm); their dancers; never have I seen the dancers so free, bodies pliable; twisting and turning into shapes and clearly enjoying it- until last Thursday. that were almost familiar: “I see a bird! There’s The ‘Evening of Modern Choreography’ on a crocodile! They’re all crabs!” my daughter April 13 saw a three-act fl ow of inspiration, pos- exclaimed in a too-loud voice at various points itive emotion, and raw human energy. throughout the act. First up was ‘The Secret Garden’ with music Next came Medhi Walerski’s Petite Ceremonie. by Sebastian Plano and Olafur Arnalds and cho- Even as I write, it makes me smile to remember reography, costumes and scenography by Alek- it. The curtain rose to reveal a stage empty of sandra (Sasha) Evtimova. The setting was a park. backdrops: we could see all the way to the brick A large group of couples had come to enjoy the wall at the back of the theater. Then a portly autumn air; to sit on benches or walk and talk. lighting man walked across the stage, his eyes

PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Website Manager: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Zaza Jgarkava, Tamzin Whitewood 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Maka Bibilashvili, Website Copy-Editor: Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Dimitri Dolaberidze, Gabrielle Guerrier strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Maka Lomadze, Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Layout: Commercial Director: Tim Ogden, Joseph Larsen, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Misha Mchedlishvili Iva Merabishvili Vazha Tavberidze, F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Marketing Manager: Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Webmaster: is registered in Mtatsminda Mariam Giorgadze Nino Gugunishvili, Sergey Gevenov ADVERTISING & district court. Thea Morrison SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: Circulation Managers: +995 595 25 22 25 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: Photographer: David Kerdikashvili, E-mail: marketing@ Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies Irakli Dolidze David Djandjgava georgiatoday.ge GEORGIA TODAY 16 CULTURE APRIL 21 - 24, 2017 Carmen from Cuba by Levan Tsuladze TODAY. “I realized that all the knowl- BY MAKA LOMADZE edge that I had would be useless. My main fault was that I thought that music was as much able to subordinate to n April 20, 21, 27 and May interpretation as drama. Finally, music 4, the State Opera House goes where it should go. Technically of Georgia is showing the speaking, this stage is really very good. world-renowned ‘Car- It has limitless possibilities. I changed men’. Georges Bizet’s the mood only: this is Cuba”. masterpieceO is the fi rst opera production The orchestra is conducted by Zaza that well-known dramatic director Levan Azmaiparashvili; Set Designer: Irakli (Chola) Tsuladze has staged. Avaliani; Choreographer: Gia Margania; This is the second opera to be released Costume Designer: Polina Roudchik. during the 165th anniversary season, a Apart from the invited world class art- totally new version of Carmen in terms ists- Anita Rachvelishvili (Mezzo- of scenography and conception. The Soprano) and George Oniani (Tenor) action takes place in Cuba; where a gypsy -the stage is to witness the leading actors woman who loves freedom, dwells. of the State Opera House of Georgia, The director is famous for his humor Nikoloz Lagvilava and Irina Taboridze, and has managed to present it even here, as well as the choir, the ballet troupe though reservedly. In the smoke of cigars, and orchestra. the naïve soldier is so comic that he Anita Rachvelishvili is acknowledged becomes tragic. And music… Music eve- as one of the best Carmens in the world. rywhere, and so divine. GEORGIA TODAY had the pleasure “You cannot even imagine in what a to talk to her: “For me, this is a very sphere, full of unexpected events, I found important character, as everything myself,” Levan Tsuladze told GEORGIA began with this role in my career- in

Photos by Gia Gogatishvili La Scala in 2009. Consequently, Car- found it diffi cult, but I managed. Our very professional, modern and interest- men is of utmost importance to me. public [in Georgia] has been waiting for ing and I’m happy it gives us room for Plus, it’s a role I love. I’m happy to be new performances for so many years interpretation, something I really cher- collaborating with Mr. Oniani, whom that the mood here is truly festive. I ish.” I’ve met several times and who is one don’t feel like a foreigner- I think that The premier of Georges Bizet’s immor- of the best tenors in the world. I’m even after so many years a career over- tal opera took place in 1875, in Paris, on also happy that we are all Georgians seas, this is my native theater and I’m the stage of Opera Comique. The stage in this version. I am also very glad that glad to see its revival”. of the State Opera House of Georgia Badri Maisuradze [artistic director of Nikoloz Lagvilava, Baritone, plays the hosted the same opera exactly ten years the Opera House] indulges us with part of Escamillo. “This opera is very later, which acquired a brisk popularity. such fantastic performances”. important for me, as it has boosted my Since then, a lot of versions have been “Carmen was my fi rst performance in European career a lot,” he told us. “The staged on the Georgian stage. According Europe,” George Oniani told GEORGIA part of Escamillo was triumphant for to the statistics of the world theaters TODAY. “I won a contest and was offered me at the Moscow Bolshoi. Soon, I’ll within the past 5 years, ‘Carmen’ is the a part in Carmen which I studied in one be singing it in France. This is my most popular and most frequently staged month. I don’t speak French and so I favorite part. This version of staging is operas in the world.