Issue no: 1207 • NOV 29 - DEC 2, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Risks of Draft Amendments to FOCUS Law on Information Security ON THE COE NEWS PAGE 3 PRESIDENCY Economic Policy Research The Presidency of the Council Center Celebrates 17 Years of Europe Committee of Ministers this week passed POLITICS PAGE 4 from to PAGE 2 The US & the Black Sea: A Troublesome Year Ahead POLITICS PAGE 4 The Streetwise Political Dictate POLITICS PAGE 6

38% of FDIs Attracted by Georgia in 2010-2018 Come from Offshore Countries BUSINESS PAGE 7 Opposition Vows the Protests Will Stop If Gov't Two Decades in Georgia Agrees to German Model of Elections SOCIETY PAGE 8 Venue of the Week: Skola BY ANA DUMDADZE Coffee & Wine Bar SOCIETY PAGE 9 espite the fact that representatives of opposition and civil activists continue demonstrations in front of the parliament building in Geor- ‘Batumi in Cinema’: a gia’s capital , the government Dhas said it does not intend to change its position Retraining Program for the on replacing a mixed electoral system with a proportional one for the 2020 elections. City Guides Begins "The topic is closed. A mixed electoral system will be kept in 2020," Kakha Kaladze, the ruling CULTURE PAGE 11 Image source: France24 party's Secretary-General, said in a statement made at the Georgian Dream headquarters. opposition. Secondly, it is clear to all that, given parliamentary elections or the 2021 local self- He emphasized that members of the ruling the moods of the parliamentary majority, there government elections. Ending Violence team had expressed their attitude towards this are no resources available to mobilize 113 votes “There is a group of majoritarian MPs in the issue publicly several times. around any new constitutional changes at pre- parliamentary majority which is proposing to Against Women “However, since there is still political specula- sent. The topic is closed - in 2020 a mixed elec- move to a fully majoritarian system. We told tion around this topic, I would like to share our toral system will be kept, which fully complies them that the team would not consider any new CULTURE PAGE 11 position with the public again in a few words: with democratic principles, therefore the politi- initiatives for the 2020 elections. However, we First, the transition to a proportional electoral cal spectrum should devote all its efforts to pre- understand their general initiative and we agreed system in 2020 was a political initiative of the paring for the elections and holding the elections that they will continue to work in this direction, Georgian Dream. Despite the efforts of the team in accordance with high democratic standards," provided that a plebiscite will be held on the Special Offer for readers leadership, unfortunately, the bill did not receive he noted. issue of the electoral system on the day of either adequate support. This result, along with the Kaladze also noted that the Georgian Dream the 2020 parliamentary elections or the 2021 of Georgia Today natural resistance of the majoritarian MPs, also is ready to hold a plebiscite on the issue of the local self-government elections,” he said. led to the irresponsible actions of the destructive electoral system on the day of either the 2020 Continued on page 3 -15% off all Diet Plans! PAGE 7 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 2, 2019 Georgia Takes on Council of Europe Chairmanship

“In the capacity of the Presidency offers Committee of Ministers of the Council The Georgian PM also commented on for many years, we will not step aside BY BEKA ALEXISHVILI a unique opportunity to contribute to of Europe today, Georgia makes an Georgia's attaining the CoE presidency. from the path as it is the choice of our the 3 pillars of t/Organization: democ- extraordinary voluntary fi nancial con- “Now we have the opportunity to take people. We confi rm the irreversibility racy, human rights&rule of law. This is tribution of 500 K. A large part goes to part in making an agenda and raise issues of the choice on a daily basis, even now, eorgian Foreign Minister both – challenging & encouraging at the fi ghting violence against women #VAW. with our European colleagues we believe during the current developments in the David Zalkaliani has same time. Glad to underline that Geor- Thank you Georgia,” the CoE Spokes- are crucial for our country,” Gakharia country when the state government fully received the emblematic gia & @CoE has been interlinked by 20 person Daniel Holtgen reported. said. ensures the freedom of expression [of keys to commence the offi - yrs collaboration” The FM Zalkaliani This year marks the 20th anniversary He further stated that Georgia stands demonstrators in Tbilisi],” Gakharia said. cial assumption of the wrote on twitter. of Georgia's CoE membership. Accord- fi rm on its European choice, which is The Council of Europe is the conti- GPresidency of the Council of Europe Minister Zalkaliani, the new Chair of ing to the CoE standards, the chair "acts the choice of the Georgian people. nent's leading human rights organization. (CoE) from the Committee of Ministers the Committee of Ministers, proposed in a neutral way and ensures that the “We have confi rmed our commitment It is comprised of 47-member states, 28 in Strasburg. The presidency passed the priorities of the Georgian Presidency, rules and guidelines are respected”. The to making a democratic state and strength- of which are members of the European from France to Georgia at a session at which will continue for the next six position must further “guide the discus- ening democratic institutions. Even Union. Georgia has been a member of the organization’s Strasbourg headquar- months. sions, puts proposals to the vote and though the path [to Europe] is not easy the Council of Europe since April 27, ters. “Taking over the Presidency of the announce decisions”. and we have to be in a reform regime 1999. Eco-Corridors Fund for the Caucasus Holds Final Meeting of Regional Consultative Forum conservation agreements between the BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE WWF and local communities in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The steps taken secure community-based conservation co-Corridors Fund for the on 75,000 hectares of landscape. Caucasus (ECF) held their Presentations were followed by a facil- fi nal meeting of the Regional itated panel discussion involving repre- Consultative Forum in Tbilisi sentatives of participating local com- at the Hotel Moxy on Novem- munities and independent experts. The Eber 26, the event marking the fi nal formal discussion focused on the lessons learned gathering of the program. The meeting through the program related to oppor- summed up and evaluated the successes tunities for community conservation of of the start-up phase. biodiversity and opportunities for sus- The ECF unites four countries and the tainable socio-economic development meeting was attended by representatives of rural communities of the Caucasus from the German Federal Ministry for based on nature conservation and sus- Economic Cooperation and Develop- tainable use of resources. ment (BMZ), KfW German Development The meeting only closed some doors Bank and World Wide Fund for Nature to open others, as while the 26 Novem- (WWF) Caucasus, as well as govern- ber gathering concluded the beginning mental delegates from Armenia, Azer- phase of the project, it also marked the baijan and Georgia. commencement of the implementation The meeting provided an overview of phase. Image source: Nika Tsiklauri - EcoFilms.ge the ECF’s actions that have led to 19 Continued on page 8 GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 2, 2019 NEWS 3 Risks of Draft Amendments to Law on Information Security

dom of Information (IDFI) has said it BY TEA MARIAMIDZE feels the suggested changes will further complicate the cybersecurity manage- ment process, and will fail to provide arly last month, draft amend- precise roles and functions for the rel- ments to the Law on Informa- evant structural divisions of the Ministry tion Security were initiated of Defense and the Ministry of Internal by the Parliament of Georgia, Affairs. which might contain a num- The organization says that according to berE of signifi cant threats. the draft law, DEA, a LEPL of the Ministry The proposed amendments fundamen- of Justice, will be responsible for exercis- tally change the current cybersecurity ing its power in coordination with the system in Georgia. According to the draft, LEPL of the State Security Service- OTA. LEPL Operational-Technical Agency “Despite the fact that these two agen- (OTA) of the State Security Service is cies will issue orders and other bylaws to become the main coordinating and regulating information security, under supervisory body of information and the new arrangements, DEA will not cybersecurity. The Agency will be enti- have a supervisory mandate on the pub- tled to cover the critical infrastructure lic sector and this function will be trans- Image source: 3i-infotech.com of both public and private entities. A ferred to OTA. At the same time, DEA “Modern information and commu- NGO claims that the most problematic ments will result in the imposition of further agency will be added to the gov- will be in charge of monitoring the nication technologies can be confi g- aspect in that regard is the extent of tier administrative fi nes of up to GEL 5000. ernance pillar of cybersecurity, which standards of information security within ured in a way that enables the collec- 2, covering private electronic commu- Such an approach per se is contradictory will be authorized to supervise relevant the private sector only through close tion of relatively vast categories of nication companies. to the core principles of the free market institutions, and at the same time coop- cooperation and coordination with OTA. data, including real-time monitoring “In this case, the approach based on and fair competition,” it added. erate with them. Thus, in the given circumstances, the of the content. The abovementioned which the companies are grouped within The IDFI called on the MPs not to sup- The draft amendments suggest a three- mandate of the DEA Computer Emer- factors increase the risk of the State tier 1 and tier 2 is ambiguous. It is also port the suggested amendments due to tier categorization for objects of critical gency Response Team is vague,” the Security Service of Georgia gaining unclear why electronic communication the risks they contain. They also asked information infrastructure: NGO said. unlimited access to information on an companies are subject to a higher stand- Parliament to start reforming the Cyber- 1. State agencies, institutions, LEPLs The IDFI further noted that the pro- indefi nite number of individuals with ard of accountability towards OTA,” IDFI security System only after the National (other than religious organizations) and posed amendments will enable OTA to the help of modern technologies,” the said. Cybersecurity Strategy and Action Plan state enterprises; have access to the information infra- organization stressed. The NGO also stressed that according are adopted. 2. Electronic communication compa- structure, systems and assets of objects It also noted that in the process of cat- to a particular article in the amendments, The NGO underlined that the involve- nies; of critical information falling under tier egorizing objects of critical information the government will be given the author- ment of the local and international 3. Banks, fi nancial institutions and other 1. Moreover, OTA will be granted the infrastructure, signifi cant problems were ity to set certain restrictions for private organizations and the private sector in entities of private law. authority to manage the sensors and identifi ed related to objects falling under companies purchasing, upgrading or the process of preparing draft amend- Non-Governmental Organization, the monitors installed at these institutions tier 2 and tier 3, which mainly include using their respective IT systems. ments to the Law of Georgia on Infor- Institute for the Development of Free- in order to identify relevant cyber-attacks. representatives of the private sector. The “The noncompliance with these require- mation Security is necessary. Opposition Vows the Protests Regional Workshop on Healthy Will Stop If Gov't Agrees to Ageing to Held in Tbilisi German Model of Elections Continued from page 1 that if the government agrees to adopt harass them everywhere, they will not the so-called German model, the pro- get rid of us,” the protesters claimed. The united opposition has proposed tests will stop. Demonstrators in Tbilisi plan to con- its own model to Parliament for a new “We, the responsible opposition, have tinue the protest and say they will try electoral system. taken responsibility for the protests to picketing the parliament building again Giorgi Vashadze, one of the leaders be peaceful and nonviolent. The way in order not to allow the Georgian Dream of the united opposition, told reporters out [of the crisis] is the so-called Ger- lawmakers to hold Parliament sessions. that the model developed by them, based man model. This is a model that ensures Amnesty International, an infl uential on the so-called German model, is con- fair elections and which can be adopted non-governmental organization focused sistent with the Georgian Constitution, within the next three weeks with 76 on human rights, has responded to the expresses public opinion, gives prefer- votes. If the government agrees to it by rally dispersals in Tbilisi and reports ence to the proportional system and the end of December, the protests will that some of the protesters sustained considers Georgian reality. stop and the crisis will end,” he noted. injuries as a result of the use of water Credit: UNFPA Georgia/Gela Bedianashvili "The novelty of all this is that votes Bakradze is convinced that the gov- cannons. One person is reported to have will be proportionally distributed among ernment has to make a compromise if sustained an eye injury, with several he United Nations Popula- able Development that “no one will be candidates; the majoritarian system will the ruling party wants to return to nor- head bones fractured. tion Fund’s (UNFPA) left behind”. be maintained, but there will be multi- mality. “The use of water cannons was neither regional offi ce of Eastern Sometimes lost amid the attention paid mandate majoritarian constituencies: Yet another demonstration was held proportionate nor necessary,” Amnesty Europe and Central Asia, to population ageing in Europe and North 6, 7 or 8-mandate constituencies. Each on November 26 in front of the parlia- International wrote. “They may only together with the offi ces of America is the fact that older populations voter will have one vote and, therefore, ment building, which was again dis- be used in those situations in which it TGeorgia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in developing countries are typically no political force will be able to seize persed by police using water cannons, is strictly necessary to contain or dis- this week held a two-day Workshop on growing more rapidly than those in the power. The interest of each individual just as on November 18. perse individuals or a group participat- Healthy and Active Ageing. Amid the industrialized world. This puts the econ- will be maximally expressed and, most Law enforcers detained 28 people dur- ing in a public assembly and when the symposium scheduled for November 28, omies of developed countries to a huge importantly, the government will serve ing the rally dispersal under Articles level of violence has reached such a the invited guests and international test. Nevertheless, the social and cultural people and not authoritarians, who were 173 (Non-compliance with the lawful degree that law enforcement offi cials experts will discuss current demographic features in many of these societies offer unfortunately developed under the old order or demand of the law enforce- cannot contain the threat by directly dynamics of population ageing and exam- opportunities to address some of the most system," Vashadze said. ment offi cer) and 166 (Minor Hooligan- focusing on violent persons only. Any ine present-day practices for promoting critical elements of ageing, such as the "This document, which we have ism) of the Administrative Offences decision to use them must also take into health for the elderly. On November 9, physical and mental health of older per- drafted, will be handed over to inter- Code. account contextual factors, such as training will be held on the effective sons, which is signifi cantly affected by national organizations and will be initi- Three citizens received various inju- extremely cold weather, which may organization and management of active isolation and loneliness. ated in Parliament. It needs only 76 ries. They were provided with the rel- exacerbate the harm they may cause,” and healthy ageing centers. The workshop aims to share experi- votes, not a constitutional majority. This evant care at medical institutions. reads the statement. Population ageing, the inevitable increase ences of Eastern European and Central is a very easy way for Georgia to over- On November 28, there was a physical The protests in Tbilisi were sparked in the share of older persons that results Asian countries and to foster joint come, once and for all, the disastrous confrontation between law enforcers after the rejection of an election bill, from the decline in fertility and improve- approaches to advocating for active and electoral system that exists in our coun- and protesters at the entrance to the proposed by the ruling Georgian Dream ment in survival that characterize the healthy ageing and ensuring the well- try today. This document is fully in line parliament building after law enforcers party, offering the transition to a fully demographic transition, is seen through- being of the elderly population. Through- with the Constitution. Our model is blocked entrances to the building with proportional electoral system from 2020 out the world. The same pattern, at even out the two-day workshop, the repre- based on the 'German model,' which metal structures for "security reasons." instead of 2024. greater pace, is now being witnessed in sentatives of local governments, takes into account the Georgian reality. The clash started after protesters tried The demonstrators accuse the current developing nations and countries in tran- Ministries for Social Policy/Welfare and There will be a majoritarian system, to graffi ti the walls with messages. Three state leadership of "breaking its prom- sition; it is expected that on a global scale Centers for Social Welfare, Clinics for but there will be multi-mandate major- demonstrators were detained. ise and cheating people" as the ruling the number of persons over 60 will triple Out-patients (including mental health itarian constituencies and the Georgian Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders party agreed to conduct the 2020 par- from 600 million to almost 2 billion by centers), NGOs and UNFPA COs from Dream will not be allowed to manipu- of the European Georgia party, said that liamentary elections using a fully pro- mid-century. In percentages, the propor- several countries in the East Europe and late," Vashadze said, adding that the the police were "hunting" protest par- portional electoral system during the tion of persons over 60 will double from Central Asia Region discussed popula- parliamentary session will be held ticipants and that “Nothing will stop internationally renowned June protests 10% to 21% compared to the overall pop- tion changes and presented positive peacefully only after their demand is us. We are not afraid of being arrested," in Tbilisi. Protesters demand a second ulation. It is thus essential to prepare for practices, learned about the HACs, and satisfi ed. she said. hearing in Parliament on the propor- the economic and social shifts associated examined whether this modality can be Davit Bakradze, the leader of the Euro- "These barricades will not separate tional elections, and some are pushing with an ageing population to fulfi l the replicated or adapted to their country’s pean Georgia opposition party, stated the Georgian Dream from us, we will for snap elections. pledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustain- concrete situation. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 2, 2019 Economic Policy Research Center Celebrates 17 Years

Giorgi Chiladze are among the founding democracy is a collective fi ght,” Evge- to enter big markets, therefore the key Sweden is one the leading nations in members. nidze notes. is internationalization of services,” Evge- successfully implementing a social- Just before the Rose Revolution, where Evidence-based policymaking and appli- nidze says, going on to advocate for democratic system, where small and Georgia was bound by a high level of ance are key affairs for EPRC. The center strengthening the focus towards such medium enterprises prosper. GEclose2EU corruption and enticement, a think tank has a diverse set of projects and initiatives, spheres as architecture, design and busi- serves exactly this purpose, to train and like EPRC was needed to respond to one of which is the creation of the Fukuy- ness consulting. stimulate Georgian SME owners. “We these challenges. Georgia in 2002 had a ama Democracy Frontline Center which GEclose2EU, which is another project have to give companies opportunities reputation as a ‘failed state’, and so the just celebrated its fi rst year anniversary. implemented by the EPRC, is funded by and knowledge, funding alone is not EPRC group sought to be a research and The project aims to merge the fundamen- the Swedish government, as part of which enough,” says Evgenidze. case-based knowledge institution to tal values of democracy, rule of law and 65 companies representing architecture, Participant companies must detail what examine and apply economic and tech- liberal international order. These values business consulting and ICT sectors were exact technical assistance they need and nical aid to Georgia’s internal policies have been vital to peace and stability, both selected from a large pool through an why, and describe how this will assist and companies. of which are central to the EPRC group. open call competition. From the winning them in development and internation- The EPRC is mainly funded through Professor Fukuyama, Mosbacher Direc- companies, 24 organizations are oriented alization perspectives in the future. international donor organizations, taking tor of the Center on Democracy, Devel- toward architecture-design, 15 are from As part of the project, a media tour was no money from the government so as not opment and the Rule of Law (CDDRL) ICT and 26 are business consulting fi rms. organized for Georgian journalists to to jeopardize its impartiality. The non- at Stanford University, is overseeing the The companies will benefi t from tech- Sweden. They had a chance to meet with profi t NGO is ranked high in the trans- Fukuyama Center board. David Kramer, nical assistance initiatives supporting the high offi cial representatives from BY BEKA ALEXISHVILI parency index, having received a 5-star Senior Fellow at Florida International them to internationalize and develop. public, private and non-governmental rating, and is included in the top 20. University, serves as the director. Training sessions and seminars are also sectors. We had the privilege of sitting down It has been one year since the Fukuy- being prepared for the winning compa- The EPRC prides itself on being an he Economic Policy with Nino Evgenidze, the Executive ama Center started functioning. Strong nies, and at the beginning of 2020, they organization with long - standing expe- Research Center (EPRC), Director of EPRC, to discover what this institutions, democratic principles and will be sent to Sweden for a study tour. rience. It has positioned itself as a civil which just celebrated 17 organization entails and to learn about rule of law are crucial for building a free Overall technical aid will be given to society leader working on the issues of years of operation on some of its most successful projects. modern nation, which is inherently about 100 SMEs. The project is imple- Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and November 4, is a leading “Our defense of democracy is crucial, important for Georgia. mented in partnership with the Enter- providing impartial analysis of its cur- Teconomic think and do tank in Georgia because we are in the vicinity of Russia’s The center has translated books by prise Georgia Agency. Various tools, rent and projected socio-economic out- striving to promote sustainable develop- misinformation and fabrications while Professor Fukuyama, Senator John among them an online platform trade- comes. Multiple analytical pieces, deliv- ment by focusing its activities on such the European countries have institutions McCain and Professor Larry Diamond withgeorgia.com, are utilized to popu- ered by the EPRC, in partnership with issues as Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic inte- to counter act,” Evgenidze tells us. “The and David Kramer, and has distributed larize Georgian companies on the world’s national and international actors, has gration, strengthening evidence-based EPRC takes on the role of upholding copies among Georgian universities market. earned the organization a reputation as policy making, rule of law, ensuring safety Georgian democracy and the country’s countrywide. This helps to raise aware- It is of high importance to support a reliable source of information on a and security, and educating groups and further integration with the West.” ness on evaluating the risks the world is SMEs since they are backbones of econ- wide range of issues at the heart of the the population in general. The reason the West offers overwhelm- facing and gives information on how to omy through job creation and economic Europeanization discourse. Through The organization was founded in 2002 ing support for Georgia is because the tackle them. These endeavors are pre- wellbeing, which in turn serves as a promoting evidence-based policymak- by young individuals studying in top country is a fl agship for democracy on cisely aimed at younger generations. guarantee for democracy. A strong and ing, the EPRC strives to improve the universities abroad. David Chkadua, the ‘frontline’ and a regional beacon for “Georgia is not that fortunate to have stable middle class is the assurance of business and investment environment Kakha Ugulava, Nino Evgenidze and it. “The fi ght for liberty and defense of enormous amounts of natural resources development and democracy. in the country, in particular for SMEs. The US & the Black Sea: A Troublesome Year Ahead have withdrawn major investments from repercussions might be seen from Wash- BY EMIL AVDALIANI the port and there is a noticeable reduc- ington. tion in the attention being paid to the From South Korea to the Kurds in Mid- project. dle East to Ukraine, everyone feels how he US is increasingly look- More worrisome is that Russia might unpredictable the geopolitical situation ing inwards as internal be the reason. is building its in the world has become, leading to many political problems, coupled own deep-sea port in the Kerch Strait among the political elite questioning with the ongoing election and there have been instances when the how long-lasting dependence on US campaign, shifts Washing- US chose to avoid raising Russian fears support can in reality be. Tton’s attention away from some regions in the Black Sea. For example, during Like other states across Eurasia, the in the Eurasian continent. One such the latest congressional testimony in Georgian political elite is also starting region is the Black Sea. Washington, it was reported that a Navy to look into various possibilities to bal- Being under considerable pressure freedom-of-navigation operation in the ance the US’ lack of attention. Talking from Russia since the breakup of the Black Sea with visits to Georgian ports directly to Russians is one such solu- , Georgia looked to the US was cancelled earlier in 2019 after Trump tion. No wonder the Georgian foreign and NATO for security considerations. complained to then-national security ministry held its fi rst meeting (since Though there was no direct military help adviser John Bolton that the operation 2008) this September with the Minis- in 2008 when Russia invaded Georgia would irritate Russia. ter’s Russian counterpart. Though dip- and recognized the Abkhazia and Tskh- Image source: Getty Images There is more to this. As the impeach- lomatically there is nothing wrong in invali regions as independent, several are also being harmed and when there is essentially a battle going ment hearings continue and the US this scenario, overall, however, it signals agreements on military cooperation (one have already started asking “if the 40 on to control crucial railways, roads and moves into an election year, ever less that Tbilisi now has fewer cards to play signed just a few days ago) and economic million population strong Ukraine could ports, Anaklia has become a focal point. attention will be paid to the Black Sea to evade Moscow’s increasing pressure aid have been signed between Washing- be left alone, so can a tiny 4 million This is not to say that the US is not inter- region, and Georgia in particular. More- in such crucial issues as energy, secu- ton and Tbilisi. Georgia”. ested in the port. In fact, Americans were over, in the longer run, US competition rity, etc. Many in Georgia criticized the Obama And it is not only about the impeach- behind stopping the Chinese from becom- with China will further limit Washing- As a result, Moscow’s infl uence is bound Administration for initiating isolationist ment. Many believe that the shift in US ing sole investors in the port. In June ton's ability to respond quickly and to grow in the Black Sea region – a bor- policies and looking away from the Black interests is also refl ected in the case of this year, Mike Pompeo even said that effectively to rising problems in the Black derline between Russia and NATO. Sea. However, it is in recent years that the faltering Anaklia port project. Located Anaklia port’s “implementation will Sea region. Moreover, as Russia has heavily milita- the US policy has grown more inward- on the Black Sea coast, the new deep-sea strengthen Georgia’s ties with free econ- This is also complicated by the absence rized the annexed Crimean Peninsula looking, which is having a continuous port will be capable of receiving large omies and will not allow Georgia to be of an appointed US Ambassador in Geor- and uses the latter as a jump point for impact on vulnerable Tbilisi. container ships and perhaps, as many under the economic infl uence of Russia gia, at a time when the country is expe- control of the Kerch Strait, US support Impeachment hearings in the US are suggest, even military ships. or China. These imaginary friends are riencing demonstrations of various for the construction of Anaklia’s deep- also shifting Washington's attention from In the age of increased US-China geo- not driven by good intentions.” However intensity ahead of the 2020 parliamentary sea port could serve as a good balance the Black Sea region. US’ ties with Ukraine political competition across Eurasia, since that time, American companies elections, as a result of which major to Moscow’s Black Sea strategy. H.E. Essa Albasha Alnoaimi Welcomes the First Ambassador of Georgia to the UAE

BY SOFO BOCHOIDZE Georgia and the UAE, noting that it stands on a solid base and that they are striving for more culturally mutual events to encourage more connections and more n November 28, the Ambas- visitors. He also mentioned that the sador of the United Arab number of tourists is increasing from Emirates to Georgia, H.E. the UAE and from all GCC countries, Essa Albasha Alnoaimi, affecting the economic growth of Geor- hosted the newly gia in a very positive way. The UAE appointedO Ambassador of Georgia to Ambassador then announced that they the UAE, H.E. Paata Kalandadze at his will soon have another gathering to cel- residence. It's noteworthy, that this is ebrate the 48th National Day of the UAE the fi rst diplomatic mission of Georgia on December 2. to the UAE. H.E. Paata Kalandadze also delivered The meeting was attended by the rep- a speech, expressing his gratitude towards nations closer to each other, if we are the meaningful development of the rela- Deputy Minister Darsalia also spoke resentatives of the Ministry of Foreign the Ambassador for hosting him in his thinking of the prosperity of our people, tions of our countries.” He also extended about the ties between two countries Affairs of Georgia and its Deputy Min- residence. which our profession is all about. You his best wishes on behalf of his family based on a positive agenda, and the huge ister Lasha Darsalia. “The portfolio of our relationship is and I, with our colleagues and friends for the coming celebration of the National potential to expand in all directions, H.E. Essa Albasha Alnoaimi spoke about not very thick but it has huge potential, engaged in our profession, will do our Day and wished the people of the UAE including tourism, economical, social the relations between the two countries, if we are thinking of bringing these two utmost to make a solid grounding for peace and prosperity. and cultural.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 2, 2019 The Streetwise Political Dictate OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE

here is nothing to worry about – our political system is very much alive and kick- ing, and it is also palpable and vibrant enough to rule Tthe country. The only kink it suffers is that it has tended to function under open skies in the last 30 years. Otherwise, all is OK with it, based on a regular politi- cal dichotomy: the ruling force rules and the opposition does its portion of resist- ance and contest. Other nations practice the same type of politicking in their own countries, so nothing terribly different from the rest of the world is taking place in Georgia as I see it. The triviality of our streetwise politi- cal life is clear and present: we are once again doing politics al fresco, over- whelmed by our political fl uids and dis- gruntlements. This time, the issue in question, which was moved from the habitual parliamentary fl oor to the pro- test-ridden Rustaveli Avenue of Tbilisi, is the diffi culty of making a choice between the two different electoral sys- tems, proportional and majoritarian. Proportional . . . majoritarian . . . even Image source: netgazeti.ge the terms sound a little weird but they complicated, but whatever it is, it still legislative mandates. A couple of weeks the made promise. and minds and the guts of the nation. are explicable. A proportional election happens to be functional. The problem ago, the Georgian legislature was on the I am the only one though who has Are we already there? Or, do we still means electing a legislature member as is that part of the Georgian parliament verge of voting for the proportional sys- been nursing a tricky unanswered ques- need to go the additional mile? Yes, I part of the bunch, in other words, based wants a mixed system and part of it will tem but right at the eleventh hour, the tion in the last ten years: why not the am a captive of my own sarcasm, and on the party list, giving a politician who go for only the proportional one. And voting majoritarians preponderated majoritarian system, like in America? this is awful, because I have been dream- might be anything but a real politician the electorate, who has a fi nal say in the towards the mixed system again. As a When I ask this question, the only reac- ing of squeezing this country’s political (this said not about them all, of course) elections, has no idea which is better. result, the introduction of proportional tion I get from politicians and political process somewhere under a solid roof, a chance. The majoritarian electoral Hence the confrontation, for starters on representation, once casually promised experts is shrugged shoulders and but the dream has yet to be realized. system is like electing an American parliamentary premises, and conse- by the ruling party, went bust. unclear, deviating responses. How about And this is happening because the senator or a congressman on individual quently, in front of the same building, in Now the leaders of oppositional par- fulltime dictatorship? is an even older political process here is extremely recal- basis, independently from a party list of the street! ties maintain that they were sold a lemon question of mine. Openly declared, clas- citrant, wriggling in the hands of several presumable candidates of parliamentary The entire united opposition is for the and want to settle that account with the sic, sincere dictatorship! Would it be so generations of politicians in post-soviet membership, but still associated with a proportional system, thinking it guaran- ruling party by means of prolonged and bad? Democracy is not a ubiquitously Georgia, instigating the already custom- certain political power. tees the most optimal compatibility wide-range street manifestations, per- working political system. Democracy ary political dictate heard in outdoor In a word, the system is peculiar and between the cast votes and the received sistently demanding the fulfi llment of needs time to mature within the hearts demonstrations. GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 2, 2019 BUSINESS 7 38% of FDIs Attracted by Georgia in 2010-2018 Come from Offshore Countries

Image source: premieroffshore.com companies and more than 70 organizations regis- BY TEA MARIAMIDZE tered in Georgia are in some form affi liated with the ex-PM. “While a politician's association with a private n 2010-2018, the Foreign Direct Investments company, including an offshore one, is not always attracted by Georgia came from those coun- illegal, it is a potential source of confl ict of interest tries which have offshore territories. They and corruption, especially when all branches of amounted to $5 billion, which is 38% of the government are in the hands of one party. Since total FDIs in Georgia in 8 years. offshore companies are mainly chosen to cover the IThe information was released by the non-gov- real origin of money and for their low transpar- ernmental organization Transparency International ency, this circumstance raises additional doubts,” (TI) Georgia, based on offi cial statistics. According TI added. to the organization, the issue of offshore zones is In addition to this, TI says that Ivanishvili and relevant for Georgia as many offshore companies the former Minister of Defense, Davit Kezerashvili, or their subsidiaries operate in the country. were mentioned in the 2016 Panama Papers. In “Today, there are about 3,000 companies regis- April 2016, Transparency International Georgia tered in Georgia that are fully or partly owned by published an article stating that Bidzina Ivanishvili offshore companies,” TI reports. “For example, did not include an offshore company in the asset about 1,000 companies are registered in the UK declaration which he fi lled out when he became offshore, there are about 250 companies registered Prime Minister of Georgia. in the Virgin Islands, 280 in Cyprus, 74 in Panama, Moreover, the study published by the NGO Insti- 63 in the Seychelles, 80 in American Samoa, 12 in tute for Development of Freedom of Information the Bahamas, and so on.” (IDFI) in 2016 reads that Russian citizens own sig- It also said that most investments, $3 billion in nifi cant capital in Georgia and control several stra- total, came from the and the United tegic objects through companies registered in off- Kingdom, adding this does not mean that these shore zones, which include thermal and hydro investments solely came from the offshore terri- power plants, fuel companies, and precious metal tories of the mentioned countries. companies, among them Beeline and Georgian “It is diffi cult to sort the FDI data by this criterion. Water and Power. With $300 million, Panama tops the list of inves- “It is unacceptable for the political culture of tors of those countries that are entirely offshore developed countries to have such politicians which zones, followed by Malta with $239 million, the are directly or indirectly related with offshore Virgin Islands with $6 million, Belize with $64 mil- companies. A good example of this was the Panama lion and so on,” the NGO says. Papers scandal, when, for example, the British TI Georgia also stressed that in the fi rst half of Prime Minister had to explain the sale of a 30,000 2019, most offshore investments came from Panama, pound share of an offshore company,” the organi- saying this was $59 million allegedly invested by zation said. the ex-Prime Minister and founder of the ruling The NGO also underlines that politicians’ links party Georgian Dream (GD), billionaire Bidzina to offshore companies encourages corruption. Ivanishvili, mainly through the Tourism Develop- “Risks coming from offshore companies are higher ment Fund LLC. in Georgia, as one of the major challenges facing “This company implements several projects in our country today is the “high-level” corruption. Georgia and is fully owned by Frankston Interna- Anonymous ownership of offshore companies is a tional, a company registered in Panama. Bidzina contributing factor to high-level corruption,” TI Ivanishvili’s affi liation with this company is also Georgia added. confi rmed by the fact that the former and acting An offshore zone is a country or a specifi c terri- directors of the Tourism Development Fund are tory of a country where companies enjoy special persons openly connected to him. Moreover, accord- concessional terms. Lower tax rates, the secrecy ing to the Public Registry, Tourism Development of company owner, simpler fi nancial reporting rules Fund and Cartu Bank are registered at the same legal and ease of company registration and operations address. Frankston International also owns 100% of can be among such terms. Further, the owner need Bidzina Ivanishvili's main investment company, the not be a resident of said country or have a regis- Co-Investment Fund,” the organization reports. tered offi ce (business representation) in order to The NGO indicates that in October 2018, they have an offshore company. This makes the offshore published a study on offshore companies connected option ideal for those wishing to escape state to Ivanishvili, according to which, at least 9 offshore bureaucracy, legal control, and taxation. GEORGIA TODAY 8 SOCIETY NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 2, 2019 Two Decades in Georgia BLOG BY TONY HANMER

hat’s the anniversary coming up for me on December 1, the date I moved here by train from Baku, Azerbaijan, in 1999. I’ve also celebrated 10 years of marriage to my dearest Lali (May) Tand 30 years since I set out from Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada, to bike around the world and fi nd a place to settle down. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” There were a couple of times on that train between Baku and Tbilisi, in my early days, that the border guards on either side tried to intimidate me into bribing away their unwanted attention. I averaged about 3 round trips a year for the fi rst few years of the new millennium, to see friends I’d made during my six months in Azerbaijan prior to moving here. Both countries were thoroughly cor- rupt then, but Georgia eventually surged ahead, goaded on by rose thorns. I knew that if I gave in once and coughed up some Manat or Lari, they’d expect it every time. So, despite the stress of three or four of them coming into my otherwise empty sleeping coupe in the train, shutting the door, and trying it on, I never gave in to their threats to throw me off the train for having “too much camera equipment” or some other excuse. They’d stomp off with angry promises that “We’ll be back!”, but that was the end of it. Two or three times and they gave up. I had won, somehow. Same with Georgian metro police who tried to rob me a couple of times: calm confrontation won out, and they backed off. Blind luck? gave it to them without thinking, trusting them in They had rescued me from I didn’t even know else in my life. This country just grabbed me and Pulling into Tbilisi’s main railway station, we already dying naivete, then went back into the car- what, as I found out later. didn’t let go. I’ll never leave unless forced out. After were about six hours late due to power out(r)ages riage to fetch more of my considerable luggage. Tbilisi then was dark, dangerous, the police not half of my life wandering the world, the wondering en route. Some friends of friends who had been Unknown to me, with my complete lack of Geor- ones to go to if you needed help as they were likely is over. assigned to meet me had waited patiently all that gian language at the time, my hosts warned them only to make it worse. A Georgian visa took many time in the early winter’s chill, and greeted me on harshly not to press their luck squeezing me as trips to many locations, needing much persistence; Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti the platform. This was before I had my fi rst cell they knew Mr X who was high up in the local chain although an Azeri one, multi-entry for a year, was since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early phone, so there was no phoning ahead to arrange of command. Ignorance being bliss, I ventured forth far easier to obtain back then than it is now. I sur- 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook things. into Georgian life with my new friends, staying vived a mugging and theft, got a bit street smarter, group, now with nearly 2000 members, at www.face- The station police were there too, of course, with them for a few months in that fi rst cold, ker- fell in love with Georgia in a way which I hadn’t book.com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ eagerly awaiting newbie foreigners on whom to osene-heated winter and forging bonds which have managed to in Azerbaijan for some reason; and for He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: prey. They asked for my passport in Russian and I lasted these decades and introduced them to Svaneti. a while now have lived here longer than anywhere www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti Eco-Corridors Fund for the Caucasus Holds Final Meeting of Regional Consultative Forum

Continued from page 2 The project is based on two parallel and inter- linked processes: scientifi c identifi cation then pri- “ECF is one of the most successful projects for oritization of critical eco-corridors and target spe- WWF. It is new, innovative and the involvement of cies, and community-based approaches which local people in nature protection is a key factor,” develop trust, awareness, ownership and motivation said Karen Manvelyan, WWF, Armenia. for sustainable livelihood activities and long-term ECF is a funding instrument supporting commu- commitment for protection of these prioritized nity-based biodiversity conservation in Georgia, areas through conservation agreements imple- Armenia and Azerbaijan. Eco-corridors connect mented over a period of 10 years. various classifi cations of parks, protected areas and “First, the eco-corridors are important for the community-managed landscapes across the three migration of species and the connection of pro- countries. The organization uses simple steps and tected areas,” said Juri Nosadze from the Ministry processes to engage communities in nature con- of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of servation, and what Mr. Hikmet Alizade from Azr- Georgia. “Second, people’s social conditions are baijan’s Ministry of Environment noted is the best important. In the project it was very visible how part of the program: “The best achievement of the it supports the environmental factors as well as project is the involvement of communities in con- the socio-economic situation. The local people are servation measures...this project turns communi- the main benefi ciaries.” ties into collaborators and sometimes friends.” The WWF decided to sign Conservation Agree- The result is an interconnected mosaic of man- ments with local partners for a period of up to 10 aged and unmanaged habitats under various land years with clear, achievable objectives and easily categories and classifi cations. These community- measurable performance indicators. “Payments managed landscapes protect, connect and support under these agreements will ensure that opportu- healthy native ecosystems while ensuring the socio- nity costs for biodiversity-focused management of economic status of the communities is not dimin- land are covered, and that sustainable land use ished, and in many cases is improved. practises are applied,” reports the WWF. GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 2, 2019 SOCIETY 9 Venue of the Week: Skola Coffee & Wine Bar

and the country in general. Skola Coffee chance to exhibit their works on site. It BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA & Wine Bar offers a stunning array of the is no exaggeration to say that through this best coffees, served in cute mugs with an excellent initiative, Skola Coffee & Wine artistic design. Alongside this, the best Bar has successfully assimilated the idea he word school, translated Georgian Qvevri wines are offered. Whether of Corporate Social Responsibility. into Georgian as ‘Skola,’ is you’re there for lunch or dinner, both bev- In cuisine, the Skola team follows the usually associated with an erages are sure to win your heart for their latest trends of world gastronomy and academic, formal establish- taste and presentation. spares no effort to offer the best choices ment with multiple subjects The concept of the venue is equally from European cuisine, designed to suit Tand endless homework. Yet, Skola Coffee refreshing, as the founders of Skola Cof- the tastes of both local residents and & Wine Bar on Paliashvili Street in Tbi- fee & Wine Bar have gone beyond the foreign customers. They also promote lisi’s Vake district has something new to limits of a simple eatery and, though the notion of healthy nutrition and offer offer that is far from what its name might modest at fi rst glance, the establishment high-quality dishes and snacks in their suggest. makes a wonderful place for formal and seasonal menu. Skola Coffee & Wine Bar opened its semi-formal gatherings in the busy urban In addition to mouthwatering burgers fi rst branch on Rustaveli Avenue nearly environ. Guests can benefi t from an of beef and chicken, served with perfectly two years ago, fast establishing itself on opportunity to socialize and establish fried chips, to their quesadilla and fi sh the market as a pioneer, introducing and new friendships or to enjoy a business salad, you can also try a number of diverse promoting the concept of specialty cof- lunch with colleagues. specialties, such as a pear salad. And fee to guests. Skola, in a project that fi ts its name, their desserts are nothing short of spec- Aside from a wonderful, eclectic menu recently launched a Book Club, where tacular. The venue is also distinguished and a wide assortment of refreshments, on specifi c days of each month, visitors, for its huge assortment of healthy coffee and wine represent the two major especially youngsters, have a chance to smoothies and lemonades, each made priorities of the founders of Skola. enjoy a pleasant evening, meet new peo- with health and presentation in mind. Coffee is one of the oldest and best loved ple, discuss a specifi c book and share If you are looking for the ideal mélange products worldwide, listed among the their impressions, and to expand their of tasty food, comfortable environ and global leaders of sales, while, through 8,000 global outlook. innovative concept, Skola Coffee & Wine years of tradition, winemaking has become The founders of the venue also have a Bar is defi nitely worth a visit at 17 Rustaveli an inalienable part of the Georgian culture focus on young artists, giving them a Ave. and 80 Palishavili St. GEORGIA TODAY 10 CULTURE NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 2, 2019

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER Directed by Paul Gordon Until December 15 MUSIC ART HALL Author: Paul Gordon, Ioseb The fi rst-ever exhibition of a 26/2 A. Surguladze Str. Bakuradze, remarkable coin from TBILISI CONCERT HALL AND BALLET November 30 THEATER Choreographer: Robbie Priore, the time of King David the Builder 1 Melikishvili Ave. Abby Leithart, Vanessa Owen, The coin shows Kind David IV ROBERT BABICZ 25 Sh. Rustaveli Ave. STIMMHALT Gavin Strewart, Lasha Robakidze dressed in Byzantine imperial November 30 SOUND STUFF Genre: Musical attire, wearing stemma, and Concert dedicated to the November 30 ENDORPHINS Language: Non-verbal holding a Globus cruciger. On and songwriter KETO AND KOTE Start time: 22:00 Start time: 20:00 the reverse is an invocation in MATSATSO SEBISKVERADZE Victor Dolidze's opera Ticket: 25 GEL Music Director of the Production- Ticket: 25 GEL Georgian surrounding a cross Head of the orchestra: Davit and listing the extent of David's Mazniashvili Revaz Takidze SPACEHALL Director- Ioane (Vano) Khutsishvili November 30 kingdom: 'Lord, aid David, king Participants: of Abkhazians, Kartvelians, Rans, Dinamo Arena Set, Costume and Lighting DIVINE COMEDY Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra under Kakhs, Armenians.' the baton of Maestro Vakhtang Designer- Giorgi Alexi- Based on the work of Dante Aligieri November 29 Meskhishvili Kakhidze, with the participation of Three 20-minute choreographic TREEBAL: LIQUID SOUL Choreographer- Iliko Sukhishvili Until December 9 Nani Bregvadze, Eka Mamaladze, statements Start time: 23:00 Participants: Mariana Beridze, Exhibition Nukri Kapanadze, Maya Jabua, Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Ticket: 40 GEL Armaz Darashvili, Otar MUSEUM OF CERAMICS David Nozadze, “Shvidkatsa”, Music: Sandro Nikoladze Shishinashvili, Irina Aleksidze, Eight artists united around the “Teatraluri Kvarteti”, “Alilo” vocal Choreographer: Lasha Robakidze MONOHALL Elene Janjalia, Irakli Mujiri, Paata idea of creating a museum of groups, Neka Sebiskveradze, Giorgi 2 D. Bakradze Str. Sukhitashvili, Legi Imedashvili, Language: Non-verbal ceramics to describe the history of Sukhitashvili, Nodiko Tatishvili and Manana Iordanishvili. Start time: 20:00 ceramics: Malkhaz Shvelidze, Nato Maka Zambakhidze November 29 Conductor- Revaz Takidze Ticket: 15 GEL Eristavi, Lia Bagrationi, Gigisha With the piano accompaniment of SALVE GROUP Start time: 19:00 Pachkoria, Lali Kutateladze, Otar Nino Guliashvili. presents music band Ticket: 40-200 GEL December 1 Vepkhvadze, Merab Gugunashvili, Start time: 20:00 THE STORY OF A MURDERER Ilia Biganashvili. Ticket: 20-40 GEL SAKHE Start time: 23:55 TBILISI STATE Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Ticket: 30 GEL CONSERVATOIRE Music: Sandro Nikoladze, Davit IOSEB GRISHASHVILI DJ. KAKHIDZE TBILISI 8 Grioedovi Str. TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM CENTER FOR MUSIC & Kakulia TBILISI BAROQUE FESTIVAL Language: Non-verbal - KARVASLA CULTURE November 29, December 1 8 Sioni St. 123a D. Agmashenebeli Ave. Start time: 20:00 December 1 KETO AND KOTE TEL (+995 32) 2 98 22 81 Ticket: 10, 15 GEL FUOCO E CENERE V. Sarajishvili State Conservatory November 29 Pulcinella Opera Studio November 29- January 19 VAKHTANG KAKHIDZE’S MUSIC December 5 o La Libertà ritrovat Author of the libretto Victor The project "Contemporary Art FOR CINEMA AND THEATER, IGGI Performers: Dolidze Gallery" presents the exhibition SONGS AND JAZZ The performance is dedicated to Based on the work of Jemal "How to Catch up with a Dead The renewed musical project Natalie Perez- soprano the 100th anniversary of the opera Karchkhadze Hare" by will be performed by Vakhtang Bruno Leone- master of "Keto and Kote" Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Georgian contemporary artist Kakhidze and singers - Nato marionnettes Choreographer- Vladimir Music: Sandro Nikoladze ILIKO ZAUTASHVILI Kakhidze, Neka Sebiskveradze, Jay Bernfeld- viola da gamba and Bakhtadze Language: Non-verbal Maka Zambakhidze, George direction Executive Conductor- Papuna Start time: 20:00 MUSEUM OF SOVIET Sukhitashvili and Goga Meskhi. Patricia Lavail- recorder Gvaberidze Ticket: 10, 15 GEL OCCUPATION Start time: 19:30 André Henrich- theorbo Directed by Lela Gvarishvili 4 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 20-50 GEL Grégoire Laugraud– harpsichord Start time: 19:00 MUSEUM TEL (+995 32) 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Program: Ticket: 5, 10 GEL www.museum.ge SILK FACTORY STUDIO I. Giovanni Battista Pergolesi From the opera Flaminio: GEORGIAN NATIONAL 59 Kostava Ave. The exhibition hall is equipped Sinfonia GABRIADZE THEATER MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA with monitors, where visitors December 3 Mentre l’erbetta 14 Shavteli Str. MUSEUM can see documentaries of various Georgia National Music Center Con queste paroline 3 Rustaveli Ave. November 29 historical events. & Nikoloz Rachveli present a Domenico Gallo Imaginary Sonata TEL (+995 32) 299 80 22, 293 48 21 RAMONA concert dedicated to the 90th of celebrated melodies Revaz Gabriadze www.museum.ge MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS birth anniversary and 35th death Moderato- Allegro- Presto Directed by Revaz Gabriadze 10 Betlemi Str. anniversary of Givi Orjonikidze Giovanni Battista Pergolesi Sinfonia English Subtitles Exhibitions: Performers: per Viola da Gamba Start time: 20:00 GEORGIAN COSTUME AND Discover the Museum of Illusions Trinity Cathedral Choir, Adagio- Allegro Ticket: 20, 30 GEL WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH Be brave and jump into an illusion Svimon Jangulashvili- conductor Giovanni Battista Pergolesi CENTURIES created by the Vortex, deform the Georgian Philharmonic Orchestra, Siciliana: December 5 NUMISMATIC TREASURY image of yourself in the Mirror Nikoloz Rachveli- conductor Ogni pena REZO EXHIBITION STONE AGE Room, free yourself in the Infi nity Giorgi Zagareli- viola Alessandro Parisotti Se tu m’ami Animated documentary fi lm GEORGIA Room, resist the laws of gravity Program: II. Giovanni Battista Pergolesi From the opera Adriano in Siria Directed by Leo Gabriadze ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE and size, and take selfi es in every Georgian Choral Music, Giya Contento forse Vivere English Subtitles NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL possible pose. Enjoy the collection Kancheli - Liturgy in memory of Givi Conte Unico Wilhelm van Start time: 20:00 COLLECTIONS of holograms and discover optical Orjonikidze for orchestra and solo Ticket: 15 GEL illusions. viola “Mourned by the Wind” Wassenaer Start time: 19:30 Sonata Terza per Flauto Dolce Until December 10 GALLERY MOVEMENT THEATER Ticket: 15-35 GEL Grave- Allegro An international-scale 182 Agmashenebli Ave. Giovanni Battista Pergolesi From archaeological exhibition THE NATIONAL GALLERY TBILISI STATE the opera Lo Frate ‘Nnamurato: November 29 THE COLORS OF ANCIENT . 11 Rustaveli Ave. CONSERVATOIRE Sinfonia TAMADA IN MANHATTAN MOSAICS FROM THE TEL (+995 32) 215 73 00 8 Grioedovi Str. Canzone di Don Pietro - Pupillette, Georgian-American Premiere CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS fi amette d’amore Washington Theater Company E The exhibition features 21 mosaics GRAND MASTERS FROM THE December 3 Canzone di Vannella and Movement Theater co-stage found in Rome, covering a wide GEORGIAN DIALOGUE OF CULTURES: Sento dire a performance in the format of a chronological period ranging from NATIONAL MUSEUM LITHUANIA– GEORGIA Per te io ho nel core il martelin Broadway musical 2nd century BC until 4th century AD COLLECTION XIX – XX CENTURY Vilnius folk ensemble d’Amore (Flaminio) ARINUSHKA, Start time: 19:30 Artistic Directors– Irena Zacharova Ticket: 10-30 GEL and Nikolay Zacharov (Lithuania) Venue: Rustaveli Theater, Luka Mebonia, Giorgy Shanava– Small Stage vocal (Georgia) Arturas Anusauskas– keyboard December 3 (Lithuania) VIRTUOSITY À LA FRANÇAISE Alexander Papiy– guitar (Russia) FUOCO E CENERE THE BOW’S Percussion ensemble HAND CARESS VOICES (Lithuania) Virtuosity à la Française Tbilisi Vano Sarajishvili State Musical gems drawn from the Conservatoire Student Orchestra works of And his Conductor– Revaz Javakhishvili illustrious compatriots Start time: 19:00 Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 5-10 GEL Ticket: 10-40 GEL Venue: Rustaveli Theater, December 5 Small Stage Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatory MOVEMENT THEATER Student Symphony Orchestra 182 Agmashenebli Ave. Conductor: Revaz Javakhishvili I. S. Rachmaninoff- Concerto for December 3 Piano and Orchestra #2 JAM SESSION- Soloists: Improv played by different Gvantsa Kobalia- M.A. Ic (part I) Georgian and Elene Kvantaliani- B.A. III c. (Parts foreign musicians and II and III) instrumentalists. II. P.I. Tchaikovsky- Symphony # 1, Musical art director- Sandro Sol Minor, "Winter Dreams" Nikoladze Start time: 19:00 Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 5-10 GEL Ticket: 5 GEL GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 2, 2019 CULTURE 11 Ending Violence Against Women

tunities and economic independence, BY SABINE MACHL, UN RESIDENT could help in addressing the challenge. COORDINATOR IN GEORGIA A comprehensive approach that includes laws along with decisive imple- mentation to protect women and girls iolence against women from violence could also help in tackling and girls is a global scourge the problem. The provision of services and unfortunately still one must be accessible to all survivors, of the largest human rights including medical and psychological violations worldwide. One support, housing and legal advice. And, inV three women globally continues to above all a complex and comprehensive suffer from abuses at home or in the response that will tackle relevant areas workplace during her lifetime. like education, economic development, Despite the tremendous amount of governance, and institutional arrange- resources and time invested in the pre- ments in order to prevent violence from vention of Gender-Based Violence, appearing in the fi rst place. women and girls continue to experience The key is the prevention of violence various forms of violence – from domes- from occurring and this needs to start tic violence to sexual harassment, from at an early age. We can help instill a traffi cking to early marriage and femi- culture of zero tolerance towards vio- cide – due to entrenched discriminatory lence in young people by creating aware- social norms and traditions. In addition, ness. survivors of violence often face social The 16 Days of Activism against Gen- stigma, and victims are blamed as der-Based Violence is such an aware- responsible for the violence they sur- ness-raising campaign, which com- vived. mences on 25 November, the International If we look at some of the statistics that Day for the Elimination of Violence concern Georgia, it becomes apparent against Women and lasts until 10 Decem- that we need to join forces to urgently ber, Human Rights Day. Here in Georgia address this phenomenon. The 2018 under the theme #Every WomanHasAS- National Study on Violence against tory we all have a chance to participate, Women in Georgia conducted jointly more, approximately one-quarter of women do not speak out or come for- tially the effect as well as the result of to break the silence and stop the stigma. by the National Statistics Offi ce GEO- women (23%) and 42% of the surveyed ward. Trends of deep-routed public inequality between women and men – Let us use the 16 Days of Activism to STAT and UN Women with fi nancial men believe that the wife should obey perceptions and clichés in relation to that is, the unequal distribution of power, challenge attitudes that blame the support from the EU, revealed that her husband even if she disagrees with the role of women in private and public resources and opportunities. woman, the victim. women and men show a high degree of him. Moreover, at least one out of seven spheres persist and therefore gender- We consider women’s economic secu- Let us stand in solidarity with those tolerance and acceptance towards the women has experienced domestic vio- based violence remains shrouded in a rity as a key dimension of the GBV who experienced violence and help use of physical violence against women lence and one out of fi ve says they have culture of silence. Many people think challenge. The World Bank recent fi nd- women fi nd their voices and speak out in relationships, and share inequitable experienced sexual harassment in their that women should stay silent, no mat- ings point to the potential links between publicly. And let us work together to views on sex and sexual violence. Of lifetime. Georgia also has one of the ter what, to protect their family name confl ict, economic stress and GBV risk, end violence against women once and those surveyed, almost one-fourth (22%) highest rates of child marriage among and dignity. as well as the value of economic secu- for all. This is an indispensable precon- of women and one-third of men (31%) European States. Dealing with violence against women rity in women accessing support and dition for development and for achiev- believe that beating of the wife is justi- These offi cial fi gures reveal only a means dealing with the underlying GBV services. A more holistic response, ing the ambitious goal of leaving nobody fi ed in certain circumstances. Further- small part of the picture because many causes. Violence against women is par- including a focus on employment oppor- behind. ‘Batumi in Cinema’: a Retraining Program for the City Guides Begins

BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE

atumi has long been an inter- esting subject for movie directors, and it comes as no surprise that cinematography there has a great history. NothingB helps tourism more than con- necting it to a cultural context, and with Batumi’s best interests at heart, a new retraining program has begun for the local city guides. Connecting the dots of cinematography to the tourism potential, the fi rst day of training for the functioning city guides in Ajara opened with the topic of ‘Batumi in Cinema’. The ten-day retraining pro- gram not only focuses on the cinemato- graphic aspect of the beautiful city of Image source: Ajara Tourism Department Georgia, though, as the city guides will The concept and plan of the training Chairperson of Adjara Tourism Depart- vidually develop the culture of city who are not employed as guides, can go through trainings regarding the famous was created with the support of the Ajara ment. “That is why we went through guiding in Batumi and better represent and are encouraged to attend the train- buildings of Batumi, the balconies, gar- Tourism Department. The Department a process of consulting the guides and our city. We are already planning to ings. Attendance is free for all, though dens, the people connected to the rich worked closely with those competent in then from their feedback, created a issue an educational book which will it requires registration, the form of which history of the city with background sto- the fi eld to choose the themes worth retraining course for them. The new include all the differently-themed city can be found online on the Department’s ries of their own, and the Georgian highlighting the most. training program is focused on spot- tours of Batumi and will help new website. mythology and choreography – all crucial “It is crucial for us to make the Batumi lighting stories from the city’s rich guides plan their tours interestingly The training program that kicked off for the development of tourism in the City Tour more fascinating and attrac- historic culture. These topics will give and effi ciently.” this with the topic of ‘Batumi in Cinema’ region. tive for tourists,” said Tinatin Zoidze, the guides the opportunity to indi- All the entities interested, even those will wrap up on December 8.

PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Website Manager/Editor: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Katie Ruth Davies 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Zaza Jgarkava, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Maka Bibilashvili, Layout: strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Vazha Tavberidze, Misha Mchedlishvili Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Commercial Director: Nugzar B. Ruhadze, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Webmaster: Iva Merabishvili Beka Alexishvili, F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Sergey Gevenov Marketing Manager: Tea Mariamidze, is registered in Mtatsminda Sesili Tikaradze Ana Dumbadze, Circulation Managers: ADVERTISING & district court. Nini Dakhundaridze David Kerdikashvili, SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: David Djandjgava +995 555 00 14 46 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: Photographer: E-mail: Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies Irakli Dolidze [email protected]