Issue no: 1123 • FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Kaladze’s Weekly Priorities: Public Transport, Support for Children with Autism

NEWS PAGE 3 Georgian FM Holds High-Rank Meetings in Washington POLITICS PAGE 4 Freedom House 2019: is “Partly Free” FOCUS ON THE OPERA Don Carlo returns to Georgia with a star cast PAGE 11

POLITICS PAGE 5 Expansion of Georgia’s Complex Education Reform Black Sea Ports: Modus Vivendi for Georgia BUSINESS PAGE 7 to Be Launched in Georgia Anastasia Pirveli: Georgia’s

BY THEA MORRISON Transgender Star

ikheil Batiashvili, Minister of Edu- cation, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, held a summarizing presentation of the Education System Complex Reform. MThe reform implies a number of changes to the education system and includes changes in the pre- school, secondary, vocational, higher education and science areas, with Georgian experts and edu- cation subject-matter specialists actively engaged in the reform design and development process. SOCIETY PAGE 9 International organizations the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), “Matters of the Dark & Asian Development Bank (ADB) and almost all donor agencies and international partners of Geor- Irresistible,” a Disturbing gia also participated in forming the upcoming strategy. Exhibition at the MOMA Continued on page 2 Image source: mes.gov.ge CULTURE PAGE 11 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 PM Bakhtadze Meets with EBRD Managing Director

nomic growth. BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA The conversation also touched upon upcoming projects targeted by the EBRD for investment and the interest of the he Prime Minister of Geor- Bank in implementing a number of ini- gia Mamuka Bakhtadze held tiatives in the public sector. PM Bakhtadze a meeting with Managing focused on the importance of projects Director of the European launched by the EBRD for Georgia’s Bank for Reconstruction development and transformation of the Tand Development (EBRD), Matteo country into a regional hub and economic Patrone, on February, 6, where the latter center. stated that the EBRD increasingly trusts The Georgian offi cial also expressed the Government of Georgia and its eco- his gratitude to Bruno Balvanera, the nomic policy. predecessor of Matteo Patrone, who At the meeting, the parties discussed contributed to putting together an impor- the joint projects implemented with tant investment portfolio for Georgia EBRD and the role of the Bank as one over the years. Patrone was appointed of the strongest supporters of Georgia EBRD Managing Director in Eastern Image source: Government of Georgia in the country’s development and eco- Europe and Caucasus in October 2018. Boeing Purchases Aircraft Parts Made in Georgia Elbit Cyclone is an Israeli company BY AMY JONES that partnered with the Partnership Fund to open the factory in in 2018. It is the fi rst high-tech factory of its kind Georgian factory produc- in the South Caucasus region. ing aircraft parts has man- Together with the Partnership Fund, ufactured its fi rst items to Elbit Cyclone formed a joint venture be purchased by Boeing. company - Aerostructure Technologies The state-owned share- Cyclone in Georgia. Together they Aholding company Partnership Fund invested $93 million in the project. announced the news: “The fi rst docu- Currently, the company employs 120 ment on the procurement of high-tech people and plans to expand its staff to products manufactured to international 300. standards was signed at the aircraft-parts Aircraft parts manufactured in the fac- factory. The Director of Elbit Cyclone tory will be sold to Airbus, Bombardier, and Aerostructure Technologies Cyclone and various other passenger plane com- (ATC) director signed the agreement.” panies. Photo source: Partnership Fund Complex Education Reform to Be Launched in Georgia

Continued from page 1 tifi cation and salary policy is to be devel- tion: moving from a uniform approach to Tbilisi and in the regions, and the renova- oped and approved. differentiated approaches and the devel- tion of 265 public schools, will be completed. Within the framework of the education In the fi eld of general education, a New opment of the principals as strong leaders. “Eight special schools will be renewed reform, the School Readiness Program School Model has been created based The New School Model was success- and the construction of 35 new schools will be provided for all children of Geor- on literacy, which is focused on critical fully implemented in Public School 150 will be launched. We want to build a city gia for 2021-2023. thinking and fast adaptation to the envi- of Tbilisi and by 2024, the model will be of education and science which will unite In addition, new educational programs ronment, based on the general skills of introduced in all schools throughout the different educational spaces,” he noted. We want to build and resources will be introduced based the students. country. In the fi eld of higher education, the on the principles of inclusive and civil The model also envisages providing It was announced by the Education goal is to integrate into the international a city of education. A new model of teacher cer- schools with autonomy and decentraliza- Ministry that School Graduation Exams education space and instigate quality will be abolished from 2020. Other major improvement. Moreover, the Develop- education and changes will be enacted in the education ment Strategy implies the transformation system from the same year. Prior to that, of Georgia into a regional hub for inter- science in 2019, 11th graders will be exempted national business, tourism, transport and from graduation exams, but these exams education. process information and quickly respond will be retained for 12th grade students. Vocational Education and Life-Long to problems, and apply logical thinking. It was stated that National Examina- Learning is one of the priority areas of The methodology of the education sec- tions will be conducted in three com- the presented reform. The Minister said tor reform and new approaches envisage pulsory subjects instead of four from the government is introducing a system a system that zooms in to an individual 2020. Georgian Language and Literature which will help individuals of any age child, adolescent, youth and teacher,” he and foreign language exams will remain to adapt to the fast changing world, stated. mandatory for all university entrants. acquire new professional skills, and enjoy PM Bakhtadze thanked all sides involved Entrants will still be able to choose from self-realization and development. in the reform development process and technical and humanitarian programs, In terms of science, the reform implies expressed confi dence that the reform but the third compulsory subject will be integration into the international scien- will be successful. determined according to the demands tifi c space and increased funding for “We will have competitive generations of the higher educational institutions science. equipped with advanced knowledge who the entrants wish to join. The overall aim is to develop Georgia’s will make their due contribution to the Passing a General Skills exam will no human capital, generating competitive democratic and economic transforma- longer be compulsory, but universities professionals equipped with advanced tion of Georgia. That is how we will will have the right to add a selective knowledge and skills, oriented towards overcome poverty, reach welfare and examination relevant to their own pro- long-term development. join a group of advanced, developed gram, including a General Skills exam. “The modern world, new technologies countries by succeeding in the creation Batiashvili stated that in 2019, the con- and fast pace of changes requires humans of a unifi ed, strong and European state,” struction of nine new public schools in to have new, diverse skills, the ability to he added. GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 NEWS 3 Kaladze’s Weekly Priorities: Public Transport, Support for Children with Autism

these families and children as much as BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE possible.” The Mayor then touched on the envi- ronment. “We are doing a lot of work to ach week, the municipal gov- improve the ecological situation in the ernment of Tbilisi holds a capital; we are carrying out various pro- meeting at City Hall. Preced- jects. I would like to inform residents ing this week’s meetings, about infected pine trees. Last year, we Mayor Kakha Kaladze brought in international experts who remarkedE on several topics of interest. conducted research and studied the cur- Kaladze opened the meeting by dis- rent situation. The results showed that cussing public infrastructure. Two new we have a very diffi cult situation in the subway cars were added to the Tbilisi city and if we do not take concrete steps Metro, one on each line, with plans to today, we may face an ecological catas- add two more in the near future. City trophe. Accordingly, the EcoService Hall plans to renovate all the old cars Group has already made sanitary cuts. that are still operational. Metro ridership In total, thousands of diseased pine trees has increased by 25% year-on-year. will be cut down and replaced with new Kaladze attributed this uptick to the trees,” said Kaladze. The majority of the improved quality of cars and shorter trees infected with the contagious dis- wait times between trains. Previous wait ease, he said, are on private land. time was an average of four minutes. It Finally, Kaladze discussed the impor- has now been reduced to three minutes, tance of tourism development for Tbilisi. and the goal is to shorten it to just two “I had a talk with the Prime Minister and a half minutes during peak hours. Image source: Tbilisi City Hall about how we should position Tbilisi Kaladze also announced the opening their cars the newly-required white, and imately 599,000 GEL ($225,000). Assembly, a member of an opposition on various platforms to explain to tour- of the call for bids on the construction for car washes. “The palace building will be completely party asked if it was possible to increase ists how attractive and interesting our of the new metro lines between Samgori The city also plans to rehabilitate the restored and future generations will be the number of children that the City Hall city is.” He called on Andria Basilaia, the and Lilo and between Samgori and Tbi- Youth Palace on Rustaveli Avenue, a able to use the space for many decades,” will serve and fi nance. As far as I know, head of the City Hall Economic Devel- lisi International Airport. Plans were 200-year-old cultural heritage monu- promised Kaladze. there were more than 130 waiting at that opment Department, to “Show the world expressed to commission a survey to ment that is one of the landmarks of The Mayor also discussed a new ini- time. We – my staff, my deputy, Sopio how beautiful our city is and how rich explore the potential of connecting Tbi- Tbilisi. The building’s function has tiative to expand programs for children Khuntsaria, was personally involved in its culture is for which each of us is lisi to Rustavi via a metro line. changed many times in the past cen- on the autism spectrum. Current pro- the process. We met with representa- proud. We have a lot of sights and hos- Another topic of discussion was the tury. The fi rst national fl ag of the grams reach just 850 children, but the tives of this opposition party and decided pitality, which it is very important to winner of the tender to manage adver- Democratic Republic of Georgia was plan is to reach 1,000 children with to increase the number of benefi ciaries popularize. We have to maximize our tising on taxis and public transportation raised there. Today, it holds the Amer- renewed funding support. up to 1000, i.e., to satisfy the children city to be the best capital, to draw as – private marketing fi rm Alma. For the ican Embassy’s American Corner loca- “The capital city has been working in who were in the waiting line. For this, many tourists as possible to spend more fi rst two years, Alma will not pay driv- tion for Tbilisi. The palace’s façade this direction for years,” said Kaladze, we spent 3.7 million GEL ($1.4 mln). With time here. With the money from tour- ers directly for carrying advertisements, and interior are in need of a complete “There are seven institutions that serve this decision, about 445,000 GEL ism, we will be able to fi nance other but instead issue them vouchers to repaint renovation. The work will cost approx- these children. When I was in the City ($167,000) will be allocated to support important directions.” Georgia’s National Tourism Agency Welcomes New Head

Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Health which are not so active but have the policy; and those private companies who are potential to be attracted to come,” she • Promotion of sustainable tourism able to offer medical tourism products said. development; to visitors,” she said. The GNTA is a Legal entity of public • Promotion of high export income Kvrivishvili added that the main aim law, a part of the system of the Ministry growth and job creation in the country is to create a more diverse tourism mar- of Economy and Sustainable Develop- on the basis of tourism development; ket in order to attract more tourists to ment of Georgia, independently conduct- • Attraction of foreign tourists to Geor- Georgia. ing activity under state control. gia and development of domestic tour- “We need to have more direct fl ights The goals and objectives of the GNTA ism; to some countries whose citizens actively are: • Promotion of human resources devel- visit Georgia for tourism purposes. Also, • Formation and implementation of the opment in the fi eld of tourism destina- we need to have fl ights to countries Georgian tourism development state tions, infrastructure and tourism.

Image source: Reginfo Administration. BY THEA MORRISON Kvrivishvili said it is a great honor for her to head one of the most strategically important agencies of the country. he Georgian National Tour- “There are many challenges ahead ism Administration because the goals that are based on (GNTA) has a new head: national principles are quite ambitious. Mariam Kvrivishvili, It is important that with the short, medium appointed as a result of a and long term strategies, we develop Tcompetition. new tourism products, create new infra- Kvrivishvili, 29, was presented by the structure and launch more new fl ights Minister of Economy and Sustainable to bring in more high-profi le tourists. It Development of Georgia, Giorgi Koulia, is also important that Georgia have more on February 5. diversifi ed and strategic markets," she “Mariam Kvrivishvili has great work added. experience in the private and public sec- She told media that there is a lot of tors. She has a Bachelor's and Master's potential in Georgia and she plans to Degree in Marketing, Business Admin- launch new touristic products like med- istration and Management, which is very ical- and eco-tourism. important for us,” the Minister said. I “These products will be a base for the think her work experience, education, existing product supply platform in the and vision will provide more energy for country. The involvement of the private tourism administration and will help us sector in the development of medical to advance this very important segment tourism is of utmost importance. We of our economy”. have one mission: we want more quality He added that Kvrivishvili also has a tourists to come to Georgia,” she added. lot of experience in the tourism sector. The GNTA Head noted that in order Since 2013, she was working as the Direc- to develop tourism in the country, the tor General of LLC Voyager. She was involvement of both the state and private also airline Fly Dubai Regional Manager sectors is necessary. in Georgia. In 2012-2013, she worked as “For example, in medical tourism the Deputy Head of the National Tourism GNTA will be involved alongside the GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 Georgian FM Holds High-Rank Meetings in Washington

Chairman of the Committee on Foreign BY THEA MORRISON Relations, Senator James Risch. Highlighting the Georgia-US strategic partnership and increasing level of ithin the framework Georgia’s co-operation with the US of an offi cial visit to Congress over the past few years, the the United States of sides made a special mention of the fi rm America, Georgia’s support of the US Congress for Geor- Foreign Minister gia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, DavidW Zalkaliani held high-rank meet- as well as for its Euro-Atlantic integra- ings in Washington DC. tion as evidenced by the Georgia Sup- Zalkaliani held a meeting with the US port Act approved by the House of Assistant Secretary of State for Euro- Representatives in 2018. pean and Eurasian Affairs, Wess Mitch- The Minister provided the Senator ell. with updated information regarding The sides spoke about Georgia-US Russia’s destructive policy in Georgia’s co-operation in various fi elds. It was occupied regions, and about the diffi cult underlined that Georgia is the key ally security and human rights situation in and partner of the US in the region. The the region. sides highlighted prospects for further Talking points also included Georgia’s enhancing mutual ties for defense and important role in ensuring Black Sea security, as well as in the fi elds of econ- security, the reforms carried out by the omy and trade. Georgian government, the country’s Zalkaliani thanked the US for its fi rm investment and economic potential and support of Georgia’s sovereignty and its transit function. Georgia’s leading territorial integrity, including through position in international ratings was the US Appropriations Act. also highlighted. The Georgian Foreign Minister updated On February 6, Zalkaliani took part in the Assistant Secretary of State on the the Meeting of Ministers of the ‘Global Image source: MFA ongoing reforms in Georgia and the Coalition to Defeat ISIS’. process of European and Euro-Atlantic amount of US fi nancial assistance to as well as for its path of European and Ron Johnson praised Georgia for its The Global Coalition against ISIS was integration. The sides noted with sat- Georgia as evidenced by the US Appro- Euro-Atlantic integration. progress in democratic reforms, eco- formed in September 2014 and is unique isfaction the high-level communication priations Act 2019. At the meeting with the Co-chairman nomic development and Euro-Atlantic in its membership, scope and commit- between the two countries. Flores expressed his wish to become of the Sub-committee on Europe of the integration. He also expressed gratitude ment. Together, the Global Coalition is During the visit, Zalkaliani also met a member of the House Georgia Caucus Committee on Foreign Relations, Sena- for Georgia’s important contribution to committed to degrading and ultimately Senator Bill Flores and thanked him for and further assist Georgia in dealing tor Ron Johnson, Zalkaliani discussed the international peacekeeping opera- defeating ISIS, with its 74 members an increasing number of its acts and with the challenges facing it. He also prospects for further enhancement of tions, including the Resolute Support committed to tackling ISIS on all fronts, resolutions in support of Georgia. reaffi rmed his strong support for Geor- Georgia-US co-operation and strategic Mission. to dismantle its networks and counter The sides welcomed the increased gia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, partnership. The Georgian Minister also met the its global ambitions. Russia Lost the Case to Georgia, but... territorially beleaguered smaller neigh- but could you once, in your lifetime, take OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE bor. Notably, Europe’s universally it easy and pay? The answer is no, we respected top rights court made the fi nal are aware of this too! Do you guys think judgment based on the voting ratio of the ECHR will ever make a wrong judg- eorgia is rejoicing at the sixteen to one, that one being, unsurpris- ment and damage its good name by los- recent big news, but the ingly, the Russian judge. ing trust and face for this minor juridical celebration might be a lit- Georgia fi led the case against the Rus- effort? What is EUR 10 million for Rus- tle premature. The grand sian habitual belligerency and won the sia after all? But Russia would not be chamber of the European case, which is wonderful for us, and Russia if she made the due payment in GCourt of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled materially and morally devastating for good time. on January 31 in favor of Georgia against the giant (which now fi nds itself totally Russia is now digging into every pos- Russia. Good news, right? But Russia has fl abbergasted and frustrated in the face sible constitutional passage or other legal no intention whatsoever of footing the of its international condemnation – how byway to either eschew the recently bill: bad news! Based on the precepts of dare those conceited European phony imposed unexpected fi scal burden or to The ECHR. Source: 02varvara.wordpress.com international law, Russia is legally obli- justice-doers defy the authority of Rus- at least delay the fi nal triumph of the pelled to prop up its budget? Never! that much money, and on top of that, gated to transfer the court-imposed pay- sia and take the side of a nonentity like winning side. But they do not know that On the other hand, one might well the recently reinstated arms race in the ment of $11.5 million to the Georgian Georgia!) procrastination is only a thief of time. imagine that it is not only a question of expectation of the newly invented cold government’s coffers for further com- Sorry, our dear former bros, but we Gosh, Russia can’t take it easy and she prestige for Russia. Russia might well war era might cripple Russia fi nancially pensation of damages suffered by the have won the case and you have to deliver feels like killing the joy. The presump- be so broke that the payment of a mis- so much that not only will she not pay Georgian citizens who were massively, the dough before the deadline catches tion is that Russia will not pay a dime ery EUR 10 million has become too us the due recompense, but she might forcefully and unlawfully deported from you napping. We also understand that even if she knows that she cannot escape heavy for her. Poor old Russia! Hey actually ask for help. Oh no, God, don’t Russia in 2006. it’s hard to face this obnoxious music, the nasty conviction. She would rather Georgians, shall we forgive? This would do this to Russia, please because, based The expulsion of more than 1500 Geor- plus fairness of thought and logic of bend over backwards to make the pay- only boost the famous Georgian gener- on our nature, we might not be able to gians has served as one of the many action go totally against your grain, but ment of the terribly unsavory monetary osity. Russia needs help. The Russian refuse. There might be another trick up reasons for the exacerbation of relations alas, sometimes you have to take reality penalty null and void. Noblesse Oblige, pockets are no longer as deep as they the Georgian sleeve though – how about between the two countries right before as it is: unaltered, unaffected, untouched! after all – who is Georgia, this tiny piece once were. The well-known natural trading our occupied territories to waive the Russian-style blitzkrieg against her This is not in your nature, we know this, of nothing, to make Russia legally com- resources seller is no longer making the debt? SUBSCRIBE!

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[email protected] +995 32 229 59 19 Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08  10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 POLITICS 5

Freedom House 2019: Georgia is “Partly Free” Serbia, with 67. Georgia is surrounded by unfree BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE countries – Russia scores 20, Turkey scores 31 and Azerbaijan scores a dismal 11. Interestingly, Freedom House also ranks what is n February 4, the United States-based calls “territories,” a list on which the Georgian NGO Freedom House released its regions of Abkhazia and “South Ossetia” are included. ‘Freedom in the World 2019’ report. Abkhazia is relatively close to the rest of the Geor- The annual report, published since gia in the partly free category with a score of 41 1973, is Freedom House’s fl agship out of 100, while “South Ossetia” is ranked not free work.O It evaluates the condition of political rights with a score of 10, scoring particularly low in polit- and civil liberties around the world. Countries are ical rights (seven out of seven) and civil liberties given a numerical score and ranked; currently, the (six and a half out of seven). report evaluates 195 countries and 14 territories. In November, Freedom House released its annual Countries are split into three groups: free, partly Freedom on the Net report, where Georgia was free, and not free. ranked “free” with a score of 25 points out of 100: For the 2019 report, Georgia remained in the partly scores below 30 are “free.” Although Georgia has free category, with a score of 63 points out of a the highest freedom rating in the region, its score possible 100. Three categories are evaluated: free- was one point lower than in the 2017 report. dom rating, political rights, and civil liberties. In “Georgians freely use social media tools to organ- each category, a country is ranked out of seven, ize themselves and be engaged in political and with lower scores being better, in this case. Geor- social events. However, unreliable and politically gia scores three out of seven in all the categories. biased content, including anti-Western propaganda, Compared to other countries in the region, Geor- also proliferated online,” the report reads, noting gia ranks higher than its neighbors. Ukraine has also that internet access and usage continues to 60 points, Moldova has 58, and Armenia just 51. grow. Countries in the spotlight for 2019, receiving spe- The report further notes that, out of the 65 coun- cial analytical attention in the report, include tries evaluated, 26 have experienced a deterioration Armenia. The report explains, “In a region domi- in internet freedom in the last year. In a pattern nated by entrenched elites, Armenia made a break- predictive of the Freedom in the World report, through with the victory of reform-minded leader almost half the world’s internet freedom declines Nikol Pashinyan in snap elections that were called were somehow related to elections. The report after unpopular incumbent Serzh Sargsyan attempted wans that the threat of ‘fake news’ is being used by to evade term limits and extend his rule.” The report some governments as an excuse to censor opposi- put a spotlight on elections overall. The 2019 report tion or unfavorable material. notes “the weakening of democratic norms around the world, especially regarding elections and the To read the full Freedom in the World report, visit https:// human rights of migrants.” freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom- Georgia’s scores near Montenegro, with 65, and world-2019 Occupants Allegedly Install Surveillance Tower at ABL

Photo source: 1TV to be a surveillance tower between the occupied BY THEA MORRISON Dzukaantkari and Khurvaleti villages. The State Security Service of Georgia also con- fi rmed the information. According to the agency, ccupants are allegedly installing a the European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) surveillance tower near Khurvaleti to Georgia is informed about the issue and a hot- village at the Administrative Bound- line has been activated. ary Line (ABL) with Georgia’s break- “The Georgian side will raise the issue of the away region of Tskhinvali (South surveillance tower at Khurvaleti village by the Ossetia).O occupational regime during the next round of the The information was released by Georgia’s Pub- meeting of the Group of Incidents Prevention and lic Broadcaster. A journalist of TV1 reported that Response Mechanisms in Ergneti village on Febru- Russian soldiers are putting up what is presumed ary 8,” the SSS said. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 The Swiss Ambassador on Swiss- Georgian Relations

ment in May 2018, bilateral trade between BY AMY JONES Switzerland and Georgia has grown. Switzerland is looking to further deepen its economic ties with Georgia. At the n February 5, the new Swiss end of January, Swiss chocolate company Ambassador to Georgia, Camille Bloch announced its intention Patric Franzen, held a to invest in Georgia, whilst the Mediter- reception at the Swiss ranean Shipping Company is investing residency in Tbilisi. in ports in Batumi and Poti to improve Franzen,O having taken up his post in the effi ciency of shipping in the region. December. The new ambassador spoke Ambassador Franzen travelled to Batumi enthusiastically of the strength of Swiss- on February 7 to visit the project. Georgian bilateral relations over the past Currently, the largest Georgian exports 25 years. Indeed, Switzerland is, per to Switzerland are precious metals fol- capita, one of the countries that donates lowed by textiles, while it imports Swiss the most money to Georgia, behind only pharmaceuticals (53%), watches (15%), Sweden. Keen to further develop the medical equipment (5%), and paper (4%), strong relations between the countries, among other products. Georgia exports Franzen outlined past achievements and a larger amount of goods to Switzerland challenges, as well as initiatives planned than vice-versa. for the coming year. We have made note In order to attract further investment of these below. from Swiss companies, Georgia must, according to Franzen, ensure that they ON EDUCATION have a strong legal framework, offer a Switzerland is committed to educating reliable and predictable environment, young Georgians, especially through and regional stability. In May, a delega- vocational training. Two-thirds of Swiss tion from Georgia will visit the Swiss youth participate in vocational courses Chamber of Commerce to discuss trade which have been very successful in between the two countries. reducing unemployment. By improving Image source: President of Georgia's Press Offi ce vocational training in Georgia, especially ON ASYLUM SEEKERS asylum seekers in Switzerland has in Tbilisi. He announced that the Geor- similarities; beautiful landscape, a strong in rural areas, Switzerland hopes to cre- The number of Georgians seeking asy- increased... We are in discussions with gian-Switzerland diplomatic and cus- wine-making tradition and mountains, ate a better-equipped workforce and lum has almost doubled since the intro- the Ministry of Health of Georgia. I have toms negotiations by Swiss mediators amongst others. Ambassador Franzen is lower unemployment in Georgia. For duction of the visa-free regime in March to say that we have great cooperation have already been completed. Although enthusiastic to draw on these similari- example, in December 2018, the second 2017. In 2018, 873 Georgians sought asy- with the Georgian authorities to deal some technical issues are still to be ties and build a bridge between Switzer- phase of “Modernization of Vocational lum in Switzerland compared to 405 in with this challenge,” he concluded. decided, all relevant agreements have land and Georgia. Swiss help should Education and Training (VET) System 2015. “The acceptance rate is 0%,” the been signed. Switzerland will now help democratically develop both the public related to agriculture in Georgia” was Ambassador said. “There is a new trend ON RUSSIA to facilitate technical implementation. and private sectors and civil society, and launched to improve the agricultural of asylum seekers - we have more and The Ambassador also discussed Swit- “It’s a long road and there are many support Georgia with its ambitious future industry. more medical cases. Interestingly, there zerland’s role as a mediator between obstacles,” the Ambassador noted, “but plans. In 2019, Switzerland plans to open are no direct fl ights between Georgia Russia and Georgia. Having previously we are quite satisfi ed with the progress a new embassy in Vake in Tbilisi, signi- ON BILATERAL TRADE and Switzerland yet (we are working on represented Georgia’s interests in Mos- so far.” fying their commitment to continue to Since the signing of the Free Trade Agree- it), but in spite of this, the number of cow, Franzen will now represent Russia Switzerland and Georgia share many cooperate and invest in Georgia. The Focus of Our Interest passions. But unlike Medea, Beselia OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA “needed” to make this move because of the judges, which in reality is just an excuse rather than the true reason. hile Georgian politics Remember the parliamentary elections is busy discussing the of 2016? Those who gathered around the complications within founder of the were Georgian Dream and unconnected: by neither ideology nor whether the govern- value system, nor even by a plan. The Wmental party will break down or not, an only connection between them was array of much more important events is and his resources. developing before our eyes. For instance, It is completely unsurprising that Bese- the unexpected visit of the Prime Min- lia was unable to comply with the taste ister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan to of the “newcomers”, which as a result Bolnisi, just a few days after being gave way to confl ict. The main intrigue appointed to the post, and his meeting of the controversy between the former there with his Georgian counterpart and current “guards” is that Bidzina Mamuka Bakhtadze. What the two PMs Ivanishvili returned, and thus the polit- discussed in the offi ce of the Head of ical odyssey of Beselia ended. The bil- Bolnisi Council is unknown to this day, lionaire backed the “newcomers”, while as are the details of Pashinyan’s meeting for Beselia the issue of the judges served with President Ilham Aliyev in Davos. as a life-ring to bring her safely back to Yet all this was surely topped by the shore. The Rubicon has been crossed statement of the Minister of Foreign and now it is on Ms. Beselia as to how Affairs of Russia, Karasin, about the she will wrap up the judge scandal to movement of Armenian cargo through save her career, because moderation is the occupied territories of Tskhinvali important and if you can’t keep the bal- and Sokhumi. Interesting is also the ance, everything might turn against you. document recently signed with Ameri- With the new constitution enforced, it can private companies which will work is too late to think about institutional on the construction of the port and ter- changes, ones that would disseminate minals in Poti. It is becoming obvious this closed, clan grouping of judges and that some radical changes are underway busy with the political future of Eka Pashinyan and Aliyev. As the develop- more interest in Georgians than the make them more reliant on governmen- in our neighborhood. Yet the Georgian Beselia. The MP refuses to submit her ment of events shows, Georgians are forecasted geopolitical “earthquakes” in tal organs elected through votes. There- public is being kept “entertained” by the fi rst placement in news to diplomats more interested in the details of Beselia the neighborhood. The reaction of the fore, even if Ms. Beselia is driven by controversies going on in the govern- Karasin or PM Pashinyan, nor to Presi- leaving the governmental party than how electorate is predictable. Beselia has said goodwill and the interests of our state, mental party. dent Aliyev. People know much more the power balance will change in the several times that she was responsible she won’t be able to surprise Europe and It is safe to say that the developments about Beselia’s private and political life Caucasus if Armenia decides to return for the establishment of Georgian Dream will soon need to think about her “cohab- surrounding the former Chair of the than how, and using which legislation, part of occupied Karabakh to Azerbaijan. alongside Bidzina Ivanishvili, and that itation” with Chinchaladze, Murusidze, Parliament’s Legal Committee are the Armenian cargo can get through Tskh- However, the events concerning Ms. she now has to leave it in the hands of and others. They won’t do anything par- main “news” of local politics, as, for the invali or Sokhumi, or what was theme Beselia are developing ala Shakespear- others, implying that a mother needs to ticularly bad to her, quite the opposite; last two months, our country has been of the prolonged meeting between ean dramaturgy, and the intrigues trigger leave her child, like Medea did for her in fact, they will serve her quite well. GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 BUSINESS 7 Expansion of Georgia’s Black Sea Ports: Modus Vivendi for Georgia

Georgian-Russian relations are unlikely BY EMIL AVDALIANI to take a confrontational course (at least from the mid-term perspective). But this expansion of Georgia’s sea port ver the past several months, infrastructure could also lead to increased a whole range of actions interest from China in the Georgian has taken place to expand transit corridor. I argued in a previous all of Georgia’s existing article for GEORGIA TODAY that, and future Black Sea ports. although Georgia does not fi gure in TheseO moves, in their entirety, could China’s BRI, the Chinese project is an have geopolitical signifi cance on at least evolving one. I suggested in the same the regional level as it will help further article that over time, new corridors connect the country to the world mari- would appear; that the BRI, rather than time routes, increase the country’s tran- being a static initiative, is in fact a model sit potential and also enhance its position which will constantly adjust to rising when it comes to China’s multi-billion opportunities. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It might be suggested that a more devel- Several weeks ago, the European Union oped infrastructure will eventually draw decided to fi nancially support the Anak- the Chinese to Georgia’s Black Sea ports. lia Deep Sea Port. In a document pub- The above-mentioned developments at lished by the European Commission Anaklia, Poti and Batumi can be consid- regarding the development of the ‘Trans- ered the fi rst stage in this process. European Transport Network’, it is stated Taking a global perspective of these that 233 mln Euros have been allocated economic developments, I will argue for fi nancing the 2nd phase of the Anak- that one of the scenarios in which Geor- lia Deep Sea Port. It is also noted in the gia and all the neighboring countries project that hundreds of millions of Euros will reap benefi ts, is when as many world have been assigned for the construction actors as possible have stakes in the of the rail lines and highways throughout Georgian economic corridor. It would Georgia which will lead to the Anaklia Poti Port. Image source: bizbilla.com be a certain modus vivendi for Georgia’s Deep Sea Port. Moreover, the German International port operator APM Ter- of $50 million to Pace Group to develop Overall, these decisions show that there future development. Development Bank (DEG) together with minals, along with Poti New Terminals a multi-functional marine terminal in is a certain progress being made on Analysts often argue that there is a the Dutch development bank have also Consortium, have submitted a conceptual Georgia’s Black Sea port of Poti, aimed Georgia’s Black Sea ports development solely military solution to Georgia’s decided to invest in Anaklia. design for the expansion of the APM at expanding its operational capacities. and their inclusion in the world maritime problem with Russia. However, it is sug- Further south, in Poti, a decision was Terminals’ Poti Sea Port. The project In Batumi, it was agreed that the expan- network. This global fi nancing from gested here that yet another, and prob- made to construct a multimodal transit entails a 14.5-meter water depth at the sion of the port will take place with the Europe to the US also shows how these ably more accurate, solution to the Geor- terminal. The facility will have modern 700-meter quay wall and 25 hectares of construction of an additional terminal. geopolitical players regard the South gian dilemma for everyone (including equipment able to store up to 60,000 land for the bulk operation yard and cov- It was even announced by the Minister Caucasus and Georgia in particular. One the Russians) would be a Georgia where tons of fertilizer. Wondernet Express, ered storage facilities for various cargo of Economy and Sustainable Develop- could surmise that the geopolitical pro- every great player has economic inter- the international logistics company types, including grain, ore, and minerals. ment Giorgi Kobulia that the discussion jection of those global companies is ests and is forced to upkeep the geopo- behind the project, will invest $20 mil- The US Overseas Private Investment of a ferry line between Georgia and the based upon the idea that the situation litical security in the country for those lion in the project. Corporation (OPIC) has issued a loan EU has been renewed. in Georgia will remain stable and that very interests. GEORGIA TODAY 8 SOCIETY FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 Dream Meet: Etseri, Svaneti Not Their Territory, i.e. all public roads BLOG BY TONY HANMER and paths. They would also be culpable in any biting events and required to pay all victims’ medical bills and costs aris- o, they told me the next village ing, such as transport to Mestia or any- meeting would start at 1 pm, where else necessary. Biting dogs would and I fi gured I’d be safe about be dealt with by generally agreed means half an hour late: these things (not necessarily putting them down, but never start on time! And I whatever would work). Dog fi ghting Smissed the whole thing. What follows, would also be properly outlawed, the based on what I heard and other mus- young men fi nding far more productive ings, is a reconstruction, partly inter- and less bloody (for dogs) ways of enter- spersed with how I would see the Best taining themselves. Possible Village Meeting going. Finally, the common practice of “pub- No one, least of all myself, would be lic money going private” would be late. We would all automatically turn knocked on the head once and for all, our cell phones off or, at worst, to silent public servants realizing that their time mode. There would be a mike and speak- of getting away with it is over and it’s ers in case we felt inclined to chatter a time for a) full transparency, or b) a hefty bit, so as to drown out our dull roar. jail term plus repayment with interest, Past grievances would NOT be plus a ruined reputation not an enhanced addressed (unless they had actual bear- one, whichever they in their general ing on current matters); we would move wisdom and cunning would actually forward! Although there might not be prefer for themselves. complete unanimity, we would fi nally We would depart the meeting buoyed come to an agreement about what is up with optimism that things were mov- important to see accomplished in the ing forward, that our village too could ongoing redevelopment of Etseri and become A Town Like Alice, and that a its infrastructure and quality of living, turnaround was being enacted before viz: our very eyes. Finally, a movie would be Cows would henceforth be banned made of how it all happened, and we from the main roads through the village would be on the map. when these were iced over, because cars going up, once stopped for the calmly Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since obstructing beasts, might not be able to selves inebriated behind the wheel. The water systems renewal, the outdoor to return, and the ones who Stuck It Out 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a restart their upward journey. Any dam- culprits would be forced to publicly school sports arena and the new kinder- to dare to hope that we could Make weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He age to said bovines or vehicles would thank the police for saving their lives garten. Next would be things the major- Svaneti Great Again. runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook fall solely on the owner of the cattle to while only charging the usual fi ne. In ity agreed on, including road repairs and Said bulldozer’s driver would be group, now with nearly 2000 members, at repay in full and promptly! general, jobless young men drinking improvements, a new tractor/bulldozer, required to move enough snow off the www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- Drunk driving would actually be themselves into middle-aged alcoholism general job creation in the village, more- roads in winter for cars to actually pass sance/ reported to the local police, instead of would become a thing of the past. than-weekend local medical care, local each other, i.e. 2 lanes wide, not just 1. He and his wife also run their own guest us all loudly wailing at the funerals of Unfi nished projects would be moved electricity system renovation, and so on. Dog owners would be required to pre- house in Etseri: the “such good people” who killed them- to the front of the To Do list, including You know, things to entice the Diaspora vent their animals from terrorizing Places www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti Tbilisi to Host the 22nd Jazz Festival

will take to the stage of Tbilisi Event BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA Hall. The Jazz Festival will close with the joint concert of Metheny and the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra, seeing the bilisi is preparing to host legendary guitarist perform within the the 22nd Jazz Festival. The scope of the project Missouri Skies and information about the forth- More. coming event was Tbilisi Jazz Festival is organized by announced at a press con- Eastern Promotions and TBC Status and Tference on February 5, at TBC Gallery. supported by the Ministry of Tbilisi City Tbilisi Jazz Festival will take place from Hall and the Ministry of Education, Sci- February 28 to March 2. The main guest ence, Culture and Sport of Georgia. Image source: NATO & EU Info Center of the 22nd Jazz Festival will be the leg- At the press conference, the Director endary American jazz guitarist and com- of Eastern Promotions, Giorgi Keresel- poser Pat Metheny, owner of 20 Grammy idze, focused on the importance of invit- Awards and the only performer to have ing such prominent guests to Georgia won in the Grammy’s 10 different catego- for promoting the country and contrib- ries. He is said to be one of those out- uting to the popularization of high-qual- Teachers from Pankisi standing musicians who can freely ity jazz music for the Georgian audience. improvise on stage and offer absolutely He also noted that in order for everyone incredible compositions to audiences to be able to attend the event, the ticket worldwide. prices will be "moderate". Alongside Metheny, the Tbilisi Sym- The signifi cance of participation of phony Orchestra, conducted by Vakhtang different generations was also accentu- Kakhidze, Tbilisi Big-Band and the stu- ated at the conference. Visit Brussels dents of the jazz faculty of Tbilisi State pleted at the private school of Belgium turning point,” she added. BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI Conservatoire will par- "Ecole International Mongomery", where The Pankisi teachers started their sec- ticipate in the Festival. teachers were acquainted with the char- ond day with a visit to NATO. They met Tbilisi Jazz Festival acteristics of the Belgian education sys- with the relevant persons at the Alliance, will open in the Grand 20-member group of teach- tem and school teaching methods. including the representative of Georgia Hall of the Tbilisi Con- ers and principals from the According to Deputy State Minister in NATO, and received information about servatoire with a new pro- public schools of Pankisi for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of NATO-Georgia relations, planned events, ject – Tbilisi Big-Band & Gorge went to Brussels, Georgia Lia Gigauri, each teacher had the way forward for Georgia to join the New Jazz Generation. At the Belgium, on a study visit. the chance to ask important questions Alliance. concert, the rep- AOn the fi rst day, they were hosted by the in the course of their work and received “NATO is the guarantor of our peace, resentatives of Kingdom of Belgium and the Ambassa- information that will be forwarded to the salvation of our people,” said Lamara different gen- dor of Georgia to Luxembourg, Natalia students, parents and other representa- Margoshvili, a teacher at the Duisi pub- erations will Sabanadze. The main theme of the meet- tives of the community after returning lic school. perform ing was European values, Georgia's aspi- home. The project was implemented by the together ration to Euro-Atlantic structures and “Program participants visited Belgium’s Offi ce of the State Minister of Georgia and offer EU-Georgia cooperation. private school with great interest,” Gigauri on Reconciliation and Civic Equality and the audi- Later, the Pankisi teachers visited the said. “It was interesting for them to learn the NATO & EU Info Center, in collabo- ence vari- European External Action Service how to organize the learning process, ration with the Ministry of Education, ous jazz composi- (EEAS), where they met with the Group communicate with pupils and what val- Science, Culture and Sport and the Min- tions. Leader and received information about ues feature in the education system there. istry of Foreign Affairs. The fi nancial On March 1, the EU projects, relations with Georgia and This day from them was evaluated as supporter of the project is the EU Del- Image source: Pat Metheny Trio JazzBluesNews future prospects. The fi rst day was com- very informative, important and even a egation to Georgia. GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 SOCIETY 9 Anastasia Pirveli: Georgia’s Transgender Star

Photo by Jeremy John of ‘I wish you love’ was met with posi- ists,” Anastasia says. “I can call myself EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW tive critique, it highlighted the diffi cul- an activist against hate. It doesn’t matter BY AMY JONES ties of balancing a singing career whilst what gender someone is.” being transgender; focus can easily shift Georgia is witnessing many changes from her singing talent to her gender. “I as an energetic young generation fi ghts very day, I’m in touch with think they used me for ratings,” says to have their voice heard. The Bassiani people who could be homo- Anastasia. protests in May 2018 showed the strength phobic. It’s because of my Despite not progressing to the next of their voice and how acceptance is strong way that people are stage, Anastasia’s performance was a big becoming more mainstream. Anastasia very kind and polite, there statement and a historic fi rst in Georgia, shows me a video on her phone from a areE no problems in the street, - says Ana- an otherwise socially conservative coun- recent shooting for a music video with stasia Pirveli, a Georgian and openly try. Only in 2013, a small gay rights pro- rapper Bera Ivanishvili, the son of prom- LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgen- test was met violently by thousands of inent Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivan- der) singer. With fi ery red hair and anti-demonstrators. The LGBT commu- ishvili. “The whole video is about accept- impeccable style, her strength commands nity is still stigmatized, and transgender ance and people who are a bit different,” presence as she strides into the Fabrika persons face diffi culties in Georgia: she says. lobby. We have met to discuss her musi- although support networks exist, many Anastasia has many projects planned cal career, LGBT activism and plans for in the LGBT community are forced to for the coming months, both in her work the future. hide their sexuality and attacks are not as an activist and her singing career. She Born in Batumi as the son of the head uncommon. “There are many incidents. is looking to record new songs and con- of the police department, Anastasia was Some people are beaten and killed,” tinue to promote her music. “I focus on musical from a young age. She started Anastasia says. “But I’ve never had a the future,” she says. As much as she is playing the piano aged six and won sing- problem.” using her visibility through music to ing competitions before coming out Anastasia wants to make a positive dif- promote LGBT issues, being transgender openly as transgender. Perhaps surpris- ference not just with her image, but also doesn’t defi ne her and her career is still ingly, being transgender has never been her actions: at the forefront of her mind. an issue for her. “I was raised in the right I’m really involved in the LGBT com- Before meeting Anastasia, it could be way,” she tells me, “of course my family munity here, doing training for people easy to presume that she is a marginal- had their ideas and preconceptions, but who maybe don’t have so much access ized victim in society because of her they supported me.” to information or support and helping gender. However, her self-belief and Anastasia’s belief in acceptance is deep- people who can no longer live at home support have helped her to rise above rooted. In January, she became the fi rst because of a lack of education.” She potential problems. Her attitude is a ever LGBT performer to appear on a works together with LGBT groups to strong act of defi ance towards diffi cul- Eurovision qualifying show in Georgia provide identity training and help people ties and rejection in Georgia. “I’m the by participating in Sakartvelos Varsk’vlavi to overcome the diffi culties of being same everywhere,” she says, “I’m confi - (), the Georgian version of the LGBT in Georgia. “This is our mission: dent.” And no one could ever believe franchise. Although her performance to make Georgia better and to be activ- otherwise. GEORGIA TODAY 10 CULTURE FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER Cast: Willem Dafoe, Rupert Friend, Language: Russian Shukhaev, Elene Akhvlediani, Lado February 9 Oscar Isaac Start time: 16:30, 22:30 Gudiashvili, David Kakabadze, Ucha CONCERT OF CHAMBER MUSIC Genre: Biography, Dramaiography, Ticket: 11-15 GEL Japharidze, Aleksandre Bajbeuk- By Georgian Composer Irakli Tsintsadze GABRIADZE THEATER Musicians of different generations: 14 Shavteli Str. Drama Melikov, Korneli Sanadze and more. Language: Russian ESCAPE ROOM The exposition also showcases George Khaindrava, Alexander Directed by Adam Robitel Beliy, Mamuka Sikharulidze, Tamta February 8, 9 Start time: 19:45 documentary footage depicting the Cast: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Useinashvili, K.Vardeli String REZO Ticket: 13-14 GEL 1920-30s repressions. Jay Ellis Quartet and instrumental ensemble Animated documentary fi lm Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Conducted by George Shilakadze Directed by Leo Gabriadze MIRAI TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Language: Russian Start time: 19:30 Script: Revaz Gabriadze Directed by Mamoru Hosoda KARVASLA Start time: 19:45, 22:00 Tickets: 10 GEL Genre: Animation, Biography Cast: Rebecca Hall, John Cho, 8 Sioni Str Ticket: 16-19 GEL Language: Georgian Daniel Dae Kim CAFE MZIURI English Subtitles Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama February 8-15 Mziuri Park Start time: 20:00 Language: Russian BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Directed by Bryan Singer A RETROSPECTIVE SOLO Ticket: 15 GEL Start time: 22:15 EXHIBITION OF February 10 Ticket: 15 GEL Cast: Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello, GEORGIAN PHOTOGRAPHER SAKVIARO FOR CHILDREN Mike Myers MOVEMENT THEATER VAKHO KHETAGURI Great fun with invited guests SERENITY Genre: Biography, Drama, Music 182 Aghmashenebeli Ave. The exhibition displays 12 series Start time: 12:00-14:00 TEL (+995 32) 598 19 29 36 Directed by Steven Knight Language: English created in eight different countries Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Start time: 16:45 MOVEMENT THEATER and covering various genres February 8 Hathaway, Diane Lane Ticket: 13-16 GEL 182 Aghmashenebeli Ave. of photography - conceptual, THE STORY OF A MURDERER Genre: Drama, Thriller MUSEUM TEL (+995 32) 598 19 29 36 Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Language: Russian documentary and photojournalism. Music: Sandro Nikoladze, Davit Kakulia Start time: 17:30 Exhibition curator: Myriam February 9 Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 14 GEL GEORGIAN NATIONAL Grigalashvili. JAM SESSION Ticket: 10-15 GEL MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA Every Tuesday MUSEUM GALLERY THE FAVORITE Musical art director- Sandro 3 Rustaveli Ave. February 9 Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos Nikoladze TEL (+995 32) 299 80 22, 293 48 21 Entry: Free THE TEMPEST Cast: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, THE NATIONAL GALLERY www.museum.ge Based on the work of William Rachel Weisz 11 Rustaveli Ave. BASSIANI Shakespeare Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama TEL (+995 32) 215 73 00 Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Exhibitions: 2 A. Tsereteli Ave. Language: English GEORGIAN COSTUME AND Composer: Sandro Nikoladze Start time: 19:30 Until February 24 WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH FELIX VARLAMISHVILI (VARLA) February 8 Start time: 20:00 Language: Russian CENTURIES SOLO EXHIBITION HOROOM: LIVITY SOUND Ticket: 10-15 GEL Start time: 22:15 NUMISMATIC TREASURY For the fi rst time, enjoy more than NIGHT Ticket: 14-15 GEL Start time: 23:55 February 10 EXHIBITION STONE AGE 60 artworks by the author from the GEORGIA Georgian National Museum and Ticket: 20-30 GEL DON JUAN CAVEA GALLERY One Act Comedy ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE private collections. 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL February 9 Directed by Kakha Bakuradze HOROOM: OBJECTOR TRAX, LILITH TEL (+995 32) 200 70 07 COLLECTIONS KHIDI Start time: 20:00 Start time: 23:55 V. Bagrationi Bridge, Right Emb. Ticket: 15 GEL Ticket: 10-20 GEL Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL Until February 28 Every Tuesday, from 15:00-20:00 February 8-14 SHALIKASHVILI THEATER In the framework of the celebrations of the European Year KHIDI 37 Rustaveli Ave. Until February 20 V. Bagrationi Bridge, Right Emb. GLASS of Cultural Heritage in Georgia Multidisciplinary exhibition project February 8, 9 Directed by M. Night Shyamalan the Georgian National Museum IN-BETWEEN CONDITIONS Cast: Sarah Paulson, Bruce Willis, February 8 THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA presents the exhibition ‘In-between conditions’ displays PARALLX Samuel L. Jackson Based on the work of Ernest WISDOM TRANSFORMED INTO 18 work contributions expressing BOYD SCHIDT Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Hemingway GOLD cultural impulses affected by FREQUENCY SHIFTER Start time: 20:00 Language: English political or social forces. TERRENCE PARKER & Ticket: 10 GEL Start time: 19:15 MUSEUM OF SOVIET MERACHKA Language: Russian OCCUPATION DÉDICACE GALLERY DIGITAL GROOVE AFFAIR CINEMA Start time: 16:30, 22:30 3 Rustaveli Ave. 27 Atoneli Str. Start time: 23:55 Ticket: 13-19 GEL TEL (+995 32) 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Ticket: 20-40 GEL AMIRANI CINEMA www.museum.ge January 29 – February 11 36 Kostava Str. THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE KOTE JINCHARADZE’S TBILISI STATE TEL (+995 32) 299 99 55 SECOND PART December 11 – March 1 EXHIBITION CONSERVATOIRE www.kinoafi sha.ge Directed by Mike Mitchell, Trisha Gum Exhibition SAND GLASS 8 Griboedov St. Cast: Jason Momoa, Alison Brie, RED TERROR AND GEORGIAN TEL (+995 32) 2 93 46 24 Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Chris Pratt ARTISTS MUSIC February 8-14 Genre: Animation, Action, A showcase of artworks by Dimitri February 8 Adventure Shevardnadze, Petre Otskheli, DJ. KAKHIDZE CENTER FOR TEONA MOSIA (Vocal), VAN GOGH Language: English Henryk Hryniewski, Richard MUSIC & CULTURE Nikola Stanosevic (Piano), Directed by Julian Schnabel Start time: 19:15 Sommer, Kiril Zdanevich, Vasily 123a Agmashenebli Ave. Navid Djawadi (Double Bass), Andjelko Stupar (Drums) Start time: 20:30 Tickets: 10-40 GEL

February 14 MINUS ONE FESTIVAL ZADENO TRIO Special guest: Liliko Korkotashvili Stefano Minder LOVE THROUGH MY EYES Special guest: Lasha Deisadze Stefano Minder (Vocals), Antoni Zygmunt Kuzak (Alto Sax), Lorenzo Nanni (Piano), Alessio Renda (Bass), Emanuele Della Cuna (Drums) Start time: 20:00 Tickets: 5-15 GEL

ART HOUSE 8 Gudiashvili Str.

February 14 SALIO Start time: 21:00 Tickets: 30-50 GEL

NIGHT OFFICE Under Baratashvili Bridge

February 14 Azebaijan singer: AYNUR ASGERLI Start time: 22:00 Tickets: 20-40 GEL

DOORS 26 S. Tsintsadze

February 14 STEPHANE Start time: 22:00 Tickets: 50-500 GEL GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 8 - 11, 2019 CULTURE 11 “Matters of the Dark & Irresistible,” a Disturbing Exhibition at the MOMA works on display at MOMA refer to each REVIEW BY GABRIELLE COLCHEN of these topics and generate heavy mat- ter to question. The exhibition is an audio-visual instal- eorgian multimedia artist lation in three environments. As soon Konstantin Mindadze is as the audience enters the fi rst room, currently exhibiting his they can feel the oppression. Heavy work at the Museum of music plays, capturing the visitors and Modern Art (MOMA) in absorbing them in the new and disturb- GTbilisi, plunging visitors into his dark ing reality. A sense of confusion is indeed and inquiring universe. at the heart of the artist’s project, born Mindadze studied at the Dutch Graphic from a period of personal emotional Lyceum and Rietveld Academy and makes devastation that eventually led the artist paintings, drawings, sculpture, video and to question scientifi c theories and create multimedia installations. The themes this cosmic exhibition. recurrent in his work are many, and Mindadze shows circular celestial include the “synthetic structure of the paintings and plays with the gradation world […], the biological reactions, […] of colors to create a feeling of depth and lifecycle and death, love and loss, destruc- relief in his artworks. He suggests the tion and transformation”, even religion presence of the sun, of the earth, or of and technologies (ProjectArtBeat). The other cosmic objects. In the second and

Photo by Doru Avram third room, he uses the colors black and Sea. He even uses original records from religion and pre-established truths. Peo- white to create shades of grey. A quite NASA to plunge people into a sort of ple need to penetrate the space with an surprising production is the one in which apocalyptic atmosphere. open mind to let themselves slowly enter he used his blood, seeking to insert his This exhibition is somehow a way to the artist’s universe and installations. It DNA into his own artwork. His piece make people question the world in which is defi nitely not something people can “black sphere” is made with real mete- they live and the reality they take for see everyday. orites and salt brought from the Dead granted. It is also a direct critique of The exhibition is on until February 28. Grand Opera Don Carlo Returns to Tbilisi Opera Stage after 15 Years he world-famous opera ‘Don by Giorgio De Martino for Sipario mag- under your belt. My agent encouraged Carlo’ by Giuseppe Verdi azine praised the project as an ultimate me to go to the Don Carlo audition at will see a new grand pre- success. “The visual and aesthetic side the Theater Bonn. Despite some tough miere in the Tbilisi Opera of the show goes in line with the musi- competition, I managed to impress the and Ballet State Theater on cal sheet. The performance fully unveils jury and even had them asking me to TFebruary 15. the drama conveyed in music and text. sing again! I was chosen for the role of Don Carlo is a fi ve-act grand opera The directors enliven this brilliant piece Elisabeth de Valois, a French princess composed based on the dramatic play and uncover the dark period and inqui- initially betrothed to Don Carlo but then Don Carlos (Don Carlos, Infante of Spain) sition of the 16th century Royal Court of married to King Philip. This was the very by Friedrich Schiller. Spain,” the review reads. fi rst role I played in Europe, in 2000. Georgia fi rst saw Don Carlos premiere GEORGIA TODAY spoke with some This was followed by performances in in 1869, two years after its international of the main heroes of the upcoming pro- the leading theaters of Austria, Berlin, debut at Salle Le Peletier in Paris in ject. Hamburg, Paris, Munich, London, and March 1867. The very fi rst production Zaza Azmaiparashvili, Chief Conduc- others. As such, I would say this role of Don Carlo was introduced to the tor of the Theater/Music Director of the was a turning point in my career.” Georgian audience at the Karvasla Production: “This production was last “Don Carlo is an opera where none of Theater, the fi rst theater for opera in staged in Georgia by Guram Meliva in the characters are happy, none of them Tbilisi, constructed in 1851. The last time the 1990s. Then, in 2004, we reproduced been recognized as one of the best young over the world and have extremely close are satisfi ed with their lives and all have the famous opera was staged at the Tbi- it. Paata Burchuladze was performing operatic basses of the present day by and friendly relations with them. For a tragic end. This is truly one of the best lisi Opera and Ballet State Theater was and invited brilliant bass Ferruccio Fur- Maestro Daniel Oren. me, singing here is quite similar to sing- pieces by Giuseppe Verdi, implying a in 2004, by Guram Meliva. Now, after a lanetto. The concert was a real celebra- “I performed this opera several times ing in my homeland. My wife is great deep meaning and drama. Having such 15-year break, the iconic opera will be tion. He transmitted such energy and in Romania and Tel Aviv with Maestro Georgian soprano Iano Tamar and it is an important fi gure as Ioan Holender, brought back to life through the 2018 spread such emotion among the team: Daniel Oren, but this is my fi rst time a huge responsibility for me to sing before the legendary Director of the Vienna production by the Teatro Regio di Parma, he took straight to the stage and per- doing so in Tbilisi. I’ll be fl ying from a Georgian audience. I know Georgians State Opera whom Placido Domingo Italy. formed the entire opera without a Verona to Tbilisi a week before the pre- expect to hear me sing the same level as praised as the ‘Director of Directors,’ The Director of the Don Carlo is Cesare rehearsal, having arrived a day prior. The mier and the day after the concert fl ying her, but that is impossible as Iano is attend the concert and record it is an Lievi; Music Director, Zaza Azmaipar- music is remarkable and the opera itself to Buenos Aires where I’ll be performing unique,” Vitelli noted. honor. He is going to prepare coverage ashvili; and Set and Costume Designer, is magnifi cent. Even though Don Carlo Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi in the Colón Tamar Iveri, celebrated Georgian about Tbilisi Opera as well as other cul- Maurizio Balo. Renowned Georgian is one of the longer operas, it is not bor- Theater, one of the best and most impor- soprano: “It is symbolic that the inter- tural sites of the country and run it on opera singers and interns, as well as ing at all; on the contrary, the more you tant opera houses in the world,” Andgu- national audience discovered me in this his special TV channel in Austria. We invited artists and directors, will take listen, the deeper you go into the music.” ladze told GEORGIA TODAY. very opera. Even though I had won sev- are extremely excited and honored to part in the concert. Renowned Georgian opera singer Vittorio Vitelli, renowned Italian bar- eral competitions prior to that moment, host him at the premiere in Tbilisi Opera,” The opera will be presented in Tbilisi George Andguladze will be playing itone: “This will be my debut as Rodrigo, for a fl edgling singer it can be hard to Iveri said. in a brand-new staging of the Teatro Philippe II, King of Spain, in the produc- Marquis of Posa. Throughout my career, enter the operatic world and establish The performances are scheduled to Regio di Parma, Italy. The 2017 review tion for the fi rst time in Tbilisi. He has I have met a lot of Georgian singers all oneself without considerable experience take place on February 15,16,17,23,24.

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