Issue no: 983 • SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Georgia Participates in China Int’l Fair for Investment & Trade NEWS PAGE 2 Mixing Business & Politics POLITICS PAGE 4

What Happens to Ukraine Matters in Georgia POLITICS PAGE 6 FOCUS Bringing the ON THE OGP Fear Factor to CHAIRMANSHIP Georgia Georgia Succeeds France as Chair of the Open BUSINESS PAGE 9 Government Partnership PAGE 3 OK! Georgia Magazine New Editor Appointed Former MEP to Organize Speech of De SOCIETY PAGE 12 Donald Rayfi eld on Facto South Ossetian President in Brussels Researching Georgia, Literature & Politics BY THEA MORRISON CULTURE PAGE 16

ormer Member of the European Par- liament, Italian journalist and lecturer Celebrating 40 Years since Giulietto Chiessa, plans to invite de facto South Ossetian ‘president’ Ana- Chakrulo Went to Space toly Bibilov to Brussels to deliver a CULTURE PAGE 19 speechF and report on the so called Republic’s history and people. Chiessa announced the fact after arriving in Georgia’s Russian-backed breakaway region of South Ossetia with other members of an Italian delegation to hold an event in memory of last year’s Amatrice earthquake victims. He said he recognizes it will be diffi cult to implement his plans but that South Ossetia’s cultural representatives will visit Italy this autumn. “It will be a scandalous, fundamental event. Several MEPs are ready to back us…We will form a group of MEPs that will invite the president or foreign minister of South Ossetia,” he stated. Continued on page 3 Photo source: grandecocomero.com GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 Georgia Participates in China Int’l Fair for Investment & Trade

Georgian Foreign Minister Attends Global Business Forum Organized by Bloomberg

ithin the framework ton, Canadian Prime Minister Justin of his visit to New Trudeau and the Bloomberg Founder York, the Georgian himself. Underlining the importance of Vice Premier, For- business-government co-operation in zations involved in carrying out govern- free trade regime gives us the possibility BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI eign Minister overcoming global challenges, the lat- mental programs alongside the stands of to maximize the use of those benefi ts MikheilW Janelidze, attended a global ter thanked the Georgian Vice Premier investors, exporters and winemaking directly,” Gakharia said. business forum organized by Bloomb- for his participation in the event. companies from Georgia. Georgia had honorary guest status at erg. On the sidelines of the event, Janelidze rom September 18 to 21, Geor- Georgian Winery 'Khareba' also par- this year’s fair, with a special exhibition The high-level meeting was opened also met with the Chief Executive Offi cer gia participated in the largest ticipated in the event, enabling the com- space provided and 120 Georgian com- by Bloomberg Founder and President, of MasterCard Company, Ajay Banga, International Fair for Invest- pany to establish closer business relations panies represented. Michael Bloomberg, former US Presi- who expressed his interest in Georgia’s ment and Trade in Xiamen, and enhance cooperation with the larg- “Such exhibitions assist our entrepre- dent Bill Clinton, President of the French business environment and in identify- China, with Guest of Honor est international companies. neurs to establish contacts and start Republic Emmanuel Macron and Ali- ing priority areas for co-operation. Fstatus. Led by Giorgi Gakharia, Minister “With the participation in the world’s advertising their produce quickly,” baba Founder Jack Ma. EU High Representative Federica of Economy and Sustainable Develop- largest fair for investment and trade, we Gakharia said, noting that Georgia had At the meeting, Janelidze had the Mogherini, PM Trudeau and repre- ment of Georgia, and Mariana Morgoshia, tried to make the fi rst, solid step towards the largest stand at the fair, with a vast opportunity to exchange views with sentatives of international companies Director of the Produce in Georgia Agency, integrating the Georgian economy and array of Georgian companies represent- world leaders and the heads of the large took part in thematic panels and spoke the International Fair for Investment and Georgian businesses with the Chinese ing everything from agriculture to new business companies, including Bill Clin- before attendees at the event. Trade presented Georgian State organi- economy and Chinese companies. The technologies. Georgian Parliament Approves Irakli Mekvabishvili as New Auditor General impartiality, honesty, and we think that agency, though “all qualifi ed employees BY THEA MORRISON Irakli Mekvabishvili has them all,” he will continue working as usual”. added. "The law gives me the authority to Mekvabishvili will hold the chief Audi- carry out reorganization. The Auditor he Parliament of Georgia tor’s position for a term of fi ve years, General has the right to make any per- has supported the candi- replacing Lasha Tordia, who was sonnel changes, even regarding Depu- dacy of Irakli Mekvabish- appointed in 2012 and whose term in ties,” he stressed. vili to the post of Auditor offi ce expired in July. The SAO is the supreme audit institu- General with 80 votes in After being elected, the new Auditor tion responsible for performing audits. aT 150-seat legislative body. General stated that the State Audit Offi ce The general activities of the SAO are: Mekvabishvili’s candidacy was named (SAO) will not be a punitive agency, promoting effi cient and effective public by the Parliament Speaker of Georgia, adding its main function will be preven- spending, protection of national wealth Irakli Kobakhidze, on September 8. tion. Photo source: RFE/RL and the property of state of autonomous Kobakhidze stated that Mekvabishvili “This will not be a punitive structure, adding preventive measures require also be intensifi ed. republics and local (municipal) entities, is a highly qualifi ed fi nancier and for but if we reveal any violations, then an serious material-technical base and high “We will spend time working with and improvement of management of several years was a senior banker of the instant, strict response will be given quality equipment. Parliament, because parliamentary con- public fi nances. EBRD. “Irakli Mekvabishvili meets all and adequate assessments made,” he “For this purpose, we will use the trol should be strengthened on recom- The SAO also conducts financial the requirements necessary for the post said. best technical support we receive from mendations made by the Audit Offi ce,” monitoring of political parties within of Auditor General,” he stated. Mekvabishvili said that particular our friendly donor countries,” he he said. the competencies defi ned in The Organic “The Auditor General should have attention will be paid to the direction added, underlining that the relation- Mekvabishvili does not exclude that Law of Georgia on Election Code of such qualities as high qualifi cation, of technological equipping of the agency, ship of the SAO with Parliament will he will launch a reorganization in the Georgia and Political Union of Citizens. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 NEWS 3 Georgia Offi cially Assumes OGP Chairmanship

ship: to ensure the cooperation and BY THEA MORRISON engagement of citizens; to promote the fi ght against transparency and corrup- tion; to promote innovations in public eorgia officially took services; and to activate cooperation chairmanship of the Open between the OGP member states. Government Partnership “Georgia is proud to be one of the (OGP) on September 19. few countries where all branches of At the high-level event government are actively involved in G‘Rebuilding Trust in the Government,’ the open government partnership pro- held within the 72nd session of the cess. We strongly believe that a com- United Nations (UN) General Assembly prehensive approach at the national in New York, the Prime Minister of level has already contributed to the Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, received success of the country. Consequently, the OGP Chairmanship from the Pres- for the purpose of expanding the OGP's ident of France Emmanuel Macron. collective understanding, we call on Kvirikashvili stated that the OGP OGP partner countries to raise open Chairmanship and possibility to con- standards at judicial, parliamentary tribute to the global movement for and domestic levels,” Georgian PM stronger democracy and transparency stated. is an honor for Georgia. He then thanked all OGP countries “I call on you to use this and think for electing Georgia as the Chair of the together how we can revive democracy. organization. I hope we will be able to continue the “Georgia is ready to use all resources work that the French government to ensure success during its chairman- began,” he told the guests. ship. I believe that the era of globaliza- Kvirikashvili noted that the Govern- tion cannot be achieved without global ment of Georgia is determined to partnership and mutual support,” he achieve four goals during its chairman- concluded. Former MEP to Organize Speech of De Facto South Ossetian President in Brussels

Continued from page 1 members fi rmly support Georgia's ter- South Ossetia. In fact, you can count on speech by the de facto South Ossetian mentioned Member of the European ritorial integrity and sovereignty,” the one hand how many countries recognize President is planned in the European Parliament. It may sound a bit rude, but Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Georgian MFA stated. the independence of South Ossetia and Parliament. former MEPs are former MEPs prob- Georgia announced they are sure that The Ambassador of the United States none of them are in the EU or near He underlined that the European Par- ably because they deserve it. Such private individuals affi liated with Russia to Georgia Ian Kelly also commented on Europe. Obviously, such a visit would liament supports Georgia's territorial behavior should not be encouraged," will not be able to use the platform of the issue, adding only few countries rec- have to be entirely unoffi cial and would integrity and sovereignty. Karim stated. international organizations for their nar- ognize the independence of South Osse- not have any kind of importance,” the “At this stage, I can only tell you that Russia recognized Georgia’s two break- row political goals and will not be able tia and none of them are in the EU or Ambassador said. the power of the European Parliament away regions, South Ossetia and Abk- to spread propaganda of occupational near Europe. Co-chairperson of the EU-Georgia belongs to its members and not to for- hazia, as independent states in August, regimes in such formats. “Neither the US nor any member of Parliamentary Association Committee mer members. We do not have any after the 2008 war between Georgia and “The European Parliament and its the EU recognizes the independence of Sajjad Karim said that no delivery of information about the intentions of the Russia. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 Tusk: EU Supports Mixing Business & Politics

Processes OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA

eorgian Dream might lose not only the constitutional Connected but the plain majority in Parliament. Non-Govern- mental Organization Trans- Gparency International (TI)-Georgia has accused the majority MPs of violating to Georgia’s entrepreneurial legislation and has pub- lished a list of those who hold offi cial parliamentary seats on the one hand and at the same time cling to their executive positions in various private companies. Integration with Alongside the MP-Directors listed in the report, you can fi nd the surnames of MPs who get revenue from shares they own in businesses and pay taxes according to the laws they write themselves. It will European Family be no surprise to see them in the court room sometime soon…

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL- GEORGIA VS 51 MPS The publication containing compromis- ing evidence against businessmen MPs was linked by the political elite to the processes that are developing within the Georgian Dream. It is no secret that the government majority party has become divided as it chooses who will best represent it in the upcoming local elections, illustrated most clearly in the cases of Rustavi and Gardabani. “The only hope of the Georgian Dream is the legislation, the Central Election Com- mission and the Constitution,” said political analyst Soso Tsintsadze, add- ing that Ivanishvili has long been dis- heartened with the governmental party and its internal confl icts. “It is time the Dream learned to walk on its own. Where Ivanishvili served as their baby walker till recently, that time has passed. Shortly, quite expectedly, he will get tired of dragging them around. Ivanish- vili did everything for them; gave them the government, but they started fl oun- dering; competing at who could make more mistakes. He doesn’t want to be responsible for unofficial meetings about, for example, Jejelava’s idiotic statements or Kvirikashvili’s unjustifi ed staff policy. Especially considering the sion of the United Nations General catastrophic social background of the BY THEA MORRISON Assembly. country,” Tsintadze added. The parties discussed Georgia-EU The GD members themselves link the bilateral relations, the country's ongo- publication of TI-Georgia’s report to the businessmen-MPs would be followed out him being aware of it. onald Tusk, President of ing reforms, and the state of affairs in ongoing confrontation within the gov- by the publication of secret documents The scandal about Parliament member the European Council, Georgia's occupied territories. ernmental party, accusing the NGO of about Kaladze’s agreement with Irakli Sesiashvili’s son, who used to work stated at his meeting with Kvirikashvili provided Donald Tusk executing a political order. Everyone Gazprom. Expectations proved correct; in the State Security Service of Georgia, Georgian Prime Minister, with detailed information about Geor- knows that the party is split into two, only two days passed and Roman Got- was also linked with the internal con- Giorgi Kvirikashvili, that gia's political and economic reforms with one side supporting former Vice siridze from the United National Move- troversy of the Dream. theD European Union (EU) supports all in the making, which are strongly sup- Premier and majoral candidate Kakhi ment declared that he was holding How this war for discreditation devel- processes pertaining to Georgia's inte- ported by the EU. Kaladze, and the other Prime Minister documents that Kaladze had signed and ops is hard to foretell; the only thing we gration into the European family. Tusk reaffi rmed the European Union's Kvirikashvili, plus the integrated Major- which show the catastrophic rates. This know is that the businessmen-MPs who The meeting between the offi cials unwavering support of Georgia's ter- itarians who try to keep neutral. makes it almost impossible not to believe do not deny the violations and blame was held at the United Nations Head- ritorial integrity, sovereignty, and all Who’s with whom is hard to under- that the secret documents were simply everything on a legislative fl aw might quarters in New York on September 18 processes designed to integrate Geor- stand in all the confusion. For instance, Xerox-copied from Prime Minister face the threat of being stripped of their within the framework of the 72nd Ses- gia into the European family. some forecasted that the report on the Kvirikashvili’s “residential offi ce” with- mandates. Prosecutor General Participates in Conference of Int’l Association of Prosecutors

around 500 representatives of member and international cooperation in the BY THEA MORRISON organizations of the International Associa- digital era in the course of pursuing tion of Prosecutors from all over the world. criminal justice policy. The Prosecutor’s Offi ce of Georgia During the visit, Shotadze held an offi - eorgia’s Prosecutor Gen- reports that the President of the Inter- cial meeting with the Prosecutor-General eral, Irakli Shotadze, par- national Association of Prosecutors of the People’s Republic of China, Cao ticipated in the 22nd annual Gerhard Jarosch awarded the Prosecu- Jianming. At the meeting, the parties conference and general tor’s Offi ce of Georgia (POG) and Chief discussed the prospects of future coop- meeting of the Interna- Prosecutor Shotadze for special contri- eration. Gtional Association of Prosecutors (IAP) bution to the development of justice in The International Association of Pros- held in Beijing, China, on September the region. ecutors was founded in 1995 and is the 10-15. The top issues of the conference were only international organization for pros- The theme of the conference was ‘Pros- society’s well-being, challenges of pros- ecutors, which brings together 3000 ecution in the Public Interest - The Chal- ecutorial authorities globally and oppor- individuals and 172 prosecutorial bodies lenges and Opportunities in Changing tunities of development, the importance from 171 countries worldwide. Georgia Societies’ and the event was attended by of strengthening specialized networks, is a founding member of the Association.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 What Happens to Ukraine Matters in Georgia

Photo source: sbs.com.au

ing lethal arms to Kyiv. From a strategic point of OP-ED BY EMIL AVDALIANI view, it will be a very diffi cult decision to make, but open discussion is already a win for the West. Yet another victory for the western countries is egardless of the distance between the their ability to block Putin’s efforts to bargain the two countries, what happens in Ukraine Ukraine crisis (and not only) with Russia’s Syrian militarily and economically matters involvement. With its initial military engagement signifi cantly for Georgia. It is nothing in 2015, the Kremlin hoped that by gaining momen- new to note that Ukraine and Georgia tum on the Syrian battlefi eld, the West would pursueR similar geopolitical aims of joining western become more amenable in its support for Ukraine political and military alliances, and confronting and there might have been a certain bargain. the resurgent Russia’s. Both need western economic Beyond Syria, Moscow has also been building its as well military support. However, since for the position in other confl ict zones such as Libya, moment it is Ukraine not Georgia which is in the Afghanistan, and North Korea. There has been a spotlight of world affairs because of the ongoing string of reports of Russians supporting militarily low-level fi ghting in east Ukraine, whatever the the Taliban in Afghanistan; Moscow has also been West does in in this country will have an impact quite vocal about the ongoing nuclear standoff on on Georgia and the wider former Soviet Union. the Korean peninsula. Even in Libya, Russia has On August 24, the United States Secretary of been careful to slowly build its negotiating posi- Defense, James Mattis, visited Ukraine in what was tion through holding regular meetings with high the fi rst such trip by a head of the Pentagon in a offi cials. decade. Mattis’ presence at the commemorative Looking from above at all these Russian actions, military parade in Kyiv, in which troops from sev- the Kremlin’s intention is clear: to gain as much eral states took part, bore special political-military political leverage as possible in a wide variety of signifi cance. confl icts around the world to infl uence/weaken The US has recently been keen to make it clear the West’s negotiating position in the most crucial that the country will continue its support for theater for Russia: Ukraine. However, the chances Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty. At the of this strategy working remain doubtful as the same time, the Ukrainian side looked forward to West has so far successfully blocked Russian ini- the possibility of new opportunities to strengthen tiatives around Syria. Moreover, Western resolve its self-defense capabilities. The key topic of dis- is also borne out by the recently ramped up pres- cussion during Mattis’ negotiations with Ukraine’s sure on Russia. For example, the US introduced president Petro Poroshenko and Defense Minister new sanctions in August, while various reports Stepan Poltorak was the possibility to supply indicate that the European Union will likely extend Ukraine’s military forces with defensive weapons. its own measures against the Kremlin and Russian Both countries later announced that important state companies in late 2017-early 2018. In addition, agreements on expanding military cooperation had Washington now openly talks about providing been reached, including in the fi ght against cyber lethal arms to Kyiv and holds regular military exer- threats and electronic warfare (EW) asset transfers. cises on the Russian periphery from Moldova to No further details were provided, but it is impor- the South Caucasus. tant to monitor every move on that front. I have Taking in consideration the whole picture, it is written on several occasions why Ukraine matters thus more than likely that the Russian and Western geopolitically and why the crisis in the country’s imperatives around Ukraine will remain paramount east, Donbas, is essentially insoluble. The West has in the near future. Geopolitical interests will once been successful in managing the Russian threat in again limit any diplomatic breakthroughs in east Ukraine. It is true that Moscow could ramp up its Ukraine, while the Russian moves to bargain its efforts and heavy fi ghting might occur, but if we involvement in Syria or other emerging confl icts look at the broader picture, it is clear Russia has such as Afghanistan, North Korea or Libya in failed on several major fronts when it comes to exchange for Ukraine will be blocked by Western Ukraine. Now the West is thinking about provid- powers.

GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 Pickup on the Bristol-Georgian Twinning

of the Bristol-Tbilisi Twinning. The Guild EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY of Guardians, a medieval guild established KATIE RUTH DAVIES over 500 years ago in Bristol, represents the 60 top companies. “Every second year they make a trip together and I per- ast week saw the visit to Tbi- suaded them to do next year’s trip in lisi of Alderman Derek Pickup, Tbilisi,” he says. In one year’s time, 25 Honorary Consul of Georgia business persons will come to Georgia for South West England, First for four days. Three of those will be spent Guardian of Tbilisi and Chair sight-seeing, and on the fi nal day there ofL the Bristol -Tbilisi Twinning Associa- will be a business seminar, hosted by tion. He brought with him Stephen Fear, TBC in their Headquarters. “The theme Founder and Chairman of the Fear Group, will be business opportunities in Geor- and Paul Hinchcliffe, Lecturer at the gia,” Pickup tells us. University of the West of England, to British business is still conservative, explore investment opportunities in the aiming for investments with as little risk fi elds of tourism, infrastructure, housing as possible. “That’s why BP has been the and agriculture. only major British company to invest so GEORGIA TODAY spoke to Mr. Pickup much here as, for them, the returns were to fi nd out more about the Bristol-Tbilisi too good to miss. Other companies are Twinning and what it means to be an more reticent, though. This particular Honorary Consul. trip I was invited for the Local Economic “During the Cold War, Bristol City Development forum focused on devel- Council decided to start Twinning as a oping cities. I grabbed the opportunity way to build bridges to avoid a third and brought Stephen and Paul along to World War. Their fi rst ‘Twin’ was Han- look at linking with businesses and uni- nover, then, in the 80s, they realized a versities,” Pickup tells us. “Stephen being Twin in the Soviet bloc would be good. here is an excellent chance to show what In 1988, Bristol twinned with Tbilisi- there Georgia has to offer- his Tweets alone was an exchange of delegations but at can reach up to 2 million people”. the civic level; an exchange of artists “My job is to stimulate links between going on in the background but not much the two countries for the benefi t of both. offi cially. Shortly after that, the [civil] We’re building more people-to-people war started disrupting the country. Eve- connections. When new Georgian ambas- rything went very quiet and it wasn’t sadors come in in the UK, they get a day’s possible to carry on a proper Twinning. Honorary Consul Pickup (center) 'oils the wheels' on British-Georgia connections program in Bristol meeting civic, business Then, in 1995, the Bristol City Council and academic leaders; they look around (BCC) got a letter from one of the direc- the aim of stimulating business links. the fi rst delegation in 1996, we didn’t ers who, over a prolonged period of time, the city to get a background of what we’re tors of Tbilisi City Council, saying, 'you’re “Even 20 years ago, Twinning was a know if it was safe to come here. Nobody had given a lot to the city. The same year trying to do and I encourage them and our twin city, you know we recently 360-degree concept, not just about cul- spoke English. There was one 5-star hotel the President gave him Georgian citizen- the Mayor to pass on a fi le about that gained independence; we had a civil war. ture, friendship and academic links, but (Sheraton). Now there’s everything from ship. connection and our aspirations”. Things have been diffi cult, but now they’ve also about connecting businesses and Airbnb to hostels…though I’m not so Recently, Ambassador of Georgia to the “I’m there to promote, cajole and oil settled down. What can you do to help increasing the wealth of our cities. impressed with look of The Biltmore,” UK, Tamar Beruchashvili, invited Pickup the wheels in as many ways as possible us?' The Chief Executive at the BCC gave He admits the timing was wrong, though. he tells us in an aside. “Some of the city to be Honorary Consul in order to give and to open doors,” Pickup says. “If some- the letter to me and told me to think of British businesses were conservative and planning decisions have been horrendous, him “more authority in what I was doing one like Stephen wants to come over to some ways to help, but to do so with no were reluctant to come over [to Georgia]. but there’s growing recognition that bet- towards building links”. It’s unpaid, and Georgia, I make sure he gets to see the fi nancing whatsoever. That’s what I’ve “Of course, if they had invested in land ter care needs to be taken in this regard”. he gets no resources but, he says, “I’m people he wants. I’m a connector- I’ve been doing ever since”. in Georgia back then, they’d all be mil- In 2014, the Prime Minister of Georgia here to make things happen; to make known a lot of people who were tea boys In 1996, Pickup brought the fi rst big lionaires today,” he says. “20 years ago, made Pickup ‘First Guardian of the City connections”. and girls 20 years ago who are now work- delegation from Bristol to Georgia with it was grim in Tbilisi. When I organized of Tbilisi’. It was a new award for foreign- Next year will be the 30th anniversary ing as ministers,” he adds. The History Makers Journey next generation to infl uence whatever What is that future situation that you BY RACHEL HARDGRAVE sphere of society they are most active cannot seem to stop dreaming about? in, be it social, political, or spiritual; the What are your natural gifts and talents? training material covers what a success- What change would make society a bet- ho makes it into the ful leader’s character and style should ter place? Since great things are rarely history books? be. Topics include visionary leadership, accomplished alone, group work is Whether for good or overcoming obstacles, stewardship of highly emphasized. The conference is evil, it is those people time and money, integrity, family prior- also meant to be a place for people to who are agents of ity, and goal setting. The interactive network with others who might be walk- change.W Ever dreamed it could be you? teaching style involves small group dis- ing in the same direction. Time for Two weeks ago, 30 participants at the cussion, personal testimony and team breaking into groups for brainstorming History Makers Journey Conference building activities. The trainers fl ew in and envisioning the future plays a large dreamed of being able to have a posi- from America and around Europe just part in the schedule. Participants are tive impact on history. to encourage leaders in Georgia that they not only asked to think on a large scale The young people met in Bakuriani can be agents of change. about goals for their communities, but for the second annual gathering in Geor- Throughout the week, many students personal goal-setting is also emphasized gia. This year’s group included par- voiced their discontent about social in areas including physical, spiritual, ticipants from Georgia, Azerbaijan, injustices, gaps in development, or sim- intellectual, and fi nancial. The idea is India, Uzbekistan, and Iraq, all of whom ply how the systems in place could be to help leaders develop themselves as work or study in Georgia and have some managed more effi ciently. a whole, which in turn gives them the kind of leadership role in their com- ability to live intentional and infl uential munities. Differences in language, EASY TO SAY, HARDER TO DO lives. background and age did not seem to It is always easier to recognize problems The heart of the History Makers Jour- hold anyone back but, on the contrary, than to make real change come about? ney is to inspire belief that the world created a place where ideas and diver- What might be the best part of the His- become discouraged because goals seem little closer to their dream. And, of can be changed and give young people sity could be shared. tory Makers Journey week is the indi- distant and impossible to reach. There course, the conversation would not be the tools to take the fi rst steps. Have a vidual attention trainers and leaders give is also time set aside to share personal complete without mentioning a few dream? Dissatisfi ed with what you see THE HISTORY MAKERS JOURNEY to students to help them write specifi c stories and analyze the lives of people names from Georgian history. around you? Want to start something The History Makers Journey is a week- action plans toward achieving their goals. in the past who made positive changes new? Consider nothing impossible, but long course taking place across Europe The visionary leadership section of the in history. The training material shows IDENTIFYING YOUR be that person crazy enough to move aimed at inspiring young people to believe training explains how to write “SMART” participants that, ironically, most history DREAM OR VISION forward each day towards making a they can makes changes in their com- goals. The acronym stands for setting makers come from humble beginnings Trainers ask questions to help partici- change. Not just for the sake of having munities, work places, and nation’s his- goals that are specifi c, measurable, attain- but are persistent enough to overcome pants get a clearer and more concise your name in a history book, but to tory. Targeted at young leaders aged able, realistic, and time targeted. With- their surrounding situations and utilize idea of what direction they are heading make a positive impact on the world 18-35, the training hopes to raise up the out this, trainers say, people can easily every resource possible, just to inch a in. What are you most passionate about? around you. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 BUSINESS 9 Bringing the Fear Factor to Georgia of potential investment hotspots some they just accept the possibility is there. 18 months ago. “I created a research divi- Georgians want to be part of the West We want to raise sion of my business 30 years ago to ana- and there’s a clear determination [here] lyze trends around the world for com- that there is no other way. It’s powerless the bar for mercial investment opportunities”. He militarily and it has the benefi t of not gives the example of a new railroad being having oil, otherwise it would already everyone. To do 2004-2009, training air traffi c controllers built in India: “we analyze how it will be part of Russia”. BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES and trainers. Now at the University of affect the local population, transport, We ask about wine and water, Georgia’s something that the West of England as a Lecturer in Busi- employment. We have a piece of software equivalent of ‘oil’. “We’ve been around ness and Law, he is still very active in which analyses our ‘top ten;’ it can be the vineyards,” Fear tells us. “I’m keen enhances the city, ast week, Alderman Derek fi elds beyond air traffi c control and has, cities, continents, regions, even indi- to promote Georgian wines in the UK Pickup, Honorary Consul of as he says, “No intention of retiring”. vidual areas. A major school built in and US with my interests there and to pulls people in Georgia for South West Eng- Happy to be back in Georgia, he tells us Derbyshire would throw up the need for help Georgian wine producers, even if land, First Guardian of Tbilisi about the exchange programs he hopes housing, so we might buy land there. Say not in terms of direct investment.” “The and looks after and Chair of the Bristol -Tbi- to expand in Georgia. “We get 2-3 Geor- we hear a new dam is being built in Rus- wine here over past ten years has risen lisiL Association came to Georgia with gian students a year coming to study sia or Central Asia; we’ll look at the in quality above all proportions,” Hinch- those that are a Stephen Fear, Founder and Chairman of Master’s degrees,” he says, “But we have nearest cement work suppliers and pre- cliffe interjects. “I remember Badagoni the Fear Group, to help him explore connections with universities in the Far buy all the cement in that works so we building up. The Russian embargo did bit less fortunate investment opportunities in the fi eld of East, Malaysia, China and Vietnam where control the supply. Governments want so much for Georgian wine: it forced tourism, infrastructure, housing and students can do one year in one univer- to use our facility, but we’re strictly Georgian winemakers to rethink, then that can be done through encouraging agriculture. Paul Hinchcliffe of the Bris- sity, then continue their education else- internal,” he says with a smile. they brought in the Italians who just entrepreneurship. “If Georgia work tol Business School, University of the where, with Year 3 in the UK. We want What in Georgia set off the alarm on totally transformed the processes”. towards entrepreneurs, it can never go West of England, also joined the group, to develop that here across a whole range his program? “After the 2008 War, the Stephen agrees that the immigration wrong,” Fear says, and as the longest looking to establish new university con- of subjects”. We ask how his meetings country obviously trended downwards, of the right people can transform a coun- serving Entrepreneur in Residence at nections, with meetings planned at the went with the State university rectors but for some inexplicable reason it quickly try for the better. “Georgia needs not the British Library, he would surely know. Ilia and Tbilisi State universities. and he says there was “defi nite interest started to knock the red line again and only more tourists, but also migrants A big gripe Fear had with the capital GEORGIA TODAY met the British to move forward” but that the “roll out” again, leading us to start looking at its from the intellectual fi eld. It needs to of Georgia, one we have addressed many gentlemen towards the end of their visit for any new program could be around potential: its natural resources, strategic develop something that is unique to times before, is air pollution. “Horren- to fi nd out what they had achieved and two years. Back in the UK, a session of location, importance to both Russia and Georgia as an export. We’re looking at dous,” he says. “Love the city and people, just how they planned to invest in Geor- the upcoming Wardrop Strategic Dialogue the US, etc. but I’ve only now managed the development of the country as a hate the traffi c and diesel fumes”. He gia’s bright future. is to be held at the University of the West to come myself”. technology hub, as technology is a world- met the current Mayor and hopes to get Paul Hinchcliffe lived in Georgia from of England. “We’re looking forward to His visit aimed to help him decide why wide exporter. If Bill Gates had been acquainted with the next as he has a the impetus this will generate. The Rec- Georgia might be coming to the top as born in Georgia, Microsoft would have number of creative ideas to enliven the tor will be coming to Bristol and we’ll be an investment hotspot. “After fi ve days, been developed here and Georgia’s GDP greener and cultural side of the city, inviting him to stay longer to talk about I’ve come to the conclusion that basi- would be through the roof,” he points including redeveloping the river to make partnership opportunities with Georgia”. cally it’s the people: that was the bit out with a smile. “Who knows if the next an Artists’ Quarter and reconnect the Hinchcliffe was also in Georgia sup- missing off the graph. The people are Bill Gates is lurking around here some- river with the city it dissects. “The river porting Stephen Fear regarding several generally very positive-minded, very where? Georgia needs to develop an is an untapped resource,” he says. “Think potential directions for business that welcoming. They just get on with things environment where such people can the Paris Left Bank, a boulevard, boats, Who knows if the they have been jointly looking into. “In and they aren’t living as if they’re on the come to the fore, like Britain has done”. fl oating restaurants, boating classes for my years here, Tbilisi did get under my edge of Putin marching over the border; But fi rst, wealth needs to be created, and kids…”. next Bill Gates is skin. If we can do something that will The Fear Group has a substantial amount make a difference, we might be able to to invest in Georgia. And while the num- lurking around encourage other people to come in, too,” bers are being crunched, Stephen Fear he says. says he might consider swapping the here somewhere? Stephen Fear is an English entrepre- American slopes for Georgian this upcom- neur, businessman, philanthropist and ing Christmas holiday…as long as there’s Georgia needs to author with nearly 50 years of interna- internet. tional business experience. He has an “We want to raise the bar for everyone,” develop an established property empire and interests Fear says. “To do something that enhances in a number of industries, including the city, pulls people in and looks after environment green technology, hotels, residential care those that are a bit less fortunate. Agri- and manufacturing. culture is another direction we’re look- where such Fear is Chairman and Founder of Fear ing into. We’re also open to ideas and Group, an international organization welcome anyone to approach us if they people can come which has interests in strategic land believe their idea could work. We can promotion, international property devel- see the great opportunities Georgia is to the fore, like opment and investment. offering. The country has quite a way to He tells GEORGIA TODAY that Geor- go before it gets to the level it needs to Britain has done gia fi rst came up on his company’s list be at,” he concludes.

Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 10 BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 Global Business Forum Held in Tbilisi

Gazprom to Raise Spending on Turkish Stream Gazprom board had approved the invest- BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE ment program for the current year, according to which the volume of invest- and regional projects, was showcased the new forum starts in 2018,” Maisuradze BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI ments was increased by 217.341 billion during the forum, organized in partner- said. he Gazprom Press Service Rubles ($3.75000161 billion) in total, ship with the Bank of Georgia and the “It is essential that the Bank of Geor- has announced the Holding compared to the program approved in British-Georgian Chamber of Commerce. gia provide fi nances to innovative busi- will be able to allocate addi- December last year, up to 1.129 trillion rom September 15-16, the Global “I’m extremely pleased that the Global nesses,” said Zurab Masurashvili, Head tional funds for the imple- Rubles ($19.479766 billion). Business Forum was held at Business Forum not only took place, but of Micro and SME Banking Department mentation of the project The parameters of the program for 2017 The Biltmore hotel Tbilisi, also achieved what it set out to do,” Eka- at Bank of Georgia. “One of our four T‘Turkish Stream’ to the amount of approx- were adjusted because the company organized by Georgia’s Union terine Maisuradze, President of the UBL priorities is to support the business imately 50 billion Rubles ($862.7 million), “sees the need to increase the volume of Business Ladies (UBL). and organizer of the forum, said. development of female entrepreneurs, in accordance with approval from by the of investments and long-term fi nancial FFeaturing guest speakers from around “Since the forum was held for the fi rst so we are pleased to be co-organizers of company's management of the draft investments in priority strategic gas the world, with government offi cials, time ever, we were not expecting such an event where women entrepreneurs investment program for 2017. transportation and production projects”. potential investors, CEOs, business participation and engagement, yet the can connect and share experiences”. At the beginning of the year, Gazprom The new project of the investment pro- executives and entrepreneurs, the forum main objective of the Business Forum “We are delighted that Britain was very said it planned to allocate 41.92 billion gram is to be submitted to the Board of was said to be aimed at connecting the was achieved. Participants were able to well represented at the Forum,” said Rubles ($723.3 million) for the construc- Directors of Gazprom. representatives of the world’s top busi- establish international connections, and Mako Abashidze, Founder Director of tion of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline. Two Turkish lines of gas main are to nesses and successful start-ups. share their experiences with each other,” the British-Georgian Chamber of Com- "The draft investment program for 2017 be built, the capacity of each to be 15.75 The Global Business Forum, “one of she added. Maisuradze said she is proud merce. “We are looking forward to next in the new edition, which will be con- billion cubic meters/gas per year. The its kind in Georgia,” hosted delegates of that a lot of international partnerships year's event, where it is hoped that all sidered by the board of directors, pro- fi rst is intended for deliveries of Russian 17 countries including the UK, Greece, were formed thanks to the event, and said representing countries will come back vides for an increase in investments in "blue fuel" directly to Turkey, the second India, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, UAE, that she hopes they will become even to Georgia with more guest speakers the implementation of the Turkish Stream for gas supply to the countries of South Turkey, China and the US. Representa- more successful and fruitful in future. and delegates. The forum is an excellent project by about 50 billion Rubles," the and South-Eastern Europe. The fi rst tives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “The Union of Business Ladies team platform to promote British-Georgian report said. string should be put into operation in Tbilisi City Hall and Tbilisi City Assem- managed to showcase Georgia’s full busi- relations and this year we had four speak- Last week, it was reported that the March 2018, the second in 2019. bly were also present. H.E. Dr. Jasim ness potential during the forum and at ers from Britain: Maggie Semple, owner Mohamed Al Qasemi, UAE Ambassador the same time unite the many foreign of the Experience Corps LTD, Sophie to Armenia, visited Georgia specifi cally guests in attendance. The International Ibbotson, Founding Partner at Glacex to attend the Business Forum. Business Forum has been successfully LLP, entrepreneur and International The two-day event focused on and founded, and is to become a yearly event Business consultant; Charlie Edwin-Dove, Batumi to Host AD covered topics ranging from women’s from now on,” the President of UBL Founder of Suraci Research Group; Karen roles in strengthening national econo- stated, where it is expected to “have even Tracey from Dunelm Business Consult- mies, to challenges for businesses in the larger international outreach”. ants Ltd. And the H.E. UK Ambassador 21st century and the solutions needed “As The Union of Business Ladies, we to Georgia Justin McKenzie Smith”. to overcome them. continue to actively work, support and A memorandum of understanding was Black Sea The presentations and panel discus- empower women from the business sec- signed between the UBL and the Qatari sion also included a debate regarding tors in Georgia. There were a lot of new Business Women Association at The Bilt- entrepreneurship, recent trends, and the initiatives discussed, and a lot of new more hotel Tbilisi, as a part of the busi- existing business ethics of different ideas formed within the forum, and our ness forum. Ms. Maisuradze also granted countries, while the Georgian business aim is to strengthen and assist these honorary membership status for the UBL environment, including various local newly established partnerships, before to women ambassadors in Georgia. Iran's 19th Phase of South Pars Exceeds $3 bln BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE

20 countries are participating in the fes- ran's revenue from the sale of gas BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI tival, being given a chance to introduce and gas condensate produced in their products to festival attendees. the 19th phase of the giant offshore Communication market players will South Pars fi eld, located in the rom September 21-23, Batumi compete to present their creative pro- southern Iranian province of Bush- is hosting the AD Black Sea jects in the following 10 nominations: Iehr, between April 21, 2016 and Septem- 3rd International Advertising Film, Film & Craft, Print & Publishing, ber 6, 2017, exceeded $3 billion. Festival, supported by the Out of Home, Radio, Design & Branding, During this period, 13.05 million bar- Check in Georgia program. Digital & Mobile, Advertising Campaigns, rels of condensate gas were produced, TheF festival is organized by Georgia’s Media, and Branding Content & Visual all raw materials were exported, and 11 Communication Agency Association Storytelling. billion cubic meters of gas was sent to and Advertising Coalition of Ukraine. An international jury consisting of the national network of Iran. opment of the fi eld since the 1990s, divid- launch the remaining phases of the South For three days, Batumi is to host adver- leading specialists within the advertis- Four gas production platforms are ing it into 28 plots (phases). The South Pars gas fi eld. tising industry representatives from ing industry will be awarding the win- installed on the shelf of the site. Pars deposit is by far one of the largest “After the abolition of international various countries. Event participants ners with gold, silver and bronze medals, ‘South Pars’ is a joint gas fi eld of Iran oil and gas fi elds in the world, located in sanctions, the Islamic Republic hopes will have the chance to attend seminars and the best company will receive a and Qatar. The part of the gas fi eld that the central part of the Persian Gulf on an to attract these funds using new types and learn about the lastest trends in the festival Grand Prix on September 23 at is located on the territory of Qatar is area of 9.7 thousand square kilometers, of oil contract, domestic resources, as advertising business. the AD Black Sea award ceremony. called the ‘North Dome’. of which 3.7 thousand are located on Ira- well as the capital market,” said Energy AD Black Sea 2017 aims at developing AD Black Sea was fi rst held in 2015, The South Pars gas-bearing region con- nian territory in the Persian Gulf, and the Minister of Iran, Bidjan Namdar Zangane. the advertising sector in Georgia, while quickly gaining attention not only within tains 30 trillion cubic meters of gas and rest within the borders of Qatar. When production is at full capacity, improving the quality of advertising prod- the country, but throughout the wider 18 billion barrels of condensate. Iran has Iran previously announced that it the fi eld will be able to produce up to ucts. This year, companies from around region. been working on the stage-by-stage devel- needed $20 billion in investments to 700 million cubic meters of gas per day.

GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 OK! Georgia Magazine New Editor Appointed ideas, creativity and new marketing pro- BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI jects, will bring OK! Magazine to a new stage,” he said. “Together with Nino, we’ll be able to ino Jibladze has joined the strengthen our strategy which is OK! OK! Georgia magazine First and the Best, and attempt to make team as Editor in Chief, the magazine not only the most popular George Sharashidze, OK! and best-selling one, but also transform Georgia publisher, it into a real Lovemark,” George Shar- Nannounced at hotel The Terrace, in Tbi- ashidze noted. lisi on Monday. Olga Baluani, previous editor of OK! Jibladze, the Vice President and Head Magazine, thanked the OK! team for their of the Marketing and PR Department at cooperation, congratulated Jibladze, and Gulf Georgia, is to combine her current expressed her hope of continuing her job with the post of editor of the OK! collaboration with OK! Georgia. Magazine from October 1, replacing Olga “I would like to thank Olga, who was Babluani. an exceptional editor of OK! and with with great pleasure and even greater bilities at Gulf. “I don’t think I’ll have cies alone: I respect classics, too, and I Aside from holding an executive posi- whom we made many interesting pro- motivation. OK! Magazine is very popu- any problems combining the two jobs. think there are themes that always exist, tion at Gulf, Jibladze has a background jects,” Sharashidze said, adding that he, lar in Georgia and if we work on strength- I’ve done it before and I’m not afraid of that are eternal, which need to be seen in journalism and writing, with her con- too, hopes Babluani will continue coop- ening its image, I will do all I can to make multi-tasking,” she answers with confi - in a fresh way, adapted to the time we’re temporary fi ction novels: Leaving (2003), eration with OK! Georgia. it stronger, better, and even more beau- dence. “Like most people these days, for living in,” she said. Love in America (2005), and Kaleido- Nino Jibladze will hold individual meet- tiful,” Jibladze said. me time is an issue, but I have also gained For more than two decades, OK! Maga- scope (2007) well-known and loved by ings with the OK! magazine team to “As in all other countries around the experience in good time management”. zine has been at the heart of the celebrity Georgian readers. familiarize herself with the details of the world, OK! has a massive readership in We ask her about her future plans. “I market, widely regarded as a publishing “I’m delighted that from October 1, OK! magazine, and its online and marketing Georgia; it’s a magazine that you can won’t talk too much about my plans just phenomenon, read by around 1.4 million Magazine will have such a high caliber, projects. read both at home and in the offi ce, or yet, but I hope to be able to bring new people each week in the UK alone. experienced professional as Nino “When I was offered the position as out and about, with an audience which life to the magazine, even if it’s a small Launched back in 1993, OK! is now Jibladze,” Sharashidze stated. “I would editor, I thought about it carefully as I is mixed and varied, every month wait- touch, still it’s important to me. Time worldwide, with 17 international editions like to thank Nino for accepting our pro- had no previous experience in such a ing for the next issue to come out. I’ll be seems to fl y so fast and trends are chang- in Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Germany, posal and I’m sure she’ll make the image responsible position within printed looking more into the details shortly,” ing so rapidly, but we at OK! will be fol- Greece, Japan, Russia, UK, Latvia, Czech OK! Magazine has gained through its media, but then, today, managerial prac- she said. lowing them, making sure all the best Republic, Slovakia, Pakistan, Romania, three years of presence on the Georgian tice across various spheres doesn’t differ We ask her how she plans to combine materials are in OK! Magazine. I’m not and more. Georgia was added to that market ever stronger, and with her new much, and so I agreed to take on the role the new job with her current responsi- a person who focuses on today’s tenden- substantial list in 2014. Records Set But Money Not Spent

charity. Well, sometimes, somewhere, OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE something charitable is taking place, but this has not yet become a habit as bibli- cal tithing is not a commonplace thing ometimes, somewhere, good in our religious and social life. Inciden- things happen in Georgia. One tally, I don’t even know if we want to such ‘thing’ took place on Sep- learn it. tember 9 right in the middle Yet, records and champions need to be of the city of Batumi in front taken care of so that they do not disap- Sof a huge crowd rooting for the star of pear without trace. And who should the show: 57-year old Georgian ‘sea- come up with the money for such a noble walking’ marathon swimmer, Beglar job as this kind of charity? Not diffi cult Ebakidze, who set a new record in the to guess, is it? But those deep and thick so called Zezela (standing) old-Georgian Georgian Geographic Society and one are helping Georgia to let the world wide public interest, and that is under- pockets are sown so tightly that a char- martial-training swimming style with Khashuri Municipality, headed by Gvanji get better acquainted with its cultural water wrestling – the so called ‘Men- itable fi nger can hardly get into it. Mean- both hands raised above the water. He Mania, President of the Giorgi Union - heritage and new achievements like this churva’. Currently, attempts are being while, in the West, the west of our idyl- covered by swimming, with his legs only, patron of all Guinness-like records in type of swimming, which are purely made to attract the attention of Olympic lic dreams, is a place where charity seven Olympic distances, which is equal Georgia. It was judged by a special com- Georgian traditions. The annals have it experts, sponsors and organizers to let happens in big numbers on a daily basis. to more than ten thousand meters, using mission of referees who based their that in the mid 19th century a Georgian the world try this new outlandish sport- And the constantly ongoing process of no fl ippers or special swimsuit or other decision on the currently functioning gentleman from Odishi, named Kelle ing event. doing some good to ‘thy neighbor’ is swimming aides whatsoever. The swim- charter of world records. Ekhvaia, became a perfect master of the There are a good number of other supported there by legislature: you do mer, who was followed in the water by The champion was born in the village Zezela swimming style and used his great records and champions in Georgia like charity and you write it off from your a full boat of experts and witnesses, of Gomi of the Khashuri district of Geor- talent to lure the invading foreign army this one and they are not often heeded revenues as a tax-exempt part of your improved his own ten-year-old record gia and learned how to swim “as a little into the deep waters of the Inguri river by variously preoccupied members of profi ts. Why doesn’t this happen here? by covering the distance of 10.5 kilom- boy in the whirls and rapids of the Kura to be drowned, as he created the impres- our society. But this is not the worst fea- Because our desire to have a western eters in exactly 5 hours and 25 minutes. River”. Beglar and his family are still sion that the water was shallow by swim- ture of this society that might annoy us. appearance is not propped up and sus- The event was organized within the living in their native places, making their ming in it with his hands above the water. One of the most frustrating character- tained by content thereto. Oh yes, we framework of the Golden Fleece Sport- livings through local agricultural and I was told that there is another kind of istics of our life is that our business com- are ancient Christians with a short ing Program by the Adjara Autonomy, trade efforts. The records like his recent water sport that someday might merit munity is dragging its feet in learning memory for ‘Do unto others . . .’

SCANDAL, Jean Paul Gaultier’s New Fragrance Now at Ici Paris Stores

www.fragrantica.com reports. BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI As Khatia Shamugia, Head of the Mar- keting and PR Department of Ici Paris says, the fragrance tells the story of CANDAL, Jean Paul Gaultier’s “Madame La Ministre,” a woman party- newly launched fragrance for ing and clubbing in the streets of Paris 2017, is now available at Ici by night and going to her offi ce directly Paris stores in Georgia. from there in the morning. Everybody It is said to be “designed to loves her and although “Madame La Sbreak all clichés, offering something new Ministre is extremely busy by day, she and modern, and at the same time power- always fi nds time to have fun by night,” ful and elegant,” with the key notes of the Shamugia said. composition being blood orange, honey, “The fragrance has a magnifi cent scent patchouli and gardenia, making a creamy, created by a number of ingredients, like earthy, and balsamic gourmet effect, with blood orange, gardenia and patchouli,” warm, deep woody undertones. Khatia noted. The bottle of the new fragrance is made SCANDAL is the first fragrance of transparent glass and the stopper launched by Jean Paul Gaultier with Puig comes in the form of golden female legs, company.

GEORGIA TODAY 14 SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 TBC Presents: A Russian Journal Revisited & Robert Capa Exhibition

Agency decided to mark its anniversary photos now available for viewing at TBC and it needed some time to edit and Curator at TBC Bank told us. Capa’s BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI by creating a new, contemporary version gallery and TBC Art Gallery at Marjan- maybe change the sequence,” he said. works have been kept at TBC Bank for of Capa and Steinbeck’s trip to USSR ishvili Street, Tbilisi; the exhibitions “I really like the photo with the guy many years now, with a number of exhi- from 70 years ago with a project: A Rus- organized within the framework of the dressed in a Caucasian traditional dress, bitions already organized; the two exhi- Russian Journal Revisited, sian Journal Revisited, made by Thomas Tbilisi International Photo Festival. walking in Moscow,” Dworzak told us, bitions introducing Dworzak’s and a project initiated by the Dworzak, German photographer, the As part of the event, a public lecture by pointing to one of his works which he Capa’s work bring a “totally different Magnum Photo Agency, president of the agency, and Julius Strauss, Cynthia Jang was held, covering Robert considers most vivid. perspective,” Akhvlediani said. which marks the 70th anni- British journalist, former Bureau Chief Capa’s journey to the Soviet Union in 1947. Indeed, most of the photos on display Eka Enukidze, Magnum Photos rep- versary of its existence of the Daily Telegraph Moscow offi ce, ‘Two things were most challenging; can be considered vivid: images from resentative in Georgia, notes that the Athis year, is now open at TBC Bank, who also worked as a foreign correspond- one was the shadow of Capa, because Russia, Ukraine and Georgia, showing project gives “a unique possibility to alongside a presentation of the works ent from Kosovo to Afghanistan. he was so big, and it would be a bit pre- the traces of history and modernity see what has changed for the 70-year of famous photographer and one of the This August, over a period of four weeks, tentious to beat him, and the other thing interlinked, so vibrantly, dramatically period in the region, while revisiting founders of the agency Robert Capa. Thomas Dworzak and Julius Strauss trav- was that, because I lived in Georgia and even, creating an outstanding mosaic; and representing the landmarks of the Back in 1947, Capa, together with well- elled to Russia, Ukraine and Georgia, Russia, I was not new here so I had to a record of our time. history of photography.” known American writer John Steinbeck, following in the footsteps of Steinbeck fi nd a new perspective,” Thomas Dwor- “Initially, when we started working As it traces back to the Soviet reality travelled to the USSR, visiting Russia, and Capa. They also visited Sukhumi, zak told us at the opening, when asked on the project with Magnum Photo documented by Steinbeck and Capa, Ukraine and Georgia, and document- Abkhazia as the part of their trip; the what he thought was among the most Agency, it had been decided to exhibit the Russian Journal Revisited project ing the lives of people living under the journey resulting in an impressive photo diffi cult parts of the project. the works of Robert Capa as well, and, continues to modernity through the Soviet system, a journey which later exhibition and the album published with “I think I found something more than as today in a way marks the fi nalization sharp prism of Thomas Dworzak’s works. transformed into John Steinbeck’s book: Thomas Dworzak’s photos and Julius I was expecting, although I still have to of the project, it’s also delivers an impor- A Russian Journal, published in 1948, Strauss’s writings, as they retrace the work on it,” he said, talking about his tant message and a parallel from the WHERE: TBC Gallery, TBC Headquarters, with photo illustrations by Robert Capa. same trip from 70 years ago. This is com- own expectations from the project. “I famous works of Capa to Dworzak’s Marjanishvili Str., Tbilisi Fast forward to 2017, and Magnum Photo bined with another exhibition of Capa’s only fi nished shooting one week ago recent ones,” Nina Akhvlediani, Art WHEN: Until October 2 Vote Fever: Etseri, Svaneti able bandwidths, a luxury not yet to sonal pipe length of over 150m! We house. The whole disastrously bone BLOG BY TONY HANMER have reached the villages of Svaneti both agreed that this would be a fi ne jarring former river bed of a thing, from (Mestia excepted)! My guests taking idea, and promptly the Bobcat came top to bottom, is to be resurfaced, they advantage of Hanmer Guest House’s and dug. The pipe was installed, they tell us! And there is a new kindergarten riting this in a small, new “anywhere you can afford” taxi even (more or less) restored the fence being built just above the original one sweaty, mosquito- service is the reason I am here at all. parts they had cut open, and we are (long years a home for refugee Svans frequented hostel Meanwhile, back up in the moun- now waiting for this exciting project, from Abkhazia), at such a speed that We bide our room in Batumi, with tains… while taking a few other guests promised by the village mayor but not one must conclude that serious money three bunk-beds to see a bit of Mestia a few days ago, believed without our seeing it, to be is showing. time...hoping that stuffedW into it but only two of us occu- I heard from my wife by phone that fi nished before winter settles in. (Tet- And… next month are the elections, pying, thank goodness. Hot rods test we’d been asked permission to let the nuldi ski resort, at up to 3.2 km above all over Georgia, from village to Tbilisi the possibly their speed and stereo volume outside. new village water pipe be dug in and sea level, having seen its fi rst snow in mayors and of Parliament into the bar- I’m getting what I paid my 10 GEL for: laid across our land. In exchange, we early September.) gain. So that explains it all. Pity that I momentous the cheapest stay in the city and worth would have access to it from only More: we have been seeing large piles as a foreigner can’t vote, and my wife every one of its thousand Tetri. At least about 20 m away from the house, rather of slate gravel being dumped along our has yet to transfer her registration from changes in there’s free unlimited wi-fi at reason- an improvement over our current per- village road, including two near the Tbilisi to here! The school outdoor sports arena begun a year ago has wire government will walls but no fi nished fl oor, so obviously this is not part of any attempt to curry be peaceful but favor, merely a dream which ran out of steam, leaving us more cynical than also a harbinger ever in the process. This frenzied investment in local infrastructure at certain critical times of necessary is at least less bald than the earlier sim- ple offers to buy votes outright for GEL change which we heard about in years past. On the national level, the TV is showing Georgia, after all, wants him back some rather ugly anti-Saakashvili foot- ALIVE!) age. However, its target is somewhat We bide our time somewhat anxiously, distracted, having successfully stormed hoping that the next month and its pos- his way back into Ukraine from Poland sibly momentous changes in govern- despite not having a passport left to his ment will be peaceful but also a harbin- name and being quite a threat to the ger of necessary change. Time will reveal powers that be of that country. How all. often does a president of one country get to become that of another, both by Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since revolution? (How could he cross an 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been international border without being a weekly writer for GT since early 2011. allowed, I ask myself? Obviously, he He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook WAS allowed. Let’s not kill or even group, now with over 1500 members, at injure such a high-ranking fi gure and www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRe- really cause an international incident. naissance/ GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 CULTURE 15 Golden Luka from Georgia Conquers World Stages at early Age

through hard times. Imagine that you support of kind and generous people, to BY MAKA LOMADZE have no Friday evenings or weekends, no give me a vital chance to be a musician. holidays or even birthdays: every moment belongs to music and its schedule! You SOME SAY THE MORE uka Okrostvaridze, 26, stage travel a lot, but not for rest, have to keep MISERABLE AN ARTIST IS, THE name Luka Okros, is one of the in mind a huge number of musical notes HAPPIER HE/SHE MAKES THE brightest representatives of his and practice a lot to stay in a good shape! PUBLIC. IS IT THE CASE WITH generation of young artists. On It’s important to be very active and to be YOU? OR IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE September 10, he won the 3rd able to fi ght for the things you believe in. HAPPY AND TO BE A GREAT prizeL at the 11th Scottish International You have to be a professional and respon- ARTIST AT THE SAME TIME? Piano Competition in Glasgow. He was sible for everything you do. I’ve always believed that in music; we WE STAY CREATIVE IN SPITE They say, if you don’t practice one day, the only one to represent Georgia in this I’m rarely satisfi ed with the results, and show our deepest thoughts and true per- OF THE EVERYDAY STRESSES? you hear it, if you don’t practice two days contest among 23 pianists from 15 coun- this probably pushes me onward and at the sonality, which isn’t always shown in We should fi nd it deep in our mind. Hap- – your family knows it, but three days – tries. Okros is also the fi rst prize winner same time submerges me deeper in music. ordinary life. There is no need to be mis- piness and peaceful silence is inside each the entire world knows you had a break! of several major international competi- To be successful, you need to work hard erable to bring happiness to the public. of us. All this bustle around takes over; I believe I’m an open person. I love to tions, including the Hannover Chopin and be honest with yourself. You need a Music is a mixture of different emotions, the materialistic world is a priority in communicate with people, share ideas Piano Competition (2017), Hong Kong combination of different personal and so, in my case, I’d say that being a pianist people’s mind! Personally, I feel how des- and emotions. My Instagram profi le has International Piano Competition (2016), professional skills to deal with things not is a tool in a composer’s hands. We can perately we are in need of spiritual charg- almost 40,000 followers, and I often make and the Iturbi Prize in Spain (2015), where, always connected to music. However, only empathize with music and deliver ing. Music brings me harmony and peace. live streaming, answering all direct ques- among the judges were famous pianists without luck, you won’t go far. it to the public. tions personally. It’s great to fi nd creative like Peter Donohoe, Peter Frankl, Andrzej IF NOT A MUSICIAN, and interesting people all over the world. Jasinski, Mikhail Voskresensky, Pascal WHICH WAS THE HAPPIEST AS A GREAT WRITER SAID, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Of course, some things should remain Roge and others. DAY FOR YOU FROM ALL CHILDREN GROW, BUT I’d probably be a photographer, cinema private. But if people ask questions in a Over the last two years, Okros has won THE PROFESSIONAL THERE IS AN ETERNAL CHILD director or historian, as I love history. respectful way, I’m always happy to give an award from the Hattori Foundation POINT OF VIEW? WITHIN. HOW SHOULD WE If politics was cleaner and had better an answer. (UK), the Tillett Trust (UK) and the Ver- I’d say, getting my Artist status in the UK, CHERISH THIS ETERNAL CHILD morals, I’d go for governing, as I have ideas bier Festival Piano Award by Tabor Foun- as it’s a kind of recognition which gives AND IS IT NOT PARAMOUNT and a will to help people. Nowadays, pat- WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS dation in Switzerland. He says he is very me the chance to do what I really love FOR ARTISTS TO NURTURE riotism and a love of your homeland are FOR THE FUTURE? proud to represent Georgia globally. In and live for in Europe. Unfortunately, we THESE ‘CHILDREN’ FOREVER? terms used in totally the wrong way, and In October and November, I have a big August, he was invited to the Oxford live in quite tumultuous times, when My eternal child loves cartoons, choco- the words “honor,” “respect” and “human- Asian tour. I will perform and give master- Piano Festival and to BBC Radio 3 for an political infl uence is really high on peo- lates and candies, so I often try to deliver ism” have lost their valuable meaning. classes in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, interview and live performance. GEOR- ple’s everyday lives. So, I’m lucky to have him these emotions to extend his pres- Thailand and India. In January, I’ll travel GIA TODAY met him to fi nd out more. the opportunity to be an Artist in one of ence in my life. It would be really hard to HOW MANY HOURS DO to Harbin (China), to represent Georgia the leading European countries. live without childish purity and simplic- YOU PLAY A DAY? at the Habin International Piano Compe- HOW DIFFICULT WAS THE ity, especially for musicians. I try to cher- I’d say 3-5 hours every day. I never prac- tition. For winter - spring 2018, a European PATH TO SUCCESS? HOW DID IT HAPPEN THAT ish simple things in my everyday life. tice more than six hours, as I believe that tour is planned. All details of the recitals I was born in 1991. I’m sure lots of people YOU BECAME WORLD-FAMOUS your mind should be able to analyze what will be soon available on my website. in Georgia remember the terrifying 90s, AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE? THERE IS A SAYING, TOO, THAT and how you do during practices; I’m and I know how it is to live in poverty, Hard work and luck: when these two IN POETRY AS WELL AS MUSIC, against an automatic fi nger sprint. Luka Okros’ CD of works by Schumann was having eggs or potatoes for breakfast, things align, together they can give very THERE IS IN FACT SILENCE released on DiscAuverS Records and pre- lunch and dinner. I went through this fruitful results. RATHER THAN WORDS OR DO YOU GET THE LUXURY OF A sented in Salle Cortot (Paris, France) in Autumn myself, so music was my only lifebuoy I was lucky to have very caring parents NOTES THAT MAKE THE WORKS HOLIDAY, OR A PRIVATE LIFE? 2016. This CD received critical acclaim and and it kept me going. who discovered my passion for music INDELIBLE. WHERE DOES THIS Since 2012, I’ve only had six days off- this got 4/4 stars review in French magazine It’s not easy to be a musician, especially when I was only four years old and made SILENCE RESIDE IN THIS CRAZY summer, after a particularly exhausting Classica (June 2017). The CD is available nowadays when arts and music are going a lot of effort, along with the help and WORLD AND HOW SHOULD period. However, I can’t stop practicing. on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, and elsewhere. GEORGIA TODAY 16 CULTURE SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 Donald Rayfi eld on Researching Georgia, Literature & Politics WHAT DID YOU DISCOVER? the Soviet military. Levan was responsi- HOW EASY IS IT TO GET It was so terrible that the secretary who ble for devising a program for scanning RESEARCH FUNDING NOW? was taking down the shorthand record Georgian which we didn’t have when we YOU’RE CHAIRMAN OF THE of it broke down and couldn’t continue. started in the 90s. What we badly needed MARJORY WARDROP FUND… And the lights went off, people shot to know was all the words that are not I’ve been a chairman of this trust for a themselves in the middle of the proceed- in the great eight-volume dictionary but long time. The Marjory Wardrop fund ings and so on. are everywhere else. That dictionary was money left by Oliver Wardrop in his All this had to be copied by hand. I had began very carefully because Stalin was sister’s memory, a big capital sum, and an enormous stroke of luck: a group of watching: no quotation from any writer it was enough to fi nance a postgraduate trainee librarians were being shown round who had been shot or was about to be student every year, but since the fi nancial the building; I was allowed to sit them shot, no idioms that Stalin might fi nd crisis we only have enough money to all down (there were about fi fteen of offensive (religious ones and so on), and give people a grant to do some digging them), hand them each a fi le to copy, so an awful lot of words which were con- or produce a CD. I think we’re saving up I have them by absolute miracle. Those sidered vulgar and not to be included. enough eventually to help one postgrad- fi les didn’t survive entirely intact because uate but the trouble with these founda- Gamsakhurdia came along in his short WHICH WOULD PRESUMABLY tions that rely on a capital fund is this period in power and removed anything INCLUDE AN AWFUL LOT! worldwide collapse of interest rates. that he felt was compromising about his Well, everything that a taxi driver swears I think postgraduate students can eas- father (Konstantine Gamsakhurdia) who about and lots of other things, too. ily get funds to come and study in Geor- was a very good novelist but was a man I also had a brilliant student called Lau- gia from the EU, but now that Britain is with very strange connections. He was rence Broers who has excellent Georgian leaving the EU, it’s going to be catastrophic EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW YOU WERE A RARITY! Yes. After me there came others and by probably the only genuine fascist in and above all he can talk to absolutely for any university activity. In fact, I was BY ROBERT EDGAR the end of the ’70s there were several. Georgia and yet he was close friends with anybody and not get into trouble. We just thinking that a Georgian passport is My predecessor was Professor David Beria. sent him to various people: priests; ex going to be more useful than a British Lang, who wrote some very good books warlords; forest boys; drug addicts; pros- passport in ten years’ time if they’re still rofessor Donald Rayfi eld is a on Georgian history and very good trans- SO, INFORMATION OPENED titutes: he contributed an enormous on track for EU membership. I’ve got my leading British academic, lations, but who now turns out to have UP ALL AT ONCE? amount. There’s another type of Georgian letter to the president saying, ‘I did the writer and translator special- been compromised by the KGB. Lang Yes, the literary ones certainly had free that nobody ever wrote about: Jewish dictionary, can I have a passport?’ izing in Georgia, Russia and was a friend of Inauri, the head of the access, and recently the communist party Georgian, still spoken in Kutaisi. In Soviet Transcaucasia. He has written KGB. He was a somewhat isolated fi gure, archives. They’re obviously working on times, people did research into it, but the THERE HAS BEEN A oneP of the seminal English-language his- although he was a brilliant scholar, but computerizing them but what they need Soviets had banned anybody from pub- RECENT SELF-CONSCIOUS tories of Georgia, translated numerous he denounced the Georgian dissidents is some enormous foreign grant to dig- lishing any of it. I found someone who EFFORT IN GEORGIA TO works of literature and poetry, and headed and said that all the stuff they were send- italize them because there are 2.5 million had emigrated to Israel. He had his old LOOK TO THE WEST… the team that compiled the preeminent ing out was lies, fi ction, and forgery so fi les, not all of them interesting, in fact grandmother with him and we got 2,000 Yes, I think the NATO question is out Georgian-English dictionary. there was not much contact between me some are uninteresting; at the moment, Jewish-Georgian words! altogether; I can’t believe NATO will He is currently emeritus professor of and him. you just have to guess. If ever they get Georgian classical editions of past works want to have two confl ict zones with Russian at Queen Mary University of Anyway, I kept on coming back and it completely digitalized, then it will be usually had very good vocabularies at Russia. On the other hand, they’ve got London and chairman of the Marjory learning more and translating more. Then an enormously important [resource]. the end. By working through those edi- Montenegro coming in so I think there Wardrop Fund. I started writing about the literature. The manuscript center is supposedly tions, we had all the stuff from the Mid- is a possibility of EU membership. It will GEORGIA TODAY spoke to Prof. Ray- digitalizing but it’s moving at a snail’s dle Ages. Then there were numerous undoubtedly annoy Putin, which is a very fi eld about his life and work, touching DID YOU ENCOUNTER pace. ethnographical expeditions to the moun- good reason for doing it, but that may on numerous topics from literature and ANY DIFFICULTIES IN The problem with Georgians at the tains. stop some of the Europeans. the dictionary to history and current YOUR RESEARCH? moment is that people are doing research, The most diffi cult thing was the lan- affairs. The thing about Georgians is that they but they tend to be doing research on the guage that women use with women when THINKING OF THE TWO like people to say nice things about them. medieval periods. For modern times – there are no men present but we found CONFLICT ZONES WITH WHEN DID YOU FIRST If you’re writing critically about litera- Soviet history – they tend to concentrate a Georgian woman who had been mar- RUSSIA, DO YOU SEE ANY DISCOVER AN INTEREST ture and you start saying that something on the church as the church has had an ried to a Texan for ten years and had lost HOPE FOR A REUNIFICATION? IN WRITING? is not as good as something else, then enormous revival in Georgia. Part of the her inhibitions. There was hope at one point a long time I was interested in Slavonic languages people tend to get offended. If you have problem is that the networks were so ago when Saakashvili had that very good and then went to university in Cambridge. an author who is writing in the 1930s, close that a lot of people today have fam- WHAT DREW YOU foreign minister Salome Zurabishvili. She I’d learned quite a lot of Czech (I had a you’ll fi nd his great-great grandchild ily who were involved in the Communist TOWARDS TRANSLATING seems, from what I’ve heard, to have had Czech pen pal), they said you’re an idiot objects to your feeling that his work is Party, or in the secret police: it’s some- GEORGIAN LITERATURE? some sort of agreement with Putin that to do Czech if you don’t know any Rus- not important, or that he was leant on thing they don’t really want to talk about. I knew Otar Chiladze and I still know his South Ossetia could go back when things sian, so I moved to Russian. That saved too hard by the communist party. What I think writing a history of Georgia at daughter; I’m a great admirer of his. I did were quieter, because Russia doesn’t me from a life on unemployment because was surprising about Georgia under the present is something only a foreigner can hope at one point in 1999 that he’d get really want South Ossetia, but then there’s not a lot of room for Czech spe- Soviets was that in the 1930s and 50s, the do. the Nobel Prize; I think he came pretty Saakashvili spoiled that with his reckless- cialists. I taught Russian in an Australian history writers and the critical scholars close. By then he had fi ve novels, but a ness. I think with Abkhazia there’s no university for three years and then came were in some ways better, almost West- WHICH YOU DID sixth one came out shortly afterwards. hope at all; it’s just too valuable to Russia back to Britain and began writing about ern-standard, as long as they weren’t I did. Once the Russian version came out, They were written extraordinarily clev- and if I were a Georgian, I would just say, Anton Chekhov’s work, and Russian poets. dealing with modern times. There were then more Georgians read it. They’re fi ne erly because if you read them carefully ‘give up’. The only hope in the long term A lot of Russian poets were involved in a lot of very good editions of classical until we get to the 19th century and then they are very anti-Soviet, but the Russian is to make Georgia such a pleasant place Georgia and in the early 1970s I realised works. they don’t really like good things being censors were either too dim or too toler- that the Abkhaz themselves wish they that there might be a lot of their letters One of the main problems is that in said about the Russian viceroys. If they’re ant to notice it. were somehow federated with it, but I in Tbilisi literary museum. In Soviet days, Soviet times a lot of very good work was anti Saakashvili then I’m too pro, if they’re I thought his most relevant one was his don’t think that the Russians are ever many things were in some ways easier; published with terrible cuts from the pro Saakashvili I’m too anti! It’s always fi fth, about the civil war (Avelum) in going to allow that. there was a cultural agreement in which censor. Even today, some Georgian pub- dangerous to talk about living politicians, which a writer’s entire life crumbles and academics went to each other’s countries lishers reproduce the awful mutilated but then Georgians are not like the Rus- he gets killed at the end of it. It’s not an THERE WAS A SCRAMBLE IN THE for three months and it was paid for, so versions. You have to go to the library sians: they do forgive foreigners for being easy one to read. Someone else was trans- EARLY 90S WITH EVERYONE I went to Tbilisi for three months. and see if you can get the version pub- offensive, they just assume that we’re all lating A Man was Going Down the Road HASTILY REDRAWING BORDERS lished before the censors got nasty in the idiots and never really understand and so I thought I’d wait for this to come out ALONG ETHNIC LINES… THAT’S WHEN YOUR INTEREST mid-1920s. The Soviet heritage still hasn’t so there’s no point taking offence. and then publish Avelum but they never You had the people in Adjara wanting to IN GEORGIA ITSELF BEGAN? been quite overcome. got around to fi nishing it and I got so be separate, you had the Armenians in I didn’t know how it was going to develop, AM I RIGHT IN SAYING THAT frustrated with them that I asked Otar if Javakheti who to this day feel resentful, because I went to the literary museum WHAT ABOUT IN TERMS OF THERE WAS NO GEORGIAN- he’d mind if I did it myself. but they’re no worse off in Georgia than and it was one of those Soviet comedies ACCESS TO ARCHIVES? ENGLISH DICTIONARY The problem is, Chiladze is not selling they would be if they joined Armenia, where you go in for the fi rst time and In Soviet times, archives always came BEFORE YOURS? in the West: it’s very diffi cult to get lit- and the Azerbaijanis in Rustavi seem to they say, “oh sorry, we’ve lost the key”, under the KGB. I was interested particu- Not one that’s any use. If you strive to erature in translation even reviewed, at be ok. It’s a pity because the one thing you go a second time and it’s, “the direc- larly in the archives of the Writers’ Union learn Georgian, you’ll realise quickly that least in Britain. I have a small publishing about Georgia before all this fl ared up is tor’s not here”. Finally, one of the girls because they had the most extraordinary there’s an enormous problem with the house and I’ve managed to help one novel that it was so tolerant. took pity on me and said, “look, it’s point- discussions in which they virtually verb; every verb has so many prefi xes. to reasonable success (that is, to sell 1300 less you coming here; we’ve had a phone denounced each other, and several peo- Their big eight-volume explanatory dic- copies) but with Chiladze it would be THAT WAS SOMETHING YOU call from the central committee and you’re ple would be led off to be imprisoned tionary, which Stalin supported, took that getting over the 200 mark. WROTE IN THE PREFACE not allowed to see anything”. So, I switched and then shot. I went every day for idea, a lot of entries for every verb. Geor- What the Georgians really need is some TO EDGE OF EMPIRES… to the university’s language department months in 1989 to the Central State gian is full of that sort of thing, so it meant sort of marketing system. Maybe the Yes, they got on well. I mean, they were a and thought I might as well try and learn Archives of Literature, and every now that to compile a dictionary we had to Georgian novel is not exportable; I’m not bit snarky about Armenians; they had been Georgian. and again I’d pass a set of papers and have a lot of money, and we had to have sure. In some ways, in Soviet times, it since 600 AD, but everyone else they got It was a time when there were a num- they’d say ‘oh no, that’s marked “S” for the right people. We were very lucky was easier; your writer would be locked on with. I think there’s no hope of Abkha- ber of jubilees of Georgian poets and secret’. Suddenly at the very beginning with both in that British universities have up or even shot and that was a great zia coming back, in our lifetime anyway, they desperately wanted them translated of March ’89, I was told “but we don’t an arts and humanities research council career move! Now, in Turkey, Erdogan is although South Ossetia may be negotiable, into a West European language. I was have any secret archives” and I could and the year I applied, dictionaries were selling Turkish literature like nothing I don’t know what they’d have to give away. just what they were looking for so they look at whatever I wanted. They gave obviously in fashion. We were lucky to through persecution. Perhaps the Geor- Restoring the railway line along the Black gave me a very good teacher and I had me all the fi les from the 1930s when the have one Georgian computer expert, gians should start shooting their writers! Sea Coast perhaps, but I think Georgian one to one teaching. writers were meeting. Levan Chkhaidze, who had worked for [laughs] politicians will fi nd that a line too far. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 CULTURE 17 S’hail 2017 International Hunting & Falcons Exhibition Opens

scheduled to conduct necessary tests Falcons Exhibition had a special guest BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES for the falcons purchased from the exhi- on the opening day in Australian Ambas- bition. sador to Qatar, His Excellency Dr. Axel The exhibition also welcomed many Wabenhorst, who by his own admission he fi rst edition of the Katara international hunting-related brands of was remarkably impressed by the unique International Hunting and camping gear, hunting arms and tools, and varied display. Falcons Exhibition, S’hail, and safaris which will be offered at sig- Speaking on the occasion, the Ambas- 2017 was inaugurated at the nifi cant discount. The exhibition show- sador said, “I haven’t seen an exhibition Cultural Village Founda- cases cultural stands from several coun- like this before. This is truly amazing. Ttion, Katara, among the presence of fal- tries including Morocco, Georgia, There are, fi rst of all, a lot of falcons, but conry enthusiasts and visitors on Wednes- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. different species of falcons…you can tell day. These countries will introduce visitors it’s a very popular activity.” The ‘world class’ and fi rst of its kind to their cultural heritage in hunting and show is seeing the participation of over falconry. CULTURAL TENT 90 local and several international com- In addition, several vintage hunting On the sideline activities of Katara Inter- panies specializing in falconry and vehicles are being displayed to give the national Hunting & Falcons Exhibition, hunting-related tools and equipment. audience a close picture of the hunting a traditional tent from Kyrgyzstan also Over 3,000 people and 1,000 online view- arena in the past. attracted the fancy and curious eyes of ers had visited S’hail 2017 by six in the S’hail 2017 is one of the biggest inter- all. evening with more were lining up to get national falcon exhibitions and has sev- The ‘yurt,’ the traditional tent of the in. eral events and activities, including a Kyrgyz people, portable, round and The inaugural day saw VIP distinguished falcon auction. There is also a special covered with skins or felt has been used guests H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa stand for handicrafts related to hunting as a dwelling in central Asia for over bin Hamad Al Thani, H.E. Sheikh Moham- and falcon-related supplies. 3,000 years. The colorful and very cozy med bin Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, Commenting on the exhibition, the tent also has the Kyrgyz people dressed H.E. Hamad bin Nasser Al Thani, H.E. General Manager of the Cultural Village in their traditional attire offering sweets Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser Al Thani, and Foundation- Katara, H.E. Dr. Khalid bin to visitors in their true style and tradi- H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qasim Al Thani. Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti, said; "By hosting the tion. In addition, Ooredoo Group CEO, H.E. Katara International Hunting & Falcons The Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Repub- Sheikh Saud Bin Nasser Al Thani, and Exhibition, Katara aims to highlight the lic, H.E. Mr. Nuran S. Niyazaliev explained H.E. Sheikh Falah bin Jassim Bin Jabr Qatari cultural identity in the falconry the idea of the ‘yurt’ and its presence at Al-Thani also went along. fi eld in Qatar and abroad. Syndicating the exhibition. “The Kyrgyz and Qatari The attraction offers a diverse array of ancient traditions with modernity leads people have many similarities. Like participants, from suppliers of hunting to building communication bridges Qataris, the Krygyz people have been vehicles, tools, equipment and falcon between people from all walks of life. nomads and used falcons for hunting. care-related entities have formed for the Such innovative initiatives would enrich That’s why we decided to bring and unique exhibition. There are as many as the cultural process which will hopefully showcase our traditional nomadic house 54 participants from Qatar; 15 from Kuwait keep expanding, evolving, growing and to Qatar to show the people that in cen- besides from the overseas -- 5 from Spain; thriving." tral Asia, too, we share the same culture.” 4 from Pakistan; 3 from Germany; and The S’hail Falcon auction is one of the “A big number of Qataris travel to Kyr- one each from the US, England, France, main events at Katara International gyzstan. By displaying this traditional South Africa, Azerbaijan and Lebanon. Hunting and Falcons Exhibition. In this ‘house’ of nomadic Kyrgyzstan people, The exhibition features more than 400 event, falcons are offered for auction we hope more Qatari people will visit falcons from three local farms and nine sale. The bidder, Al-Azmi from the State our country and share the culture,” he other breeding farms from Spain, Ger- of Kuwait, purchased a falcon with 210,000 added. many, France and Russia. Furthermore, QAR ($56,816.14). The falcon, and its use in hunting, not the exhibition also features several fal- only attracts people from around the con veterinary clinics, including the VIP VISIT world, but also helps break boundaries, Souq Waqif Falcon Hospital which is The Katara International Hunting & too! GEORGIA TODAY 18 CULTURE SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER September 28 Language: Russian Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Project co-ordination in Tbilisi: INTRO Start time: 21:45 Language: Russian Lasha Khvedelidze (Goethe TBILISI INTERNATIONAL Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Ticket: 13-14 GEL Start time: 22:00 institute Georgia) FESTIVAL OF THEATER Musical Ticket: 13-14 GEL Start time: 20:00 THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE MUSEUM OF SOVIET OCCUPATION September 21 Ticket: 15 GEL Directed by Charlie Bean, Paul MUSEUM Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. CHEKHOV’S FIRST PLAY Fisher Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Directed by Bush Moukarzel GABRIADZE THEATER Cast: Olivia Munn, Justin Theroux, GEORGIAN NATIONAL www.museum.ge and Ben Kidd Address: 13 Shavtelis St. Jackie Chan MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA Composer- Jimmy Eadie Telephone: 2 98 65 93 Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure MUSEUM PERMANENT EXHIBITION and Kevin Gleeson Language: Russian Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Discover the State's personal fi les Designer- Andrew Clancy September 23 Start time: 14:00, 16:30 Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 of "subversive" Georgian public Choreographer- Liv O’Donoghue STALINGRAD Ticket: 9-11 GEL www.museum.ge Start time: 20:00 Rezo Gabriadze fi gures, orders to shoot or exile, and other artifacts representing Soviet- Ticket: 20-55 GEL Directed by Rezo Gabriadze MOTHER! PERMANENT EXHIBITION: Start time: 20:00 era cultural and political repression Venue: Kote Marjanishvili State Directed by Darren Aronofsky GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY Ticket: 10, 20, 30 GEL in Georgia. Drama Theater, Big Stage Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. Bardem, Ed Harris TO THE 4TH CENTURY A.D RUSTAVI PARK September 22 September 24, 28 Genre: Drama, Horror Address: Rustavi CHEKHOV’S FIRST PLAY MARSHAL DE FANTIE’S DIAMOND Language: Russian EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN Directed by Bush Moukarzel Rezo Gabriadze Start time: 21:30 WEAPONRY and Ben Kidd Directed by Rezo Gabriadze September 24 Ticket: 13-14 GEL Composer- Jimmy Eadie Start time: 20:00 GLOBAL GOALS FESTIVAL NUMISMATIC TREASURY and Kevin Gleeson Ticket: 10, 20, 30 GEL FUTURE IN FOCUS Designer- Andrew Clancy RUSTAVELI CINEMA The Festival will open with a Street THE TESTAMENT OF DAVID Choreographer- Liv O’Donoghue TBILISI ZAKARIA Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. Art Event which will bring together Start time: 20:00 PALIASHVILI OPERA AND Telephone: 2 55 50 00 THE BUILDER AND NEW a group of well-known Georgian Ticket: 20-55 GEL BALLET THEATER www.kinoafi sha.ge EXHIBITS OF THE MEDIEVAL street artists. It will conclude Venue: Kote Marjanishvili State Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. TREASURY with the appointment of Georgia’s Telephone: 2 99 04 56 Drama Theater, Big Stage Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL National Goodwill Ambassadors September 22-28 EXHIBITION STONE AGE GEORGIA for Sustainable Development Goals September 22, 23, 24 September 25, 26 (SDGs) and a concert. SWAN LAKE THE TORTOISE MOTHER! May 18- November 18 Time: 15:00 – 21:00 Opening of the 166th Ballet Season Luigi Pirandello (Info Above) EXHIBITION P. Tchaikovsky Directed by Levan Tsuladze Start time: 19:45, 22:00 GEORGIAN COSTUME AND GALLERY Two-act ballet Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 13-14 GEL WEAPONRY OF 18TH-20TH Choreographic version and staging Ticket: 10-35 GEL CENTURIES THE NATIONAL GALLERY by Alexei Fadeechev Venue: Kote Marjanishvili State Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. Starring: Teimuraz Gugushvili, JOUR J Drama Theater, Big Stage Directed by Reem Kherici MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS www.museum.ge Makvala Aspanidze, Telephone: 215 73 00 Start time: 20:00 Cast: Reem Kherici, Nicolas Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. September 26, 27 Duvauchelle, Julia Piaton Telephone: 299 99 09 Ticket: 10-50 GEL EXHIBITION CONSTELLATION STOLPERSTEINE Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Fa Artworks by Chinese contemporary STAATSTHEATER Language: Russian September 14-24 CINEMA artists- Ai Weiwei, Hu Xiaoyuan, Hans-Werner Kroesinger, Regine Dura Start time: 22:15 THE EXHIBITION OF GIORGI Li Shurui, Liu Wei, Lu Pingyuan, Composer Daniel Dorsch Ticket: 10-11 GEL (GOGI) AMIRANI CINEMA Lu Shanchuan, Ma Qiusha, Wang Designer Rob Moonen MERMANISHVILI'S ARTWORKS Start time: 20:00 Address: 36 Kostava Str. Guangle, Wang Sishun, Wang LOGAN LUCKY Ticket: 30 GEL Telephone: 2 99 99 55 Yuyang, Xie Molin, Xu Qu, Xu www.kinoafi sha.ge Directed by Steven Soderbergh IOSEB GRISHASHVILI Venue: Movement Theater Zhen, Yan Xing, Zhang Ding, Zhang Cast: Daniel Craig, Channing TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Zhenyu, Zhao Yao and Zhao Zhao. MOVEMENT THEATRE Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 GEL Tatum, Katherine Waterston - KARVASLA September 22-28 Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama Address: 8 Sioni St. MUSIC Mushthaid park Language: Russian Telephone: 2 98 22 81 KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN Start time: 22:00 Telephone: 599 555 260 CIRCLE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC Ticket: 13-14 GEL EXHIBITION Directed by Matthew Vaughn FESTIVAL - AUTUMN TBILISI THE BORDER September 23 Cast: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, PARADISO Mark Strong 7 SISTERS Curated by Inke Arns and Thibaut Venue: Djansug Kakhidze Tbilisi Directed by Irakli Khoshtaria Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy Directed by Tommy Wirkola de Ruyter (Dortmund and Berlin), center for Music and Culture Start time: 20:00 Language: English Cast: Noomi Rapace, Marwan Production: Liaison des Arts, Ticket: 10 GEL Start time: 18:45 Kenzari, Willem Dafoe Karola Matschke (Berlin), September 23 135th ANNIVERSARY OF IGOR STRAVINSKY Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra and Georgian State Choir Conductor- Vakhtang Kakhidze Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 10-30 GEL

September 23 EVENING OF GEORGIAN FOLK MUSIC ENSEMBLE SHAVNABADA Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 10-30 GEL

STARADA CLUB Address: 5 Marjanishvili Str.

September 24 LEVAN TSKHADADZE & MOCKMALÖR (Tbilisi International Festival of Theater) Start time: 22:00 Ticket: 35 GEL

LISI WONDERLAND Address: Near Lisi Lake

September 22 KADEBOSTANY, AKUA NARU Line-up: AKUA NARU, KADEBOSTANY, EKO & VINDA FOLIO, MOKUMOKU, KILLAGES, GIO SHENGELIA, SEVDA Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 30-50 GEL GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 22 - 25, 2017 CULTURE 19 World Famous Georgian Tenor Dies at 80 the popularization of the opera art in BY THEA MORRISON Georgia, at the same time representing the Georgian music school to a global audience,” Margvelashvili stated. urab Sotkilava, a well-known Born in Sokhumi in 1937, Sotkilava Georgian opera singer, died graduated the Tbilisi Conservatoire, at the age of 80 on Monday. where he had studied under David And- His body was transferred guladze, and became a soloist of the from Russia, where he was Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater until livingZ of late. 1974, parallel to a two-year study program Two years ago, Sotkilava was diagnosed at La Scala taught by Dinaro Barra. He a malignant tumor of the pancreas. He became a teacher in his own right, work- was operated on in Germany and under- ing until 1988 at the Moscow Conserva- went a course of treatment in Russia. tory. He was Chairman of the Interna- However, this year his health condition tional Tchaikovsky Competition and a worsened and as reported he passed member of the Bologna Academy of away on September 18 in Moscow. Music at which he became known for Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili his singing of Giuseppe Verdi's works. expressed sorrow over Sotkilava’s death. In 2000, Sotkilava became Kinoshok “I would like to honor the memory of Chairman of the Anapa Film Festival the person whose productive, creative which hosted throughout the CIS and and pedagogic activities contributed to the Baltic States. Celebrating 40 Years since Chakrulo Went to Space music from all over the world. Chakrulo is in space, is going to meet 80-year-old bol of national unity for Georgians, it’s was one of the chosen ones,” Bluashvili John Casani. It will be one of the most part of the tangible heritage of humanity. says. important events to promote Georgia, The reason Chakrulo was selected and Three days after the decision was made, because this event, the 40th anniversary, put on the disc can be described through NASA got a call from Moscow pointing is a worldwide event right now. I can the words of Rostropovich, a genius to the fact that Georgia was not an inde- name media outlets such as CNN, BBC, musician and open-minded person who pendent country, but a part of the Soviet The Guardian, The New York Times, all said that the Georgian song allows you Union. They even nominated a famous talking about it. I already read around to ‘get a taste of eternity’. Listening to Russian song, ‘Moscow Nights,’ instead 50 articles about it. The fact that Georgia Chakrulo, you feel the dignity of the of Chakrulo. Reportedly, ‘Moscow Nights’ is a part of such a global event fi rst of all song. It has a perfectly consistent har- was a nice song, but was not the master- makes me proud and should make eve- mony and incredible musical dramaturgy piece the NASA team were looking for. ryone proud. We have 27 musical exam- which changes the concept of singing Offi cial Moscow even translated Chakru- ples on Voyager 2 and one of them is forms of folk music. The incredible power lo’s words into English. It belongs to the Georgian. It’s not an American project, of Chakrulo has something in the deep Medieval Ages, when Georgian was at but one of all Mankind. We have to tell roots of the past and yet it is very mod- war. They tried to push the idea that it everyone that we Georgians contributed ern. While children continue to sing did not make sense to send such an to the only message sent from Mankind Chakrulo, this will also be part of the aggressive song as part of a peace-project. to outer space”. future. It has the simultaneous existence Ramaz Bluashvili (right) with “But Carl Sagan was not that easy to Gia Baghashvili, well-known Georgian of past, present and future, which I believe Rob Manning, Chief Engineer manipulate,” Bluashvili explains. “Despite pianist and folklorist, told GEORGIA gives it that taste of eternity. I’m very of the Mars Program of NASA Moscow’s push, the decision was made TODAY about the importance of Chakrulo thankful to Ramaz, not only for giving and Chakrulo ended up going into space”. from the musicological perspective: me the chance to say some words about US and worked with the ‘Erisioni’ Sing- The story was so impressive that he “Chakrulo is not only a masterpiece of Chakrulo, but also for the idea to cele- BY MAKA LOMADZE ing and Dancing State Ensemble. He fi rst decided to make a fi lm about it. “It wasn’t Georgian polyphonic singing and a sym- brate it in Tbilisi”. heard the incredible story of Chakrulo easy. But I was lucky enough to get to in his childhood. However, due to the meet literally everyone from the man- xactly 40 years ago, back in lack of access to information (no google!), agement team of Voyager 2 who was still Soviet Georgia, a truly historic children knew very little about it. That alive,” Bluashvili continues. “I will never thing happened: ‘Chakrulo,’ is why he established the foundation to forget arriving in Los Angeles and the one of the rare pearls of Geor- get young children interested in science. next day getting an invite to Rob Man- gian polyphony, was sent into “If we inspire them in the right way, ning’s house with my cameraman. They spaceE on Voyager 2, on a gold disc together maybe another Einstein will be born,” put me in touch with Voyager’s Scientifi c with 26 other masterpieces from all over he tells GEORGIA TODAY. “When I Director, Ed Stone, John Casani, former of the world. In 2016, ‘Voyager 1’ was the went to study in the US, I stumbled upon project manager, and Susan Dodd, cur- fi rst rocket to leave the solar system in the name Alexander Kartveli, a promi- rent Voyager project manager. Now, we’re the footsteps of Voyager 2. nent Georgian-American aircraft all great friends. After I met them, I had On September 5, Mankind celebrated designer. I spent the next 2.5 years the even more ambitious idea to celebrate the 40th anniversary since Voyager shot researching his life. I went to every Voyager’s 40th anniversary in Georgia. into space with those 27 songs. On Sep- archive in the States: NASA, the Penta- Casani and Manning agreed to come. So, tember 25-28, legendary Rob Manning, gon, museums, etc. People thought Kart- I’m glad to say that on September 25-28, Chief Engineer of the Mars Program of veli was Russian and, since he didn’t there will be a lot of meetings with NASA, and John Casani, Voyager former have any children, no one remembered schools and children and interactive Project Manager, will come to Georgia. him. While researching his life at NASA, lectures. Manning also agreed to give an Chakrulo, a Kartl-Kakhetian classical I had a chance to ask about Chakrulo. open lecture for children at the Opera polyphonic choir song, was recognized They gave me the contact of Ann Druyan, House. The main event will be on Sep- by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Non- widow of the legendary Carl Sagan. I tember 28, when the Georgian State Material Heritage and Folklore of Man- emailed her as a Georgian. I still have a Singing and Dancing ensemble ‘Erisioni’, kind. copy of the email. She replied that she the same ensemble which is on the gold Ramaz Bluashvili, director, producer was happy to hear from me and told me disc sent into space, will perform at a and researcher, Founder and President the incredible story of how the decision concert dedicated to the anniversary. At of the Foundation for Promoting Science was made to send a message from Man- the end of the show, Rostom Saginash- and Education ‘Nova,’ has studied in the kind. They needed several pieces of vili, who is 70 years old and whose voice Ed Stone Voyager’s Scientifi c Director

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