Issue no: 921 • FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue...

American Hospital to Be Built in Tbilisi NEWS PAGE 2 Georgia Can’t Avoid Europe’s Turmoil POLITICS PAGE 4

FOCUS ON THE PATRIARCHATE Crushing Report: EU Plans PLOT Society is rocked by the allegations to Stop Aid for Ukraine both within and without... and the funding POLITICS PAGE 7 debate begins PAGE 2, 5, 15 Economic Freedom Index 2017: Georgia Ups Its Learn from Failure – The EU’s Quest for Position Media & Communications Competence SOCIETY PAGE 10 Giving Georgians the Chance INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE to Excel: Meet International Education Fair Organizers, ith PEOTUS running rampant on Twitter and the Kremlin UK Bridge using its honed skills at dis- information to sell their esca- SOCIETY PAGE 12 pades in Ukraine and Syria Was means to peace and security, the ineptitude of the European Union to string up a coherent, Dario Fo’s Best Known Political needs-based communication policy with its vul- nerable neighborhood becomes more and more Satire on Tumanishvili Stage alarming. On online and social media alike, the EU’s voice is muffl ed and all too convoluted to CULTURE PAGE 15 be relatable, let alone charismatic and inspira- tional. Courtesy of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Excellency School, GEORGIA TODAY spoke with Lithuanian professor Nerijus Maliukevicius, who has been researching modern information warfare for some time now and authored several books on the subject.

HOW DOES THE EUROPEAN UNION’S COMMUNICATION POLICY WORK AND IS IT EFFECTIVE WHEN CONFRONTING THE TIDE OF RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA? While the Western Europe was certainly caught off-guard, for Baltic States by no means was. Continued on page 7 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 Republican Party Demands Revision of Orthodox Church Funding

BY THEA MORRISON

he Republicans, a non- parliamentary opposition party, are calling on the Government of Georgia to American Hospital revise the funding of the TOrthodox Church. The Georgian Orthodox Church annu- ally receives 25 million GEL from the to Be Built in Tbilisi state budget. The initiative came after the recent Georgian citizens often travel abroad. church scandal, when clergyman Giorgi BY THEA MORRISON The highest American standards and Mamaladze was detained for allegedly technologies of Joint Commission Inter- planning to murder an un-named high- national (JCI) will be introduced in rank cleric. he David Tvildiani Medical Georgia’s American Hospital the like of According to an unoffi cial source, University, Conti Group, which has never been seen on the terri- Mamaladze, a deputy head of the Patri- and businessman Mamuka tory of Georgia. archate’s Property Management Agency, Khazaradze have agreed to JCI accreditation is considered the gold was actually detained because he had begin construction on standard in global health care. JCI consult- knowledge of a range of violations within TAmerican Hospital, a hospital in Georgia ants are the most skilled and experienced the Patriarchate. Patriarchate of Georgia. Source: timer.ge built to American standards. in the industry. It identifi es, measures, and Republicans, Khatuna Samnidze and The selection process for a hospital shares the best practices in quality and Tamar Kordzaia, at a press-conference businesses. necessary. The lack of transparency in operator has been completed, with an patient safety with the world, providing on Wednesday claimed that the consti- “The Church has already received more the current system created the problems agreement signed with Inova Healthcare leadership and innovative solutions to help tutional agreement based on which the than 200 million GEL, and the Patriar- we have today,” said Sergi Kapanadze, System on February 14 in Tbilisi. health care organizations across all set- Georgian Orthodox Church receives chate has received more than 1 million member of the Movement for Freedom- Inova is a global leader in personalized tings improve performance and outcomes. several million GEL annually, is being hectares of land. We, the Republicans, European Georgia. health, which leverages precision med- JCI has a number of guidelines concerning violated due to unnecessary expendi- believe that the funding policy should Another opposition party, United icine to predict, prevent, and treat dis- hardware, building materials, equipment, tures. be reviewed,” she said. National Movement (UNM), also believes eases, enabling individuals to live longer, personnel training quality, the scheme The Party members also claim that The ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), that the relationship between the church healthier lives. procedures, quality control, etc. property both in Tbilisi and the regions does not approve of the position of the and the state is “not healthy”. Inova serves more than two million In addition, Georgian doctors licensed is being handed over to the Church, Republicans. “The government interferes with the people each year throughout the Wash- in the United States will be invited to bypassing all procedures and without Vice-Speaker Gia Volsky says that the activities of the Church in various ways,” ington DC (US) metro area and beyond. work in the hospital, being given the any revision. Church plays an important role in the member of the UNM, Roman Gotsiridze, Inova's fi ve current hospitals include opportunity to continue their profes- “We believe that in this situation the development of society and it is not cor- said. more than 1,700 licensed beds and 16,000 sional activities in Georgia. Church and State should be distanced rect to link it with politics. The Non-Governmental Organization employees. Moreover, American Hospital is and the current fi nancing policy of the “We should disregard speculation that (NGO) Human Rights Education and The American Hospital project in intended to be a medical hub, where a Orthodox Church should be suspended,” the Church serves political forces. The Monitoring Center (EMC) believes that Georgia is worth $42 million. At the fi rst medical-training center will be devel- Samnidze said. Church serves the State,” he claimed. by granting real estate or a large number stage, the hospital will have around 100 oped which will contribute to the train- Kordzaia said that the current develop- Parliamentary opposition parties of funds to the Patriarchate, offi cials aim beds, and will primarily focus on medi- ing of professionals in the medical fi eld ments surrounding the church leave the believe that the fi nancial relationship to secure their loyalty and support. They cal services the level of development of and expand the network. impression that a number of clergyman between the Church and the State should add that currently the Patriarchate’s real which is low in Georgia, providing the The hospital will serve not only Geor- and governmental offi cials are involved have some frames. estate is 36 times greater than that of the high quality medical care for which gia but the whole Caucasus region. in cases of corruption and have joint “Transparency in this relationship is Vatican.

WWelcomeelcome ttoo IIndianndian PPunjabiunjabi RestaurantRestaurant SSanjhaanjha CChulhahulha 1

Mobile +995 596 56 13 13 Phone +995-322-95-96-14 Skype: SANJHA CHULHA Facebook: sanjha chulha indian restaurant mail: [email protected] Website: Sanjhachulha.ge Agmashenebeli Avenue 130, Tbilisi 0112 Georgia Delivery service areare availableavailable GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 NEWS 3 Georgia Ranked 7th among Top 10 Safest Countries Numbeo is a collaborative online data- Last year Georgia was ranked in 6th BY THEA MORRISON base which enables users to share and position in terms of safety. compare information about the cities As for the neighboring countries of and countries around the world. The Georgia, in terms of safety, Ukraine umbeo, the world’s largest data provided by numbeo.com is based takes 85th position, Turkey-55, Russia-67, database of user-contrib- on the perceptions of visitors to the Azerbaijan-18 and Armenia 19th posi- uted data about cities and website in the past three years. tion. countries worldwide, Numbeo surveyed 125 countries world- The 2017 Crime Index Rate revealed Wizz Air to Launch reports that Georgia takes wide and its data reads that Georgia’s that the top 5 most dangerous countries N7th position on the list of Top 10 safest safety index is 79.17, while its crime index are: Venezuela, Papua New Guinea, Hon- countries worldwide. is 20.83. duras, South Africa and South Sudan. Numbeo provides current and timely Qatar, Singapore, Taiwan, Austria, the The United States takes position 53, information on world living conditions, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong United Kingdom 70, Switzerland, 115 Kutaisi - London crime, safety, healthcare, pollution, traf- are ahead of Georgia in the list of top 10 while France is on the 67th place in terms fi c, quality of life and travel. safest countries. of crime. Flights from Summer

United Airports Georgia says that all BY THEA MORRISON fl ights will be operated by 180-seat Air- bus A320 and 230-seat Airbus A321 air- crafts. izz Air is to launch a Wizz Air planes from Kutaisi will land direct flight from at London Luton Airport, which is located Kutaisi to London just 56km north-west of central London. Luton from June 18, Hungarian airline Wizz Air opened its 2017. fi rst Caucasian base in the main city of WThe information was released Wednes- western Georgia, Kutaisi, in September, day by United Airports Georgia, an LTD 2016. Since then, Wizz Air has transported under the Ministry of Economy and more than 168,000 passengers and cre- Sustainable Development of Georgia. ated 126 jobs. The fl ights will take place every Thurs- Wizz Air is a value-oriented airline that day and Sunday with prices starting from focuses on innovation along the way of just £34.99 (105.99 GEL). the customer journey. At present, it is Passengers will be able to buy tickets operating in Georgia with 12 low-cost on the airline's website - www.wizzair. fl ights to nine different countries within com. Europe. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 Georgia Can’t Avoid Europe’s Turmoil

rently outside the EU, including Eastern BY SHOTA GELOVANI, MASTER’S partners such as Georgia . STUDENT IN POLITICAL SCIENCE As right-wing populist movements and AT MANNHEIM UNIVERSITY parties tend to be Eurosceptic and thus oppose both immigration and further EU enlargement, Georgia should be con- hile Georgian observ- cerned. A right-wing populist takeover ers fi xate on their of executive government in France or country’s own polit- Germany could take EU enlargement off ical and economic the table entirely. problems, develop- The rise of right-wing populism is spill- Wments outside the country are shaping ing over into another area, as well: a up to make a major impact, as well. Most growing number of European politicians notably, these include the European don’t view Russian President Vladimir migration crisis and upcoming elections Putin as a nuisance to be countered, but in France and Germany. These factors a potential partner to be placated. State- are closely linked; the recent infl ux of ments made by Francois Fillon, the refugees and migrants has given rise to Republican Party candidate in the upcom- xenophobia and right-wing populist ing French presidential election, are a political movements across the conti- manifestation of this trend: nent. From France to Slovakia, public “We just need to accept that Ukraine opinion is shifting in favor of anti-estab- and Georgia do not have vocation to enter lishment movements that promote var- EU and NATO. The USA doesn’t need ious forms of exclusive, even pugnacious, aggressive states at its borders [either]… nationalism. In the process, it has given I think we’ve made a lot of mistakes and new impetus to Eurosceptic politicians what I can see is that Russia is drifting and parties. away. Can we bring Russia back to more and through domestic political will. The migration crisis and its effects on reasonable positions? I don’t know. But The Georgian government should more Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations have we should surely try to do it.” actively engage the public in Euro-Atlan- received little attention in Georgia, Fillon ’s most formidable opponent is tic integration processes, in particular whether from citizens, the media, or the Marine Le Pen from the Front National— by conducting informational campaigns academic community. Mostly due to its an overt Putin sympathizer and commit- targeting rural and minority-populated geographic location, Georgia has taken ted Eurosceptic. Thus France’s 2017 audiences in particular. Most importantly, in relatively few refugees from the Mid- presidential elections could be a choice the government must develop and artic- dle East and North Africa, thus hasn’t between bad and worse for Georgia, ulate an actual roadmap to guide the faced head-on the same challenges that assuming the likely scenario that Fillon country along its European path, a path threaten political establishments in and Le Pen both advance to the second that could conceivably become much Western Europe. round. The best hope for France to stay rockier during the coming years. This has been positive for the country’s committed to EU integration, and thus Given the rise of right-wing national- aspirations for a visa-free regime with amenable to Georgia’s aspirations, lies ism and Euroscepticism, Georgia’s gov- the European Union, with EU fears that in the third contender, Emmanuel Macron, ernment needs to work harder to inten- Georgia could become a transit country a pro-market independent who has gained sify cooperation with its partners in the for terrorists and organized criminals support mostly at Fillon’s expense over EU, even pushing to open membership having faded. This is demonstrated by the past two months. Macron’s bid is a talks in the midst of Europe’s present recent progress on visa liberalization, beacon of hope for Georgia, considering in Germany in 2017. The unprecedented Despite delays and uncertainty, the turmoil. With Western European voters with the European Parliament voting in his pro-EU stance and clear contrast increase in support for the right-wing Georgian public still overwhelmingly growing increasingly skeptical of both early February to establish a visa-free with the pro-Russian attitudes of the populist Alternative for Germany favors EU and NATO membership. In a immigration and EU enlargement, Geor- regime. The Georgian government has other two candidates. shouldn’t be feared, either—they are recent poll conducted in November 2016 gia must cultivate as many relationships cooperated diligently with the EU on The German landscape looks better, very unlikely to enter the ruling coali- by the National Democratic Institute and alliances as possible, as well as lock immigration issues and has even elabo- as the current ruling coalition is likely tion. Nevertheless, the possible entry (NDI), 72 percent of respondents in the signifi cant gains it has already rated a common policy for combatting to stay in power, with both parties—the into the Bundestag of right-wing nation- expressed support for the government’s achieved. illegal immigration, more positive signs Christian Democrats and the Social alists is an outcome of the migration stated goal of joining the EU, and 61 per- for the country’s Euro-Atlantic integra- Democrats—scoring well above 50 per- crisis and a refl ection of the rising tide cent supported joining NATO. However, tion. cent in recent opinion polls. However, of populism. the situation is not as good as it may However, Europe’s ongoing crisis has due to narrowing of the gap between Advancing further on the integration appear on the surface. Support for NATO negative, if indirect, implications for Angela Merkel’s CDU/CSU and the SDP, path should remain a priority task for has declined noticeably since November Georgia. As demonstrated by recent polls we could see a new chancellor, with policymakers. Georgia already received 2015. Even more noticeable, members of (in The Netherlands, France, and Ger- Social Democrat Martin Schulz becom- the green light on visa liberalization, Georgia’s ethnic minority groups are The Georgian Institute of Politics was many) and the conspicuous gathering ing head of the German government. which is expected to enter into force in signifi cantly less likely to support NATO founded in 2011 to strengthen institutions of right-wing populist parties in Koblenz, Schulz is known for expressing support March. That is only one step toward and EU accession. and promote good governance and devel- Germany, discontent over the fast pace for Georgia’s territorial integrity while integration, however, and the overall NDI polls from 2015 and 2016 show a opment through policy research and of migration and the responses of West- serving as head of the European Parlia- process shouldn’t be allowed to be slowed worrisome situation in minority-populated advocacy in Georgia. It publishes its blog ern governments are causing major shifts ment. down, especially during the term of the areas, where many residents favor aban- with Georgia Today twice per month. in public opinion: growing numbers of That said, the odds are still in Merkel’s current European Parliament and Euro- doning Euro-Atlantic integration in favor Check out our website in English and voters want less freedom of movement favor, meaning that Georgia can be rea- pean Commission president (Jean-Claude of better relations with Russia. This is Georgian at gip.ge for more blogs, data, and less integration with countries cur- sonably optimistic about developments Juncker), which both last until 2019. another obstacle that must be tackled, and analyses. GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 POLITICS 5 UNHOLY COMMUNION: Priests, Putin & a Suitcase of Cyanide

Christian. Indeed, the patriarch has the Exactly four months after the August at the airport, authorities discovered highest approval rating of any public 2008 war between Russia and Georgia, cyanide in his luggage. And at his home, fi gure in the country. Although he orig- even as Moscow continued to ignore the they allegedly found, “[illegal unregis- inally assumed the top post in the Church terms of the ceasefi re, Georgian Patri- tered] hand-made guns and six car- in 1977, when Georgia was part of the arch Ilia II visited the Russian capital tridges,” the Prosecutor’s Offi ce claims. is currently hospitalized. Mamaladze is now-defunct Soviet Union, he has since and met with then-President Dmitry According to Georgia’s prominent pro- BY WILL CATHCART FOR Chief of the Property Department of the been known for passing sweeping reforms Medvedev, Putin’s loyal acolyte. Western news site, magazine, and televi- THEDAILYBEAST.COM Georgian Orthodox Church, managing and reengaging the Church with Geor- For fi ve years after the 2008 war, Rus- sion channel, Tabula, “Prosecutor Gen- the church’s vast assets and real-estate gian society. sia and Georgia severed all diplomatic eral Irakli Shotadze stated at the special holdings. In recent years, the patriarch’s health ties, and Ilia II and his crew were the briefi ng that the Prosecutor’s Offi ce has his small Black Sea country Late Monday night, the Georgian news has declined signifi cantly, which led to only Georgians to meet with Russian audio and video evidence, however they was scandalized on Monday network Rustavi 2 released a letter alleg- his most recent hospitalization and gall- leaders in an offi cial capacity. As a result, will not release the evidence or talk about by news that a high-ranking edly written (though it remains unveri- bladder surgery in Berlin. Meanwhile, for those fi ve years the Georgian Ortho- the details ‘due to the sensitivity of the priest, a member of the fi ed) by Mamaladze to the patriarch reports continue to emerge from within dox Church held a monopoly on the case.’” inner circle of the Georgian accusing the Georgian Church of immense the Church indicating a confl ict between Georgia-Russia relationship. Ilia II and Mamaladze had direct access to the TOrthodox Church, was arrested for the graft, corruption, and illegal alcohol pro-Russian and pro-Western factions Vladimir Putin met numerous times and Patriarch and others in his inner circle, attempted murder of another even higher production among other unlawful activ- of the Church at the highest levels. they continued to do so as recently as including several of the individuals in “high-ranking cleric.” Several news ities. In the letter, the archpriest claims Because of the Church’s immense infl u- November 29 of last year, something that line to take his place. organizations claimed that the intended that he was sacked from his former posi- ence over Georgian society, the last three never failed to raise eyebrows Tbilisi. Perhaps strangest of all is the choice victim was none other than Ilia II, the tion as head of the church’s Property Georgian governments have been forced Considering Putin’s past, some sort of of cyanide as the alleged murder weapon. 84-year-old patriarch of the Georgian Management Service (though he to appease it politically on every issue involvement between Russian intelli- As one Western commentator (who Orthodox Church. remained with the Department), after it deemed important, and as Ilia II appears gence services and the most elite sectors asked to remain anonymous) dryly The Georgia State Prosecutor’s Offi ce he submitted a report on the corruption to be reaching the end of his life, there of the Georgian Orthodox Church would pointed out, “Leave it to the Georgian has not confi rmed this offi cially. Yet as he had witnessed in his position. is intense infi ghting and public specula- appear to be probable. And given Putin’s Orthodox Church to keep it old school it releases more and more details, the In the letter, Mamaladze also refers to tion about who will replace him. That, alleged penchant for poison as a tool of when choosing a poison.” implication is that the patriarch was a debt of 5 million GEL ($1.9 million in turn, has led to suspicion and specu- statecraft, rumors are inevitable. But the indeed the target if, indeed, the charges USD), “accumulated [by the Church] lation about the version of events the Kremlin’s alleged toxins are usually much are true to begin with. through fraudulent schemes by unscru- Prosecutor’s Offi ce has made public. more exotic, and reserved for persistent On Tuesday morning, Georgia’s prime pulous management and alleged crimi- For years, the Georgian Orthodox critics. minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, issued a nal offenses.” Church has had a close relationship with According to regional analyst Ani statement that “a fatal attack against the The priest supposedly claims in the the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Chkhikvadze, “This all might be a game Church” had been avoided. Given “the letter, “There were also threats against Church, despite the fact that Moscow’s wherein the [Georgian] government is extraordinary circumstances,” the prime me, but I want to speak personally. I have forces continue to occupy 20 percent of trying to play a role in the coming tran- minister said, he sent his own personal a lot of material which will reveal the Georgia’s territory, which they invaded sition. It seems that the government is bodyguards to Berlin where the patriarch crimes committed against the Church.” in 2008. trying to take a side in the fi ght that is is recovering from surgery. It is unclear, if not baffl ing, how or why While the Georgian Orthodox Church about to start over the inner transfer of What we know is that Archpriest (a the archpriest went from the loyal serv- is a foundation of Georgia’s cultural and power within the Church.” priest who presides over several par- ant of the patriarch conveyed in the let- national identity, it is also Georgia’s most Prosecutors fi rst began investigating ishes) Giorgi Mamaladze, a powerful ter to a would-be international assassin direct connection to Russia. This may Archpriest Mamaladze on February 2 member of the church, was arrested by collecting unregistered weapons and not be obvious to the average Georgian, after they were informed by an anony- prosecutors on February 10 at Tbilisi cyanide. but it’s a fact that Russian President mous source that Mamaladze was International Airport allegedly carrying Ilia II is an extremely popular fi gure Vladimir Putin certainly understands attempting to purchase cyanide. It is “Leave it to the Georgian Orthodox Church to keep it old school when cyanide in his suitcase. Mamaladze was among the Georgian population, almost and the Kremlin, obviously, has its own unclear exactly whom he was attempt- choosing a poison.” Source: www. headed for Germany where the patriarch 85 percent of whom identify as Orthodox interests in the patriarchal succession. ing to poison or why. But upon his arrest thedailybeast.com GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 Gov’t Professor Says Congress Will Push Back law. We also have a bureaucratic system that believes INTERVIEW BY NANA SAJAIA, in the US Constitution, believes in the rule of law, VOA GEORGIAN SERVICE and these people will stand up and defend it.

IS PRESIDENT TRUMP DEMONSTRATING e spoke to James Thurber, Pro- UNILATERALISM IN HIS DECISIONS? fessor of Government and He is in certain cases. Mr. Obama did also, and that Founder of the Center for Con- was very controversial. President Obama did it gressional and Presidential because he had a divided party government [where] Studies at American University. he could not get policies done, though it was still W not right. We have a separated system, where laws HISTORICALLY, HOW DOES must be passed and money appropriated and author- PRESIDENT TRUMP COMPARE TO ized from Congress. What [Obama] did is to set OTHER NEW PRESIDENTS? up a situation where the next presidents feel they There is criticism of some of his executive orders can do the same. because they have not been vetted or evaluated. Now we have a unifi ed party government with a Most presidents, before they make an executive Republican president and Republican majority in order, have agencies, departments, and numerous Congress. In cases of a unifi ed party government, lawyers look over it. President Trump’s executive frequently, Congress will give the president a little orders are more aspirational, sometimes ideologi- bit of leeway. But if a party leadership is bombarded cal; they have been challenged in the courts and with random executive orders [that haven’t been that will continue. cleared with them], they [won’t be] happy and they will push back. DO YOU EXPECT THE US COURT ROOMS TO TURN INTO BATTLEGROUNDS UNLIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP, PRESIDENT BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION OBAMA, AFTER TWO YEARS, DID NOT stituency generally likes that. talked to- Australia, Germany, the UK, all except for AND THE JUDICIARY? HAVE A DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN The other constituency is the constituency he Russia, and except for Mr. Putin. He seems to like Many people are worried about President Trump HOUSE OR SENATE. HOW DO YOU keeps attacking: the Republican leadership and Mr. Putin. Everyone in America thinks this is strange. going too far. The judge in Seattle, appointed by SEE THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS Republicans in Washington, D.C. He, in the cam- We have been in a situation in America where we Republican President George W. Bush, declared RESPONDING TO THE PRESIDENT’S paign, was someone bizarre and random, and many try to expand support of human rights, freedom of that his executive order, with respect to designated CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS? people in Washington believe he is bizarre and the press, democracy. Sometimes it works, some- citizens from seven countries, was against the law. There are two kinds of constituencies. [For the] random with respect to his executive orders. times it fails. But now, when we have this president, I think we will see many more cases like this. constituency that elected him, these executive it is very hard to go to a place like Russia and talk We have independent and honest judges, we have orders are attempting to follow up on what he IS IT UNUSUAL FOR AN AMERICAN about deliberation of separation of power or forms the FBI investigating, we have inspector generals promised to do- to build the wall, to keep “bad PRESIDENT TO COMPARE THE MORAL of democracy, when he is ignoring it in various in every department, and we have prosecutors that people” out of the United States, to get rid of reg- STANDARDS OF THE COUNTRY HE LEADS executive actions. People wanted change out of this have been appointed by Republicans and Demo- ulations, to change Obamacare. He promised all of WITH ANOTHER COUNTRY—RUSSIA? election, they wanted someone who would move crats: they will go after the people who break the these things and now he is doing them. His con- This president has criticized every regime that he fast. He is doing that, but he is moving too fast. Road Barriers

OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA

he scandal about the alleged cyanide poisoning of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II has interferened with everything. Every media outlet begins and ends its stories with the eventsT taking place in the patriarchate. However, there are other issues of no less importance taking also near to what is today considered to be the place at the same time, for example the one about occupational border. Exactly this play of words was opening new corridors at the borders of our occu- considered by Moscow and Tbilisi as a victory at pied territories, which not only radically changes the time. However, today, when the sides began the existing political agenda in Georgia, but at the discussing the document, it is quite obvious who same time, turns the political status quo of the South wins and who loses with this agreement. Caucasus completely upside down. A week following the meeting held in Prague, for In the lobby of the Hotel Diplomat in Prague, the some reason, Russia returned to the announcement Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Karasin made by Karasin and in a very strange manner: and Georgian Prime Minister's Special Represent- The offi cial representative of the Ministry of For- ative for Relations with Russia, Zurab Abashidze, eign Affairs of Russia, Maria Zakharova, declared announced that very soon, with the help of Swiss on February 14 that Russia fi nds 'The position of customs offi cers, the two countries would begin Tskhinvali absolutely legitimate regarding the per- implementing the agreement of 2011. For more spectives of transit movement of cargo through clarifi cation, Karasin explained to journalists exactly the territory of South Ossetia and that this can be what he had discussed with his Georgian colleague. done only through an agreement made between ''We are talking about opening three new corri- Tbilisi and Tskhinvali.' It is clear that holding any dors and modernizing the roads leading to Upper kind of discussion between Tbilisi and Tskhinvali Larsi, in order to make it easier to handle more is impossible and especially on issues regarding trucks and passenger vehicles crossing the borders. customs and the border. So what was Karasin's The fi rst transportational corridor begins near announcement all about? Especially when only a Sochi, passes through Abkhazia and ends in the week later his Ministry offers a completely differ- city of Zugdidi; the second begins on the territory ent position on the issue. of North Ossetia, near the village Nari, and passes Last year the Kremlin began mergering the cus- through Tskhinvali region to end in Gori; the third toms points of Russia with that of the so-called South runs alongside the Kazbegi-Zemo Larsi control Ossetia, and this had to be a prerequisite for solving checkpoint." the problem of Tskhinvali by leaving it out of the The mentioned agreement is the one that was scheme, but as we can see from Ms Zakharova's signed when Russia became a member of the WTO statement, obviously this is not the case. six years ago and the document concerns cargo, Armenia was the country worst affected by this customs administration and monitoring. To put it whole diplomatic adventure, as it is still left hop- simply, Russia and Georgia agreed to create cus- ing for good weather in Dariali - the only active toms corridors that would pass through the occu- Russian-Georgian customs checkpoint. Offi cial pied territories, and would be controlled at the Yerevan is also hoping for the Avaro-Kakhetian beginning and the end of the roads. With this highway, which will not pass through the occupied document, the West was able to please both sides. territories of the Tskhinvali region and Abkhazia. At the time, South Ossetia and Abkhazia were The Russian section of the route was fi nished a mentioned in the document as territories and not few years ago. However, opening it is also con- as independant states recognized by Russia, and nected with political issues, mainly with that of the opening of customs points was said to be opened the non-existence of the Russian-Georgian diplo- not only at the borders of Russia and Georgia, but matic relations. GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 POLITICS 7 Crushing Report: EU Plans to Stop Aid for

Ukraine Illustration by: Ganna Naronina, Euromaidan Press the growing frustration of international of Parliament. According to him, the vote BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE partners of Ukraine“. of one MP costs from $20 to 100 thou- Initially, euromaidan was a revolt against sand. Onishchenko also says that he gave oligarchs and corruption, and led to the his papers to the United States FBI. It is leading think tank in Brus- coup d'état on February 22, 2014. But the unclear what happened in this case, but sels prepared an analytical oligarchs continue to maintain their the CEPS has come to the following report concerning the situ- position and refer to the country as their conclusion: ation in Ukraine and property. “The EU should fi rmly insist that the advised the EU Council to Mikheil Saakashvili, who for some time Ukrainian elite really get involved in the Astop assistance to the country if the was the governor of the Odessa region, construction of the State, speaking out situation does not improve drastically. said in an interview with the newspaper against the corruption which system- The Center for European Policy Stud- Kyiv Post: "We face a form of parallel atically undermines the foundations of ies (CEPS) evaluated the position of the shadow government. Ukraine can be the country. And if the authorities do Ukrainian economy over last three years described as a company which is owned not respond appropriately, the EU must after the so-called revolution in Maidan, by oligarchs. Each oligarch has its judges, be prepared to stop supporting Ukraine and has published a grim description of prosecutors and paramilitary unit”. at an earlier stage than was done in the the situation in the country. Former parliamentarian Oleksandr case of Moldova.” The Center wrote: “Nearly three years Onishchenko, who himself is under inves- So, if Kiev authorities do not make a since the euromaidan revolution, the tigation for criminal offenses, has sent noticeable improvement to the situation, Ukrainian government, to our deep various documents to Kyiv Post to expose the EU must be prepared to ensure the regret, has failed to fulfi ll its promises Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko end of support for Ukraine. about fi ghting against corruption in the in a very unfavorable situation. Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge justice system, restoring order in the The documents published by Onish- Brende, on the other hand, advocates for fi nancing of political parties, and decen- chenko state that Poroshenko gained continued unequivocal support for the tralizing the government. Customs personal profi t from the so-called "anti- Kiev regime, this despite the fact that reforms have not been fi nalized, property terrorist operation" - or war against their large-scale corruption exists and it is rights are completely disrespected, and fellow citizens in the east of Ukraine – said that he and Prime Minister Erna state-owned enterprises have not been and that companies owned by the pres- Solberg gave the Ukrainian government privatized. Major reforms to combat ident allegedly received military con- hundreds of millions Norwegian Krones corruption constantly meet resistance tracts. This means that the loans from from Norwegian taxpayers’ pockets. and delays; the reforms are carried out the IMF, in practice, went through Kiev An Audit Chamber must examine only on paper. The elite of the country to the war in eastern Ukraine. whether Brende’s position was a clear should show more tangible results to Onishchenko also said that he person- misunderstanding in the discharge of win the trust of citizens and alleviate ally helped Poroshenko to bribe members his offi cial duties. Learn from Failure – The EU’s Quest for Media & Communications Competence

Continued from page 1 part of the grand puzzle. Another crucial nuance the EU seems to realize is that However tempting it might have been countering Russia just outside its bor- for our western neighbors to think that ders is not enough –Russian propaganda Putin’s Russia would somehow accom- is equally dangerous inside the member modate itself as a constructive player in countries, too, well demonstrated by the international relations is naught but recent wave of populism. wishful thinking. And sadly, it’s not like it happened overnight – there was plenty IS THERE ENOUGH UNITY IN THE EU’S SOCIAL MEDIA IN of time to take notice as fi rst Georgia, THE EU TO PUT UP A ROBUST, MAKING ITS VOICE HEARD? then Ukraine and now Syria have become COMMON NARRATIVE WITH The EU was completely unprepared for testing ground for Russia’s hybrid war- THE CURRENT DIS-UNIFICATION the revolution brought about by social fare tactics. And it was done in Baltics, OF EUROPE THAT WE SEEM media. And the EU wasn’t alone in this too – just look at the series of referen- TO BE WITNESSING? as traditional media in the US wasn't dums for a second national language in I don’t have such illusions, no. What I ready for this revolution either… Latvia, for example. And now we’re in a think the EU should use is a bottom-up quite paradoxical situation; all of a sud- approach, not top down. It means that WHOEVER WAS, SEEMED den, we in the Baltics and Eastern Europe each country, separately, in lieu to its TO REAP GREAT BENEFITS. became more knowledgeable, the go-to- national interests and security, should OBAMA’S MEGA-SUCCESSFUL and-ask-them expert guys when it comes devise a set of regulations to handle this SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS to Russian hybrid warfare. And in this issue. Each country has to decide how DURING HIS ELECTION PERIODS regard, having effective communication to handle its own strategic communica- AND THE TRICKS TRUMP IS with Western neighbors and partners is tions, but in the wider framework of the PULLING ON TWITTER…THEN essential if we want to tackle this issue. EU policy. One thing we all could ben- THERE’S RT, WITH ITS MASSIVE It’s not like the West has no experience efi t from is teaching the population to SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE, of its own – but they somehow seem to be more critical to what they read, watch, THAT THEY SO MASTERFULLY have managed to forget the Cold War. or hear from media – in short, greater USE TO RILE PEOPLE UP. WE media literacy is needed. Quick response DON’T SEE THAT HAPPENING IN THE EU, DO WE? WOULD YOU SAY THE EU teams that can tackle the disinformation WAS ILL-SUITED AND UNABLE and expose propaganda are another key It won’t happen overnight. However, we TO ADAPT TO THE NEW component. And this is happening in the do see how fake news is spun around in MEDIA, DIGITAL REALITY Czech Republic for instance, in Germany, social media and what great effect it has. THAT RUSSIA OFFERED? in other countries. It’s a welcome devel- The EU, with its slow, bureaucratic When it comes to the aggressive com- opment and the quicker and more instant mechanisms isn’t exactly what you’d call munication that Russia is so adept at, their response is, the better - leaving a social media animal. It’s a challenge the European Union is miles ahead and, fake info unattended runs the risk of they aren’t up to at the moment. Only as I mentioned, was caught off guard them eventually being turned into pop- when the EU, and Germany specifi cally, when faced with it. We see that they are ular truths. feel the pains of what this inactivity may now slowly realizing this, building coun- bring (and they are already feeling this ter-strategies, trying different approaches. WHAT ABOUT THE LEVERAGES with Brexit), then there is hope for an One of those counter-measures was the OF SOCIAL MEDIA THAT overbearing strategy to delve into social creation of East Stratcom, a task unit to RUSSIA (AND OVERSEAS, THE networks with serious initiatives. Learn counter Russia’s disinformation cam- US) SEEM TO BE SO ADEPT AT from failure – I don’t see any other solu- paign and I think it is just a start, a small USING? HOW EFFECTIVE IS tion. GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 Georgia’s Kvirikashvili US Embassy: United Meets EU Special States Condemns Planned Representative Illegitimate Referendum in South Ossetia

US supports the Geneva International ment of the embassy reads. BY THEA MORRISON Talks as a forum to address the situation Leonid Tibilov, ostensible President in Georgia’s Abkhazia and South Osse- of Georgia’s breakaway region South tia regions. Ossetia, announced a referendum to he United States (US) “We urge all participants to avoid actions, rename South Ossetia ‘South Ossetia- embassy to Georgia including the proposed referendum, which Alania,’ “a historic name.” released a statement Tues- undermine these discussions,” the state- The information was released by Osse- day, condemning the deci- tian news agency PEC, which says that sion to conduct an illegiti- the referendum will be held on April 9, Tmate “referendum” in Georgia’s South 2017, alongside the “presidential” elec- Ossetia region, planned for April 9. tions. “Such provocative actions erode Georgia's President, Giorgi Marg- and stand up to Russia’s provocations. trust and confi dence and under- velashvili, commented on the issue BY THEA MORRISON The Prime Minister expressed concern mine the Geneva International a week ago, saying that any that despite the Georgian government's Discussions,” the statement attempt to change the name peaceful policy and efforts to promote reads. of Georgia's occupied region, eorgian Prime Minister reconciliation and confi dence building The embassy says that the without the consent of the Giorgi Kvirikashvili met between the populations along the occu- US will not recognize the Georgian government, is with European Union (EU) pation lines, the Russian Federation has results of an illegitimate an action against Georgia's Special Representative for intensifi ed the isolation of Georgia's referendum that is con- sovereignty and territorial the South Caucasus, Her- occupied territories and continues tak- ducted in Georgian terri- integrity, and is a step Gbert Salber this week in Tbilisi. ing steps toward their annexation, thus tory without the explicit towards further annexa- They discussed the human rights situ- undermining regional stability. consent of the Govern- tion of the occupied ter- ation in Georgia's occupied territories At the meeting, the parties underlined ment of Georgia. ritories. and the Georgian government's efforts the importance of the Geneva Interna- “Both the South Ossetia The president urged the to improve the living conditions of the tional Talks as the best mechanism for and Abkhazia regions are Russian Federation to fulfi l population along the occupation line. discussing issues and taking relevant integral parts of Georgia, and its international obligations PM Kvirikashvili condemned the recent decisions. we reiterate our strong sup- and take real steps towards decision of South Ossetia’s puppet regime The meeting was attended by Bjoern port for Georgia’s sovereignty the de-occupation of Georgian to hold a referendum on renaming the Kuehne, Chief of Cabinet/Political Advi- and territorial integrity within territories. breakaway Region to South Ossetia- sor at the Offi ce of the EU Special Rep- its internationally recognized bor- Margvelashvili also called on the Alania, like subject of the Russian Fed- resentative; Mikheil Janelidze, Georgia’s ders,” the embassy wrote on its web- international community to prevent eration -North Ossetia, and urged the Foreign Minister; and the Prime Minister's site. any attempt at legitimization of the international community to join forces Foreign Policy Advisor, Tedo Japaridze. Moreover, the statement reads that the plebiscite or election. GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 SOCIETY 9 No, Not the LGBT Part of Town: Ogden on Foreign (Mis)Perceptions

each other and generally looking as though they OP-ED BY TIM OGDEN couldn't wait to get home together, remarked “Is this the LGBT part of town, or what?” I uploaded a picture of three Georgian men walk- f memory serves, I recently accused the ing arm-in-arm to Facebook yesterday, and although reverence of family values in Georgian cul- my poor photography failed to capture the sly grins ture as being laced with hypocrisy; if I recall (and whatever their smiles might have suggested; correctly, I was pondering the circumstances let your imagination do the rest), they were awfully of wives who are beaten by their husbands close together...had any foreigner new to the coun- andI subsequently fi nd no help from their families. try seen them, they could have been forgiven for In many cases, the families of the victim insist coming to the same conclusion as my Australian they should be 'better wives' to avoid repeat inci- friend. The reaction on Facebook, of course, was dents, which I thought was rather at odds with mixed; most foreigners and Georgian women saw how things are in the West. It does not take much the humorous side of my post (and, I'm happy to to imagine a wrathful Manchester father banging say, a good number of liberal Georgian gentlemen), on the door of an abusive son-in-law, or a Texan while a select group of Georgian males took the daddy loading up his truck with rifl es and hooch time to point out that they weren't gay, despite the to blow the brains out of the man who done hurt fact that I did not accuse anyone of being homo- his little princess. Not that either of those courses sexual or even remotely curious. of action are condonable, but they are at least In a moment of idleness, I had a look on the Face- more understandable. Putting the family fi rst in book pages of some of the most traditionally-minded Georgia does not (always) seem to extend to when Georgian men I know – or am at least acquainted family members need help the most, as in cases with – and I confess to being staggered by the of domestic violence or unplanned pre-marital amount of shirtless photos they have with other pregnancy. males. Their lives are their own, of course, and A sight that I saw yesterday reminded me of who am I to judge? Yet I do not think I am being another baffl ing Georgian cultural phenomenon. overly unjust when I write that although these men It is common in this country for men to kiss with did not participate in the attacks on the equal rights a handshake when they meet (and this is not always rallies of 2012 and 2013 (as far as I know), they a European-style peck, but a heartfelt slurp that would also be the last people to criticise those who once landed on my neck after I tried to evade it), did. I had the misfortune to go to lunch with one gian males, I know that the men linking arms or thing that speaks volumes. Since the word count and linking arms – while not as prevalent – is con- of these men at a fi ne Western-style gourmet res- kissing cheeks are the least likely to roll around has crept up on me, I shall conclude by simply sidered nothing out of the ordinary. Georgian taurant, and he refused to eat a thing because he the bedsheets with another man...but that is not saying that I cannot abide fi sh, neither the taste homophobia has become infamous after the violent 'only eats Georgian food'. the point. My point was how it looks to foreign nor the smell. I could have the fi nest seafood dishes dispersal of an equal rights rally several years ago, A few Georgian men were at pains to point out eyes, not what it is. in the world paraded before me and be utterly dis- but the sight of Georgian men kissing and walking that linking arms and kissing cheeks are not gay Even more bizarrely has been some of the anti- interested. This makes me wonder if Georgian around with arms linked would suggest to any practices in Georgia, to which I replied – I know. gay rhetoric I've heard from particularly religious aggression towards the gay community perhaps ignorant foreigner that this is, in fact, a gay haven. They were preaching to the converted, rather; hav- people, who hold that the LGBT crowd are trying stems from some underlying interest...probably This is not pure speculation; an Australian friend ing heard from gay Georgians the awful treatment to 'corrupt' and 'tempt' Georgian people into adopt- not, of course, but if they don't want people to of mine visited Georgia in 2012, and on seeing the they have experienced at the hands of close-minded ing gay lifestyles. I think the fact that these people assume that, then they should think more carefully sight of so many men walking in tandem, kissing (or should that be 'traditionally-minded'?) Geor- believe Georgian youth can be tempted is some- before holding hands and kissing in public. UWC Dilijan Joins One Billion Bollywood Masala Rising Global Campaign Indian Restaurant

WC Dilijan students are to help expand the international “One Bil- lion Rising” revolution into Arme- nia, and help raise awareness of issues of equality and empower- mentU of women, during a campus-wide event on February 18. Through art, dancing, singing, poetry recital the idea of One Billion Rising movement will be introduced to Armenia’s citizens. The UWC Dili- jan community will join United Ambassadors at Local Democracy project, and Marie Lou Papa- Large for Global Integration, NGOs working in zian, Managing Director, Tumo Center for Crea- Armenia, international guests, and the Dilijan tive Technologies. Community Center to promote the values and mission of UWC and help raise awareness of ABOUT ONE MILLION RISING violence against women worldwide. One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action According to reports, 1 in 3 women across the to end violence against women in human history. Find your next great lunch or planet will be beaten or raped during her life- The campaign, launched on Valentine’s Day 2012, time. That’s ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. began as a call to action based on the staggering Every February, hundreds of countries across the statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be dinner dining experience featuring world sponsor events to raise awareness in their beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the local communities “and shine a light on the ram- world population at 7 billion, this adds up to pant impunity and injustice that survivors most more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. time-honored recipes at New often face.” This year, the One Billion Rising On 14 February 2013, people across the world Revolution is giving sharper focus and visibility came together to express their outrage, strike, to the exploitation of women, and to harnessing dance, and RISE in defi ance of the injustices Bollywood Masala Indian Restaurant even stronger global solidarity to demand an end women suffer, demanding an end at last to vio- to violence in all forms and to end the causes of lence against women. See more on http://www. violence against women - poverty, racism, war, onebillionrising.org the plunder of the environment, capitalism, impe- rialism, and patriarchy. ABOUT UWC DILIJAN COLLEGE The UWC Dilijan event will include readings UWC Dilijan College is the fi rst international of motivational speeches of many prominent and boarding school of the UWC education model successful women aimed at inspiring the audi- on the post-Soviet space. The college opened in ence. Included among the invited guests and 2014 in the Armenian town of Dilijan and cur- local dignitaries are: Yevgenia Hovhannisyan, rently has 194 students enrolled from 72 countries Head Doctor of Dilijan Children's Antitubercu- and 38 academic staff members from 15 countries. losis Sanatorium; Teresa Daban Sanchez, IMF UWC Dilijan represents an exciting extension Resident Representative for Armenia; Laura Bai- of the UWC movement into the Caucasus region ley, World Bank Country Manager for Armenia, at the junction of Asia and Europe. Established Europe and Central Asia; Graziella Seif, President in 1962, UWC educational movement now is of United Ambassadors at Large - for global inte- comprising of 17 international schools and col- Tel: +995 551 526 000; +995 592 900 002 gration – USA; Zara Batoyan, President of National leges, national committees in more than 150 Alliance of People with Disabilities; Natalya countries, and a series of short educational pro- Add: Str. Kostava 44, Tbilisi, Georgia Harutyunyan, UNDP Coordinator, Women in grams. Email: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 Georgian Studies Conference 2017

Economic Freedom Index 2017: Georgia Ups Its Position Judicial Effectiveness, and Government Integrity, BY THEA MORRISON however. “With monetary stability and the overall sound- ness of fi scal health relatively well maintained, he Heritage Foundation published Georgia has enjoyed macroeconomic resilience. Economic Freedom Index 2017 on Nonetheless, deeper and more rapid institutional February 15, which shows that Georgia reforms to enhance judicial independence and earned 76 points and its status in terms effectiveness remain critical to ensuring further of economic freedom is ‘mostly free’. dynamic and lasting economic development,” the TThe report covers 12 freedoms, from property document says. rights to entrepreneurship, in 186 countries and In the world ranking, Hong Kong takes the top says that Georgia has improved its position by position, followed by Singapore, New Zealand, Swit- moving from the 23rd position to 13th in world zerland, and Austria, while Eritrea, Congo, Cuba, ranking. In terms of regional rank, Georgia is ahead Venezuela and North Korea are to be found at the of its neighboring countries and takes 5th position. bottom of Index of Economic Freedom 2017 list. “Georgia’s government has maintained strong Launched in 1995, the Index evaluates countries momentum in liberalizing economic activity while in four broad policy areas that affect economic taking steps to restore fi scal discipline. Public freedom: rule of law; government size; regulatory debt and budget defi cits remain under control. effi ciency; and open markets. There are 12 specifi c n February 7, St Antony’s College of culture of Georgia, researched and written by Dr Open-market policies, supported by competitively categories: property rights, judicial effectiveness, the University of Oxford hosted the Nikoloz Aleksidze, Research Fellow at Oxford, as low tax rates and regulatory effi ciency, have facil- government integrity, tax burden, government Georgian Studies Conference 2017 well as other events in 2018 to complement the itated fl ows of trade and investment. Large-scale spending, fi scal health, business freedom, labor convened by the School of Interdis- book’s release. privatization has advanced, and anti-corruption freedom, monetary freedom, trade freedom, invest- ciplinary Area Studies (SIAS). The Georgian Studies Program at the School of efforts have yielded some notable results,” the ment freedom, and fi nancial freedom. Scores in O2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the establish- Interdisciplinary Studies, supported by the Shota report reads. these categories are averaged to create an overall ment of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Rustaveli National Science Foundation, represents Concerns are expressed about Property Rights, score. the United Kingdom. The Conference at the Uni- an excellent source for research on Georgia, attract- versity of Oxford is one of the fi rst events to cel- ing outstanding Georgian and international schol- ebrate this anniversary in the UK. ars of humanities and social sciences to study dif- The conference commenced with welcome ferent aspects of the country. speeches given by the Ambassador of Georgia, In general, the University of Oxford has solid Tamar Beruchashvili, the Warden of the St Antho- experience in carrying out studies on Georgia -the ny’s College, Margaret Macmillan, and the Director largest Kartvelian cultural heritage outside Georgia of Russian and East European Studies, Professor is preserved at Oxford’s Bodleian Library. The rich Dan Healey. Wardrop collection of historical and literary books In her speech, the Ambassador focused on the and manuscripts represents a treasure of interna- importance of cooperation with the University of tional signifi cance. Shota Rustaveli’s classic poem, Oxford on different issues, representing a signifi - Knight in the Panther’s Skin, which was added to cant part of bilateral cooperation between Georgia UNESCO’s UK Memory of the World Register in and the UK. Moreover, the Ambassador announced 2013, is one of the most vivid examples within this the initial commitment from the Georgian public collection. and private sector to co-sponsor the high profi le Other presentations at the conference made by activities planned by the Bodleian Library in cel- the post-doctoral fellows of the Georgian Studies ebration of the 100th anniversary of the fi rst Geor- Program were focused on various aspects of Geor- gian Republic of 1918; namely, funding a book titled gia’s history as well as on contemporary develop- ‘Georgia and the Wardrops’ about the history and ments vis-à-vis its society, politics and modernity. AFG Presents Phylantropist Award Ceremony 2016 merican Friends of Georgia on Febru- on assisting the most vulnerable groups of people ary 17 is hosting an event “Together (children and elderly). At the same time, AFG pro- we can make a Difference,” an even- motes a tradition of philanthropy and corporate ing dedicated to the promotion of the social responsibility. The organization annually tradition of philanthropy. At the same holds Charity Gala Evenings raising funds for assist- Atime, the Ceremony of the Philanthropy Award ing the priority projects of the year. AFG is sup- 2016 will be held for the fi rst time. ported by international and local business corpo- American Friends of Georgia (AFG) is a US-based rations, businessmen and civil society (artists, non-governmental charity organization operating musicians, actors and actresses, singers, etc). in Georgia since 1994. The organization is focused Throughout the years, AFG has assisted hundreds of the most needy children and elderly in the frames of palliative homecare and different humanitarian programs. In 2016-2017, the organization priority programs are: the Dzegvi Shelter reconstruction and Pallia- tive Home Care Program. The evening will be attended by representatives of accredited Diplomatic Corps, Ambassadors of the US, Japan and Kingdom of The Netherlands in Georgia, representatives of leading corporations and long-term partners. Young musicians, awardees of the Zakaria Paliashvili Central Music School and Musical Seminary contests, will perform specially selected compositions for the guests. The Evening is sponsored by Cafe-Restaurant Strada. GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 SOCIETY 11 Nebula Online Platform Delegation of the European Union to Georgia Awards Georgian Media Reps Presents New Electronic Journal for Students

BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI

reators of Nebula, an online platform which allows students to prepare for the national entry exams in general skills through modern and innovative methods, last week presented a new electronicC journal at Biblus Gallery Tbilisi. As a platform, Nebula consists of several interre- lated key components: video lessons, offering stu- dents theoretical knowledge of exam materials; a comfortable space with thousands of exercises A man reading Nebula magazine online media, Nato Gogelia won with her piece: “I BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES updated daily; a simulation of an exam during which, two years ago, and originated from the fact that am the Church and therefore I am not obliged to with the exercises within the Nebula system, a stand- the majority of the Georgian population has to take provide you information” printed in Guria News. ard exam simulation is generated according to a national exams; they have to study and pass, so we The Best investigative audio or audiovisual story specifi c subject; and an analytical algorithm that decided to make this process easier,” Dolidze said. t an award ceremony at Rooms Hotel in broadcast or online media prize was awarded to analyses the results of the practice exam and plans “Nebula as an online platform gives students a Tbilisi on Tuesday, in the hall which Nino Ramishvili/Co-author Giorgi Mgeladze for a course to improve the results obtained. chance to practise for the exams in general skills, was once the printing offi ce of news- “Agent provocateur in service of the government Sandro Dolidze, Nebula Executive Director, says Georgian language and literature. We’ll be adding paper “Communist,” the Delegation 2”, Studio Monitor. the newly launched electronic journal is another English language courses soon, and MA courses,” of the European Union to Georgia For the Best online or print blog, opinion or col- step for making the process of studying more easy he said. Aawarded the winners of the 2016 EU Prize for Jour- umn, Ninia Kakabadze was awarded for her story and enjoyable. The study process, he stressed, is a When asked about the benefi ts and unique fea- nalism in six categories spanning print, broadcast, “Side by side with the state patriot extremists” diffi cult and complex one and requires a synergy tures Nebula offers, Dolidze stated that it is impor- online, and photo journalism. featured on Jamnews. that Nebula provides. tant to fi nd the exact form of explanation for stu- In addition, a Special Prize for Peace Journalism “Village Mokhe. Praying in the open air” – South- “We believe that in today’s world, education is a dents, helping them to understand and enjoy the was awarded by the European Union Monitoring ern Gate, by Giorgi Londaridze, was chosen by the superpower,” he said, going on to present the elec- process of the study. Mission. jury as the Best documentary photo (Human rights tronic magazine that consists of two parts, verbal Nebula actively collaborates with the Open Soci- "For fi ve years now, the EU has been supporting including minority rights, social justice, respect and mathematical, and which has almost 120 exer- ety Georgia Foundation, President of Georgia, and professional, impartial and informative journalism for human dignity, freedom of speech, democracy, cises in it, each of them with a detailed video expla- the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia. in Georgia with this prize. With over 122 submis- equality and rule of law). nation accessible online via a unique code. Nebula online platform is free to use for IDPs sions this year, we had the pleasure of selecting The EUMM Special Prize for Peace Journalism “The idea of founding an online platform came and socially vulnerable groups within the Bank of and awarding some exceptional works," noted EU was given for Best confl ict-sensitive journalistic to Giorgi Chilaia, my partner and Nebula co-founder, Georgia’s social program. Ambassador Janos Herman. work contributing to confi dence-building and peace For Best written story in print or online media, (The EUMM Special Prize for Peace Journalism) Nino Lomadze won with her project "Mountain to Gvanca Doluashvili for her work “Continuous Girl" printed in the new Indigo magazine. Connection,” Jamnews. For Best audio or audiovisual story in broadcast Ms Doluashvili won a 5,000 EUR voucher for a one Valentino: Etseri, Svaneti or online media “Mosul Tbilisi” for GIPA/News- month fellowship at the London offi ce of the Institute cafe was chosen, written by Sophiko Vasadze. for War and Peace Reporting, while the other suc- through mud, if not actually being poured on at For Best written investigative story in print or cessful journalists were each awarded 1,250 EUR. BY TONY HANMER the moment. But we DO want the benefi ts, chiefl y milk and its many products, eggs and meat! So what to do? hat's what I'd call him if I was naming We're seriously considering shutting down the livestock, because he was born on barn, killing or selling the cattle and chickens, and Valentine's Day 2017. But I don't do buying milk and the rest when we need them, if this, because much of it will end up we can persuade a neighbor to be involved for a on the table, sorry to the vegetarians fair price. Believe me, we do want the milk, espe- Tamong you! The closest we've come is calling a cially: my cheese making experiments have yielded recent bullock Mr Meat, and before his second what I consider to be delicious versions of cheddar, birthday, after he ran away a few times, his fate blue and even Camembert! (I dare to add that caught up with him. French guests have honestly praised them, too, Like all our births, this one was wonderfully easy, which for me is a huge thing.) With no (intention- or so it seems to me: go to the barn and there's the ally) added bacterial cultures! Who wouldn't want newborn calf, blinking in the unaccustomed light, to progress with these successes? I need to stand- still wet and sticky from its emergence into the ardize them to get the same result regularly, and loud, dirty world. You salt it down a bit to encour- then we'll really be in business. For ourselves and age its mother to lick it for bonding, improved the guest house, if not for a larger market. circulation and cleaning, and help it to stand and "Valentino"'s grandmother is also pregnant, due fi nd the all-important teats, source of the vital milk in a month or two, and then we'll have fi ve bovines. which will be its only food for at least a month or But it seems that this year may see that population two. A day later, it's on its feet and mooing while reduced to nothing, along with the poultry, and I'll mother responds to get it used to her voice, and feel much happier for it. I'd also give up natural ready to butt her udder for all it can to get more meat and dairy products in a heartbeat if really milk, more, more! good laboratory substitutes came along, as long as I decided long ago in Svaneti to give myself the they were reasonably priced, healthy and better ultimate test of a carnivore, or at least of an omni- for the environment... So time will tell. vore: Could I see an animal go from happily alive to cuts of meat, and then eat it? And found that I Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti could. Really, it's the least one can do, if bearing since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early the name of one who eats anything, including meat. 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook Having said that... my wife and I are fi nding that group, now with over 1350 members, at www.facebook. our barn's denizens are becoming a growing bur- com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ den on us. We can't both be away from the house He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: for more than a few hours, because there are feed- www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti ing, mucking out or milking chores to be done every single day. One can always ask a neighbor, sure, but then you're in their debt. Then there's the sum- mer routine of bringing back the cows from the mountain where "tra- ditionally" they pasture for a few months. We do it in turns, each neighbor several times a week, but it takes up a few hours each time, never mind the weather, rain or shine! The for- mer means you can count on slogging GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 Giving Georgians the Chance to Excel: Meet International Education Fair Organizers, UK Bridge

national school, and university repre- INTERVIEW BY sentatives attending while parents and NINO GUGUNISHVILI children are given a chance to get direct answers to all their inquiries. Our fair is for those who are interested ducation agency UK Bridge, in getting any type of education abroad. founded by two friends and This year, we have representatives from colleagues, Nutsa Kuridze the Anglo-American University, Astrum and Ana Vetsko in 2008, has Colleges, British Study Centers, Buda- become a leader on the Geor- pest Metropolitan University, Cambridge Egian market, helping Georgian students Education Group, Buckswood Overseas to pave their way into leading interna- Summer School, EU Business School, tional educational institutions in the UK, Kings Education, Oxford International, US, France, Italy, Czech Republic, Malta, Regent’s University London, City Uni- Germany, Switzerland and Spain. versity London, IE University, MPW For the seventh time this year, UK Schools and Colleges, EC English, Select Bridge is organizing an International English Cambridge, Stafford House, and Education Fair, on February 25, at Rooms Wimbledon School of English. Hotel Tbilisi, from 12 to 6 pm, at which Statistically, we get approximately 500 top UK, US and European university, -700 visitors to the exhibition each year college, summer schools, as well as lan- and to our delight, our attendees are guage school representatives, will pre- focused: they know exactly what they’re sent their study programs for anyone looking for. interested in pursuing their studies Nutsa: It’s really a great chance for abroad. students and parents to come over and GEORGIA TODAY met with the UK choose the specifi c courses they would Bridge founders to talk about the upcom- want to study, and to learn everything; ing exhibition and the story behind their from the prices to accommodation company’s success. options. Short professional trainings for adults are also available. It’s all very WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO detailed, and extremely informative. ORGANIZE AN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FAIR? WHICH OF THE PROGRAMS able. Of the 200 -250 students we send- based educational institutions, and the British Council Georgia for six years Ana: First, we went to a number of UK BRIDGE OFFERS TEND ing to study, 70 percent is for summer immigration laws there are very strict, where Nutsa was in charge of the inter- international exhibitions and fairs our- TO BE MOST POPULAR? schools and for short professional courses, the children are obliged to come back national education department, sending selves. For educational agents like us, Ana: We try to offer the highest quality either in marketing or law. The remain- after they fi nish their studies. Another students to UK summer schools and it’s a chance to get acquainted with the service to our clients. I would say that der are for boarding schools and univer- thing, of course, is that they have to be in colleges, and even after the British Coun- schools, universities and colleges and the list of our international partners is sities. demand within the workforce of their cil decided to close the program, the the programs they provide. impressive and we are proud of that. We country. Studying at a top international demand was still high. That’s when we We decided to organize the fair in Tbi- always choose our partners very care- IS THERE A GROWING university gives this chance. However, thought to try and do it on our own and lisi, because, for Georgians, notwith- fully and have an individual approach TENDENCY IN GEORGIA FOR it’s not enough to just study abroad. One founded UK Bridge. We did it really standing the fact that we give them the to every student that comes to us. We SEEKING INTERNATIONAL must study well and in a good university quickly, within a month of leaving our maximum amount of information, it’s need to know their interests, how they EDUCATION ABROAD? to be competitive enough and in demand jobs- we didn’t even have our own offi ce. still very important to meet the school study, and what their abilities and skills Nutsa: I would say the awareness on back home. We have many very interest- But as it was April, the season when representatives themselves in person, are. international education possibilities is ing success stories from our students. parents usually plan summer school face to face. So, we thought it would be Nutsa: Summer schools are usually higher now, as we’re living in an era of Quite recently, we came across one of courses for children, we had to move a wonderful opportunity to have inter- very popular, plus they are more afford- advanced information technologies. our students, who we sent to school and fast. When we started out, many families had then to the university, who is now our Nutsa: We were young and confi dent, no internet at home and relied on us contact person in the advertising agency believing we could easily fi nd another fully. Today, there’s no more fear of send- we’re working with. job if the project failed, unafraid of risk- ing a child abroad to study as both par- ing and quitting very good positions in ents and children can do their research WHAT’S BEHIND UK a stable workplace. We sent almost 150 on their own. Plus, the segment itself is BRIDGE’S SUCCESS? students that fi rst year and nearly all the changing, too, and the need to invest Nutsa: We’re hard workers- that’s one schools which we had worked with while wisely in your child’s quality education of the reasons. at British Council became our partners. is apparent. Ana: I think that when you start your Their trust in us was very empowering. own business, it’s very important to know Ana: From the beginning our friends DO THE STUDENTS YOU SEND the sphere you’re going to work in. You supported us a lot, consulting on fi nan- TO STUDY ABROAD ALWAYS have to be experienced in it. cial and legislative matters. They all COME BACK TO GEORGIA? instantly liked the idea of us founding Nutsa: From our experience, many of WASN’T YOUR DECISION TO an education agency and I can say we’re the children we send to Europe, the UK QUIT A WELL-PAID JOB AND still very happy that we decided to do or the US, often start to work within their START A NEW COMPANY it. It makes me proud to realize that family business once they return home. ON YOUR OWN RISKY? almost eight years ago, we launched our Since we’re primarily focused on UK- Ana: Nutsa and I both worked at the own company.

ROUTING FLIGHT NUMBER WEEK DAYS DEPARTURE ARRIVAL TK 387 05.50 07.25 TBILISI - TK 385 11.45 13.25 ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT TK 383 18.10 20.00 EVERYDAY TK 386 01.40 04.55 ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT - TK 384 07.30 10.50 TBILISI TK 382 13.55 17.15 TBILISI - TK 381 07.40 09.00 ISTANBUL SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT EVERYDAY ISTANBUL SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT - TK 380 20.45 00.10+1 TBILISI BATUMI - ISTANBUL TK 393 17.50 19.10 EVERYDAY ISTANBUL - BATUMI TK 392 13.55 16.55 Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected]

TIFLIS KIS TARIFESI 7.5x6cm ING.indd 1 02/11/16 15:23 GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 SOCIETY 13 Healing from Within: Dance Therapy Comes to Georgia

Sometimes, people’s illnesses are a fi g- straight-out that I had cancer. At the extraordinarily good for ischemia and Specialists see the intellectual and psy- BY MAKA LOMADZE ment of their imaginations and only after time, my activities in movement therapy cardio-vascular illnesses. We also cure chological state of a person from his/ consultation do they discover that they were in full swing. Cancer is not a dis- dementia, more commonly known as her movement very well. A human being are in fact perfectly healthy. A great per- ease that one can meet calmly. However, sclerosis. Those people who are obsessed moves as they think. Their negatives n Georgia, psychotherapy is still centage of physical illnesses originate by means of dance therapy, it is possible with phobias and disturbances also can be guessed even from their walking something new. Few choose to from spiritual traumas. My favorite say- to combat even such a perfi dious illness address us, as well as, in general, depres- manner, or timbre of voice. Generally visit a psychologist and it is still ing is: be what you are! In this case, one as cancer. Actually, this disease is fi rst sive or exhausted people who simply speaking, everyone needs a psycholo- often regarded as something nec- is opened to the best. Our stressful life and foremost cured by movement ther- need to be distracted. gist, however, there still is a certain essary for serious clinical patients and terrible rhythm gives us no chance apy. I received this bad news as a sign stigma against going to see one. alone.I However, along with capitalism, for personal insight, for instance, if we to practically embark on this business. IS THIS COURSE CONNECTED accelerated pace of life, urbanized cit- are down and don’t know why. However, A bit earlier, I had such severe stress WITH SERIOUS EXERCISE? WHAT IS YOUR MAIN ies and stressful, unstable social envi- excessive studies are not necessary either. that I was convinced something bad No. The exercises are merely pleasant. ACHIEVEMENT? ronment, there seems to be a growing We should see reality as it is, neither would come of it- and I ended up with A lot of children come, too, as there are Apart from killing cancer, I once had a spiritual crisis, or at least, unrest. aggravate nor lighten it. It is paramount cancer, which, as many scientists say, plenty of cases of hyperactivity and dif- stone-deaf child who had only 2% hear- GEORGIA TODAY met Maia Javakh- to see ourselves in the correct way- and is the illness of those who have had their ferent syndromes of autism in this age ing in just one ear. By means of appa- ishvili, an innovator in the local psy- movement therapy helps people to do feathers cropped. I thought that I would group. We offer both group and indi- ratus, we reached a tremendous result: chology fi eld: several years ago, this this, guided by a psychotherapist. start dance therapy on myself fi rst and vidual sessions. Among kids, an immo- she began to talk. Now she goes to an professional psychologist and dancer later, I would be able to implement it bile regime or attachment to computers ordinary school and wants to become decided to introduce the practise of WHAT IS YOUR METHOD, on others, too. It is possible to control has caused the weakening of motility. a gymnast. It means that she has become dance therapy, curing ills through cer- DOES A PATIENT TELL THEIR one’s spiritual state – and consequently, Children have become physically inert. a real person. This is a great joy and tain dancing movements, already a hot STORY BEFOREHAND OR when a soul is happy, a body is strong! In villages, they are livelier. However, motivation for me. thing in the West. DOES THE OPENING COME Over three weeks, I was totally lost I can perfectly well understand why WITH THE THERAPY? from the sight of doctors and totally they don’t come to therapy in greater WHAT ARE YOUR TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT We prefer to consult before starting and immersed in my dance therapy. They numbers- there is a fi nancial barrier. FUTURE PLANS? YOURSELF AND YOUR if a patient agrees, it is better to have called me, insisting I start chemotherapy Dance therapy is considered an expen- We need a new place to work. And I DANCE THERAPY the conversation before starting the as soon as possible, but I refused. After sive pleasure worldwide, though I have would like to ask wider society to help I’m a psycho-pedagogue by profession. course so that we have more informa- abnormally hard work over three weeks, tried my best to make prices maximally me- we need an adapted space to work During my studies, I discovered that tion to proceed correctly. However, I had new analyses and there was noth- acceptable. in, with ramps, to make it possible for even 2000 years ago, people knew that patients can join the group directly as ing at all. Until today, I have since had those with disabilities to join in our rhythmical movements, together with well. Our mere aim is to make them a number of oncological patients who WHAT IS THE MAIN BONUS sessions. Ideally such would be centrally music, was a pleasing process, fi lling happy. left me with splendid results. OF MOVEMENT THERAPY? located near to a bus-stop. We want to one with extra joy and energy. Move- We awaken basic states in people. If we be able to expand our reach to more ment is a basic state of body, and when SO, MIND OVER MATTER? WHAT IS THE LIST OF sit down too long, we will fi nd it diffi - needy members of society- to spread one moves to music, the body and soul Exactly. Three years ago, on New Year’ DISEASES THAT YOU TREAT? cult to move. This is a unique method the ability to fi nd inner happiness and awaken. Eve, my doctor called me and told me It raises one’s spirit, as well as being in psychotherapy that has no side effects. the ability to heal. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER February 18 Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 Lari PERMANENT EXHIBITION: January 10 - February 24 ENGLISH DETECTIVE February 17-23 GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY EXHIBITION OF ALEXANDER Agatha Christie FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. BAZHBEUK-MELIKOV'S TBILISI ZAKARIA Directed by Vakhtang Nikolava FIFTY SHADES DARKER TO 4TH CENTURY A.D ARTWORKS PALIASHVILI OPERA AND Language: Russian Directed by James Foley Dedicated to his 125-year BALLET THEATRE Start time: 18:00 Cast: Bella Heathcote, Dakota EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN anniversary Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 10 GEL Johnson, Jamie Dornan WEAPONRY Alexander Bazhbeuk-Melikov is a Telephone: 2 99 04 56 Genre: Drama, Romance prominent representative of 20th Language: Russian NUMISMATIC TREASURY century Georgian art. An ethnic February 18, 19 February 19 Start time: 19:00, 21:45 The exhibition showcases money Armenian, he spent his entire life in BALANCHINE SCARLET SAIL Ticket: 13-14 GEL circulation on the territory of Georgia and formed a basis for the Three one-act ballets Alexander Grin Directed by Avtandil Varsimashvili Georgia from the 6th century BC. development of modern Georgian By famous choreographer George LA LA LAND Language: Russian to 1834. painting. Balanchine Directed by Damien Chazelle Start time: 12:00 SERENADE, MOZARTIANA AND Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Ticket: 10 GEL THE TESTAMENT OF DAVID ZURAB TSERETELI MUSEUM CONCERTO BAROCCO Rosemarie DeWitt THE BUILDER AND THE NEW OF MODERN ART Start time: February 18 – 20:00, Genre: Comedy, Drama, Musical EXHIBITS OF MEDIEVAL Address: 27 Rustaveli Ave. February 19 - 14:00 GABRIADZE THEATER Language: Russian TREASURY Telephone: 2 14 84 11, 2 98 60 04 Ticket: 10 - 50 GEL Address: 13 Shavtelis St. Start time: 16:15, 19:15 Telephone: 2 98 65 93 Ticket: 10-14 GEL www.momatbilisi.ge September 27 – September 22 (2017) GEORGIAN STATE EXHIBITION SPORTPHOTO 2016 PANTOMIME THEATER February 16, 17 SILENCE STONE AGE GEORGIA PHOTO EXHIBITION Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. MARSHAL DE FANTIE’S Directed by Martin Scorsese Telephone: 2 99 63 14 DIAMOND Cast: Andrew Garfi eld, Adam Rezo Gabriadze Driver, Liam Neeson MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS MZIURI CAFÉ Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. Address: Mziuri park February 17 Directed by Rezo Gabriadze Genre: Drama, History TERENTI GRANELI English Subtitles Language: Russian EXHIBITION Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili Start time: 20:00 Start time: 19:00 February 19 LADO GUDIASHVILI AND Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 10, 15, 20 GEL Ticket: 13-14 GEL SAKVI-RAO GEORGIAN MONUMENTAL Ticket: 10 GEL Every Sunday children will be February 18 PATERSON PAINTING hosted by RAMONA Directed by Jim Jarmusch The exhibition showcases famous children's writers with December 18 Gudiashvili's monumental painting. Saint George Rezo Gabriadze Cast: Adam Driver, Golshifteh interesting themes - Vazha Pshavela Directed by Rezo Gabriadze Farahani, Nellie Reading, coloring, competitions Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance IOSEB GRISHASHVILI Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili English Subtitles Participants Age: from 6 to 9 years Language: Russian TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Start time: 19:00 Start time: 20:00 Ticket includes lunch for children Start time: 16:30, 19:15, 22:00 - KARVASLA Ticket: 12 GEL Ticket: 10, 15, 20 GEL Time: every Sunday Ticket: 10-14 GEL Address: 8 Sioni St. from 12:00 to 14:00 Telephone: 2 98 22 81 TBILISI VASO ABASHIDZE February 19 Ticket: 7 GEL AUTUMN OF MY SPRING RUSTAVELI CINEMA MUSIC AND DRAMA STATE Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. February 17 – March 5 MUSIC Rezo Gabriadze THEATER Telephone: 2 55 50 00 ANNA KALATOZISHVILI Address: 182 D.Agmashenebeli Ave. Directed by Rezo Gabriadze MY EXHIBITION IS MY LIFE www.kinoafi sha.ge TBILISI EVENT HALL Telephone: 2 34 80 90 English Subtitles The exhibition showcases Anna Address: 1 Melikishvili St. www.musictheatre.ge Start time: 20:00 Kalatozishvili's expressive Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Telephone: 2 99 00 99 Ticket: 10, 15, 20 GEL February 16-17 artworks. According to February 17, 19 Kalatozishvili, theater, art, and our February 22 PILLOWMAN MOVEMENT THEATER JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 daily life is a game; each of us a GEORGIAN ARTISTS Directed by Davit Doiashvili Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Directed by Chad Stahelski player who has the strength and Charity concert Musical Mushthaid park Cast: Ruby Rose, Keanu Reeves, ability to become an artist. Start time: 20:00 Start time: 19:00 Telephone: 599 555 260 Bridget Moynahan Ticket: 20 GEL Ticket: From 8 GEL Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller MUSEUM OF SOVIET February 18, 19 Language: Russian OCCUPATION February 23 LABYRINTH Start time: 22:15 Address: 3 Sh. Rustaveli Ave. MOVEMENT THEATER DIVORCE Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Ticket: 13-14 GEL Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Giorgi Eristavi Start time: 20:00 PERMANENT EXHIBITION Mushthaid park Directed by Davit Doiashvili Ticket: 15 GEL MUSEUM Telephone: 599 555 260 Musical Comedy GALLERY Start time: 19:00 CINEMA GEORGIAN NATIONAL February 21 Ticket: From 8 GEL MUSEUM SIMON THE NATIONAL GALLERY JAZZ AT MT AMIRANI CINEMA JANASHIA MUSEUM Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. RESO KIKNADZE QUINTET GRIBOEDOVI THEATER Address: 36 Kostava St. Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. www.museum.ge Free Admission Address: 2 Rustaveli Ave. Telephone: 2 99 99 55 Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Start time: 21:00 Telephone: 2 93 43 36 www.kinoafi sha.ge www.museum.ge PERMANENT EXHIBITION February 22 MILONGA, LA CUMPARSITA ARGENTINE TANGO DANCE NIGHT Start time: 20:00 Tango Lesson: 5 GEL

DJANSUG KAKHIDZE TBILISI CENTER FOR MUSIC & CULTURE Address: 125 Aghmashenebeli ave. Telephone: 2 96 12 43

February 17 SONGS OF DJANSUG AND VATO KAKHIDZE Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 5-20 GEL

BASSIANI Address: 2 A. Tsereteli Ave.

February 17 RA IN RESIDENCE AT BASSIANI: SHACKLETON (LIVE), KANCHELI, ROOKAS, JANE FITZ, ZURKIN Start time: 23:59 Ticket: 20-30 GEL

SPACEHALL Address: 2 A. Tsereteli Ave.

February 18 MAAYAN NIDAM, GIO SHENGELIA Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 20-30 GEL GEORGIA TODAY FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 CULTURE 15 Dario Fo’s Best Known Political Satire on Tumanishvili GEORGIA TODAY spoke with Eka Andronikash- vili, one of the two actresses playing the role of Stage Margherita. “I was really thrilled to have the chance to work with the Italian director. However, I quickly realized it was almost the same as working with the Georgian BY MAKA LOMADZE director- probably due to their similar tempers and sense of humor. The only diffi culty came with need- ing translation. Panella differed from the Georgian he recently deceased Dario Fo, an Ital- directors in that he was not nervous or tired of life ian actor, playwright, comedian, singer, and therefore was more loyal, favorable and human. theater director, stage designer, song- I got great pleasure from working with him. It wasn’t The Patriarchate writer and painter, is now on the rep- our fi rst collaboration with a foreigner as two years ertoire of Tumanishvili Film Actors ago, we worked on “Animal Farm” with Guy Mas- Theater.T Michele Panella, his compatriot, staged Fo’s terson and took it to Edinburgh.” political satire “Can’t Pay?! Won’t Pay” together with The play of Dario Fo was prepared in a positive a local Georgian cast that premiered in October, the atmosphere and premiered just 20 days after it was very period of the great maestro’s decease. begun. Plot: Obfuscation The script was translated into Georgian by Maia “The play has not been altered and bares similar- Japaridze and it is an easy performance to follow if ity to the 1990s in Georgia when there was a terrible one has read the play or at least the annotation. The neediness, no gas, no electricity, etc,” says Andron- designer is famous Georgian artist Simon Machabeli ikashvili. “The repertories of each theater should and the dramatist from the Georgian side is Manana have such performances as it is at the same time Antadze. funny and also has a lot to contemplate. It contains of the Century The life of Michele Panella, director of the perfor- revolutionary moments, as well as humor, and eve- mance, who in the past was a successful political ryday riot.” scientist, was drastically changed when he met Ital- "Can’t Pay? Won’t Pay!” is regarded as Dario Fo’s take my words for granted and would love to kick ian legendary theater worker, director, translator, best known play internationally, having been per- OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE up controversy on the subject. Well, even the Patri- and entrepreneur Barbara Nativi. He got a profes- formed in 35 countries around the world. It is a arch happens to be part of the unattractive routine sional qualifi cation at the Laboratorio Nove Scuola comedy about consumer backlash against high prices. of our not very purifi ed life. di Teatro, and later became the artistic director of Set in Milan, depicting one of the noisiest adven- hat summer, somewhere in West Geor- This wide popular adoration must stem not only Barbara’s famous Theater of Florence “Teatro della tures of the Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo and his gia, an exalted crowd of thousands from the spiritual magic which Ilia the Second Limonaia” and “Intercity festival”. In 2007 and 2008, spouse from a different angle, the play centers on a felt overwhelmed – the Catholicos- exudes but also from the deeds he has gotten under he received prizes from the Prime Minister of Italy, spontaneous demonstration by housewives against Patriarch of All Georgia, the Arch- his belt in the last half century. And somebody Matteo Renzi, titled “Il Fiorentino” for the develop- rising prices at the local supermarket. This is a very bishop of Mtskheta-Tbilisi and Met- wanted to poison the ailing octogenarian whose ment of the modern Sesto Fiorentino. His debut as funny physical farce where Antonia (Mzia Arabuli) Tropolitan Bishop of Abkhazia and Bichvinta, His clout over the nation is undoubtedly indisputable? a director “Poker – dealer’s Choice” staged accord- tries to hide the fact that she smuggled food out of Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II was expected to bless No, I will never say yes to that. Why should any ing to the play of the outstanding British Dramatist a supermarket during a food riot from her husband the believers with his brief appearance, myself living man desire to eliminate a person who could Patrick Marber, was awarded with the Hamlet prize Giovanni (Temo Gvalia) by forcing her friend Mar- among them. The long-standing head of the Geor- easily be identifi ed with Abraham’s Bosom of Geor- as the best debut by L'Ente teatrale italiano (ETI). gherita (Eka Andronikashvili) to feign pregnancy, gian Orthodox Church and the advanced-in-years gia? I do not remember this nation as shocked as In 2003-2004, in collaboration with London Royal to the astonishment of the latter’s husband Luigi spiritual leader of the nation used measured steps it was at hearing the hardly believable news about National Theater, Michele gave ground to the well- (Nika Tserediani). In the ensuing complications, to move towards his excited parish, gingerly accom- the attempted murder in holy circles. With God’s known program of modern dramaturgy, “Connec- which includes the appearance of a buffoonish police panied and assisted by his devoted entourage. It grace, the offi cial version of the presumed crime tions” which inspired interest among the Italian detectives, grave man, the Pope, politician, director all looked unreal. I pinched myself a couple of times does not even mention the Patriarch, but suspicions youth towards theater and literature. of fabric and others (Gia Abesalashvili and Guga to make sure that I was indeed part of that fasci- are not so easy to quell. Although the allegations This latest international production is presented Kakhiani in multiple roles who manage to change nating event. are made very carefully, not pointing to any specifi c with the support of the Ministry of Culture and characters very masterfully), this energetic social The crowd parted before the walking team of intended victim, it is still very traumatizing for all Monument Protection of Georgia, Tbilisi Center of farce presents some serious social and political clerics to make passageway for His Holiness, and of us who never had the slightest idea that a thing Culture events, Embassy of Italy in Tbilisi and Cul- themes that make us understand that the crisis in closed behind them as if thoroughly rehearsed days like this could occur right in the heart of the Patri- ture association TRI BOO, Florence. The fi rst night the quality of life itself must be adequately addressed in advance. Eventually, I found myself standing archate. was held on September 30, 2016. The performance not only to ruling institutions but to each of us and motionless in the visible line when the great man The offi cial information has it that a Georgian had a triumphant receipt at the International Theater to our responsibility to be involved in social life in halted momentarily, slightly moving his hand cleric was arrested on suspicion of the intention Festival GIFT. Since then, almost all days have been the pursuit of happiness, liberty and better living. towards me and almost unnoticeably beckoning to murder, although the statements are eschewing sell-outs. me to approach. The multitude of necks extended naming the target of the crime. The apprehended Extracts from Operas by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo WHERE: Agmashenebeli Ave., 164 (next to the German and heads turned to know what was happening. I cleric is the head of the Property Management Puccini, Gioachino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti are Consulate) genufl ected forthwith to reach His robe with my Department of the Georgian Patriarchate. The arranged by Michele Panella and Giorgi Khositashvili Ticket: Gel 7,10,12,15 hand and touch it with my forehead when I felt the concerned offi cialdom is refraining from an exact on a stage adorned with Malevich’s reproductions. Duration: 90 minutes Holy man’s palm on the crown of my bowed head. formulation of the case, qualifying it as ‘plotting Then, all of a sudden, it was over. I came to myself to poison a high-rank cleric’. Just as much as that! and felt that the administered blessing had reached Dubiously, the deadly poison cyanide is stipulated my body and soul. And behold, I am not even a as the tool of the murder which was found on the believer! person of the accused and arrested cleric. And not His beatitude is the only person in the entire coun- only that! The police also found an unregistered try who is loved and venerated with equal sincerity handmade fi rearm with six cartridges in the house by the faithful, atheists, agnostics, proselytes and of the detained. This is the only factual informa- apostates. People just adore the man. People toast tion that is handy at this point in time. to the Patriarch on a regular basis at various occa- Could the man who was found carrying the poi- sions. At times, His Holiness performs simultaneous sonous substance be innocent? It was noted that baptism of hundreds of newly born babies. His the Patriarch is not even mentioned in the context popularity is humongous. His loveable personality of the unaccomplished assassination. Nothing is attracts people like a magnet. He is a talented intel- clear so far. There are questions. The answers are lectual, full of humor and benevolence. We are all indistinct, and the haziness of the story triggers striving to squeeze ourselves into his holy presence. even more doubts and suspicions. The level of He is demanded and, for his part, he is responsive obfuscation of this case makes all of us look like to that public attention. We don’t feel and recognize petrifi ed primitive morons, at a minimum. We only his age because we take him as eternity. Most of us hear that the investigation is ongoing. This is a real are this way. I also admit and try to understand that let-us-wait-and-see situation. I have no other there might be somebody out there who would not description for it.

PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Photographer: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Irakli Dolidze 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Zaza Jgarkava, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Maka Bibilashvili, Layout: strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Karen Tovmasyan, Misha Mchedlishvili Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Commercial Director: Dimitri Dolaberidze, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Iva Merabishvili Maka Lomadze, Webmaster: F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Marketing Manager: Tim Ogden, Joseph Larsen, Sergey Gevenov is registered in Mtatsminda Mariam Giorgadze Vazha Tavberidze, ADVERTISING & district court. Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Circulation Managers: SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: Nino Gugunishvili, David Kerdikashvili, +995 595 279997 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: Thea Morrison, David Djandjgava E-mail: marketing@ Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies Natia Liparteliani georgiatoday.ge GEORGIA TODAY 16 SPORTS FEBRUARY 17 - 20, 2017 Muscles in Brussels: New Look but Same Dominance for Lelos

surged further ahead and it was a special BY ALASTAIR WATT moment for center Giorgi Koshadze who, after being fed by fly-half Lasha Khmaladze, dived through the posts for eorgia began their 2017 Georgia’s second score. Rugby Europe Champion- The simplest of conversions followed ship campaign in impres- from Kvirikashvili to hand the visitors a sive fashion, earning a 17-0 advantage at the break. bonus point in a 31-6 tri- After the interval, the Belgians began Gumph over Belgium in a bitterly cold to impose themselves more on the game Brussels. and two penalties reduced their arrears Several young players, including four to 17-6 by the 57th minute. debutants, were selected in Milton Haig’s However, that was as close as the home lineup but there was no sign of inexpe- side would get to Georgia who soon rience in a strong performance that swept raced out of sight with two further tries. aside the Belgians. The notoriously relentless Georgian And there were a few of the older heads pack was too much for Belgium to han- to guide the rising stars, most notably dle, eventually leading to the concession full-back Merab Kvirikashvili who opened of a penalty try in the 68th minute which the scoring in the 12th minute with a Kvirikashvili converted to increase the crisply taken penalty from just beyond Lelos’ cushion to 24-6. the Belgian 22. The Belgians were ready for the bath Ten minutes later, the Lelos notched by this point but the hosts had to endure their fi rst try of the afternoon when the an extra eight minutes beyond the 80-min- towering fl anker Lasha Lomidze rose to ute mark as Georgia pushed patiently clutch a lineout a few meters from the for the fourth try that would yield a Belgian line, after which the Georgian bonus point. pack bulldozed its way beyond the white- Once again, forward power proved wash with fellow fl anker Giorgi Tkh- effective for the Lelos as number eight ilaishvili eventually being credited with Beka Gorgadze muscled his way over the score. the line, before Lasha Malaguradze kicked with an historic 41-38 triumph over The Lelos play their fi rst home match number of South African-born players. Kvirikashvili duly dispatched the con- home the conversion to secure a 25-point Romania in Offenbach. of the year on February 19 in Rustavi, a Regardless of the composition of Sun- version to give the Georgians a ten-point winning margin for the championship This was the best result in Germany’s city built in part by German prisoners day’s visitors, their victory over the lead, with things looking ominous for favorites on matchday one. rugby history, and they come to Georgia of war in the 1940s. Romanians will ensure that Georgia treat Belgium who were backed by a near- But that wasn’t the most eye-catching this weekend looking to at very least Germany’s route to rugby progress has Germany with not an ounce of compla- capacity crowd. result on week one as Georgia’s next improve upon their 59-7 reverse suffered been assisted to a large degree by the relaxed cency as they bid to make it two wins A minute before half-time, the Lelos opponents Germany made headlines a year ago in Avchala. residence rules, allowing them to pick a from two.