Issue no: 987 • OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... FOCUS ON THE FALL OF SOKHUMI A look at then and now...PAGE 4,6 Georgia Supports Sovereignty & Territorial Integrity of Spain NEWS PAGE 3 Headaches in Abkhazia

POLITICS PAGE 9 Russia Makes Turkmenistan Proposals in Oil & Gas BUSINESS PAGE 10 German Embassy Marks 27th Anniversary of Unifi cation of Germany Photo by Mike Goldwater SOCIETY PAGE 15 Textile from Georgia - New Album on Tbilisoba Kicks off This Weekend Georgian BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI Costume Published he two-day annual celebration of CULTURE PAGE 19 Tbilisoba (Tbilisi Day), fi rst held in October 1979, this year starts on Sat- urday October 7 in various locations throughout the capital. TThe program announced by Tbilisi City hall begins at 12PM on Saturday, and is to offer guests a plethora of activities: from pavilions representing the capitals twinned with Tbilisi set up in Europe Square, a fair and exhibition of classic and new cars on Metekhi Bridge, to children’s culinary classes, archeology for chil- in New Tifl is until 9PM. numerous concerts during the Tbilisi City Fest, dren and quizzes to be held in the New Tifl is, A festival of sweets and master-classes from with and City Hall’s Big Band concert alongside Agmashenebeli area and a kite festival and famous chefs is promised for the New Tifl is area, dance performances, and electronic music con- master-classes for little ones in Rike Park. Adults and a fruit festival is to be held on Sioni Street. certs by DJ Ericsson, DJ Sumo, and DJ Third. can enjoy a festival of Georgian wine on day Along with the packed program of culinary and The traditional awards ceremony for honorary one of the festival from 12 to 10 PM, visit an wine tasting events, a photo exhibition, fl ower citizens of the capital, followed by a concert, is exhibition of Georgian produce, and attend a show and sports activities during the weekend, to be held in the Abanotubani district on October costume performance with musicians and actors music lovers will also get a chance to attend 8, to round up Tbilisoba 2017. GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 Georgia Denounces Syrian Delegation’s Visit to Photo: Syrian delegation meets “Foreign Ministry” representatives of breakaway Abkhazia Breakaway Abkhazia Source: Apsnypress.

occupied Sokhumi on October 3. Abkhazian news BY THEA MORRISON agency Apsnypress reports that the delegation had a meeting with the de facto foreign Minister of Abkhazia, Daur Kove, who welcomed the Syrian he Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia delegation and expressed content that mutual rela- (MFA) has denounced the recent visit of tionships have been developed. a Syrian delegation to Georgia’s Russian- “We are glad that Abkhazian-Syrian relations have occupied region of Abkhazia, claiming developed dynamically this year. We cooperate in that the visit is a continuation of Russia’s different fi elds. The current situation in Syria con- provocativeT policy and its occupation regimes. cerns us," he said. “Russia is trying to legitimize its attempts to force The Syrian delegation was led by Sanah Abo Zaid, changes to the borders of a sovereign state and who noted that there are good prospects for devel- widespread ethnic cleansing of Georgians. This oping ties between the two sides. visit is part of that policy,” the ministry stressed, The delegation of Syria was also hosted by the the “Ministry of Economy” is preparing a draft The so-called Abkhazian Ministry stated that the adding that one of the most important priorities so called president of Abkhazia, Raul Khajimba. agreement with the Syrian Arab Republic on the Syrian authorities had expressed interest in devel- of the Georgian government is consistent imple- “It is important to restore justice…The West and duty-free trade regime between the countries. oping trade and economic cooperation with the mentation of the non-recognition policy. the Americans are trying to infl uence world pro- “Our main task is to create favorable conditions “Republic” and received its representatives as a “The Foreign Ministry reacts immediately to the cesses. This is unacceptable both for Syria and for for developing businesses in both countries,” Ardz- friendly “state.” attempts of the occupation regimes to establish those who want to live peacefully," Khajimba said. inba said. Since the Russia-Georgia war in August 2008, illegal contacts with representatives of foreign The de facto president added that Abkhazians Prior the visit of the Syrian delegation to Sokhumi, Russia has recognized the independence of Abk- countries,” the statement of the ministry reads. support the position of the leadership of Syria. the “Abkhazian delegation” paid a visit to Syria. hazia and another separatist region, South Ossetia. Communication was held with international part- The Syrian delegation also held meetings with The de facto MFA of Abkhazia reported that the In total, only four countries recognize Georgia’s ners with regard to the so-called visit. the de facto ministers of occupied Abkhazia. delegation of the “Republic of Abkhazia” held breakaway regions as independent republics: Rus- The parliamentary delegation of Syria arrived in “Economy Minister” Adgur Ardzinba stated that various meetings in Syria in August. sia, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Nauru. Saakashvili Asks for Asylum in Ukraine President & Parliamentary Majority

The State Immigration Service of Ukraine has yet to respond to Saakashvili’s request. Discuss Constitutional Changes Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Justice Ministry stated they will make a decision on the ex-president’s extradi- tion to Georgia after relevant checks. “The Justice Ministry will make the fi nal decision depending on the relevant materials. Politics has nothing to do with the issue at all,” Ukrainian Jus- tice Minister Pavel Petrenko stated. Saakashvili was the third president of Georgia from 2004-2007 and again in 2008-2013. Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko granted BY THEA MORRISON Saakashvili Ukrainian citizenship in May 2015, when appointing him as the Governor of Odessa. In December 2015, Georgian authorities stripped fter returning to Ukraine, ex-President Saakashvili of Georgian citizenship as dual citizen- of Georgia and former Governor of ship is not allowed in Georgia. Ukraine’s Odessa Oblast, Mikheil In November 2016, Saakashvili quit his post and Saakashvili, has requested asylum in formed an opposition party and was seen heavily Ukraine on the grounds of “a person criticizing the Ukrainian authorities, which led to and expressed willingness to continue holding BY THEA MORRISON Ain need of special protection,” which in turn stops a disagreement between Poroshenko and the ex- consultations with all political forces if necessary. him being extradited to another country. Georgian President. The sides discussed key changes which are to The information was released by Saakashvili’s Poroshenko stripped Saakashvili of his Ukrainian be made to the newly-adopted constitution. lawyer Markian Galabala. citizenship in July. he scheduled meeting between the The Head of the Administration of the President, “After the issue of the decree on terminating After losing his Ukrainian citizenship, Saakashvili Georgian President and the Parlia- Giorgi Abashishvili, assessed the meeting as “inter- Saakashvili’s citizenship, he automatically acquired returned to Ukraine on September 10, with the help mentary majority Georgian Dream esting and constructive.” the status of ‘a person without citizenship perma- of his supporters, who broke through the line of (GD) was held on October 4 at the He said conversation mainly touched upon the nently residing in Ukraine,’ and, in line with Ukrain- security forces and pulled Saakashvili from neutral Presidential Palace. two topics that are included in the constitutional ian law, the extradition of such persons is prohib- territory between Poland and Ukraine, and onto TThe President’s Press Offi ce reports that Marg- amendments: abolition of a bonus system and ited,” he said. Ukrainian territory. velashvili emphasized the necessity of consensus allowing the formation of election blocks for the October 21 elections. “The President places special emphasis on reach- ing a consensus on the constitutional issues, fi nd- ing common viewpoints, and reaching all-encom- passing agreement on the Constitution; therefore, in the days to come, the President and his team will spare no efforts to fi nd common grounds to reach a consensus. If necessary, meetings will be held with everyone, including the ruling political party,” Abashishvili stated. Margvelashvili offered the Georgian Dream and other political parties the chance to meet and discuss the Constitution last week. The President has already met with representatives of about 20 political parties to discuss the same topic. However, Mamuka Mdinaradze, chairperson of the GD faction, says the president has not made a fi nal decision over the two issues. “It is up to the President. He must decide whether to refl ect these two issues in his notes or not. If this is not taken into consideration, we will natu- rally try to override the veto," Mdinaradze said, adding the President said that in a few days he will make his fi nal decision. The parliament adopted the constitutional draft with its third and fi nal reading on September 26 by 117 votes. The GD has 116 MPs in the 150-mem- ber parliament. The ruling party wants to make changes to the constitution following the Venice Commission’s preliminary report on the issue. The GD initiative includes abolition of a bonus system and allowing the formation of election blocks this year. The amendments envisage moving to a classical parliamentary model. They also imply moving to full proportional election system from 2024, instead of the previously promised 2020. The president and the opposition disagree with the majority over the latter. GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 NEWS 3 Georgian Political Parties Criticize Alliance of Patriots for Second Visit to Moscow

cussed the need for restoration of bilat- eral relations between Russia and Geor- gia and also about the functioning of a railway system via Abkhazia,” he added. Tamar Chugoshvili, the fi rst deputy chairperson of the Parliament of Geor- gia, negatively assessed the visit of APG to Russia. “I do not think that such meetings serve the interests of the country, especially Photo source: qzprod.fi les.wordpress.com with the conditions in the occupied ter- ritories: ethnic cleansing, ethnic perse- cution and discrimination of Georgians," Georgia Supports she said. The opposition parties claim the APG is a lobbyist of Russia in Georgian par- liament, where the party has six MPs. Sovereignty & Territorial The United National Movement (UNM) believes that the APG’s actions are agreed on with the government of Georgia. Integrity of Spain “Russia successfully continues a hybrid war against Georgia, and this is done with the support of the Georgian author- Catalonia. The turnout was low - around BY THEA MORRISON Photo source: Vestnik Kavkaza ities,” Roman Gotsiridze from the UNM 42% of the voter roll. Catalan authorities would be the main topics of the meeting. stressed. blamed the fi gure on the crackdown on BY THEA MORRISON One of the leaders of the APG, Irma Another parliamentary opposition the vote initiated by the national govern- Inashvili, called on the Georgian govern- party, European Georgia, also hints at he Ministry of Foreign ment. ment to use the opportunity to restore there being some ties between the Gov- Affairs (MFA) stated that Spain's national government in Madrid he Alliance of Patriots of political ties with Russia. ernment of Georgia and the APG. Georgia fully supports the has ardently resisted separation. In the Georgia (APG), a Georgian “The government should support the "It is damaging when one of the oppo- sovereignty and territorial run-up to the vote, national authorities parliamentary opposition creation of a new format: Georgia-NATO- sition forces of Georgian parliament integrity of the Kingdom seized ballot papers, voter lists and cam- party which is often affi li- Russia. This format will give us a chance speaks to the occupant country, and this Tof Spain within its internationally rec- paign material. ated with Russia, has to talk about security mechanisms and is naturally partially agreed with the ognized borders. Thousands of extra national police Tbecome the object of criticism of Geor- borders. The government of Georgia will government: they wanted to have such The statement was made after the ref- were sent to the region and high-ranking gian political parties once again after benefi t from this chance,” she stated. a political force in the Parliament of erendum held in Catalonia, a region in Catalan offi cials involved in organizing their second visit to Moscow. The Russian Communist Party Head, Georgia," Sergo Ratiani, member of the northeast of Spain, which showed the referendum were arrested. Videos Three members of the APG, Ada Mar- Leonid Kalashnikov, who met the APG European Georgia, said. that 90% of people supported the sepa- of police brutality towards apparently shania, Giorgi Lomia and Nato Chkhei- members in Moscow, stated that the Georgia and Russia cut diplomatic ties ration of the region from Spain. peaceful voters went viral on social dze, left for Moscow on October 1 in main topics of the meeting were human- in 2008 after the August War. Since then, “Georgia hopes that the situation in media. order to meet Russian Parliamentarians itarian cooperation issues and restora- meetings of the Georgian Prime Minis- the Kingdom of Spain will be peacefully Spain's highest court had ruled the vote for the second time. The previous visit tion of bilateral ties. ter's Special Envoy for Relations with regulated in full compliance with the illegal under the Spanish constitution. took place in June this year. Kalashnikov also mentioned that Geor- Russia, Zurab Abashidze, and the State principles of the country's legislation, Catalan offi cials called on the EU to Ada Marshania reported prior to the gia rejected Russia’s offer to help extin- Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister constitution and law," the Foreign Min- step in but the EU backed Madrid: the departure that the visit would last for guish large-scale fi re in Borjomi Gorge of Russia, Grigory Karasin, have been istry said. European Commission, the European several days and Georgia’s occupied ter- this summer, adding this was “not nice”. the only direct format of negotiations More than 2.25 million people turned Union's executive body, said the vote ritories and Georgia-Russian dialogue “With the Alliance of Patriots, we dis- between the two states. out to the October 1 referendum across was illegal. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 Commemorating the Fall of Sokhumi

never met, resulting in a resilient Abkhaz foreign policy whereby NATO powers resistance able to move about the terri- are quite hesitant to engage Moscow tory, as well as a steady stream of North directly. Caucasian fi ghters moving southwards We talked about the geopolitically to supplement it… On September 3, talks important Abkhazian route. But there is between Shevardnadze, Yeltsin and also another aspect which facilitates the Ardzinba were held in Moscow where Russian presence in the breakaway region. the Abkhaz leader signed a document Unlike South Ossetia, Abkhazia is in a authorizing the presence of Georgian much more comfortable geographic troops in Abkhazia. The talks fell through, position. Where South Ossetia lacks however, when Abkhaz forces recaptured natural barriers to defend it, Abkhazia, Gagra in October 1992”. by contrast, has the buffer of the Enguri Hostilities continued with the civilian River. To the east there is the Kodori population bearing the wrath of fi ghters Gorge, a narrow passage which serves from both sides, as villages were regu- as a natural division line between the larly burned and looted, and their inhab- breakaway territory and the rest of Geor- itants slaughtered or taken hostage. In gia. Thence comes the diffi culty to pre- November, the Abkhaz forces began their vail militarily over Sokhumi which, like siege on Sokhumi, and by February 1993, South Ossetia, hosts approximately 5,000 Russian planes had started bombing the Russian troops. This would largely explain city while Gamsakhurdia’s Zvidiast mili- why the Russians are not moving the tia began assaults on the back end of demarcation line in Abkhazia deeper Georgian forces. Finally, on July 27, 1993, into Georgia: there is simply no need to the end seemed to be at hand as another do so. Russian-brokered ceasefi re brought an Another reason for fostering the sepa- Geogrian refugees cross the Zugdidi bridge to relative safety. Photo by Mike Goldwater end to hostilities, with the subsequent ratist regime in Abkhazia was to get hold withdrawal of Georgian soldiers from of the military infrastructure built in to undermine the other’s authority. In Abkhazia. Believing that the war was Abkhazia during the Soviet period. Lit- BY EMIL AVDALIANI & MATE FOLDI December 1990, hardline separatist over, Georgian civilians returned to tle is known about it, but some of the Vladiszlav Ardzinba, (‘president’ of Abk- Sokhumi. Alas, it was not to be, as the facilities are of great value. hazia until 2005) was elected as chair- Abkhazian forces broke cease-fi re agree- Overall, support for Abkhazia aims at EORGIA TODAY takes an man of the Abkhaz Supreme Soviet, ment and recaptured Sokhumi on Sep- constantly pressuring the Georgian gov- in-depth look at the further sowing the seeds for confl ict as tember 27 with their largest offensive ernment by ramping up or cooling mil- moment that Georgia will his hostile relationship with Georgian yet, leading to the expulsion of 250,000 itary activities in the breakaway region. never forget. nationalist leader and soon to be fi rst The national Georgian civilians into Georgia proper, Georgia will always be interesting for President of Georgia, Zviad Gamsakhur- project of the and the near wholesale ethnic cleansing Moscow due to its geographical position GHISTORY OF THE dia, elected in the 1991 election boycotted of the Georgian population of Abkhazia. in the South Caucasus. And it is not only ABKHAZIAN CONFLICT by Abkhazians, threatened to push things Abkhaz was not about barring Tbilisi from joining NATO The collapse of the Soviet Union pre- over the brink. In August 1991, in an effort GEOPOLITICS OF THE or the EU: Russia’s goal historically has cipitated a host of confl icts on its former to defuse tensions, a power-sharing deal ABKHAZIAN CONFLICT been to minimize the importance of the territories. The 1992-1993 Georgian- was agreed for the composition of a new directed primarily Decades have passed since the confl ict Caucasus mountain range as a barrier Abkhazian war is arguably one of the Abkhaz parliament based on ethnic quo- and Russia (which played a dubious role between the South Caucasus and the most consequential, unresolved, and tas, where the ethnic Georgians that at political in the early 1990s fi ghting) is now only Russian mainland and Abkhazia is one deadliest of the lot. The exact number made up the vast majority of the local increasing its infl uence over the break- of the ways to implement this policy. of casualties has been hard to prove, but population were guaranteed 26/65 seats independence … away region, denying any possibility of At the same time, Moscow has been it is estimated by the Red Cross that as to the Abkhaz’s 28. Alas, Tbilisi’s back- compromise between Sokhumi and the clever enough not to strengthen Abkhazia many as 15,000 lives were lost, while ing for this arrangement would not last its main task was central government in Tbilisi. too much to avoid Abkhaz nationalism other sources claim that this is only half long as a mutiny in the National Guard Russia emerged little during the initial and at times even openly anti-Russian the real fi gure. The war also resulted in forced the Georgian President into exile to ensure the phase of the confl ict, but looking at this feelings. Moscow does much to minimize the displacement of a quarter-million in December of that year, with his posi- in hindsight, one could tell that, overall, Abkhazia’s internal stability. The idea is people. tion assumed by Eduard Shevardnadze. survival of the Moscow’s attitude towards the fi ghting to provide the ruling politicians with The roots of the confl ict can be under- In May 1992, levying accusations of was no different than in other confl icts money, while also boosting opposition stood through the prism of the different discrimination, a boycott was initiated Abkhaz as a across the former Soviet Union. In other forces to stage manifestations and even nationalisms of the Georgian and Abk- by the Georgian deputies in the Abkhaz words, if Russia has had a grand strategy cause resignations. An example of this hazian people, and the consequently Parliament, and a Georgian strike in distinct ethnic in its foreign policy realm, it certainly complicated situation is the return of parallel but differing national liberation Sokhumi was begun. Consequently, the involves the purposeful creation of con- Ankvab to Abkhazia several months ago. movements and narratives that were Abkhaz Ministry of Internal Affairs, group fl ict zones and their management through- Raul Khajimba’s government, fearful of a taking place at the time. As Ghia Nodia, Tbilisi’s last remaining outpost of author- troops headed for Sokhumi while a fur- out the post-Soviet space. reaction and not strong enough anyway, Georgian political analyst, explains: “The ity in the region, was attacked by Abk- ther 1000 landed in Gagra in the north- For the Russians, the fall of the Soviet were unable to forestall his election as PM. modern Georgian national project is that hazia’s National Guard. On July 23, with- west to seal off the Russian border. The Union was indeed the biggest geopo- Moscow is closely watching the devel- of a classical nation-state: based on the out the Georgian deputies, a resolution Abkhazian resistance was a lot stronger litical setback for Moscow, but keeping opments in the region as there are always idea that ‘we only want what belongs to restoring the 1925 Abkhaz constitution and more determined than initially 11 buffer states around Russia has elements in Abkhazia which do not agree us, but what does belong to us, we will and the province’s status as a sovereign anticipated, and heavy fi ghting broke remained a cornerstone of the Kremlin’s with being entirely pro-Russian. Many never give up.’ Abkhazia is part of Geor- public (within the former Soviet Union) out in Sokhumi and the surrounding foreign policy against Western infl uence. fear that Russian money will leave eth- gia because it was always part of Georgia was passed by the Abkhaz Parliament. area, with a temporary 3-day ceasefi re Politicians in Russia clearly saw that nic Abkhaz without land. Unlike South when Georgia was united. …The national Full-blown confl ict erupted on August coming to an end on August 18 and the because of Russia’s low economic poten- Ossetia, where the population numbers project of the Abkhaz was not directed 14 when the Georgian National Guard retaking of Sokhumi by Georgian forces tial, the South Caucasus states would are quite low and political life cannot primarily at political independence … was sent into Abkhazia to retrieve hos- together with the fl eeing of the Abkhaz inevitably turn to Europe. And it can be become violent, in Abkhazia, for Russia, its main task was to ensure the survival tages that had allegedly been taken there leadership to Russian military base rightly said that Russia has been foment- it is more prudent to have a divided of the Abkhaz as a distinct ethnic group…. (three days earlier, forces loyal to Gam- ‘Gudauta’. Indeed, it seemed as if Tbilisi ing and managing the Abkhazia, South political spectrum; a divided society to create a separate Abkhaz identity askhurdia in Mingrelia kidnapped the had prevailed, prompting Shevardnadze Ossetia, Transnistria and east Ukraine where neither of the sides can gain the rooted in the western Caucasian region”. minister of the interior and the national to declare that “Georgian authority has confl icts in the last 25 years to deny Mol- upper hand as a policy which will help Back in the days of Stalin, many ethnic security advisor, amongst others). The been restored throughout the entire ter- dova, Georgia and Ukraine their pro- Moscow hold off any anti-Russian senti- Georgians were forcefully resettled in hostage mission turned into combat ritory of the republic”. The achievement western aspirations. ment gaining momentum. This, in the Abkhazia, which led to increasing Abk- between Georgian and Abkhaz forces of this goal, however, proved problem- There is a number of reasons why longer run, will help Russia to further haz fears for the loss of their homeland. defending Sokhumi as the former’s tanks atic, as Alexandros Petersen, Southeast Moscow has been supporting breakaway its military and economic infl uence on To that end, in 1956, 1967, and 1978, Abk- entered the city. It is believed that Abk- Europe Policy Scholar at the Woodrow Abkhazia. For Russia, Abkhazia is one political life in Abkhazia. hazian leaders petitioned the Kremlin haz forces fi rst engaged their adversaries Wilson International Center for Schol- of three major routes through which Russian support for Abkhazia is deeply to remove Abkhazia from Georgia and in Ilovi, 50 kilometers from their capital. ars, explains: “tactical objectives … seem Moscow can physically enter the South rooted Moscow’s geopolitical calcula- incorporate it into Russia. However, Ardzinba denied Georgian claims that to have been to secure the main north- Caucasus region. Two other routes are tions not only towards Tbilisi, but the instead of agreeing to these demands, he was notifi ed of their intentions to west-to- southeast road running through the Roki Pass in South Ossetia (Samach- wider South Caucasus. This is Russia’s Moscow gradually began implementing enter Abkhazia. Abkhazia… to seal off the mountain passes ablo); and the one along the Caspian Sea geopolitical imperative and Moscow will a host of preferential policies towards It is estimated that up to 5000 Georgian to the North Caucasus. These… were coast from Dagestan to Azerbaijan. Rus- continue pursuing this narrative further the Abkhazians, which by the tail end of sia has consistently dominated the three as western infl uence in the former Soviet the 1980s resulted in them enjoying a Refugees carrying possessions on their backs begin routes over several centuries, and when Union increases along with pressure on higher standard of living, and the most the long climb over the 2,780 metre high Chuberi threatened with western encroachment, Moscow. powerful political positions in Abkhaz Pass, fl eeing from Abkhazian Svaneti into Georgia. it has been open to using military force hands. This inequality increased the Photo by Mike Goldwater just as it did in 2008 when there was a ethnic tensions between the Georgian real possibility of Georgia moving closer majority, who by 1989 made up 45.7% of to NATO or, more generally, to the EU. the population, and the Abkhaz minor- The control of the Abkhazian route ity (17.8%), in what was then known as allows Russia not only to quickly deploy the Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Social- its forces in the breakaway region but, Villages were ist Republic (ASSR). While there had in case of urgency, also threaten Geor- been historical precedent for said move- gia’s entire Black Sea coast. Remember ments, the chaotic break-up of the Soviet what happened in 2008 when Russian regularly burned Union and the resultant policies of the forces entered Poti and other Black Sea Kremlin allowed for these historical ten- locations? Moscow understands that and looted, and sions to boil-over into armed confl ict. without control over Abkhazia (and In the years until the eruption of hos- South Ossetia), it would have been sim- their inhabitants tilities in 1992, a so-called ‘war of laws’ ply shut off from processes in the South took place between the Georgian and Caucasus. Thus, this projection of mili- slaughtered or Abkhaz Supreme Soviets as each sought tary power serves the basis of Moscow’s taken hostage

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 Mike Goldwater on the Day Georgia “Lost” Abkhazia

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY The morning after the Abkhazian advance refugees gather on the VAZHA TAVBERIDZE Georgian side of the Zugdidi bridge and stare across at the Abkhazian tanks. Photo by Mike Goldwater

eptember 27, the day Sokhumi fell to Abkhazian troops, remains one of the darkest leaves in Georgia’s modern history. Other Abkhazian cit- Sies were soon to follow and tens of thou- sands of Georgian refugees had to embark on a perilous journey through the moun- tainous Chuberi Pass to make it to safety. There are a few photos and pieces of footage depicting this journey, but none as vivid and visceral as those taken by award-winning British photographer Mike Goldwater. Goldwater, at the time an up-and-com- ing pro, founded a photo agency together with friends and approached the Inde- pendent Magazine, inquiring whether they would be interested in him fl ying over to the South Caucasus and cover- ing the Abkhazian confl ict. They duly consented and after making a couple of calls with the then-Georgian administra- tion, he found himself on a plane to Tbi- lisi. Shortly after his arrival, he found a travel mate, “a Polish guy, also a photog- rapher, named Cris,” and together they left for Sokhumi. However, as it turned out, the city fell while they were on the way, so they decided to go to the town of Ochamchire instead, believing it would become the new frontline. From there, as fate would have it, their journey was anything but mundane, with their fi rst just about to unfold… The second time Gamsakhurdia and Shevardnadze, I don’t was in my camera vest, they found it, more ways than one. Everybody was involuntary stop coming at the behest I saw him was in Ochamchire, the day think the Abkhazian’s would have tried there was another round of “Oo Gam- fl eeing south to Zugdidi: people knew of none other than the fi rst president of before everybody fl ed. He was saying a landgrab the way they did”. sakhurdia? No problem, Gamsakhurdia!” that once they were past that bridge, Georgia, Zviad Gamsakhurdia himself. ‘we’re going to hold the town,’ giving out “When Ochamchire fell and everybody and eventually they gave me all my stuff they were safe. But they also knew that 24 years on, Goldwater sat down with orders and things like that… Later that was trying to get out of there as fast as back. So I was standing there, next to they were leaving behind everything GEORGIA TODAY to speak publicly for day, we spent some time with the gov- possible towards Zugdidi, with the road the road, having gone through this trauma, they had: their houses, belongings, their the fi rst time about his Abkhazian adven- ernment troops who were preparing to literally swamped with people and vehi- and someone, an elderly woman actu- life… And stepping into an unpredictable ture, a tale told with a sort of jovial sad- fi ght Abkhazians. And later on, I discov- cles, some of them even without wheels, ally, from a nearby house who was get- future. It was a massive exodus inside ness as he looks back to what transpired ered that the government troops had I suddenly spotted a tank trundling ting ready to evacuate, came over to us their own country. As for that photo, I in those dark days. been disarmed by Gamsakhurdia’s peo- amongst the civilians. Gamsakhurdia’s and said: ‘I saw what happened to you, remember it was early morning and the ple. I remember asking myself ‘what’s tank. I thought – what on earth are they come and have some plum wine!’ So we people that had fl ocked to Zugdidi bridge, GAMSAKHURDIA going on?’ How come these people are doing there in this crowd of fl eeing peo- went with her, drank some plum wine, instead of crossing, just stood there, with “We were stopped somewhere near Gali squabbling among themselves in the face ple? So I took some pictures of this tank. and got back to normal... She was really vacant stares, watching as Abkhazian by Gamsakhurdia’s security forces, were of impending invasion? Couldn’t get my And it was towing a luxury soviet Volga, sweet and caring and this at the moment tanks rolled across… It was a sublimely told that we had to meet him, and then head around it. I’m no expert, but you with armed soldiers in it. One of them, her family was hauling their stuff out of poignant moment. I stood on top of the frog-marched right into his offi ce. We didn’t need to be one to fi gure out that when he sees me taking pictures, jumps there…” bridge parapets to get the view of the took some pictures, made a small inter- it was not the cleverest thing to do”. out of the car, pulls two guns on me and crowd and… There was not one smiling view… But the main thing was he gave Interrupting, we remark that Gam- says: Give me the camera! I did. He took ZUGDIDI BRIDGE face there. In Georgia people smile, right? us his press-pass, so we now had two sakurdia, as disputed as his legacy might both of my cameras and even my pho- Among his photos, all of them visceral, It was just the moment of realization, passes – one from him, one from the be, has retained a staunch base of dimin- tographer’s vest. So I’m standing there, one in particular hits hard: Georgian when it dawned upon them just how Tbilisi government…” ishing supporters to this day, and is on the road, with no passport, no money, refugees standing on Zugdidi Bridge much was going to be lost… What eve- When asked what his impressions of widely thought of as the one who was no camera, no fi lm with a guy waving looking at the Abkhazian tanks rolling rybody would lose, because there was Georgia’s highly divisive fi rst President betrayed, the rightful president of the his guns around. And then he forced me towards Sokhumi. We ask Goldwater to just no way back… And this weighed were, Goldwater takes a moment to pon- country and not vice versa… And we get on top of the tank. I was sitting on the share his fi rst-hand experience of what them down heavily. As it turned out, der. He underlines he was a “cultured a fi rm rebuttal. tank, as he went through all my stuff. it was like to be there; what were the later on, some of them tried to sneak man, but…” and that ‘but’ is the size of “Be that as it may,” he says, “it was evi- Soon Cris joined me, too. And then emotions of these forlorn, desperate back to grab some things they’d left elephant. We press on to get more out dent that everybody was exasperated another photographer. Cris spoke good people? What he says partly explains behind, and some of those who dared to of him and he complies, chuckling. with how it was turning out; how it played Russian and he told the soldiers, that we why his photos fell so real and vivid- this do it had to pay with their lives…” “It’s not only how he came across as a right into enemy hands. It was the wrong had a pass from Gamsakhurdia. Gam- man had an emphatic link to people person, but how he behaved. How he, in time and wrong place for this confron- sakhurdia? Oh, Gamsakhurdia! – was the around him. You can read the second part of Mike Gold- a way, precipitated the disaster that was tation. If not for this confl ict between animated answer. So I told them my pass “Zugdidi Bridge was a key location in water’s Abkhazian Adventure in the next issue.

Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected]

GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 The Obscure Imprints of the German Elections

OP-ED BY ISIDOROS KARDERINIS

he German elections of September 24, due to the country’s specifi c political, fi nancial and historical strength, have undoubtedly been at the center of international and European interest. TTheir results were marked by the winning of the Christian Union CDU / CSU led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, even with a lower percent, 33%, than that achieved in the Federal elections of 2013 (41.5%), the contraction (20.5% down from 25.7% in 2013) of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Martin Schulz, and also by the entry in the Federal Parliament of the AfD party, the most dangerous far-right party in Europe due to the size of Germany and to the dramatic historical events that changed the course of the 20th century. Germans, it is more than obvious, are grateful to Chancellor Merkel for their well-being; their high standard of living, compared with that of other European peoples; for combating unemployment effectively (the unemployment rate is at histori- cally low levels, only 3.9% of the workforce); and, of course, for the budget surpluses. So, for all these reasons, they gave her a fourth term in the Chan- cellery, something achieved previously only by Konrad Adenauer, the reformer of postwar Ger- many and Helmut Kohl, the father of the reunifi ca- tion of Germany. and overstretched the Southern European countries -“People consider him a good player, but they would On the other side, Chancellor Merkel’s victory and especially Greece and therefore, along the road, not want him as their neighbor”- indicate in the and the formation of a government with potential it will lead, with mathematical precision, the entire clearest way that this party has indeed inherited partners, whoever they may be, obviously implies European project to a serious risk of collapse. the loathsome traditions of the assault battalions the continuation of a policy of extreme austerity At the same time, the historically high percent of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party and faithful implementation of the "sacred" rules (12.6%) of the far-right xenophobic and anti-immi- of Adolf Hitler in the decade of 1930, regarding the of budgetary discipline, since it serves Germany grant “Alternative for Germany” (AfD), which, for Aryan race. in a very visible way. However, the implementation the fi rst time was able not only to enter the Bun- A far-right xenophobic What is the reason, however, for the frantic rise of this policy, for years now, has already strained destag but also to become the third largest party of this racist political formation which wants, among and anti-immigrant other things, to change the attitude of Germany in order to stop the manifestation of remorse for the party entered the horrible Nazi crimes? Defi nitely a key cause is the refugee and migration crisis which has recently Bundestag for the fi rst assumed gigantic proportions and which over- stretches European countries and, of course, Ger- time since WWII and many. On this basis of ongoing refugee and migra- tion fl ows, instead of the developed world building the collapse of the a democratic and progressive refugee and immi- gration policy showing compassion and solidarity, Nazi regime in 1945 the spiky fl owers of evil grow, and inhuman, fascist policies and hatred rhetoric emerge triumphant in Germany as a whole and the second largest one against persecuted and unfortunate people who City Center is 4-star hotel in the center of Tbilisi City. With our wonderful staff and service, in the eastern federal states, is a particularly obscure fl ed their homes under the most tragic circum- the hotel is packed to the brim with that world renowned Georgian culture, cuisine and hospital- imprint of the German elections and considerably stances, seeking light far from the horrible, deadly ity- everything you need to make your stay perfect! enhances the right-wing populists and extremists darkness of war and extreme poverty, with hope Want a top location and calm environment? Hotel City Center is the place for you! across the continent. It is the fi rst time since the for a better and more peaceful future. Feel the comfort of stylish and tastefully decorated rooms: City Center provides the ideal place Second World War and the collapse of the Nazi Moreover, another important reason for the rapid to unwind or catch up on work. Explore the different types of rooms and choose a space that's regime in 1945 that such a thing has happened, a rise of the far-right AfD is the full use, by the offi - right for you. fact that undoubtedly constitutes a negative mile- cials of this political formation, of Islamic terrorist Whether it’s time for a board meeting and trainings or you need a fi tness club to work out in, stone in German history. incidents and of criminal events who connect them be sure that you’ve found the perfect place. And that’s not all! We know that dining is not only At this point, it should be noted that in the elec- to the infl ux of refugees and immigrants from about food; it’s also about atmosphere and good service, and that is something we at City Center tions of September 2013, the party AfD, which was Islamic countries: during the election period, they hotel pride ourselves on, so come along and try out our restaurant and café. born that same year from the reaction of a number made sure to remind voters about the Berlin Christ- of Germans against the Southern European coun- mas massacre and the sexual attacks against young tries, took 4.7% percent of the votes and did not German women by Arab immigrants at New Year enter Parliament. However, with its current entry, 2016 in Cologne. the hardcore far-right and xenophobic members Finally, the seeds of extreme and xenophobic of AfD, for many people considered authentic heirs views are much better incubated as a new "snake of the Nazis, are bound to exert strong pressure on egg" in prosperous northern societies that feel Chancellor Merkel to change the liberal democratic threatened by the "poor people" of the south, to face she showed on immigration, terrorism and whom they have attributed various negative ste- security matters, for example, the open borders reotypes, and of course, by the refugees and immi- policy which resulted in the entry of many refugees grants. and migrants in Germany in September 2015. Of In conclusion, the imprints of the German elec- course, in reality, this policy is not motivated by tions are obscure for the poorer Southern Europe philanthropic feelings but it is based on Germany's countries in diffi culty, since the German policy of interest, as every year the country needs half a mil- austerity is not going to change even a little, for lion immigrants in order to continue its existence the democratic citizens of Germany and for the as an economic power and in order to effectively whole of Europe which watches with horror the support its social system. nightmarish onslaught of the fascist, racist and The statement made by the co-chairman of the xenophobic political entities. ,AfD party, Frauke Petry, during a speech in Stutt- gart, where she compared a society incorporating Isidoros Karderinis is a novelist, poet and columnist. He migrants to a “compost heap”, her approach on has studied economics and has completed postgraduate surveillance of the border by German guards who studies in the tourism economy. Articles of his have been will shoot any refugee or immigrant attempting to republished in newspapers, magazines and sites world- pass illegally, but also the statement of the other wide. His poems have been translated into English, French Address: Queen Tamar Avenue #24 co-chairman of AfD Alexander Gauland a few days and Spanish and published in literary magazines and liter- Website: www.citycenter.ge before the 2016 Euro regarding the great black ary sections of newspapers. He has published seven poetry German-Ghanaian player of Bayern and of the Ger- books and two novels. His novels and three of his poetry Email: [email protected] man National Football Team Jerome Boateng, books have been published in USA and Great Britain. GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 POLITICS 9 The Anti-Trump: Oprah for President?

herself! Oprah has recently moved from soft to OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE hard journalism, having landed in one of the major fi elds of glamorous political broadcasting. Didn’t you know? Of course, you did: she would never ho would disagree with the state- pounce at anything less than the renowned ‘60 ment that America is a very Minutes’. The famous American media proprietor, serious country, in fact, the only actress, producer, philanthropist and political talk country in the world that can show hostess of a cosmic caliber, might also seize claim the planet as a showground upon the White House! Just think about it: ‘Make Wfor its own will and dictate?! America is a country America Great Again’ is doomed to sink into obliv- which can afford grandiose experiments in politics, ion as the message fl ips to: ‘Be your Best Self’. How both foreign and domestic. America has enough about that? power to pay for its own little quirks and whims, And the funniest part of the big and almost break- always electing its darlings as presidents. And not ing news for us Georgians? Not only are Georgian only that! America can afford abrupt alteration in journalists tempted to get themselves into big politics, and, as a rule, it enjoys these sudden shifts. politics, but American media biggies are setting an Some ten years ago, America wanted an African example! And now, I would love for all of you to American leader of the nation and elected one as lend your eye to what I read in the American press chief exec, having probed into a peculiar political a couple of days ago. I am quoting the lovely excerpt stint for a change. America has in recent years word for word, without even a feather-touch of Oprah Winfrey for the next US President? Photo source: buzznigeria.com tasted the fruits of Kennedy’s charisma and Carter’s change: “If you need to set a thief to catch a thief, humility, Reagan’s spontaneity and Clinton’s tenac- you need a star, a grand, outsized, fearless star billion herself and with no controversy. She is, in Obama’s landing in the White house stopped for- ity, Bush’s clannishness and Nixon’s craftiness, whom Trump can neither intimidate nor outshine, herself, the embodiment of the American Dream. ever the two-and-a-half century long white male Obama’s narcissism and Trump’s wildness. The to catch a star. We’re through the looking glass here. He got famous from TV, and so did she, but she supremacy in the American electoral realm. Now White House has seen thousands of motley days America is discarding old approaches in politics. became vastly more famous and vastly more suc- there looms a chance on America’s shimmering in the hands of its drastically contrasting owners, Democrats will have to do the same to match the cessful at it. Oprah would need that, too. She can’t political horizon that a female-non-white resident who still look alike like drops of water even in their mood to the moment. And that’s where Oprah just be the anti-Trump. She would have to fi nd a might conquer America’s shiny political Olympus, disparity. Now rumor has it that the whitest house Winfrey comes in. She is the mirror image of Trump, transcendent message of her own that rose above thus gagging the world once again from nasty com- in the world is getting ready to carry on with its but more so. Of course, she’s female and he’s male; Democratic constituent service and spoke to the ments on American society’s sense of freedom and outlandish experiments in its glittering presidential she’s America’s generous aunt and he’s America’s right people in the right states to take the fi ght to democracy. Move over, the domineering tyrannical incumbency. crazy uncle. And yes, she’s black and he’s white, Trump’s underbelly. She can do it, in theory. The machos! Feminism is gathering momentum afresh The other day, I came across news online that for she’s liberal and he’s whatever he is. It goes beyond question is: Would she want to?” Isn’t this some- with totally new tints and shades. Next will a gay, 2020 the democrats’ best hope is Oprah Winfrey that. He’s rich and she’s rich, but she made her $3 thing, folks? darling. What a hack! Headaches in Abkhazia During the military parade on September 30, on an armored vest prior to making a speech at a Khajimba faced a diffi cult day, just like his prede- parade celebrating independence, so that a sniper cessor Aleksandr Ankvab did. On the last parade doesn’t shoot him right on the tribune... Whether of his presidency, Ankvab had an armored vest on. Khajimba put on the same vest on September 30 Crazy? The so-called president, whose territories is not clear, but he has already proved that he is are protected by the powerful Russian army, puts not fond of public celebrations anymore...

Russian President Vladimir Putin with de facto Abkhaz President Raul Khajimba. Photo source: http://static.kremlin.ru Ankara does not recognize Abkhazian independ- OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA ence and the activities of Abkhazian diaspora living in Turkey should not become a reason for tense relations with one of our main trading and trans- wenty-four years have passed since port partners. Moscow has a completely different the fall of Sokhumi. On September 27, position, as the North Caucasian problem is still 1993, the city was taken by North Cau- unresolved, the “Circassian Bomb” is ticking and casian militants and Abkhazian fi ght- they are far from wanting the Turkish “soft power” ers. Three days later, the separatist to come along the Black Sea coast which would Tmilitary units had reached the River Enguri and increase its power through trade and informational, the war that began on August 14th ended. cultural and other mediums. Ceremonies to commemorate the fact, similar in It is no longer a secret that Turkish companies form but different in content, are celebrated annu- are exporting coal from Khajimba’s home town ally both in Tbilisi and Sokhumi. Veterans, govern- Tkvarcheli and that he has personal business inter- ment offi cials and families visit the memorials of ests. Khajimba’s government previously argued those who died during the war, recall the 24 sub- that the agreements were made only with 10% of sequent years of drama, light candles and leave... the companies, the ones that Abkhazia had attracted only to meet again the following year, on that same independently of Russia. But Moscow fi nds this spot and pay tribute to their soldiers. logic absurd: fi rst of all, if not for those 90%, the This year was no exception for Tbilisi, unlike in 10% would not exist and, most importantly, the Sokhumi, where the ceremony held in the Park of moment Russia closes its market to Abkhazian Glory started and ended earlier than planned. The products (citrus, tea, mineral water, vegetables, workload of de-facto president Raul Khajimba was etc.) everything will be over. Nevertheless, the named as the reason, whose appearance in public source of Khajimba’s main headache is different. has, by the way, been decreasing recently. Locals Surkov will be more interested in the law on Free link his fading out of public life to the increasingly Trade of Real Estate, which has not been adopted criminal situation, budget plundering and unful- despite Khajimba guaranteeing this to the Kremlin. fi lled promises given to Moscow. Khajimba is hav- Surkov will demand that the Abkhazian govern- ing hard times for sure, since soon they have to ment quickly adopt it, so that Russian citizens can host an offi cial delegation from Moscow and Chief begin purchasing property, that is about 40-50 Curator of Abkhazia, Vladimir Surkov, for a “sol- thousand houses and apartments that earlier emn” military parade. And the latter will defi nitely belonged to Georgians. Ethnic cleansing organizers be asking questions for details about Khajimba’s had a plan to sell this property to Abkhazian dias- “love story” with Turkey. pora residing in Turkey, but failed to do so, which Moscow has been irritated by the Turkish-Abk- is an interesting phenomenon, proving that the hazian relations, which are becoming ever fi rmer, diaspora do not wish to settle in Russian-controlled and which should also worry Tbilisi. However, for Abkhazia, having as it does zero prospects of inde- now, Georgian diplomacy chooses pragmatism, as pendent development. GEORGIA TODAY 10 BUSINESS OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 Forbes: Georgia's Tourism Strategy is Starting to Pay Off

Most EU Countries in

"Georgia has always been synonymous BY THEA MORRISON with a culture of hospitality and warmth; visitors are said to be “gifts from God," the magazine says. Favor of Negotiations opular American business "Georgia has all the makings of the magazine Forbes has dedi- next great tourist destination: an impres- cated an article to Georgia, sive list of UNESCO world heritage sites, which reads that Georgia takes rugged alpine villages with monasteries its tourism very seriously. dating back to the Middle Ages and a P"Clearly having jumped from 2.8 mil- renowned cuisine," the article reads. on Nord Stream-2 lion visitors in 2011 to six million in 2016 It also reads that Georgia has distinct is a big deal in this former Soviet Repub- wine traditions dating back 8,000 years, by the EU Council. Nord Stream 2 does not apply to all the BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE lic situated between Europe, Russia and picturesque hill towns reminiscent of According to Cañete, when the EU rules of the internal market of the Euro- the Middle East," the article says, adding Italy’s Tuscany and hundreds of indig- Council began discussing the mandate, pean Union, the third energy package, that new fl ight routes have launched enous grape varieties. most of the EU members supported the since the pipe will not pass through the from cities around Europe and this year "At a recent travel forum, the Georgian ost EU countries sup- initiative. land part of the EU. Therefore, the EC Georgia made the Conde Nast Traveler’s government laid out its ambitious goals port the granting of a "Three different approaches to the wants to agree with Russia on a number list of hottest upcoming wine destina- for the tourism industry: Build 25 new mandate to the Euro- mandate can be singled out at this stage. of key principles that it intends to extend tions. hotels in next two years, improve infra- pean Commission to The fi rst is that there is a signifi cant to the operation of the gas pipeline. The article reads that in 2015, the Geor- structure, work with locals to develop negotiate with Moscow number of EU countries that clearly sup- Among them, transparency of the gas gian government partnered with the guest houses along the Black Sea coast Mon the creation of a special legal frame- port the mandate, the second is a group pipeline operation, non-discriminatory World Bank to develop a cohesive strat- and elevate tourism standards. The coun- work for the operation of the Nord of countries that are fairly neutral to the establishment of tariffs for pumping gas, egy to attract high-value tourists from try’s overall goal is to reach $6.6 billion Stream-2 pipeline, European Commis- idea; and only a small number of EU access of third parties to pumping "blue around the globe. in tourism dollars by 2025," Forbes says. sioner for Energy and Climate Miguel states at this stage are (against the man- fuel", as well as separation of its sale and Arias Cañete said. date) for various reasons: either they transportation. The European Commission is trying consider it unnecessary, or because they The Nord Stream-2 project involves to extend a number of EU regulations believe (the proposal) is not ambitious the construction of two strings of a gas to the future gas pipeline, into the enough, " Cañete noted. pipeline with a total capacity of 55 bil- Georgian-Italian Business frames of which it does not currently At the same time, Cañete added that lion cubic meters of gas per year from fall. In summer, the European Com- the European Commission believes Nord the Russian coast through the Baltic Sea mission approved a draft mandate for Stream 2 may negatively affect a number to Germany. The new pipeline is planned Forum Starts in Tbilisi conducting relevant negotiations with of routes of gas transit to the European to be built next to the "Nord Stream" Russia. This mandate must be approved Union, including Ukrainian ones. pipeline. Turkey Approves Environmental Report on Shelf Area of Turkish Pipeline

BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE

he report on the environ- mental impact assessment (EIA) for the offshore sec- Photo Source: imedinews.ge tion of the Turkish gas Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili pipeline has been approved BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI met with Scalfarotto and the Italian Tby the Ministry of Environment and business delegation members at an offi - Urban Development of Turkey. cial dinner, where they noted that Italy “The Commission studied and evalu- he Georgian-Italian Busi- has been one of the main supporters of ated the EIA report, which was submit- ness Forum started in Tbi- Georgian sovereignty and territorial ted to our Ministry for the offshore sec- lisi at the Iota Hotel on integrity from the moment the country tion of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline. Wednesday. Giorgi Gakha- regained its independence. Kvirikashvili Our ministry has made a positive deci- ria, Minister of Economy talked about the reforms that are being sion,” the Ministry stated on its website. Tand Sustainable Development of Georgia implemented across the various spheres The construction of the shelf section and Ivan Scalfarotto, Deputy of the Min- in Georgia, introduced the government’s of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline was ister of Economic Development of Italy Four Point Reform Plan, and discussing started by Russian Gazprom in May. The opened the forum. the free trade agreements signed with gas main will consist of two lines, the The Italian delegation attending the the EU and neighboring countries and, capacity of each being 15.75 billion cubic funds for the implementation of the to the implementation of the Turkish forum consists of over 30 of the largest most recently, the free trade agreement meters. The fi rst thread, the construc- Turkish Stream project to the amount Stream project, since this pipeline will company representatives from the agri- signed with China. tion of which is still actively implemented, of approximately 50 billion Rubles, pend- become the key in the region and will culture, telecommunication, and tourism During the meeting with Italian del- will send gas to consumers in Turkey ing approval by the company's manage- affect all segments of the regional industries. egation members, Georgia’s Prime and is expected to be put into operation ment of the draft investment program energy sector,” the head of the Turkish Bilateral meetings with Georgian-Italian Minister discussed the foreign policy in March 2018. The second line is intended for 2017. Meanwhile, at the beginning of Ministry of Energy and Natural company representatives will be held of the country, cooperation with the to supply Russian "blue fuel" to the 2017, Gazprom said that the holding Resources, Berat Albayrak, said. “Today, during the event, the Georgian-Italian EU and NATO, and noted that territo- countries of South and South-Eastern planned to allocate 41.92 billion Rubles Turkey is a world record holder in Business forum being a continuation of rial integrity and stability in Georgia Europe and is set to open in 2019. for the construction of the Turkish Stream terms of growth in energy consump- the one held in Italy, where over 260 com- still remains top of the government Earlier it was reported that Gazprom gas pipeline. tion, which requires a corresponding panies from both countries participated. agenda. was considering allocating additional “Turkey attaches great importance increase in investment”.

GEORGIA TODAY 12 BUSINESS OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 Draft Budget for 2018 Russia Makes Turkmenistan Sees Defense, Justice & Economy Ministry Budgets Proposals in Oil & Gas

Reduced, Education Up BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE

ussia has asked Turkmeni- stan to join the OPEC + deal to reduce oil production in order to stabilize the world’s oil market, and to resume jointR projects in the gas sector, stated Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak. "We invited our colleagues to partici- pate in the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries, as well as in the agreement between the OPEC countries and non- OPEC," Novak said, noting that Turk- menistan is ready to be an observer, not formally entering into an agreement, and also to participate in discussion of the situation developing in the hydrocarbon to GEL 253.8 million. raw materials markets. According to reserves of "blue fuel," agreements, Gazprom acted as the oper- BY THEA MORRISON The funding of the Justice Ministry According to Novak, although Turk- Turkmenistan occupies fourth place in ator for the transit of Turkmen gas through will also be reduced slightly: it will have menistan extracts and sells oil, it does the world after Russia, Iran and Qatar. those territories. GEL 62 million instead of GEL 62.015 so in small amounts. For a long time, the main buyer of Turk- Throughout the 1990s and most of the n 2018, Georgia is to have an million. Russian President Vladimir Putin offi - men gas was Russia, in particular, 2000s, Turkmenistan sold the bulk of increased budget amounting to The budget of the Ministry of Internal cially visited Turkmenistan and held Gazprom. But after a series of scandals Russia's produced gas, and the remain- 12,364,500,000 GEL, 949 million Affairs will be increased by GEL 20 mil- talks with the leader of the state, Gur- connected with price disagreements, the der was supplied to Iran. Due to the lack GEL more compared to 2017. lion GEL to GEL 605 million. banguly Berdimuhamedov, during which Russian gas holding stopped buying gas of other export infrastructure, Russia's Georgia’s draft budget for 2018, Education, Infrastructure and Health the key issues of bilateral cooperation in Turkmenistan. vast pipeline network was the only export Iwhich has already been submitted to ministries will also see increased fund- in the political, trade-economic, scien- In April 2003, Russia and Turkmenistan outlet for Turkmenistan. Parliament for approval, will decrease ing next year. tifi c-educational and cultural-humani- signed an agreement on cooperation in For many years, Gazprom was the only the funding of the Defense, Economy The Health ministry budget will increase tarian spheres were considered. the gas industry for 25 years. As part of intermediary available to the former and Energy Ministries. by GEL 111.2 million and will amount to Novak said that Russia and Turkmen- the agreement, the parties entered into president of Turkmenistan, Niyazov, The Defense Ministry in 2018 will GEL 3,527,000,000 million, while the istan are considering joint projects for a long-term contract for the purchase which bought Turkmen gas at low prices receive GEL 702 million instead of this Infrastructure and regional Development the extraction and sale of Turkmen gas. and sale of Turkmen natural gas. and sold it at high prices. In the end, year’s GEL 748 million. Ministry budget will be increased by "Historically, we worked together with Deliveries were made through the sys- Turkmenistan rebelled. At present, the The Energy Ministry will receive GEL GEL 572 million. Turkmenistan to buy Turkmen gas. We tem of transit gas pipelines ‘Central Asia Turkmen gas market is reoriented to 131 million instead of GEL 132.3 million The Education Ministry funding will are looking at projects for the extraction – Center’, passing through the territory supplying fuel to China, which invested and the funding of the Ministry of Econ- be increased by GEL 62.6 million and and sale of Turkmen gas," the Russian of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Russia. considerable funds in the gas transpor- omy will be reduced by GEL 116 million will amount to GEL 1,178,770,000. minister said. In accordance with intergovernmental tation structure of Turkmenistan.

GEORGIA TODAY 14 SOCIETY OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 Bohemian Rhapsody: Tbilisi

BLOG BY TONY HANMER

ow did an American family end up acquiring Georgian citizenship and starting the most successful pizza chain in Georgia? Who ARE these people? HEric and Amy Binder actually grew up in Central and South America; both are artists, and they have three sons. They have lived in Georgia for more than a decade, and have designed and built their own house in Tbilisi, as well as naming their fran- chise after both of their fathers: Ronny’s Pizza. Ronny’s began with its original location on Gam- sakhurdia Avenue, soon moving a short distance to Vazha-Pshavela. It has since added a branch on Paliashvili Str. in Vake, with a third due to open before the end of 2017 in Gldani. Business is fl our- ishing, with eat-in, take-out, online ordering and delivery options available of the best pizza around. While I was in Tbilisi, I caught up with the Bind- ers at home a few days ago, in a huge kitchen-living room-dining room open plan space, with beauti- fully naturally-textured raw concrete the main indoor material and a massive set of glass doors overlooking the city of Tbilisi. Oil-painted canvases stretched on wood frames are scattered over the walls and stacked vertically on the fl oor; white ones await inspiration. The fall’s meager but delicious harvest of wine grapes cover an island in the kitchen waiting to be pressed. We stopped on the way home to have some choice cuts of steak ground for the evening’s homemade fl ame-grilled burgers, which are defi nitely a cut above anything else. Here is a family which loves and achieves quality in design and execution, no matter the medium. I dossed down for the night on an opened-out an industrial heat gun turned low to roast the beans paper into a jar, and the elixir is ready. I might be since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early sofa-bed, and next morning Eric gave me my fi rst in a small porcelain bowl, lets their skins fall through accused of adulterating it with milk AND sugar, 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook ever cup of coffee from freshly roast and ground a coarse mesh screen, cools them briefl y, and uses but he was diplomatic enough to say nothing of group, now with over 1700 members, at www.facebook. green beans, thus ensuring my near-addiction to a hand burr grinder. A precise timing in water of my taste. As for you, you can try the fresh roasted com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ this freshest possible version of the drink. He uses exactly the right temperature, fi ltering through beans in your own order, they way you like it, at He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: Ronny’s, too. www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti The result? As good as it sounds, every bit. I’m not going to exceed the “recommended daily allow- ance”, but I did go out and buy myself one of those heat guns and begin seeking the green beans here in the city. Having seen the process from start to fi nish, realizing by my own comparison that fresh- roasted beans are much more richly fl avorful then those left a long time, I know that this is another product that Hanmer Guest House can offer its guests to stand out. We, too, love quality. The green beans also have the great advantage that they can be left raw much more successfully than roasted ones. How can I ever go back? The newest Ronny’s location, opening in bustling, booming Gldani very soon, is literally two minutes’ walk from our fl at. So, although we are rarely in Tbilisi (this might improve once we downsize the cow herd to zero), it seems likely to become a favorite evening out for us. I can hardly wait.

https://www.ronnyspizza.com/

Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti Photo source: http://i.huffpost.com

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FIRST BRAND HOTEL IN KUTAISI UNDER BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL Within the framework of the Georgian Hotels’ Regional Three mobile conference halls are available with a total Network Development Project “12 hotels in 12 regions” by capacity of about 100 persons. GHYHORSPHQWFRPSDQ\³6LPHWULD´WKH¿UVWEUDQGKRWHOKDV been opened in Kutaisi under the Best Western International (XURSHDQFXLVLQHFDQEHHQMR\HGLQWKHJURXQGÀRRUFDIp brand. and a grill-bar menu in the roof top restaurant with panoramic views over the city. The hotel accommodates 45 guest rooms, including 40 standard rooms and 5 suites. The hotel was designed taking The International Hotels Management Company “T3 into consideration special conditions and safety for guests Hospitality Management,” providing the hotel management, with disabilities. has 20 years’ experience in hotel management in different RENTMASTER OFFERS: countries globally. VIP Car Services (pick-up and drop/transfer) Address: 11 Grishashvili Str., 4600, Kutaisi, Georgia TEL 219 71 00 Daily Car Rentals [email protected] Tours in Georgia GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 SOCIETY 15 A Message for Georgian Youth: Turn Your German Embassy Marks 27th Anniversary of Unifi cation of Germany of Georgan Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili who BY MAKA LOMADZE met with Angela Merkel, German Chancellor in Ber- Dreams into lin and the forthcoming fi rst offi cial visit of German Defense Minister Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen who n October 3, the German Federation arrived in Tbilisi on October 5. Republic marked its unifi cation. On Highlighting the importance of Georgia-Germany this very day, the German Democratic bilateral relations, the Georgian Minister of Foreign Republic (GDR) joined the Federal Affairs Mikheil Janelidze emphasized that Germany Goals with FLEX Republic of Germany, thus becoming has been one of the key donors and supporters of aO united republic again. The date was celebrated by Georgia’s democratic development and European the German Embassy in Georgia at the Funicular and Euro-Atlantic integration since its restoration of I was really proud of myself Restaurant, Mtatsminda. The reception was ample independence. He also reaffi rmed that Germany was and Americans too because with foreign diplomats accredited in Georgia, as well one of the fi rst countries to recognize Georgia’s inde- as local offi cials. pendence and to open its diplomatic mission in Geor- they were interested in hearing This is the German-Georgian Year and the 25th gia. “Close co-operation and political links with Ger- about different cultures. anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations. Fur- many are of great importance, to which attests the thermore, the year of 2017 marks two centennials Georgian Prime Minister’s visit to Germany shortly Mariam (Georgia / Leola, SD) from the arrival of the fi rst German emigrants to after the elections, and his meeting with the Federal Georgia. Chancellor of Germany,” the Minister noted. “Just as “We celebrate today 27 years of German unifi ca- Germany reunited 27 years ago, on 3 October, Geor- tion,” Heike Peitsch, German Ambassador to Georgia, gia will also achieve peaceful reunifi cation through told GEORGIA TODAY. “We are very grateful to our the support of such partners as Germany and will compatriots of the former GDR, cities like Berlin, thus be able to contribute to the security and devel- Leipzig, etc, because they went to the streets and opment of Europe”. fought peacefully for freedom, democracy and rule Within the coming weeks, a number of signifi cant of law. We are very glad to celebrate this event because occasions are on the agenda. On October 7 and 8, a this was a very important day not only for Germany public holiday will be held in Bolnisi, Kvemo Kartli but it also changed the architecture of the whole of region, the former ‘Katharinenfeld,’ to mark the 200th Europe. We are very glad to celebrate this day with anniversary since the arrival of the fi rst German emi- our Georgian friends. German-Georgian relations grants. On October 20-21, the long-awaited concert are very close and deeply rooted in history.” tours of ‘Sasha Waltz and Guests’ will present the She also mentioned the high-level visits last week performance ‘Conitu’.

view: just some of the processes I had to go through BY DAVIT JINTCHARADZE to become a fi nalist. The 6-8 months waiting for the phone call to say I was going to spend my next year in the US. Then comes excitement about the rom mid-September to October 28, the future trip, visa papers and the uncertain voice Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) inside, saying that you are going to spend a year testings will take place in all regions of away from your family and friends, in a completely Georgia. Established in 1992, each year different country across the ocean. FLEX high school foreign exchange allows Nevertheless, I felt adventurous and eager to start aroundF 80 Georgian scholars to spend one academic my new life; a life in a year. After the long fl ight, year in the US, attending local high schools and the US shocked me right from the airport: it felt living in host families. Originally created in order like the whole country was smiling at me. My to strengthen intercultural relations, it has pro- uncertainty was blown away as I saw that people moted leadership and communication skills among were open to forming new friendships and learn- Georgian youth. ing about exotic cultures and experiences. The The deal was not easy, but nobody said turning welcoming host family, delicious cuisine from all your sacred desires into reality would be simple. over the world, and people interested in Georgian Two years ago, I the thought of crossing the border culture defi nitely made my year-long trip. of Georgia wasn’t even in my head. Of course, I The year also brought challenges and advanced wondered about the outside world, but I satisfi ed my leaderships skills. While overcoming each of my curiosity by reading articles about foreign the challenges, like the language barrier or the cul- countries and watching American movies. Back ture shock, I found myself ready to return to Geor- then, I couldn’t imagine that a Georgian teenager gia with new ideas, skills and possibilities. My could become part of those American movies him- journey was not only about spending time in the self. To my surprise, a year later, I found myself in US, seeing the amazing streets of LA and the Golden the middle of Central Valley in the heart of Cali- Gate Bridge of San Francisco, it was also about fornia. coming back and sharing my experience. With a I can’t remember many fully-funded exchange fresh mindset and better understanding of the programs for high school students, since fi nding world around, I returned as a better person. them is often hard. I accidentally bumped into the If one teenager can improve something in his or FLEX program while surfi ng the web, and did not her country, many can do more. So, if you see your- believe the description. Offering a chance to study self as a young, active and adventurous person in the US for free, it also guaranteed a once-in-a- wanting to learn about the US culture and share lifetime experience. Though I was a little skeptical, yours – apply for the FLEX selection process. I applied. Dreams can always come true if you turn them into Essays, English testing, applications and an inter- goals!

Photo source: americancouncils.ge / FLEX GEORGIA TODAY 16 SOCIETY OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 Chinese Embassy Marks 68th Anniversary of Foundation of People’s Republic of China

in the spheres of culture, education, social sciences, BY MAKA LOMADZE healthcare, tourism, and environmental protection is rapidly expanding and the Belt and Road coop- eration is constantly deepening,” the Ambassador n September 29, the 68th anniversary said. of the foundation of the People’s “Georgia cherishes the fact that the People’s Republic of China was marked by Republic of China was one of the fi rst to recognize the Chinese Embassy to Georgia at its independence and opened an embassy in Tbilisi Hotels and Preference Hualing Tbi- in 1992, giving a strong impetus to the development lisi.O In addition, the 25th anniversary from the of existing historical and cultural ties,” the Geor- establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations with gian Prime Minister told guests. “Georgia is lucky Georgia is celebrated this year. Therefore, Giorgi to count China among its friends and partners. We Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, also attach great importance to our existing friendly attended the occasion. and prosperous relations in various spheres. Over The Ambassador of China H.E. JI Yanchi opened the years, our partnership has grown and continues the reception, starting with a historical journey to grow stronger in all fi elds from trade and econ- into Chinese history. omy, to culture and tourism. We have already “For 68 years, the Chinese people waged an ardu- achieved signifi cant progress in many directions ous struggle, moved forward and transforming the and we see many more opportunities ahead, in poor and backward country into a rising world particular, in the context of the outstanding Belt power with increasing comprehensive national and Road initiative, as well as the most recently strength and international infl uence. We success- signed Free Trade Agreement, which we can con- fully explored the path of socialism with Chinese sider a historic document and an important mile- characteristics”. stone in bringing our successful cooperation to a He then went to economy: “During the 39 years higher level”, Kvirikashvili noted. of reform and opening up, China has maintained “China is playing a major role in the development an average economic growth rate of above 7%. Of scientifi c achievements, the Ambassador ment of diplomatic relations between China and of many countries in our region,” the PM added. Last year, the GDP reached $11 trillion, account- announced that China has launched the fi rst Quan- Georgia, having seen ever increasing high level “This should be welcomed, as China’s aims of pro- ing for 14.84% of the world’s GDP, foreign exchanges tum Space Satellite, built the largest and the most political exchanges, exchanges in various fi elds, moting peace, stability and prosperity are shared reserve reached $3 trillion, taking up 30% of sensitive radio telescope array in the world, and and economic and technical cooperation. by everyone. When it comes to working with China, global reserves, foreign trade turnover reached successfully extracted the Methane Clathrate for “China has already become a major investor in there is no country in the region more open than $3.7 trillion. This year, the Chinese government the fi rst time. “China’s self-developed Jumbo Jet Georgia, is the third biggest trade partner and the Georgia: open to Chinese business and investment; has carried forward the “Four Comprehensives” test fl ight was a success, the fi rst self-constructed second largest exporting market for Georgian wine. open to the Chinese people; and open to Chinese strategic blueprint, promoted advance modern- aircraft carrier was smoothly launched into the The free trade agreement was offi cially signed and innovation and ideas”. ization in the state governance system and gov- water, the Tianzhou 1 cargo spacecraft successfully will come into force soon. Cultural exchanges are On November 28-29, the second Tbilisi Belt & ernance capability, sped up supply reform, encour- docked with the Tiangong 2 space laboratory and, also becoming more and more active. Cooperation Road Forum will be held in Tbilisi. aged “mass entrepreneurship and innovation,” before the end of this year, China will launch lunar carried out a new round of high level opening-up, probe ‘Chang’e 5,’ which will bring back the fi rst so that China keeps prosperity and peace, and samples of lunar soil for Mankind this century,” he CULTURE our economy is stable and improved. In the fi rst said. half of this year, the GDP growth stood at 6.9%, This year, China successfully hosted the Belt and foreign trade increased by 19.6%, and China’s Road Forum for International Cooperation, as well International Music Festival 2017 contribution to the world economic growth is as the BRICS leaders’ summit in Xiamen. above 30%.” This year is the 25th anniversary of the establish- Opens in Telavi David Oistrakh String Quartet BY THEA MORRISON Andrey Baranov - violin Rodion Petrov - violin Fedor Belugin - viola he International Music Festival will open Alexey Zhilin - cello in Telavi, Kakheti region, on October 7 • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Sonata for Violin and will last until October 15. and Piano No. 1 E minor K.304 Of the six concerts in the schedule, • Ludwig van Beethoven - Sonata for Cello and fi ve will be held in the Telavi State Piano No. 4 in C Major, Op. 102 TDrama Theater and one in the Alexander • Robert Schumann - Adagio and Allegro op.70 Chavchavadze House Museum in Tsinandali. • Robert Schumann - Sonata for Violin and Piano This year is the 55th anniversary of the concert no 1 in A minor, Op. 105 career of famous Georgian musician, founder and • Antonín Dvorák - Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, art director of the festival, Eliso Virsaladze. Op. 81 The 100th anniversary of the Tbilisi State Con- 10 OCTOBER 17.00 servatoire is also to be celebrated within the festi- Alexander Chavchavadze Museum in Tsinandali val. Piano Recital In parallel with the concerts, an exhibition of Boris Berezovsky posters of Eliso Virsaladze's concerts will be exhib- 12 OCTOBER 19.00 ited in the Telavi theater foyer, among which will Concert dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of Vano be Anastasia Virsaladze's classical concert posters, Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatoire dated 1940-1950. Concert is led by Professor Revaz Tavadze Master classes will be also held during the festi- 14 OCTOBER 19.00 val by Eliso Virsaladze, Khatuna Kokochashvili, The Festival Orchestra Giorgi Kobulashvili and Daniel Austrich. Conductor: Ariel Zuckermann The festival is held by the Ministry of Culture Georgian Sinfonietta and Monument Protection of Georgia, organized Soloists: by Center for Protection, Development and Pro- Giorgi Kobulashvili, oboe motion of Classical Music. Jiyoon Lee, violin The supporters of the festival are: Alexander Daniel Petrica Ciobanu, piano Chavchavadze House Museum in Tsinandali, Tel- • Kakha Tsabadze: "Epitaph" for oboe and chamber avi City Hall, Telavi Vazha Pshavela State Drama orchestra (dedicated to Eduard Brunner) Theater, Telavi Niko Sulkhanishvili Music School, • Max Bruch - Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor Hotels "Chateau Mere" and "Alazani Valley". Op. 26 Media supporters: Radio Fortuna, Magazine Cul- • Sergei Prokofi ev - Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major ture, TV Imedi, Radio One, Georgian Public Broad- Op. 26 caster, Radio Imedi, News Agency GHN, Advertis- 15 OCTOBER 19.00 ing Company Alma - Alma, Georgia Today and TV CLOSING CONCERT OF THE FESTIVAL company ARTAREA. The Festival Orchestra 7 OCTOBER 19.00 Conductor: Ariel Zuckermann OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL Soloists: The Festival Orchestra Eliso Virsaladze, piano Conductor: Ariel Zuckermann Mamikon Nakhapetov, piano Soloist: Dmitri Prokofi ev, cello Lukaš Vondracek: piano, winner of the International • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Concerto for two Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition 2016, pianos and orchestra No.10 in E-fl at major K.365 Antonín Dvorák: Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88 • Robert Schumann - Concerto for Cello and Orches- Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 in D tra in A minor Op. 129 minor, Op. 30 • Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 3 8 OCTOBER 19.00 in C minor Op 37 CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT In Memoriam of Eduard Brunner Tickets are available online www.biletebi.ge Price range Eliso Virsaladze - piano 15-35 GEL GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 CULTURE 17

World-Famous Young Georgian Tenor’s Home Debut able [laughs]. Radames is much closer BY MAKA LOMADZE TRADITIONAL GEORGIAN VOCAL SCHOOL WITH VOCAL to me. As for ‘Carmen,’ I’ve participated TEACHER GULIKO KARIAULI in fi ve different performances. Levan AND LATER ATTENDED Tsuladze’s staging of ‘Carmen’ will be ikheil (Misha) Shesha- NUMEROUS MASTER CLASSES my fi rst Georgian performance. beridze is a world- ABROAD. HOW IMPORTANT IS famous young Georgian IT FOR A SINGER TO GRADUATE WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS tenor. Recently, he took DIFFERENT VOCAL SCHOOLS? FOR THE FUTURE? the lead roles at the I only studied here for four years and was There are some that I can’t talk about MArena di Verona in Verdi’s two major 21 when I left for Italy. At such an early yet, as they are in the process of nego- operas, ‘Nabucco’ and ‘Aida’, as well as age, a male singer cannot say that he is tiation. From here, I’m fl ying to Milan in Puccini’s ‘Tosca’. After Italy, he departed an established vocalist here. Therefore, and then to Estonia. There, I’ll play in for Greece where, in Corfu, at the Dio- I would say that my whole professional two ‘Aida’s. From Estonia, I’m going to nysia Opera Festival, he took part in ‘Aida’ growth is connected with Italy. Of course, Romania, where I’ll sing ‘Tosca’. On and ‘Carmen’. His debut on the Tbilisi I’m really grateful to Guliko Kariauli who November 4, I leave for Lucca, Livorno, State Opera and Ballet Theater stage will made me fall in love with this profession. Pisa, Ravenna, and Modena, for my debut take place on October 7 after which, he’ll As for different schools, I believe that in the role of Dick Johnson in the La be heading to Estonia, Romania and Italy there is only one school for an opera Fanciulla del West. It’s a splendid joint where he’ll perform in Aida, Tosca and singer: an Italian school. performance of Cagliari Theatro Lirico, La Fanciulla del West. Meet him below. the New York City Opera (USA), Teatro TELL US ABOUT YOUR del Giglio di Lucca, and Opera Carolina FOREIGN AUDIENCES DEBUT ON THE ARENA di Charlotte (USA). Then, I will sing KNOWS YOU MUCH BETTER DI VERONA STAGE? ‘Aida’ at Astana Opera Theater. Next THAN THE GEORGIAN ONE. It took place in 2016. It was in ‘Aida’. year, I’ll be back at the Arena Di Verona. HOW DID IT HAPPEN? Within 5 days, I had two debuts, the sec- I have lived in Italy for 12 years, that’s ond in ‘Carmen’. why. YOU HAVE TAKEN PART IN WHAT ARE YOUR EMOTIONS NUMEROUS PERFORMANCES BEFORE YOUR DEBUT IN OF ‘CARMEN’. WHICH DON YOUR BIRTH COUNTRY? JOSE IS SPECIAL FOR YOU? They’re so huge that words are almost ‘Carmen’ has brought a lot of success powerless and not enough to express for me. This is a performance that helped them. I think it’s the greatest joy to step me meet more Georgians than elsewhere. before your native audience and offer In Italy, I met Giorgi Andghuladze. In them the production that you've been Bulgaria, I sang with Anita Rachvelish- offering abroad for years. vili. As for Don Jose, I would say that he is close to me from a vocal point of view YOU GRADUATED THE rather than personally. I’m not that piti- GEORGIA TODAY 18 CULTURE OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER October 6 Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 GEL MUSEUM MASTERPIECES OF ITALIAN SILENCE, REHEARSAL October 6-12 PAINTING Directed by Kakha Bakuradze The Venus Pudica exhibition is TBILISI OPERA GEORGIAN NATIONAL Start time: 20:00 BLADE RUNNER 2049 organized in co-operation with AND BALLET THEATER MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA Turin Royal Museum and cultural Ticket: 15 GEL Directed by Denis Villeneuve Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. MUSEUM association Metamorphosis, Telephone: 2 00 44 66 Cast: Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. displaying the original Botticelli’s October 6 Ana de Armas RECITATIVE IN THE CITY Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Venus, usually housed in the October 7, 11 Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Kakha Bakuradze, Sandro www.museum.ge Sabauda Gallery, in Turin. CARMEN Language: Russian Caravaggio’s exhibition: Opera Nikoladze, Irakli Menagarishvili, Georges Bizet Omnia initiated by Rai.Com and Simon Bitadze, Dato Kakulia, El Start time: 13:00, 16:00, 22:00 May 18 – November 18 Starring: Irina Aleksidze, Ticket: 9-14 GEL EXHIBITION organized by the Ministry of banda del “მუდო” Mikheil Sheshaberidze, Tinatin GEORGIAN COSTUME AND Foreign Affairs and International Special guest: Levan Berdzenishvili Cooperation of Italy, unites forty Mamulashvili, Beso Gabitashvili, BORG VS MCENROE WEAPONRY OF 18TH-20TH Start time: 21:30 reproductions of real size, digital, Givi Gigineishvili, George Directed by Janus Metz CENTURIES Tsamalashvili, Nino Chachua, Ticket: 10 GEL high resolution masterpieces from Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Shia Caravaggio. Nutsa Zakaidze, Tamaz Saginadze, Georgian National Museum Irakli Mujiri. October 8 LaBeouf, Björn Granath LABYRINTH Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport and Korneli Kekelidze National MUSIC Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet Centrer of Manuscripts present the Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Language: Russian Theater Choir, ballet dancers, exhibition orchestra. Composer- Sandro Nikoladze Start time: 19:10 TELAVI INTERNATIONAL Choreography- Lasha Robakidze MEDIEVAL TREASURY MUSIC FESTIVAL Conductor- Zaza Azmaiparashvili Ticket: 13-14 GEL Permanent Exhibition Stage Director- Levan Tsuladze Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 15 GEL October 7-15 Set Designer- Irakli Avaliani RUSTAVELI CINEMA EXHIBITION Start time: 19:00 Costume Designer- Polina Rudchik Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. October 12 NUMISMATIC TREASURY Ticket: 15-25 GEL Choreographer- Gia Margania Telephone: 2 55 50 00 SIMBIOSIS Venue: Telavi Vazha-Pshavela State Start time: 20:00 www.kinoafi sha.ge MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Drama Theater Ticket: 10-60 GEL One-act choreographic sketch Start time: 20:00 Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Telephone: 2 99 99 09 October 7 TBILISI INTERNATIONAL Ticket: 15 GEL October 6-12 OPENING FESTIVAL OF THEATER March 6 – December 31 The Festival - Orchestra GABRIADZE THEATER Conductor- Ariel Zuckermann EXHIBITION October 8, 9 Address: 13 Shavtelis St. BLADE RUNNER 2049 Soloist- Lukáš Vondrácek /piano MASTERPIECES FROM THE THE CHERRY ORCHARD Telephone: 2 98 65 93 (Info Above) MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Anton Chekhov Start time: 13:15, 15:30, 19:00, 22:30 October 10 COLLECTION Directed by David Doiashvili October 7, 12 Ticket: 10-14 GEL PIANO RECITAL Composer: Nikoloz Rachveli STALINGRAD Boris Berezovsky Memanishvili Rezo Gabriadze MARK FELT: THE MAN WHO MUSEUM OF SOVIET Venue: Alexander Chavchavadze OCCUPATION National Theater of Bucharest Directed by Rezo Gabriadze BROUGHT Museum in Tsinandali Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. (Romania) Start time: 20:00 DOWN THE WHITE HOUSE Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10, 20, 30 GEL Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 CONSERVATOIRE Directed by Peter Landesman www.museum.ge - GRAND HALL Ticket: 35 GEL Cast: Liam Neeson, Diane Lane, October 6 Address: 8 Griboedov Str. RAMONA Maika Monroe PERMANENT EXHIBITION SHALIKASHVILI THEATER Genre: Biography, Drama, History October 6 Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. Rezo Gabriadze Discover the State's personal fi les Language: Russian II STAGE Telephone: 595 50 02 03 Directed by Rezo Gabriadze of "subversive" Georgian public Start time: 20:00 Start time: 19:30 fi gures, orders to shoot or exile, and MORNING AUDITION Start time: 10:00 Ticket: 10, 20, 30 GEL Ticket: 13-14 GEL other artifacts representing Soviet- October 6 III STAGE KRIMANCHULI era cultural and political repression EVENING AUDITION Vazha Pshavela TBILISI SPORTS PALACE KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE in Georgia. Start time: 17:00 Address: 1, 26th May Sq. Directed by Matthew Vaughn Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili GALLERY Ticket: 10 GEL Pantomime theater Telephone: 2 33 33 11 Cast: Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Start time: 20:00 Mark Strong October 7 Ticket price: 15 GEL October 8, 9 Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy THE NATIONAL GALLERY III STAGE CIRCUS EXTREME Language: Russian Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. MORNING AUDITION October 7 An unforgettable adventure in the Start time: 16:45 Telephone: 2 15 73 00 Start time: 10:00 circus world with animals, II STAGE HOST AND GUEST Ticket: 10-11 GEL www.museum.ge Vazha Pshavela acrobatic and air tricks EVENING AUDITION Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili Start time: 13:00, 17:00 October 5 – November 30 Start time: 17:00 AMERICAN ASSASSIN Pantomime Theater Ticket price: 10-25 GEL Dimitri Shevardnadze National Ticket: 10 GEL Start time: 20:00 Directed by Michael Cuesta Gallery is to host two Italian CINEMA Ticket price: 20 GEL Cast: Dylan O'Brien, Michael exhibitions: October 9, 10 Keaton, Sanaa Lathan UNIVERSAL VALUES: IV STAGE EVENING AUDITION MOVEMENT THEATER AMIRANI CINEMA Genre: Action, Thriller, Adventure, Fa BOTTICELLI, Start time: 18:00 Address: 36 Kostava Str. Language: Russian Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., THE BEAUTY AND Ticket: 15 GEL Mushthaid park Telephone: 2 99 99 55 Start time: 22:30 CARAVAGGIO, Telephone: 599 555 260 www.kinoafi sha.ge Ticket: 13-14 GEL THE LIGHT, DISPLAYING October 9, 10 GALA CONCERT OF THE WINNERS Start time: 18:00 Ticket: 5-20 GEL

HARD ROCK CAFÉ Address: 1 Petriashvili Str. Telephone: 2 40 14 01

October 6 VAKIS PARKI LIVE Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 10 GEL

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL AUTUMN TBILISI Venue: Djansug Kakhidze Tbilisi Center for Music and Culture

October 6 THE CONCERT OF SYMPHONIC MUSIC Violinist- Natalia Gabunia and Storioni Trio Conductor- Vakhtang Kakhidze Program: Mozart, Casella and Respighi Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 10-30 GEL

October 8 CONCERT OF SYMPHONIC MUSIC SWEDISH MEN’S CHOIR ZERO 8 Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 10-30 GEL

October 11 CONCERT OF POPULAR MUSIC World famous ensemble from St. Petersburg TEREM-QUARTET Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 10-30 GEL GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 6 - 9, 2017 CULTURE 19 Polyphony & Georgian Audio Archives Presented in the British Library tion for the music’s inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Human- ity than the subsequent performance: after a brief introduction by Georgian- British singer Katie Melua, we were treated to superb live examples of the music we’d been discussing all after- noon. It is unlike almost anything immediately familiar to the Western ear and doesn’t invite immediate com- parison with the Renaissance polyph- ony of Palestrina (for example), but nor does it have the unpolished, rough quality of much folk music. The music often takes a strophic form common to folk but the harmonic language is incredibly sophisticated. The choir’s vocal and rhythmic control was impressive as the tenors demon- strated their ability nimbly to fl it around the top of their range in close thirds over long drones from the basses. Seemingly disparate motivic cells appeared cycli- cally in a way that meshed together to create a cohesive whole. With no recog- prolifi c work collecting and recording nisable system of dissonance and reso- BY ROBERT EDGAR the folk music of the Caucasus in the lution, tension and release was achieved early 20th Century. It is thanks to the by the seemingly contrasting melodic Deaf Men Dancing Debut company that there is such a well-pre- lines naturally coming together before f ever there was an event designed served archive of recordings, even more branching out. Often the lack of a clear to celebrate 25 years of formal remarkable considering the delicate and rhythmic pulse gave the music an ethe- Performance at Tbilisi diplomatic relations between the precarious nature of recording onto wax real quality that leant itself particularly UK and Georgia, then this was it: cylinders. Gramophone opened their well to the delicate occasionally melan- a collaboration presented by the fi rst Tbilisi (then Tifl is) offi ce in 1901 cholic religious and harvest songs, espe- International Theater Fest IEmbassy of Georgia to the United King- and continued expanding across the cially considering the parallel intervals dom in tandem with the British Library, region until 1915 when WWI necessitated and deep resonance of the harmony. In which attempts to raise awareness of BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI the most comprehensive stockpile of its closure. inexpert hands, the whole thing would individuals with hearing disability. information in the country. It launched There followed a brief talk by Baia Zhu- run the risk of either falling apart or “The show is about the Ten Com- the British Library’s Season of Sound zhunadze on the work of the Georgian becoming too regimented, but this just mandments for Deaf Awareness, which series beginning with a series of talks Chanting Society, supporting the prolif- worked. s part of its ‘Culture & make it easier for us to connect with on Georgian culture, musicology, and eration of Georgian music, dance and Their authentic performance comprised Development: Unlimited’ individuals who have hearing impair- the history of recorded music in the culture; a talk by the former chair of the music from all areas and traditions in project, British Council ment,” said one of the performers. region, culminating in a performance by British Georgian Society Jason Osborn, Georgia. If the intention was a sharing Georgia brought Deaf Men “Once again, continuing our tradition, the Rustavi Choir. who gave an overview of Georgian poly- of culture, then one would be hard pressed Dancing, an all-male deaf we brought a very interesting DeafMen We were welcomed by Ambassador to phonic singing and announced the next to think of a more fi tting space than the danceA company, with their new outdoor Dancing company from UK, focusing the UK, HE Tamar Beruchashvili, who Life Through Film Festival to be held in entrance hall of the British Library in performance called TEN, to the Tbilisi on promoting British arts and culture gave an overview of the day’s proceed- London on 26 April 2018; Prof. Anzor London in front of the tower housing International Festival of Theater on here in Georgia, the inclusion of indi- ings, and managed to elicit an actual Erkomaishvili (founder of the Rustavi King George III’s personal book collec- September 30, in the New Tifl is area viduals with disabilities in arts, and cheer from the audience with the Ensemble) complemented Prentice’s his- tion. on Agmashenebeli Avenue. creating a platform for their profes- announcement of khachapuri and Geor- tory of phonographic recording and The event’s partners and sponsors The new show was inspired by dou- sional development,” said Zaza Purt- gian wine to be served in the interval explained the infl uence of Georgian were: The British Library, the Ministry ble acts like Laurel & Hardy, Flanagan seladze, Director of British Council between the lectures and the concert Polyphony on composers like Stravinsky; of Culture and Monument Protection of & Allen, Morecambe & Wise, Abbott Georgia. before we heard from the library’s Sound and Prof. Revaz Kiknadze set himself the Georgia, Georgian ‘Chanting Founda- & Costello and Gilbert & George, as it “This show is about inclusion of indi- Curator Will Prentice. Prentice told the apparently impossible task of giving a tion’, Ensemble "Rustavi", Winery ‘Shilda’, represented a fusion of different dance viduals with disabilities into society, little-known story of the British Gramo- history of Georgian music in 15 minutes. Georgian Wine Club in London and the styles, incorporating British Sign Lan- and the things we all need to know phone company and its short-lived yet I cannot think of a better justifi ca- British-Georgian Society. guage into a 30 minute performance while we connect with them,” he added.

Mikheil Giorgadze, Minister of Culture Textile from Georgia - New Album and Giorgi Kalandia, Director of the Art Palace launch the new on Georgian Costume Published album

worn by Georgian noble men and Geor- Director of the Art Palace; Irine Saga- BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI gian kings throughout the centuries. For nelidze, Department Head of Art and the fi rst time, we can see, in bold color, Theater at the MoC; Irakli Zambakhidze, the costumes of Georgian kings David designer and graphic concept author; extile from Georgia is a new Agmashenebeli (David the Builder), Queen Guliko Kvantitdze, Scientifi c Editor; Katie 400-page bilingual (Geor- Tamar, and George III Davies, English Editor; and many others, gian-English) album, pub- Aside from a historic textile and cos- spent over six months preparing the ‘Tex- lished on the initiative of tume overview, the album also presents tile from Georgia’ album. Art Palace, (Museum of textile samples reconstructed from Geor- “This is the very fi rst attempt to make Theater,T Music, Chorography and Cin- gian church and monastery frescoes, a visual encyclopedia of textile from ema) with the support of the Ministry of brought to life from ancient manuscripts Georgia,” Kalandia said at the launch on After copying the patterns from the “This is one of the many projects we’ve Culture and Monument Protection of and the walls of Georgian places of wor- Monday. “It was a unique process as, clothing displayed in frescoes and manu- worked on in partnership with Art Palace, Georgia (MoC), featuring over 200 fres- ship. These have been restored on the together with our experienced textile scripts, the details were made into sketches and yet it’s one of the most important coes and more than 300 textile examples, highest quality silk material by textile specialist Ekaterine Geguchadze, and and put onto textile and then photographed ones,” said Mikheil Giorgadze, Minister including Byzantine textiles from Svaneti artist Ekaterine Geguchadze. The album with the participation of Eka Javakhishvili for compilation in the album. of Culture. “This is by far one of the best of the VIII -XI centuries. also showcases textile kept in the Art and Bachana Chanturia, from the National “But the album presents not only restored examples of how our extensive cultural The publication introduces the history Palace fund, the Georgian National Costume House, we managed to restore textile examples; it also displays the pho- heritage can be promoted and transformed of textile from Georgia, from VII up to Museum and in private collections textile examples from the frescoes of tos of the original costumes kept in our into a modern application. This is not the beginning of the XX centuries, dis- throughout the country. almost all churches and monasteries in museums and the frescoes on the walls just a high-quality album, it is already a playing clothing reproduced from that The team, made up of Giorgi Kalandia, Georgia”. of our churches,” Kalandia added. cultural asset”.

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