Issue no: 1099 • NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Ex-PM Kvirikashvili Releases Statement

NEWS PAGE 3 NGOs Accuse Saakashvili of Making Xenophobic Statements

FOCUS ON THE OPERA POLITICS PAGE 5 World-renowned conductor British Council Funds 35 Daniel Oren is set to lead Verdi and Beethoven at the New Int’l Partnerships to Tbilisi Opera PAGE 13 Develop Creative Economies BUSINESS PAGE 7 Guram Kashia & Locomotive Minister of Economy Visits Singapore, Speak Out against Bullying Talks Trade & Maritime Cooperation SOCIETY PAGE 12

BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE

oming off a wave of successful meet- ings in China on the opportunities for Georgia to export to the country, Minister of Economy and Sustain- able Development Giorgi Kobulia visitedC Singapore this week. On Tuesday in the massively wealthy southeast Asian city-state, Kobulia attended the Bloomberg New Economy Forum. Founded by American billionaire Michael Bloomberg, the forum brands itself as “a new community for the new economy.” The forum aims to capitalize on the “pivotal moment in history” in which we are living, where “economic power is shifting dramatically from the West to new economies and “new markets and new lead- ers are exercising unprecedented infl uence over the course of economic change on a global scale.” Image source: Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development The goal of the forum is to support “a new com- munity of leaders thinking, innovating and work- table discussion dedicated to China’s Belt and transit routes for goods and freight are profi t- ing together to create the thriving, inclusive Road Initiative. able. "We are also trying to develop the infra- global economy of the future.” Kobulia spoke about the possibilities for Geor- structure and logistics of railway and ports as Kobulia attended an offi cial reception hosted gia to play a signifi cant role in the new Silk Road much as possible. The most important thing is by the representatives of the state delegations project and become a regional hub in the cor- that the development of infrastructure contrib- by Michael Bloomberg and founders of the forum ridor connecting Europe and Asia. The Minister utes to Georgian companies getting into the on its opening day and participated in a round- noted that Georgia is a small country for which world market,” he said. Continued on page 3 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 Ici Paris New Perfume 'Girls Can Do Anything' Presented by Ici-Paris ci Paris presents Zadig and Vol- taire's new perfume 'Girls Can Do Anything.' 'Girls Can Do Anything' is the name of a signature scent, the Iperfect incarnation of new femininity: free, uninhibited and bold! A fern twisted around delicate pear with a Tonka-bean touch, exalted by musk-infused vanilla. Embody a radiant, uninhibited and bold new feminism! Results of EU, CoE Projects in Georgia 2015 - 2018 Presented

BY AMY JONES Georgian PM Meets EBRD Managing Director

ovember 6, the Council BY THEA MORRISON of Europe and the Delega- tion of the European Union presented results of their joint projects in eorgia’s Prime Minister NGeorgia from 2015 - 2018. Photo: European Union Extended Action Mamuka Bakhtadze met Mat- The projects, funded by 4.1 million Euros Pilar Morales, Head of the Program- teo Patrone, Managing Direc- from the EU (85%) and European Coun- ming Department at the Council of tor of the European Bank for cil (15%), helped Georgian authorities in Europe (Strasbourg), mentioned how, Reconstruction and Develop- applying the European Convention on although the joint venture was not always mentG (EBRD) for Eastern Europe and the Human Rights; civic integration of national easy, useful lessons have been learned Caucasus on November 7 in Tbilisi. minorities; supporting the Georgian Bar and good results were achieved. For Projects of strategic importance being Association, improving health care in example, the federal judges received implemented in Georgia with the engage- prisons; countering money laundering; training in the European Convention on ment of the EBRD were the key issue of promoting freedom, professionalism and Human Rights in association with the the meeting. pluralism of the media; protecting inter- Georgian Bar Association, leading to a The Georgian PM’s Press Offi ce reports initiative. Approaching establishment of the net freedom, and assisted in the elections. better quality of justice in Georgia. This that construction of the Anaklia Deep The sides underlined that the Anaklia International Chamber of Commerce The meeting, its fourth kind in Tbilisi, has notably helped women who were Sea Port was also discussed at the meet- Deep Sea Port is signifi cant not only for (ICC) Arbitration in Georgia was also discussed the results of the fi rst phase of victims of violence, she mentioned. ing, underlining the strategic importance Georgia, but for the entire region, add- referred to, along with its importance the project, which aimed to harmonize the The second part of the project will of the project and engagement of the ing it is expected to acquire a geo-polit- for the attraction of foreign investments Georgian system to European standards. commence at the beginning of next year. Government of Georgia in the referred ical signifi cance for the entire continent. to the country. GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 NEWS 3 Ex-PM Kvirikashvili Releases Statement protected by the Georgian people in BY THEA MORRISON 2012,” he stated, meaning the defeat of the previous ruling party United National Movement in the 2012 parliamentary ormer Georgian Prime Min- elections by the GD coalition. ister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, who “Taking everything into account, the resigned on June 13 after a values still need to be protected. I will disagreement with the ruling never tire from protecting these values, Georgian Dream (GD) founder like many in our country,” he added. BidzinaF Ivanishvili, has released a state- Kvirikashvili was Prime Minister of ment ahead of the second round of the Georgia from 30 December 2015 to 13 October 28 Presidential Elections. June 2018. Prior to that he was Minister In the statement, Kvirikashvili says he of Economy and Sustainable Develop- is not going to return to politics. ment from 25 October 2012 until 1 Sep- “I decided to remain silent during the tember 2015, Minister of Foreign Affairs whole period and I am not going to be from 1 September 2015 until 30 Decem- Kvirikashvili has led initiatives to advance location for foreign investment. Minister of Finance, was approved by active in politics. However, I want to say ber 2015, and Deputy Prime Minister Euro-Atlantic and European integration On 20 June 2018, Mamuka Bakhtadze, the Georgian Parliament as the PM of that I support the values which were from 26 July 2013 until 30 December 2015. and highlight Georgia as an attractive who previously served as Kvirikashvili's the country. Minister of Economy Visits Singapore, Talks Trade & Maritime Cooperation Continued from page 1 Reserve; Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minis- ity to discuss possibilities of deepening It was also noted during the meeting The sides also discussed cooperation ter of Finance of Indonesia; Christine trade relations between Georgia and that a new project is being considered between maritime education institu- The forum was attended by more than Lagarde, Managing Director of the IMF; Singapore. The focus was on the impor- in Georgia – maritime clusters, which tions to prepare students for exchange 400 government and business repre- Ian Bremmer, President and Founder tance of signing a bilateral intergovern- would establish special tax benefi ts. programs and collaborative learning sentatives from around the world, of Eurasia Group; Henry Kissinger, and mental agreement on maritime trading. Since Singapore has one of the most opportunities, and the possibility of including high-impact leaders such as many others. A draft agreement has already been successful maritime clusters in the offering a special training course at the Gary Cohn, former Assistant to the US On Wednesday, Kobulia met with written up by the Georgian Ministry of world, the Georgian side expressed its Maritime and Port Authority of Singa- President for Economic Policy; Janet Andrew Taun, Chief Executive Director Economy and was presented to the Sin- interest in cooperating in this regard pore (MPA) Academy for Georgian Yellen, former Chair of the US Federal of the Singapore Navy and Port Author- gaporean side this week. and sharing experiences. Maritime Authorities. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 Lincoln Mitchell Answers Accusations against Him

incoln Mitchell spoke to did. Why? Because these are ultra-hawks GEORGIA TODAY and the who wanted to push back against Russia Realpolitik show to clarify and they thought this was a good way some of the circulating accu- to do it. sations against him and his viewpoints.L This is part two of the defi n- DID THEY REALLY BELIEVE itive Lincoln Mitchell interview. THE US WOULD GET INVOLVED IN A WAR EVEN SALOME ZURABISHVILI, AS IF THE TOP GOVERNMENT WELL AS PUTTING THE BLAME WAS SAYING NO? ON GEORGIA FOR THE AUGUST Now, I want to be clear we're speculat- 2008 WAR, ALSO MENTIONED ing now. What I believe they thought THE US PLAYED A ROLE was that if this happens, even though Offi cial American channels, the US Sec- the offi cial position is don't do it, once retary of State and the US Ambassador it's done we'll go back to the leadership, to Georgia of the time, all made it clear to the Secretary of State, and say now to Saakashvili that he shouldn't get drawn we have to do something, and that the into a war, but people around Saakashvili views would change. That's not what were constantly engaged in dialogue happened. with people in other leadership positions in the foreign policy establishment who SOME SAY NO SUCH THING said, “we will support you if you do” So, TOOK PLACE AND POINT TO basically, they called around until they THE RUSSIANS. DO YOU KNOW got someone who said “yes, go for it,” EXACTLY WHAT TRANSPIRED? and they went for it. I know it because [Such people] naturally want to be I've talked to a lot of people in the Amer- respectful of their allies, the US and oth- ican government who were there in 2008 ers, but I'm pretty sure such processes and that's what they told me. I’m not took place. going to name any names, but I will say there were a lot of people in and around DO YOU HAVE PROOF SO AS the then-Vice President's Offi ce. NOT TO HARM THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO STATES? THAT'S A VERY SERIOUS I don't think it harms the relations STATEMENT THAT HAS NOT between the two states: it’s something BEEN PUBLICLY MENTIONED that happened ten years and two admin- BEFORE. TELL US MORE istrations ago. While I appreciate the If I said it in Washington in an academic concern from people who are not Amer- setting, it would not be a controversial ican that somehow I’m anti-American, THAT YOUR ANALYSIS CANNOT THE LOBBYIST COMPANIES THERE IS ANOTHER ARGUMENT statement. The US Secretary of State if you’re a good American, it is your duty BE CONSIDERED OBJECTIVE THAT WORK FOR ABKHAZIA AGAINST YOU THAT YOU told Saakashvili not to go to war and if as a citizen to constantly question and BECAUSE YOU PAID CONSULT AND OSSETIA LOBBIED FOR IVANISHVILI AND the Secretary of State says don't do some- criticize the decisions your government TO IVANISHVILI BACK IN Stephen Ellis, who was a lobbyist for YOU SHOULD HAVE REGISTERED thing and somebody much lower down makes, and if you're not doing that you're 2012 AND THAT'S WHERE Abkhazia, contacted me on several occa- ON THE FARA LIST, WHICH the food chain says do it, then the mes- not being a good American. YOUR ALLEGIANCES LAY sions by email and phone and therefore YOU APPARENTLY NEVER DID sage is clear: the message is don't. But You don't have to think my analysis is they had to write that down; meaning my I consulted for Ivanishvili in Georgia; what the Georgian government was doing BUT AT THE COST OF SOME legitimate: not everyone has to agree name appears as having been contacted that's not considered lobbying. Lobby- was forum-shopping: going around until MAKING ACCUSATIONS THAT with me. In American academic circles, by the lobbyists for Abkhazia. I didn't ing means you go to Congress and say, they got a yes, but most people said no. YOUR NARRATIVE SERVES a client from six years ago it's not viewed reach out to him, he reached out to me. “hey, you should support Ivanishvili over The Georgian government knew what RUSSIA’S INTERESTS, AS as your client today, but if someone in So, if the question is did I ever take a Saakashvili,” or vice versa, or you go to it was doing. I don’t believe the US gov- THEY DO OF ZURABISHVILI’S Georgia says, “Lincoln worked for Ivan- phone call or an email from a lobbyist for the American media and say, “here's a ernment policy was to mislead Georgia STATEMENTS? ishvili, Lincoln has always been a critic Abkhazia, the answer is yes. Does that good story you should write about into this confl ict with Russia. I was no My narrative serves Russian interests? of Saakashvili,” I'm going to discount it. make me a lobbyist for Abkhazia? I think Saakashvili or Ivanishvili.” I didn't do fan of the Bush Administration, but I There was a time when I got upset when I’d hope people would read my writing your mind would have to be pretty deep that, I don't have those kinds of skills or wouldn’t say they did this: it was not the people in Georgia would call me pro- on its own basis. A few years ago, I was in conspiracy to think that. connections, so I was not a lobbyist; offi cial position. Russian, but now it's just funny. I get it: in Georgia and caught up with Bidzina, that's why I didn't register as a lobbyist. serving Russian interests means you and he said to me in a kind of stern tone SO, NO NEGOTIATIONS OR BUT YOU SAY THERE WERE don't like Saakashvili or the UNM. Look, of voice, “you know, I'm aware what MEETINGS TOOK PLACE? DON’T MEDIA ACTIVITIES PEOPLE IN POLITICAL CIRCLES if you want to serve Georgia's interests, you're writing” (because I've written I talked to the guy on the phone. He came INCLUDE LOBBYING? IN THE US WHO WERE stop talking about the Russian narrative: some things that are critical of him), and to New York and we had coffee. He had Not in Georgia. Here, what’s considered TRYING TO GREENLIGHT my family fl ed Russia 120 years ago and I laughed and said, “if you're worried a guy he wanted me to meet and we met lobbyism is if, let's say, I call the New THE NOTION THAT THE US never looked back. I've as much reason about what I'm writing, you don't know with him, but I'm a researcher: like, I York Times and pitch a story: that's con- WOULD STAND BY GEORGIA as anybody to be anti-Russia. what's going on out there.” I mean, yeah, have to meet with these people. When sidered a lobby. AGAINST RUSSIA. WHY? What is the evidence that I’m support- I've been critical of Bidzina, but I've we went to Abkhazia in 2010, I called I'm not sure about the word “greenlight,” ing Russia's interests by pushing back hardly been his harshest critic. So, he's him to ask how to get a visa, but I've BUT YOU DID AUTHOR but I think that's a good enough phrase, against a Georgian narrative about the not happy with me either, but that's okay. never lobbied for Abkhazia, I've never SEVERAL PIECES IN US so we'll stick with it. Why? Because they war that is not believed at all outside of advocated for Abkhazian independence: OUTLETS AT THAT TIME thought that if Georgia held out for a Georgia? PART OF THE CRITIQUE quite the opposite and you know my I wrote pieces mostly on my own site, while, the American military would have AIMED AT YOU RESTS ON public statements on that. How bad am so I don't know whether that counts or no choice but to follow and support them SOME OF THE GEORGIAN ALLEGATIONS THAT YOU I supposed to feel that someone called not. I talked to three lawyers who said I more aggressively than we eventually AUDIENCE ARE REASONING WERE ASSOCIATED WITH me or emailed me? That seems crazy. didn't need to register in FARA. UK Good Governance Grant Agreement Signed at British Embassy

capacity building of the local commu- National Democratic Institute, the Brit- BY AMY JONES nity in decision-making processes. ish Council, GFSIS, and CDD. H.E Justin McKenzie Smith, British Covering a variety of civil service and Ambassador to Georgia, and Ekaterine civil society issues, the projects have ovember 7, a grant agree- Metreveli, President of the Georgian already successfully implemented impor- ment signing ceremony Foundation for Strategic and Interna- tant changes in government bodies and of the project “Support- tional Studies (GFSIS) both signed the religious groups, among others. They ing Participatory and agreement. have conducted various training ses- Inclusive Governance in The ceremony was also attended by sions, research, and activities on both MountainousN Guria and Adjara” between the Deputy Head of the Good Govern- regional and central levels. All programs the British Embassy in Tbilisi and the ance Fund Unit in London, Tracey also covered gender aspects. Georgian Foundation for Strategic and McLelland, along with representatives The UK Good Governance Fund has International Studies (Rondeli Founda- from the Pillar Projects of the Good provided assistance in Georgia since tion) took place at the British Embassy. Governance Fund Georgia. 2015. The fund is of particular impor- The project, designed to support civic Pillar Project implementors include tance as civil service and society play integration and regional development the United Nations Development Pro- a central role in building a strong Geor- in Georgia, should also increase the gram, PricewaterhouseCoopers, the gian future. Photo: Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies Facebook GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 POLITICS 5 Sir Alan Duncan: Georgia Is a Role- Model in the Region

Photo source: Foreign Policy NGOs Accuse Saakashvili of Making Xenophobic Statements

against the people from Bangladesh… ilar statements in July, August and Sep- BY THEA MORRISON They are simple workers. Indians? They tember, when he stated that jobs in Georgia relations are going from strength BY THEA MORRISON do not have enough income. We need Georgia were being taken by “poor Ira- to strength, and I look forward to discuss- sheikhs who alone will spend as much nians, Turks and other foreigners.” ing the many areas of shared interest and he non-governmental sec- money as 200 people,” Saakashvili stated “Instead of rich investors, who should co-operation with Prime Minister Mamuka tor of Georgia claims that in his video address. have given jobs to Georgians, we received ir Alan Duncan, the UK's Min- Bakhtadze and Foreign Minister David the third President of the He also added that Georgia needs all migrants who can hardly employ them- ister for Europe, is on a visit Zalkaliani,” the Minister stated. country Mikheil Saakash- kinds of tourists, but underlined that it selves,” Saakashvili’s Facebook post read. to Georgia to open the fi fth He also noted that in the 10 years since vili, is making xenophobic is preferable to have visitors from Ger- The NGOs stress that anti-migrant Strategic Georgia-UK Dialogue the war between Georgia and Russia, Tstatements and uses hate speech towards many, the UK and the US. rhetoric is part of the agenda of enhanced on November 8. the UK has continued to stand with some foreign nationals. “We need high-quality tourism, not ultra-conservative political groups, add- S"This year, the Wardrop Strategic Dia- Georgia in support of its territorial integ- The NGOs, united under the civil plat- quantity. Let the rich tourists from Rus- ing it is unfortunate that such ideas have logue takes place against a backdrop of rity, sovereignty and security. form ‘No to Phobia’ criticized Saakashvili sia, Ukraine or China come…But we have actively taken a place in the Georgian two important milestones for Georgia, “Georgia plays a pivotal role in the for making “anti-social” statements on such quarters in Tbilisi where you can- political sphere too. the 100th anniversary of Georgia’s inde- wider security of the region against November 4. not hear even one Georgian word. I am “In the pre-election period, politicians pendence and the 10th anniversary of ongoing Russian aggression… Georgia The civil sector says Saakashvili used not happy about this, but I will be happy use xenophobic and racist sentiments the Georgia - Russia confl ict," the state- is a role-model in the region for reform, a negative word to describe Bangladeshi if Georgian families have more income for electoral mobilization which pro- ment of the British Embassy reads. democracy and human rights. We applaud and Indian tourists in a video clip when from the tourism,” he added. motes social confl icts and obviously The dialogue will allow Georgia and Georgia’s ambitious reform agenda. he was speaking about the tourist poten- The platform member organizations contradicts the idea of Georgia as a the UK to continue talks about strength- However, there is more to do to help tial of Georgia. call on Saakashvili and other politicians democratic and human-rights-oriented ening economic ties, cooperation in Georgia deliver on the necessary reforms “We need rich tourists from all over to refrain from using hate speech and to state,” the statement of the civil platform defense issues and overall values. and reach its economic potential – that’s the world. We do not need these poor further actively promote equality, toler- reads. The Embassy also released Sir Alan why the UK uses £4m of its Good Gov- and lame tourists who bring their own ance and human rights-based political The NGOs call on political parties not Duncan’s comment on his visit. ernance Fund to support reform projects food. We need people from Emirates, ideas in society. to use hate speech and to support the “This year’s Wardrop Strategic Dialogue in Georgia," Sir Alan Duncan’s comment not Bangladesh. I do not have anything The NGOs say Saakashvili made sim- principle of equality. will demonstrate very clearly that UK- reads. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 US Elections Results Unlikely to Change Washington’s Stance on Russia & China The Democrats are generally viewed In modern Eurasia, though, there is a BY EMIL AVDALIANI as more moderate in their views on the clear shift towards a new, more unten- necessity of active US involvement in able world order. Take, for example, the the affairs of the Eurasian continent. new US national security document he US had its mid-term Many will remember how Barack Oba- signed by President Trump. It has for- elections where the Demo- ma’s foreign policy was less active fol- mally ushered in the end of ethical and crats, after gaining control lowing George Bush’s military campaign moral grounds in international relations of the lower chamber of in Afghanistan and Iraq. However, even and heralded the return of geopolitics Congress, the House of then, Washington’s policy did not alter – a step rooted in the experience of past TRepresentatives, will likely to have a drastically: they just became less mili- generations. larger infl uence on both the foreign and tarily-dependent. The Democrats, like their Republican domestic policy of the country. In the Nowadays, the US faces geopolitical counterparts, understand how danger- US political system, the executive branch competitors which are regarded by both ous Russia’s actions have become in the - the White House - is dominant in the Republicans and Democrats as real prob- former Soviet space and Eastern Europe. formulation and conduct of the US for- lems for Washington’s economic and It is important to remember that fi rst eign policy. military order in Asia-Pacifi c and Eastern and most important, anti-Russian sanc- Image source: bbc.com At the same time, it is important to Europe. Indeed, even before the elec- tions were introduced under Democrat Malacca Strait. In the age of US naval imposed by the Trump administration remember that the Democrats' victory tions, when the two chambers of Con- Obama, with the Trump government dominance, the Chinese imperative is will likely stay untouched under the in the House of Representatives is coun- gress were largely under Republican merely continuing the trend. to redirect its economy’s dependence Democratic House. terbalanced by the Republicans' domi- control, the Democrats were united on Beyond the immediate Russian secu- as well as shift supply routes away from Georgia, too, carefully watched the nation in the Senate. the question of Russia’s annexation of rity threat to its neighborhood, the US Malacca. This is the reasoning behind results of the US elections. In a time of There is a possibility that this balance Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula and fomented faces China, which aspires to change the almost trillion-dollar Belt and Road high tensions with Russia, when the of power might create more confusion separatism in eastern Ukraine. the existing political balance of power Initiative, which is intended to recon- rhetoric in Georgia is overly anti-Russian, than any orderly foreign policy at a time The Democrats and Republicans see in their regions. China’s economic rise, nect the Asia-Pacific with Europe having Washington change its stance on when the US faces numerous challeng- that modern-day Eurasia is indeed more coupled with its military development, through Russia, the Middle East, and Georgia would amount to a geopolitical ers across the Eurasian landmass. That chaotic, and this unpredictability repre- has poised it to become a powerful Central Asia. At the same time, Chinese weakening of Tbilisi’s position. But here, explains why the US elections were sents a marked break with what the US world player in international politics. naval ambitions are on the rise to thwart too, it is unlikely that any change would watched around the globe, with various had to cope with in previous decades. More importantly, its strategic impera- US dominance close to its shores. happen. Trump’s security advisor John analyses and forecasts made on the pos- In the more predictable Cold War era, tives clash with those of the US. Beijing In addition, Iran’s growth of geopo- Bolton’s recent visit to Tbilisi proved sible infl uence the results will have on geopolitics was important, but it was needs to secure its procuring of vital litical capital through the chaos in Iraq that it will be very diffi cult to change relations with Russia, China and the hidden under democratic and idealistic oil and gas resources, which are cur- and Syria makes it yet another compet- the existing pattern of American diplo- European Union. premises. rently available mostly through the itor of Washington. The sanctions re- matic and military support to Georgia. The Manchurian Candidate? didate in the run-off who has actually used hate speech to mobilize voters. As for the Zurabishvili camp’s “fake news” allegations, the facts about Vashadze and Russia speak for themselves. Born in 1958, Vashadze was educated in Russia during the Soviet era, but this does not imply an abiding allegiance to Russia as Vashadze formally renounced his Rus- sian citizenship nearly a decade ago. Amid competing narratives, Georgian voters should not lose sight of the most important evidence of Vashadze’s alli- ances: his track record of service to his country. As the Foreign Minister of Geor- gia from 2008 to 2012, Vashadze led dip- lomatic efforts in the aftermath of the Russian invasion to ensure the non-rec- ognition of Russian-occupied territories in Georgia and won full international support for Georgia's territorial integrity. Vashadze also built closer defense and security ties with the West, signing a charter on a strategic partnership with the US that pledged deeper cooperation provocateurs fi lmed Ukrainian staffers, in defense, trade, and energy security. Girchi, which are not aligned with for- for Georgia. OP-ED BY CHRISTINA PUSHAW and Alexey Romanov, a blogger who is US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice mer President Mikheil Saakashvili, have Meanwhile, who (besides the ruling highly critical of Russia’s occupation of commended the accord, confi rming that endorsed Vashadze. Despite their disa- party) has endorsed Zurabishvili? The Georgia, speaking Russian in Vashadze’s it would advance Georgia's bid to become greements, these parties coalesced around overtly pro-Russian Alliance of Patriots ollowing United Opposition HQ to imply that “Russian agents” work a NATO member. Vashadze because they share his com- Chairman urged supporters to vote for candidate Grigol (Gregory) for the opposition. GD has criticized Vashadze for send- mitment to advancing closer ties with Zurabishvili, warning that a Vashadze Vashadze’s unexpectedly strong Such smears are not limited to rogue ing a letter to the Russian Ministry of the West and, perhaps more importantly, victory would result in “bloodshed.” The result in the fi rst round of the activists. On November 1, political ana- Culture in November 2008, after the they view a Zurabishvili presidency as Georgian March, a self-declared neo- Georgian presidential election lyst Ghia Abashidze implied in an inter- Russian invasion of Georgia. In the let- a dire threat to this objective. Nazi group, has also voiced support for Fon October 28, government-backed can- view on the government-friendly POSTV ter, Vashadze proposed a Georgian con- In total, over 60% of the electorate Zurabishvili, but did not ultimately didate Salome Zurabishvili held a very that Vashadze had “KGB connections.” cert in Russia as a form of cultural diplo- voted for an opposition candidate in the endorse her, after GD refused the Mar- brief press conference in which she implied Abashidze also referred to Vashadze’s macy. After GD-aligned academic Gia fi rst round, and the majority share the chists’ demand to change their position that a victory for Vashadze would be a campaign strategist Vitali Shkliarov, a Khukhashvili published the letter in 2013, United Opposition’s grave concerns on legalizing the cultivation of marijuana. victory for the Kremlin. Belarusian national who worked with Vashadze asked how Khukashvili (who about Zurabishvili. This is understand- Most interestingly, Chair of the Foreign Supporters of the ruling Georgian Russian opposition and US presidential had no offi cial government position) able: Since 2008, Zurabishvili has repeat- Affairs Committee of the Duma’s Fed- Dream party (GD) have amplifi ed this campaigns, as a “Russian spin doctor.” could have received a classifi ed docu- edly blamed the Georgian side and occa- eration Council, Konstantin Kosachev, message for months. In the pre-election Zurabishvili’s daughter, Kethevane ment from the Russian government. sionally the US, for Russia’s invasion and of Putin’s United Russia party, stated period, Vashadze’s campaign posters Gorjestani, has also accused Vashadze Khukashvili refused to respond. occupation of Georgian territory. Unsur- that Russia will “carefully observe” the were defaced with spray-paint reading of being a KGB veteran and mirrored As the saying goes, “Show me your prisingly, Russian President Vladimir Georgian presidential election and “KGB;” today, Photoshopped images Abashidze’s inaccurate claim: that a friends, and I will show you who you Putin has quoted Zurabishvili’s position implied that a Vashadze victory would purporting to show Vashadze smiling “Russian PR fi rm” is leading Vashadze’s are.” This maxim is especially relevant in support of Russia’s actions. Zurabish- have “very unpleasant consequences.” beside Russian President Vladimir Putin campaign, promoting “hate speech and as the second-round campaign heats up. vili has repeated other Kremlin talking Armed with the facts, Georgian voters are making the rounds on social media. fake news.” Over a dozen opposition parties, includ- points; e.g., that NATO membership must ask themselves: unpleasant for In a viral social media campaign, GD Ironically, Zurabishvili is the only can- ing European Georgia, Republicans, and should not be a foreign policy priority whom? GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 POLITICS 7 Choosing Sides

This could be one of the reasons, but there OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA are more: if the Georgian Church refuses to recognize the autocephaly of Ukraine, it could happen that the Ecumenical Patriarch he Orthodox world is wait- himself will recognize that of Abkhazia and ing for the Tomos to be Tskhinvali. In short, the Georgian Church issued, which will serve as has to choose the one that will have a less the fi nal point for the rec- unfortunate outcome. ognition of Ukraine’s auto- Last week, it became known that the Tcephaly. After this, all 24 Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch had publicly Churches will have to decide whether announced his position on the Abkhaz- they will pray for the Ukrainian Church ian and Tskhinvalian self-recognized and its Patriarch. If they do, it will be a churches: “I will visit Georgia if the public “no” to the Russian Church, which Patriarch so wishes, and I will publicly is categorically against the autocephaly announce from Tbilisi that the Abkhaz- of Ukraine and is threatening a big church ian and Tskhinvalian self-recognized controversy. The Georgian Church is autocephalous Churches do not have the also facing this dilemma and will need support of the World Patriarchate. I will to make a decision very soon, choosing announce that the only Bishop and Patri- between siding with the Russian Ortho- arch of Abkhazia is his holiness and dox Church or the Ecumenical Patriarch beatitude Ilia, Catholicos-Patriarch of Bartholomew I. All Georgia, and that the regions of Abk- It has been months since the Georgian hazia and Tskhinvali are occupied.” This Church started silently observing the message was spread on the facebook controversy, the Church leaders respond- page of Bishop Zenon, who wrote: “When ing with heterogeneous, shallow com- I told His Holiness that the information ments like: “we will once again review existed that instead of calling you Patri- the historical and canonical sources.” At arch of Georgia they mentioned you as Image source: thetablet.co.uk a time when the Ecumenical Patriarch their sanctifi er, as if they are encouraged is making such a decision, obviously he by Constantinople, he said that both Government of Abkhazia, historian Jemal Sokhumi a number of times. was a time when the Russian state has taken into account the historical and Abkhazia and Tskhinvali are within the Gamakharia PhD, says, “This is a defi nite The Ukrainian Orthodox Church destroyed the autocephaly of the Geor- canonical sources, especially consider- canonical borders of the Georgian Ortho- implication and a warning from the Rus- expects to get a Tomos on autocephaly gian Church and appointed a Russian ing the fact that he has access to much dox Church and that this will not be sian Church – be careful about the Ukrain- and is getting ready for the grand cer- Exarch in Georgia. The Georgian Church broader and more complete archives reviewed.” ian Church issues, or else…wasn’t there emony. Patriarch Filaret is asking the should remember its history which can than the Orthodox Church of Georgia. The Kremlin has indirectly responded anyone apart from Ardzimba? Therefore, Georgian Church to openly speak about be likened to that of the Ukrainian Ortho- It doesn’t need much analysis and dis- to this announcement from the World the Russian Church, like the government, its position, because restoring the his- dox Church,” declared Patriarch Filaret. cussion as to why the Georgian Church Patriarch: the President’s Administration is attacking us from all directions. I hope toric justice has no alternative. In his Truly, historical justice has no alterna- remains silent: obviously they fear that of Russia issued a change and Abkhaz we can defend ourselves.” interview with Radio Freedom, the Patri- tive, therefore, sooner or later, the Georgian supporting this recognition will ignite national Inal Ardzimba was appointed Inal Ardzimba also happens to be the arch implied that the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate will have to take the step, even deep confl ict with the Russian Church as Head of the Public Committee of person the Kremlin wants to replace Church was in a similar position, having more so as Russia does not have any which could result in Moscow issuing Youth Affairs between confessions at Raul Khajimba with, the so-called Pres- lost its autocephaly upon entering the canonical or legislative leverage to recog- autocephaly of autonomy to the Churches the Russian Patriarchate. Deputy Chair- ident of Abkhazia. His surname has been Russian jurisdiction. nize the autocephaly of the Churches based in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. man of the Supreme Council of the IDP heard during protest rallies held in “We want to remind them that there in the occupied territories.

BUSINESS British Council Funds 35 New Int'l Partnerships to Develop Creative Economies versity with University of the West of tive entrepreneurs. Topics covered will BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES England in Bristol. range from pitching ideas and starting a This initiative has been developed in business, to protecting intellectual prop- response to an underdeveloped creative erty and securing fi nancial support. Skills new British Council pro- sector and a demand for entrepreneur- will be developed further through a ‘video gram, ‘Creative Spark: ship training in these countries. The UN pitch’ competition, open to 100,000s of Higher Education Enter- has previously recognized the creative students across the program countries prise Program,’ will fund economy as one of the most rapidly grow- next summer. Prizes will be UK-based 35 new international part- ing sectors of the world economy. Crea- professional development courses. Anerships between higher education and tive Spark aims to give the next generation The British Council will deliver an creative institutions in the UK and Arme- opportunities to develop skills required English Learning Program with a range nia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, to compete in a global job market. of new digital language learning content. Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Each partnership will be granted a This will include online learning packs The winning partnerships, including maximum of £50,000. Representatives on the English Channel platform, online Georgian cultural institutions, are: Cre- from the UK and all program countries courses and new Massive Open Online ative Georgia and the Tbilisi State Acad- involved will meet in Georgia for the Courses (MOOC) focused on English emy of Arts, to partner with Advantage fi rst time on 20-21 November to kick off for entrepreneurship. Creative; Georgian Technical University their plans. Richard Everitt, Director Education to partner with Keele University; Crea- The partnerships will focus on giving and Society, Wider Europe, British Coun- tive Georgia with the University of East young people improved access to inter- cil comments: “We received over 100 Anglia, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State national networks, markets and resources. applications, so will be offering a pack- University and V.Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Over the course of this year, partners will age of support for those who wish to Conservatoire with the University of work together and deliver enterprise skills keep engaged with the Creative Spark Essex Change School and Ilia State uni- training packages to students and crea- and did not receive grant this year.” The long-term delivery service of 25 to 50 kilograms sacks from China. With the organic responsibility of the Trading Company "HanLin" from Alashankou.

E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 Tel/Fax: 86-0909-699-5859 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 Biodiesel - the World's Most Eco-Friendly Fuel Already in Georgia! fuel was born at Frego a few years ago. Then we came up with the idea to start manufacturing locally instead of bring- ing the fuel from abroad. Manufacturing in Georgia is better as it helps local manufacturers to utilize used oil, which is itself quite important in this process. There were no utilization rules before, and the used oil was sent to drainage, soil, or chicken farms, which pollutes the environment. Gastronomers such as McDonald's and Wendy's employ utili- zation. So far, we have signed a contract with McDonald's and there is a selection of small restaurants set to deliver used oil to us. It will be very important for Georgia’s economy and for the environ- ment, too. Biodiesel will protect the environment from harmful effects. The product is already available at Frego petrol stations in Tbilisi and in various regions throughout Georgia.

WHAT ARE THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRODUCT? (Kakha) Biodiesel is a high-quality fuel. Biodiesel has a number of indicators, such as lubrication coeffi cient, etc. that are higher than oil, meaning that the engine will work better and longer. Most importantly, biodiesel has a great advan- tage in terms of ecology. While using biodiesel, sulfur dioxide is not spread and the population does not get poi- soned. Straight diesel fuel pollutes the air, while biodiesel is the more eco- friendly option. (Rusudan) B10 Fuel is a combination of Europian standard diesel and biodiesel. The biodiesel portion in it is up to 10%, being produced worldwide, we in Geor- and the exact amount of biodiesel is port will be signifi ciantly reduced, per- luted that living here is becoming impos- INTERVIEW gia were "sleeping peacefully" and com- explained in our regulations, according haps by the end of the year in Tbilisi. If sible. This issue is a problem for plaining about the rise in oil prices. In to which the amount of biodiesel changes. there is the right attitude and political everyone. Consequently, if biodiesel is the end, we found ourselves “in the claws It might be less in winter, but this infor- will to solve the ecological problems, used by the majority of cars, the situa- s a result of successful of a big monster” and in a poor condi- mation will be avaliable to our custom- Tbilisi can become the fi rst capital city tion will improve signifi cantly. As soon Austrian-Georgian coop- tion, totally dependent on imported fuel. ers. not only in Transcaucasia but in the as the production of "Biodiesel Georgia" eration, the fi rst biodiesel Fuel consumption and car restriction is The amount of Sulfur in our fuel is so whole of Eastern Europe where munic- is increased so that it meets our demands, enterprise has opened in so unrealistic that this process is not low that the harmful substances do not ipal transport works entirely on eco- we will sell the product to any company. Georgia. Martin Mitelbak, even implemented. There is a severe spread while using it. This is a prior friendly fuel. APHD Doctor of Chemistry; Murman ecological condition in the city, mainly condition of taking care of the environ- (Rusudani): If we see the State’s inter- TELL US ABOUT THE Pataraia, the founder of Biodiesel Geor- caused by transport. The danger of car- ment. According to European experience est and initiative, we will be happy to FUTURE PLANS gia; Rusudan Ramazashvili, General cinogenic diseases in Tbilisi today is and our practices, the most suitable for satisfy the problem of municipal trans- (Kakha) We are going to work in several Director of Frego; and Kakha Karchkhadze, high. That's why it was so important for cars is the 10% fuel combination. If we port pollution. directions: developing the technology renowned researcher of Renewable Georgians to fi nd alternative and eco- compare it to the 10 best European BPMs, and increasing production. At this stage, Energy at Ilia State University, managed friendly ways of producing fuel. The the B10 is distinguished by containing a WHAT ARE YOUR we produce 12 tons per month. We hope to implement a large-scale plan and con- answer to all these problems and the bit more oil, less sulfur and other harm- EXPECTATIONS IN GEORGIA? that this number will be signifi ciantly tribute to the development of Georgia's effective solution is the production of ful mixtures. In Georgia, diesels contain- WILL WE SEE BIODIESEL increased by the end of the year. Now, bright, and cleaner, future. biodiesel. ing a high amount of sulfur are sold, AT OTHER COMPANIES' our product is B10 biodiesel. We think Since July 6, every driver in Georgia Biodiesel is not a new product to the while biodiesel is much safer for the PETROL STATIONS? that B20 biodiesel will be added to it who has a diesel car has been able to world and now it’s Georgia’s turn. The environment. It costs 2.42 GEL at this (Martin): Based on Austrian experience, soon. buy B10 biodiesel at Frego petrol sta- US produces 12 million tons of biodiesel stage and if we compare it to high-qual- they could act more quickly. We will use There are already individuals, corpo- tions- a Georgian product, and choose annually, Europe – 10. These countries ity diesels of other brands, the price is this fuel for heavy-load vehicles at the rate clients and institutions who have not to pollute the air and to become a produce alternative and renewable fuel quite acceptable. outset. Control is the main thing in bio- shown serious interest in using our bio- participant of the important process of and use it in their urban environments. diesel production and we have this aspect diesel. They realize that it is time for ecological restoration. I came up with the idea of producing IN GEORGIA, WE’VE BEEN at the highest level. At fi rst, we produced Georgia to switch to European and biodiesel in Georgia while working at FACING PROBLEMS REGARDING a few dozen tonnes, but now we need American standards, which has been HOW DID YOU START US universities. We introduced the tech- THE HARMFUL EMISSIONS OF more in industrial production and there- working successfully in the West for a WORKING ON THE PROJECT nology, created the fi rst samples of bio- PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN RECENT fore, alongside increasing the quantity, long time. Since ‘Biodiesel Georgia’ AND HOW DID YOU diesel, and for the fi rst time in the history YEARS. DO YOU THINK THE we plan to develop quality control mech- started implementing this work and the IMPLEMENT IT IN GEORGIA? of Georgia, the fi rst cars were run not EXISTING FUELS USED FOR anisms and introduce new techniques. company Frego brought it into its (Martin): We started working on the on oil products, but on fuel obtained MUNICIPAL TRANSPORT WILL (Murman): I have an important state- branches, Georgia already has the pleas- chemical creation of diesel at our uni- from plants. BE REPLACED BY BIODIESEL, ment for your readers: fi rst, restaurants ure of using alternative, clean fuel. versity a long time ago. The fi rst attempts This successful project was followed JUST LIKE IN AUSTRIA? should employ the proper utilization of (Murman) The most important factor were conducted in the 1980s. We wanted by cooperation between science and (Kakha): In this case, Tbilisi would set used cooking oil. Using it for a second is that we start simultaneously working to test the product practically in order business. Oil Company Frego contacted everyone an example of how minimal time is absolutely unacceptable, as it on more large-scale projects, which to take it out of the laboratory. The main Ilia University and we decided to com- fi nancial expenses and improvement of harms human health. I call on everyone means that in the next three years, we objective was to use biodiesel fuel in mercialize this project. We worked inten- the city's ecological situation can be to use used oil as biodiesel fuel. Used will construct a larger enterprise equipped agricultural machinery. Later, the idea sively for one year, improved the tech- possible in a short period of time. Pub- oil should not be sent to drainages and with the latest technologies, where we was developed to cover all segments of nology, selected a space for lic transport in Austria works entirely should not be poured away. The use of will mobilize an investment of 10 million transport. Georgia is a pioneer in the manufacturing, brought the equipment, on biodiesel. And now we’ve opened the oil in biodiesel production is a serious Euros, while the number of employees fi eld of biodiesel production in the region built a biodiesel factory and started enterprise, biodiesel became available opportunity to get rid of waste in terms will increase to 150. At this stage, bio- and I am very glad that to be a partici- manufacturing. We have already released in Tbilisi too. It is possible that the yel- of environmental pollution. diesel is avaliable only in the Frego net- pant of this process. the fi rst products of biodiesel, which low buses and mini-buses will gradually (Rusudan) The idea of selling B10 was work in Georgia, but in case of increased (Kakha): Over the last two decades, were snapped up by Frego. switch to the biodiesel and the level of to reduce emissions in the city. Nowa- production, we will offer the product while millions of tons of biodiesel was (Rusudan) The idea of selling the B10 air pollution emitted by municipal trans- days, the air in the capital city is so pol- to other networks as well. GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 SOCIETY 9 Civil Activists Help to Improve Living Conditions of Vulnerable Animals

diseases,” Tiko elaborated. BY ANA DUMBADZE According to one of the organizers of the event, Levan Lomtadze, the main purpose and motivation of his activities is to do a kind deed and contribute n November 4, the Kiwi Vegan Café to improving vulnerable animals’ lives. Levan also on 6 Machabeli Street hosted a spe- noted that there is a much more complicated situ- cial meeting for animal-lovers. ation in the regions of Georgia in terms of caring Within the framework of the meet- for stray animals, and one of the main purposes of ing, citizens collected food, warm their activities is to raise public awareness about blanketsO and medicines for cats and dogs to send this problem there. to specifi c people in Tbilisi and the regions who “I wanted to improve the living conditions of are caring for dozens of animals in their homes. stray animals, so I contacted Tiko and we started Within the framework of the ‘Feed the Vulnerable working on this issue together. Within the frame- Animals’ event, citizens also donated money to work of today’s event, we will collect food, blankets, contribute to the cost of the medication Bravecto, and medicines for homeless animals. During the the latest generation of drugs that successfully treat next days, we will visit the regions of Georgia and tick and fl ea infestations and various skin diseases. deliver them to the people who care for unprotected Treatment with a single dose of Bravecto has a vis- animals. There, the situation is much more diffi cult ible effect within 10 days. One of the main purposes than in Tbilisi, and we need to raise public aware- of the meeting was to collect as much of the above- ness of the issue there. It is our civic duty. For mentioned medicine as possible and treat suffering instance, some people shelter about 40-50 cats and dogs throughout Georgia. The price of this medi- dogs in their home, and fi nd themselves severely cation varies from 75 to 80 GEL. criticized by the neighbors who complain that it At the event, veterinary clinic ‘Lucky Fou’ vet- might lead to the spreading of various diseases. erinarians talked about the most problematic dis- According to the organizers of ‘Feed the Vulner- animals and bring animal-lovers together for fi ve Some of them say that it is a big discomfort for eases found among homeless animals in Georgia able Animals,’ they are going to continue their kind years already. Exactly 5 years ago. I created the Face- them. Due to the bad economic conditions, people and ways to combat them. initiative through various campaigns and activities book page ‘ცხოველთა გადარჩენის სახალხო ფრონტი,’ are irritated and express their aggression towards The meeting was organized by a group of young in future to help the gentlest, friendliest and at the which now has approximately 44,000 followers. the innocent animals. This is why we work to visit people who have been working to help unprotected same time, most unprotected creatures around us. Thanks to this page, we have already saved many the regions countrywide and raise awareness about and vulnerable animals for fi ve years already. They “Thank you for your help. You are amazing peo- animals and found shelter for them. As for the cam- this problem,” he said. do not represent an organization, but a group of ple. This week, we will carry out our activities in paign itself, we have been conducting the ‘Feed the Levan also stressed the importance of exchang- kind people who care about our four-footed friends the various cities of Georgia with your help, namely Vulnerable Animals’ event for two years. Last year’s ing ideas and experience between animal-lovers. without any fi nancial benefi ts. in Gori, Kaspi, Samtredia, Batumi, Brotseula, and event was also held at Kiwi Café. Previously, we held He said one of the main purposes of the meeting At the end of the meeting, a discussion between Tbilisi. We have no words to express our gratitude the event outside, near Rustaveli Metro, but as the was to bring together people who care about ani- animal-lovers was held about the issues of home- and we are very proud,” the organizers of the event winter is coming and it is getting cold on the streets, mals and discuss new ways to help them. less animals and ways to solve these problems. The wrote on the Facebook page ‘ცხოველთა გადარჩენის Kiwi Vegan Café kindly gave us its space and we are “Today’s event brought together people who care organizers of the meeting introduced their activi- სახალხო ფრონტი’. very thankful for it. I want to express my deep grati- about animals. We will share our experience with ties and future plans to the audience. As they told One of the organizers of the event, social activist tude towards the people who came here today and each other and fi nd new ways and opportunities GEORGIA TODAY, the discussion was yet another Tiko Kvaliashvili, elaborated on their activities and brought food, warm blankets, medicines and money to help our four-footed friends. We are not an opportunity to exchange experience and fi nd new expressed her gratitude to the people who unself- to buy the essential medication for stray dogs. Thanks organization, we are a group of ordinary citizens, ways to save vulnerable animals throughout the ishly helped stray animals within the framework to the kind people who participated in today’s event, and it is our civic responsibility to take the initia- country and assist the local population who unself- of the event. we will collect money, buy Bravecto and cure home- tive and try to solve the existing problems through- ishly care for them. “I have been trying my best to help unprotected less animals who are suffering from various skin out the country,” he added. MRDI to Build New Housing for 780 IDP Families

Photo: Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure 2012 we have provided 16 thousand households BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE with housing, however it is only part of the need that we are facing nowadays. Today we have talked about the construction of 9 buildings in the towns he Municipal Development Fund of Tskaltubo and Zugdidi and it represents only a (MDF) of the Ministry of Regional minor part of plans that we are to implement by Development and Infrastructure of means of the MDF. Next year we intend to spend Georgia (MRDI) conducted an Open GEL 50-60 million in this direction and respectively, Day for real estate developers on the we will hold such meetings in future too,” said Ttopic of constructing residential buildings for IDPs Tskitishvili. and presented the bidding announcement to the Each new apartment will have gas, hot water and companies in attendance. room heaters, the buildings will have outdoor infra- There are plans to construct nine buildings that structure, access roads to residential houses, and will house 780 IDP families in Zugdidi, Samegrelo parking lots. and Tskaltubo, Imereti. “The governmental changes that took place sev- The meeting held with the developers was attended eral months ago resulted in dividing activities that by Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Regional Devel- we had been performing for IDP housing, however, opment and Infrastructure Maia Tskitishvili and the work process was not weakened. I do consider Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the that by the end of the year we will be able to pre- Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social sent an increased budget in this direction. As for Affairs of Georgia, Davit Sergeenko. today’s meeting and its format, it will be useful for “We are proceeding with the meetings within the developers as they will have a clear awareness of Open Day format and the concerned parties and the quantity of work that we are to commence in developers at those meetings will be able to famil- the forthcoming months, that will be completed in iarize themselves with the particular projects. Since two years," said Sergeenko. GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 Germany Cracks Down on Georgian Asylum Seekers

worked in Germany for eight years, told BY AMY JONES the Deutsche Welle German news outlet that she believes Georgians are attracted to Germany as it offers higher wages and he number of Georgian a much better standard of living. Indeed, asylum seekers in Germany the German state provides asylum seek- has increased signifi cantly ers with accommodation and 400 Euros since the EU granted Geor- per month, which is much higher than gian citizens the right to the average salary in Georgia. Tvisa-free travel. Does this rise spell the However, the press spokesman of the end of visa-free travel for Georgians? Saxon Refugee Council, Mark Gaertner, How are Germany and Georgia tackling described the authorities’ actions as the issue? “ruthless”. He does not regard Georgian Living behind austere barbed wire refugees as “economic migrants.” Accord- fences and the bleak walls of the initial ing to him, many children with disabili- reception facility in the Dresden district ties are being sent back to Georgia, where of Friedrichstadt are 500 people seeking they cannot receive the qualifi ed medi- new lives in Germany. Most have fl ed cal care they require. This could pose a from war-torn regions like Syria, Iraq, threat to life, which can be regarded as and Afghanistan. Yet, many also hail legitimate grounds for asylum. from a democratic and peaceful country: Nonetheless, many believe that some one-fi fth of the inhabitants are Georgian. asylum seekers are taking advantage of In March 2017, the European Union the system. German politician Stephan declared that Georgian citizens could Meyer told Die Welt newspaper that it visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Many is “brazen and unacceptable” to abuse Image source: Deutsch Welle Georgian’s celebrated the collective sense visa-freedom “in order to apply for asy- that Georgia was beginning to move lum that will not be granted just to receive in the Bundestag, signifi cant for a party citizens in Saxon whose applications sion Mechanism designed to ensure that closer towards European membership. welfare payments and take advantage of which had previously never won seats. were rejected, meaning they will also be visa-free travel is not abused. However, Georgia may risk losing this our healthcare system.” The crime rate of refugees in Germany fl own back. The Ambassador to Germany, Elguja privilege due to the large increase in Georgian’s seeking asylum in Germany contributes to the argument of far-right German and Georgian governments Khokrishvili, wrote in a statement to citizens not just visiting Europe, but also are putting additional strain on the immi- parties. In 2016, prior to the visa liber- are working to tackle the problem. Ger- Deutsche Welle that measures have been seeking asylum. gration system in Germany, which has alization, Georgian nationals contributed many is considering following in the implemented in Georgia such as an Since the ruling that Georgian citizens struggled to keep up with the number to 1.1 percent of the total number of footsteps of France, once a favorite among “intensive and extensive information no longer need visas, the number of asy- of migrants arriving since the beginning migrants who are criminal suspects, the Georgian asylum seekers, to list Georgia campaign, amendments to the law on lum seekers coming to Germany tripled. of the refugee crisis in 2015. highest fi gure among ex-Soviet countries as a safe country. This would make it criminal prosecution for aiding and abet- According to fi gures from the Federal The crisis is fuelling right-wing poli- aside from Russia. easier to reject applications. Since France ting illegal migration and tighter controls Office for Migration and Refugees tics. Migration is a painful issue which Deporting Georgians is a costly under- added Georgia to its list of safe countries, on departure.” Applications have indeed (BAMF), 2,976 Georgians applied for plays an important element in electoral taking. According to the Saxon Refugee asylum denials have become more com- fallen. “The fi gures from September asylum in Germany between January politics across Europe, especially in Ger- Council, each charter fl ight used to send mon. show a 77.7 percent decrease compared and July this year. many. The far-right party ‘Alternative Georgians back to Tbilisi costs roughly Moreover, the German government has to January 2018.” Many applicants seek asylum on grounds for Germany’ uses anti-immigrant rhet- 95,000 Euros. Two charter planes carry- warned that Georgia may lose its travel The decrease gives reason to believe of political persecution. Yet, only 2% of oric to gain voters, which has proved ing about 100 Georgians each fl ew from privileges should the trend continue. If that the measures are relatively effective. applications are accepted as German relatively successful. They became the Leipzig in September and October. the rate of increase nears the 50 percent The question remains as to whether the authorities fail to fi nd evidence. Eter third-largest party in Germany after the According to the Saxon Ministry of the threshold set by the EU, then member numbers will continue to fall in the com- Hachmann, a Georgian who has legally 2017 federal election, winning 94 seats Interior, there are currently 511 Georgian states may apply the so-called Suspen- ing months. Georgians Schengen Visa Applications Declined by 70% in 2017 29.7% of these, or 1,208, were Multiple embassy rejected the highest number cations: Poland, Estonia and Switzerland. EXCLUSIVE TO GEORGIA TODAY Entry (MEV) visas. 371 (8.3%) of uniform of visa applications in Tbilisi. 1,179 At the Swiss consulate, 650 Georgians • visa applications were rejected. Ten suc- Georgians that applied to this consu- submitted a visa application and 581 of 70% fewer cessful applicants received a Limited late received a negative response, them were granted one. With 147 of the chengen Visa Info, one of the Territorial Validity (LTV) visa. maintaining a portion of 27.1% of the total issued visas, MEV visa holders shared largest, fastest, independent Schengen visa The Netherlands Embassy had also total uniform visa applications. a quarter of the total grants (25.3%). 66 Schengen Visa-related informa- a large number of applicants in 2017, Italy was the third country with the uniform visa applicants failed to get their tion and news publishing web- applications by but far fewer than it had the previous highest number of Schengen uniform visa visa, meaning a 10.2% rate of refusal. sites in the world, has published Georgian year. 4,348 Georgians made a Schengen applications in Georgia. 2,910 applications theS latest results on Georgian Schengen uniform visa application during the were sent to the Italian Embassy and 2,543 SchengenVisaInfo.com is one of the largest, visa applications. Let’s have a look how past year but, in contrast to the Ger- of these were awarded a uniform visa. fastest, independent Schengen Visa related it stands from their research. citizens in 2017 man Embassy, The Netherlands con- 722 (28.4%) of these successful applicants information and news publishing websites in Three-fourths fewer Georgians are said • sulate was highly reluctant to issue were granted an MEV visa. The Italian the world. to have applied for a Schengen visa in The German Schengen visas, granting just 3,095 Embassy rejected 367 uniform visa appli- For over 5 years, it has been following and 2017 than in the previous year, as shown uniform visas. MEVs made up more cations, 12.6% of the total uniform visa reporting on policy changes about the Schen- by the offi cial Schengen visa statistics Embassy granted than half of these (55.6% or 1,721 MEV applications. gen zone and is now the leading source of released by SchengenVisaInfo.com. visas granted). Yet, in comparison with Only three embassies received less than information with over 18 million annual read- Georgians have been able to travel to the highest every other listed consulate, the Dutch a thousand Schengen uniform visa appli- ers who rely on it to get information. the Schengen zone without needing to get a visa ahead of time since the EU number of removed the visa requirements in March 2017. The effect of this move came fast, Schengen visas seeing the number of Schengen visa appli- cations take a huge down-turn. to Georgians In 2016, 106,024 Georgians applied for a Schengen uniform visa while in the past • The year, this number dropped to just 23,354 applications. Among all the consulates, Netherlands the Embassy of The Netherlands rejected the largest portion of applications, though rejected the it was in second place in the list of coun- tries whose embassies received the larg- highest number est number of applications in Georgia. In 2017, SchengenVisaInfo.com claims of Schengen visa the German consulate in the capital of Tbilisi received 4,444 Schengen uniform applicants in visa applications. The total number of uniform visas granted by them was 4,063. Georgia GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 SOCIETY 11 British Expert Tim Wheeler Holds Consultancy Meetings & Training Sessions in Support of Inclusive Art in Tbilisi

BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES

he British Council, in part- nership with the Ministry of Education, Science, Cul- ture and Sport of Georgia, invited Tim Wheeler, inclu- Tsive art and festival expert, to Tbilisi. The visit comprises two components: On 5-6 November, the expert will hold consultancy meetings with the repre- sentatives of the Ministry, disabled per- formers/artists and persons involved in the arts sector. On 8-10 November, Wheeler will deliver a training on pro- ject proposal writing, planning, delivery, and evaluation. Tim Wheeler is a freelance arts con- sultant, teacher and performance maker. He is a former artistic director and co- founder of Mind the Gap theater com- pany, Bradford, with 30+ years’ experi- ing component will be devoted to project • Discuss the Risk Assessment ence devising, managing and leading 18 proposal writing, planning, delivery and • Discuss Importance evaluating feed- national touring and site-specifi c pro- evaluation for the disability arts sector. back received from project participants, ductions and 100+ arts projects and edu- This training will help managers and sponsors and general audience. cational programs. individuals engaged in Inclusive/Inte- Tim Wheeler’s visit is part of the Brit- Within the consultancy meetings grated Arts to develop their professional ish Council’s ‘Unlimited: Making the Wheeler will elaborate recommenda- skills in project writing, planning, deliv- Right Steps’ Program. The aim of the tions for Georgia to achieve a high level ery and evaluation. Training participants program is to support the promotion of engagement of disabled people in the will and development of inclusive arts by inclusive arts. He will suggest ideas as • Discuss sample project proposal and sharing the UK experience involving to how to improve the quality of their evaluation people with disabilities in the arts and work and promote easy access to arts • Set up clear project ideas in the creation of an accessible environ- products and arts spaces for disabled • Learn about the importance of ment for them. Its activities help disabled people. The British Expert will meet advanced planning and timeframe and non-disabled artists to gain the nec- representatives of cultural institutions • Get familiar with the distribution of essary skills, cooperate in an integrated and individuals interested in inclusive roles and responsibilities environment and develop new relations. arts and most importantly the repre- • Discuss budget components and cal- Both components of Tim Wheeler’s visit sentatives of the Ministry of Education, culations are expected to signifi cantly support the Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia. • Find out the importance of marketing inclusive arts sector in Georgia to develop On 8-10 November, a three-day train- planning and promotion the sector and improve skills. UNICEF Welcomes Gov't Decision to Up Support for Socially Vulnerable Children

the Government was bold enough to do implementation of the World Bank's BY THEA MORRISON so. We are really looking forward to Human Capital Project. seeing the positive impact this will have “Congratulations to the Government on the most vulnerable children in of Georgia for taking the decision to be NICEF has welcomed the Georgia,” the UNICEF Deputy Execu- one of the early adopters of the World Georgian government’s tive Director stated, adding that the Bank's Human Capital Project. UNICEF decision on a fi vefold cooperation between UNICEF and the could not be more excited about that. increase of support for Georgian government is “really incred- We are keen to see children put in the socially vulnerable chil- ible.” center of it, and we could not be more Udren under the age of 16. “We really appreciate that coopera- supportive of the importance of people The statement was made by the tion. We appreciate that we are able to as part of economic development and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, do our work on advocating for children we are very proud that the Georgian Shanelle Hall, at a meeting with the and getting evidence what is needed Government has taken such a bold deci- Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka for them, and that the government is sion,” she added. Bakhtadze, in Shanghai. strong and critiques that evidence, and Bakhtadze announced the increase of “We respect the Georgian govern- also makes its own policy decisions on support for socially vulnerable children ment's decision, and we are excited what is good for children. It is a won- under 16 last week, saying that instead about it. A study was done on the chil- derful cooperation,” she noted. of the current 10 GEL, families will get dren that are most vulnerable and there Hall went on to underline that UNICEF 50 GEL per child under 16 years. is evidence that really established the is also excited and proud of the Geor- He stated the initiative will apply to importance of changing the policy, and gian government's decision on the almost 140,000 children in the country. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 Guram Kashia & Locomotive Speak Out against Bullying

brother, the truth about the bullies, wor- for Dutch club Vitesse from 2010-2018, ried that they would not take his fears making nearly 300 appearances and scor- seriously, and tell him to simply resist ing over 20 goals. The defender was named them. Kashia told students that he regrets Georgian Player of the Year in 2012 and that approach and wished that he would 2013 and was awarded the Eredivisie Player have shared the burden with his brother, of the Month Award for August 2015. that they could have stood up to the bul- In August, Kashia was awarded UEFA’s lies together. Importantly, Kashia also inaugural #EqualGame Award for his spoke directly to the boys in the room, support of the LGBT community on the telling them that it is okay to show emo- football fi eld. The award is given to a tions, that it is okay to cry. He often cried player who has acted as a role model in when he was bullied as a child, he explained, promoting diversity, inclusion and acces- and a boy should not feel ashamed to sibility in European football. show his tears. “Kashia won the award for taking a cou- The football star’s fi nal piece of advice rageous public stand for equality. Whilst to the kids was to be open – to talk with playing for Dutch top-division outfi t SBV someone about their feelings, to tell an Vitesse last season, the 31-year-old central adult if they are being bullied, to seek defender joined other team captains at advice from peers. He even offered to domestic matches in the Netherlands in talk with the students through his per- wearing a rainbow armband, signifying sonal Instagram account if they do not support for the LGBT community. Image source: Sportall.ge feel comfortable talking to other adults “Kashia’s gesture was greeted with an about bullying. extremely negative and hostile response The football players were promoting with the Georgian mafi a), would stand After talking with the students, Kashia in certain quarters in his native Georgia. BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE the campaign “ძლიერები არ ძალადობენ” at the cafeteria doors and force other and the players from Locomotive went There were even calls for him to renounce (dzlierebi ar dzaladoben - the strong do students to pay them money to enter. out to the school yard to play football playing for the national team. Neverthe- not bully). Kashia spoke with the young Kashia admitted that he was not popular, with the kids. Kashia said he is glad to less, he was defi ant in the face of the abuse n Tuesday, Georgian foot- students earnestly, sharing painful mem- had few friends and was afraid to stand see sports becoming increasingly popu- and threats he received, insisting he had ball (soccer, in US parlance) ories from his childhood when he himself up to the bullies. He would tell his parents lar among young people and replacing no regrets about wearing the armband player Guram Kashia and was a victim of school-yard bullies. Some he was sick so he could stay home from the criminal and violent mentalities that and underlining his full support for diver- players for the Tbilisi Loco- of his peers had a sort of criminal men- school and avoid them. When he was in dominated when he was in school. sity and inclusion.” – UEFA. motive football team visited tality, he explained. At the time, sports school in the 1990s, said Kashia, there Today, Kashia is the vice-captain of the After winning the award, Kashia said “I Othe British-Georgian Academy in the were not cool and Kashia’s love for foot- were no conversations about bullying, Georgian national football team and cur- believe in equality for everyone, no mat- capital to talk with students about bully- ball was dismissed and ridiculed. The and both parents and children saw bul- rently plays for the San Jose Earthquakes ter what you believe in, who you love or ing. They were also accompanied by the cool kids, who followed a ‘kai bichi’ life- lying and physical fi ghts as normal and in California, USA. He joined the Earth- who you are...I will always keep defend- deputy minister of Education, Science, style (a youth criminal subculture, popu- even healthy for young boys. quakes in June this year, alongside fellow ing equality and equal rights for everyone, Culture, and Sport. lar in the 1990s and early 2000s, associated He never told his parents, or his younger Georgian Vako Qazaishvili. Kashia played wherever I play." Gold Harvest: Etseri, Svaneti applauded their efforts. The grade 10s How different this was from having warming scheme of things, but we know big difference to people’s moods. See, BLOG BY TONY HANMER danced too, to canned music, and snow thick on the ground already, minus how much proper winter we typically it’s not so bad after all, we can get although not in national costume, they temperatures, howling winds, cloudy have to “look forward to,” and lessen- through this and spring will return as looked suitably festive and acrobatic. skies. It may not bode well in the global ing this by a month or so can make a well, you’ll see! inter has decided to Perhaps only the winter sports enthu- delay its arrival up siasts, and there are plenty of them in our mountains, here too, are longing for more snow and we’re not sorry. than we’ve had so far. They’re itching Only the surround- to get up on the slopes of Tetnuldi and ingW peaks have had one of those sprin- Hatsvali resorts near Mestia, with their klings which is seen only when low European-class lifts and world-class clouds dissipate, revealing what they runs, and go wild on skis or snowboards, were working on in secret. The white either of which can be rented if you stuff hasn’t appeared in the village at don’t own your own. But this period all yet. We’ve even had a few straggling will come soon enough, and at its higher guests, on foot and bike, enjoying the elevations typically will last longer late easy access before certain roads, than Bakuriani’s or Gudauri’s, if you like the rough but magnifi cent one can spare the extra travel time and stay down from Ushguli to Lentekhi, are long enough to make it worth your snow-closed for up to half the year. while. Instead, it’s all autumn reds, yellows Until then, we mellow in the colored and evergreens together in a fantastic glows, stack up our fi rewood, let our display which only now is losing its animals graze outside as long as pos- splendor as the leaves fall, briefl y mak- sible, winterize water supplies and pipes, ing bizarre shadows under the trees dig out the cold-weather clothing and that are the same hues as the leaves put away our shorts and sandals, and were, before they dry up to brown. enjoy this respite for what it is. Autumn The annual harvest festival at school isn’t going away just yet, so let’s not was even held outdoors recently, a fi rst wish it to, but be content with this extra in many years. Warm autumn sun let sun and warmth before the heat-refl ec- the classes deck their tables with all tive white transforms everything and the trimmings of autumn bounty in the nature really starts to hibernate. Up in sports stadium. Corn, potatoes, apples, Svaneti, winter is a serious thing, not pears, pumpkins, squashes, hay, all the to be taken lightly: an annual test of leaves you could want as decoration fortitude and relationships. and made into crowns. Someone was even making churchkhela, the ubiqui- Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since tous national sweet, strings of shelled 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been walnuts or hazels dipped into thickened a weekly writer for GT since early 2011. grape juice, and handing them out! He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Face- The different grades made verbal book group, now with over 1900 mem- presentations of memorized material, bers, at www.facebook.com/groups/ poetry and prose about the season rat- SvanetiRenaissance/ tled off while I hoped that some of it He and his wife also run their own guest would stick in their heads. Parents, house in Etseri: teachers and classmates looked on and www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 CULTURE 13 Legendary Conductor Daniel Oren to Lead 2 Productions at Tbilisi Opera & Ballet Theater guest-conductor at the Metropolitan Opera House (New York), Covent Garden, the Vienna State Opera, and the major opera houses of San Fran- cisco, Houston, Buenos Aires, Paris, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, and Moscow. He has also conducted world- wide acclaimed ensembles, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, and the Munich Radio Philharmonic. Oren is best known for his interpretations of the works of Verdi and Puccini. He has worked with some of the most famous singers in opera, including Alfredo Kraus, Josè Carreras, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Raina Kabaivanska, Ghena Dimitrova, Fiorenza Cedolins, Marcelo Álvarez, Ruggero Raimondi, Leo Nucci, and countless others. He has recorded for RCA, Decca, Arthaus Musik, TDK, and other major labels. “I feel so honored to be part of this concert and I’m happy to perform in company with one of the world’s greatest conductors. This will be yet another big experience in my career,” Armaz Darashvili, Georgian tenor, told GEORGIA TODAY. “Daniel Oren is a natural-born talent,” said excep- tional Georgian Soprano, Iano Alibegashvili. “I’m lucky enough to have the opportunity to perform together with him for the second time already. He is captivated by a love of the Georgian audience. I remember after he conducted Aida in Tbilisi Opera, he came and told us that he hadn’t wanted the per- formance to end,” he recalled. Unforgettable concerts await opera enthusiasts in the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theater on November 10 and 14, so don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy the world’s greatest productions performed by bright stars and led by internationally recog- nized and progressive conductor of our time, Dan- iel Oren.

European Union in 1985. Now the anthem serves BY LIKA CHIGLADZE as a symbol for the whole of Europe. “I have been collaborating with Daniel Oren since 2003. He was one of my fi rst maestros,” Nino Sur- n November 10 and 14, the Tbilisi guladze, world-famous Mezzo Soprano told GEOR- Opera and Ballet State Theater is set GIA TODAY. “We have recorded three DVDs of to present two concerts, conducted Nabucco by Verdi together. One of them was and led by great Maestro Daniel Oren, recorded in Piacenza, where I used to perform with currently the Musical Director of the Paata Burchuladze and the others at the Arena di TbilisiO Opera. Verona. The latter at Arena di Verona was made "Ready for a week of great music and of great together with George Gagnidze, a Georgian bari- emotions with such a wonderful public in Georgia!" tone. Daniel has had close ties and friendly rela- the conductor tweeted of his upcoming perfor- tions with Georgian artists that possibly also fos- mances in Tbilisi. tered him becoming Musical Director of the Tbilisi On November 10, the Tbilisi Opera will present Opera and Ballet State Theater. I’m extremely happy Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi, a concert to feature to perform together with my friends and Maestro distinguished Georgian artists and bright stars like Oren on my beloved Opera Theater stage,” Surgu- Iano Alibegashvili, Nino Surguladze, Otar JorJikia ladze noted. and George Andghuladze. “I performed together with the Maestro for the Verdi's Requiem offers a drama of opera and the fi rst time in 2011. Since then, I was fortunate enough thrill of wonderful symphonic writing combined to work with him and sing on a number of stages with stellar, virtuosic solo moments. Requiem was worldwide. We have very close ties and friendly composed in memory of Alessandro Manzoni, an relations. He has an amazing talent for transform- Italian poet and novelist whom Verdi admired. The ing the same piece and interpreting it for each fi rst performance, at the San Marco church in Milan concert. I think he has greatest musical instinct on 22 May 1874 marked the fi rst anniversary of among the world’s leading conductors,” said world- Manzoni's death. Since then, the mesmerizing piece famous Georgian bass George Andguladze. has been performed in the world’s top operas and As a 20-year-old student of conducting in Ger- theaters. It is known as probably the most frequently many, Oren claimed fi rst prize at the Berlin-based performed major choral work composed since the Herbert von Karajan International Conducting compilation of Mozart's Requiem. Competition in 1975. In 1978, he began conducting Verdi’s well-known production is to be followed in the US and also established his career in Italy. by yet another eternal classic in Tbilisi: Symphony Oren served as a conductor at such prestigious No. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven will come to life theaters as Trieste, Teatro di San Carlo in Naples on the stage of the Tbilisi Opera on November 14. and the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa. He was The cast includes Iano Alibegashvili, Nino Surgu- appointed Artist Director at the Verdi Opera House ladze, George Andghuladze and Armaz Darashvili in Salerno in 2007. In 2018, he took on the role of as well as the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theater Musical Director of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet choir and orchestra as key elements in the concert. State Theater. The famed artist had his debut as Ludwig van Beethoven’s work, remarkable not Musical Director on January 16 and 18 when he only for its grandness of scale but especially for its conducted Opera Fantasy, a program involving fi nal movement, which includes a full chorus and overtures and pieces from opera classics. vocal soloists who sing a setting of Friedrich Schil- “It is a great honor and responsibility to work with ler’s poem “An die Freude” (“Ode to Joy”), pre- such an eminent maestro as Daniel Oren,” said Otar miered on May 7, 1824, in Vienna. Symphony No. Jorjikia, Georgian tenor. “Through working with 9 has withstood the test of time and, indeed, has him, you learn many things and grow professionally. made its mark and now the well-known piece will I’m excited, since I’ll be performing an amazing be voiced in Tbilisi Opera by world-famous Geor- piece by Verdi for the fi rst time in Georgia together gian artists. In 1972, the prelude to "Ode to Joy", with my colleagues. I wish all the participants good the 4th movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th luck with this amazing performance at the Tbilisi Symphony, was adopted as the Anthem of Europe Opera and Ballet State Theater,” he added. by the Council of Europe and subsequently by the Daniel Oren has been actively performing as a GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER Directed by Zherom Kaplan Directed by Leo Gabriadze CLIMAX Polish Institute in Tbilisi, present Choreographer: Iohan Kobborg Start time: 20:00 Directed by Gaspar Noé the exhibition Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 15 GEL Cast: Sofi a Boutella, Romain KATYN - IT HAS BEEN AN GIFT - GEORGIAN INT’L Ticket: 40-100 GEL Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub UNUSUAL MORNING FESTIVAL OF ARTS IN TBILISI MOVEMENT THEATER Genre: Drama, Horror, Musical GALLERY MUSIC AND DRAMA STATE 182 Aghmashenebeli Ave. Language: Russian November 11 THEATER TEL (+995) 598 19 29 36 Start time: 16:45 PLASTER JUDA 182 Agmashenebeli Ave. Ticket: 14 GEL THE NATIONAL GALLERY Directed by Marina Salukvadze TEL (+995 32) 234 80 90 November 10 11 Rustaveli Ave. Music: Zaza Marjanishvili INTRO CAVEA GALLERY TEL (+995 32) 215 73 00 Media opera in one act November 13 Directed by Kakha Bakuradze 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. Cast: Sopo Khalvashi WELCOME TO GEORGIA Start time: 20:00 TEL (+995 32) 200 70 07 September 11 – November 25 Start time: 20:00 A musical, theatrical play and Ticket: 10-15 GEL EXHIBITION Venue: Rustaveli Theater romantic comedy telling a story Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL BERNINI'S SCHOOL AND THE about Georgia and its people by November 11 November 9-15 ROMAN BAROQUE November 12, 13 combining song, dance, culture, THE STORY OF A MURDERER SIMULACRUM October 9 – January 17 (2019) traditions, history, national Directed by Kakha Bakuradze OVERLORD Winter guests and Alan Lucien Øyen NIKO PIROSMANI’S RENEWED costumes and local cuisine. Start time: 20:00 Directed by Julius Avery Director and Choreographer: Alan EXHIBITION Musical Ticket: 10-15 GEL Cast: Wyatt Russell, Mathilde Lucien Øyen Language: English, some Georgian Ollivier, Pilou Asbæk Kabuki choreo, Music, ‘Natsue’: TBC ART GALLERY (with English subtitles) November 15 Genre: Action, Horror, Mystery Kanjuro Fujima 7 Marjanishvili Str. Start time: 20:00 DON JUAN Language: English Language: German Ticket: 50-80 GEL Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Start time: 22:15 Georgian, English Subtitles October 31- November 17 Start time: 20:00 Language: Russian Start time: 20:00 EXHIBITION SHALIKASHVILI THEATER Ticket: 10-15 GEL Start time: 15:00, 17:30, 20:00 Ticket: 15-40 GEL ELGUJA AMASHUKELI 90 27 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 11-19 GEL Venue: Marjanishvili Theater TBILISI CIRCUS MUSIC November 9 1 Heroes’ Sq. HUNTER KILLER November 14, 15 HOST AND GUEST Directed by Donovan Marsh STATE RUSTAVELI THEATER BY VAZHA PSHAVELA November 10, 11 Cast: Gerard Butler, Gary Oldman, Ingri Fiksdal Company 17 Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 19:00 AUTUMN SHOW Common Norway/Denmark TEL (+995 32) 272 68 68 Ticket: 15 GEL Start time: November 10- 17:00, Genre: Action, Thriller Georgian, English Subtitles www.rustavelitheatre.ge November 11- 13:00, 17:00 Language: Russian Start time: November 14- 20:00, November 9 Ticket: 10-25 GEL Start time: 14:00, 20:15 November 15- 18:00 November 9 LULLABY Ticket: 11-19 GEL ANNIVERSARY CONCERT Ticket: 20 GEL CINEMA Start time: 20:00 TBILISI BAROQUE FESTIVAL Venue: Royal District Theater Ticket: 15 GEL THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB I. AMIRANI CINEMA Directed by Fede Alvarez Documentary Film November 15 November 10 36 Kostava Str. Cast: Claire Foy, Sylvia Hoeks, ‘GEORGIAN SINFONIETTA 10’ SHOW LIKE THIS TEL (+995 32) 299 99 55 Lakeith Stanfi eld Directed by N. Akhvlediani Hofesh Shechter Company Start time: 20:00 www.kinoafi sha.ge Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller II. The entrance. Clowns. Exit Ticket: 15 GEL Language: English EARLY DANCES Choreography and Music by Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Start time: 17:30 Jean-Philippe Rameau- Entrée Hofesh Shechter GABRIADZE THEATER November 9-15 Language: Russian and Gavotte from the opera ‘Les Performed by Shechter II 14 Shavteli Str. Start time: 14:30, 22:00 Boréades’ I and II, Tambourin Start time: 20:00 TEL (+995 32) 298 65 93 THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB Ticket: 11-19 GEL from the opera-ballet ‘Les Indes Ticket: 10-50 GEL Directed by Fede Alvarez Galantes’, Henry Purcell- aria Venue: Rustaveli Theater November 9 Cast: Claire Foy, Sylvia Hoeks, BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY ‘Dido’s Lament’ from the opera MARSHAL DE FANTE’S Lakeith Stanfi eld Directed by Bryan Singer ‘Dido and Aeneas’, Marin Marais- TBILISI ZAKARIA DIAMOND Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller Cast: Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello, Chaconne from the opera ‘Alcyone’, PALIASHVILI OPERA AND Tarquinio Merula- Chaconne, Revaz Gabriadze Language: English Mike Myers BALLET THEATER Georg Philipp Telemann- Directed by Revaz Gabriadze Start time: 19:30 Genre: Biography, Drama, Music 25 Rustaveli Ave. Sarabande from the suite ‘La English Subtitles Language: Russian Language: English TEL (+995 32) 299 04 56 Start time: 20:00 Start time: 14:00, 22:00 Bizarre’, Marin Marais- Prelude, Start time: 22:00 Tempeste and March from Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Ticket: 12-15 GEL Ticket: 16-19 GEL November 10 the opera ‘Alcyone’, Girolamo REQUIEM November 10 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Frescobaldi- Passacaglia, Giuseppe Verdi SMALLFOOT Jean-Baptiste Lully- Turkish March, STALINGRAD Directed by Bryan Singer Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick, Start time: 20:00 Revaz Gabriadze Cast: Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello, 2 Airs and Canarie from the ballet Jason Reisig Ticket: 10-120 Directed by Revaz Gabriadze Mike Myers ‘Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme’, Henry Cast: Zendaya, Channing Tatum, English Subtitles Genre: Biography, Drama, Music Purcell- Prelude and Monkey Gina Rodriguez November 14 Start time: 20:00 Language: English Dance from the opera ‘The Fairy Genre: Animation, Adventure, SYMPHONY No. 9 Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Start time: 22:15 Queen’, Jean-Philippe Rameau- 2 Comedy Ludwig van Beethoven Language: Russian Rigaudons and Orage from the Language: English Start time: 20:00 November 11 Start time: 19:30 opera ‘Platée’, Henry Purcell (1659- Start time: 12:15 Ticket: 10-120 GEL RAMONA Ticket: 13-14 GEL 1695) - Aria ‘Cold Song’ from the Ticket: 10-15 GEL Revaz Gabriadze opera ‘King Arthur’, Jean-Philippe Rameau - Menuet and Contradance GRIBOEDOVI THEATER Directed by Revaz Gabriadze VENOM MUSEUM 2 Rustaveli Ave. English Subtitles Directed by Ruben Fleischer from the opera ‘Les Boréades’, ‘Georgian Sinfonietta’, Mikheil TEL (+995 32) 2 93 43 36 Start time: 20:00 Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle GEORGIAN NATIONAL abramishvili (countertenor), Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Williams, Woody Harrelson MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA Anna Kurdovanidze (harpsichord/ November 10 Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi positive organ), Kakhi SAINT PETERSBURG CULTURAL November 14, 15 Language: Russian MUSEUM 3 Rustaveli Ave. Chargeishvili (Salamuri), Merab NIGHTS IN TBILISI Animated documentary fi lm Start time: 19:30 Sanodze (drums) DON QUIXOTE REZO Ticket: 15 GEL TEL (+995 32) 299 80 22, 293 48 21 www.museum.ge Small Stage Start time: 19:30 Exhibitions: Ticket: 10-40 GEL GEORGIAN COSTUME AND WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH DJANSUG KAKHIDZE CENTURIES TBILISI CENTER FOR MUSIC & CULTURE NUMISMATIC TREASURY 125 Aghmashenebeli Ave. TEL (+995 32) 296 12 43 STONE AGE GEORGIA November 9 ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE CONCERT OF PIANO MUSIC NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL Giorgi Gigashvili and David Khrikuli COLLECTIONS Will perform piano works by Haydn, Liszt, Chopin, Rossini, November 1-15 Rachmaninoff, Scriabin and Ravel. THE UNIQUE ARCHIVE OF THE Start time: 19:00 ZUBALASHVILI BROTHERS, Ticket: 10 GEL GEORGIAN INDUSTRIALISTS AND PHILANTHROPISTS CLUB 10/11 6 Saakadze Downhill MUSEUM OF SOVIET OCCUPATION November 10 4 Rustaveli Ave. ANRI JOKHADZE'S EVENING TEL (+995 32) 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Start time: 20:00 www.museum.ge Ticket: 20-30 GEL

PERMANENT EXHIBITION KELLER BAR 36 M. Kostava Ave. November 6-30 The Georgian National Museum, November 9 in cooperation with the Katyn SUMO, LEBOVSKI Museum, the division of the Polish Start time: 23:00 Army Museum in Warsaw and the Ticket: 10 GEL GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 9 - 12, 2018 CULTURE 15 Wardrop Inheritance: A Journey through Translation from Georgia Dr Gillian Evison, Head of Bodleian libraries’ BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES Oriental Section and Indian Institute Librarian and Chair of the Marjory Wardrop Fund presented a talk about the importance of the Wardrop heritage n November 6, a book launch ‘Unlock- and priorities of the Marjory Wardrop Fund, includ- ing the Door: Writing from Georgia’ ing teaching of the Georgian language and sup- was presented jointly by the Embassy porting translation from Georgian. of Georgia to the UK and the Royal Lia Chokoshvili, who has been teaching the Geor- Asiatic Society. gian language at the Oxford University Language OThe book, published by Cezanne Printing House, Center for more than 20 years, spoke on the entire contains pieces of translation from Georgian by ‘journey through translation’ right from creation students of the University of Oxford, supervized of the idea all the way to its publishing. and edited by Lia Chokoshvili, a Georgian language Translators Clifford Marcus and Walker Thomp- tutor at the Oxford University Language Center. son shared their experience on the peculiarities of The book brings together short stories and plays by translating from Georgian, while Emily Tamkin, Erlom Akhvlediani, Guram Rcheulishvili, Lasha Geoffrey Gosby and Oliver Matthews ‘joined’ the Tabukashvili, Goderdzi Chokheli and Aka Morchiladze. event through their recorded video-messages as Dr Alison Ohta, Director of the Royal Asiatic they were not able to attend the book launch itself. Society, and Neli Shiolashvili, Senior Counsellor Later, guests had the chance to purchase the book. of the Embassy of Georgia, addressed the audience Discussions about the book and Georgian literature with welcome remarks. in general continued during the wine reception, Donald Rayfi eld, Professor of Georgian and Rus- also hosted by the Embassy of Georgia. sian Studies at the Queen Mary University of Lon- The Royal Asiatic Society has an important his- don, who rendered editorial assistance to the trans- toric signifi cance for translation of Georgian lit- lators of ‘Unlocking the Door’, talked about the erature. In 1912, the translation of Shota Rustaveli’s successes and challenges of translating from the “Knight in the Panther’s Skin” by Marjory Wardrop Georgian language. was published there for the fi rst time. Georgia’s Got Talent product of mutual cooperation between the Pesaro BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE Academy and the Batumi Center. Last November, the Days of Culture of Pesaro were held in Batumi, which was the great mutual his is something comparable to the success of the Pesaro Municipality and the Geor- Italian school of operatic singing – the gian Embassy in Italy. Following it was the Days of supplier of vocal stars to the world. Georgian Culture in Pesaro last April, which was Yet, it so happened in life that the organized by the Embassy and the Leadership of Georgian classic singers have also the city of Pesaro, headed by the Pesaro Vice-Mayor Tconquered the world’s most illustrious stages and Daniele Vimini as well as under the patronage of this is no longer news for anybody, having been the Marche Region of Italy. It has to be specially the case for the last hundred years, starting with noted that Daniele Vimini is truly a devoted patron the legend of operatic singing, Tenor Vano Sara- and untiring leader of all those Italian-Georgian jishvili, the famous Georgian Nightingale, and end- musical exchanges, attracting the most amazing ing with Georgian soprano Nino Lezhava, currently attention of the public in both countries, especially the Artistic Director of the Renata Tebaldi & Mario those which have been performed in honor of the Del Monaco International Sing- universally beloved Italian ing Academy of Pesaro in Italy. composer. The musical festi- Georgian operatic male and val was also dedicated to the female stars are singing all over anniversary of the beginning the planet and each of them of UNESCO activities in absolutely deserve an individ- Pesaro. ual contribution in this won- The well-known Georgian derful weekly edition of ours. Soprano Nino Lezhava, who This particular journalistic is currently working in Italy instance is totally bestowed to at the Pesaro Singing Academy, Nino Lezhava. Thanks to her gave a solo concert at the initiative and organizational Batumi Music Center on Octo- efforts, in close and longstand- ber 25, dedicated to the 40th ing cooperation with the Geor- anniversary of the founding gian Embassy in Rome, our of the Batumi State Symphony opera performers successfully Orchestra. Nino performed in participated in musical events the accompaniment of the dedicated to the 150th anniver- Orchestra and the Choir. The sary of the great Italian com- concert was conducted by the poser Gioachino Antonio director of the Belgrade State Rossini, born in 1792 in Pesaro, Opera Savic, who was visiting one of the Papal States of Italy. Batumi as a special guest of The fi rst concert was held on honor. On October 26, Lezhava November 4 at the Teatro Comunale di Cagli and conducted a master class at the Paliashvili Music the second on November 6 at the Teatro della For- Concert Hall. Following that, she selected young tuna di Fano. The outstanding group of the Batumi listeners for the master class of Jose Carreras, the Musical Center, complete with conductor Davit outstanding Spanish opera singer, which is going Mukeria and soloists, tenor Irakli Kakhidze, Soprano to take place between January 19 and 26 at the Nino Lezhava, Mezzo-soprano Inga Jakhutashvili, Rossini Opera Theater in the city of Pesaro in Italy. and Base Sulkhan Jaiani, staged the most perfect Notably, she chose one young singer to attend the presentation of the well-known Stabat Mater by class for free. Rossini. The musical cooperation between Georgia and Speaking historically, Rossini’s masterpiece has Italy continues with great vigor and professional- sounded through centuries in almost every coun- ism, all included – friendship, culture, politics and try of the globe. The latest concert was a direct celebrations of the talent of both nations.

PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Website Manager/Editor: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Zaza Jgarkava, Katie Ruth Davies 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Maka Bibilashvili, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Dimitri Dolaberidze, Layout: strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Vazha Tavberidze, Misha Mchedlishvili Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Commercial Director: Nugzar B. Ruhadze, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Webmaster: Iva Merabishvili Thea Morrison, F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Sergey Gevenov Marketing Manager: Samantha Guthrie, is registered in Mtatsminda Anuka Poladishvili Amy Jones, Circulation Managers: ADVERTISING & district court. Ana Dumbadze David Kerdikashvili, SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: David Djandjgava +995 597 97 21 12 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: Photographer: E-mail: Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies Irakli Dolidze [email protected]