Issue no: 1097 • NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50
In this week’s issue... PM: Reforms in Georgia are FOCUS Developing the Economy ON THE VOTE Free and Fair, int'l observers say PAGE 2-6
NEWS PAGE 3 Justice Minister: Vashadze Wants Presidency to Pardon Saakashvili POLITICS PAGE 6 Public-Private Partnerships: an Effective Legal Tool for Attracting FDI
Image source: Reuters BUSINESS PAGE 7 Minister of Doing Business 2019: Georgia Ranked 6th among Justice, EU 190 Countries & UNICEF Celebrate BY THEA MORRISON 3,000 Youth
eorgia signifi cantly improved its who Benefi tted position in the Doing Business (DB) 2019 report of the World Bank from the Juvenile (WB), coming in at 6th place out of 190 countries, improving its Justice Reform Gposition by 3 points. Previously, Georgia was in the 9th position. SOCIETY PAGE 9 In DB 2019, Georgia's score improved by 1.24 points and reached 83.28 points. Previously, FGB’s Scholarship Georgia’s score was 82.04 points. Moreover, with its score, Georgia exceeds the Presentation & Gala Concert average regional score - 72.3. DB measures regulations affecting 11 areas of Held at Griboedov the life of a business. Ten of these areas are Photo source: Bloomberg included in this year’s ranking on the ease of Georgia is making it easier to start a business. tors on business regulations and the protection CULTURE PAGE 15 doing business. Georgia’s scores in each fi eld “More than a quarter of economies did just of property rights that can be compared across are as follows: that in 2017/18. It now takes an average of 20 190 economies, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. 1.Starting a business - 2 days and costs 23% of income per capita to start The Ease of Doing Top 10 countries are: 2.Dealing with construction permits - 27 a business, compared to 47 days and 76% of 1.New Zealand 3.Getting electricity - 39 income per capita in 2006. Thirteen of the top 2.Singapore 4.Registering property - 4 20 economies have at least one procedure that 3.Denmark 5.Getting credit - 12 can be completed online in half a day,” it says. 4.Hong Kong SAR, China 6.Protecting minority investors - 2 “Georgia –an early adopter of Doing Business 5.Korea, REP 7.Paying taxes - 16 and the second biggest reformer (after Rwanda) 6.Georgia 8.Trading across borders - 43 – has cut the amount of time to start a business 7.Norway 9.Enforcing contracts - 8 to 2 days,” Sylvia Solf, head of the World Bank 8.United States 10.Resolving insolvency – 60 Group’s Reform Advisory Unit said. 9.United Kingdom DB 2019 reads that the most popular reform in Doing Business presents quantitative indica- 10.Macedonia, FYR GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 Georgian Food Presidential Elections Celebrated in Germany Polling Stations Were ‘Free’ and ‘Fair’
BY AMY JONES
nternational observers at the poll- ing stations during the presiden- tial elections on October 28 released their fi ndings this week. Supported by local translators, a Iteam of 26 observers from Silba, an ini- tiative for dialogue and democracy, monitored 116 polling stations in Tbilisi and 26 in Rustavi. Ranking polling stations on a scale from very bad to very good, the observ- ers found the voting procedures to be generally appropriate and in accordance with Georgian law. They rate 79% as Image source: Reuters very good, 20% as good and 1% as bad. ing station to be seated. station. In 79% of stations, election mate- No polling stations were described as Party-affi liated people were regularly rials were not available in minority lan- being very bad. observed to be present at polling sta- guages. Moreover, observers witness a Photo source: serious eats However, the observers did notice sev- tions. In at least 9 of the observed polls, homeless voter being denied the pos- appointed as the festival was not prepared eral instances when party observers the international observers reported sibility to vote as he lacked an address. BY AMY JONES for quite so many visitors. The festival present at the polling stations interfered seeing a group of people outside the The report concludes that the presi- shows how Georgian culture is becoming in the voting process. On three separate entrance “taking notes”. Third parties dential elections ‘were conducted in a popular around the world. The fi ve friends occasions, party observers interfered mentioned that they would call voters free, fair and transparent manner.’ The ctober 28, a Georgian food who organized the festival plan to open and argued in order to allow voters, who who didn’t attend to try and persuade most signifi cant irregularity was party- festival took place in Ham- a Georgian restaurant in Hamburg. were initially turned away from the poll- them to come and vote for a specifi c affi liated people taking notes. Although burg, Germany. Three Georgian restaurants can be found in ing station, to cast their vote. Further- party, although Silba found no conclusive not strictly illegal, it may show the pres- times more guests than cities from London to New York, and more, party observers even instructed evidence of this. sure applied to voters by certain parties. expected arrived to taste Vicenza to Kyiv. A restaurant in Singa- people on who to vote for on two occa- Polling stations could have been made Georgian Deputy Interior Minister classicO Georgian dishes such as Khinkali, pore even ran a Georgian menu this sions. Party observers also checked vot- more inclusive. Observers found that Natia Mezvrishvili reported that 15 indi- Adjarian Kachapuri, and Churchkhela, summer which was a great success. ers’ IDs, documenting the information, 42% of polling stations had challenging viduals were charged with election- among other dishes. The Georgian Cuisine Festival will take several times. In one such instance, the or no access for disabled people. When related violations. The presidential can- A mix of nationalities, including Ger- place again next year. Nikusha Javakh- party observer was reported to actively asked, a PSO explained that disabled didate will be decided in December in mans and Georgians, enjoyed 5 hours of ishvili, co-organizer, said, “we think we try to infl uence voters and ignoring people could apply to make sure they a second round of voting between Salome feasting. However, some guests left dis- will need a larger space in the future.” demands from the chairman of the poll- were assigned to an appropriate polling Zurabishvili and Grigol Vashadze. GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 NEWS 3 Mercy Tembon: Georgia's Economy Is Leading in Europe & Central Asia
BY THEA MORRISON PM: Reforms in Georgia are
ercy Tembon, Regional Director of the World Developing the Economy Bank, says that Georgia I would say - most prestigious interna- BY THEA MORRISON is the most credible tional ratings,” he added. economy of Europe The PM noted that government’s aim andM Central Asia. is to make Georgia more effectively inte- Tembon made the statement during eorgian Prime Minister, grated in the world economy and to her visit to Tbilisi, while speaking about Mamuka Bakhtadze says transform Georgia into a regional leader the country’s progress in the Doing that the implemented and economic hub. Business 2019 report, where it takes the reforms in the country are “Annual improvement of country rat- 6th place among 190 countries in terms successful and they are ings and advancement of Georgia is a of ease of doing business. Gdeveloping the economy. pre-requisite that our country will become “Key reforms helping in the improve- “Our main goal is to make Georgia more an unconditional leader not only in the ment of ranking have been carried out effectively integrated in the world econ- Caucasus, but in the greater region in and entrepreneurs no longer need to omy. It is essential to transform Georgia terms of economic development and make a separate visit to the Revenue into a regional leader and economic hub. ease of doing business. Georgia is already Service for value added tax registration Otherwise, we will fi nd it hard to over- one of the most reliable economies in upon company registration. Similarly, come the economic challenges that we the world and we plan to further improve Georgia has improved the one-stop- face,” the PM stated at the joint press- our results. The vision of our govern- shop for business incorporation, allow- conference with Mercy Tembon, Regional ment is that Georgia should be in the ing businesses to start a company through Director of the World Bank. top 5 in all the international ratings,” he a single procedure. I would like to take “Reforms implemented this year and of cases to judges, which end in pub- Bakhtadze said that Georgia’s progress claimed. this opportunity to congratulate the planned for future will further advance lished judgments. It reduced its relative in the Doing Business 2019 report, where Bakhtadze thanked the economic team Government and the people of Georgia Georgia's position. It has become easier gap in the regulatory performance of it takes the 6th place among 190 coun- of the government for their work and for this performance. I encourage you to incorporate a business by cutting or starting a business,” she added. tries in terms of the ease of doing busi- contribution to the advancement of the to keep up the reforms and spirit to simplifying the post-registration pro- In DB 2019, Georgia's score improved ness, means a tremendous step has been country. move the ranking higher next year,” she cedures, tax registration, social security by 1.24 points and reached 83.28 points. made forward towards integrating the “We have a lot of economic challenges stated at the joint press-conference with registration or licensing. Payment of Previously Georgia’s score was 82.04 country in the global economy. in Georgia, though most important of the Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka taxes has become simpler by introduc- points. “It means that reforms implemented all is the poverty. Ultimately, such suc- Bakhtadze. ing new or revised tax laws, by simpli- Moreover, with its score, Georgia by the Government of Georgia are suc- cess stories will help us in making Geor- Tembon added that Georgia has been fying compliance processes and decreas- exceeds the average regional score - cessfully serving the economic develop- gia stronger in economic terms and consistently advancing in the rating ing the number of tax fi lings or payments. 72.3. ment of our country and it is indeed turning it into a regional economic hub. over the years due to progressive reforms At the same time, Georgia made it easy In the rating, Georgia is ahead of such dually gratifying that most reputable It is a pre-requisite for eradicating pov- and programs that improve the business to enforce contracts by having electronic developed countries as Norway, The organizations of the world grant prefer- erty in Georgia once and forever,” he environment. payments and automated assignment United States and the United Kingdom. ence to Georgia in such signifi cant - and added. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 NDI International Observation Mission Assesses Georgia’s Presidential Elections 2018 n October 28, Georgians proceeded society organizations (CSOs) and their leaders. including establishment of stringent oversight and ening rhetoric and personal attacks focusing instead to the polls to directly elect their While CSOs are not above criticism, these attacks enforcement mechanisms,” - the delegation stated. on candidates’ platforms and visions for the pres- president for the last time. Georgian represent a distinct departure from the otherwise On election day, domestic monitoring organizations idency. voters and poll workers demonstrated constructive, if not occasionally tense, relationship and NDI observed the widespread presence of can- The delegation recognizes that, ultimately, it will their commitment to democracy by between government and civil society in Georgia. didate activists, mainly GD, outside polling stations. be the people of Georgia who will determine the Oparticipating peacefully. With over 99 percent of the “With one-party dominance throughout all levers Although not illegal, CSOs saw this as an attempt credibility of their elections and the country’s demo- votes counted, Georgia heads to a second round of government, and weakened presidential powers, to infl uence the will of the voters. The practice is cratic development. The delegation therefore offers between the top two candidates, Georgian-dream CSOs and media represent the remaining demo- troubling given the widely reported practice during this statement in the spirit of supporting and strength- supported candidate Salome Zourabichvili, who cratic checks and balances in the country,” the the pre-election period of state offi cials being ening democratic institutions and processes in Geor- received 39 percent of the vote, and Grigol Vashadze, delegation said. “The attacks on both by senior instructed to support Zourabichvili and to provide gia. represented by the United National Movement government leaders have implications beyond these lists of family members for the purpose of mobiliza- The NDI delegation leadership included Per Eklund, (UNM) from the elevenparty “Power is in Unity” elections and could impact the country’s demo- tion. In its statement, in addition to long term rec- former EU ambassador to Georgia; Dame Audrey coalition, who received 38 percent. These results cratic development. It is essential that leaders ommendations, this delegation offered a number of Glover, former director of OSCE/ODIHR; Laurie appear to be confi rmed by International Society for respect, not undermine, the country’s independent recommendations that can be addressed ahead of Fulton, former US Ambassador to Denmark; and Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) independ- watchdogs, and set an example for society.” In the runoff, including: Ken Yallowitz, former US Ambassador to Georgia. ent parallel vote tabulation. Given the close result, recent elections, voters have expressed trust in the •Government leaders and state offi cials should The NDI mission was funded by the U.S. Agency as Georgia moves to second round campaigning, election administration and electoral conduct. cease the attacks on civic organizations and sup- for International Development. NDI is a nonprofi t, the rhetoric and tensions are likely to intensify. However, long standing problems of an uneven port an enabling environment for CSOs in line with nonpartisan organization working to support and The pre-election period was marked by both playing fi eld and abuse of administrative resources international obligations. strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through positive and negative features. The Central Elec- remain. Zourabichvili benefi ted signifi cantly from •The international community should more force- citizen participation, openness and accountability tion Commission (CEC) carried out its prepara- her support by GD, and offi cial records show she fully and publicly condemn attacks on, and dem- in government. The Institute has been working in tions effi ciently and met its deadlines, although received over four times more in donations than onstrate support for, Georgian CSOs. Funding for the country since 1994 to support the development was confronted with concerns about the neutrality the next two candidates combined. monitoring organizations for the second round is of the parliament, political parties and civil society. of its offi cials. Voters had electoral choices and the The delegation is concerned by CSO reports of also needed. campaign was lively and dynamic, although fi lled pressure on state offi cials to mobilize support for •The government should consider another direc- with vitriol and personal attacks. The media envi- the GD-supported candidate. These problems have tive aimed at state employees and their conduct ronment, although polarized, offered citizens a plagued elections across different governments and ahead of the runoffs and add strict penalties and a variety of viewpoints. In addition to fi nancial pres- will, without action, continue to be passed onto monitoring mechanism to ensure enforcement. sures on the sector as a whole, some outlets came future elections. “While government leaders advised •Parties should sign a code of conduct in which under political and legal pressure. Most striking state offi cials on appropriate conduct, it is clear this they pledge to refrain from all forms of intimida- about this election were the aggressive, personal- is not enough. To demonstrate their seriousness tion and abuse of administrative resources or face ized, and unprecedented attacks by senior state about changing embedded political practices, sig- internal sanctions. offi cials against the country’s most respected civil nifi cant effort is needed at all levels of government, •Campaigns and media should refrain from threat- Zurabishvili Says She Will Fight for Victory
opposition-minded Rustavi 2 TV. BY THEA MORRISON “Rustavi 2 thinks and persuades people that I will withdraw my candidacy. Can I give up this country to Vashadze and Russia? No! I am ready for the uling Georgian Dream (GD) party- second round. I am ready for the fi ght,” she stressed. backed presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili said people should make a choice Zurabishvili says she will not give up not only between two candidates or two parties, and will fi ght to the end in the runoff but between two Georgias. to be held on December 2. She noted that Europe and Georgia’s modern RIn the October 28 presidential elections, Zura- future stand on her side. bishvili got 38.64% of votes, followed by the can- “I am ready for the second round. I am ready didate of the United Opposition, Grigol Vashadze for the struggle, because I believe in you. I with 37.74%. believe in your choice. I believe you understand At the press-conference held on Tuesday even- it well that today, there is a choice between two ing, Zurabishvili thanked everyone who participated Georgias…This is the second round and we must in the elections, especially her supporters. do it together. I am going to the fi ght, we are “What happened on October 28 was a victory. going together, because we know that the truth, Some may question that victory. The fi rst place in Europe and Georgia’s modern future, stand on the fi rst round, despite the dirty campaign which our side. Together for Georgia!” she addressed is of Russian making,” she stated, referring to the the voters. GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 POLITICS 5 The Taming of Politics
operates here and in Europe or America. OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE We have come to understand that an election campaign may serve not only its immediate purpose and meaning, he 2018 presidential elec- which is the election of a person to a tion in Georgia is not over certain post, but also a number of valu- yet! A monstrous question able functions, like the advent of full- mark now ominously hangs grown democracy, guaranteed domestic over the political structure tranquility, well-observed constitution- Tof the Republic ahead of a second round ality, the opportunity for further devel- of voting and the parties are getting ready opment and a chance to fi gure as a to play off an additional electoral game. deserving player of a Western game. The local media is bursting with a broad Watching the current electoral cam- range of election campaign messages, paign, one could easily notice that the varying so widely that confusion has loud acclaims, vehement attacks and overwhelmed the entire electoral corps. peevish defenses were all in place, which The moment has arrived when the impor- certainly looked unattractive, but the tance of an election campaign is fi nally world has in the recent past seen fi lthier appreciated and taken seriously. electoral campaigns in other countries. The impression is that the maturation As a compensation to those drawbacks, of democracy has truly started in Geor- we have come to believe that the elec- gia. The constituency has the feelers out toral policy as well as the candidate’s to fi nd out if this is the moment when a personality, image, character, style, political struggle stops smelling like vocabulary, manner and messages have regular bread-and-butter and enters the a direct effect on the campaign process, phase of genuine passion and political especially in the fi nal phase. Campaigns romanticism. Times have changed! The that do not carry meaningful persuasive rise and fall of leaders as a consequence power and are devoid of farsighted con- of electoral efforts is acquiring a trivial siderations may create problems that coloring, no longer capable of unleash- might be almost impossible to rectify ing the infl ated national excitement as later. it once did in our post-socialist past. What is the importance of campaigns A lion tamer and a lion, 1977. By Werner Rzehaczek, Germany Political assumptions, key concepts and and why do nations spend so much be made that our electoral campaigns good governance, so removing the insti- Hopefully, none of these conditions is predictions are turning from accidental money and energy holding them up? lack that indispensable component. tutional barriers to economic develop- going to be routinely violated in this or stubborn inferences into logically Answering this question might take vol- It is generically thought that the per- ment. It is also taken for granted that country. Otherwise, it will be doomed balanced deductions. Experts and plain umes to write in theoretical deliberation, fection of electoral campaigns is condu- democratic countries tend to perform to plunge into undemocratic expansion. opinion pushers want to sound as intel- but using a simpler language, it is an cive to democratization, and that democ- better than autocracies because in democ- In the still-ongoing presidential election, ligent and educated as possible – they opportunity for the exchange and col- ratization works as the key to promoting racies like Georgia, free and fair elec- including voters and managers, volun- have grasped well that a word spoken is lection of enough information to allow freedom and prosperity in still-develop- tions, universal adult suffrage, freedom teers and promoters, ruling and oppo- past recalling. The overall news cover- for a well-versed choice to be made. The ing nations like Georgia. The nature and of speech, association and press are no sitional powers, all as part of the whole, age of the election campaign is as pro- accumulation and swapping of informa- the qualitative variables of the electoral longer strangers, where elected offi cials are inadvertently, although with certain fessional as never before. There is almost tion should be the best prerequisite for campaign give us leaders accountable will never be unjustifi ably infl uenced by anger and grudge, working in Georgia no difference – if only technical – between knowledgeable participation in the pro- to their citizens and with enough quali- unelected groups such as the military towards that positive democratic out- how media, especially the broadcast one, cess. This said, a comment is asking to fi cations and sense of responsibility for or religious leaders. come. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 Justice Minister: Vashadze Wants Presidency to Pardon Saakashvili
The ex-President has said, however, BY THEA MORRISON that he will not seek a pardon from Vashadze. “I do not need anyone’s pardon; I did eorgia’s Justice Minister not apply to Margvelashvili for pardon Thea Tsulukiani claims and nor will I apply to Vashadze … I the presidential candidate have not committed any crimes against of the United Opposition, Georgia besides the fact that I built the Grigol Vashadze, who is Georgian state,” he said prior to Tsu- aG member of the former ruling party lukiani’s statements. United National Movement (UNM), He stressed he intends to uphold his wants to become president to later par- rights through legal means, “when there don ex-President of Georgia, Mikheil is a normal judiciary system in Georgia.” Saakashvili. Saakashvili also commented on the “Vashadze is fi ghting not for the pres- statement of Vashadze about pardoning idency itself but in order to pardon the other former offi cials serving jail Saakashvili,” Tsulukiani stressed, add- time in Georgia, saying if Vashadze ing that the runoff to be held on Decem- becomes President, he has to hear the ber 2, is of utmost importance as it position of the Prosecutor’s Offi ce before decides the future of the country. making his pardoning decisions. The Minister called on society to unite Vashadze’s statement about the and vote for the ruling Georgian Dream amnesty of former offi cials was also (GD) supported candidate Salome Zura- responded to by ex-Interior and Defense bishvili. Minister, Bacho Akhalaia, who is serv- “Our political aim is to portray the ing a sentence for various crimes. The reality. The reality is that those who do last charges against him were upheld not want to return to the past should by the court in April 2018, when he was unite and not vote for Vashadze,” she sentenced to nine years in jail for a said. high-profi le torture case involving Colo- Saakashvili, who is in exile now due nel Sergo Tetradze in 2011. to various charges against him in Geor- Akhalaia released an open letter from gia, established the UNM in 2001. In prison, saying he has been serving a Photo source: Imedi 2003-2012 it was in power, until the cur- “completely unfair” sentence for 7 years to pardon me. Regardless of my respect ishment…The political battles underway I have already spent 7 years out of an rent GD coalition won the parliamentary already. of him, I do not think that I need to be in the country today are so epic that I unfair 9 years in prison and I can stand elections. “I'm not going to ask Grigol Vashadze pardoned at the end of this unfair pun- cannot let anyone manipulate my issue. 2-3 years more,” he stated. Kaladze’s Weekly Priorities: New Transport Links, “Take Care of the City” Campaign
to prevent the dispertion of solid parti- There are many such instances of van- BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE cles into the air. The legislative package dalism, and we have video footage which proposes tighter regulations, and stricter we will defi nitely show the population.” fi nes, for several construction site prac- “The campaign will allow all citizens ach week, the municipal gov- tices that are harmful to the environment. to engage in the process of taking care of ernment of Tbilisi holds a “Of course, construction is not the only the city and of the existing infrastructure, meeting at City Hall. Preced- problem. Another serious problem is green areas, and maintaining cleanliness. ing this week’s meetings, [vehicle] emissions and public transport,” I am sure that many people will be involved Mayor Kakha Kaladze and, by the end of 2019, Kaladze prom- in this project and it will have many sup- Eremarked on several topics of interest. ised, there will be a completely new plan porters, because what we are working on The next step in the new above-ground for public transportation. He also men- is our own city,” said Kaladze. metro plans, which will serve more than tioned the extensive planting of trees, Finally, Kaladze recognized the risky 150,000 passengers, was offi cially begun. fl owers, and shrubbery being conducted process underway at the Tbilisi Zoo, Kaladze said that the tender for the Image source: Tbilisi City Hall throughout the city and the construction where on Wednesday, South African development of the plan will be in the next three-four years. tion. "We are talking with a lot of people and rehabilitation of city parks. veterinary surgeons worked to remove announced by the end of the month. The Kaladze also noted another massive about improving the existing ecological Kaladze also mentioned a new social part of an elephant’s tusk. The elephant, plan, fi rst announced last week, will public transportation project: a train situation and what steps should be taken campaign that City Hall will soon launch, named Grand, was brought to Tbilisi extend the Tbilisi metro by adding an linking Tbilisi and Rustavi. He ordered to correct it. One of the main problems called “Take Care of the City.” The goal Zoo from Yerevan Zoo in 2014. The com- above-ground station at Samgori and a a technical-economic survey on the is air pollution…One of the reasons for of the campaign is to raise awareness, plicated operation was completed suc- track, with seven stations, all the way to potential of the project. The Tbilisi- this is the absence of specifi c regulations raise citizens’ feelings of social respon- cessfully. A fi lm crew from the BBC was Lilo Mall. Kaladze expects the new pub- Rustavi link is scheduled for develop- for transportation, placing, processing sibility, and develop more of a culture there to capture the process, there to lic transportation option to “reduce ment after the Samgori-Lilo above-ground and developing large-scale construction of stewardship in the city. make a documentary fi lm about the Tbi- vehicle movement, traffi c congestion, metro. projects, construction sites, and cargo Justifying the campaign, Kaladze said, lisi Zoo. Kaladze wished good luck to and air pollution…a serious problem in City Hall has prepared a draft law which transport within Tbilisi,” explained “There are frequent cases of deliberate the elephant, the surgeons, and the BBC the city.” The line is projected to be built aims to tighten sanctions on air pollu- Kaladze. The new legislation is designed damage to renovated squares and streets. fi lmmakers alike. Georgian FM Participates in Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia Meeting
“I am confi dent that our joint efforts tion of the South Corridor and the Baku- BY THEA MORRISON will contribute to the improvement of Tbilisi-Kars Railway Projects, which strategic partnership. Our co-operation create a very competitive route provid- is of tremendous importance against the ing connection between Europe and eorgian Foreign Minister background of increasing threats to peace Asia,” the minister stated. David Zalkaliani partici- and stability in the region,” he said at Zalkaliani underlined that Georgia, due pated in the trilateral the joint press-conference. to its strategic location between Europe Azerbaijan-Turkey-Geor- The Minister noted Georgia's interest and Asia, continues to serve as a link gia meeting held in Istan- in strengthening peace, stability and between the historical civilizations. He Gbul on October 30. security in the region, as well as in devel- also highlighted the Georgian Prime The ministers noted that the trilateral oping co-operation with Azerbaijan and Minister’s initiative on the Tbilisi Forum, format transformed into a “unique, com- Turkey in the areas of economy, trans- which aims to transform the Black Sea prehensive and regional co-operation port, energy, tourism, culture and other Region and the Caucasus from a zone mechanism” allowing the parties to dis- areas. of confrontation into an area of peace, cuss various issues relating to trilateral He added that Georgia attaches great co-operation and development. co-operation. importance to the implementation of crossroads and play a key role in sup- the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Baku-Tbi- The Georgian Minister congratulated Zalkaliani stated that Azerbaijan and common energy and transport projects, plying hydrocarbons from the Caspian lisi-Erzurum energy projects. Moreover, the Turkish Government and people on Turkey are Georgia’s trusted partners highlighting that the three countries are Sea to the European market. we are prepared to renew our strong and the 95th anniversary of the foundation and allies. located at the energy and transport “We have successfully implemented consolidated efforts for the implementa- of the republic. GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 BUSINESS 7 Public-Private Partnerships: an Effective Legal Tool for Attracting FDI
n May 2018, the Parliament of a PPP. For example, BOT agreements or indirectly from the end consumers Georgia adopted a Law on Pub- were considered to be similar to the of the public (municipal) services it is lic-Private Partnerships (‘PPP notion of ‘right to build’ as set out in providing. Alternately, a private partner Law’) that provides a legal frame- Georgia’s Civil Code—but the latter can be compensated by its public part- work for co-operation between notion, according to which the state ner for these services or the public theI public and private sectors when owns the land upon which the private infrastructure it has created. developing public infrastructure or party has the right to build, is obviously Secondly, the law defi nes an explicit providing municipal services. rather distinct from PPP, and such series of criteria for PPP projects. These The PPP Law was, however, only qualifi cation led to contrasting legal should be signed for at least fi ve years enacted in late August, when the gov- and fi scal results. and be worth at least two million dol- ernment adopted a series of bylaws Foreign investors and international lars, and shall involve the provision of providing detailed rules and procedures fi nancial institutions such as the EBRD public (municipal) services by a private for designing and carrying out PPP pro- and ADB underlined the urgency of the partner or the operation and/or crea- jects, including the process of selecting need for Georgia to develop modern tion and maintenance of public infra- private partners. concessions and a PPP legal framework structure. In order to ensure that risks To fi nd out more, GEORGIA TODAY in order to create a more stable and and obligations are allocated optimally, spoke with Sandro Samadbegishvili, a predictable business environment. Back PPPs shall be fully or partially fi nanced lawyer with the fi rm of Mgaloblishvili in 2015, the EBRD (one of the initiators by private partners. Kipiani Dzidziguri (MKD) who took of the newly adopted PPP Law, provid- Importantly, the PPP Law and its bylaws part in the drafting of the PPP Law and ing technical and fi nancial assistance provide clear guidance on the rules is currently researching a doctoral the- in the process) noted that Georgian related to project identifi cation, initia- sis on various PPP models. legislation only partly complied with tion and preparation, as well as detailed MKD has been at the forefront of the international PPP standards, and that procedures for the selection of private Georgian legal market for over two the purpose of developing relevant partners, the stages of project imple- decades, during which it has become a policy and legal frameworks was to mentation, monitoring and even post- strong, highly competitive and well- incentivise private sector participation implementation relations. Interestingly respected Georgian law fi rm capable of in infrastructure projects. The same enough, projects may be initiated not providing a wide range of legal services was mentioned in the explanatory note only by the government but also by to its clients. MKD has advised foreign to the draft PPP Law initiated by the potential private investors. This rule investors involved in several PPP pro- government of Georgia in October 2017. mainly concerns the energy sector, jects that have already been implemented which the Law recognizes as one of the in Georgia, and has contributed to lead- DOES THE PPP LAW most strategically important. In this ing international legal publications on EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS ALL context, the Law also envisages the pos- Georgia’s PPP legal framework. THESE CHALLENGES? sibility of granting investors long-term As the Law was enacted only two months guaranteed purchase agreements. The WHAT ARE PUBLIC-PRIVATE ago, it would be premature at this stage energy sector also enjoys some exemp- PARTNERSHIPS? TO WHAT partnership is usually to employ its a framework, the Georgian government to judge its effectiveness, but despite tions from general rules, e.g. only PPP FIELDS OF BUSINESS AND THE expertise of a particular fi eld, its com- would simply co-operate with compa- the lack of practice it can now be fi rmly projects in the energy sector can be ECONOMY DO THEY APPLY? mercial knowledge, its management nies on a purely contractual basis. As stated that Georgia’s regulatory frame- negotiated directly with a single private The defi nition of what constitutes a PPP skills and its capacity for innovation in examples, we can cite the ‘build, oper- work is in full compliance with inter- partner, thereby skipping the public varies from one jurisdiction to another, order to run the project as effi ciently ate and transfer’ (BOT) agreement national standards and is quite similar tendering and evaluation procedure. At but generally speaking the concept as possible. In most cases, the private between ‘United Airports of Georgia’ to equivalent legislation in many Euro- the same time, for energy projects larger involves a range of possible co-operative partner also contributes to the project’s and ‘TAV Urban Georgia’ relating to pean states. This has already been con- than 100MW, the initiation process shall agreements between public and private partial or total fi nancing by attracting Tbilisi’s international airport (which fi rmed by the EBRD’s very recent ‘Pub- include a feasibility study to be carried entities that are usually applied to infra- investment capital. was amended in 2015 after 10 years of lic-Private Partnerships Laws out by an independent company. structure and to the provision of munic- The structure of public-private part- operation), or the crucial construction Assessment’, according to which ‘Geor- In conclusion, the PPP Law incorpo- ipal services. The public partners are nerships is designed to allow risks to and development of Georgia’s future gia’s new PPP Law… should signifi cantly rates all the elements needed for the government agencies such as ministries, be allocated in the most optimal way deep-water port at Anaklia on the Black improve its PPP framework and make comprehensive and effective regulation local authorities or state-owned enter- possible: risks are attributed to the part- Sea. According to the request for expres- it more compliant with internationally of relations between the state and prises, while the private partners can ner who is best able to manage them sions of interest that was issued in 2014, accepted standards and best practices.’ investors. Accordingly, the newly cre- be local or international investors with and is thus capable of minimizing costs ‘the government intends to select an Let us briefl y examine the Law’s var- ated legal framework adequately technical and fi nancial expertise relevant while improving performance. investor to develop the port on a build, ious elements and illustrate the novel- addresses all the requirements of all to the project. Worldwide, PPPs have been completed operate and transfer (BOT) basis, pur- ties it introduces. major stakeholders (the government, Well-designed PPPs typically divide in sectors as diverse as power genera- suant to an agreement to be entered Firstly, the new PPP Law permits both the private sector and fi nancial institu- tasks, obligations and risks among the tion and distribution, public infrastruc- into with the selected investor.’ concessional and non-concessional tions) and will promote investment in public and private partners, allocating ture (e.g. highways, railways, ports, But such practice presents substantial partnerships, meaning that a private Georgia’s infrastructure and better them in the most optimal manner by airports), healthcare (e.g. hospitals) and disadvantages: both the way in which partner can either collect funds directly public services. recognizing that the public and private municipal services, including public the project was identifi ed as well as the sectors enjoy certain advantages rela- transport, water supply, solid waste and criteria and procedure for selecting tive to each other in terms of perform- waste-water management, and even partners were only vaguely defi ned; ing specifi c roles and functions. The sports infrastructure. some of the major terms were agreed government’s contribution to a PPP may on a case-by-case basis instead of by take the form of a transfer of assets or WHY WAS GEORGIA’S statute; and certain conditions, which ‘in-kind’ contributions that support the ADOPTION OF A PPP LAW should have been governed by law, partnership or other commitments (e.g. AN IMPORTANT STEP? remained beyond the scope of any reg- building a road to the PPP project site). Despite being a country focused on ulation. For all these reasons, the parties The government also provides social attracting FDI, until recently Georgia were compelled to give a legal qualifi - responsibility, environmental aware- had no clear or comprehensive legal cation to their contractual relations ness, local knowledge and an ability to framework in place to regulate partner- according to the legal concepts that mobilize political support around the ships bet ween the government and existed at that time, and which were project. The private sector’s role in the foreign investors. In the absence of such still very different from the concept of
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 2 - 5, 2018 Representatives of Diplomatic Corps Visit Large-scale Construction Works of Anaklia Port
BY ANA DUMBADZE
n October 30, the repre- sentatives of the diplo- matic corps of different countries visited the ongoing works at Anaklia Port.O Ambassadors and embassies operat- ing in Georgia, including representatives of the Netherlands, Romania, Japan, Turkey, Ukraine, and Poland, as well as representatives of UN Women in Geor- gia, visited the construction works of the Anaklia Port and large-scale works of dredging 5 million m3 of sand from the seabed. Mamuka Khazaradze, the founder of the project, and the port managers hosted the ambassadors at Anaklia Port. After visiting the construction works and the cutter-suction dredger ship, the Athena, Anaklia Port managers intro- duced the project implementation pro-
cess and future plans to the represent- “I'm happy to be here today and visit atives of diplomatic corps. the construction works of Anaklia Port “This is my fi rst visit to Anaklia and for the second time,” said Romanian I’m happy to get detailed information Ambassador to Georgia, Radu Liviu about this unique and important project Horumba. “The process of its develop- for Georgia,” said Japan's Ambassador ment, the technologies used for it and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to concept of the project are quite interest- Georgia, Tadaharu Uehara. “The Anak- ing. I’m glad that Georgia's fi rst deep sea lia Deep Sea Port is important not only port will start operating in a few years.” for Georgia but also for the international The marine works of Anaklia Port are community, including Japan. I believe being carried out continuously 24/7. that the trade relations between us will One of the world's largest dredging ves- be deepened and Japan will be more sels, Athena, has dredged about 4 mil- actively involved in this project." lion m3 of sand from the Anaklia Deep “I am visiting the area of Anaklia Port Sea Port. In the current works, along for the fi fth time and the progress of with the specialists of the leading Dutch construction works is very impressive,” company Van Oord, the local popula- noted Ambassador of the Kingdom of tion is also involved. Netherlands to Georgia, Johannes Alongside dredging and reclamation Douma. “I feel proud because this ship works, the installation of modern stand- (Van Oord’s cutter suction dredger ship, ards, the latest technology drainage the Athena) belongs to us. I’m glad we systems with a total length of 2436510 can take part in the development of meters provided by Van Oord, is also Georgia's economy. I hope that more almost complete. countries will get involved in this pro- The large-scale marine works of Anak- cess. In future, our country also stands lia Deep Sea Port launched on Septem- to benefi t from Anaklia Port - we have ber 16. The opening of the fi rst phase the largest port and we will be worthy of the port and the start of receiving competitors. Additionally, we will work the ships is planned from the end of together for logistics development.” 2020. GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 SOCIETY 9 Minister of Justice, EU & UNICEF Celebrate 3,000 Youth who Benefi tted from the Juvenile Justice Reform send 10-13-year-old children to prison for making “Continuing with the same momentum and close a mistake, and if they are older than 14, imprison- partnership with the Ministry of Justice and other ment should be the last solution and priority should government agencies is the most important thing. be given to alternative methods undertaken by UNICEF is committed to maintaining this strong specialized police offi cers and judges. I would partnership. The juvenile justice system is a very directly say that thanks to this new system, 3000 good tool to provide a better future for children kids have survived and are now on the right path who pass through diffi culties. Accordingly, this of development,” Tsulukiani told journalists. partnership should continue in order to provide a Thanks to EU support, specialized professions model which will be an example for the other coun- received training to enable them to provide more tries to learn from this successful experience. I child-friendly treatment. This included 40 special- appreciate the efforts of Rustavi City Court to have ized prosecutors, 35 lawyers, 30 judges and 30 police a child-friendly room, and this model must be offi cers being trained on international juvenile implemented in the regions of Georgia as well,” he justice standards, domestic legislation and practice, told reporters. psychological issues concerning children in the The reforms of the juvenile justice system have justice system and interviewing of child victims been one of the biggest success stories of EU- and witnesses of crime. Georgia co-operation in the justice sector in recent Ghassan Khalili, UNICEF representative in Geor- years. The reforms produced tangible results for gia, stated that the adoption of the Juvenile Justice children in the criminal justice system from the Code was a genuine achievement in bringing the very start. Examples of positive achievements juvenile justice system closer to international include: standards. • The number of convinced juveniles decreased “UNICEF has been partnering with the govern- from 1,116 (2008) to 381 (2014) ment and EU to implement the juvenile justice • The use of custodial sentencing fell from 40% reform which includes specialization of all profes- (2007) to 27% (2014) sionals working with children, creation of a child- • The use of pre-trial detention also declined from friendly environment in all appropriate agencies 40% (2010) to 18% (2014) and strengthening child rights monitoring and • The diversion and mediation program, piloted quality assurance mechanisms. We are committed in six major cities, was extended to 15 locations to continuing this partnership and giving more • Over 888 children were diverted from the crim- young people a second chance in life,” Khalili noted. inal justice system (2010-2015) As for the challenges and diffi culties existing in The EU continues to support the juvenile justice this direction, the UNICEF representative stated reforms in co-operation with UNICEF, as well as that continuing on the same level and with a sim- through different projects with the ministries of ilarly active collaboration with various agencies is justice, internal affairs, prosecutors, police, lawyers, the main challenge. legal aid providers, social workers and NGOs.
Photo by EU in Geogia press offi ce
istry, EU and UNICEF. Child-friendly environments BY ANA DUMBADZE involve the creation of a physical environment that enables an interview to be conducted in a space that is friendlier for children. Through this process, ver 3,000 juveniles have benefi ted child-based procedures and methods are used. from juvenile justice reforms which The child-friendly environment serves on one have been carried out in Georgia hand as a protection of the best interests of a child, through the joint efforts of the Geor- specifi cally making sure that during the proceed- gian Justice Ministry, the EU and ings any further child abuse cases does not occur. UNICEFO since 2010. At the same time, the environment adapted to the On October 31, the Minister of Justice and repre- child serves the interests of justice as well, because sentatives of the EU and UNICEF launched a cam- the information obtained by a specialized profes- paign celebrating the success of their co-operation sional in a child-friendly methodology is more on juvenile justice reforms in Georgia. The week- reliable. long media campaign will highlight two key achieve- Speaking at the event, Ambassador Hartzell stated ments: that since 2010, the EU has been working closely • Over 3000 juvenile offenders, aged 16-21, have with the Government of Georgia in reforming its benefi ted from deviation and mediation activities, justice system and an important part of this has allowing them to atone for their crimes while avoid- been to meet the needs of juveniles. According to ing the possible negative aspects of criminal pros- him, through joint efforts, all children will be bet- ecution; ter treated in any interaction with the justice sys- • Introduction of child friendly spaces and pro- tem, whether as a victim, offender or witness. cedures to the Georgian Justice system, including “We are very happy to see that we now have a the opening of fi rst child-friendly room in Rustavi Juvenile Justice Code that is holding up to the high- City Court. est standards worldwide and that we are able to The above-mentioned achievements come as part work together in this direction. To implement the of the adoption of a modern Juvenile Justice Code rules of the game, we have been focusing very much in Georgia in 2015. on two important aspects. One of them is about The keynote speakers of the event included Carl creating a more effi cient and child-friendly approach Hartzell, Ambassador of the European Union to to juvenile offenders based on rehabilitation rather Georgia; Tea Tsulukiani, Minister of Justice of than punishment only. We believe that it is right Georgia; Ghassan Khalili, UNICEF representative for children and for the entire society in terms of in Georgia; and Justice Renate Winter, Team Leader getting their children a second chance to fi nd their of the EU4Justice project and Chairperson of the place in life and be productive. The other issue that UN Child Rights Committee. has been our focus is creating a more child-friendly Within the framework of the event, the screening environment in the courts, which is implemented of UNICEF video: Re-creation of the Story of Dato, for the benefi t of children as witnesses,” he said. a diverted child, was also held. The video is based According to Minister Tsulukiani, through the on real facts and depicts the story of a young boy close collaboration between the EU, UNICEF and who was diverted from the criminal justice system the government, the Georgian juvenile justice sys- and given the chance to work instead of going to tem in has been signifi cantly improved. prison. “The juvenile justice reforms turned out to be Lado Javakhishvili, Head of the Diversion and very successful and effective. Through the new Mediation Department, LEPL Center for Crime reforms implemented in recent years, 3000 kids Prevention, and Teona Kuchava, Child Protection are back on track and have a second chance at fi nd- Offi cer, Juvenile Justice, UNICEF, gave presenta- ing their place in life. I would say to children that tions of two main areas of the campaign: the diver- of course, bad behaviour cannot be accepted or sion and meditation program, which represents an justifi ed. However, sometimes foolish things and alternative approach to criminal prosecution, and mistakes made in childhood turn out to be a crime. child-friendly environments. It is the government’s obligation to divert a child The follow-up of the event was the offi cial open- from the justice system via alternative ways such ing of a newly furnished child-friendly room in as community works or educational activities in Rustavi City Court by representatives of the Min- cases of mild crimes. The government must not GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 Minister of Education
Gets himselfPersonal to be a zealous reformer. BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE Batiashvili says he is inspired everyday by an encounter he had several years ago. One morning, on the way to work, his week, the Ministry of he shared the elevator with his neigh- Education, Science, Culture, bor's young son. “I asked if he was happy and Sports published an to go to school,” Batiashvili explained, interview with Minister “whether he liked school. He responded Mikheil Batiashvili. Ques- with childish honesty: ‘Do you think any Ttioned by education reporter Nato kid is happy to go to school?’ These words Ingorokva, Batiashvili got personal. are still in my mind and I'm constantly When Batiashvili was fi rst appointed reminding myself of that interaction.” to the post in July by Prime Minister When asked why he accepted the posi- Mamuka Bakhtadze as part of a massive tion, he pointed to his experience in cabinet reshuffl e, critics accused him of education, which includes working as lacking a solid plan to lead the newly an associate professor and the establish- combined ministry (formerly the Min- ment of ‘Silicon Valley Tbilisi’ and found- istry of Education and Science, the Min- ing and leading the University of Busi- istry of Youth and Sports, and the Min- ness and Technology. Batiashvili said istry of Culture and Heritage Protection). that, “Problems and challenges in the Particularly on social media, people system were not really foreign to me. criticized him for making statements When you can look at a situation close seen as overly vague and for using double- to your heart from the outside, you can speak. Not long after, however, he revealed see the shortcomings more clearly. I have Image source: Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports talked over these issues with my col- leagues, Georgian and foreign, many that means to him, Batiashvili said “the Resource Offi cer, school psychologist, environment, no modern technologies times, and when I was offered a ministe- state recognizes the unconditional sig- and, most importantly, parents and school can produce the desired result if the rial position, I thought that I really wanted nificance [of education], supports leadership,” said Batiashvili. He empha- educational system has been deprived to take part in the reforms needed for reforms, empowers fi nancial and human sized the importance of all parties being of values. The teacher must be the one the education system. Generally, when resources – and not only... The priority actively involved and cooperative. who, along with academic knowledge, you don’t like something, and you have is to help the public see that education The Minister addressed one of the most teaches students values by personal When you don’t a chance to improve it, you shouldn’t will give you a decent life, to believe that striking problems in the Georgian edu- example or through the development of wait for someone else to take responsi- knowledge and skills that are acquired cation system – teachers. The “profes- different skills...otherwise a better soci- like something bility for it.” at school or university will help you for sion [of teaching] should not be chosen ety cannot develop.” In mid-September, the Prime Minister future self-realization and provide for only because [a person] cannot fi nd any In 2019, a new model of learning, com- and you have a announced a new strategy for the edu- your well-being.” other job. When you love what you do, bining international best practices with cation system, alongside Batiashvili. To He also noted that there are urgent you will pass this joy to others. Teaching the Georgian environment, along with chance to counter problems facing Georgia such problems, including textbooks full of is a very diffi cult profession, so the choice Georgian scientifi c and pedagogical as occupied territories, poverty and social mistakes, which he promised will be should be thoroughly thought out. Nat- experience, will be launched in 50 pub- improve it, you problems, “Modernizing the system of remedied in the near future. urally, this hard work should be appreci- lic schools. By 2030, the new model will education, the development and intro- Batiashvili touched on school safety, a ated properly – in terms of salary and be fully adopted by more than 2,000 shouldn’t wait for duction of a strong fundamental educa- key issue of concern among the public teachers’ social status. We said that by schools. tional system, is the main precondition,” after the after-school Khorava Street 2022, the minimum teacher's salary Phase 2 of the reforms will be imple- someone else to Bakhtadze said while presenting the new Murders in December last year. “A par- should be 1500 GEL. It is very important mented in 2020-2023. Joint programs strategy. ent should believe their child is in a safe to attract new people to the profession.” with international universities will be take responsibility A common refrain from both Bakhtadze environment [at school]. In order to Currently, the average teacher’s salary introduced and the number of foreign and Batiashvili is that “education is the create such an environment, it is neces- is around 500 GEL ($185) a month. students in Georgia will increase by for it priority of the country.” Explaining what sary to consider the role of the School He also emphasized that “no school 50,000. Pew Research Center: Religion & Georgia 50% of Georgians claimed that religion BY THEA MORRISON is very important in their lives and 39% out of them stated they attend the ser- vices at least once in a month. Mean- he Pew Research Center while, 38% of the interviewed Georgians report about religion, said they pray every single day. minorities and key social In addition to belief in God, Central and issues, shows that the views Eastern Europeans are more likely than of Eastern and Western Western Europeans to express belief in EuropeansT differ over some very impor- fate (that the course of life is largely or tant issues. wholly preordained), as well as in some The Pew Research Center conducted phenomena not typically linked with surveys between 2015 and 2017 among Christianity, including the “evil eye”. nearly 56,000 adults (aged 18+) in 34 73% of Georgians say they believe in Western, Central and Eastern European fate, while 52% believe in the “evil eye” countries, including Georgia. and 11% in reincarnation. The research shows that 99% of Geor- Moreover, Europeans across the con- gians believe in God, which is the high- tinent are largely united in support of est indicator in Europe. 73% stated they a separation between religion and gov- believe in God and are absolutely certain ernment. More than half of adults in about it, while 24% have the belief but most countries say religion should be are uncertain. Only 1% of Georgians kept separate from government policies, responded that they do not believe in rather than the opposing view that gov- God. ernment policies should support reli- In this list, Georgia is followed by gious values and beliefs. Armenia, Moldova and Romania each at In seven Central and Eastern European 95%. countries, however, the view that church As for the branches of the Christianity and state should be separate falls short in Europe, according to the study, Ortho- of a majority position. This includes doxy is the dominant faith in the East, Armenia and Georgia – where the bal- including in Greece, Russia, the former ance of opinion favors government sup- Soviet republics of Georgia, Moldova, Photo source: orthochristian.com port for religious values and beliefs – as Armenia, Ukraine and Belarus and other extending westward across Croatia, Aus- Catholics, 1% -Protestants and 9% rep- and several other Western European well as Russia, where 42% of adults say former Eastern bloc countries such as tria, Italy and France to the Iberian Pen- resentatives of other religious groups. countries. Similarly, roughly three-in-ten the government should promote religion. Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. Catholic- insula. Protestantism is the dominant Fully half or more adults in Georgia, Slovaks, Greeks and Ukrainians say they 44% of Georgians say religion should majority countries are prevalent in the Christian tradition in much of Northern Greece, Bosnia, Armenia and Romania pray daily, compared with 8% in Austria be kept separate from the government central and southwestern parts of Europe, Europe, particularly Scandinavia. say religion is very important in their and Switzerland. Western Europeans policies, while 52% say the government cutting a swath from Lithuania through 89% of the interviewed Georgians lives, compared with about one-in-ten also are more likely than their neighbors should support religious beliefs and val- Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, and then stated they are Orthodox, while 1% are in France, Germany, the United Kingdom in the East to say they never pray. ues. GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 SOCIETY 11 Out of the Rubble: Etseri, Svaneti
days’ work. BLOG BY TONY HANMER It had literally been a chapel in which you could touch both side walls simul- taneously by stretching out your arms. f there was a local architectural And the walls were lower than head- restoration project which I would height, anyway, with no roof. But its set- like to see carried out, it would ting in the forest, with nave looking to be this one. I suppose that it would the east as is traditional here, was splen- If there are doubts need quite a bit of money, quite didly natural. The open skies above also or questions about Isome attention, which based on obser- reminded me of Kutaisi’s Bagrati Cathe- vation has been somewhat lacking in dral, similarly roofl ess for three centuries Svaneti since Misha’s departure. (Yes, since the tender attentions of the Otto- age and so on, they’re continuing what he started, mans, and to my mind a wonderful extending the road renovation upward metaphor for a direct connection to they deserve to from Mestia towards Ushguli; ditto the heaven. But thus unprotected, especially work on the spectacular new Tetnuldi in the harsher climate of Svaneti with be answered as ski resort. But road repairs? Only where freeze and thaw alternating, no stone dire; merely “hugely inconvenient” isn’t structure should be expected to survive conclusively as enough, apparently.) for long without being blasted apart bit A few days ago, I visited a neighbor in by bit under the onslaught. So, a roof it possible our village for her 79th birthday, and should have. version in Mestia museum, apparently after that joyous event another neighbor The recent work had uncovered a con- comes from this small church, perhaps took me to see the remains of the clos- siderably larger structure around the 15 centuries ago. est local church, which might also be walls which I had known, along with If there are doubts or questions about one of the oldest in all Svaneti, although many stone blocks from the original age and so on, they deserve to be answered again architectural expertise alone could church scattered around, and… an ossu- as conclusively as possible. With enough shed some light on this. What I remem- ary containing bones at the west end, hands, a single spring-to-autumn season ber seeing on past occasions was far which the workers re-covered out of might be enough to complete the resto- smaller than what has now been reverence and to preserve the remains ration and return the fame, and spiritual unearthed, by four men over about 10 for more expert analysis. My friend told usefulness, of this wonderful chapel, me that architect-specialists should be which would make it the main place of able to restore the building to its former worship for Ladreri, a sorely needed glory, each stone in its original place. thing in the absence of other such. As Also, that without some sort of covering Georgia goes to vote, a patron to accom- for the winter, weather’s relentless effects plish what I am describing may be the would undo or further harm the recently furthest thing from people’s minds; I, uncovered walls. So there is some urgency too, would not call it something of the Although Etseri here. fi rst importance. But surely not the last The actual rebuilding can wait, as long thing on the to-do list, either, in this lit- does have 7 - 8 as what is there is shielded from more tle country so packed full of archeo- damage. I do remember from about 2001 logical remains awaiting their turn. other churches, that, according to my carefully dated photographic records, extensive restora- Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since this little one tion was carried out on the village’s main 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a church, the Archangels’ Church in weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He overlooking Pkhotreri, said to be dated from Queen runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook Tamar’s tour of Svaneti. Although Etseri group, now with over 1900 members, at Ladreri hamlet is does have seven or eight other churches, www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- this little one overlooking Ladreri ham- sance/ said to be the let is said to be the oldest. Even the He and his wife also run their own guest house splendid carved wooden door of Pkhotreri in Etseri: oldest Church, perfectly copied in a modern www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 HUAWEI Mate 20 Series – Smartphones with Strongest and REfi ned Technologies
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appreciate the donations of goods or BY ANA DUMBADZE money. Those willing can buy or contribute something to the cost of the essential inter is a difficult medication Bravecto. For those who don’t period for homeless know about Bravecto, it is the latest gen- animals and for the eration of drugs that successfully treat people who unself- tick and fl ea infestations and can cure ishly care for them. various dermatological diseases as well WLuckily, there are many animal-lovers in as subcutaneous tumors. Treatment with Tbilisi and throughout Georgia, and their a single dose of Bravecto has a visible joint forces are necessary to save the effect within 10 days. The goal of the gentlest, friendliest and at the same time, young animal-lovers is to collect as much most unprotected creatures around us. of this medicine as possible and treat On Sunday, November 4, from 14:00 to dogs throughout Georgia. The price of 18:00, the Kiwi Vegan Café located at 6 this medication varies from 75 to 80 GEL. Machabeli Street will host a special Whatever amount one can donate will meeting for animal-lovers. contribute to giving a normal life back The meeting is being organized by a to numerous sick dogs in Georgia. group of young people who work to help Over the past fi ve years, the group of unprotected and vulnerable animals. young animal-lovers has saved weak and The purpose of the meeting is to col- found a new family for, over 200 animals lect food, warm blankets and medicines who suffered from violence, hunger, and for cats and dogs to send to specifi c aggression from animal haters. For three people in Tbilisi and the regions who years they have conducted successful are caring for dozens of animals in their activities to collect food and medicines homes; doing so often at the cost of their and to unite animal-lovers under the title own personal comfort. "Feed the Vulnerable". Through these At the event, veterinary clinic "Lucky charitable actions, they have been able Fou" veterinarians Irakli Narchemashvili to provide food and medicines for a cer- and Masha Shubladze will talk about the tain period of time throughout Georgia most problematic diseases found in each year. homeless animals in Georgia and ways The main goal of these young people to combat them. is to help vulnerable and sick animals At 18:00, a discussion will be held about as well as those who want to look after the issues of homeless animals and the them. ways to solve these problems. The organ- “We are not an organization: we are join us in our endeavors, and to become them. Change is possible. Solidarity to the following ways: izers of the meeting will provide infor- animal lovers, just like you,” they say. examples of unity and solidarity in our all vulnerable animals,” the organizers TBC Bank: GE77TB7515045063600015 mation about their activities and tell the “Animals do not have a voice and can- country as we help the most vulnerable wrote on their Facebook page ‘ცხოველთა Liberty Bank: attendees about those heroes who live not save themselves, so it is up to us to among us – the animals. We look forward გადარჩენის სახალხო ფრონტი’. GE78LB0711189641122000 throughout Georgia helping homeless be their advocates and fi ght for their to seeing you at Kiwi Café. Take care of Those wishing to donate who cannot Bank of Georgia: animals - the very people who will greatly rights. We want more animal-lovers to animals. Love them and don’t abandon attend the event can deposit money in GE95BG0000000103934600 GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 CULTURE 13 Argentinian Tango Meets the Caucasus: ‘Ojos Negros Tango Weekend 2018’ in Kazbegi
Gift Festival Georgia, which has been actively present on the BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES ground through Georgian tango schools. Moreover, interest from Georgian society has been slightly increased, as can be seen from the or the fi rst time ‘Ojos Negros Tango growing number of local tango enthusiasts. On the Week 2 Summary Weekend’ – an Argentinian tango mara- other hand, due to its international character, the thon, took place in Kazbegi, the Rooms weekend intended to raise awareness of Georgia, written thirty years ago in America, this play is still Hotel, from October 5 - 7. Participants its culture and nature among the tango society BY HOLLY TAYLOR relevant today, in any country. It was certainly a and Tango DJs from thirteen different worldwide. In fact, participants of the Tango Mar- brave choice to programme the play here in Geor- countriesF got together in the Caucasus mountains athon traveled all the way from Singapore, the gia and at this time, and I think the audience appre- to share tango with each other and at the same time Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, his week at the festival we welcomed ciated that enjoy the beautiful nature, culture and hospitality Russia, Kazakhstan, Palestine, London, Armenia the renowned Russian director Dmitry Basically, this week at the festival refl ects most of Georgia. and Germany to be part of the ‘Ojos Negros Week- Krymov, who bought his production of my time in Georgia, in that I have no idea what The event organizers, Waldemar Kipphan from end’ in Kazbegi. of the classic Russian play Bezpridan- is going on, but at the same time, I’m very happy. Germany, and Berlin-based Anna Kiknadze from Specially invited Tango DJs were: Marcin Brzez- nitsa (Without a Dowry) to the I have to say this coming week is more my forté, Georgia, made a sensitive mixture of Argentinian inski from Poland; Mik Avramenko from Ukraine; TRustaveli theatre, performed by students of the and it’s going to be a super busy one. On Friday we tango with Georgian elements. The venue at the Ramo & GoGo from Turkey; Waldemar Kipphan Moscow Theater “School of Dramatic Arts”. open the festival’s Italian Focus, with Sardinian Rooms Hotel gave a perfect opportunity for this from Germany; and Levan Gomelauri from Geor- Apparently, this is a play that every Russian kid Culture Days. The opening session, Rispondi Al combination to happen. Classical Tango music gia. These all made the atmosphere more joyful has to study at school, but coming from England, I Futuro, will be a discussion on contemporary Ital- from 12am to 12pm, great tango dancers from all and unforgettable. had never heard of it, so wasn’t sure what to expect. ian Theater, held at the Rustaveli Theater at 2pm over the world, an exhibition of Paris-based artist The weekend ended with wine-tasting by Gigi If I’m completely honest I was not looking forward on Friday 2nd. Then we are welcoming Sardegna Nini Kiknadze, delicious Georgian and European Sujashvili from the Natural Vineyard ‘Gelovani’. to watching a play in a language I don’t understand Teatro all the way from Sardinia, to the Rustaveli cuisine, breathtaking nature and much more. Due to a successful completion of this tango for nearly three hours, even though I had heard it Theater. On Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd, they will On the one hand, the tango marathon aimed to marathon, the second edition of ‘Ojos Negros Tango had won a lot of awards. But I was pleasantly sur- perform Macbettu, their version of Shakespeare’s popularize Argentinian social tango culture in Weekend’ 2019 will be announced soon! prised. Thankfully language was just one of the many classic Macbeth with a twist: it’s performed in Sar- elements that made up this incredible production. dinian, with Italian and Georgian subtitles. For It was a beautiful example of theatrical parataxis, or audience members who don’t speak any of those as Hans-Thies Lehmann describes it, “the de-hier- languages, I think our universal knowledge of the archization of theatrical means”. As a non-Russian story line will help us through (but maybe google speaker, I was very grateful for this! Krymov used the synopsis beforehand to be sure). Alongside all video projection, music, song, costume, and a well- this, I’m going to be attending as much as I can of timed wind machine to tell the story as well as words. the International Symposium on Polyphony, at the And as you would expect from a Russian laboratory State Conservatoire, running until Saturday 3rd. theatre, the actor's physicality and expression were I’m so excited to be surrounded by singers from fl awless. Overall, I enjoyed the show, even though all over the world, and reunited with friends who I didn’t have a grasp on the story. will sing Georgian polyphony with me! Look out As I can’t speak Russian, I wouldn’t have made a for the closing concert on the 3rd, which includes very good guide for the Russian artists, so my role Tenore Murales, singing polyphony from Sardinia. this week has involved ironing costumes for the And just in case there wasn’t enough singing this production, and just being a general dogsbody, or week, on Sunday 4th, the Gift Festival is hosting a as they say in German ‘springer’ (jumper). I think folk party at Vineria (our festival club) from 12pm- I prefer the German phrase. 6pm. There’s going to be some absolute gems of On Monday I was also put to the test of watching singing there, including Tenore Murales from Sar- theatre in a foreign language, but this time in Geor- dinia, Ialoni and Adilei from Georgia, and maybe gian. Keely and Du, written by American playwright even yours truly with some of my singing mates! Jane Martin in the 80s, was translated into Georgian And if you STILL haven’t had enough, we’re screen- and directed by Gift’s own Artistic Director Keti ing an Italian fi lm in the evening of 4th, called La Dolidze. Performed in the Liberty Theater, the Stoffa Dei Sogni (The Cloth of Dreams) at the piece concerned itself with the contentious issues Amirani Cinema. Hope to see you at any/all of these of rape, abortion, religion and suicide. Though it wonderful events! may not sound like the cheeriest way to spend a For a full schedule of the month’s events, pick up Monday evening, the piece skillfully negotiated the a programme in Prospero’s bookstore, or visit the emotional topics. It’s sad and frustrating that, though GIFT Festival Facebook page. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018
WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER November 3 CLIMAX ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE RUSTAVELI THEATER STALINGRAD Directed by Gaspar Noé NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL 17 Rustaveli Ave. Revaz Gabriadze Cast: Sofi a Boutella, Romain COLLECTIONS TEL (+995 32) 272 68 68 GIFT - GEORGIAN INT’L Directed by Revaz Gabriadze Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub www.rustavelitheatre.ge FESTIVAL OF ARTS IN TBILISI English Subtitles Genre: Drama, Horror, Musical UNKNOWN COLLECTIONS OF Start time: 20:00 Language: Russian THE GEORGIAN NATIONAL November 9 November 2, 3 Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Start time: 22:30 MUSEUM– INDIA, CHINA, JAPAN ANNIVERSARY CONCERT MACBETTU Ticket: 15 GEL The exhibition showcases up to TBILISI BAROQUE FESTIVAL Based on William Shakespeare’s I. Documentary Film November 4 500 artworks - paintings, sculptures ‘Macbeth’ A STAR IS BORN and samples of applied art, the ‘GEORGIAN SINFONIETTA 10’ RAMONA Directed by N. Akhvlediani Directed by Alessandro Serra Directed by Bradley Cooper chronological range of which is wide. Language: Sardinian Revaz Gabriadze II. EARLY DANCES Directed by Revaz Gabriadze Cast: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, GALLERY Jean-Philippe Rameau- Entrée Georgian, English Subtitles Sam Elliott Start time: 20:00 English Subtitles and Gavotte from the opera ‘Les Start time: 20:00 Genre: Drama, Musical Boréades’ I and II, Tambourin Ticket: 15-40 GEL Language: Russian THE NATIONAL GALLERY Venue: Rustaveli Theater Ticket: 20, 30 GEL from the opera-ballet ‘Les Indes Start time: 12:00 11 Rustaveli Ave. Galantes’, Henry Purcell- aria Ticket: 11 GEL TEL (+995 32) 215 73 00 ‘Dido’s Lament’ from the opera TBILISI ZAKARIA November 7, 8 Animated documentary fi lm ‘Dido and Aeneas’, Marin Marais- PALIASHVILI OPERA AND CAVEA GALLERY September 11 – November 25 REZO Chaconne from the opera ‘Alcyone’, BALLET THEATER 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. EXHIBITION Tarquinio Merula- Chaconne, 25 Rustaveli Ave. Directed by Leo Gabriadze TEL (+995 32) 200 70 07 BERNINI'S SCHOOL AND THE Georg Philipp Telemann- TEL (+995 32) 299 04 56 Start time: 20:00 ROMAN BAROQUE Sarabande from the suite ‘La Ticket: 15 GEL Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL After the works of Leonardo da Bizarre’, Marin Marais- Prelude, November 3, 4, 7 November 3-9 Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Tempeste and March from KETO AND KOTE MOVEMENT THEATER Botticelli, Titian and other great the opera ‘Alcyone’, Girolamo * Premiere 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Italian artists, the Georgian Frescobaldi- Passacaglia, Victor Dolidze's opera TEL (+995 32) 598 19 29 36 Directed by Bryan Singer National Museum and the Embassy Jean-Baptiste Lully- Turkish March, Musical Director- Revaz Takidze Cast: Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello, of Italy in Georgia present the 2 Airs and Canarie from the ballet Director- Ioane Khutsishvili November 3 Mike Myers exhibition ‘Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme’, Henry Set, Costume and Lighting TEMPEST Genre: Biography, Drama, Music Purcell- Prelude and Monkey Dance Designer- Giorgi Alexi-Meskhishvili Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Language: English October 9 – January 17 (2019) from the opera ‘The Fairy – Queen’, Choreographer- Iliko Sukhishvili Start time: 20:00 Start time: 13:45, 19:45 NIKO PIROSMANI’S RENEWED Jean-Philippe Rameau- 2 Rigaudons Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10-15 GEL Language: Russian EXHIBITION and Orage from the opera ‘Platée’, Ticket: 10-120 GEL Start time: 16:45, 29:15, 22:30 Henry Purcell (1659-1695) - Aria Ticket: 13-19 GEL October 10 – October 5 (2019) ‘Cold Song’ from the opera ‘King November 4 Arthur’, Jean-Philippe Rameau - MUSIC AND DRAMA STATE DON JUAN THE EXHIBITION MASTERS OF SMALLFOOT GEORGIAN ART Menuet and Contradance from the THEATER Directed by Kakha Bakuradze opera ‘Les Boréades’, ‘Georgian 182 Agmashenebeli Ave. Start time: 20:00 Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick, Displaying paintings of Kirill Zdanevich, Shalva Kikodze, Sinfonietta’, Mikheil abramishvili TEL (+995 32) 234 80 90 Ticket: 10-15 GEL Jason Reisig Ketevan Magalashvili and Elene (countertenor), Anna Kurdovanidze Cast: Zendaya, Channing Tatum, (harpsichord/positive organ), Kakhi November 6 Gina Rodriguez Akhvlediani together with Chargeishvili (Salamuri), Merab TBILISI CIRCUS Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy Lado Gudiashvili's and David WELCOME TO GEORGIA 1 Heroes’ Sq. Sanodze (drums) A musical, theatrical play and Language: English Kakabadze's artworks, showing the Small Stage romantic comedy telling a story Start time: 14:30 comprehensive picture of diversity Start time: 19:30 November 3, 4 Ticket: 11-15 GEL and aesthetics of Georgian Art. about Georgia and its people by AUTUMN SHOW Ticket: 10-40 GEL combining song, dance, culture, Start time: November 3- 17:00, REPLICAS traditions, history, national ARTAREA GALLERY DJANSUG KAKHIDZE November 4- 13:00, 17:00 Directed by Jeffrey Nachmanoff 10 D. Abashidze Str. TBILISI CENTER FOR MUSIC costumes and local cuisine. Ticket: 10-25 GEL Cast: Alice Eve, Keanu Reeves, Musical & CULTURE Emily Alyn Lind October 29- November 4 Language: English, some Georgian CINEMA 125 Aghmashenebeli ave. Genre: Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi Rocko Iremashvili’s Exhibition TEL (+995 32) 296 12 43 (with English subtitles) Language: Russian LAMA SABACHTHANI Start time: 20:00 AMIRANI CINEMA Start time: 19:45 Curated by Nino Gujabidze November 9 Ticket: 50-80 GEL 36 Kostava St. Ticket: 16-19 GEL CONCERT OF PIANO MUSIC TEL (+995 32) 299 99 55 TBC ART GALLERY Giorgi Gigashvili and David Khrikuli SHALIKASHVILI THEATER www.kinoafi sha.ge VENOM 7 Marjanishvili Str. Will perform piano works by 27 Rustaveli Ave (Info Above) Haydn, Liszt, Chopin, Rossini, Language: English October 31- November 17 Rachmaninoff, Scriabin and Ravel. November 3 Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL November 3-9 Start time: 19:30 EXHIBITION Start time: 19:00 KRIMANCHULI Language: Russian ELGUJA AMASHUKELI 90 Ticket: 10 GEL Start time: 20:00 Start time: 12:00, 22:00 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY Ticket: 20 GEL Ticket: 10-19 GEL MUSIC UNDER WHEEL Directed by Bryan Singer Mtatsminda Hill November 9 Cast: Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello, MUSEUM Mike Myers TBILISI STATE LULLABY CONSERVATOIRE November 3 Genre: Biography, Drama, Music Start time: 20:00 GEORGIAN NATIONAL 8 Griboedov St. UTSNOBI Ticket: 15 GEL Language: English MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA TEL (+995 32) 293 46 24 Start time: 23:00 Start time: 22:15 MUSEUM Ticket: 30 GEL GABRIADZE THEATER Language: Russian 3 Rustaveli Ave. November 3 14 Shavteli Str. Start time: 19:30 TEL (+995 32) 299 80 22, 293 48 21 ELITE LAKE AND GALA CONCERT OF RESORT HOTEL TEL (+995 32) 298 65 93 Ticket: 13-14 GEL www.museum.ge TRADITIONAL POLYPHONY Tetritskaro highway, Bogvi Ensembles: ‘Alilo’, ‘Iame’, ‘Ialoni’, November 9 VENOM Exhibitions: ‘Samni’, ‘Kalakuri’, ‘Kalakuri Trio’, Directed by Ruben Fleischer November 4 MARSHAL DE FANTE’S GEORGIAN COSTUME AND ‘Ksovrelebi’, ‘Shiri’, ‘Haiartuni’ BREAK OUT PARTY 2018 DIAMOND Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH Start time: 19:00 The event will be hosted by Revaz Gabriadze Williams, Woody Harrelson CENTURIES Ticket: 5 GEL SF-X, Dj Yasamani and Exited, Directed by Revaz Gabriadze Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi Uprising, Luka Gogiberidze English Subtitles Language: Russian NUMISMATIC TREASURY November 4 Start time: 23:00 Start time: 20:00 Start time: 22:00 TBILISI CHAMBER MUSIC XIII Ticket: 30 GEL Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Ticket: 15 GEL STONE AGE GEORGIA FESTIVAL Veriko Tchumburidze- Violin KELLER BAR (Georgia, Turkey, Germany), 36 M. Kostava Ave. Mamikon Nakhapetov- Piano (Georgia, Germany), Tbilisi State November 3 Chamber Orchestra ‘Georgian TAZTHROB, BENE Sinfonietta’ Start time: 23:00 Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 10 GEL Ticket: 8-20 GEL MOXY TBILISI November 7 Saarbrucken Sq. TBILISI CHAMBER MUSIC XIII FESTIVAL Participants: November 2 Giorgi Khaindrava- I Violin, Halloween at Moxy Tamaz Batiashvili- II Violin, Nodar The most creative costume and Jvania- Viola, Otar Chubinishvili- make-up will be awarded a special Violincello, Tamar Litcheli- Piano, prize and you'll be entertained by Irakli Japaridze- Viola. spooky sounds from their Resident Tbilisi Sulkhan Tsintsadze State DJ alongside ghoulish punch drinks String Quartet and beers from 5 GEL. Start time: 20:00 Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 5-15 GEL BASSIANI 2 A. Tsereteli Ave. November 8 TEL (+995 32) 277 92 77 TBILISI CHAMBER MUSIC XIII FESTIVAL November 3 Ketevan Kartvelishvili (Soprano), Halloween at Bassiani’s Horoom. Irakli Tkhvatsiria (I Tenor), The Horoom party is thrown once Tornike Merabishvili (II Tenor), a month at Bassiani in conjunction Solomon Gogilashvili (III Tenor), with an LGBTQ civil rights group Zviad Mitchilashvili (Baritone), in Georgia, open to those of Vano Dvalishvili (Bass), the LGBTQ community and its Vocal Group The Georgian Six supporters. This time the theme is Start time: 19:00 Halloween. Ticket: 8-20 GEL Start time: 23:55 GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 2 - 5, 2018 CULTURE 15 FGB’s Scholarship Presentation & Gala Concert Held at Griboedov
me, performing on the Griboedev Theater stage is very important as it makes me especially happy and proud. We have been well-trained by our choreographers for future success. It is thanks to their great contribution that today we are suc- cessful in Georgia and abroad as well. Mrs. Nina always helps and motivates us, we love her so much and appreciate her work,” Tsintsadze told reporters. The Friends of Georgian Ballet, a non-profi t organization, was founded in 2006 with the aim to support the initiatives of the State Ballet of Georgia and contribute to the development of the Georgian ballet under the artistic director- ship of Nina Ananiashvili. The membership fees of the Friends of the Georgian Ballet provide funding for scholarships for promising young ballet students at the V. Chabukiani Choreographic School and partici- pation by specially selected members of the Bal- let Company in prestigious ballet competitions and master classes held in various countries worldwide.
ballet school students coming to Georgia and BY ANA DUMBADZE holding concerts. This relationship itself sig- nifi cantly contributes to the development of Georgian ballet,” she said. n October 25, the Friends of the “The Friends of Georgian Ballet, consisting of Georgian Ballet’s scholarship pres- Georgian and foreign fans of ballet, awards our entation and performance by the young and promising students with certifi cates Vakhtang Chabukiani Tbilisi Ballet and scholarships,” said Nina Ananiashvili. “It is Art State School was held at the thanks to our friends’ great contribution that we OGriboedev Theater. The reception was held in have an opportunity to send our students abroad the bar of the theater and included both the pres- to participate in various ballet competitions held entation of a fundraising gift by Andreas Hei- in countries all over the world. They perform at dingsfelder, GM of Sheraton Hotel, and the schol- these foreign festivals and claim gold medals, arship presentation itself. grand prizes and more. They are successful in The representatives of the Friends of Georgian all kinds of competitions, be it an individual per- Ballet and Georgian Prima-ballerina Nina Ana- formance or group dances. It signifi cantly con- niashvili herself, awarded the successful young tributes to raising awareness about Georgian students of the V. Chabukiani Tbilisi Ballet Art ballet internationally, and we are very grateful State School with certifi cates and scholarships. to them. Every year, our students go to Japan and The award ceremony was followed by the joint participate in various competitions and perfor- gala concert of the Chabukiani School and Tokyo mances together with their Japanese fellows. International Ballet School. This year, 26 students of the Chabukiani School The students of V. Chabukiani Tbilisi Ballet visited Japan. Today, we have Japanese guests Art State School have recently claimed yet another here, within the frames of our exchange programs, international success and made the fans of Geor- and they will perform on the stage of Griboedov gian ballet happy: from October 4 to October 8, Theater together with Georgian students. It is 2018, they participated in an international ballet especially important that our students perform competition held in Sibiu, Romania. Student Nita on the big stages and professionally improve Lomidze (VI class) claimed fi rst place in con- themselves, and it is very pleasant for spectators temporary dances; students Sesili Guguchia, to watch talented and promising children’s per- Mariam Lekishvili, Nino Qartvelishvili, Sofi o formances as well, a result of the hard work con- Kandelaki, and Anastasia Coconava (VI class), ducted by our choreographers and young stu- took fi rst place in group dances; dents.” student Mari Lomjaria (VIII class) took second Yonen Takano, Japanese Principal Dancer, place in classical variation, and student Sopo expressed his delight in working with Nina Ana- Nachkebia (VIII class) took fourth place. niashvili and noted that collaboration with the Since 2007, the Friends of Georgian Ballet (FGB) Georgian ballet dancers is both pleasant and and Nina Ananiashvili have annually awarded fruitful for the Japanese side. In 2015, Takano the talented and successful students of the Vakh- danced the leading part with Nina Ananiashvili tang Chabukiani Tbilisi Ballet Art State School in the ballet Le Spectre de la Rose by Mikhail with certifi cates and scholarships. Additionally, Fokine. they allocate scholarships for the socially vul- “The Japanese audience is strongly impressed nerable students of the choreographic school. by Nina’s performance, as she is a truly amazing FGB and Ananiashvili award the students of the dancer. Now we have an exchange program with school with pointe shoes, dance costumes and Georgia, and our Japanese students are perform- accessories. ing here. They have been working with Nina, a According to the Head of Training Practice of big achievement and a great opportunity and V. Chabukiani Tbilisi Ballet Art State School, honor for the young generation, for the future Ketevan Motsonelidze, the collaboration between ballerons and ballerinas,” Takano noted. Japanese and Georgian ballet schools signifi cantly Young ballerina of the Vakhtang Chabukiani contributes to the development of Georgian bal- Tbilisi Ballet Art State School, Sopho Tsintsadze, let: participated in the joint performance together “Today’s performance sees both Japanese and with her Japanese fellows. Georgian ballet school students. We often have “We are holding this gala concert for our Japa- exchange programs, with the students of our nese guests. Every year, we visit each other’s school performing in Japan, and the Japanese countries and hold various performances. For
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