Issue no: 963 • JULY 14 - 17, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... World Cultural Monument Heritage Status Returned to Gelati Monastery NEWS PAGE 2 Georgian Foreign Minister Holds Meetings in Moldova

FOCUS POLITICS PAGE 4 ON PREVENTING A Decade of Success: EU Bank Marks 10 Years in Georgia VIOLENCE with New Loans Religious organizations unite to prevent early marriages, FGM and BUSINESS PAGE 8 domestic violence PAGE 12

Source: UNICEF Georgia’s European Way - Ensuring Regional Stability Conference Opens in Batumi

BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI France Celebrates Bastille Day – Eternal Values of Liberty, he 14th annual international confer- ence Georgia’s European Way - Equality & Fraternity Ensuring Regional Stability started in Batumi on Thursday. SOCIETY PAGE 12 The two-day conference will focus Ton European security, economic and geopoliti- Giorgi Mikadze Becomes cal issues, new forms of cooperation between the EU and its associated partner countries, and Associate Professor of Berklee the role of Georgia in the process of regional stability. College of Music EU energy security, diversifi cation of the energy markets and the process of energy market lib- CULTURE PAGE 15 eralization are said to be among the themes of vili, addressed the conference with speeches. vertible for the Georgian people,” Prime Minis- particular focus at the conference this year as “The crawling occupation continues to bring ter Giorgi Kvirikashvili said, as he noted the Georgian government representatives and high- tension to the region. Georgia addresses this importance of European and Euro-Atlantic inte- ranking delegates from Europe gather in the problem with the highest responsibility and gration as one of the driving forces for the devel- Adjara capital. patience. Our attitude towards this historical opment of the country. Three fi nancial agreements will be signed dur- injustice which takes place just several kilom- Maroš Šefcovic, Vice President, European ing the conference in Batumi: EUR 250 mln eters from here, refl ected in the occupation of Commission for Energy Union, noted that the fi nancing from the European Investment Bank Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions, is an attitude European Union is the number one trade part- (EIB) within the Georgia’s Transport Commu- built on European standards and European val- ner and investor in Georgia, where, as he stated, nication Project [see page 6]; allocation of an ues,” President Margvelashvili stated as he the European Union supports all the progressive additional EUR 3.5 mln fi nancing for the Vardnili addressed the audience at the conference. “The reforms that make Georgia a leader in the East- and Enguri HPP rehabilitation; and funds provi- process of integration of Georgia in the Euro- ern Partnership program. Sevcovic emphasized sion for 10 electro and 20 diesel buses to Batumi. pean process is stable and sustainable...” he the importance of the association agreement President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, noted. signing, as he talked about strengthening of the and Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikash- “European integration is inevitable and incon- economic and political relations with the EU. GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS JULY 14 - 17, 2017 Chateau Mukhrani World Cultural Monument Reserve Royale Heritage Status Returned Awarded to Gelati Monastery Plantinum BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI

he decision to return the 12th Century Gelati Mon- at astery back to the world’s heritage list with independ- ent status was taken at TUNESCO World Heritage meeting in Krakow, Poland on Monday. Decanter Following the information announced by the Ministry of Culture and Monu- ment Protection of Georgia, they in cooperation with the International Coun- cil on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES the World Heritage Center, together with international experts, prepared the nec- essary documentation. As the Ministry hateau Mukhrani Reserve of Culture of Georgia states, the conser- Royale (Saperavi 2012) vation and rehabilitation process carried received an unprec- out at the Gelati Monastery complex edented award; the fully complies with World Heritage Con- fi rst to be presented vention principles. Gelati Monastery. Source: UNESCO website toC a Georgian wine: the Platinum Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathedral With the decision made at the World Georgia, stated that Bagrati will have a Medal Best in Category, Best were fi rst put on the World Cultural Heritage Committee meeting in Krakow, chance to also be returned to the list in Georgian Red. Heritage list in 1994. In 2010, due to the Gelati Monastery is now back on the a different nomination, as together with The award was received at the reconstructions of Bagrati Cathedral, World Heritage list, following the plac- experts from UNESCO and with the help Decanter World Wine Awards both Gelati Monastery and Bagrati Cathe- ing of the ancient town of Mtskheta of German and Polish partners, work to which is known as the most infl u- dral were listed as endangered world (Georgia’s ancient capital) on the same nominate the Kutaisi historical landscape- ential and prestigious international cultural heritage monuments. Bagrati list last year, both now removed from historical zone is underway, with the aim wine competition in the world. Cathedral and Gelati Monastery previ- the list of World Heritage in Danger. that Bagrati Cathedral can be once more From more than 17,000 wines from ously shared one nomination in the Mikhail Giorgadze, the Minister of preserved and represented in the context around the globe which applied, UNESCO list. Culture and Monument Protection of of World Cultural Heritage Monument. Chateau Mukhrani Reserve Roy- ale received the highest award available in the competition. According to the rules, the Plati- Eloshvili New Energy Minister, Janelidze Vice-Premier num Medal is awarded to Gold Medal winning wines which are BY THEA MORRISON later re-tasted in specifi c catego- ries. Prior to 2017, no Georgian wine had received a Gold Medal at the Decanter Awards. eputy Energy Minister, There is a long list of interna- Ilia Eloshvili, has been tional wine competitions world- installed as the new wide, of which the following three Energy Minister, Prime British competitions are of highest Minister of Georgia, infl uence: International Wine Chal- DGiorgi Kvirikashvili announced at a lenge (IWC), International Wine governmental meeting on Wednesday. & Spirits Competition (IWSC) and The PM stated Eloshvili “would be a the Decanter World Wine Awards good minister,” as, since 2012, he has (DWWA). been in the post of Deputy Energy Min- Chateau Mukhrani applied to ister and is very experienced in the fi eld. Decanter with six wines and all “I am sure he will be successful in the received awards: important role he has now. He is expe- Royale Reserve (Red) 2012 - Plat- rienced in both private and public sec- Georgia’s Foreign Minister, Mikheil Kvirikashvili added that foreign rela- inum Medal Best in Category, Best tors as well as in international programs,” Janelidze, would become the second tions are among Georgia’s top priorities. Georgian Red, Reserve Royale the PM added. Vice-Premier. The posts of Energy Minister and (White) 2013 – Silver, Collection Furthermore, in September-November The PM noted that Janelidze has con- Vice-Premier became vacant when Secrete (White) 2014 – Bronze, 2016, Eloshvili also served as Energy tributed greatly to the successful imple- Kakha Kaladze, Energy Minister and Saperavi 2013 – Bronze, Rkatsiteli Minister, when the post was vacant mentation of Georgia’s visa-liberaliza- second Vice-Premier, quit his posts in Superior 2013- Bronze and Collec- before the newly elected Parliament tion process and his appointment as order to participate in the Tbilisi May- tion Secrete (Red) 2014: Com- approved the Cabinet. Deputy Prime Minister would be prof- oral elections as the candidate of the mended. Kvirikashvili also announced that itable for the country. ruling Georgian Dream party. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 14 - 17, 2017 NEWS 3 Recent Developments in Occupied Tskhinvali Passenger Flows Up in Discussed at IPRM Meeting in Ergneti Georgian Airports with Tbilisi International having so far BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI served 1.287,228 passengers, showing a BY THEA MORRISON 44.11 percent increase compared to 2016. Kutaisi International Airport had a 93 ccording to the six-month percent increase in passenger fl ow, and epresentatives of Georgia, statistics of 2017, the num- Batumi Airport served 133,418 passengers de facto South Ossetia (Tskh- ber of passengers passing in six months, 43.95 percent higher com- invali), the European Union through Georgian airports pared to the previous year. Monitoring Mission in Geor- has increased by 48.61 per- Mestia Airport has served 3240 pas- gia (EUMM) and the OSCE Acent, while the number of air transported sengers in six months, 1746 passengers discussedR around 10 acute issues, includ- goods is up by 40.07 percent according more than last year. Ambrolauri Airport, ing the borderization process, on Geor- to the data of the Civil Aviation Agency. which welcomed passengers for the fi rst gian territories at the 79th meeting under 1,609.183 passengers were transported time in 2017 has so far served 457 pas- the Incident Prevention and Response by regular and charter fl ights in Geor- sengers. Mechanism (IPRM) held in Ergneti, de gian airports for the fi rst six month period There were 8768 passenger and goods facto South Ossetia, on July 11. of 2017, which is 48.61 percent higher transportation fl ights operated in Geor- The EUMM reports that Ambassador with 526,355 passengers, up on last year gian airports from January to June 2017, Kestutis Jankauskas, Head of the EUMM when it stood at 1082828 passengers. (7016 regular and 1,752 charter fl ights), in Georgia, and Ambassador Guenther Georgian territory in Bershueti village As for Bershueti village, the locals should The increase in passenger fl ow is said which is 39% higher compared to the Baechler, Special Representative of the last week, which left local farmers with- have thought in advance not to plant to be clear in all the airports in Georgia, same period of 2016. OSCE Chairperson-in-Offi ce for the out 20 hectares of agricultural land. crops on the territory of another coun- South Caucasus, co-facilitated the pro- Ambassador Jankauskas expressed his try,” Jioev was quoted as saying by the ceedings. appreciation of the pre-announcement Georgian Public Broadcaster. National Food Agency Issues The discussions, which lasted for seven of such installations and encouraged, Representative of the central Georgian hours, were opened by Ambassador also in this respect, to continue use of government, Kakhaber Kemoklidze, said Examination Results of Georgian Spices Baechler with Ambassador Jankauskas the Hotline for mutual information shar- that the “illegal erection” of so-called later providing a short overall summary ing. border signs at the occupation line cre- found in a number of Georgian spices BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI of events since the last meeting. The Georgian side demanded the local ated serious problems for the local from Georgian producers. The talks included the general security farmers be allowed to harvest their crops population and added that the sides could An excessive amount of lead was dis- situation, Hotline activations and deten- from the lands misappropriated by the not reach consensus over the borderiza- covered in red pepper - 7,06 mg (producer tion cases. It was noted that the number occupation regime. tion process. he National Food Agency Badri Jakhia); dry adjika -6, 38 mg (pro- of Hotline activations had doubled com- Georgian media reports that the issue “The process started with barbed wire (NFA) of Georgia has issued ducer Elguja Jakhia), dry adjika 5.96 mg pared to the previous period. of a new wave of border demarcation fences, then it continued with the illegal the results of an examina- (producer Giga Sharangia), and suneli The EUMM stated that the number of works carried out by de facto Tskhinvali erection of signs and the last phase of tion of Georgian spices, produced by Madona Todua – 5.60 mg. detentions at the so-called border was forces in three Georgian villages: Knolevi, the borderization process is this so called following the recent warn- “These products have been taken off also higher than during the previous Tseronisi and Avlevi, Kareli district, were anti-fi re line, made by the occupation Ting issued by the New York City Health the market and will be destroyed,” the period and higher than the same period raised at the meeting. regime,” Kemoklidze said. Department informing that spices from National Food Agency stated. “The infor- in 2016. Representative of the breakaway Tskh- The Incident Prevention and Response Georgia may contain a high level of lead. mation on the research fi ndings will be Two cases of airspace violations involv- invali region, Murad Jioev, stated that Mechanism was created in February The NFA claims its specialists took 75 distributed to the Ministry of Health, ing unmanned aerial vehicles were raised the demarcation was necessary to pre- 2009 as a result of the Geneva discus- samples of spices from throughout the Labor and Social affairs of Georgia and by participants, who agreed to look into vent local farmers from coming within sions that followed the 2008 confl ict in territory of Georgia, which it then sent the Ministry of Economy, as well as being the cases. The co-facilitators underlined 200 meters of the "border”. Georgia. The meetings are an opportu- to the Adjara Ministry of Agriculture made available for the public. the availability of the Hotline to clarify He also added that the furrows made nity to identify potential risks and prob- laboratory research center. All 75 sam- The NFA will also disclose this infor- potential airspace violations. by Russian soldiers in Kareli villages lems facing the local community, follow ples were examined, with violations mation to the consulate of the Geor- One of the most acute issues the Geor- would prevent the spread of fi re, which up on incidents, and exchange informa- revealed in four of the cases. Within the gian Embassy in the US. “We are ready gian side raised at the meeting was the is very common in the fi elds. tion. existing legislation, the level of lead in to fully cooperate with the New York creeping occupation and the occupation “Fire is very common in the fi elds, this The next IPRM meeting will take place spices must not exceed 5 milligrams per City Department of Health,” the NFA line having been moved further into is why we decided to make furrows there. on 7 September 2017. kilogram. The higher level of lead was stated. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS JULY 14 - 17, 2017 With the West Uninterested, Georgia Faces Unpleasant Developments in its Breakaway Regions

ago, the installation of new makeshift ‘border’ OP-ED BY EMIL AVDALIANI signs could eventually create huge problems for transportation and overall security across the region. Yet Russia acts in South Ossetia according eorgia is experiencing a diffi cult to its security concerns based on geography and period internally as well externally. a purported threat from NATO. On the foreign policy front, things At the same time, as our eyes are on South Osse- are not looking up, as refl ected by tia, a number of interesting developments are the G20 Summit in Hamburg last taking place in Abkhazia which are set to further weekG which saw the country’s perils being all but destabilize the breakaway region and in the long ignored by world leaders. Internally, the country run will create stronger bases for Russian infl u- is preparing for the Tbilisi mayoral elections and ence there. a nationalistic march is ready to kick off in the Last week, the opposition forces in Abkhazia heart of the capital over the coming days to pro- mounted a full-scale campaign against Raul test ‘unsavory’ behavior by nationals from the Khajimba’s government and began asking for his Middle East. In addition, a number of high-profi le resignation. This not to say that the development court hearings of detained foreigners from neigh- is in itself a new one, but rather that it comes on boring countries are further heightening tem- top of an already fragile internal situation and the peratures internally as many are led to believe in offi cial understanding between the separatist gov- their being motivated by external actors. ernment and the opposition force Amtsakhara. Abkhazia–Russia border. Source: Wikiwand But the real problem for Tbilisi is that there is The Agreement on Social and Political Stability a certain fatigue with the Georgia problem in the signed in late 2016 with the aim to calm tensions plete opposition to him. were unable to forestall his election as PM. West. The frozen confl icts around Abkhazia and and prevent confrontation between the Abkhaz Indeed, the problems in the breakaway region Yet, Moscow is closely watching the develop- South Ossetia (Samachablo), while clearly prob- leadership and the opposition has now been effec- are numerous, making the stability unlikely. Unem- ments in the region as there always are elements lems, are not as immediate as, for instance, east tively broken. And this development comes just ployment is high and this in turn facilitates a high in Abkhazia which do not agree with being entirely Ukraine or even Nagorno Karabakh, where the several days after the Russian presidential aide level of crime. One Russian tourist was killed pro-Russian. Many fear that Russian money will situation has been tense for more than a year. Vladislav Surkov, who oversees Russian infl uence several days ago in Abkhazia, resulting in the Rus- leave ethnic Abkhaz without land. Unlike South There might be even more than just fatigue. For in Georgia and Ukraine’s breakaway territories, sian government warning its citizens against trav- Ossetia, where the population numbers are quite example, in western media few analysts these days made positive statements about Khajimba and the elling to the breakaway region. low and political life cannot become violent, in note the problem and it is rare that this informa- overall ‘political stability’. Abkhazia lacks internal stability because the rul- Abkhazia for Russia it is more prudent to have a tion niche is fi lled by analyses and reportative The statements do refl ect the extent to which ing politicians often lack money and experience divided political spectrum; a divided society where pieces. the people in Abkhazia are divided along political to effectively manage the region, while the opposi- neither of the sides can gain the upper hand as a However, it is this fatigue, relative disinterest lines. There are strong supporters of Khajimba tion forces are strong enough to stage manifesta- policy which will help Moscow hold off any anti- and lack of information about the Georgian conun- who managed to become rich under his rule, but tions and even cause resignations. An example of Russian sentiment gaining momentum. This, in drum that is successfully used by the breakaway many of his previous supporters who helped him this complicated situation is the recent return of the longer run, will help Russia to further its regions’ leaderships to strengthen their positions storm the presidential palace and impose forceful Ankvab to Abkhazia. Khajimba’s government, fear- military and economic infl uence on political life vis-à-vis Tbilisi. As I explained here several weeks resignation on Aleksandr Ankvab are now in com- ful of a reaction and not strong enough anyway, in Abkhazia. Georgian Foreign Minister Holds Meetings in Moldova

Prospects for further co-operation between the BY THEA MORRISON two countries were on the agenda of talks between the Georgian Foreign Minister and the Moldovan Prime Minister, Pavel Filip. uring his offi cial visit to Moldova, Both sides spoke about the increasing level of Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil relations between the two countries, focusing on Janelidze met with the Deputy Prime the importance of holding the fi rst inter-govern- Minister, the Minister of Foreign mental economic commission and political con- Affairs and European Integration, sultations between the foreign ministries of Geor- AndreiD Galbur on July 10. gia and Moldova. Janelidze noted that his offi cial visit to Moldova Special attention was paid to the possibility of coincides with the 25th anniversary of establish- expanding trade-economic relations. Both wel- ment of diplomatic relations between the two comed the growth of trade between the two coun- countries. tries as well as Moldova’s rising interest in Geor- Both sides spoke about the traditionally friendly gia’s tourism potential. relations between the two countries, highlighting The Moldovan Prime Minister expressed his the increasing level of co-operation in the defense, interest in benefi ting from Georgia’s experience justice, customs, and agriculture sectors. in successful reforms in the sectors of public The two ministers focused on the importance administration, civil services and tax systems. of holding the fi rst inter-governmental economic During his visit to Moldova, Georgian Foreign commission and business forum in April, which Minister Janelidze met with the Moldovan Presi- aims to give a fresh impetus to the bilateral trade- dent Andrian Candu. economic cooperation reported to have increased Janelidze also participated in the 9th Eastern by 60% in the fi rst quarter of 2017. Partnership Informal Dialogue Session hosted by They also underlined the importance of activat- Moldova which addressed the necessary subjects ing people-to-people contacts which will be for the preparation of the Eastern Partnership strengthened further by the signing of a memo- Summit to be held on November 24 in Brussels. randum of co-operation on the matter of tourism The event was attended by the European Com- between the two countries. missioner for European Neighborhood Policy and As part of the meeting, the two ministers signed Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, Dep- postage stamps issued to mark the 25th anniver- uty Secretary General of the European External sary of establishment of diplomatic relations Action Service, Jean-Christophe Belliard, as well between the two countries. Janelidze then invited as the Foreign Ministers of Eastern Partnership his Moldovan counterpart to Georgia. countries.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS JULY 14 - 17, 2017 Prime Minister of Georgia Meets Ambassadors At Large for Eastern Partnership

Particular focus was given to the situation regard- BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI ing the occupied territories of Georgia, with Kviri- kashvili underlining that the territorial integrity of the country is among the top priorities for the iorgi Kvirikashvili, Prime Minister of government and the role of the European Union Georgia, met with the Ambassadors and western partners is of greatest importance in At Large for the Eastern Partnership, the process of peacefully resolving the confl icts. from 11 European states, while on Jonas Paslauskas, Lithuanian Ambassador At their visit to Georgia. Large, congratulated Kvirikashvili on the visa-free GThe upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit is regime to the Schengen States for citizens of Geor- planned for November 24, in Brussels. gia and noted that Georgia is a priority for the EU. Georgia’s progress with regards to Euro integra- A number of diplomats were in attendance at the tion were amongst the topics discussed during the delegation of the Eastern Partnership Ambassadors meeting, as well as Georgia’s ongoing reforms and At Large: from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, the implementation process of the Association Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Agreement. Romania, Sweden, and Slovakia present to show Detailed information on the Georgian govern- their support on the matter. ment’s Four-Point Reform plan was introduced by The delegation of the Eastern Partnership Ambas- the Georgian Prime Minister. sadors At Large will leave Georgia on July 14. Georgian MPs Visit Moscow Angers Georgians, Delights

Russians Photo source: 1tv.ge name of the Georgian people. BY THEA MORRISON They called on the Georgian parliament to recog- nize their informal group, which unites APG mem- bers, representatives of Yedinaya Rossiya and the or the fi rst time since the Georgia-Russia Communist party. August 2008 war, three Georgian parlia- “We will try to ensure that the group set up here mentarians from the Russian-affi liated is recognized by the Georgian parliament and paral- Alliance of Patriots of Georgia (APG) lel, you should also do your best to get this group went to Moscow to hold bilateral meet- recognized by the State Duma and the Federation Fings with Russian political parties. Council,” APG member Giorgi Lomia told Russian This step of the APG MPs, Giorgi Lomia, Ada lawmakers. Marshania and Nato Chkheidze, amid negative reac- Kalashnikov wished luck to the APG MPs on their tions from most Georgian political parties and ordi- way towards normalization of relations with Russia. nary citizens, was followed by positive assessment “You have taken a very brave position which from the Russian side. deserves respect and you can always count on us,” The APG party, which gained six mandates in Kalashnikov told the Georgian MPs. Georgia’s 150-seat parliament during the October The ruling party Georgian Dream says that the 2016 elections, claimed from the very beginning that steps of the Alliance of Patriots are not acceptable dialogue with Russia was necessary to solve Geor- when Russia has occupied 20 percent of Georgian gia’s territorial problems. territories and does not recognize Georgia’s sover- However, the Georgian MPs did not raise the occu- eignty or territorial integrity. pation issue at the meeting with the Russian parlia- The government believes that for negotiations mentarians, and the main topics were restoration with Russia there exists the Geneva International of diplomatic ties and Georgia’s Law about Occupa- Discussions and Abashidze-Karasin format. tion, according to which entry to the occupied ter- “Russia is continuing occupation of Georgian ter- ritories by foreign citizens and stateless persons ritories and in such a situation it does not leave from any other direction shall be prohibited and be Georgia any space for negotiations,” Gedevan Pop- punishable under the Criminal Code of Georgia. khadze, majority member, stated. The meeting with the APG was initiated by of one The opposition United National Movement (UNM) of the leaders of the Russian Communist Party, Leo- and European Georgia also condemned the APG nid Kalashnikov, who is the head of the Russian State meeting with Russian lawmakers. Duma Committee on CIS Affairs and Eurasian Inte- The UNM believe this is a targeted step to break gration. the existing taboo and that negotiations with the “The absence of such a dialogue between Russian occupant are impossible. and Georgian parliamentarians is abnormal," Kalash- “It is a big mistake when such meetings are arranged nikov said during the meeting with the Georgian because they are senseless. Only the existing for- lawmakers, adding that one of the main criteria for mats, with participation of international organiza- choosing the APG was the party’s positive attitude tions can be effective,” Sergi Kapanadze from Euro- towards Russia. pean Georgia says. The meeting was also attended by Kazbek Taisayev However, another Russia-affi liated opposition from the Communist Party and Artyom Kavinov party, Democratic Georgia, and its leader, former from Putin’s Yedinaya Rossiya, which is the ruling Prime Minister Nino Burjanadze, approved of the party in Russia. steps made by the Alliance of Patriots. Georgian media reports that the sides agreed to Burjanadze believes that if Georgian Dream had establish an informal working group which will launched negotiations with Moscow long ago, there gather every month to discuss the normalization would have been positive results in terms of solving process between Russia and Georgia. territorial problems. Discussions also focused on simplifi cation of the Georgia and Russia cut diplomatic ties in 2008 visa regime and restoration of diplomatic relations. after the August War. Since then, meetings of the Kalashnikov commented on the frequent military Georgian Prime Minister's Special Envoy for Rela- exercises of NATO and Georgia and expressed con- tions with Russia, Zurab Abashidze, and the State cern. Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, After the meeting, the Georgian MPs attended a Grigory Karasin, have been the only direct format joint press-conference and made statements in the of negotiations between the two states.

GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS JULY 14 - 17, 2017

BUSINESS A Decade of Success: EU Bank Marks 10 Years in Georgia with New Loans

Tbilisi Mayor’s Offi ce Employee Detained for Bribery

tolerate any fact of crime without sub- BY THEA MORRISON sequent response and will cooperate with the investigation. “We call on all our employees not to tar Abesadze, employee of abuse their power and not to damage Tbilisi City Hall, has been the dignity of other civil servants work- arrested by offi cers of the ing in City Hall," the statement reads. Anti-Corruption Agency Irakli Lekvinadze, Deputy Mayor of he European Investment is job creation, economic growth and safety elements, will enhance both inter- of the State Security Ser- Tbilisi, says that Abesadze’s detention Bank (EIB) marked the tenth improved living standards and the loans national connectivity – notably on the viceO (SSS) of Georgia on charges of is regrettable. anniversary of its activities that we signed today go fi rmly in that East West Highway, part of the extended accepting bribes. “We should wait for the results of the in Georgia with major new direction.” Trans-European Transport Network, and The SSS says that in May 2017, Abesadze investigation to fi nd out the truth. The loans and a keynote speech Maroš Šefcovic, Vice-President of the domestic mobility. This will strengthen promised a certain citizen an accelerated approach of Tbilisi City Hall is generally byT Vice-President Vazil Hudák at the 14th European Commission, stated, “The EU vital links between Georgia, Ukraine and issue of a permit for the opening of Café very simple. The relevant services should Batumi International Conference. and Georgia are closely linked, notably Europe through the Black Sea ports, and Tivi and the relevant documentation, respond to the violations of the law and A EUR 250 mln loan, signed by EIB Vice- through the Association Agreement and also to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey. and in return received $3,000. as such Tbilisi City Hall will cooperate President Vazil Hudák in the presence of its economic pillar, the Deep and Com- The project is signifi cant particularly in On July 12, Tbilisi City Hall released a with them,” he added. Georgian Prime Minister Girogi Kvirikash- prehensive Free Trade Agreement. The the context of the EU-Georgia Associa- statement regarding the issue, stating If convicted, Abesadze faces a possible vili and European Commission Vice-Pres- EU's commitment to economic develop- tion Agreement, which includes a Deep the government of the capital will not sentence of 6 to 9 years. ident Maroš Šefcovic, will be used to ment, sustainability, and energy transition and Comprehensive Free Trade Area upgrade Georgia’s priority road infrastruc- does not end at our borders. That is why Agreement, helping develop more effi - ture. In addition, the EU bank increased the Energy Union is also an outward look- cient, reliable and safe transport connec- its support by EUR 3.5 mln to fi nance the ing project which involves Georgia, an tions for the benefi t of Georgian citizens. Georgian Wines Featured in completion of rehabilitation works at important partner of our Neighborhood The extension of the EIB’s support for Georgia’s largest hydropower complex, Policy. Investment loans into transport the Vardnili-Enguri HPP cascade follows the Vardnili-Enguri HPP cascade. infrastructure and clean energies such as the EUR 20 mln loan provided by the The Guardian In the framework of the Eastern Part- that signed today are instrumental for Bank in 2010 in line with EU policy guide- nership Technical Assistance Trust Fund Georgia and the whole region.” lines for EIB activities in the Eastern “It’s made from the local grape Saperavi, (EPTATF), an EIB expert based in Tbilisi “Ten years after entering Georgia, the Partnership and supported by a EUR 5 BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI which produces deeply colored wines with and paid by the EPTATF will work with EIB is set to become the country’s lead- mln grant from the European Commis- a kind of wild, almost untamed intensity the Ministry of Regional Development ing public sector fi nancer and we strongly sion. The additional EUR 3.5 mln in fund- of tannin, fi nger-staining fruit and acidity and Infrastructure (Road Department) appreciate the existing cooperation with ing from the EIB will help to fi nalize a hree Georgian wines were that has very few peers”, Wlliams says. towards enhancement of the preparation them,” said First Vice-Prime Minister, rehabilitation program concerning civil featured in David Williams’ Pheasant’s Tears Saperavi, Kakheti (2015), and implementation of the large scale Minister of Finance, Dimitry Kumsishvili. works as well as electrical and hydro Wines of the week section is the third Georgian produced wine fea- and technologically complex road sector “EIB’s activities are country-tailored and mechanical works. This additional loan in UK's The Guardian. tured in the article. investments fi nanced by EIB in Georgia. we believe that the EIB-fi nanced projects will provide assistance to secure the com- “There are other wines, “One of the leading lights of the modern Delivering a keynote speech at the 14th will yield signifi cant results. At the same pletion of a project that is expected to Tfrom places I’ve never been, that give me revival of Georgia’s 8,000-year-old win- Batumi International Conference entitled time, the private sector is a key driver for have a signifi cant impact on Georgia’s a bad case of wanderlust. Georgian wines emaking tradition is the American-Geor- ‘Georgia’s European Way - Ensuring growth, employment and innovation and hydroelectricity supply. always have that effect on me,” Williams gian co-production Pheasant’s Tears,” says Regional Stability,’ Vice-President Hudák we are looking to the EIB to increase the The EIB, the European Union’s bank, writes as he introduces a wine from Tbil- the author, talking about the Qvevri wine- highlighted the successful cooperation volume of operations in the private sec- fi nances projects in Georgia on the basis vino Kvevris (2015), “a rather brilliant making tradition in Georgia, character- between the EIB and Georgia, where the tor. The EIB has a lot to share with us - of an EU mandate for the countries of the example of orange-tinted dry white wine izing the wine as “intensely sappy, crunchy Bank has so far supported 21 projects with the DCFTA initiative and InnovFin being Eastern Neighborhood, the so-called aged in Qvevri, the traditional Georgian and curranty with a nutty streak that I a total loan volume of over EUR 1.5 bn. other examples.” External Lending Mandate (ELM). The clay vessel, with a subtly chewy, moreishly imagine works well with the walnuts that A regional EIB offi ce was opened in Tbi- The EUR 250 mln loan is the second 2014-2020 ELM provides for a total amount spicy character,” he notes. crop up so often in Georgian cuisine”. lisi in 2015. and last tranche of a EUR 500 mln frame- of Bank fi nancing in the Eastern Neigh- Jakeli Khashmi Saperavi, (2011) is the Williams goes on to say that the white “In Georgia, we are marking ten years work loan for the construction and reha- bourhood of EUR 4.8 bn to support pro- second wine featured, and as the author wines, or as he calls them orange wines, of activity this year; ten successful years bilitation of approximately 253km of pri- jects of signifi cant interest to both the of the article states, it “was the most recent are no less savory and rewarding; in-par- since we signed our Framework Agree- ority primary and secondary roads EU and Eastern Partnership countries in wine to get me idly browsing for fl ights to ticularly the “fabulously aromatic yet grippy, ment with the government and started identifi ed by the Georgian government the areas of local private sector develop- Tbilisi”. He then went on to describe its dry Pheasant’s Tears Tsolikauri,” he con- looking for projects in which we could for 2017-2020. ment, social and economic infrastructure characteristics. cludes. Source: www.theguardian.com invest,” Hudák noted. “Our ultimate goal The project, which will include road and climate change.

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

GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY JULY 14 - 17, 2017 The Limit of Competence

Let us go to education per se! Within the OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE extent of whose competence was our sys- tem of education created and is currently being operated? Whose range of compe- e all have our limit of tence is running the agriculture of this competence and nor- nation? Or whose competence is handling mally we operate in our economy in general, or science or compliance with that sports or culture or jurisprudence or law competence, at least enforcement or what not? In its most com- Wthose who have enough wits and self- monplace defi nition, competence is the consciousness. We cannot and must not ability of an individual to do a job properly, make decisions beyond our limit of com- and the limit of that competence is the petence; we must operate only based on boundary which cannot be overstepped our knowledge and experience, for if we when trying to do that job properly. do not, we will be committing a cata- To put all those thoughts more plainly strophic blunder. and briefl y, if I felt that my limit of com- How many people in this country oper- petence in journalism and in the English ate based strictly on that golden princi- language did not allow me to write up ple? There is no count of this because this article, I would stay away from it. measuring this would probably be impos- So if a soccer coach thinks that his limit sible. Only a sense of truth and reality of competence does not allow him to can help here. Fair and truthful judgment train the athletes, let him leave the team might be possible only by the impression forthwith; if a chef knows that his limit we get while watching the ways and of competence prevents the restaurant means of society. owner selling his culinary art profi tably, The limit of competence, as the basis the chef must have enough brains and for evaluating our current and future courage to walk; or if the limit of com- deeds, happens to be a universal yard- petence of the constitution writers and stick that is used in any segment of human amenders come to believe that the needed activity and walk of life, starting from Source: Denis Scott / Getty Images text is not fl owing from their hands and baking bread and ending with rocket minds, let them fi nd another trade to science. Let us, for starters, look at the jungles, scattered as hideous macabre This is an egregious sample of breaking nately that it has led the nation to this engage themselves in; and if the govern- new architecture of Tbilisi, fast trans- residential clusters, make a heartbreak- the limit of competence and acting far insurmountable quagmire, sucking the ment, any government, understands that forming the city into a massive, ugly ing eye-sore which has been brought to beyond it. Tens of historical steps and country in so precipitously? its limit of competence is wronging the stone jungle. Manhattan is the most life beyond any possible limit of archi- decisions, registered in annals, will cor- Let us now go to the practice of selling nation in any possible way, it should monstrous and the most noticeable stone tectural and constructional competence. roborate the fact. How about the totally the post-Russian-occupation remnants make a prompt decision thereof about jungle in the world but there is a smart Forget about architecture – we are broken and hopelessly irreversible rela- of Georgian farm land to foreign citizens. retiring or staying in offi ce. architectural logic to it which makes it morbidly used to it by now. Changing tions between the powerful bully Russia Within the scope of what competence The limit of competence might seem to easier to put up with, especially if you the subject drastically, within what lim- and the miserable weakling Georgia? was it considered right to do this? Whose be a hair-splitting argument for making are a user of all the amenities and a con- its of competence has the Georgian Within what political competence was limit of competence was reckoned with such major decisions but it is also very sumer of all other good things that you political philosophy and practice been that done? Who acted then beyond his when the decision was made to let for- much worth embarking on if we want to come across within. The Tbilisi stone built in the last thirty destructive years? or her limit of competence so unfortu- eigners purchase our hectares so easily? be both righteous and productive. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 14 - 17, 2017 SOCIETY 11 To Nino’s House, Part 3

discover it all. It reaches that far. on the former. My earthenware piece was BY TONY HANMER Monasteries, cave complexes taken nothing to want to dry and fi re, but I over by new believers fl eeing persecu- thoroughly enjoyed myself (see photo, tion from pagan Rome and then Islam, right) in the studio of a father who has et us continue our exploration hermitages: there was no shortage of been doing this for over thirty years and of the region of Turkey in Christians settling here. They added his son (see photo, left, pouring from a Cappadocia, where my wife entire underground churches or churches wine bottle of ancient design), who joined and I recently spent a week cut into rock, their interior surfaces him six years ago. The son’s Instagram of wonder. elaborately and beautifully painted in site is https://www.instagram.com/ LThe name fi rst appears in the 6th cen- fresco (“fresh”, paint on wet plaster) or gizemli_magara/?hl=en for your interest. tury BC, and is also found as a place dry styles; one of these we shall discover Another fond memory I have is of throw- name in the New Testament, in the Acts together soon. The temperature of the ing a lump of porcelain or stoneware from of the Apostles. Although its origin is underground parts, which go many sto- hand to hand, letting it roll a bit on my Persian, so neither Greek nor Turkish, ries down, remains a constant 16 to 18 canvas-covered table with each pass so the Turks have left it as the most com- degrees C no matter the season on land, it would slowly dry out. This produced mon and well-known version. which makes them useful for food stor- a cracked surface texture by natural means, Cappadocia has been tunneled into age, though they are a bit cold and damp impossible to predict in detail, only in extensively by its various settlers from for comfortable long-term habitation, the broad effects, thus full of surprises. millennia ago right to yesterday, the rock with mesothelioma, a type of cancer Like the rocks of Cappadocia. More than being ideal for this and the needs for usually attributed to asbestos, affecting once I felt that the piece was “telling me caves being extensive. The place is sim- people who are genetically disposed to it was fi nished”, and I obeyed by stopping, ply “Vardzias upon Vardzias”, as I it if they live underground too long. Cap- then hollowing it from underneath to described it to Georgian friends upon padocia’s summers can be long, dry and prevent cracking, letting it slowly dry out returning, to try to convey how wide- hot, winters plunging down to the minus to “bone dry”, then giving it an initial spread is the set of systems. There are twenties C, so the stable temperature bisque fi ring to remove all the chemically so many whole underground cities, with makes a considerable difference. locked in water and fi nally the high-tem- new ones being found, new tunnels con- The soil here is thin, half a meter to a perature fi nish in the kiln. These remain necting some of them, that one could meter, although it is rich in volcanically some of the pieces I am most pleased spend a lifetime underground and never deposited minerals, and under it is rock. with, part chaotic, part planned. Thus, The soil’s quality allows good crops of too, does an eroded landscape like Cap- potatoes, pumpkins, fruit trees, grapes padocia inspire; if I lived here, my only and grains, well watered by irrigation, profession of interest would be sculptor. but larger trees would need deeper ground in which to root themselves. Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since Pottery is also very popular here, mostly 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a thrown on foot-kicked wheels, richly and weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He If I lived here, my very fi nely detailed in glazes. I sat down runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook at a kick-wheel for the fi rst time in over group, now with nearly 1500 members, at only profession of thirty years, in the town of Avanos. This www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- was my fi rst experience of a non-electric sance/ interest would be wheel, and I found the necessary coordi- He and his wife also run their own guest house nation of hands and feet tricky, the latter in Etseri: sculptor distracting me from concentrating enough www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti Famous Alpinist Reinhold Messner Visits Georgia

BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI

einhold Messner, an Ital- ian mountaineer and explorer, considered to be one of the greatest climb- ers in history and famous forR his ascent to Everest without sup- plemental oxygen, has been visiting Georgia to explore the country’s moun- tainous regions. Hosted by Georgia’s Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, in the region of Kakheti, the famous alpinist was informed about how dynamic the coun- try is in terms tourism; and as the Prime Minister noted, over 6 million tourists visited Georgia last year alone. The PM highlighted that endorsements Messner is also visiting Svaneti, Kaz- Desert on foot. He is the author of over from a world-renowned mountaineer begi and Tusheti during his visit. 80 books. In 2010, he was awarded with would be extremely important for moun- Reinhold Messner has also crossed Lifetime Achievement Piolet d’Or, the tain resort development in Georgia. the Antarctic, Greenland and Gobi most prestigious award for alpinists. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY JULY 14 - 17, 2017 France Celebrates Bastille Day – Eternal Values of Liberty, Equality & Fraternity

those fi ghting for their freedom of choice, BY MAKA LOMADZE paying a high price for their own liberty. “On behalf of all Georgians, I would like to extend our gratitude for France’s n July 11, the French strong support of Georgia’s sovereignty Embassy to Tbilisi hosted and territorial integrity and for its the celebration of Bastille invaluable contribution to Georgia’s Day on the territory of development. The support of France the former embassy on and all of our friends is even more val- SobchakO Street. uable as we face challenges brought by The main host, Pascal Meunier, Ambas- the borderization process. Only through sador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary consolidation of the efforts of the inter- of the French Republic, opened the event: national community and civilized world “The world we are living in has become will we be able to resolve this problem.” even more changing and unstable. Beyond The PM also mentioned the 25th anni- the long-lasting crises in Syria, Ukraine versary of reestablishing diplomatic and South Caucasus, putting regional relations between France and Georgia. stability and international security under “Our partnership is growing stronger in threat, as well as hampering the economic all dimensions of cooperation, covering and social development of the peoples political, economic, cultural and military of the region, new crises are emerging fi elds. Georgia and France are also step- or re-actualizing here and there in the ping up cooperation in the agricultural Middle-East, Africa and Asia,” he said, sector, including in the wine industry- a going on to cite Italian philosopher Anto- wonderful heritage that we are glad to nio Gramsci, “Pessimism of mind pushes Photo provided by the Embassy of France in Georgia have in common. Georgians discovered us to optimism of determination. This winemaking millennia ago, but the French is the determination that restores our those victims of violence, so combat- tributors, were mentioned, which focus to face their own ‘bastille’. France’s his- uncovered the subtle qualities of wine. trust in the future, which we should seek ting egoism and pressure.” on helping Georgia in the development tory shows us that when we face these When we talk about our bilateral ties, in our values – liberty, equality and fra- In the Ambassador’s words, this is the of its political, economic, culture and moments, we must fi ght with those same fi rst and foremost, we think of our shared ternity. These fundamental concepts of mandate that the French people gave social spheres with there being around values which united the French nation future. For this reason, I hope for more our democracy represent the best asset to President Emmanuel Macron. “And 30 bilateral university-to-university on July 14, 1789”. French businesses to invest and more against disarray, despair and passive- this is the same mandate which the agreements. The PM went on to discuss bilateral French tourists to visit”. ness.” Georgians conferred to Prime Minister “The importance of the Bastille Day relations. “The fundamental values we PM Kvirikashvili also thanked the The Ambassador then defi ned the Kvirikashvili last autumn. This is a man- and the French revolution cannot be share – democracy, human rights, free- French Institute for strengthening Fran- three concepts: “Freedom implies free- date complying with European values, overstated,” said PM Giorgi Kvirikasvili. dom and the rule of law – have strength- cophony in Georgia and closed by thank- dom of expression and political plural- aligned with European aspirations that “The revolution restored the world’s ened our enduring friendship. It was ing France for its support to Georgia’s ism, as well as freedom to travel and we follow and support,” he said, going faith in democratic ideas: liberty, equal- France that sheltered the founding European and Euro-Atlantic goals and the right to security. Equality means on to reaffi rmed France’s support to ity and fraternity. This day gave mean- fathers of the fi rst Georgian Republic the visa-liberalization process. being equal in justice, education and Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial ing to the values we now cherish, values from where they still fought for the The event was musically adorned by social development. Fraternity implies integrity. that brought us together and values that independence of Georgia. Later, they a live performance on accordion, lend- ensuring the division of wealth equally, The European exchange programs, in defi ned our very existence. Since, many were laid to rest there.” He noted that ing it an exquisitely romantic French helping the extremely poor as well as which France is one of the major con- countries, including Georgia, have had the French have always stood beside atmosphere to the proceedings. Religious Organizations Combine Efforts to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls

18 is affected by social isolation, a lack BY DAVID MONGAZON of education, and may also fall victim to domestic violence or sexual abuse, since the relationship with her husband is he family is an assenting unequal. If she gets pregnant, there can unit based on equality, be complications because her body is where people live harmoni- unprepared for bearing a child. ously and treat each other Last year, cases of female genital muti- with respect and affection lation (FGM) were reported in Kvareli Tand also care for each other, - read a municipality- a grave violation of human statement by the Administration of Mus- rights and an unacceptable practice, with lims of All Georgia following the July 11 the Administration of Muslims of All conference ‘The Role of Religion in the Georgia itself announcing that, “No tra- Prevention of Violence against Women dition or custom can justify such prac- and Girls’. “A favorable family environ- tice. The practice of female genital muti- ment is essential for a person’s personal lation is totally inadmissible for Islam”. development and full realization of his/ Policies have been implemented to her potential. Building a healthy family prevent and eliminate the above harm- foundation requires physical as well as ful practices. This year, as a consequence moral and physocological maturity. A of the fulfi lment of the Istanbul Consen- couple has to assume a great responsi- sus signed in 2011, Georgian law was role in infl uencing the behaviors of future behaviors that may pass under the radar lence against women is linked with reli- bily while raising a family and bear in changed to raise the age of civil marriage generations. Representatives noted the of the State. Many meetings with reli- gion, even though the Quran does not mind that it requires loyalty, dedication to 18 years and for violence against tragic fact that some professors may have gious institutions have been held around specifi cally mention it. On the contrary, and coping with various challenges,” – women to be considered a criminal been involved in the organization of early the country, and, according to Ministry they highlight the fact that their religion the statement went on. offense. Before, people condemned for marriages. representatives, they “have been fruit- says women should be treated with The conference was held on the ini- such practices were able to get away “It’s absolutely unacceptable for us to ful”. Further, all the parties present at respect, and that marriage is reserved tiative of the Inter-agency on Gender with paying just a fi ne. encourage a harmful practice of early/ this week’s conference underlined the for people with a certain maturity and Equality, the Administration of Muslims Since 2011, much has been done by the child marriage and in some cases forced fact that the enlightenment of society is characteristics that are prepared for fam- of All Georgia, the Union 21st Century, government to guarantee full integrity early/child marriage that is against the a precondition for its development, and ily responsibilities, referring to the neces- and United States Nations Population and respect of women. The most pre- existing law,” - read the statement of the that such practices can in no way be sity for girls to have a high level of edu- Fund (UNFPA). The goal was to bring rogative ministry on this issue is that of Administration of Muslims of All Geor- accepted. And now that the legislative cation before getting married. They also together the representative clergy of all Internal Affairs, which considers fi ghting gia. “This harmful practice has an adverse corpus is in full force, the main and most observe that in their communities early the major religions in Georgia, NGOs violence against women as one of its effect on adolescents, especially girls, diffi cult goal is to “leave no individual marriages are often failures, with couples and government representatives, to dis- priorities. The main goal at present is to affecting their education, health and behind”. commonly seen to separate prematurely, cuss their role in the prevention and gather data, in terms of gender, age, loca- development. We believe that the hap- The fi rst step was made in 2016 with since the girl is unable to cope with the elimination of violence and harmful tion and the relation between the victim piness of starting a family goes hand-in- the creation of 11 religious unions, one burdens of responsibility. The Muslim practices against women and girls in and the offender, to help in future early hand with great responsibility, though per region, in collaboration with the clergy blames outdated beliefs and dis- support of state efforts in this direction. detection and prevention of acts of vio- in most cases, adolescents are not ready Interreligious Council of Georgia. The torted traditions that have survived Numerous acts of violence against lence. This data is being prepared by to exercise it”. Muslim community, being the fi rst con- through centuries, but that undoubtedly women and girls remain a reality in GeoStat and will be published by the It is well-recognized that religious cerned with issues of early marriage, is need to be banned. The main challenge, Georgia. Domestic violence and early end of the year. institutions at the local level have a cru- also at the front line of development of they say, is that violence against women marriage are still very problematic. It is The Ministry of Education and Science cial role in eradicating violence against said collaboration. Representatives of remains a taboo issue that is rarely raised widely believed that a girl married before is also involved, since it plays a crucial women, and in detecting practices and the Muslim clergy recognize that vio- inside the respective communities. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 14 - 17, 2017 CULTURE 13 Three-Day Multicolored Music Festival: A Precious Gift from the German Embassy

L’Estate (summer), Op. 8, and the sec- TODAY. “When I marked my 70th anni- BY MAKA LOMADZE ond - Allesandro Marcello’s Adagio for versary at Tbilisi Concert Hall, it was cello and string orchestra from Oboe performed by the Caucasian Chamber concerto, cello part after Johann S. Bach’s Orchestra under the baton of Uwe n July 9-11, the three-day transcription. Benjamin Britten’s Simple Berkemer. He is a very high-level musi- international music fes- Symphony po.4 – Boisterous Bouree cian and a great personality who is in tival ‘Youth for Classics concluded the pleasant evening. love with Georgia and has a Georgian in the Caucasus’ was held “I would like to thank Davit Narmania, wife. It is a pleasure to have him here!” at Royal District Theater, Mayor of Tbilisi, Merab Tavadze who “Apart from the Georgian music, underO the patronage of Tbilisi City gave us use of this magnifi cent hall, and Armenian and Azerbaijanian music is Mayor Davit Narmania and with the Nikoloz Rachveli, who lent us the instru- also performed by the Orchestra. I fi nancial support of the German Embassy ments and last but not least, the German believe that such a musical festival is in Georgia. Embassy,” Berkemer said, adding that very important for our cultural life and The series of the concert comprised the idea of the festival was to bring the for our bilateral relations in July, when classical music, soundtracks, and the young people from Germany and com- almost all the cultural activities are folklore evening of ‘Lasharela’ led by bine them with young people from accumulated in the resorts,“ Nikoloz Giorgi Ushukishvili. Georgia. “Everything happens under Rachveli, virtuoso pianist, composer The festival was opened by a classical the leadership of Caucasian Chamber and conductor, said. music concert performed by the Ibben- Orchestra, which worked until 2008 in The Caucasian Chamber Orchestra buren Youth Symphonic Orchestra and Tbilisi. After the war, it was not pos- has had successful performances on Caucasus Chamber Orchestra under such prestigious stages as Konzerthaus the baton of Uwe Berkemer, German Photos by: Irakli Shalamberidze show this very important message to Berlin, Hofburg Wien, ‘Dome des composer, pianist and conductor. The young people as they are our future.” Invalides’ Paris, Grand Hall of Con- two-part concert comprised: Marc- “The Caucasian Chamber Orchestra servatory Brussels, and ‘Palau Valencia’. Antoine Charpentier’s Te Deum H 146, was founded in 2005. However, sadly, It has accepted several invitations to Prelude, Franz Joseph Haydn’s Trumpet due to the 2008 war, the unity was play in the European Parliament Brus- concerto in E-fl at major, Camille Saint- destroyed when the funding ceased,” sels and European Council, Strasbourg. Saens’s Allegro Appassionato op.43 for said Ketevan Chepkhodze, assistant- In June 2007, a 90-minute documentary cello and orchestra, Mozart’s Andante manager of the project. “Aside from movie ‘Grozny Dreaming’ was shot for Flute and Orchestra in C, K. 315, Georgians and German youth under the about the Orchestra and its vision. It Gabriel Faure’s Pavane, op.50. The fi rst age of 20, the representatives of other was awarded with the First Prize at the part concluded with Uwe Berkemer’s Caucasian countries also participate. International Film Festival Verona – piece ‘Mary’s guide to the orchestra’, They work and rehearse together, unit- Lessinia. dedicated to his 6-year-old daughter, ing cultures. We try to give an annual In March 2016, the Caucasian Cham- who also plays in the Orchestra. In the character to this festival and also to ber Orchestra celebrated a special Jubi- second part, Mariam Obolashvili, violin, hold exchange programs to enable Geor- lee Tour in Europe to mark its 10th and Rezi Khaindrava, cello, virtuously gians to visit Germany, too”. anniversary. On July 12, 2017, following played with the Caucasian Chamber sible to continue our work and now we Chamber Orchestra, a symbol of mutual “The orchestra has several years of the ‘Youth for Classics in the Caucasus’ Orchestra and Berkemer. The fi rst per- play more often in Europe. We want to understanding, and to use music as a history,” Vazha Azarashvili, well-known international festival, the Orchestra formed Vivaldi’s La Quatro Staggione show the main idea of the Caucasian universal language. We also want to Georgian composer, told GEORGIA went to Batumi to hold a workshop. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE JULY 14 - 17, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING THE 115TH ANNIVERSARY OF MUSIC Directed by Matt Reeves (Info Above) FIRST GEORGIAN FEMALE Start time: 22:30 TBILISI ZAKARIA Cast: Judy Greer, Woody Harrelson, SCULPTOR NINO TSERETELI GEM FEST 2017 Ticket: 8-14 GEL PALIASHVILI OPERA AND Andy Serkis The exhibition showcases up to 60 BALLET THEATER Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama MUSEUM works of Nino Tsereteli- sculptures, July 14 – August 14 Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. Language: English graphic works, and theatrical https://gemfestival.com Telephone: 2 99 04 56 Start time: 22:15 costumes. The exposition also Start time: 9:00 – 12:00 Language: Russian GEORGIAN NATIONAL includes personal items belonging to Tickets: MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA July 15 Start time: 16:15, 19:00, 22:00 the sculptor. Opening Pass: 60 GEL, 3-Day Pass: MUSEUM 120 GEL, Week Multi Pass: 170 GEL, OPERA GALA Ticket: 10-14 GEL Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Multi Pass: 500 GEL, VIP Pass 2000 GEL. New Generation IOSEB GRISHASHVILI Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 GEM Fest is a month-long Tbilisi State Opera Theater Chorus SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM www.museum.ge electronic music festival. Blazing a and Orchestra Directed by Jon Watts - KARVASLA new trail within sight of the Black Start time: 19:00 Cast: Tom Holland, Chris Evans, Sea, some of the world's biggest PERMANENT EXHIBITION: Address: 8 Sioni St. Ticket: 7-40 GEL Robert Downey Jr. house, techno and trance DJs make GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY Telephone: 2 98 22 81 Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi this a stand-out summer party. July 19 FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. Language: Russian July 5 - September 11 Now into its third year, GEM Fest ABESALOM AND ETERI TO THE 4TH CENTURY A.D Start time: 13:15, 17:00, 22:15 will be kick-starting Georgia's 2017 Starring: Kakhaber Tetvadze, EXHIBITION OF DAVID summer dance culture. Ticket: 9-14 GEL Armaz Darashvili, Natalia EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN SULAKAURI'S ARTWORKS More than 500 artists will perform Volchenko, Marika Machitidze, WEAPONRY on 9 stages and plus there will Khatuna Chokhonelidze, Nikoloz DESPICABLE ME 3 July 11 – August 20 be more than 100 fun, sports and Lagvilava, Manana Iordanishvili, Directed by Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffi n NUMISMATIC TREASURY EXHIBITION "FIELD OF entertainment activities. Filipe Ghachava, Tamaz Saginadze, Cast: Jenny Slate, Kristen Wiig, The exhibition showcases money FLOWERS” Venue: Anaklia Giorgi Mchedlishvili Steve Carell circulation on the territory of The name "Field of Flowers" came Tbilisi State Opera Theater Genre: Animation, Action, July 14 Georgia from the 6th century BC. from the eponymous poem Campo Line Up: Chorus, Orchestra, Ballet, Georgian Adventure to 1834. di Fiori by Czesław Miłosz, an BACHO, CARLO LIO, dOP (DJ set), National Ballet "Sukhishvili" Language: Russian honorary citizen of Kedainiai. He FLOODER, GIO SHENGELIA, Conductor- Papuna Gvaberidze Start time: 20:00 THE TESTAMENT OF DAVID wrote it in 1943 in Warsaw during INNELEA, RAZ OHARA (live), Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 13-14 GEL THE BUILDER AND NEW the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. THOMAS MELCHIOR, TOMMA, Ticket: 7-50 GEL EXHIBITS OF THE MEDIEVAL TROTSKY, VALENTINO KANZYANI TRANSFORMERS: TREASURY MUSEUM OF SOVIET SHALIKASHVILI THEATER THE LAST KNIGHT Start time: 00:00 OCCUPATION Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. Directed by Michael Bay September 27 (2016) – Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Telephone: 595 50 02 03 Cast: Laura Haddock, Mark September 22 (2017) July 15 Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Line Up: Wahlberg, Gemma Chan EXHIBITION STONE AGE GEORGIA July 14, 15 www.museum.ge ALY & FILAFERRY CORSTEN Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi AUDIOFLY, BACHO, COBERT, HOST AND GUEST Language: Russian May 18- November 18 Vazha Pshavela PERMANENT EXHIBITION DALI, DIRTY SAFFI, dOP (live), Start time: 19:15 EXHIBITION GIO SHENGELIA, INNELEA, Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili Discover the State's personal fi les of Ticket: 13-14 GEL GEORGIAN COSTUME AND ISON, JOCHEN MILLER, ONLY Start time: 20:00 WEAPONRY OF 18TH-20TH "subversive" Georgian public fi gures, RAA, PASHA. ROMAN K, Ticket: 12 GEL RUSTAVELI CINEMA CENTURIES orders to shoot or exile, and other SAMADHI, SANCHO, SPACE Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. artifacts representing Soviet-era Resident DJs, STIMMHALT, BLACK SEA ARENA Telephone: 2 55 50 00 MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS cultural and political repression in TIMUR BASHA, TROTSKY Address: Shekvetili, Ajaria www.kinoafi sha.ge Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. Georgia. Start time: 00:00 Telephone: 299 99 09 July 15 Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL GALLERY July 16 Black Sea Arena and Check in Line Up: July 14-20 March 6 – August 30 Georgia hosts concert of STEVE AOKI, EXHIBITION THE NATIONAL GALLERY GEORGIAN NATIONAL BALLET SPACE Resident DJs, BERLIN SYNDROME MASTERPIECES FROM THE Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. SUKHISHVILEBI’S TIMUR BASHA, Directed by Cate Shortland www.museum.ge NEW DANCES MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS GIO SHENGELIA, Cast: Teresa Palmer, Max Riemelt, Telephone: 215 73 00 Start time: 09:00 Start time: 19:00 COLLECTION Matthias Habich Ticket: 100 GEL Ticket: 15-30 GEL The exhibition includes works by Genre: Thriller Bernardo Daddi, Lucas Cranach June 8 – September 11 CINEMA Language: Russian (Elder), Guido Reni, Jan Steen, Jacob EXHIBITION CONSTELLATION ART GENE Start time: 19:15, 22:10 Van Ruisdael, Auguste Rodin, Pablo Artworks by Chinese contemporary July 17-23 Ticket: 13-14 GEL artists- Ai Weiwei, Hu Xiaoyuan, AMIRANI CINEMA Picasso, Vassily Kandinski; Craft Exhibitions 13:00 – 22:00 Address: 36 Kostava Str. Masterpieces by Niko Li Shurui, Liu Wei, Lu Pingyuan, Start time for Folklore Concert: 20:00 Telephone: 2 99 99 55 WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE Pirosmanashvili, Lado Gudiashvili Lu Shanchuan, Ma Qiusha, Wang For Final concert: 22:00 www.kinoafi sha.ge APES and David Kakabadze. Guangle, Wang Sishun, Wang Season Ticket: 97 GEL (Info Above) Yuyang, Xie Molin, Xu Qu, Xu Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 GEL Start time: 13:30, 22:30 June 29- July 29 Zhen, Yan Xing, Zhang Ding, Zhang July 17 July 14-20 Ticket: 9-14 GEL EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO Zhenyu, Zhao Yao and Zhao Zhao. Folklore Concert: Kakheti Region Final concert: GEORGIAN NATIONAL BALLET SUKHISHVILEBI

July 18 Folklore Concert: Shida Qartli, Poti & Lechkhumi Regions Final Concert: ASEA SOOL Ticket: 17 GEL

July 19 Folklore Concert: Imereti Region Final Concert: ROBI KUKHIANIDZE & OUTSIDER Ticket: 22 GEL

July 20 Folklore Concert: Qvemo kartki & Svaneti Regions Final Concert: REGGAEON Ticket: 22 GEL

GLDANI LAKE Address: Gldani District

July 16 Line Up: A2K, BATA, ANÁRA, FAMOUS, TOKO SOULL, CEZ K. Start time: 11:00 Ticket: 20 GEL

BLUES FESTIVAL IN LAGODEKHI Address: Lagodekhi, Kakheti

July 16 Wolf Mail Start time: 17:00 Ticket: 20-80 GEL GEORGIA TODAY JULY 14 - 17, 2017 CULTURE 15 Lado Ataneli‘s Star Opened in front of the Tbilisi State Opera Theater Giorgi Mikadze Becomes Associate

front of my beloved opera alongside such sparkling Professor of Berklee BY MAKA LOMADZE stars as Paata Burchuladze, my teacher Nodar And- ghuladze, Tengiz Mushkudiani, and our prima don- nas Tsisana Tatishvili and Medea Amiranashvili. n July 7, famous Georgian baritone This list will be continued,” Ataneli said. Lado Ataneli’s star was opened in Together with this wonderful trio, Armaz Dar- College of Music front of the Tbilisi State Opera and ashvili, the winner of the Lado Ataneli contest, Yuri Ballet Theater. On the same day, he Aslanishvili, actor of the Opera choir, and the intern sang scenes from Verdi’s ‘La Forza Giorgi Chelidze, participated. The Tbilisi State of Music, a dream-destination for most young musi- BY MAKA LOMADZE DelO Destino’ and Puccini’s ‘Tosca’ with his friends, Opera and Ballet Theater choir and orchestra were cian students. The university maintains the fi rst prominent opera singers Iano Alibegashvili and conducted by maestro Zaza Azmaiparashvili. position among the top 10 music schools. Annually, Badri Maisuradze, who is also Artistic Director of Lado Ataneli’s debut at the Tbilisi State Opera over 2000 students from around the world study Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet Theater. With nearly and Ballet Theater took place in 1989, as Renato in iorgi Mikadze, a young and excep- in the Berklee Summer Program. 40 operas to his credit, Lado Ataneli fi tted well in Verdi’s ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’. He is the winner of tionally talented Georgian musician, Mikadze received this offer privately from Roger Don Carlo and Scarpia’s costumes once again. the Grand Prix and First Prize at the International a rising star of classical music, jazz, H. Brown, President of Berklee College of Music, Named one of a heroic, round and velvety voice Francisco Vinas Competition in Barcelona, ‘I Ces- pop and contemporary, is well-known at the Five-Week Summer performance program, by the international press, Ataneli has been on telli’ Vocal Competition and 15th Belvedere Inter- in the modern music world, having MA. According to the Berklee administration, it is stage for 28 years, having conquered the greatest national Vocal Contest. From 1996, he triumphantly Gachieved numerous successes in concerts and con- a great honor for them to have Mikadze back, this opera stages in the world. Notably, he emerged emerged on the biggest opera stages of the world, tests. He has lived in the US for the last few years time with the status of Associate Professor. from his student years with Alibegashvili, an out- including those in New York, London, Paris, Berlin, and works tirelessly to popularize Georgia through He will be in charge of seven different subjects standing soprano and one of Ataneli’s most insep- Vienna, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, Munich, Washing- his educational and concert life. He recently in the directions of Theory in Performance, Music arable partners. Via his foundation “Tanadgoma” ton, and Tokyo. The Baritone is acknowledged as announced that he has now become an Associate History, Musicianship, and Ensembles and there (Support), Ataneli helps young talented singers the best interpreter of the operas by Verdi, Puccini, Professor of the most prestigious music college of are already a number of students eager to be in his and boosts their international careers. Giordano, Leoncavallo, Mascagni and Massenet in the world – Berklee. class. “I am getting prepared very carefully, because my the roles of Scarpia, Gerard, Tonio, Iago, Nabucco, Described by world-leading artists and infl uential Remarkably, Giorgi Mikadze is one of the best Georgia deserves the best performance from me,” Rigoletto, Barnaba and others. In 2003, EMI Clas- critics as a unique and universal musician who graduates of Berklee College of Music and Presi- the great Baritone said jovially before his show. sics recorded Ponchielli’s opera ‘La Giaconda’, in “deeply possesses all musical genres and styles and dent’s bursar. During his studying period, multiple Of the scenic partnerships between Lado Ataneli which Ataneli performed the most complicated is unafraid to experiment,” Mikadze is on a con- successful projects were made under his musical and Badri Maisuradze, ‘Aida’ at the Berlin Deutsche part of Barnaba together with the great Placido stant search for creative innovation. Most popular leadership. In Parallel to the pedagogical activi- Oper, ‘La Forza del Destino’ Domingo on the disc. In 2005, examples are his ‘Voisa’ and ‘Georgian Micro JamZ’. ties, Mikadze will also hold several concerts in at the Hungarian State Opera his fi rst solo album ‘Opera Mikadze will now teach at the Berklee College Boston. House, ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’ Arias’ was released, and a at the Barcelona Liceu Opera second in 2009, named ‘Bari- are worth mentioning. “This tone’s Arias’. Since 2010, the evening an artist who has annual Vocalists’ Contest has greatly contributed not only been held, bearing Lado Ata- to the Georgian stage but also neli’s name. In 2011, Ataneli to the history of global art, got was conferred the Shota what he truly deserved,” said Rustaveli State Premium and Maisuradze of the opening of awarded a Gold Medal. Ataneli’s star. “Without exaggeration, he With Alibegashvili, Lado has conquered almost all the Ataneli sang in ‘Un Ballo in prestigious opera stages of Maschera’ at the opera theat- the world,” Mikheil Giorgadze, ers of Tbilisi, Hamburg and Minister of Culture and Mon- Vienna and in ‘Macbeth’ at ument Protection said. the Berlin Deutsche Opera “I congratulate you all on and Hungarian State Opera having such a marvelous House. “We debuted in the art singer who has numerous of opera together,” Alibegash- times formed friendships vili said. between Georgia and the rest “I am very proud that my of the world,” Badri Maisuradze name will be fi xed in a star in added.

PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Website Manager: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Zaza Jgarkava, Tamzin Whitewood 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Maka Bibilashvili, Website Copy-Editor: Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Dimitri Dolaberidze, Gabrielle Guerrier strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Maka Lomadze, Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Layout: Commercial Director: Joseph Larsen, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Misha Mchedlishvili Iva Merabishvili Vazha Tavberidze, F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Marketing Manager: Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Webmaster: is registered in Mtatsminda Mariam Giorgadze Nino Gugunishvili, Sergey Gevenov ADVERTISING & district court. Thea Morrison SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: Circulation Managers: +995 579 25 22 25 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: Photographer: David Kerdikashvili, E-mail: marketing@ Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies Irakli Dolidze David Djandjgava georgiatoday.ge