Issue no: 947 • MAY 19 - 22, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue...

FOCUS ON SOCIAL CHANGE A look at the tragi-comedy being played out over the Church and the Trump Congratulates Georgia on Constitution PAGE 4,6 25th Anniversary of Geo-US Diplomatic Ties NEWS PAGE 2 Scandal: EU Representative Congratulates Tskhinvali ‘Leader’ on Winning Elections POLITICS PAGE 4 Georgia’s Cyber Security Challenge BUSINESS PAGE 8 Source: The Odyssey Online A Journey to the World of Glenmorangie, Parliament Approves Smoking Finest Scottish Whisky SOCIETY PAGE 10 Restrictions Austrian Company & Bank of BY THEA MORRISON Georgia Sign Memorandum on King David Residences he 150-member Parliament of Georgia has fi nally adopted amendments to SOCIETY PAGE 13 the Tobacco Control Law with 85 votes for and only one against on May 17. The legislative amendments envisage Interview with Vakho Bughadze Tthat from May 1, 2018, smoking of tobacco, includ- ing electronic cigarette and chillum, will be prohib- CULTURE PAGE 15 ited in all enclosed areas except for houses, psychi- atric clinics, penitentiary facilities and casinos. Smoking of cigars will be allowed only in cigar- bars where it will not be permitted to sell food products. In addition, a special license will be nec- essary to open such a bar. From May 1, 2018, advertisements for tobacco products will be prohibited and it will be necessary to show anti-tobacco advertising at the beginning of fi lms showing smoking. Moreover, from July 1, 2018, all kinds of tobacco sponsorship and promotion will be prohibited, including display of tobacco products in points-of- sale outside (and inside from 2021). Continued on page 2 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS MAY 19 - 22, 2017 2 km Long Tunnel to Be Trump Congratulates Georgia Built in Dariali Gorge on 25th Anniversary of Daliali Gorge. Source: marshalpress.ge Geo-US Diplomatic Ties

BY THEA MORRISON

he United States (US) The works are expected to be concluded President, Donald Trump BY THEA MORRISON within 12 months of the signing of the sent a letter to Georgia’s contract. Margvelashvili, congratu- The Roads Department stated that the lating him on the 25th he Roads Department of projecting and construction works will be anniversaryT of Georgia-US diplomatic the Ministry of Regional carried out by the tender-winner company relations. Development and Infra- Peri, which presented several versions of The letter of the US President was structure of Georgia is to the project within the framework of the then released by the Georgian Presi- begin construction of a detailed project preparation report. A team dent’s Press Offi ce. Ttunnel at the crossing of Dariali and made up of specialists, geologists and Chair- “In the fi rst quarter century of our Devdorak gorges. man of the Roads Department, Giorgi Setu- partnership, the United States and Geor- The Dariali Gorge is a river gorge on ridze, will choose the best option from these. gia created a close transatlantic con- the border between Georgia and Russia. The Roads Department reports that nection. We share common values and It is at the east base of Mount Kazbegi during the last few years, natural disas- always stand against international ter- and south of present-day Vladikavkaz. ters have occurred several times in rorism and regional instability in order The gorge was carved by the river Targi Dariali gorge, presenting a danger to to defend these values,” Trump’s letter and is approximately 13 km long. traffi c along this section of road. reads. UPI The Ministry says that the construc- They also explain that during this The US President went on to say that “We also support Georgia's right to forward to future cooperation with you tion of the 2km-long tunnel will be period, the transit function of Mtskheta- the United States supports Georgia's defi ne its own future. Georgia's inde- and the Government of Georgia for the launched later this year and will cost Stepantsminda-Larsi road was stopped, sovereignty and territorial integrity pendence and democracy is still inspir- development of shared values and the GEL 47,179,224 (around $19,667,705), to resulting in the loss of around GEL 1 mln within the internationally recognized ing for the world,” Trump added. well-being of our countries,” the letter be fi nanced from the state budget. (around $417,374) per day for the State. borders. “I and my administration are looking reads. Parliament Approves Smoking Restrictions Continued from page 1 The author of the package of amend- aged the ban of smoking in public places At present, around 1.5 million Geor- the population remain smokers, includ- ments to the Tobacco Control Law is from September 1, 2017. Moreover, the gians are active smokers, among them ing women and children. The medical warning campaign about Guguli Maghradze, a member of the previous bill envisaged the prohibition 15 percent are underage. The MPs hope that after the law enters tobacco consumption risks will be ruling party Georgian Dream. of smoking in all buildings except houses Today, smoking is prohibited only in into force, the number of smokers in increased from 30% to 65%. Maghradze’s initiative initially envis- and prisons. hospitals and schools, but still 35% of the country will decrease. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 19 - 22, 2017 NEWS 3 Assaulted Auditor General of Georgia Does Not Trust Investigation

“I’m sure that now they are getting BY THEA MORRISON testimonies from me and then they will make a statement that will be directed against me,” Tordia said. eorgia’s State Audit Offi ce Partskhaladze rejected all charges. A Head, Lasha Tordia, who day after the incident, he released a let- was physically assaulted ter claiming that the confl ict was initi- several days ago, says that ated by Tordia, who allegedly was heav- he does not trust the inves- ily drunk. Gtigation that is underway into his case. After questioning on May 17, he said Tordia says he was attacked by Otar the incident was very short-lived and Partskhaladze, a former Chief Prosecu- denied assaulting the Auditor General. tor, together with his security personnel Moreover, Partskhaladze’s lawyers in El Centro nightclub in central Tbilisi. stated the ex-chief prosecutor’s guards The victim stressed that the assault had to stop Tordia, as he initiated the was related to a specifi c case which the confrontation. The lawyers also believe Auditor’s Offi ce is investigating. Accord- that the injuries Tordia received were ing to him, the case involves the transfer “self-infl icted”. of plots of land in 2016 and Partskhaladze’s The President, NGOs and the opposi- name is involved in the case. tion have demanded an urgent investi- The Ministry of Internal Affairs of gation into the case. Georgia launched the investigation under A number of NGOs released a state- Article 126 of the Criminal Code of Geor- ment urging the government and Parlia- gia which criminalizes battery and other ment of Georgia “to take timely steps to violent acts. address the problem of impunity and to The Auditor General alleges that the create an effective independent investi- Prosecutor’s Offi ce, the Interior Ministry gative mechanism.” They also called on Auditor General, Lasha Tordia. Source: epn.ge and the Financial Police are acting the investigative agencies to timely dis- with the Audit Offi ce. This case will the creation of an independent parlia- On May 17, the State Audit Offi ce Staff together against him and to defend Part- close information on the investigation remain under our special supervision," mentary investigative commission, which released a statement regarding the case. skhaladze, who was the Prosecutor Gen- so far. the Speaker said. will study the case and reveal the truth. They addressed Parliament, the Presi- eral in 2013. Georgia’s Parliament Speaker, Irakli The opposition United National Move- The State Audit Offi ce is an agency dent, the government, and local and Moreover, Tordia claimed that the Kobakhidze, says it is important to wait ment (UNM) says the investigation will that presents fi ndings on the activities international organizations, asking them police seized the footage from security for the investigation results and then be a test for the Georgian Dream ruling of government entities to Parliament. to ensure proper functioning of the body. cameras in the nightclub soon after the make comments. team, to prove that the country is not “Georgia’s State Audit Offi ce is directly The State Audit Offi ce employees con- incident, which “will clearly show the “We call on the law enforcement agen- being run by former offi cials from the subordinated to Parliament and the incident fi rmed they were supporting Tordia in truth of the matter,” however, he said he cies to investigate this case as soon as backstage. that happened to the Auditor General the situation and condemned any attempt suspects the police may “cut” or “delete” possible. This is very important for Par- Parliamentary minority Movement for directly applies to Parliament,” Zurab Chi- to somehow discredit the activities of said footage. liament, as we have a special relationship Freedom-European Georgia demands aberashvili from European Georgia said. the agency.

Mtskheta: Tbilisi: 38 arsukidze str 3 king erekle ll str 40 arsukidze str 12 bambis rigi str 42 arsukidze str 13 abano str 44 arsukidze str 2 kipshidze str 46 arsukidze str

+9955 55 50 89 54 ENG; +9955 55 31 13 76 RUS asmonte.ge GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS MAY 19 - 22, 2017 Daniel Fried: Scandal: EU Representative Georgia Should Not Lose Hope Congratulates Tskhinvali

made it easier for Europeans to dismiss BY ANI CHKHIKVADZE, VOICE OF ‘Leader’ on Winning Elections what was going on in Georgia as irrel- AMERICA, GEORGIAN BUREAU evant. What is going in Ukraine is not only not irrelevant; it is essential to the European project, in my view. It is a tip- ith the election of ping point for the future of Europe’s Donald Trump in the eastern periphery. It’s the spearhead for United States, and the Russians regaining a sphere of infl u- Brexit, the populist ence in a most nasty and authoritarian wave has the support- way. And the spearhead for the EU Wers of the European project worrying achieving a Europe which is whole and about the future of liberalism on the free, and democratizing the arc between continent. At a panel discussion at the Belarus and the Caucasus. Ukraine is Johns Hopkins University, America’s top the key pawn on the chessboard, Ukrain- diplomats and analyst discussed the ians understand this and they have been future of the European Union following working very hard despite the efforts of the recent elections in France. The dis- their oligarchs and some of their politi- cussion touched upon the issues of EU cal elite, to make sure it happens,” said and NATO enlargement for the Eastern Stelzenmüller. partners, among them Georgia. Voice of The best way to convince the European America’s Georgian bureau talked with partners about Ukraine and Georgia is some of the panel members. to take a page from the book of the uni- Constanze Stelzenmüller, a fellow at fi cation of Germany, he adds. the Brookings Institution, suggests that Daniel Fried, longtime member of the to advance its Western bid, Georgia needs American diplomatic community, calls to lobby its case together with its Ukrain- upon Georgia to continue reforms and ian counterparts. not to lose hope for the prospect of “You [Georgia] might be a tugboat membership. behind the frigate of Ukraine. It is some- “I wish I could tell Georgia that the what easier for Europeans to ignore West will resume the enlargement of its Georgia, and they were very much irri- institution. After 1989, the West and its tated by Saakashvili. They did not like institutions, the NATO and the EU, took him and he did not make himself popu- around 110 million Europeans. Georgia lar, including with my chancellor. This was not among those countries. I was in Bucharest at the NATO summit when Georgia did not receive the MAP. And I Photo: European Union Special Representative Herbert Salber in Tskhinvali. Source: cominf.org remember a few months later, Russia attacked Georgia,” Fried told VoA Geor- gian. international community aimed at peace- elections were held in Georgia’s break- BY THEA MORRISON However, he says that Georgia should ful resolution of the confl ict. away region of South Ossetia,” said the not fall into despair but hope for the Moreover, the Ambassador of the Ambassador. Every day that future. European Union (EU) to Georgia, Janos Dondua said that EU was one of the “I wish that Georgia’s Rose Revolution fficial Tbilisi has Herman, and the Deputy Foreign Min- fi rst to condemn the so-called elections Georgia maintains and Georgia’s successful reforms had expressed concern over ister, Davit Dondua, held a meeting in in Tskhinvali. taken place 10 years earlier than they Tuesday’s incident in de the Foreign Ministry over the issue. “We are in touch with the EU leader- sovereignty and did, but by the time Georgia was a seri- facto South Ossetia After the meeting, Herman said that ship and we hope that this will be prop- ous candidate, the West was less certain (Tskhinvali) when the Herbert Salber would make explana- erly responded to by Brussels,” he freedom of choice is of itself and Russia was a far less benign OEuropean Union Special Representa- tions himself. stressed. country. But every day that Georgia tive for the South Caucasus and Crisis He added that the EU does not recog- Sopo Katsarava, Chair of the Parlia- another day that maintains sovereignty and freedom of in Georgia, and the Co-Chair of Geneva nize the so-called presidential elections ment Committee on Foreign Relations you get to wait for choice is another day that you get to wait International Talks, Herbert Salber, held in Georgia’s breakaway South of Georgia says that Salber’s statement for history to turn again and for Europe congratulated so-called president Ana- Ossetia and also recognizes and support contradicts not only Georgia’s sover- history to turn again and the United States to regain confi - toly Bibilov on winning the ‘presiden- Georgia’s territorial integrity and sov- eignty but EU politics as well. dence. Don’t write off the future,” Fried tial elections’ held in April. ereignty. Herbert Salber and the other co-chairs and for Europe and concluded. Georgia’s Foreign Ministry stated this “We spoke with the Deputy Minister of Geneva International talks arrived Despite the pessimist outlook among step was “incomprehensible and unac- about cooperation in this fi eld and I in Georgia’s Russian-backed South the US to regain observers in the West, the French elec- ceptable” and it contradicts the princi- would like to reiterate with clarity that Ossetia region on May 16 to discuss the tions represent a candle that can signal ples of international law and does not the European Union does not recognize details of the next round of Geneva confi dence the revival of the European project. support the efforts of Georgia and the the framework in which the so-called Talks, scheduled for June 20-21, 2017. The Stench of Constitutional Debate in Georgia Right now, the fi rst and the utmost also a waste of time because the Presi- new constitutional text but his veto will sometime this coming October or OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE question is why public discussions of dent of Georgia, in his current status, be instantly overridden by the majority. November. And again, the consequence the new version of Georgia’s Constitu- is practically an impotent political fi g- So it appears that the presidential veto is not diffi cult to predict. tion make sense in a situation where ure, having nothing to do with the is not worth any effort at all. Some hopes for the right decisions ords like constitution, the final decision concerning the decision-making process. So, why should Issues like political blocks and the are connected with the so-called Venice constitutionality, con- amended document will in any case be it make such a big difference who he is distribution of stray votes, defi nition Commission, which is just an advisory stitutionalism, consti- made by an absolute and invincible elected by – the outcome of his activity of marriage, testing time for judges, and body of the Council of Europe. The tutionalist, constitu- majority in the parliament. Why so will be the same in either way. For fi nally the acutest issue of selling land recommendations of its independent tionalization, etc. have much wasting of time, money and instance, the president has the right to to foreigners, are also being discussed experts in the fi eld of constitutional law allW of a sudden become more than trendy energy?! There is not even a vestige of veto the parliamentary approval of the in public-governmental get-togethers, will either be taken into consideration in Georgia. Such words are continuously doubt that things will happen only at although with no specifi c results or by or not, and for ignoring them, no sanc- heard from the glib, indiscriminate lips the discretion of the ruling party, which, actually infl uencing the text of the sug- tions will follow that the Georgian par- of journalists and politicians, having at in addition to its technically guaranteed gested document. After the politicians liamentary majority might suffer from. the same time become the most com- triumph in matters constitutional are done with those vain public It is interesting that the Commission's monplace part of our household vocabu- – and others, too – desires to discussions, the venue of contro- offi cial name is the European Commis- lary. We are all fed up of hearing and using have public approval of its versy will move to parliamentary sion for Democracy through Law. We these words but our attempts to free political behavior, what- premises, where special sessions truly need to enhance the quality of our ourselves of them are ineffective – they ever that behavior might will be held in June to prepare democracy through law, which in the stick, they simply stick. represent. It was said the new text of the country’s fi rst place has to be refl ected in the What a heavenly time it was when we that the current par- constitution for voting Constitution. lived in God-blessed socialism! Of course, liamentary major- Now the point is whether we can do we had a constitution, but who cared? ity is trying to this in the stench-ridden constitutional It was sitting, unbothered, somewhere eschew the sug- environment we fi nd ourselves in. I’m in the depths of public libraries and gested plebiscite using this epithet only because all those offi ces of critical importance, covered on the subject of ‘town meetings’ often stink politically with dust; not even reminding us of its constitutional opti- so much that it becomes hard to stay existence. I treasure those peaceful mization. But what if there for long enough to see the relevant times in my long memory of our unper- the people differ from output. And here is why: in order to turbed past, when freedom of word and them when interpreting achieve enough constitutional correct- democracy were not even issues, but at the introduced changes? ness and suitability, we have to pos- least, public discussions of the supreme There was also a talk about the pres- sess the appropriate constitutional law – if they ever happened – did not idential elections – whether direct by logic. We have some, but it is shaky, stink as much as they do nowadays. public or indirect by electors. This is and smelly, too, for that matter.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS MAY 19 - 22, 2017

The Delegation of the European Union to Georgia is searching Tragedy & Farce: for a property to be leased or purchased, to be used for The Georgian offi ce purposes Church & The Georgian Dream

OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA

rom Stools to Cyanide could be the title of a book about the last four-years of activity of the Georgian Orthodox Church, which began on May 17,F 2013, when the LGBT rally was dis- This property should meet the European Union's requirements, rupted on Rustaveli Avenue, and ended concerning quality of construction, space, security and location. It on February 12, when the alleged plan should comprise a lot with a stand-alone building located at a min- to murder the Catholicos-Patriarch of imum distance of 15m. (ideally 20m.) from the perimeter of the lot, All Georgia was prevented in the neutral in particular from neighboring streets and surrounded by a bound- zone of Tbilisi International Airport. In ary wall. The building's surface area should be between 1 700 and Georgian reality, just as in ancient Greek 1 900 m² and should consist of a maximum of 4 fl oors. mythology, history repeats itself: once The property should be situated within the city limits of Tbilisi. as a tragedy and then as a farce. Its location should be easily accessible and consistent with the Four years ago, the main street of our needs of representation and visibility of an important diplomatic capital became a battlefi eld. Armed with mission. crosses and stools, priests and their sup- The required offi ce space should be suitable for hosting around porters announced a public hunt against 60 members of staff either in individual offi ces or in shared offi ces the local LGBT community, who were and in open space in different combinations. It should also provide preparing for International Anti-Homo- an adequate number of meeting rooms, one multi-purpose confer- phobia Day. The celebration soon grew of the organizers of the anti-gay rally in Church, an episode once again proving ence room of approximately 140 square meters, as well as archive into an inquisition and almost fi nished by 2013, said: “Today these gentlemen say how multifaceted the whole situation is; spaces, storage rooms, server room, kitchenette and lavatories. Suf- turning into a common national tragedy. such things about us! They should con- how many various intrigues and con- fi cient natural light is a pre-requisite for the offi ces; rooms without For the Georgian Dream, which had duct themselves! They shouldn’t confuse spiracy processes have been caused by windows can only be foreseen for archiving, photocopying, etc. recently come to power, this day was us with people who won’t ask for any the cyanide case, the devastating result like the fi rst exam after their victory. On explanation for their words! The era of of which we have yet to realize. Energy-effi cient, "green buildings" will be considered with prefer- this day, it would become clear whether their scuffl e should end! No foreign And the last few days became a com- ence. or not the government planned to show countries can force us to become their plete tragicomedy: curses from the The total 1 700 – 1 900 square meters as indicated above should appreciation for the help that the Geor- slaves!” Church, comical reactions to these curses, include corridors, entrance hall, reception area, and internal stair- gian Church had provided them prior to Historian Lasha Bakradze believes that all-encompassing falsehood, the obvious cases but not parking spaces and areas entirely dedicated to tech- the October 1 elections, and this they Georgia “faces a serious threat of reli- confusion of the government, the com- nical equipment. did, paying back “kindness for kindness” gious fundamentalism and theocracy” plete intellectual and voluntary helpless- A minimum 30 parking slots should be available within the perim- and turning a blind eye to the crimes of and this threat is increasing. The clergy ness of the highest Church hierarchies eter boundary of the compound. the clergy. The day launched dangerous publicly demands delegating secular (how can a journalist destroy you so The offi ce space must be compliant with all local building stand- and ominous trends in our country. authority, for example, they want to be shamefully during live streaming!?) and ards and regulations, in particular in terms of occupational health A day doesn’t pass without an assault able to give offi cial consent to certain the ultimate demoralization of society. & safety, fi re prevention and anti-seismic construction codes. Com- against members of the LGBT commu- legislative acts. We can also recall the This last one is the worst, though, as you pliance with EU standards or other international standards is a nity. Orthodox Christian activists attack sermons in which they mobilized parish- often hear: “I don’t know what is hap- valuable asset. The overall quality of fi nishing as well as the tech- anyone they don’t like, sometimes even ioners against the United National Move- pening or what happened in reality, nical and mechanical equipment facilities should be in line with only because of their outfi t or hair style. ment. “whose cassock is in whose pulpit?”- I’m EU or international standards. Moreover, there are murders of transgen- This was the attitude that the Georgian not interested in this anymore.” The offi ce space should be available for occupation, after con- der people, who successfully avoid Dream and the Georgian Church carried The Georgian Christian Church hasn’t struction or fi tting-out works completion, on 1 August 2019. imprisonment with the help of the clergy. until February 12. On this day, Archpriest received such a destructive punch in the Offers may include either: Threats can be heard from the Geor- Giorgi Mamaladze was arrested at Tbi- face since the communist era and it is - Proposals from private constructors to develop, sell or lease a gian Orthodox Church in light of the lisi Airport and charged for attempting very hard to predict whether it will be bespoke offi ce facility to shelter the European Delegation government’s inaction. Bishop of Bodbe, to prepare the murder of the Patriarch. able to survive it – regardless of the “pro- - Proposals to rent or sell existing suitable buildings, including if Chorbishop of Catholicos-Patriarch, or This day somehow turned into the day ject” outcome and the “winner,” be it the in need of refurbishment. his deputy, Bishop Iakob, who was one of separation of the government and the Georgian Dream or the Georgian Church. In case of rental, the building will stay the property of the owner, while the European Union will enter into a long-term agreement assumed to be for 10 to 20 years minimum, with an option to extend and/or even purchase at a further stage. Interpol Cancels Search for Yanukovych, Submitted proposals should provide:

• A full description of the lot and/or the existing building Ukraine in a Rage • Spreadsheets of surfaces in square meters • Detailed information on the construction proposal Head of the Department of Special BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE • In case of a construction proposal, information on building com- Investigations, Sergei Gorbatyuk, said pany that stopping the search for Yanukovych • Information on rental and sale conditions, including rental price was not due to shortcomings in the per square meter. he authorities of Ukraine investigation or violations committed became furious after Inter- by the investigative authorities but that Proposals must be submitted: pol decided to stop the "the adoption of such a decision is moti- a. either by post or by courier not later than 16:00 on 20 June 2017 international search for vated by the existing shortcomings of to the address indicated hereunder. former President Viktor the Ukrainian legislation on the choice b. or delivered by hand not later than 16.00 on 20 June 2017 to the TYanukovych. The Prosecutor General's of a preventive measure in respect of address indicated hereunder Offi ce is to propose to change the legis- the wanted persons and the status of the lation in order to catch the ex-head of suspect," the ministry said. tional search for Yanukovych but to do For further information please liaise with the Delegation of the state. The Ukrainian authorities learned about so, will necessitate amendments to the European Union to Georgia at DELEGATION-GEORGIA-HOA@ Thanks to the work of the lawyers of the cancellation of the search in late local legislation. eeas.europa.eu the former president of Ukraine, who April and Interpol was warned that law Viktor Yanukovych is currently living Address of the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia: destroyed the plans to detain the politi- enforcers should not disclose this infor- in Russia. He repeatedly said that he was 38 Nino Chkheidze Street cian, the General Prosecutor's Offi ce of mation. ready to testify at the Kiev Court on 0102 Tbilisi - Georgia the country was left in shock and says The staff of the General Prosecutor's charges of treason and even tried to do Tel.: 995 294 37 63 it fully intends to challenge Interpol's Offi ce of Ukraine has already come up it on television, but the court session decision. with a plan to newly open the interna- was “foiled by the nationalists”. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 19 - 22, 2017 POLITICS 7

The Embassy of Canada in Ankara Ogryzko: Georgia Has the Honorary Consul

The honorary consul program allows the Government of Canada to provide Same Place as Ukraine: representation and services to Canadians in locations where no Canadian dip- lomatic mission or consular offi ce exists. Honorary consuls are expected to maintain close relations with the local Canadian community and are often the in EU & NATO fi rst responder in providing emergency consular services. irst it was Moldova, then Georgia, and THE OTHER COUNTRIES WILL DEPEND Honorary consuls are not employees of the government they serve. They are now it’s Ukraine’s turn - Kyev was granted ON.” WHAT FUTURE DO YOU FORESEE private individuals who provide consular and other services on behalf of the a visa free regime from Brussels, and the FOR GEORGIA IN THAT TIME? citizens of Ukraine will be able to enjoy I’m convinced that we will be strong if we are united. appointing government. visa free travel across Europe as soon as I think that Georgia has the same place as Ukraine Essential Qualifi cations: Fearly June. This, arguably, was a huge decision on – in EU, in NATO. We should really be successful • Degree from a recognised university the EU’s part – one of Europe’s biggest countries, both in Tbilisi and Kyev and in this case it won’t be • Fluency in either English and/or French Ukraine boasts 44 million citizens. While a big coun- us asking for membership, they will offer us one. try, Ukraine has also big challenges, mostly thanks We should be strong and successful and then we • Independent means to its northern, even bigger neighbor. What’s in store will be invited. • Good standing in the local community for Ukraine and how do they plan to make use of • Good relations and access to local government authorities the visa free regime? GEORGIA TODAY and Pano- WHAT CAN GEORGIA DO TO BE MORE rama TV Show asked former Minister of Foreign ATTRACTIVE TO THE WESTERN BLOCKS? • At least 5 years resident in Georgia Affairs, Volodymir Ogryzko. Georgia is already attractive – it has made great • Good judgment progress comparing to the state it was in some • Tangible connection to Canada WHAT’S THE MOOD IN UKRAINE AND years ago. My understanding is that Georgia will WHAT ARE PEOPLE EXPECTING? be a very important state in the Black Sea region, Application Instructions: Personally, I’m very happy because I started this one of the key regions in terms of security. Imagine Please submit your resumé and a letter of interest outlining why you would process some 8 years ago in Brussels when I was Georgia a NATO member state and it will change like to be an Honorary Consul and how you meet the criteria outlined above a minister of Foreign Affairs. So, it is to some extent situation in the Black Sea region signifi cantly. If my personal victory as well. It is something that Ukraine will be a NATO member, too, it will mean by email only to [email protected] by noon EET on May 26, 2017. opens doors for Ukrainians because for more than that it will be NATO’s Black Sea. So, territory for Consular Section four centuries, we have been artifi cially separated peace, territory for democracy, territory for sus- from our homeland, from Europe. This is the very tainable development. In this sense, both our coun- fi rst, but very important, step towards the European tries can be very infl uential contributors to the community and coming back to our homeland. stability in this region. Georgia is absolutely impor- tant in this process. WHAT IMPACT WILL THE VISA FREE REGIME HAVE ON UKRAINE? IT’S AN IDEALISTIC FUTURE BUT DO YOU PERHAPS EXPECT A WON’T RUSSIA DO EVERYTHING MASS EXODUS TO EUROPE? TO ENSURE IT DOESN’T HAPPEN? We are really a very big country and we do have I don’t agree it’s an ‘idealistic future’. I remember some problems, but I have yet to seen a country 1989 when we were discussing Ukraine’s independ- without problems. I don’t expect the visa free regime ence. And there was no one who would predict that to produce some new problems for Ukrainians or in 2-3 years Ukraine would be independent. Never- for our European partners. It it is important for theless, it happened. I remember US President Ukrainians to better understand what it is to be in George Bush, senior, who came to Kyev saying: a democratic society. To have, to say, a fresh look on “Look, Gorbi is a good guy, please, stick with him”. that. In this sense, I do believe it will accelerate our I remember British PM Madam Thatcher who said, internal developments because of the very simple frankly speaking, the same. But after a couple of reason – if Poles or Hungarians can be successful, months the geopolitical map changed dramatically. why not Ukrainians? So, let’s have very concrete goals and let’s try to reach these goals. In this sense I believe this ideal- SO, YOU EXPECT UKRAINIANS istic view will become a very realistic one. WILL BE WELCOMED IN EUROPE? That’s our goal. I do understand that, at least for the YOU RECENTLY SAID THAT FOR EVERY time being, not all the EU will be happy to have MISSILE COMING FROM THE EAST, Ukraine on board, but it depends on the Ukrainians UKRAINE SHOULD ANSWER WITH themselves. If we are successful with our homework, THREE. DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR COUNTRY I really see no reasons to say no. In this case, I think HAS THE CAPACITY TO WIN THIS WAR? Europe will be interested in having Ukraine and Each and every day we lose Ukrainian soldiers. It Georgia as new member states because it is impor- is not a good practice. We should stop it. How can tant to have successful countries within but not we stop it? In my view in two ways: by really show- without. After Brexit, one gentleman said: OK, UK ing Russia and Russian society that Putin’s regime out, Ukraine in! Probably a good idea. has no future; that democracy is much better that autocracy. Once again, to develop effectively and to WHAT DO YOU THINK RUSSIA’S show a very good example. And secondly, to be RESPONSE WILL BE? WE READ THAT strong militarily. To show Putin’s generals that even RUSSIAN DEPUTY MFA MESHKOV an attempt to continue this aggressive policy will SAID VISA FREE FOR UKRIANE have a very high price for them if not bring them to IS A CARROT ON A ROPE. economic or military disaster. My understanding is Probably the same as Georgia expected. I believe it that we should be successful economically and strong will be a very traditional reaction. I expect that for militarily. In this case we can really hope that our a couple of weeks we will have another wave of goals will be achieved. propaganda from Moscow saying that it is nothing new, it will have no practical impact on Ukrainian THIS WEEK, ANOTHER GEORGIAN society, etc. But I am really convinced that the best SOLDIER PERISHED IN UKRAINE. answer will be a successful Ukraine and successful THE GEORGIAN GOVERNMENT Georgia. If so, we will really reach our goals, which VIEWS THEM AS HIRED SOLDIERS; are very clear and understandable – full member- MERCENARIES. WHAT’S YOUR TAKE? ship in EU & NATO. We are very thankful to all our friends who help us to counter Russian aggression, and especially our IN A RECENT INTERVIEW, YOU PREDICTED Georgian friends who have helped and are helping A SUPERPOWER STATUS FOR UKRAINE: us now. All together we are in the same boat and we “IN 22 YEARS, UKRAINE WILL BE are fi ghting for our liberty because if there is disas- ONE OF THE LEADING COUNTRIES IN ter in Ukraine, I do not think that Georgia will sur- THE NORTH ATLANTIC DIMENSION. vive. And vice versa – if Ukraine is successful, Geor- A LINE CONNECTING PARIS, BERLIN, gia will be successful as well. So we should unite WARSAW AND KYEV WILL BE THE our efforts and in this sense our common goal and NEW SPINE OF EUROPE THAT ALL struggle is stop Russian aggression. GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS MAY 19 - 22, 2017 Georgia’s Cyber Security Challenge

to protect the state apparatus as well as BY ZURAB KHUTSIANIDZE the population, however the endeavour requires costly modernization of cyber- defence capabilities. gian cyberspace. Inspired by Edward Today, Georgian cyberspace is as vul- rely solely on the Caucasus Cable System n the contemporary world, our In the case of Georgia, the need for Snowden’s revelations, the investigation nerable as ever. The internet traffi c pro- – a Georgian-owned submarine commu- personal life has become increas- modifi cations in the cyber-defence mech- aims to expose plausible contemporary vided by Rostelecom, does not guarantee nications cable linking Poti to Balchik, ingly dependent on the technolo- anisms were vividly demonstrated during cyber-espionage conducted by the Rus- the much needed security of Georgian Bulgaria. The 1182-kilometre cable pro- gies that humanity has developed. the 2008 Russian-Georgian confl ict. 2008 sian secret services against Georgia, virtual data. On the contrary, the scandal vides cyber independence from Russia Over decades, the internet has is an important milestone as it presents using fi bre-optic cables. involving Rostelecom’s cooperation with and Turkey, and enables Georgia to pro- Igranted us inexhaustible sources of ben- the fi rst historical case when a coordi- Suggested by Snowden’s revelations, the Russian Federal Security Service vide a safer internet pathway for Ukraine efi cial information together with limit- nated cyber-attack was synchronized with the secret services, such as Britain’s (FSB) during the Sochi Olympics, sug- as the cable system can also be reached less entertainment. Yet the virtual realm major combat actions, providing Russia Government Communications Head- gests needed rethink of Georgia’s part- from ports like Odessa. Apart from Ukraine, has also been known for the exposure an advantage on four fronts: ground, air, quarters (GCHQ) and the American nership with this ambiguous company. the Caucasus Cable System opens up of our personal data to the domestic or naval, and cyber. 54 websites in Georgia National Security Agency (NSA), have Moreover, Russia’s secret system for opportunities for Armenia and Azerbai- foreign intelligence services. While the related to communications, fi nance, and successfully used connected fi bre-optic electronic surveillance, SORM (Система jan to avoid Russia’s cyber espionage by recent attempt of President Margvelash- the government were attacked by rogue cables which carry internet traffi c as Оперативно-Розыскных Мероприятий), partnering with Georgian network pro- vili to limit unwarranted domestic cyber elements within Russia, demonstrating well as phone calls, to collect and store together with the surveillance law passed viders. While there have been attempts surveillance has failed, it is also impor- Georgia’s defencelessness and eventually a vast amount of private data, including in 1995, allows the FSB to access the data to purchase the cables by Russian com- tant to review Georgia’s capabilities of lowering public morale during the crisis. emails and Facebook messages, of for- of any Russia-based network company, panies such as VimpelCom, the system defending its citizenry from foreign cyber Although the cyber-attacks seemingly eign citizens. With Georgia, the fi bre- including Rostelecom. One would sug- remains under the ownership of a Geor- espionage. supported Russian aggression, the Krem- optic cable providing internet for the gest that, in order to secure the privacy gian major internet service provider. In Cyberwarfare is a type of an asymmet- lin has not acknowledged or claimed Georgian people comes directly from of its citizens, the Georgian government sum, Georgia, due to its strategic location, ric warfare that has developed concur- responsibility for the attacks. Novorossiysk, Russia. In fact, the cable should seek to disconnect from the has the potential to offer safe internet rently with the advancement of the In the aftermath of the confl ict, the system connecting Novorossiysk and Novorossiysk cables and connect to passage for itself as well as its neighbors, internet, possessing two types of threat: Georgian government vowed to improve Poti was established in 1999 by Russia’s relatively safer fi bre-optics provided by while posing a considerable challenge to espionage and sabotage, both of which the cyber-defence capabilities of the Rostelecom and Georgia’s FOPTNET. Turkey. Nevertheless, with the rise of the regional powers such as Russia and can be used regardless of whether the country and introduced a relatively mod- Thereupon, Georgia voluntarily enabled Erdogan’s authoritative power, this option Turkey. This potential should be highly country is engaged in actual confl ict or ernized Cyber Security Bureau. None- Russia to manipulate Georgian internet remains questionable. prioritized, as the virtual realm is becom- not. Undoubtedly, it is the government’s theless, this article intends to emphasize traffi c at will, and to create a cyber- One of the possible solutions to Geor- ing increasingly signifi cant on a day-to- responsibility to mitigate these threats the overlooked weaknesses of the Geor- blockade during the 2008 confl ict. gia’s contemporary cyber dilemma is to day basis in Georgia. Who Do You Lead – a Team

www.ibf.ge or Yourself? are some interesting pointers from Gold- always solves very precise problems and these rules helps individuals make insight- 5” leader is one who overcomes all bar- BY OTAR KIRIA smith, sent to you by the IBF team. that eight general rules make him an ful decisions, as leaders easily turn riers on his way to pursuing his goal, of Do you think you weren’t born a leader? effective executive: knowledge into actions; moreover, they course considering correctness, humil- That you lack charisma or talent, or 1. They ask “what needs to be done?” spread accountability across the whole ity and effectiveness. n May 2017, Batumi will be host- some other secret ‘ingredient’? Well, 2. They ask “what’s right for the com- organization. But is the leader alone in a team? ing an unprecedented business surprisingly, you might be wrong, as pany?” Prof. Jim Collins from HBR believes According to the work of Prof. Deborah event – the International Business personality and talent has nothing to 3. They develop action plans. that the best executive is the “Level 5” Ancona of MIT, there are no perfect Forum - which gathers 800 pro- do with leadership. You might well be 4. They take responsibility for deci- leader – a person who is a unique com- leaders because managing an organiza- fessionals from more than 10 very charismatic but still not a good sions. bination of personal humility and pro- tion includes many aspects, which always Icountries for a two-day forum lead by leader. The most successful leaders have 5. They take responsibility for com- fessional will. The “Level 5” leader thinks require different approaches and deci- world-renowned personal development three main characteristics – attitude, municating. of success as a result of the company’s sions. There are no certain formulas that coaches, in Hotel Euphoria. One of the values and strengths. A leader is either 6. They focus on opportunities rather team efforts, outer factors and luck. one can follow every single time... A real prominent speakers is Marshal Gold- open or closed; easy or strict; generous than problems. However, they take complete responsi- leader analyses the situation, fi nds power smith, author of almost all bestselling or stingy; number-oriented or vision- 7. They run productive meetings. bility for failure themselves. Only this in his own self and looks around for books about leadership. oriented. 8. They think and said “we” rather than kind of conduct is regarded as humility. assets that can solve his weaknesses. Before you get to hear the leaders for So, what skills should a leader possess? “I”. As for will, a leader does not show it Moreover, a leader never forgets that yourself in Hotel Euphoria, Batumi, here Peter Drucker used to say that a leader Using a discipline system for applying only by saying what he wants. The “Level WE is always better than ME.

Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY MAY 19 - 22, 2017 SOCIETY 9 The Budget is the Big Loser in the State Lottery

documents given to ifact.ge, the Lottery was already BY NINO BAKRADZE, IFACT.GE What is $12 million in debt to the state - a debt that was only going to grow. Now it appears the government can't give the ive years ago, the young brother-in-law Lottery away. Eight months after announcing an of a very well-connected Georgian gave open tender, the Ministry refuses to say if there is an interesting gift to his nation. any candidate to take over the Lottery. The Minis- The well-connected Georgian was for- try also refuses to release fi gures on how much mer Minister of Defense (and now fugi- taxpayer money it continues to lose under the cur- tive)F David Kezerashvili. His brother-in-law is rent management. Destiny? Dimitri Chikovani, who at the time was only 24 Offi cials involved were not eager to talk about years old. how a potential gold mine like a national lottery must do and that is our requirement as a result of And the gift? was managing to lose money. But some of the details BY MAKA LOMADZE our cognition of this inevitability. A majority interest - 70 percent - in the Georgian are revealed in the Panama Papers, a collection of Besides the aforementioned viewpoints, the free- Lottery Company, which Chikovani had controlled 11.5 million secret documents from the Panamanian dom and destiny of a human being is also defi ned for the previous two years. On Aug. 9, 2011, he turned law fi rm Mossack-Fonseca, obtained by the Ger- hat is destiny? Nearly everyone by the general energetic power, based on the sym- those shares of the lottery over to the Ministry of man newspaper Suddeutsche Zietung and shared asks this at some point in their metry of happiness and kindness ascertained in Economics, free of charge. This company was the by the International Consortium of Investigative lives. Some believe that it exists the past few years. It means that if the general only one with a license to run a lottery in Georgia. Journalists with reporters from more than 80 coun- and everything is determined energetic power, in other words, the spiritual level, It was not nearly as generous a move as it might tries, including OCCRP and ifact.ge. as soon as we are born, while of a human being is high, he feels free inside, as have seemed at fi rst glance, however. According to Continued on page 12 Wothers say that they are the own authors of their well as joy and happiness; is ready to assist others, lives. GEORGIA TODAY met with Mikheil Khal- behaves morally, etc. They are ready because kind- vashi, philosopher, to discuss the issue that scien- ness needs more life energy and they possess it in tists and writers have been discussing for centuries. abundance. Kindness is giving our own life energy to others. But if one does not have the relevant HOW CAN WE DEFINE DESTINY? power, what will one give?! In answering, it’s impossible not to remember the Opposite to that, if an individual’s general ener- history of mythology, religion, philosophy and sci- getic potential is low, they are spiritually feeble. In ence. This issue has been discussed since antiquity. such cases, they think they are not free, that they According to Greek mythology, the fate of an indi- are restricted, miserable, doomed to torture, etc. vidual, as well as of the whole universe, is predeter- Consequently, they basically choose evil over mined: it cannot be altered even by the gods, as they kindness, as they do not have suffi cient power for obey it just like others. The Roman philosopher Sen- the latter. Therefore, because of this and not acci- eca said: “Destiny takes along its path obedient ones, dentally, a wicked person prefers appropriation and drags along those who are stubborn.” This stand- and dissoluteness to giving and kindness. point is well expressed in the myth Oedipus where the king was told that his own son would kill him. DOES IT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT Later, his son was told that he would kill a Father and SPIRITUALLY LOWERED PEOPLE ARE marry a Mother. Both father and son try to escape DESTINED TO WICKEDNESS FOREVER? from that fate, but in vain. When Oedipus, the king’s Of course, not. It just means that they have fewer son, is born, the ruler left him exposed on the moun- possibilities to do kindness compared to kind peo- tain. One shepherd took pity of the baby and gave ple. In spite of that, it is inevitable that even such him to another shepherd. Laius’s son was adopted by people are doomed to do kindness only if they wish Polybus, King of Corinth. When Oedipus learnt that to make their soul fi t and to continue existing wor- he was doomed to kill his father and marry his mother, thily or face punishment. he left Corinth for Thebes, his real homeland. There, This is the symmetry that wicked people do not he met Laius, who provoked a quarrel, and killed his realize. They do not reckon that they need kind- biological father without knowing about it. Thebes ness even more than kind people, because they are was found plagued by the Sphinx, whom he kills and more vulnerable to destruction than kind indi- as a winner, marries the queen, his real mother. viduals. According to the Ancient Greeks, the universe is a cosmos where order reigns, where there is inevitabil- IF A PERSON IS ONLY PARTIALLY FREE, ity and there is no room for contingency. WHERE IS THE ABSOLUTE FREEDOM WHICH IS ATTAINED BY VERY FEW? WHAT DOES PHILOSOPHY This is another issue. Fate in Eastern philosophy TELL US ABOUT FATE? and religion is understood similarly to the Western The religious point of view is based on the sacred world. The main difference is that there is Samsara sources that exist in the fi eld of idealistic philoso- in the East, which defi nes the regularity and des- phy and theology. However, there is material phi- tiny of all living beings. According to this theory, losophy that denies God. However, even material- destiny depends on a human being’s previous life, ism, like mythology and religion, believes that the karma. It means that if a human being was oriented universe is ruled by some regularity. Moreover, it to obtain wisdom and lived in accordance to the denies any free choice as well as eventuality. It says cosmic laws, they will be reborn in better socio- that everything has a symmetry. This stance is economic, national and family conditions and will called determinism. have more possibilities to self-development. Even- tually, if lucky, they will be able to totally escape HOW SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND from Samsara, which implies the automatic re- FIRST BRAND HOTEL IN KUTAISI UNDER BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM UNDER SUCH settling into another body, by means of becoming Within the framework of the Georgian Hotels’ Regional Three mobile conference halls are available with a total CIRCUMSTANCES? a saint or moving to another world, attaining nir- Network Development Project “12 hotels in 12 regions” by capacity of about 100 persons. According to materialism and science, freedom is vana. This is already absolute freedom. Such peo- GHYHORSPHQWFRPSDQ\³6LPHWULD´WKH¿UVWEUDQGKRWHOKDV a cognizable inevitability and the actions based on ple can fully manage their destiny. been opened in Kutaisi under the Best Western International (XURSHDQFXLVLQHFDQEHHQMR\HGLQWKHJURXQGÀRRUFDIp it. For instance: a student ought to study. If they do brand. and a grill-bar menu in the roof top restaurant with panoramic views over the city. not realize this regularity, the process of learning WHEN DID EUROPEANS LEARN The hotel accommodates 45 guest rooms, including 40 will be a compulsion, non-freedom and torture. ABOUT THIS CONCEPTION? standard rooms and 5 suites. The hotel was designed taking The International Hotels Management Company “T3 Opposite to that, if they realize that studying is a In ancient times. Socrates, Plato and Pitagora were into consideration special conditions and safety for guests Hospitality Management,” providing the hotel management, must and set getting an education as the goal, then aware of it. Later, together with Christianity, pagan with disabilities. has 20 years’ experience in hotel management in different countries globally. compulsion will vanish, and they will become free wisdom was partially forgotten. So, as we see, we and enjoy the happiness as a result of success are only partly free, however, we can become real Address: 11 Grishashvili Str., 4600, Kutaisi, Georgia achieved in this work. It means that freedom is not creators of our destiny if we make our existence TEL 219 71 00 something that we want, but something that we obey moral laws. [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY MAY 19 - 22, 2017 A Journey to the World of Glenmorangie, Finest Scottish Whisky

making Glenmorangie the most awarded uses less expensive materials like wheat BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI among other single malt Scotch whiskies. and corn, and the reason why single As Karen Fullerton described the ele- malts are more expensive than blended ments that go into making Glenmorangie, whisky is because from a continuous t a presentation - degusta- Scotland’s favourite single malt whisky, still where single grain comes from, you tion held for the press on she mentioned that Scotch whisky is the can make 19 bottles of spirit, while in a May 4 in Tbilisi Marriott most complex spirit in the world; stim- single malt distillery, the amount of spirit hotel, Karen Fullerton, ulating all our fi ve senses. “The moment produced is less than 1/10th of a bottle. global brand ambassador you take your glass, pour it into your When it comes to production, Glen- Afor Glenmorangie, introduced Glenmo- glass, taste it- that’s when all the fl avors morangie claims to have the tallest stills rangie Original, Glenmorangie Lasanta, and aromas explode in your mouth and at 8 meters high (26ft 1/4 inches) with Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban and Glen- take you on a liquid journey”. Karen went their long copper necks standing at 5.14 morangie Nectar D’OR. The presentation on to explain that in order to be classi- meters (16ft 10 1/4 inches), equivalent to and tasting was organized by GD Alco. fi ed a Single Malt Scotch whisky, it must the height of an adult giraffe, using only The brand name Glenmorangie comes only be made, distilled and aged in Scot- the fi nest oak casks to mature the whisky. from the Scottish Gaelic “Gleann mor land for a minimum of 3 years using three “Everything about Glenmorangie is na sithe,” meaning “valley of tranquility”, basic ingredients: water, malted barley, indigenous to Scotland and the area. The a perfect description of the peaceful set- and yeast. key thing that makes us unique to any ting of the distillery near Tain. Glenmo- “By defi nition, every single drop of other distillery is the height of the stills, rangie is considered the 4th best premium Glenmorangie can only come from the and what this means is that we get only malt whisky in the world, fi rst made in Glenmorangie distillery, Fullerton said. the lightest, the smoothest, the purest the highlands of Scotland by William “We have 120 licensed distilleries in taste of spirit,” Fullerton, going on to Matheson, a local highlander, who back Scotland and in every single distillery talk about the extra maturation tech- in 1843 converted his brewery into a dis- we have a unique size and shaped still niques and wood management, as wood tillery at the Morangie farm he owned, that produces a slightly different char- is said to be regarded as a major provider making Glenmorangie one of the earliest acter of spirit”. and contributor to the taste of whisky. distilleries in Scotland. She explained that brands like Chivas After ten years in fi rst fi ll and second Over the years, Glenmorangie has won Regal and Ballentine use another type fi ll casks, Glenmorangie Original is ready 18 Gold Best in Class medals by IWSC, of whisky, called grain whisky, which to be bottled. After two more years fi n- ished in very specifi c ex-oloroso and Quinta Ruban is both velvety and volup- Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, it becomes tuous, with a complex balance of sweet Glenmorangie Lasanta; fi nished in Port and dry fl avors and an intriguing contrast pipes for the same two years, it becomes of smooth and crisp, cooling textures. Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban; and if these “For me, it’s like a Turkish delight are Sauternes barriques, it becomes wrapped in dark chocolate. Everything Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or. within a Glenmorangie range will take The fi rst one represented was Glen- you on a different journey, depending morangie Original. By adding just a little on your mood,” she said. water to it, “to open up a character” as Last one was Glenmorangie Nectar Fullerton recommended, we were able D’OR, having, as Karen beautifully to enjoy the citrus notes of mandarin described during the tasting, “a creamy orange, peach, apples and pears. white chocolate, lemon tart tatin, lovely “Glenmorangie is as great for someone sweetness of honey and freshly sliced who’s never had a whiskey before as it almonds,” the sweetness in its fl avor is great for a connoisseur,” Fullerton told profi le, “almost reminding you of walk- us. “At Glenmorangie we’re known for ing into a French patisserie”. being pioneers in extra maturation, the The name Nectar D’OR means golden idea of it being to add different layers liquid of the gods in Scottish Gaelic, and and complexity to the liquid journey. We it makes a great aperitif and a fantastic really re-vitalized the Scotch whisky digestive. category.” For someone who’s just starting to get We moved on to Glenmorangie Lasanta, to know the taste of Scottish whisky, Lasanta meaning warmth and passion Fullerton recommended to “fi rst know in Scottish Gaelic. how to nose it, by placing your nose into Glenmorangie Lasanta turned out to the glass and inhaling gently through be richer, fruitier and spicier; it also has your mouth, this way you’ll be better a stronger and darker in color with the able to uncover and appreciate all the fl oral notes of Glenmorangie Original fabulous aromas within the whisky. Sec- wrapped in sherry sweetness, it’s slightly ondly, the best way to enjoy Scottish mouth drying with lots of concentrated whisky is to add some water to it and sun-dried fruit, with a spicy ginger after- drink it the way you like best- there are taste, ideal for a chilly winter’s day. no set rules to whisky drinking, “it’s a The third on the range Glenmorangie personal experience,” Fullerton empha- Quinta Ruban. According to Fullerton, sized. GEORGIA TODAY MAY 19 - 22, 2017 SOCIETY 11

Dream Interlude is, yes, just a shadow. That next one had lage really exist? Are they syntheses of BY TONY HANMER a view of Mt. Ushba so thunderingly places I have seen, or something only THERE that you couldn’t ignore it. You far beyond any of them? And the other came upon it from a number of differ- miraculous thing, which made me glad, t came back to haunt me as I was ent angles, and from each its profi le was was that having seen such magnifi cences, lying in bed one recent night, the different enough to make you wonder instead of their spoiling my compara- only sound in this so quiet place whether you were seeing the same tively drab (it must be said) reality, they my wife’s gentle breathing next mountain after all. This mountain was somehow lifted it, too, up into glory. If to me as she drifted off. That ravishingly beautiful, hugely severe, my life is only their shadow, it also con- place!I both overwhelmingly masculine and tains enough of them to be wonderful I remembered a dream, something which feminine at the same time, dominating on its own. They work backwards, to I’m very rarely privileged to do; or was the surrounding landscape like an infuse everything with their splendor. it a set, a suite, a collection of recurrences emperor and empress among peaks, but I debated whether to include a pho- with variations? It was so vivid that it not taking away from the others’ gran- tograph to accompany this article, which made the “real” world seem pale and deur, or from the valleys’, either. is more about my worldview’s next life ghostly next to it. I know that I’m not the There was a village, too, complete with than this short existence. And decided fi rst person to think, or write, about the huge stone watchtowers of course, in the end that yes, if my current life’s next, eternal world after death being that knowing where we were. But a perfect landscapes have indeed been enriched much more substantial than this one. C.S. place. You could walk to it with some by their successors, then one of them Lewis’s short novel, The Great Divorce, strenuous activity, enough to make your (they being all I have for now) will do is all about such a heaven, and a hell which legs ache but in a pleasant way. There to illustrate what I am trying desper- hardly exists at all, while earth is some- was no garbage anywhere, just life, rock, ately to convey. where between these two extremes. A soil, green and fl owers, trees, slate busload of hellions are taken to heaven houses and their inhabitants always Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since to see if any of them might solidify enough welcoming. No failing electricity or 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been to survive that crashingly real place’s struggle with winter’s frozen water a weekly writer for GT since early 2011. perfections. Not that Lewis is suggesting pipes, although the seasons remained He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook that he believes in this possibility; but the distinct. There is no place quite like it group, now with over 1350 members, at What If? of the novelist can go anywhere, on earth. www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRe- after all. And does. The strange thing was that I had to naissance/ My dream’s setting was, no surprise rack my brain to think, as I lay there: He and his wife also run their own guest perhaps, Svaneti; but the one after this Am I remembering real places from my house in Etseri: one in which I live, of which this one life so far? Do that Ushba and that vil- www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY MAY 19 - 22, 2017 The Budget is the Big Loser Time to Improve Your in the State Lottery Language: Education and

Continued from page 9 time worked in the Enterprise Management Agency within the Ministry of Economy. According to documents, emails and interviews The Ministry of Economy was already trying to Training International with current Georgian offi cials, the Lottery ran manage hundreds of failing and failed Georgian aground because the people behind it promised the businesses. Aznaurashvili said he was told by then- government wildly unrealistic profi ts in exchange Deputy Minister of Economics David Giorgadze to INTERVIEW BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES for the exclusive right to run it. sign the document. The story starts with a holding company called Chikvaidze and Gigla Mikautadze, head of the Lexor Capital, founded in the offshore tax haven Taxpayers Union, an independent organization that British Virgin Islands (BVI), in 2008. Chikovani, tries to protect taxpayers' rights, agree that Chiko- ducation and Training International then 21, was the sole shareholder. vani simply wanted to dump an unprofi table com- (ETI) was established in 1995 with the His brother-in-law, Kezerashvili, was only 30 years pany. purpose of providing training and con- old and already fl ying high. Chikovani, former Lexor Capital director Leli sultancy services to the international Kezerashvili had served as Minister of Defense Chelidze and former board member Alexander oil and gas industries in the Common- under former President Mikheil Saakashvili until Gogokhia have either been unavailable or refused Ewealth of Independent States (CIS). late 2008, when he left to go into business fulltime. to comment. Attempts to reach Deputy Minister of The company is privately owned and its Chair- After Saakashvili lost the 2012 election, however, Finance Giorgadze were not successful. man, John Eades, has been involved in English Kezerashvili abruptly decamped to Europe. Lottery director Chikvaidze says the original own- language, Business and Technical training for many The Georgian government accuses him of stealing ers had totally unrealistic projections for the lottery years and has worked with a large number of blue lent schools in the UK at a variety of different tens of millions of dollars in cash and properties, revenues. Indeed, the current yearly rights fee alone chip and multinational organizations. locations, so depending on how long you want to and for the past two years has tried unsuccessfully works out to about $11 for every man, woman and Since operations kicked off in 1996, the company study for, what your aims are, your age and the to extradite him, fi rst from France and more recently child in Georgia. “The license conditions agreed to has opened offi ces in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Baku, time of year you want to go, we have something from England, where he now lives. Kezerashvili's in 2009 showed a lack of experience in calculating Sumgayit, Ganja, Aktau, Atyrau and has its head for everyone and at very competitive prices. For lawyers have successfully argued that the charges the company's payments, and are not relevant to offi ce in London. example, at the moment we have a special offer against him are politically motivated. the current situation,” Chikvaidze said. ETI’s local and international instructors deliver with our partners in Liverpool with prices starting The Georgian Lottery Company was founded in In January 2016, the Ministry of Finance announced a wide variety of training courses in Azerbaijan, from GEL 1900 for 2 weeks, including tuition and 2009 by Lexor Capital. One month later, it won a that it was willing to sell its 70 percent share of the Georgia and Kazakhstan and ETI employs over 100 accommodation. tender to exclusively operate a lottery for the Min- Lottery Company for only GEL 1,000 (about $440). people. istry of Finance for 10 years. In exchange, the Lottery According to its website, the Ministry calculated Training is outcome-led, in that programs are WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF promised to pay the ministry a total of GEL 913 mil- the Lottery Company's debt as of 2016 at GEL 216.3 designed to meet the specifi c needs of the trainees. STUDYING ENGLISH OVERSEAS? lion (about $406 million). million (about $96.1 million). But when civic groups GEORGIA TODAY met Managing Director, Pam It’s very effective to go to the UK or another Eng- After a year, much like a homeowner refi nancing complained about the low sales price, the Ministry Kemsley-Dugladze, to fi nd out more. lish-speaking country to do a course- you’ll be more a mortgage for better rates, the Lottery Company canceled the sale. focused as it’s why you went there. You’ll also be renegotiated the deal. In exchange for a longer pay- According to Nick Kamushadze from the National WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO START surrounded by people speaking the language eve- back period—15 years as opposed to 10—the lottery Agency of State Property, there is no current strat- A BUSINESS IN GEORGIA? rywhere you go. Many of the schools we work with would now pay the government GEL 1.5 billion egy for selling the shares. The Ministry of Finance Our Chairman, John Eades, visited Baku and Tbi- offer a home-stay option which means that you (about $667 million). refused to comment. lisi on many occasions in the mid nineties, working have total immersion whilst you’re there. All the That didn’t come close to happening. As for the other 30 percent, the Panama Papers on the BP graduate training program. During his schools also offer a very varied social program, so Levan Chikvaidze, the current Lottery Company show that in 2013, Chikovani transferred Lexor visits to the, region he was impressed to fi nd tal- you’ll guaranteed to have fun, too. director, says that since its founding seven years Capital to Teimuraz Aronia, a Georgian business- ented young people who were eager to be educated ago, the lottery has paid only GEL 19 million (about man who serves on the board of mobile phone to international standards. He also spotted oppor- WHAT IF MY BUDGET WON’T $8.4 million) to the government. The Ministry of operator Beeline Ltd. and internet service provider tunities to help other western companies who STRETCH TO STUDYING ABROAD? Finance would not confi rm that fi gure, saying lot- Caucasus Online. The Panama Papers documents needed support to develop their local workforce We understand that study abroad is an expensive tery information is confi dential, despite the fact that do not show whether Aronia paid anything for the and so ETI opened its fi rst offi ce in Tbilisi in 1996. proposition, so ETI has a variety of things we can 70 percent of the Company belongs to the Georgian Lottery Company shares. Since then, we’ve opened offi ces in Azerbaijan offer which don’t involve leaving the country, in people. Chikvaidze, the current Lottery director, says he where we have offi ces in Baku, Ganja and Sumgayit, fact, if you sign up for our new digital learning Chikvaidze said the Lottery does take in more has never spoken to Aronia, and that four letters to and in Kazakhstan where we have offi ces in Aktau program, you don’t even have to leave home. money than it pays out, although annual revenues Lexor Capital have gone unanswered. The distance and Atyrau. ETI’s new digital learning platform is a blended have dropped more than 50 percent since 2010. On between the Lottery offi ce and the Lexor offi ce is learning solution meaning that you have guided paper, the annual losses are increasing rapidly because about one kilometer. Chikvaidze says that since the WHAT SORT OF COURSES DOES tuition through a personal tutor who assigns you the Lottery is falling so far behind on the payment government owns 70 percent of the shares, he makes ETI OFFER IN GEORGIA? tasks from the online learning platform according schedule for the rights fee. decisions unilaterally. A lot of people think that we only do English lan- to your level. This is then supplemented by classes In just its fi rst two years, the Lottery fell GEL 30 Aronia did not reply to e-mail questions. guage courses but as well as offering a variety of either at ETI or online over Skype. The system has million (about $12 million) into the hole. The Panama Chikvaidze says the Lottery Company has held General and Specialist English courses, we also over 5000 activities at a variety of levels and, Papers documents trace how, in 2011, Lexor Capital talks with the Ministry of Finance about reducing offer other languages such as Georgian, Russian, because you have 24-hour access, you can go at managed to dump the money-losing operation onto the huge license fee debt, but he says the Ministry Farsi and Azerbaijani. We also deliver Management your own pace. taxpayers. refuses to change the contract now. The ministry Training and HSE courses including NEBOSH and On August 5, 2011, Mossack-Fonseca employees declined to comment. IOSH courses. WHAT IF I WANT MORE told Lexor Capital that it was against Mossack-Fon- In September 2016, the Ministry announced a ten- COMMUNICATION WITH seca policy to work with any BVI-registered com- der to pick a new licensee. PricewaterhouseCoop- DO YOU OFFER ANY OTHER OTHER STUDENTS? pany engaged in the gambling industry, due to BVI’s ers (PwC) Georgia was paid $73,470 to organize the PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSES? For younger students, ETI will be holding a two- strict anti-gambling laws. tender. According to documents prepared by PwC We believe that training local teachers is vitally week Summer Camp for students of 7-17 from July Three days later, a Mossack-Fonseca staffer wrote Georgia, the new licensee should have earned at important and so we offer internationally accred- 2 - 16. This is an excellent opportunity to learn that Lexor Capital had stated that its activities were least GEL 350 million (about $144 million) from lot- ited Teacher Training programs such as TKT English in a practical setting through lessons and limited to “ticket printing, computer systems and tery games in the last fi ve years and paid at least $5 (Teaching Knowledge Test) and are only one of a variety of sporting and other leisure activities. accounting” and that Lexor Capital claimed it was million into national budgets. two centers in Georgia that offer the prestigious The lessons and activities are led by native speaker not involved in collecting lottery money or distrib- The license was supposed to be awarded by the CELTA (Certifi cate of Language Teaching for teachers from the UK. uting it to winners, even though it was the 100 per- end of 2016. The Ministry now refuses to answer Adults) course. For our adult students, we offer intensive sum- cent shareholder of the Lottery Company. questions about the tender auction results, calling We can also offer a variety of accredited Project mer courses as well free English courses as part of On August 9, Lexor Capital handed over 70 percent it confi dential information. Management courses. our CELTA courses at Elementary and Intermedi- of its shares to the Ministry of Economy - along with Ana Iaseshvili, a spokeswoman for Georgia Lottery ate level throughout the summer, which is a fan- the fast-growing debt. The document was signed Company, says employees are waiting for this infor- ARE YOUR LANGUAGE COURSES tastic opportunity to improve your English, expe- by Chikovani and Zurab Aznaurashvili, who at that mation from the Ministry just like everyone else. ONLY FOR ADULTS? rience different teaching styles and meet new No not at all. We have students as young as 5 years people from all over the world. old, and we believe one is never too old to learn- the main thing is to be motivated and to have a HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ETI? reason to learn. You can visit our website wwww.eti.uk.com or Facebook: ETI Tbilisi. If you prefer to talk to some- DO YOU OFFER ANY EXAM COURSES? one, you can call us on +995 32 2250945 or email Absolutely! We have TOEFL, IELTS and me at [email protected] Cambridge University English prepara- tion courses at all our centers in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi.

DO YOU PROVIDE INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATES? ETI is an accredited Cambridge University English examination centre and we can conduct Cambridge exams anywhere in Georgia. We offer the wid- est range of Cambridge University English exams in the Caucasus.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY COURSES Address: Sioni Str. 8, Tbilisi, Georgia OVERSEAS? ETI has several part- Tel.: 593330990 / 558511811 nerships with excel- GEORGIA TODAY MAY 19 - 22, 2017 SOCIETY 13 Georgian Schools to Embrace Human Rights, Gender Equality & Reproductive Health Education

BY MAKA LOMADZE

uman rights, gender equality, healthy lifestyle and reproductive health will soon make up an integral part of the school curriculum in Georgia. On May 15, the Ministry of Education Hand Science of Georgia and the UN Joint Program for Gender Equality signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assist the ongoing revision of the national curriculum and help integrate the issues of human rights, gender equality and healthy lifestyle into the educational programs in an ini- tiative supported by the Government of Sweden. Cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia and three United Nations agencies – United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nation Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), cov- ers three main areas of secondary education: formal education in schools; non-formal education, includ- ing for optional courses and parents’ education; and vocational education and training. Focusing on both content and delivery of educa- Source: huffi ngtonpost.com tion, the United Nations will assist the Ministry to analyse the school and college curriculum from strengthening human capital and helping in achiev- “In the framework of the Memorandum, the UNDP, integration of healthy lifestyle and reproductive the gender equality perspective, develop new edu- ing national priorities defi ned under the Sustain- UN Women and UNFPA will support the working health, as well as domestic violence issues into the cational programs, upgrade teaching methodolo- able Development Goals, National Youth Policy, group established at the National Curriculum Depart- formal education system, focusing on subject stand- gies, train teachers and career councillors, and Maternal and Child Health Strategy, and Demo- ment of the Ministry of Education and Science with ards like “Biology” and “Civic Education”. Support share best international practices in promoting graphic Security Policy Concept. Integration of experts to integrate the human rights framework, will also be provided to the Ministry and the Teach- human rights, gender equality and healthy lifestyle these issues into the education system, when deliv- healthy lifestyle, domestic violence and reproduc- ers Professional Development Center in integrating through general education. ered within a safe and enabling learning environ- tive health issues into the National Curriculum of the training module on gender equality, domestic The United Nations will also work with the voca- ment and alongside access to health services, has public schools,” Erika Kvapilova, UN Women Coun- violence, healthy lifestyle and reproductive health tional colleges and local governments to create a positive and life-long effect on the health and try Representative in Georgia, told us. “Gender issues and rights issues into the teachers’ professional more educational and employment opportunities well-being of young people: reduction in teenage will be mainstreamed in the revision process of the education system.” for women across Georgia, and to involve locally pregnancies and abortions; decrease in sexually National Curriculum of VII-XII grades of other The representatives of the Georgian Ministry of elected women councillors in the pre-school edu- transmitted infections (STIs) among young people mainstream subjects (history, literature, etc.). In Education assert that the curriculum of secondary cation reform. aged 15–24 years; decrease in HIV infections among addition, technical expertise will be provided for schools was upgraded in the fi rst four grades last "Cooperation with the Ministry of Education and young people aged 15–24 years; decrease in sexual reviewing and enhancing the specifi c subject stand- year. It is unknown when the process will come to Science of Georgia will contribute to the healthy abuse," Lela Bakradze, Assistant Representative, ards for basic and secondary levels of the general a conclusion, but the relevant action plan is expected and harmonious development of youth and to UNFPA Georgia, told GEORGIA TODAY. education and higher school in order to ensure the to be concluded by the end of the coming summer. Austrian Company & Bank of Georgia Sign Memorandum on King David

n May 15, 2017, the Austrian company • Price per square meter from $1,500. "Rezid Holding GMBH" and the Bank King David creates a 5-star lifestyle within excep- of Georgia signed a Memorandum tionally elegant residential and business towers of Cooperation on the multifunctional with beautifully designed amenity spaces organ- complex “King David.” The new con- ized enticingly as a multistory urban resort and ditionsO of cooperation under this agreement make exclusive collection of specially-designed services. it more convenient to purchase a premium class The fi rst condominium-type residential complex residence in the skyscraper. strategically located on a hill overlooking the Queen In frames of the joint project, customers will have Tamar Bridge, next to Heroes Square, where four the opportunity to purchase apartments at the King of Tbilisi’s main avenues from varying districts David through the Bank of Georgia’s mortgage come together, has reached the fi nish line of con- program. Bank of Georgia mortgages will ensure struction works. The project, worth $70 million in maximum affordability for customers by offering investment, has created a precedent of skyscraper co-funding of only 10%, payment period of the loan construction in Tbilisi and laid a foundation of a up to 20 years, and a preferential interest rate of 5-star lifestyle. Royal-style residencies, with stained- 7%. glass views, high ceilings, and 5-star hotel services, Furthermore, customers interested in purchasing make every minute unforgettable at the complex. the Kind David residences will be offered the fol- The capital will get its landmark from July, which lowing two options: will be offi cially opened in September 2017. • 5 % discount in case of a single payment; For more detailed information, please call 200 18 18. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE MAY 19 - 22, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER GEORGIAN STATE (Info Above) May 4 – June 2 Iano Alibegashvili PANTOMIME THEATER Start time: 19:40 EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO Start time: 19:30 Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 10-14 GEL 100th ANNIVERSARY OF ROBERT GABRIADZE THEATER Ticket: 10-30 GEL Telephone: 2 99 63 14 STURUA. Address: 13 Shavtelis Str. MUSEUM Telephone: 2 98 65 93 SOU 2017 May 19, 20 May 5 – June 7 LULLABY GEORGIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION May 19 May 19 Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA BACH EXERCISES MARSHAL DE FANTIE’S WILLIAM BASINSKI Start time: 20:00 DIAMOND MUSEUM BY LEVAN LAGIDZE Basinski is one of the leading Ticket: 9 GEL Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Rezo Gabriadze ambient composers of the last 15 Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 May 5 –24 Directed by Rezo Gabriadze CINEMA years, specializing in tape music. www.museum.ge GROUP EXHIBITION English Subtitles He will present an eulogy to David Start time: 20:00 THE LIBRARY OF COLORS AMIRANI CINEMA Bowie. Ticket: 10, 15, 20 GEL PERMANENT EXHIBITION: Address: 36 Kostava Str. GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY MUSIC A SHADOW IN TIME Telephone: 2 99 99 55 (FOR DAVID ROBERT JONES) May 20 FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. www.kinoafi sha.ge Start time: 22:00 STALINGRAD TO THE 4TH CENTURY A.D TBILISI STATE Ticket: 30-35 GEL Rezo Gabriadze CONSERVATOIRE Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 Lari Venue: Ilia’s Garden, Garden Hall Directed by Rezo Gabriadze EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN Address: 8 Griboedov St. May 19-25 English Subtitles WEAPONRY Telephone: 2 93 46 24 Start time: 20:00 May 21 ALIEN COVENANT Ticket: 10, 15, 20 GEL NUMISMATIC TREASURY May 20 MASAYOSHI FUJITA, Directed by Ridley Scott NODAR GABUNIA STUDIO JAN JELINEK Cast: Michael Fassbender, May 21 THE TESTAMENT OF DAVID CONCERT Start time: 22:00 Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup AUTUMN OF MY SPRING THE BUILDER AND NEW Participants: Ketevan Badridze, Ticket: 30-35 GEL Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller EXHIBITS OF THE MEDIEVAL Nino Gvetadze, Tamar Kordzaia, Venue: Artists' House Rezo Gabriadze Language: Russian Directed by Rezo Gabriadze TREASURY Mamikon Nakhapetov, Steven Start time: 17:00, 22:15 Spooner (USA), Nato Tsvereli English Subtitles Ticket: 8-14 GEL May 22 Start time: 20:00 September 27 (2016) – Start time: 19:00 CHRISTOPHER TIGNOR September 22 (2017) Ticket: 5-15 GEL Ticket: 10, 15, 20 GEL Violin player, composer and KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE EXHIBITION STONE AGE GEORGIA SWORD software engineer, Tignor combines MOVEMENT THEATER May 21 Directed by Guy Ritchie May 16-25 SYMPHONY AND PIANO MUSIC genres of wildly different origins in Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Museum Week CONCERT a post-minimalist manner. Tignor’s Mushthaid park Annabelle Wallis EXHIBITION "GEORGIAN E. Mikeladze State Symphony set will be based around his new Telephone: 599 555 260 Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama ALPHABET" Orchestra Conductor: VAKHTANG release “Along a Vanishing Point” Language: Russian with additional custom software May 18 BY NIAZ DIASAMIDZE MATCHAVARIANI Start time: 16:25, 19:10 and tuning forks. IGI Ticket: 10-14 GEL Start time: 19:00 After Jemal Karchkhadze’s story May 17-June 15 Ticket: 5-15 GEL Start time: 22:00 ‘Igi’ May 23 Museum Week Ticket: 30-35 GEL Directed by Kakha Bakuradze ROSENCRANTZ AND EXHIBITION "SPACE OF DJANSUG KAKHIDZE Venue: Royal District Theater Music: Sandro Nikoladze GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD DIFFUSION" TBILISI CENTER FOR MUSIC Start time: 20:00 Event Cinema AND CULTURE May 24 Ticket: 15 GEL Directed by David Leveaux May 17-June 12 Address: 125 Aghmashenebeli ave. RYO MURAKAMI Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Joshua Museum Week Telephone: 2 96 12 43 Innovative Techno and House- May 19 McGuire, David Haig EXHIBITION OF ZIGA music producer of the decade, RECITATIVE IN THE CITY Language: English WALISZEWSKI'S ARTWORKS May 20 with heavy isolating tendencies, Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Start time: 20:20 Grammy winner Japanese Ryo Murakami described Special guest- Dato Turashvili Ticket: 27 GEL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS PATTI AUSTIN his last work as: “No geometric Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. Start time: 20:00 Start time: 21:00 fi gures this time, but something Ticket: 20-60 GEL Ticket: 10 GEL RUSTAVELI CINEMA real.” March 6 – August 30 Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 22:00 May 20 Telephone: 2 55 50 00 EXHIBITION May 24 Ticket: 30-35 GEL DON JUAN www.kinoafi sha.ge MASTERPIECES FROM THE Concert dedicated to Directed by Kakha Bakuradze MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF Venue: Sarajishvili Factory Composer: Sandro Nikolava Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL COLLECTION DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS Start time: 20:00 May 19-25 BETWEEN ITALY & GEORGIA BLACK SEE ARENA GALLERY Ticket: 15 GEL The program is based on the works Address: Shekvetili ALIEN COVENANT of Italian composers and includes May 21 (Info Above) THE NATIONAL GALLERY the pieces of musical genres from May 20 ECLIPSE Start time: 14:00, 22:30 Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. 16th to 20th century. Black Sea Arena hosts the Directed by Nino Burduli Ticket: 8-14 GEL www.museum.ge Special guests – famous Italian legendary Rock and Roll band Composer: Sandro Nikolava accordionist Mario Stefano AEROSMITH Start time: 20:00 KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE GEORGIAN PAINTERS Pietrodarchi and Well-known As part of their huge “Aero-Vederci Ticket: 15 GEL SWORD PERMANENT EXHIBITION Georgian opera singer Baby!” Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 70 GEL

MUSIC FESTIVAL 4GB Address: The Center of Space Constructions, Saguramo

Nay 20 TOMMA, VINCENT LEMIEUX, DANDY JACK, SAN PROPER, RICARDO VILLALOBOS Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 70 GEL

RUSTAVELI THEATER Address: 17 Rustaveli Ave. Telephone: 2 72 68 68 www.rustavelitheatre.ge

May 19 BEL SUONO Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10-60 GEL

May 22 MUSICIANS FROM USA Small Stage Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 10-20 GEL

May 22 5TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CONCERT & AWARDS CEREMONY OF THE GEORGIAN CHANTING FOUNDATION Main Stage Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 7-25 GEL GEORGIA TODAY MAY 19 - 22, 2017 CULTURE 15 Interview with Vakho Bughadze

time. Two of my friends, Lado Gorgadze and Zaza BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI Lejava, and I found ourselves at the Silk Factory, which was on the Academy balance, so we had our fi rst artists’ studios there. The Silk Factory soon EORGIA TODAY continues a series became a place where not only painters, but musi- of interviews with Georgian artists cians, met, held rock concerts, performances, and together with BI Auction for Art. In exhibitions- in many ways it became a center of an this issue, we introduce Vakho underground culture in the city of the 1990s.That Bughadze, painter and sculptor who lasted almost four years and that’s where I started Gexperiments and uses different methods to express painting and had exhibitions. himself through his art. Bughadze graduated from It’s diffi cult to say what started me painting, and Tbilisi State Academy of Arts in 1991, gaining I think there are number of factors that defi ne us. acclaim as one of the most talented artists of his Sometimes you may know what you want to do as generation. His works have been showcased at early as your childhood, or on the contrary, there various personal and group exhibitions both in are lots of young people who struggle to decide Georgia and abroad throughout his career as an what they want to pursue as a profession, and their artist. parents try to encourage them. I think it’s impor- We met Vakho Bughadze at his studio to talk tant to follow your way, although it may be chal- about his art, inspiration and creativity. lenging, and artists of my generation had reasons enough to choose a different path, considering the WHAT WERE THE FACTORS THAT time we lived in. MADE YOU BECOME AN ARTIST? As I remember, I was in the fourth or fi fth grade WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION? at school when my Russian language teacher invited It’s always different and consists of so many things. me to participate in a sculpting competition which It may be searching for something, the process material you will use, what size the works will be universe that can be found in one painting. For I won and they took me to art school, where I stud- from which your work, your art comes to life, or it and details like that. One of my exhibitions, Hip- me, Deer Hunting by Lucas Cranach is the one, a ied sculpture. So, when I decided to enter the Tbi- may be a different inspiration, an impulse each day. podrome, was inspired by a true story, when in the key to understanding the universe. It depends lisi State Academy of Arts I wanted to pursue my In my case, especially with the last few exhibitions, early 90s, together with my friends, I bought a what’s important for you. In Deer Hunting, I can studies in sculpture again, but I only got in the they were all thematic, so if that could be called horse, and we were regularly going to hippodrome, see the whole substance of our living. Academy for the second year and studied applied an inspiration, it turned out that I was thinking uniting many people around us, who shared the Creation is a continuous process, and the most arts. I served two years in the army and only when about a certain theme, not so much searching, but same interests, all from the same generation. That important part is to take pleasure from it. Even if I came back was I able to fi nally change to sculp- rather discovering it in me. That was the actual story, from almost 20-22 years ago inspired a whole I have a certain concept while I work, it doesn’t ture, graduating in 1991. The 90s were a chaotic dynamic. You have to decide how it’ll look, which exhibition in 2013. The last exhibition, held just mean I know for sure what the end result will be. last month in the Literature Museum in Tbilisi, I may know I’m painting a house, what I don’t know was on the theme of boats and piers and docks, is how it will end up looking. It’s almost on the something I remember from my childhood, and level of sensations, especially with abstractions, yet another one called Suburb that came from my which are the most diffi cult to work on, because memory of relocating from the center of Tbilisi, in reality you’re trying to paint something that where I lived with my grandparents, to the city doesn’t exist and it’s on your craft what will come CinéDOC-Tbilisi 2017 suburbs in Gldani, that was just being built and had out of it. just two or three blocks. So, if we’re talking about inspirations, all of these are. Memories in general ARE EXHIBITIONS IMPORTANT for me are related to the art of painting. FOR YOU, AND ARE YOU USUALLY SATISFIED ONCE THEY ARE OVER? Winners Announced I think exhibitions are a necessity as you work, and TO WHAT EXTENT HAVE YOU TRANSFORMED AS AN ARTIST? new paintings are being created that you have to I would say it’s a process of discovery and pleasure. exhibit, because it’s often diffi cult to collect all the Of course, in different periods you yourself may works afterwards in one place: some can be even have different types of energy and vibes that change; lost. At the end, I’m satisfi ed if the way I visualized your works change as long as a person changes the exhibition is the same as it’s done. through different stages and ages in life. It trans- forms, turns into a different form, but there’s no WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS fatigue in it. You don’t get calmer with age, not at TO BE DONE TO PROMOTE all. It’s diffi cult to explain, I think in painting, not GEORGIAN PAINTERS MORE? everything is explainable. Lack of exhibition spaces and galleries is certainly a huge problem, especially big spaces for larger WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EXPRESS exhibitions. There must be more people support- THROUGH YOUR WORKS? ing young artists. I just saw at the Venetian Bien- Lots of things, so many things actually: it’s a unity nale, where my students are attending and posting of numerous components, but for me painting is photos from, the works of Damien Hirst. Just imag- something that stays with you forever. Not neces- ine how many people are working to make it hap- sarily my own work, someone else’s, too. It doesn’t pen- it’s amazing. We’re not in a stagnation, we’re matter which paintings you admire, you can be lacking people to assist and collaborate with artists. From 'You have no fond of the very fi rst works of art on the cave walls, We need such people because then new ideas will idea how much I love you', directed for example. Something moves you, and it’s a whole be born. by Pawel Lozinski

lowing activist Ada Colau as she decides to run BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI for the Mayor’s Offi ce of Barcelona, Spain. Venus, directed by Lea Glob and Mette Carla Albrechtsen, got a special mention from the jury- he winners of international docu- a fi lm portraying young women talking openly mentary fi lm festival CinéDOC-Tbi- and honestly about their sexuality. lisi 2017 were announced at the award Georgian fi llmaker Shorena Tevzadze was awarded ceremony on May 16. the Focus Caucasus Competition’s main award The main award in the International for her fi lm Didube the Last Stop, while Sasha TCompetition category went to: You Have No Idea Voronov’s Bonfi res and Stars got a special men- How Much I love you by Pawel Lozinski, a fi lm tion. exploring the diffi cult and painful relations between Stranger in Paradize directed by Guido Hendrix a mother and a daughter. got the Student Jury Award, and CinéDOC- Young Normal Autistic Film, a fi lm about children and Award went to Conversations on Serious Topics teenagers with Asperger’s Syndrome, directed by directed by Giedre Beinoriute. Miroslav Janek, got a special mention from the jury. Pawel Lozinski with his fi lm: You Have No Idea The Main Award in the Civil Doc competition How Much I loveYou took the Audience Award went to Ada for Mayor - a fi lm by Pau Faus fol- at CinéDOC-Tbilisi 2017.

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: Tim Ogden, 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 GEORGIA TODAY 16 CULTURE MAY 19 - 22, 2017 Eminent Georgian Female Composer Receives Another Award can. Besides the patriotic theme, she is BY MAKA LOMADZE the author of variety and children’s songs. Another leitmotif of Marika (Mariko) Kvaliashvili’s creativity is romance. Nukri he Best Variety Art Com- Kapanadze is an indelible performer of poser of the Year, owner of her song “If only you smile at me,” based the Order or Honor and on the verse of Lilly Nutsubidze. Many Honorary Citizen of Tbilisi: more of Kvaliashvili’s songs are sung by to this long list, the special men and ensembles. One of the most Taward of the Ministry of Culture and popular songs of hers is “Heart, please Monument Protection, Priestess of Art, wait a bit more,” based on the verse of was added on May 11. The lucky recipi- Dodo Gvishiani and sung by legendary ent? Well-known composer Marika Nani Bregvadze, joined later by her daugh- Kvaliashvili, who was conferred this lat- ter, the famous Eka Mamaladze, and her est award for her special contribution granddaughter, Natalia Kutateladze. The to the development of Georgian art. late Gogi Dolidze, indelible performer of The granddaughter of Maro Tarkhnish- Georgian songs, was one of her favorites. vili, a well-known Georgian performer The songs “Oh, you Futile Transient of folk songs who also happened to be World”, to the verse of Moris Potskhish- the fi rst female choirmaster, Marika vili, and “Once upon a Time”, to the verse Kvaliashvili has a special talent running of Inola Gurgulia, sung by Gogi Dolidze, through her genes. She founded the pro- belong to Kvaliashvili. Composer Marika Kvaliashvili with Minister of Culture, Mikheil Giorgadze ject “Propaganda of Georgian Songs” In 2010, Kvaliashvili’s star was unveiled composers of her generation - she has I need as a precondition for my working predicted a great creative future. So, the aiming at the popularization of Georgian in front of the Tbilisi Concert Hall. contributed a lot to Georgian melodies, process, it is a quiet night, when there beautiful tradition of the big musical songs in all regions of Georgia, as well “This award, Priestess of Art, is another which will remain timeless. are no guests, no calls, no noise at all. family continues. GEORGIA TODAY as at trying to discover talented children. example of appreciation from the govern- To the question, where she gets her This is when my songs are born.” congratulates Marika Kvaliashvili on this Kvaliashvili, a member of the Georgian ment. It fi lls me with a dual feeling of inspiration from, the composer tells us: Besides her musical creations, Kvaliash- reward, and wishes her longevity, health Composers’ Union, is a genuine patriot. gratitude and embarrassment,” the com- “When something happens that touches vili also writes short stories. Her book and many more beautiful songs! To prove this, she is the author of odes poser modestly told GEORGIA TODAY. me, be it good or bad news, it is always “Life is worth it” was published in 2016. dedicated to every region of Georgia. Kvaliashvili was born in 1937, in Tbilisi. refl ected in my creativity. Nevertheless, Notably, her niece, Eka Kvaliashvili, is https://www.youtube.com/ She worships everything national: Geor- Together with Rusudan Sebiskveradze, if I am in a calm mood, I read books and one of Georgia’s eminent female singers. watch?v=P3DFkLXWOks gian language, land, and traditions, and Nunu Gabunia, Nunu Dughashvili, Inola get inspiration from them. As for the Nuka Kvaliashvili, Eka’s daughter, is a https://www.youtube.com/ tries to preserve them as much as she Gurgulia, Eter Chelidze - prominent absolutely necessary circumstance that very successful young singer who is watch?v=FPYXYD4nnu4