Issue no: 1011 • DEC. 28 - JAN. 8, 2017/18 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... WHERE to Go, Stay, Eat, Drink & Buy This Winter NEWS PAGE 3 Disappointed: President of the Eastern Partnership Institute on Georgia’s Jerusalem Stance Whenever I read Vazha-Pshavela, POLITICS PAGE 4 I’m more and more assured in the Saakashvili as an Inspiration simple truth that you can’t always POLITICS PAGE 9 be a hero, but you should always remain a human being Psych War Xmas: Svaneti SOCIETY PAGE 12 Cancer Control Measures: ON PM KVIRIKASHVILI’S Raising Awareness in Georgia FOCUS PRIVATE LIFE & PAST Exclusive comments from the Georgian PM on his private life and New Year memories PAGE 8 SOCIETY PAGE 12 Tifl is Meidani: A Gastronomic Christmas & New Year in Georgia: Journey at the Crossroads CULTURE PAGE 13 What Do Foreigners Think? Georgian Alphabet INTERVIEWS BY TOM DAY Brought to Life

hristmas and New Year are the most through Art anticipated celebrations of the year CULTURE PAGE 15 for Georgians, probably because it is yet another excuse to lay out an enormous feast (or ‘supra’)! The NewC Year Supra starts on December 31 and con- tinues all the way up to January 14 (including Bedoba [Day of Luck] on January 2 and Christ- mas on January 7). Celebrating New Year over two weeks and Christmas on this day are strange concepts for expats and tourists. It’s not just the dates that are different; the Georgian traditions are too. The Western cultures are compelled to buy a Christmas gift for everyone they know, whereas Georgian’s only give gifts to close family and friends. Continued on page 10 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018 Tbilisi Mayor Talks about Structural Reforms & Future Projects

Mikheil Janelidze, Vice Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia with Dursun Hasanov, Ambassador of Republic of Azerbaijan to Georgia Georgia and Azerbaijan Celebrate 25 Years of

Photo source: Kakha Kaladze Tbilisi Mayor Diplomatic Relations local government have been cancelled, ings had been issued in the last month BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI enabling Tbilisi Municipal services to by the municipal supervision agencies, bilateral relations; the neighborhood and work more effectively. related to construction safety violations BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI cooperation that we have today is exem- The Tbilisi Mayor also talked about and illegal constructions. Further, 500 plary. This cooperation is important and bilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze the Orbeliani Square rehabilitation pro- illegal land constructions were identi- resultative not only for our countries discussed the structural ject, noting that a parking lot will be built fi ed, 270 of which submitted to legal eorgia and Azerbaijan but also for the region. We have man- and future projects planned, on the territory, alongside pedestrian actions. celebrated the 25th anni- aged to realize strategic projects together; during a weekly city gov- streets and the renovation of the build- Kaladze stressed that special vehicle- versary of mutual diplo- projects that link Europe and Asia,” ernment meeting on ings in the area. cleaning areas need to be established on matic relations on Decem- Janelidze said. TDecember 26. “The project will cost approximately construction sites to prevent said vehi- ber 26, with a concert of “In the future, we will undertake more Kaladze announced that 35 families GEL 52 million and 2000 people will be cles taking construction dirt beyond the Gthe Ganja State Philarmonic Orchestra steps for this partnership, to make this living in the Tskneti area will now legally employed. It’s very important for us that site. at the Shota Rustaveli State Theater, friendship more visible to all our part- own homes for a symbolic price. people that have been living there for “Every construction site must have organized by the Embassy of Azerbai- ners and friends, so as to bring even “We’ve started working in this direc- many years feel comfortable and, most such areas and no construction permits jan in Georgia. more tangible results for our country tion actively lately, giving families a pos- importantly, safe. The condition of the should be issued without them,” the Mikheil Janelidze, Vice Premier, Min- and for all countries interested in part- sibility to own their homes for a symbolic buildings there needs to be much better Mayor said. ister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia nership and cooperation,” he added. price. These are the families that have and, after the rehabilitation, this will be Kakha Kaladze also talked about the addressed the attendees of the event, Dursun Hasanov, Ambassador of Repub- been living in Tskneti for years and had one of the best places in our city,” Kaladze upcoming New Year celebrations to be noting the deep historic links existing lic of Azerbaijan to Georgia, also deliv- no previous chance to legally own their said. held in three different locations through- between Georgia and Azerbaijan and ered a speech, highlighting the strategic homes,” Kaladze said. In the last month, At the weekly meeting, the Mayor also out the city: in Gldani, Varketili and Old the growing potential of relations between partnership and talking about future this amounts to 132 families. talked about illegal constructions and Tbilisi, pointing out that public transport the two countries. perspectives of the relations between He went on to note that 19 previously stricter rules to be established for con- is to work free of charge on December “We have surely achieved the peak in Georgia and Azerbaijan. existing commisions established by the struction norms. He noted that 216 warn- 31. New Dormitory for Tbilisi State University Students Opens at Lisi

100th anniversary. TSU Deputy Chan- includes a library and areas for sports BY THEA MORRISON cellor, Lasha Saghinadze, says that at and other activities. present the campus has 50 university “We received the fi rst wave of students students, but the building can accom- at Lisi dormitory on December 1. Grad- European standards dormi- modate 320. ually, we will increase that number. We tory for Tbilisi State Uni- The monthly fee for campus residents also plan to accommodate students of versity students was offi - is 150 GEL, but for socially vulnerable exchange programs here,” the TSU cially opened near Tbilisi’s students or those who live on campus Deputy Chancellor said. Lisi Lake on December 26. with their siblings, the fee will be reduced He added that the next stage of online AThe building was opened by the Edu- to 120 GEL. Students with an excellent registration for dormitory use will be The new dormitory already houses 50 students but is able to accommodate 320 cation Minister of Georgia, Mikheil academic record will also see benefi ts announced in January 2018. the restoration works at the old campus toration works of the Bagebi campus and Chkhenkeli, and Tbilisi State University in terms of dormitory payment. Saghinadze said that the majority of will start as soon as the Ministry of its infrastructure will be launched,” he (TSU) Rector, Giorgi Sharvashidze. 20 of the dormitory rooms have been students still live in the Bagebi dormi- Economy hands the buildings to the State added. The campus building was transferred adapted for people with disabilities. tory, which was built in 1975, and needs University for disposal. At present, around 300 students live from the Education Ministry to TSU The TSU Student City at Lisi consists renovation. “Negotiations have already begun and on the old campus where the monthly in connection with the university’s of four buildings. The campus also The Deputy Chancellor explained that as soon as we reach agreement, the res- payment is 50 GEL. GEORGIA TODAY DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018 NEWS 3 WHERE to Go, Stay, Eat, Drink & Buy This Winter

responsible work we do. give us an even more important reason BY GEORGE SHARASHIDZE, The WHERE.ge December-January to spread the word on the Georgian tra- PUBLISHER & GENERAL MANAGER issue is full of recommendations and dition of feasting, with a focus on the updated information about Where to Go special must-have dishes of the season, and Stay during the wonderful winter which in Georgia lasts from December he Winter issue is out! Check season in our famous and rapidly-devel- 25 to ‘Old New Year’ on January 14, with out the Where.ge team’s oping ski resorts, including Bakuriani, two major holidays in between – New top tips of what to do and Gudauri and Svaneti. Year’s Eve on December 31 and Orthodox see this holiday season! Our Eat and Drink sections are always Christmas on January 7! We close the current year full of the best gastronomic ideas, but In 2018, we pledge to keep to our mis- Tcelebrating that your favorite travel guide the New Year and Christmas holidays sion to provide travelers from around PASHA Bank Funds Planting WHERE.ge now stands the world with the most as winner of the pres- accurate information about tigious ‘Welcome to Where to Go, Stay, Eat, Drink of 2018 Trees within Georgia! National Tour- and Buy in Georgia. This ism Awards 2017!’ in the ambitious goal will be nomination of Best Mar- achieved through the ‘Aghadgine’ Campaign keting Campaign of a recently launched web por- Tourism Destination! tal www.where.ge, with an s a New Year gift for its lecting paper for recycling, where com- On behalf of the whole innovative service compo- partners, PASHA Bank is panies donate used paper and in return team of WHERE.ge, I nent embedded in the web- to plant 2018 trees as part for each kilogram, 13 Tetris are trans- would like to thank the site - a 24/7 travel consul- of the ‘Aghadgine’ campaign ferred to the ‘Aghadgine’ campaign; jury members, leaders tancy and service providing that aims to recover the • 1,000 Georgian Oak (Quercus Iberica) and opinion-makers of by WHERE.ge professional Aburnt territory of Borjomi forest. and Imeretian Oak (Quercus Imeretina) Georgia’s hospitality travel managers; offering “In 2017, PASHA Bank initiated and trees were planted in the Ajameti Man- industry who voted for tailor-made tours in Georgia, participated in several environmental- aged Reserve, the latter being on the Red us. And of course, I hotel bookings, car rental friendly projects,” said Anano Korkia, List of threatened plant species; would like to express and more! Head of PR and Marketing Department • An additional 500 trees planted in my deep gratitude to Once again, dear readers at PASHA Bank. the scope of Aghadgine near Borjomi, the WHERE.ge team, and partners, thank you for Last year we congratulated our part- before which PASHA Bank had already headed by British Edi- your continued support dur- ners on the New Year by planting 2017 planted 2017 trees in the area that was tor Katie Ruth Davies, ing 2017! We believe that, Georgian Pine Trees in damaged terri- destroyed by fi re in 2008; marketing managers, together, we will celebrate tory near Borjomi. As the feedback we • Support of the green project by Rotary designers, photogra- much success in the New received was uniformly positive, it Club Tbilisi Ambassador carried out in phers, distributors and Year of 2018! encouraged us to stay on course, and Kondoli village (Telavi region, Kakheti), every single contributor. this year to once again join the ‘Aghadg- which implied planting trees in the school Being a winner of a For the latest special offers and ine’ campaign and fund the planting of yard, building a playground and forma- ‘Welcome to Georgia’ event news, and to plan your 2018 trees. We truly hope that our part- tion of an eco-club; award is a measure of New Year weekend, go to ners will enjoy this gift.” • Donation of Caucasian Fir trees to 10 our high standards and Where.ge and search ‘New Below is the list of environmental pro- schools in Tbilisi in the scope of GEOR- an extra reason for us Year,’ for WHERE to Go, Stay, jects carried out by PASHA Bank: GIA TODAY’s CSR project on Interna- to keep up the good and Eat, Drink and Buy this holiday! • Initiation of a project aiming at col- tional Children’s Day, June 1. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018 2017: Geopolitical Wrap-up

once again put aside any hopes of the enemies of OP-ED BY EMIL AVDALIANI EU integration. In this particular case, Russian plans were dashed as Moscow was pinning its hopes on FIRST BRAND HOTEL IN KUTAISI UNDER BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL said far-right parties, as they would have signifi cantly Within the framework of the Georgian Hotels’ Regional Three mobile conference halls are available with a total his year, was important in many ways weakened the notion of the European Union. Network Development Project “12 hotels in 12 regions” by capacity of about 100 persons. in international relations. Several In 2017, in the Middle East, the war in Syria reached GHYHORSPHQWFRPSDQ\³6LPHWULD´WKH¿UVWEUDQGKRWHOKDV been opened in Kutaisi under the Best Western International (XURSHDQFXLVLQHFDQEHHQMR\HGLQWKHJURXQGÀRRUFDIp major shifts took place, primarily its culmination and, quite surprisingly, Russia, Iran brand. and a grill-bar menu in the roof top restaurant across the Eurasian landmass – a ter- and the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad gained with panoramic views over the city. ritory where the main geopolitical some signifi cant results in the confl ict. Aleppo fell, The hotel accommodates 45 guest rooms, including 40 standard rooms and 5 suites. The hotel was designed taking The International Hotels Management Company “T3 Tscenarios infl uencing the rest of the world are being as did major cities under ISIS control. Damascus is into consideration special conditions and safety for guests Hospitality Management,” providing the hotel management, played out. now almost entirely controlling the country. with disabilities. has 20 years’ experience in hotel management in different A major struggle has been seen between Russia The Middle East has also seen the rise of the countries globally. and the US. Russian hopes that the newly-elected Kurdish state in northern Iraq. Geopolitical con- Address: 11 Grishashvili Str., 4600, Kutaisi, Georgia President Trump would be able to assuage the cri- straints disabled its eventual creation, but the hold- TEL 219 71 00 sis in the bilateral relations of the two countries ing of a referendum of independence was a strong [email protected] turned out to be false. The US has considerably message of Kurdish ambitions. Overall, this year increased its military pressure on Russia’s border- was also a year of separatism. Catalonia tried to lands. There is even an increasing number of facts separate itself from Spain, but failed, even after pointing to further escalation in relations. 2017 declaring independence. showed that there happened an important shift in In Asia Pacifi c, we witnessed interesting devel- the US military stance as well towards Russia across opments around North Korea and its nuclear ambi- the former Soviet space. Georgia and Ukraine are tions. In all probability, the Kim dynasty already to receive more US military assistance. For instance, possesses a minimum nuclear arsenal and what is several days ago, the US announced it will provide more troublesome is the fact that the US cannot Ukraine with "enhanced defensive capabilities" to do much to disarm Pyongyang. help Kyiv "deter further aggression." The move Related to the latter development is the increased prompted an angry reaction from Moscow, as eve- pressure heaped on the iconic Intermediate Range ryone understands that this will embolden Ukraine Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed between the in its struggle with the Russia-backed separatists US and the Soviet Union. There have been numer- in eastern Ukraine. ous hints in the media that the INF treaty would Another interesting development is the return of eventually be scrapped. Both Washington and geopolitical thinking, pure realism, or its German Moscow simply do not see any reason for keeping equivalent - Realpolitik - to the Eurasian theater. the agreement when there are other rising powers Calculations based on the premises of balance of attaining/increasing nuclear capabilities. power are now taking precedence. This has been The developments chosen and discussed here a slow process, but was eventually solidifi ed in the would have major repercussions for the year ahead. new National Strategy of the United States. Geopolitics has now offi cially returned to Eurasia. In Europe, the year yielded some very positive This will only increase pressure on major powers results for the EU. There were serious doubts about and will make it more diffi cult to fi nd compromises the future of the Union as numerous far-right par- around major military and diplomatic crises (east- ties sprang up across the continent. However, the ern Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, the Kurdish issue French elections, followed by the German ones, etc.) across the continent. Disappointed: President of the Eastern Partnership Institute on Georgia’s Jerusalem Stance

mount importance to Israel, one of its capital cities, INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE they are guided only by a “pragmatic approach” and consideration of the positions of their other “part- ners,” Turkey and Iran, sworn enemies of the Israeli ast week, a rather strongly-worded state- state, then we, Israelis, should also only be guided ment from an Israeli political scientist by pragmatic thought in all matters concerning caused quite a public outcry. Jerusalem- Georgia. No unconditional international support to based and long-time Caucasus analyst, Georgia, including on the issue of territorial integ- Avraham Shmulevich, President of the rity. If next time Russia decides to swallow Georgia EasternL Partnership Institute, who also happens to whole, it won’t be Israel’s problem any longer.” be a Rabbi, did nothing to hide his dissatisfaction Why does Shmulevich compare the issue of Jeru- as Georgia elected to stay mum and not voice sup- salem with the recognition of Sokhumi and Tskh- port for President Trump’s unilateral recognition invali? GEORGIA TODAY and Panorama TV show of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. contacted the man to fi nd out. “If Georgia is declaring that in an issue of para- Continued on page 6

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018 Disappointed: President of the Eastern Partnership Institute on Georgia’s Jerusalem Stance Continued from page 4 We talked about Abkhazia. He said that YOU SERIOUSLY COMPARE Abkhazia will not go back to Georgia ISRAEL AND ITS CAPABILITIES YOUR STATEMENT WASN’T and that’s an accomplished fact. I told TO GEORGIA AND RECEIVED IN GEORGIA TOO him that it’s immoral, that there’s the WHAT IT CAN DO? KINDLY. MANY THOUGHT IT issue of Georgian refugees in Abkhazia. The possibilities of Israel are much WAS POLITICAL BLACKMAIL He responded that there are many refu- greater. It would be useful for Georgia It’s not political blackmail. I believe that gees globally who will never get their to have Israel, the Jewish lobby, as a sin- in politics there exists morality. In poli- homes back. At the time, I opposed him cere friend. Some issues will be put in a tics, there exists a particular relationship but, actually, I had only moral arguments. vein not favorable for Georgia. Already between countries. In modern Russia, If Georgia does not support the territo- have been. There was a harsh statement they say that in politics there’s no moral- rial integrity of Israel, the return of the about Georgia in Congress. ity, only pragmatism. I don’t agree. Coun- historical land of Israel, why should I tries in friendly relations take into account have a moral obligation to support the AS A SCHOLAR OF THE each other’s interests. For Israel, the Georgian point of view, because the issue CAUCASUS, YOU MUST BE issue of Jerusalem is a matter of life and of Jerusalem will be followed by other AWARE THAT HAD GEORGIA Jerusalem belongs to Israel like Tskhin- and prepared the Georgian army. death. Modern Israel emerged as a move- issues. RECOGNIZED JERUSALEM, vali belongs to Georgia. If you say that you must be guided by ment for the rebirth of the Jewish State, THERE WOULD BE A RISK OF pragmatic considerations, as they write which was destroyed during the struggle ACCORDING TO YOUR LOGIC, ARAB COUNTRIES RETALIATING AND WHAT ABOUT, SAY, to me that Georgia has obligations before against the Roman Empire. It seems that ISRAEL DOESN’T RECOGNIZE AND RECOGNIZING ABKHAZIA TURKEY? LIKE ISRAEL, IT’S ALSO Iran and Turkey, why do you think Israel in Georgia, they should understand this. ABKHAZIA AND OSSETIA AND OSSETIA IN RETURN A STRATEGIC PARTNER FOR would take another position? During the According to the Georgian chronicles, BECAUSE OF ITS RELATIONSHIP I don’t think Arab countries will recog- GEORGIA. WHAT YOU OFFER war, I supported Georgia. I say again that Jews arrived in Georgia 2,600 years ago WITH GEORGIA, NOT BECAUSE nize Abkhazia. It’s not that simple. It’s a MEANS MAKING A CHOICE it was an act of aggression on the part of after the destruction of the fi rst temple. IT’S UNACCEPTABLE THAT very diffi cult game. It was not about BETWEEN TWO PARTNERS Russia. We should understand that good But I hear Georgian politicians and Geor- IN THE 21ST CENTURY ONE Georgia recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s No, I offer nothing. Sometimes the art relations with Israel are not something gian journalists say that there should be COUNTRY IS ANNEXING AND capital. I was upset by the harsh response of diplomacy is not to make a choice. In given by default. There should be reciproc- only pragmatic relations and these rela- OCCUPYING ANOTHER from Georgia society concerning this this case, it’s merely a set of instruments. ity. The interests of Israel should be taken tions should be guided by the interests I’m not an employee of Israeli state statement. Behind-the-scenes negotia- If you think that that you can say that into account as Israel takes into account of Georgia. If this is the case, then we’ll agencies nor do I consult with Israeli tions about the future of the seized Geor- Jerusalem is not a Jewish city, then maybe the interests of Georgia. The issue of Jeru- be guided by our interests [too]. Actu- state institutions. What I am saying is gian territories are underway. The main it lifts some moral obligations. salem is the most important issue for Israel. ally, those who stood against the proposal my personal point of view. I’m not player here is Russia and not the USA. It’s like Russia stating its claim on Tbilisi. of the Georgian MP said that Israel, for responsible for the position of Israel The political map will be changed. All CONCERNING MORALS – Georgia, is like Uruguay or New Zealand. which recognizes Abkhazia and South the frozen confl icts, the redivision of YOU WROTE ON FACEBOOK WHERE DOES THAT It’s natural to expect that for Israel Geor- Ossetia to be a part of Georgia. In this boundaries that exist in reality, will be THAT, “SELLING WEAPONS COMPARISON COME FROM? gia will also “be like Uruguay or New regard, the position of Israel does not recognized. This process has already TO GEORGIA WAS A HOW HAVE YOU ARRIVED Zealand.” I don’t think that opposing differ from the position of the USA. been launched. We saw this process in MISTAKE. WE SHOULD HAVE AT THAT CONCLUSION? Trump’s initiative corresponds to the Israel does not recognize the annexa- Kurdistan. Trump’s statement legitimizes SUPPORTED RUSSIA INSTEAD.” If you think that the Palestinians have interests of Georgia, because Trump said tion or the separation of these regions this process. CONSIDERING THAT YOU’VE any rights to Jerusalem, it’s an extremely it’s just an accomplished fact and one and considers it to be an act of aggres- BEEN LECTURING IN TBILISI, AT anti-Israeli statement and you don’t dif- does not need to proceed from political sion. Such issues may be resolved either AND WHEN THIS PARTICULAR ILIA STATE UNIVERSITY, WHICH fer from Turkey. reality. I think it’s a very important prin- in terms of pragmatism or morality. In REALITY COMES TO BE, YOU SAY MEANS THAT THE GEORGIAN Georgia, as an ancient nation, should ciple, as many boundaries existing in the terms of morality, Israel is entitled to ISRAEL WILL SUPPORT RUSSIA? STATE PAID YOU, DO YOU FIND have a sense of history. Once, Russia modern world fail to correspond to the claim Jerusalem. We struggle for our Of course, it shouldn’t. I personally MAKING SUCH STATEMENTS conquered Tbilisi. In the same way, Arabs political reality. There’s a fact not being existence. Trump, in his speech, under- oppose Russia’s aggression. On the other MORALLY JUSTIFIABLE? once conquered Jerusalem. One event recognized by international law. It also lined that one should not proceed from hand, we should understand that in the If Georgia thinks it can purchase arms happened 560 years ago and the other has to do with the borders of the South the reality of international law. If Geor- behind-the-scenes trade, which is under- in other countries, it can. At that time, 1,500 years ago. Jews came to Georgia Caucasus, including in relation to the gia or any other state thinks it can be way, there will be some arguments and Russia pressurized Israel to stop provid- after the seizure of Jerusalem by Baby- occupied territories of Georgia. I recently guided only by pragmatism in relation we should determine which way we ing military assistance to Georgia. It lonians. Other nations, less ancient than talked with an American who is engaged to Israel, then why should Israel be adhere to: the way of pragmatism or the didn’t happen. It brought us many prob- ours, don’t have such historical memory in determining the US foreign policy. guided by other considerations? way of morality and particular relations. lems. Israel supported Georgia. We armed at all.

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GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018 PM Kvirikashvili’s 1st Ever Interview on His Private Life & Past

to become the target of attacks that BY THE GT TEAM may cause them pain. I want them to live like normal children; I want the life of my family to be normal during n an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW and after the time of me being Prime in OK! Magazine Georgia’s New Minister. I don’t want my children to Year issue, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, feel they are in any way special just Prime Minister of Georgia, talks because their father is a Prime Minis- on the major achievements of 2017, ter. They, like all other children, are Ihis childhood, New Year memories, and special, with their own dreams and famous Georgian poet Vazha-Pshavela. goals. I want to do for them what we’re Check out a sneak preview below. doing for any other youngster: to give them a chance to receive a good edu- MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT OF 2017 cation, have a fair today and a stable “One of the biggest successes in my life and hopeful future.” is related to 2017. The visa liberalization is not the achievement of one or two ON VAZHA-PSHAVELA people; it’s the achievement of the whole “There are many we can name as a country, the result of the joint hard work standout fi gure in Georgian history, be of the government. There were polem- it a king, a thinker, a commander. But ics and hard debates, but everyone had I say Vazha-Pshavela. The best char- one, shared goal. The diplomatic team acteristic our nation has, which I would did an excellent job in order to reach like to have preserved even a thousand this goal quickly. The declaration of trust years from now, is the philosophy of in our country was the most important Vazha-Pshavela. I can’t compare him thing. Athens, the cradle of Europe, was to anyone. It’s the code of our nation where we chose to travel to after the visa Photo source: OK! Magazine Georgia that helps us survive, which is so pre- liberalization came into effect, together My grandmother was a well-known math celebration for me. I remember my fam- I wish the people in my country could cious for us, and one you want to pass with students, startupers and scientists… teacher at Komarov School, and it’s from ily and those no longer with us. I remem- live happily, with fewer hardships. Not on to your children; one which makes I will never forget that emotion of cross- her I inherited my love of math. She sat ber the joy of Santa Claus, too. My father a day goes by that I’m not troubled by you proud that you’re a human being: ing a border without needing a visa: I with me and taught me sometimes until used to be the Santa Claus for us, and this fact. I know very well what people all this is Vazha-Pshavela. You can take felt like I was travelling to Europe for 2 o’clock in the morning. My father is an for a long time I didn’t know it was him. are in need of, and I feel a great respon- each of his phrases and dedicate a sci- the fi rst time. I would never have dreamed economist. My mother was a philologist I remember how he steamed up the win- sibility towards them. My biggest wish entifi c study to it. Vazha-Pshavela is such a possibility in my childhood.” and a specialist in ancient Greek and dows for me to draw on, the smell of is the unifi cation of Georgia; I want to all about spirituality, the infi nity of Latin. She taught me Horatius’s Odes in roasted pumpkin, and I’m happy that breathe air fi lled with the smell of sea forgiveness, tolerence and inner free- CHILDHOOD & NEW YEAR Latin, which I still remember, at the age now, my children have the same emo- and pine-trees in Abkhazia and step foot dom; the essence of pride, bravery, “I had a wonderful childhood; we lived of 50. tions. on the land of Samachablo.” battle. Whenever I read Vazha-Pshavela, together, my great grandmother, grand- “The emotion of New Year is some- “Just as I did in my childhood, I always I’m more and more assured in the sim- mother, my parents, and two children, thing I always remember from my child- make a wish on New Year’s Eve. But my ON HIS CHILDREN ple truth that you can’t always be a in a three room “Khrushchevka” [low- hood. Even today, New Year is the warm- wishes now are, of course, more diffi cult “I’m trying to keep my children out of hero, but you should always remain a ceilinged standard soviet block of fl ats]. est, most family-friendly and romantic and bigger than the ones from my youth. the media spotlight. I don’t want them human being.” GEORGIA TODAY DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018 POLITICS 9 Saakashvili as an Inspiration mostly in education. It’s a quite long story have had in the US as a political exile. is a little supportive of Saakashvili. I’d say INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE but in the end, I think it gives me quite a Instead, he went back to Ukraine at the the people in power right now in Wash- different perspective on the political situ- risk of life and health, at risk of arrest. I ington, while not jumping on his side and ation in Georgia and now in Ukraine. think he’s really a political animal, with defending everything he does, are maybe is reputation has certainly no interest in life other than pushing for- more sympathetic than Obama’s admin RELATED TO SAAKASHVILI been diminished in Georgia THERE IS QUITE A GLORIFYING ward, fi ghting for what he believes is right. was, or your government is in Georgia. BEING FREE TO GO? (and Ukraine) somewhat, ASSESSMENT OF SAAKASHVILI but it appears that Ex-Pres- ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE. HIS REPUTATION IN GEORGIA WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON I cannot say 100% for sure, but I think ident Saakashvili’s divisive YOU CALL HIM THE SIMON IN THE FIVE YEARS SINCE THE CURRENT GEORGIAN pressure from the US helped. Ukraine’s Hpersona still fascinates people far and wide. BOLIVAR OF EASTERN EUROPE THE END OF HIS 9-YEAR GOVERNMENT? WERE judiciary is very corrupt. There might be Among those who admire him and his AND YOUR MENTOR GOVERNANCE IS DAMAGED. THEY BROUGHT IN BY a good judge there and I’ll be happy to see achievements is Christina Pushaw, a devel- First of all, he calls himself that. When I HOW IS IT IN THE US? RUSSIAN FORCES, AS that. I do think, though, it is more likely opment specialist from the US, who was was getting my MA in International Devel- That depends who you ask. Let’s start with SAAKASHVILI CLAIMS? somebody, maybe not directly our Presi- one of the organizers of the rally in sup- opment and Economics last year, I did my experts in Washington. I have to say it’s I have nothing negative to say about the dent, maybe the Special Envoy for Ukraine, port of Saakashvili in front of the Ukrain- fi eld research in Ukraine. Me and my 10 very divided along partisan lines. A lot of current government of Georgia, though I was behind the scenes in this. Saakashvili ian embassy in Washington DC this month. classmates had a meeting with Saakashvili. conservative republicans support the gov- have lot to say about the current govern- still has a lot of friends in the US. Ukraine Christina, who has spent several years During that meeting he called himself that ernment in power right now, while demo- ment in Ukraine. On the current govern- values its relationship with the US, as does working in Georgia, was glad to share her because Bolivar was one of the few people crats tend not to support. A lot of experts ment in Georgia, I think there’s a lot of Georgia. insights on the man she calls her “political in history to lead two countries. So, I liked from the Atlantic Council or various speculation as to how they came into General Prosecutor Lutsenko said that mentor” and “inspiration”. that. I thought, he is not a leader of Ukraine reputable think tanks, which focus on the power and I’ve spoken to many Georgians there is a high chance that Saakashvili will yet, but I can see so many parallels as far post-Soviet sphere, get donations from who supported and voted for them. Saakash- be extradited to Georgia. I don’t see that YOU KNOW THE MAN as Ukraine’s great struggle against corrup- people in power in Ukraine. Many experts vili’s biggest achievement was stepping happening because I don’t see why the PERSONALLY. WHAT’S YOUR tion, against Russian occupation, etc. I have personal consultation businesses in down and peacefully transitioning power Georgian government would want to do SAAKASHVILI’S STORY? think he was joking a little and my class which they advise businessmen who’d like to the new government. I can’t tell you so. Extradition is a diffi cult process, taking My Saakashvili story is interesting. I was laughed, but we all understood the truth to invest in Ukraine or Georgia. So, in how rare this is in Georgia’s part of the several months, and I think if Saakashvili studying history, Russian history specifi - in it. As for political mentor, I’d say more order to carry out those businesses suc- world: it almost never happens. We were was to come back or be convicted of crimes cally, at university. It was in 2008, of course, of a political inspiration because, as I said, cessfully, you cannot be critical of anybody amazed in the US to see that peaceful and imprisoned, it would cause not only that many of us really heard for the fi rst I’ve been always active in politics in the who is in power in those countries. Even transition of power and that he didn’t start unrest in Georgia but also lead us to ques- time about Georgia, during the war. I was US. I wish we could have people over there though they are experts, expertise is kind a war to try and stay in power. I respect tion what’s going on. We had presidents always Republican and volunteered for as committed to fi ghting corruption and of for a sale there, and here, I’m referring democracy. If people voted for this gov- in the US who committed crimes… John McCain’s campaign as a student. When special interests as he is. And that’s what to those who are writing that Saakashvili ernment and still support it, which it seems, McCain said: today we are all Georgians, I I aim to do in my own career. A lot of is destabilizing Ukraine. If you look at their as recent elections show, who am I to say NIXON, FOR EXAMPLE started to look into the country and its Americans look up to that because we see backgrounds, many have consultation you cannot support them or you are brain- Yes. And he wasn’t sent to prison. You leader, and soon realized what he had done how much bravery it takes to stand up to businesses that rely on a good relationship washed by Russia? You can’t overturn the have to have tradeoffs. In democracy, the for his country: quite signifi cant accom- in countries where the rule of law is weak. with the Ukrainian government. results of a democratic elections. most important thing is to avoid anything plishments compared to the neighboring As for what Americans think in general; that could be shown as political persecu- countries, and I admired him for it. Then THERE IS ALSO A MOTTO: NEVER it’s split, and there are people who legiti- WHAT’S AHEAD FOR tion. For somebody who admires Georgia I began volunteering at the Reagan Library SURRENDER! THAT’S PROBABLY mately criticize him. But whose opinion SAAKASHVILI IN UKRAINE? for its democratic development, it looks in California and Saakashvili was speaker ALSO APPLIES TO SAAKASHVILI matters? Not mine, not the Atlantic Coun- When that judge released him from prison bad, and I’d foresee some pressure from there a couple of times. My family is sort It’s from Winston Churchill’s famous cil’s, but Kurt Volker, our president and and said: no house arrest, I was shocked, the US if it happens. This is a projection of political. I’d say we move in the same speech against Germany. That was Saakash- those people who actually have the posi- but after that we saw that our President into the distant future, but I want to empha- circles [as him], especially on the Repub- vili’s offi ce quote. I like it; it suits him very tion to make policy, yes. Volker, Special signed an act authorizing defense assis- size that we in the US value our bilateral lican side. When I applied to move to Geor- well. Because something about him that’s Envoy to Ukraine, is very careful not to tance to Ukraine, basically increasing it relationship with Georgia very much and gia after I graduated university, Saakash- interesting from my perspective is that he take a side publicly because he’s a diplo- quite substantially. I think there are many the reason we value it is that it’s one of the vili’s government was running a program could have been living in the US right now, mat, but he said after Saakashvili crossed things happening behind the scenes that few democracies in the former Soviet for native English speakers to teach English teaching or enjoying life, but he chose not the border in Ukraine, which Kyiv said he we don’t know about. space and we want to see it stay that way. in villages. And that was originally my to. Most people in his position, who were did illegally, “No, let him have a fair trial That’s why it’s important to be careful how motivation to go to Georgia. I went to Geor- presidents of a country facing controversy and I trust your country to fi ght corrup- SO, THAT ACT ON you approach the very delicate issue of gia, loved it, had a couple of different jobs, at home, would love the lifestyle he could tion”. So, reading between the lines: Volker DEFENSE ASSISTANCE IS Saakashvili. GEORGIA TODAY 10 POLITICS DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018 Confusing the Priorities

the soviet regime. It is exactly then that GEORGIA TODAY about this utterly OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE we overestimated our potential for inde- important event in the nation’s political pendent national development and life. For the good thing I believed I was underestimated Russia’s power to hurt doing, a number of vituperative com- have always wondered if this nation us in revenge for breaking away. That ments were heaped on my poor head, and its leaders of older and cur- was the time when Georgia badly needed like brownnosing, sucking up, hypo- rent times were well enough versed to know the ropes on which our priori- critical, unctuous, double-dealing, etc. I in the meaning of priorities i.e. in ties were hanging. We rebelled against felt a little depressed then, but I never doing fi rst things fi rst and second the wicked giant, and when the oil was stopped believing that all I had written before”. onesI second. Georgians entertain the already on fi re, we lost every chance to about our new chief executive was fair Well, this proclivity of setting too high a value extinguish it. And the result is at hand and totally compatible with our priori- was uttered a lit- upon the things that are in no way wor- – one third of our country’s historical ties at the time. I reread it before I tle facetiously, but thy of our attention, and vice versa; we territory is almost irreversibly gone. embarked on writing this particular piece as the saying goes, there suffer a propensity of lowering the value Consequently, Georgia has found itself and I came to believe that I was right – must be a vestige of truth in of things that truly deserve our exertion. stuck between Scylla and Charybdis, all my accents were in the right place at every joke. Personally, I don’t really Meanwhile, mishandling of priorities is having no idea where the survival oppor- the right time. care if the Prime Minister of Georgia usually conducive to blunders that are tunity was buried. This is just one exam- I can’t help recollecting my recent used rough language in the lawmak- almost impossible to atone for. It is said ple of our crippled orientation when it experience: that day, I happened to have ers’ palace but what I am defi nitely that geniuses are those who possess the comes to priorities. Should it make any been watching the evening news in com- concerned about is the priorities that and they got the story, which they sold levers for regulating those priorities, sense, I could invite a couple more pany with a good friend of mine on the we align for handling by Parliament, or for quite a price, and kept replaying it setting them neither too high nor too instances of our allergic attitude towards much spoken about recent skirmish in the administration or any other branch myriad times in the days and nights that low. Do our political elite, especially the differentiating between issues of national Parliament that ended in the PM swear- of government. followed. And you can’t help it – we all leaders of our people and their oppo- magnitude that have to be strongly pri- ing at one of his most passionate oppo- No doubt, that day in the Parliament need to make money, and stories like nents, possess those levers? oritized. nents. Now do me a favor and listen to of Georgia, the priorities were confused that are big money-makers. You see, One of the best examples of our inap- When our current Prime Minister was how my friend commented on the inci- and mishandled by the players of the mishandling of priorities has again titude in the art of regulating priorities nominated and approved by the Geor- dent: “I’ve never liked this man, but I game, and all of them turned out losers. brought a huge inconvenience to us all, is Georgia’s stance in evaluating the gian Parliament, I thought it expedient just fell for him; he seems to be a char- Only the fourth government was a win- except the hungry-for-a-story media who debilitation, fall and disintegration of enough to run a laudatory article in acter I never noticed and appreciated ner. The cameras caught the hot moment would never lose a chance like that. SOCIETY Christmas & New Year in Georgia: What do Foreigners Think? at school and the shops are open. If I'm DARIA KHOLODILINA, UKRAINE we have a big Christmas feast on Christ- not in back in the UK with my parents, I’ve lived in Georgia for more than four mas Eve that includes dishes like baked I try to get the day off and keep the kids years and I live alone, so I enjoy the chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, persim- home, too- I do the whole Santa visit freedom of choice: which events to attend mon bread, and many types of pies. On that morning and we open our presents. and which friends to visit! Christmas Day, we open our presents The Georgians are not big on gift-giving, I celebrated New Year 2015 and 2017 in and make sure to write down who sent which saves the fi nancial stress that Batumi, which was a nice experience with us what, so we can send them thank Westerners suffer, but I always go over- all the lights refl ecting in the sea, beauti- you cards in the mail. After opening board for my kids anyway! As my hus- ful evergreen plants and local omelette presents, we usually visit family and band is Georgian, we do the big New borano for a very, very late breakfast of have a lighter Christmas dinner that Year feast on the 31st, then go out with January 1. If I’m in Tbilisi, I prefer to spend night. New Year’s is usually spent with friends. Georgian Christmas (January 7) it with my friends Maite and Vakho, who close friends in the nearest big city (San is a quieter affair- we're not religious, so are like my second family. Francisco), watching the fi reworks go my mother-in-law might take our eldest This is what I like about the Georgian off at midnight, and drinking cheap to church, and we do a roast dinner and way: family spirit and big gathering I’m prosecco. Continued from page 1 members to spend the night together. invite family and friends round. Old New in love with chichilaki instead of a dead I love most of the traditional Georgian Sometimes, families meet at a restaurant Year on the 14th is barely celebrated, but fi r tree. Once, I also was a mekvle (the dishes for Christmas and New Year’s. GEORGIA TODAY interviewed a selec- or café where they can celebrate with we use it as an excuse to meet up with ‘fi rst-footer in the house, bringing luck, Satsivi is a favorite. I’ll never forget mak- tion of travelers to fi nd out how they cel- live music and fi reworks. friends and enjoy the last celebration love and sweets to the family). ing churchkhela in Martkopi with my ebrate, and what they think about the Geor- I adore the way Georgians celebrate it before the long work-slog leading up to Bedoba, the Day of Luck, was something host family last year; the process is unique gian Christmas and New Year traditions. together; they enjoy the moment like they the next big holiday (Easter!). new to me in the beginning. If you spend and the love for tradition is alive and enjoy every moment when they gather the January 2 in a good way, the year will well, especially in the village. Otherwise, HAZEM ALHALABI, SYRIA at the Georgian table. I also love how the KENNETH MONETTE, USA be happy and successful, and I fi nd it cool one of the most memorable Georgian Coming from an oriental society, my fam- city gets brighter because of decorations The best thing is the Georgian tradition that Georgia gives a chance to celebrate Christmas traditions is ‘Alilo’, with a ily and I usually celebrate the New Year and lights, and how people start getting of 'fi rst footer', the fi rst person to enter Old New Bedoba after the Old New Year church service in the morning and after- on December 31, for which the country wearing Christmas jumpers. their house on New Year’s Day, which in case you totally failed to be happy, wards people walk around the village puts up lights and decorations. In Syria, What I don’t like, and I think everyone brings the family good luck throughout merry and sober on the 2nd of January. wearing traditional Georgian outfi ts and it’s different because people put their will agree, is the reckless and the unor- the year (hopefully). The only thing I don’t like is too much singing traditional Christmas songs. As own decorations on their own balconies ganized selling of fi reworks and Christ- The ‘supras’ are great; full of good food is the fi reworks which scare kids and one big group, we walked from door to and windows. They tend to compete for mas trees. People sell those trees on the and endless wine to drink and good times stray animals, but most people fi nd them door singing songs. Every house offered the best decorated house because it some- sidewalks, making it diffi cult for pedes- and conversation. Simple times among beautiful. food and wine, and let’s just say the party how refl ects the status of the family. In trians to pass, and fi reworks are fi red family and close friends is heartwarming went well into the evening! It was a very the streets, Christmas trees are every- from almost every balcony and every and it’s good to see it still remains in the NATALIE ANNE TAYLOR, USA special day. where, to share happiness and joy. house everywhere, at any time, from modern times of holiday commercialism. I celebrate Christmas on December 25 One thing I don’t is the pressure to Households also have their own ritu- very morning till late at night, which is I'm not a big fan of Satsivi, but I do with my close family in America. On drink wine and cha-cha at every feast. I als; they buy gifts for the children, or pretty disturbing. enjoy the rest of the Georgian food. The December 24, Christmas Eve, my fam- feel that pressure especially as a foreigner. something memorable for the house. As Georgians always keep it simple and ily and I each choose one gift to open From the GEORGIA TODAY team, we well as this, we prepare for the New Year KATIE DAVIES, UK sweet to enjoy! They keep everything in before midnight. We make sure to leave wish all our readers and friends a very dinner, or just provide a collection of I fi nd it strange that people work on perspective, and it is something I’m proud a plate of cookies and a glass of milk Merry Christmas and a Happy and Pros- sweets and cakes; inviting close family 'Christmas Day' here. The kids are still to be a part of: the simple way of life! out for when Santa comes. Typically, perous New Year!

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

GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018 Psych War

The future cancer control clinic to be built in Zugdidi Cancer Control Measures: Xmas: Svaneti Raising Awareness in Georgia bleeding); and prostate tests for persons from 50 BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE to 70 years old (prostate specifi c antigen test). The awareness of the population plays an impor- tant role in preventive and early detection meas- n Georgia, about 10,000 new cases of tumor ures. One of the most important measures is the are observed annually. Over the last three awareness of the fi rst tier of healthcare providers, years, tumor cases have increased by 36-37%. meaning rural / family doctors and nurses. One of According to the National Statistics Offi ce their functions is to educate the population and of Georgia, last year, 6,819 people died due provide information about preventive and early Ito tumors. detection activities, and they may be able to direct The National Center for Disease Control and Pub- a healthy population to participate in the state- lic Health states that the increased tumor cases are sponsored cancer screening programs. This depends not caused by the rate of the disease itself, but due on the competence and qualifi cation of the rural to the regulation of its registration. "The cancer doctors and nurses, and whether women visit population register was only introduced in Georgia screening centers, especially if there are no obvi- in 2015, showing the correct fi gures," said Amiran ous symptoms. Gamkrelidze, Head of Disease Control Center. The Memorandum of Cooperation signed between Specialists link the increase in the number of the Czech Development Agency and the Ministry tumors to medical insurance, availability of health of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, aims care and the increase of visits to doctors. However, at raising the awareness of family doctors on oncol- statistically, there are more cases where the disease ogy issues. Czech Republic Caritas, Oncopreven- is detected late. People need to have more infor- tion Center and Center "Tanadgoma" carry out mation about the importance of early detection of educational measures on prevention and early cancer in order to take the necessary treatment detection of cancer. and prevent unwanted consequences. In the framework of the project, in Samegrelo- Oncologists say that the most effective weapon Zemo Svaneti, Guria and Tbilisi, Georgian and against cancer is its detection at early stages and Czech trainers conducted trainings for rural / fam- prevention that is supported by promoting a healthy ily doctors and nurses on oncology issues aimed lifestyle among the population and involving healthy at strengthening the role of the fi rst tier of health- populations in cancer-screening programs. The care in cancer control measures. In addition, edu- citizens of Georgia can undertake a state-sponsored cational activities are underway in order to over- tumor diagnosis program which is free of charge, come the stigma related to cancer. At the meetings, namely: breast tests for persons from 40 to 70 years Samegrelo and Guria populations were provided old (mammography and mammogram consulta- with necessary information on the importance of tion, cytology or ultrasound); cervical tests for cancer prevention and early detection. Most impor- persons from 25 to 60 years old (Pap test and if tantly, thanks to the Czech efforts, a screening required - colposcopy); large intestinal tests for center will soon be opened in Zugdidi, equipped persons from 50 to 70 years old (tested on occult with the most advanced technologies.

replaced by the massive Svan stove burning wood, BLOG BY TONY HANMER to reserve power for the freezers. At least the weather is staying mild, hardly going below freez- ing, which makes a big difference. ot your attention? Good. Disclaimer: The snow IS pretty, of course, but when you see usually I disdain and refuse the use how much of it is on the road up to the house, you of “Xmas” instead of “Christmas”, but think, can even the chains on my 4x4 get me any- this time, I wanted a shorter title, is where? The local tractor has begun clearing it at all. It is, after all, the Christ Mass, like last, so this will help. But winter driving is a whole Git or not! different game, regardless. Every meter needs focus. “A Christmas of Psychological Warfare” would All the tall, straight aspens have had their topmost be the more complete form of the title, because branches snapped off by the sudden, massive, wind- that’s what this season and day (Western calendar) less snowfall, rather than being able to bounce back feel like. We’ve been nearly buried under sudden and release it; I saw one of these breaks happen. deep snow: that’s what I would call it when you Two of the guests went with me to clear snow open the front door and have to dig down to fi nd off the roof of an invalid brother and sister, neigh- the top step outside! Not a fi rst, but an early occur- bors of ours. If you don’t do this, you risk the roof rence of this phenomenon. The windows on the simply caving in. A huge blessing for me has been north side of the house, which gets the least sun- that the roof of our own house is of smooth, light, are already half covered with the stuff com- unpainted corrugated metal, to which very little ing off the roof. snow ever sticks: every time I see someone on their In addition, the electricity has been not only going roof doing the shoveling, I’m thankful for this. on and off with despairing frequency, but also been Around us lie the ruins of houses abandoned by varying considerably in intensity. We have a group their owners, for which a single winter was suffi - of nine guest-volunteers staying with us, from the cient to destroy the roof with the relentless fall of organization Youth with a Mission, and their room fl ake by fl ake, until one last one was too much, the heating by electricity has been a challenge, but proverbial last straw. their purpose and fulfi llment of help for needy So, in the cold, darkest, snowiest period of the people in Etseri has far outweighed the diffi culties. year, when everything together weighs one down, Power on upstairs, off downstairs, or the reverse: we welcome the light represented by Christmas, is this even possible? Apparently so! twice: on our own and the Orthodox dates, thirteen Also, I was forced to resort to the petrol genera- days apart. Gloria in excelsis Deo! tor to prevent our freezers from defrosting; both, including the massive chest one, are full. Ironic Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti when it’s winter! But vital. since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early I’ve stopped recording the power on/off incidents 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook on the calendar as it’s just too depressing; six offs group, now with nearly 1800 members, at www.face- per day was enough, some days ago, and this has book.com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ been worse. We’ve unplugged the two water heat- He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: ers we were using, and downstairs heaters too, www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018 CULTURE 13 Tifl is Meidani: A Gastronomic Journey at the Crossroads

Although Tifl is Meidani restaurant can and an incredibly delicious Georgian ADVERTORIAL accommodate 120 guests, it is equally able festive menu. to offer a cozy dining experience for a The New Year’s program starts at 23:30 small group of friends or family. There are and includes two leading Georgian bands: ight in the heart of Old Tbi- nightly Georgian song performances and "Metekhi" and "Alegro," as well as a folk lisi, at 6, Rkinis Rigi Street, traditional Georgian dance shows fi ve days dance performance from famous ensem- you’ll fi nd the Wine Restau- a week from Tuesday to Saturday. ble Rustavi. The night will be closed by rant Tifl is Meidani, situated On New Year's Eve, we are ready to a DJ. on a spot where, centuries offer an authentic festive environment Your Georgian special New Year cel- ago,R merchants arriving from Europe for your special New Year's Eve experi- ebration experience is waiting for you and Asia traded goods brought along the ence, with a traditional Georgian program at Tifl is Meidani! Silk Road; and where caravans arriving from north and south met, leading to a blend of European and Asian cultures, traditions and history. Tifl is Meidani Wine Restaurant today offers a unique atmosphere to drink and dine in. In the red-brick arched dining area, you’ll have a chance to experience a true gourmet adventure fi lled with traditional Georgian recipes from vari- ous regions of the country, offering fresh, natural, and ecological products. The restaurant menu aims to preserve the distinctiveness of Georgian recipes, its tastes and spicy fl avors, creating the fusion of a contemporary approach and breathing new life into often ancient Georgian dishes. That, plus the diverse assortment of Georgian dishes, will surely suit the tastes of anyone willing to take a gastronomical adventure, paired with a wide range of Georgian wines from local wine companies, as well as organic wines from the small wine cellars! GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Karen STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI December 15-January 16 BIOLI HALL Gillan, Kevin Hart (Info Above) GIVI TOIDE’S ANNIVERSARY Address: Bioli Medical Wellness Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy Language: Russian TBILISI OPERA AND RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION Resort, Kojori Language: Russian Start time: 12:45, 18:45, 22:00 BALLET THEATER Start time: 16:45, 21:45 Ticket: 15-19 GEL December 20-January 20 January 2 Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 12-14 GEL Telephone: 200 44 66 MUSEUM EXHIBITION GEORGIAN NATIONAL BALLET SANTA & CIE KARLO KACHARAVA TODAY SUKHISHVILI December 29, 30, January 4 RENEWED ASSA Directed by Alain Chabat GEORGIAN NATIONAL Karlo Kacharava's solo exhibition The State Ballet of Georgia Cast: Alain Chabat, Audrey Tautou, MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA takes up two galleries on the Start time: 20:00 presents Golshifteh Farahani, Pio Marmai MUSEUM museum's ground fl oor. With a Ticket: 500 GEL THE NUTCRACKER Genre: Comedy, Family Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. few exceptions the majority of the The price covers: Festive dinner and The ballet is in two acts Language: Russian Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 works on show are oil paintings. wine Pyotr Tchaikovsky Start time: 17:15, 19:30, 21:30 www.museum.ge The fi rst gallery is dedicated to The State Ballet of Georgia presents Ticket: 11-14 GEL the General-one of his largest CONCERT HALL MOZAIKA Start time: Exhibition paintings, done in1988-and several Address: 61 Agmashenebeli Ave. December 29, 30 - 19:00, RUSTAVELI CINEMA GEORGIAN COSTUME AND other romantic-heroic portraits. In Telephone: 247 92 20 January 4 – 14:00, Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. WEAPONRY OF 18TH-20TH the second gallery, the late artist's Ticket price: 10-80 GEL Telephone: 2 55 50 00 CENTURIES www.kinoafi sha.ge paintings are displayed together December 30 with the works of three young THE CHILDREN NATIONAL MOVEMENT THEATER Exhibition Georgian artists. BALLET Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave. Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL NUMISMATIC TREASURY Telephone: 598 19 29 36 December 29 - January 4 LITTLE STARS ERTI GALLERY IOSEB GRISHASHVILI By Potskhishvili Address: 19 Ingorokva Str./5 9 April Str. December 29 JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Represent a new choreographical RECITATIVE IN THE CITY JUNGLE - KARVASLA Building B. Space 1 show El banda del "მუდო", (Info Above) Address: 8 Sioni St. Creative director: David Kakha Bakuradze, Start time: 21:15 Telephone: 2 98 22 81 December 2 – January 15 Potskhishvili Sandro Nikoladze, Ticket: 13-14 GEL Tato Akhalkatsishvili's solo show Repetitor- choreographer Nino Irakli Menagarishvili, November 28 – January 10, 2018 NEVER SLEEP UPSIDE DOWN Kartvelishvili Simon Bitadze, STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI GNM Tbilisi History Museum A multimedia installation related to Start time: 20:00 Dato Kakulia (Info Above) Contemporary Art Gallery will host the galaxy. Ticket: 12, 15 GEL Start time: 20:00 Start time: 22:30 the exhibition Ticket price: 10 GEL Ticket: 13-14 GEL STATE OF PLAY: ART IN PROJECT ARTBEAT TBILISI CONCERT HALL GEORGIA IN 1985-1999 Address: 14 Ingorokva Str. TBILISI CIRCUS SANTA & CIE Address: 1 Melikishvili St. Address: Heroes’ Sq. (Info Above) Telephone: 2 99 00 99 MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS November 24 – December 30 Start time: 20:00 Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. Project ArtBeat presents December 29 Ticket: 13-14 GEL Telephone: 2 99 99 09 December 30 NEW YEAR CIRCUS SHOW MAKA BATIASHVILI’S SOLO BASTI BUBU Start time: 13:00, 17:00 CAVEA GALLERY March 6 – December 31 EXHIBITION Listen and enjoy the songs chosen Ticket price: 10-25 GEL Address: 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. EXHIBITION Of artworks made in different by you and meet your favorite Telephone: 200 70 07 techniques in 2015-17. CINEMA MASTERPIECES FROM THE heroes. MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Black and white sketches and canvases Follow the beats of DJ– Santa, he December 29 - January 4 COLLECTION made the mix of song only for this AMIRANI CINEMA MUSIC event. Address: 36 Kostava Str. FERDINAND December 14 – March 14 Start time: 14:00, 15:00, 18:00 Telephone: 2 99 99 55 Directed by Carlos Saldanha THE ANNIVERSARY- TBILISI STATE www.kinoafi sha.ge Cast: Kate McKinnon, Bobby RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION CONSERVATOIRE Ticket: 15-30 GEL Cannavale, David Tennant GIGO GABASHVILI 155 Address: 8 Griboedov St. Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 GEL Genre: Animation, Adventure, Telephone: 2 93 46 24 TBILISI SPORTS PALACE December 29 - January 4 Comedy LITERATURE MUSEUM Address: 1 26th Sq. Language: English Address: 8 Chanturia Str. December 29 Telephone: 233 33 11 STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Start time: 16:15 CONCERT OF THE ABKHAZIAN Directed by Rian Johnson Ticket: 16 GEL November 17 – January 25 (2018) CAPELLI December 30 Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, 200TH ANNIVERSARY Guram Kurashvili State Cappella of British pop artist and rock musician Tom Hardy, Mark Hamill, Carrie SANTA & CIE EXHIBITION Abkhazia CHRIS REA’S CONCERT Fisher, Adam Driver (Info Above) OF FAMOUS GEORGIAN POET The concert is dedicated to the Start time: 20:00 Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Start time: 22:15 NIKOLOZ BARATASHVILI founder, Ticket: 10-300 GEL Language: Russian Ticket: 19 GEL The conductor and the choir Start time: 13:30, 22:00 GALLERY Former artistic director Guram Ticket: 12-17 GEL JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE Kurashvili memory. DJANSUG KAKHIDZE JUNGLE DIMITRI SHEVARDNADZE Artistic director and conductor TBILISI CENTER FOR MUSIC JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE (Info Above) NATIONAL GALLERY Zviad Bolkvadze & CULTURE JUNGLE Start time: 14:15, 17:00, 19:45, 22:30 Address: 11 Shota Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 19:00 Address: 123/125 Agmashenebeli Ave. Directed by Jake Kasdan Ticket: 15-17 GEL Telephone: 215 73 00 Ticket: 5-25 GEL Telephone: 295 01 19

December 29 NEW YEAR CONCERT IN THE WORLD OF FILM MUSIC Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra Conductor- Vakhtang Kakhidze Violinist- Sandy Vartanova Soundtracks from favorite movies by famous classical and modern composers- Hector Berlioz, Edward Elgar, Jean Sibelius, Michel Legrand, John Williams and Sulkhan Tsintsadze. Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 10-28 GEL

SPACEHALL Address: 2 A. Tsereteli Ave.

December 31 MUZAME NYE: STEPHANE Start time: 23:58 Ticket: 60 GEL

January 1 MOVEMENT: GAMOUVALI MDGOMAREOBA SVANSIKH / KORDZ / L8 Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 30 GEL

ZALIKO'S CENTER Address: 3 Vekua Str. Telephone: 557 72 91 91

December 29 KIDS NEW YEAR PARTY Start time: 11:00, 13:15 Ticket price: 35 GEL GEORGIA TODAY DECEMBER 28 - JANUARY 8, 2017/2018 CULTURE 15 Kordz: Promising Georgian DJ & Composer Hits the Int’l Scene

followed by house music. After experimenting with lia Beridze. He recorded his own successful piece EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY LIKA CHIGLADZE various sounds in the garage, at some point I decided “We have been” together with Rachveli and an to make an album and worked on it for a year. Over orchestra. His collaboration with foreign DJ Fred- time, I got more serious about it and ended up eric Robinson, with whom he released several she’s always there, all dressed up and ready to lexandre Kordzaia is a young Georgian doing my Bachelor’s degree in Sound Engineering pieces under the German label Prrrrrrr Records, party.” Alex’s grandma herself confi rmed it, when artist and DJ better known by his and Electronic Composition in the Basel Conserv- and their joint performances both in Georgia and she suddenly entered the room to offer us churchkhela nickname Kordz. This newly emerged atory, Switzerland”, Kordz told us. abroad have been well received. and sweets. “My ear is so used to his music, that I musician and producer masterfully The artist has performed throughout Europe, in On January 1, on his birthday, Kordz will take to the can’t listen to any other,” she told us. combines various sounds to produce Switzerland, Prague, Germany, Vienna and The stage at SPACEHALL in Tbilisi before he heads back In parallel with performing in different countries Aamazing pieces that stir cheerful feelings and trig- Netherlands. He fi rst appeared in front of the Geor- to The Netherlands, giving both locals and visitors throughout Europe, Kordzaia is doing a Master’s ger positive emotions within you. Born in Tbilisi, gian public in Tbilisi two years ago. “When I fi rst the chance to celebrate the New Year at best. in Acoustic Composition in Hague University, in Georgia, in January 1994, at the age of fi ve he moved did a live set in Tbilisi, strange as it may sound, Kordz was recently nominated for the prestigious The Netherlands. to Switzerland where he went into the Music Acad- the audience at the show was mostly elderly peo- Tsinandali Award in music. He was also asked to “I’d like to collaborate with as many Georgian emy there and started creating his own signature ple, friends of my grandparents, and it was some- write a piece particularly for the award ceremony musicians as possible from the orchestra and the music. Alex simultaneously plays on piano and how funny, but they enjoyed the music and had that was performed by the string ensemble and the Conservatory,” he said. Before coming back to synthesizer, as well as composing classical pieces fun. Afterwards, I gradually got invited to play more musicians of the Georgian Philarmonic Orchestra. Georgia to perform at the Close Encounters Festi- and house music. His music is a mesh of carefully in Tbilisi and the modern generation got to know The artist told us that, in future, he plans to get a val in September-October, he has a thoroughly balanced oppositions: deliciously snappy transients me better,” the artist said. string ensemble inside a club and pair it with his planned agenda of cities he’ll be playing in over punctuate shimmering soundscapes, gently mor- Even though the musician now lives in The Neth- electronic music. the next few months. phing into funk; while a melancholic post-soviet erlands, from time to time he is invited to play for One of his truest and biggest fans is his grand- “My next show will be in Vienna with my record feel pays sentimental homage to a private vision a Georgian audience at various venues. Kordz has mother. “The funniest thing is that when I started label, bringing together various artists, then in of the 80s. performed in Heaven, Lolita, Mtkvarze, Fabrika, as playing here in the clubs, my grandmother, who Amsterdam in the Muziekgebouw, which is the main The artist hosted GEORGIA TODAY at his grand- well as at the Tbilisi Open Air Festival and Black lives in Tbilisi, told me she was curious about what concert hall for contemporary classical music, where ma’s house, where he usually stays when he is Tbi- Sea Jazz Festival in Batumi where he delivered his I was doing and wanted to come to my concert. my new piece that I’m writing right now will be lisi. piece together with Giorgi Zagareli. The combina- She enjoyed it a lot from the fi rst, and started com- performed. After that is a concert at the Elbphilhar- “At the age of 15-16, I got interested in electronic tion of the sound and energy of the live viola, played ing regularly. Now, whenever I’m playing, no mat- monie, a new concert hall in Hamburg, where I’ll music and started discovering how to do it on my by Zagareli, with the electronic compositions of ter what time it is, even 3 o’clock in the morning, be accompanied by an orchestra,” he told us. computer. From early childhood, I was playing Kordz, impressed listeners greatly. classical piano and taking part in music competi- The DJ has also collaborated with other celebrated tions. Then I also got more and more into jazz, musicians, conductor Nikoloz Rachveli and Nata- Georgian Alphabet Brought to Life through Art

jewelry and even household items and furniture,” BY LIKA CHIGLADZE the artist explained. His jewelry, in particular bracelets and rings with portraits of Queen Tamar and Sopiko Chiaureli he Georgian alphabet has captured engraved on them, have attracted massive interest interest on a global scale over recent since before that, there were no such handmade decades due to its ancient history and accessories available on the Georgian market. the beauty of its refi ned shapes. The Now the artist is experimenting on ceramic and fact that all three writing systems wants to develop his art in this particular Tof the Georgian alphabet have been rec- direction. “I use Georgian ceramic and ognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage combine it with glass to get a rare type by UNESCO serves as yet more proof of porcelain with various patterns and of that. decorations. I discovered the technol- Contemporary Georgian artist ogy of creating a fresco effect that Shota Saganelidze decided to take adds an antique note to my artworks. the Georgian writing system to a Additionally, I’m in the process of new level and transform it into art- making installations and producing work. He has experimented with all 3D artworks through shaping Geor- writing styles of the Georgian lan- gian letters from clay. The next stage guage, from the earliest to the cur- will be creating a mobile application rent, and integrated them into various through which anyone will be able to forms of art. create his/her or someone else’s portrait As the artist told GEORGIA TODAY, using Georgian letters,” Shota said, noting he fi rst came up with the idea of making art that the working process is underway to inte- using Georgian letters when he created a logo for grate his art into high tech. his music band Khidi in 1998. The musician, with “At the Frankfurt Book Fair 2018, where Georgia a background in architecture, gradually started will be the Guest of Honor , as part of the event, creating portraits of his friends, followed by the my artwork will be presented and will end up at paintings of distinguished Georgian fi gures and the international calligraphy museum of Frankfurt,” eventually found a new attribute to the Georgian the artist said, also revealing that at the beginning script. of February he will hold a personal exhibition in By creating calligraphy portraits of prominent Tbilisi. people like great Georgian writer Shota Rustaveli, “Currently, I’m actively preparing for the exhibi- Queen Tamar, King David the Builder, actress Sop- tion and am creating artworks on giant silk canvas. iko Chiaureli and fi lm director Sergei Parajanov, Since this year marks the anniversary of prominent he breathed new life into Georgian letters, present- and progressive Georgian theater painter Petre ing them in a creative and unusual way. Otskheli, as part of my artworks, I have created my “I create portraits of historical and important version of Otskheli through Georgian letters that persons who walked a path through their deeds, I will put on display alongside my other paintings,” and I perceive them using only Georgian letters. Saganelidze told us. Apart from the artworks on the canvas, I have Apart from creating art, Shota is also a musician transferred my works onto various kinds of textile, and composer, in which he is equally successful.

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