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TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 The Messenger P3 “Impartial, Informative, Insightful” GEL 3.00 The #006 (4810) MessengerTUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 WWW.MESSENGER.COM.GE Politics GD party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili Ballet, politicians, and national consciousness: leaves politics Should art be free from the political agenda? FULL STORY ON Page 2 Israeli Ambassador concerned by the Anti- Semitic sermon of several Georgian priests FULL STORY ON Page 3 “I have decided to finally retire from politics and fully distance myself from the reins of power. I am leaving BY KHATIA BZHALAVA the post of Party Chairman, as well as the party itself, and am returning to my pre-2011, private lifestyle,” reads Ivanishvii’s open letter. illionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder Band the head of the ruling Georgian movement of the country along the Euro- tion in the process. The billionaire be- business has significantly improved. Dream party has released an open letter Atlantic course chosen by the Georgian lieves that both of his tasks have been The letter reads that the current team yesterday, announcing his departure people and putting an end to Mikheil accomplished. of Georgian Dream party “is a unity that, from politics. Ivanishvili states in his let- Saakashvili’s ‘violent, inhumane, and Ivanishvili’s letter is critical towards with its patriotism, dedication, intellect, ter that the ruling party is staffed with undemocratic’ regime in a lawful man- Mikheil Saakashvili and the previous solidarity with its fellow citizens, and pro- individuals who can replace his “hard ner, through election. According to government. The letter stresses that dur- fessionalism, is in every way on a par with work, authority, and skills in a worthy Ivanishvili, the opposition at that time ing Georgian Dream’s rule, a previously the governments of European states.” manner.” did not have the resource to change the severe situation especially in terms of “I leave politics with the hope that even According to Ivanishvili, the results of government without his direct participa- freedom of media and independence of that part of today’s opposition which, the 2020 parliamentary elections in Geor- through a lack of political will, inexperi- gia were unprecedented in the history of ence, or spinelessness, ended up within the country as the ruling party was able the zone of influence of the evil and its to obtain the mandate to rule from the main architect, will become convinced of people for a third term. He noted that this the futility of an inappropriate attitude victory is the clearest, most distinct, and toward the interests of the homeland due indisputable recognition of party mem- to political selfishness and one man’s bers’ joint efforts. The letter reads that unbridled desire to seize power,” com- the electoral success of the GD party was mented Ivanishvili about the opposition logical and expected. “The ruling team parties who refuse to take up their man- truly is the best option that has no alter- dates in parliament. “I am certain that native in terms of features and charac- these parties are aware of the hopeless- teristics among all political actors that ness of their current position and that exist today,” reads the letter. they will overcome this influence, that Ivanishvili announced his decision is, they will fight for their future, which, about leaving the post of party chairman, in turn, will be a prospect for Georgian as well as the party itself. He believes democracy,” he added. that his mission has been accomplished Yesterday, the GD party held a politi- and therefore, has decided to retire from cal council meeting at the party office. politics and fully distance himself from Kakha Kaladze, Secretary-General of the the reins of power. According to ruling party stated after the meeting that Ivanishvili, he is leaving politics proud, the convention of the Georgian Dream- victorious, and grateful to the people. He Democratic Georgia party would be held is confident that the Georgian people will on January 16. The convention, which appreciate his decision, which, according will be attended by up to 400 delegates to him, is dictated by the same interests The new chairman of the Georgian Dream party will be chosen on from all over the country, will elect a new that led him to enter politics. Chairman of the party. At the decision of Saturday, January 16, at the party’s convention. Current executive The letter reads that the purpose of his the political council, Irakli Kobakhidze entry into politics in 2011 was to fulfill secretary of the party, Irakli Kobakhidze has been nominated for the will be nominated for the post of Party two main goals – ensuring the unhindered post of the chairman of the ruling party. Chairman. P2 Politics The Messenger TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021 Ballet, politicians, and national consciousness: Should art be free from the political agenda? BY VERONIKA MALINBOYM tions as not particularly patri- otic, at the very least. It seems hen the prima ballerina of like Ananiashvili herself was WGeorgia and the Artistic anticipating the criticism on the Director of the Georgian Na- patriotic grounds to break out, tional Ballet, Nina Ananiashvili as she stated in an interview announced that she would be with the Radio Free Europe/ taking up the offer to head the Radio Liberty that her decision Novosibirsk Theatre of Opera was concerned with the “creative and Ballet (while retaining the work only”. She went on to re- leadership over the State Ballet assure the audience that she re- of Georgia), it came as a shock mains to be a “big supporter” of to everyone. It did not take long her country and that she does until the criticism started to rise not think that her actions could against the renowned dancer, be used as a tool by the “Rus- with even an ex-President sian propaganda” to undermine Saakashvili commenting on the Georgia. situation that was unwrapping Should one’s art mirror one’s at the time when he was inter- national identity? viewed. However, on top of the Many artists would probably expected wave of public disap- agree that whether they like it proval, a historical, and, indeed, or not, at some point, or rhetorical question has been throughout their lives, they raised – should art be separated maintain a certain degree of in- from politics, and does it, truly, fluence by the country of their have no borders? origin. Such influence can be Prima ballerina or a political both positive or negative ( al- figure by proxy? though the former is much more Nina Ananiashvili was born common than the latter), and in 1963, in Tbilisi, where she one’s art can be either inspired was enrolled in one of the city’s by or even mirror the realities ballet schools. She then pro- of one’s Homeland. It is, there- ceeded to study at the Bolshoi fore, easy to link such notion to Ballet Academy, and upon the artists’ responsibility, as a graduation, Ananiashvili joined public figure, social influencer, the Bolshoi Theatre troupe. or the messenger of the creative Shortly after, Ananiashvili’s tal- art to uphold the principles and ent became known in almost the overwhelming moods of the every part of the world – her country where they come from “Swan Lakes” and “Sleeping – especially if the artist pro- Beauties” and dreamy “Juliette“ claims affection and a deeply would leave the audience ap- rooted patriotism towards this plauding for a good 30 minutes country. after the performance had ended. On the other hand, one can In 1988, Ananiashvili mar- say that art exists outside of the ried then-Minister of the Foreign borders and above politics. In Affairs, Grigol Vashadze, and Nina Ananiashvili, Courtesy State Ballet of Georgia the end, the only people that the gave birth to the daughter Elena artist is truly answering to is in 2006. The achievements of various renowned choreogra- and impresario of Ananiashvili, going situation is even more their respective audience, and this dancer are countless and phers who worked with the Geor- Grigol Vashadze, has enjoyed uncertain, since in December such audience, regardless of who speak for themselves – one of the gian ballet troupe and took the close political ties with an ex- last year Vashadze has an- they are and where they are com- first Soviet dancers to perform SBG to tour across the US on President and the founder of the nounced his decision to leave the ing from, should be feeling and as a guest soloist with the New numerous occasions. In the long United National Movement – chairmanship of the UNM processing the creative processes York City Ballet, principal list of Ananiashvili’s regalia, you Mikhail Saakashvili. Deputy party, and although Mrs. that are offered to them in uni- dancer at the American Ballet will find Georgia’s top cultural Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ananiashvili stated that her de- son. As of right now. Theatre, and the principal award – The Oracle of Art, as the Minister of Culture, Monu- cision had nothing to with the Novosibirsk theatre has tempo- dancer of the Houston Ballet. well as the People’s Artist of ment Protection, and Sport, and prior decision of her husband, rarily suspended the contract Upon her return to Georgia in Georgia award, and the People’s later – the chairman of the such a decision is quite ambigu- with Ananiashvili on the 2004, Ananiashvili took up a lead Artist of Russia award. UNM, Vashadze has long been ous at the very least. grounds of her premature an- over the State Ballet of Georgia From first sight, it might one of the closest associates of Political and personal ties nouncement about heading the and has successfully staged seem like a success story of a Saakashvili.