Cleric Sentenced to 9 Years for Murder Plot Continued from Page 1 Rights Has Been Violated,” the NGO It Was Even More Unacceptable to Fully Close Stressed

Issue no: 979 • SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Fires Still Rage around Georgia NEWS PAGE 2

Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey Hold Trilateral Meeting in Baku POLITICS PAGE 4 To Cross or Not to Cross: Saakashvili at the Border POLITICS PAGE 6 FOCUS ON THE EBRD Overwhelming support confi rmed once more by the visit of the EBRD president PAGE 3 The President of Poland Supports Visa-Free Regime with Kazakhstan Cleric Sentenced to 9 Years BUSINESS PAGE 10 Tbilisi: a Museum of Desolation SOCIETY PAGE 12 for Murder Plot The Memorable Debut of BY THEA MORRISON ‘Flight Mode’ in Tbilisi CULTURE PAGE 13 ather Giorgi Mamaladze, who was arrested in February 2017, charged with planning a murder, has been sentenced Georgian Basketball Team to nine years in prison by Tbilisi City Court Judge Besik Bugianishvili. Defeats Israel at Eurobasket FThe Judge has re-qualifi ed the accusation, lift- ing the charges for mercenary murder and declar- 2017 ing him guilty only for preparing to murder the SPORTS PAGE 15 Georgian Patriarch’s Secretary, Shorena Tetru- ashvili. The investigation established that Archpriest Mamaladze, aiming to improve his career prospects, decided to murder Shorena Tetruashvili by means of cyanide. The cleric was also sentenced to two years imprisonment for illegal purchase and storage of fi rearms, but under the principle of the con- current sentencing, this minor penalty was absorbed by the graver one and in total he will spend nine years in prison. The detained denies all charges and refused to attend the trial. Continued on page 2 Photo source: allnews.ge GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017 Euronews Reports on Georgia’s Black Sea City Batumi

ings, and new ones in a similar style”. BY THEA MORRISON The program about Batumi was made within the scope of a media tour organized by the Department of Tourism of opular media outlet Adjara. Euronews has dedicated a The Euronews crew visited the region story to Georgia’s Black Sea in the summer, during the active tour- City Batumi, spotlighting it ist season. The news agency also as Georgia’s third largest released another program about the Pcity and the capital of the autonomous Black Sea Jazz festival. Adjara region. The Head of the Department of Adjara “Its relentless 10-year urban trans- Tourism, Sulkhan Ghlonti, said that formation has helped turn the city into Batumi has been the focus for many one of the Black Sea’s top attractions,” media publications and noted that the the article reads. video clip about Batumi is also being Euronews says that Batumi Boulevard, shown by the BBC. fronting the main beach and stretching “We have prepared some special pro- eight kilometers along the coast, is the motional material about our city. “life and soul” of the city, while Europe Accordingly, in more than 200 coun- Square shows the new face of old tries, including our target countries, Batumi: “named after Adjara joined the people are learning about our tourism Assembly of European Regions, it con- potential and about Georgia and the sists of renovated belle époque build- region,” Ghlonti added. Fires Still Cleric Sentenced to 9 Years for Murder Plot Continued from page 1 Rights has been violated,” the NGO it was even more unacceptable to fully close stressed. the trial, which deprived the public of the The lawyers of the archpriest say the Georgia’s Public Defender, Ucha Nan- possibility to monitor the court hearings. Rage around judge made an ungrounded decision and uashvili released a statement regarding Monitoring made it clear that the full clo- they will appeal the verdict in the upper the notorious case, saying a number of sure of the trial was not necessary given instance, adding that they might take the violations were observed during the the volume of confi dential information in case to the European Court of Human investigation that affected the court hear- the case,” the statement reads. Rights in Strasburg. ing and prevented the defendant and his Archpriest Mamladze was arrested on “There was no plan to murder…The lawyers from enjoying a proper defense. February 10 at Tbilisi Airport. The cler- decision of the judge was shameless and “Violation of the presumption of inno- gyman was detained with cyanide en Georgia unworthy…If the judge lifted charges for cence and the right to equality of arms route to Berlin, where Georgia’s Cathol- mercenary murder, then what can they from the very fi rst day of the investiga- icos-Patriarch was having a gall bladder say was the possible motive of murder? tion was only the beginning of a number operation. Shorena Tetruashvili was in This is why I claim the verdict was of shortcomings,” the Ombudsman stated. the hospital with the Patriarch. ungrounded,” Mamaladze’s lawyer Giorgi He added that the investigative agency The defense has reiterated many times Pantsulaia stated. has not yet obtained any evidence prov- that the Archpriest is the victim of a group The prosecutor of the case, Zviad Gub- ing the purchase of cyanide. Nor has the of high-ranking people at the Patriarchate eladze, said that the investigators suspect person from whom the archpriest alleg- who wanted to remove him from the the cleric did not act alone. edly bought cyanide been identifi ed. position of Head of the Property Manage- "The investigators suggest Mamaladze “Taking into consideration this context, ment Department of the Patriarchate. had accomplices,” he said. “An investigation is ongoing in this regard. If certain individuals are identifi ed, they will be charged. At this stage, I will refrain from naming this small circle due to the interests of the investigation”. The nephew of the Catholicos-Patriarch of Georgia, and Batumi and Lazeti Met- ropolitan, Dimitry, says there are too many questions surrounding the case. "The cyanide case is too vague. Now I have even greater suspicion that Arch- priest Mamaladze did not buy cyanide. The Prosecutor's Offi ce should show us proof of purchase if they have it,” he stated, adding that he had spoken to the patriarch regarding the issue. “The Patriarch said clearly that Father Giorgi would not have committed this crime,” he said. NGO Human Rights Center (HRIDC) does not agree with the verdict given by Tbilisi City Court and says their lawyer was directly involved in the case, defend- ter from Turkey is also to join the fi re ing Mamaladze’s interests. BY THEA MORRISON extinguishing efforts. The HRIDC says that the case was The Head of Adjara Government, Zurab closed to media and the public for six Pataradze, stated that a three-kilometer months: in their opinion, unnecessarily. ire has already destroyed road has been cut to enable fi refi ghters “The Human Rights Center believes around fi ve hectares of forest to reach the blaze. that by closing the trial, the Court helped on Shavnabada Mountain, “The situation today is better than yes- to reduce the level of transparency of Khulo Municipality, mountain- terday. The fi refi ghters, foresters and justice and public trust towards the Court. ous Adjara. servicemen are fighting the blaze Moreover, when it comes to such high- FThe Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) together,” he stated on Wednesday morn- profi le cases, the interest of the public reports that around 400 servicemen of ing. is heightened- as such, we believe the the ministry have been sent to the dis- Another fi re has been burning near trial should have been open,” the NGO aster zone since the fi re broke out last Artana village, Telavi Municipality, noted, also highlighting that the acquisi- weekend. Kakheti region, since last Saturday. Man- tion of cyanide had yet to be confi rmed. An MIA helicopter is also actively power and three helicopters are working “The right to a fair trial guaranteed by working on site. As reported, a helicop- to put it out. the European Convention on Human The doors of the Patriarchate. Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017 NEWS 3 Georgian Government Offi cials Meet with EBRD President cessful meetings they had held with the projects, healthcare, agribusiness, tele- BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI Government of Georgia. communications, property and tourism, "What we could sense is a joint deter- and in the power energy sector which mination to work towards further improv- launched the wind farm in Gori, which rime Minister of Georgia ing Georgia’s economic performance. is the very fi rst in the Caucasus region. Giorgi Kvirikashvili met with This is also illustrated in the EBRD’s The EBRD President also mentioned Suma Chakrabarti, President high volume of investments,” he said, the infrastructure, municipal and trans- of European Bank for Recon- adding the relations between the EBRD port sector projects fi nanced, and in the struction and Development and Georgia is “really a benchmark”. fi nancial sector, the DCFTA facility signed (EBRD),P during his two-day visit to “I strongly believe that where we are and launched together with the Bank of Georgia this Wednesday, in order to dis- now with Georgia makes this country Georgia and TBC; which, according to cuss the 25 years of successful coopera- very much the leader of the next wave Chakrabarti, will help Georgian SMEs tion between Georgia and the European of transition countries,” which, he said, to reach EU standards. Bank for Reconstruction and Develop- is due to “very good economic manage- “We’ve signed probably the most excit- ment, with the Four Point Reform Plan ment”. ing country strategies, approved by our initiated by the Government of Georgia “I’m pretty sure that our forecast for board last December. It has four main being the main focus of the meeting. Suma Chakrabarti, President of EBRD and Giorgi Kvirikashvili, PM of Georgia this year, which is about 3.8%, will be elements to it, all of which are very, very Kvirikashvili thanked the EBRD Pres- tive, technical and institutional infrastructure, and the investments in the beaten, and I think Georgia will grow important; our aim is to make the Geor- ident for his continued support, through structure being prepared. country’s private sector. beyond 4% next year. We’ll have new gian private sector as competitive as which more than 200 projects have been Kvirikashvili pointed out the impor- Kvirikashvili also highlighted the impor- forecasts in November to share with you, possible. We want to do more in local initiated in Georgia, amounting to almost tance of EBRD issuing the fi rst ever bond tance of EBRD's support to Georgia in but I’m sure Georgia will be growing currency landing, on capital market €3 billion of investment. in local Georgian currency, which is said the Euro-integration process and the very, very fast,” he said. development. We want to help Georgia To date, the Bank says it has invested to be assisting the economic growth of DCFTA support program, which enabled The President of EBRD emphasized to take advantage of its geographical a total of €2.8 billion for 205 projects in the country, and encouraging invest- Georgian banks to fi nance businesses in the work of the Georgian government position, its international connectivity,” the Georgian economy. ments. He added the EBRD is actively local Georgian currency. Kvirikashvili with the private sector, with the inter- Chakrabarti said. When the PM of Georgia and the EBRD implementing innovative products within then underlined the support EBRD pro- national institutions including EBRD, “As I've always said, I think sometimes President met, they talked about the the Georgian economy. vides within the economic reforms in with the Investors Council, to encourage it’s quite fortunate that Georgia is not strategy of EBRD in Georgia, supporting “EBRD is one of the key partners of the country. the reforms to the business climate in an oil and gas country, as that brings lots the government’s Four Point Plan, which Georgia, counting 25 years of successful The parties also talked about the work the country. of pressure, but it has water and you entails educational, spatial development partnership with our country, with over of the Investor’s Council, a platform “I’m really pleased to see how Georgia need to maximize water as an economic and governance system reforms. Geor- 200 projects fi nanced and approximately established by EBRD and the Govern- has moved up in all the international resource,” he told those present, which gia’s progress in institutional and struc- three billion Euros invested, which truly ment of Georgia in 2015, during the EBRD rankings in the last fi ve years,” he said, included the Prime Minister, Minister tural reforms was also discussed, with is an unprecedented partnership with annual meeting held in Tbilisi. Chakra- noting that the context allowed EBRD of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister the PM highlighting the capital market international fi nancial institutions for barti attended this meeting while on his to invest more, seeing a record year in Dimitry Kumsishvili, Minister of Econ- and upcoming pension reforms, with the Georgia,” the PM said, going on to men- recent visit to Georgia. 2016, with the fi nancing of 17 projects omy Giorgi Gakharia, Minister of Justice latter to come into force from the third tion the projects fi nanced by the EBRD The EBRD President expressed satis- for €250 million, with €80 million invest- Tea Tsulukiani and Minister of Energy quarter of 2018, with necessary legisla- in the energy sector, municipal infra- faction about the productive and suc- ments in a wide range of private sector Ilia Eloshvili. Georgian President Receives Award at Krynica Economic Forum in Poland

BY THEA MORRISON

ithin the framework of Krynica Eco- nomic Forum in Poland, the Presi- dent of Georgia, GiorgiW Margvelashvili, was given a special award during the Gala Awards Ceremony for High-Ranking Guests. The former President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, handed the award to Margvelashvili in the Congress Center on September 6. The Georgian President thanked the heads of various states, representatives of local self-governments and the business sector for the award. He underlined that the Krynica Eco- nomic Forum has once again highlighted the common values of the Georgian and Polish peoples: freedom, human rights and legal state. “It is very important for me to receive this special award; an award which refl ects the commitment of my people, diplomats and civil servants, who have worked hard to advance Georgia's President’s Press Offi ce European integration,” Margvelashvili stated at the ceremony. world, and we share this tradition with reconcile the interests of member states recognition policy of the occupied ter- about the prospects of expanding part- As a part of the forum, the Georgian our friends,” he stated. with the aspirations of other European ritories and European and Euro-Atlan- nership between the V4 Group and the president and the Ambassador of Geor- The 27th Economic Forum in Krynica countries. tic aspirations. Black Sea region. gia to Poland, Ilia Darchiashvili, hosted Zdrój was opened on September 5 and Prior the forum opening, the Geor- Sharing Poland's wide experience in The prospects of strengthening eco- a special Georgian Evening, where closed on September 7. gian and Polish presidents held a meet- terms of European and Euro-Atlantic nomic cooperation in order to fully Georgian products were exhibited, The largest conference of this type ing during which they highlighted the integration and Poland’s support of use the potential of both countries including wine, sweets, fresh drinks, in Central and Eastern Europe, it was importance of the joint Declaration Georgia in this process was also men- were also discussed at the meeting. and a variety of dairy products. inaugurated by a plenary session signed on the occasion of the 25th tioned. The Economic Forum in Krynica is At the exhibition, the Polish edition attended by the presidents of Poland, anniversary of the restoration of dip- Margvelashvili underlined the sig- the largest conference in Central and of the Georgian epic poem -The Knight Georgia and Macedonia. lomatic relations between Georgia and nifi cance of NATO’s open-door policy Eastern Europe. Every year the forum, in the Panther's Skin was also displayed. Andrzej Duda, George Ivanov and the Republic of Poland. They also dis- and assessed the importance of the organized at the beginning of Septem- Margvelashvili addressed the audience Giorgi Margvelashvili took part in the cussed the situation in the occupied NATO Summit of 2018 in further advanc- ber, brings together around 3500 guests: and thanked the Polish people for their panel entitled “Unfi nished Integration territories of Georgia. President Marg- ing Georgia’s NATO integration. political, economic and social leaders, fi rm support of Georgia. and the Aspirations of European Coun- velashvili thanked his counterpart for The sides also emphasized the sig- as well as around 500 journalists. The “Georgia is one of the oldest winemak- tries” where they debated the future his unwavering support of Georgia’s nifi cance of regional cooperation within guests come from over 60 countries in ing countries in Europe and in the of European integration and how to sovereignty, territorial integrity, non- the Visegrad Group format and spoke Europe, Asia and America. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017 Georgian Foreign Minister Holds Meetings in Belarus

Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey Hold Trilateral Meeting in Baku Janelidze announced that in 2018, Tbi- rusian counterpart Vladimir Makei signed BY THEA MORRISON in the region, but also globally. All the lisi will host the Belarusian Culture Week. a Program of Cooperation between the BY THEA MORRISON three countries connect Europe and Asia. He also thanked Lukashenko for his help Georgian and the Belarusian foreign The deepening trade and economic rela- during the Borjomi Gorge forest fi re in ministries for 2018-2019. tions between Europe and Asia owe a eorgian Vice-Premier and Georgia earlier this August when Belarus The ministers expressed hope that this he sixth Trilateral Meeting great deal to this link,” he added. Foreign Minister, Mikheil sent a helicopter to join fi refi ghting efforts. program will contribute to the develop- of the Ministers of Foreign During the meeting, special attention Janelidze is on an offi cial The Georgian minister also met the ment of both bilateral and multilateral Affairs of Georgia, Azer- was paid to the implementation of com- visit to Belarus. Vice Prime Minister of Belarus, Mikhail co-operation and said they welcome the baijan and Turkey was held mon transit and energy projects, in par- On September 4, Janelidze Rusiy where it was emphasized that activities of the inter-governmental eco- in Baku on September 6 at ticular the need to open the Baku-Tbilisi- Gwas hosted by the President of Belarus, Belarus considers Georgia a reliable nomic commission and the growth of Twhich Mikheil Janelidze, Elmar Mam- Kars (BTK) railway in the near future. Alexander Lukashenko, in Minsk. partner and is interested in the growth trade turnover which increased by 25% madyarov, and Mevlüt Çavusoglu signed The importance of implementing the The president underlined the long- of trade, as well as in the development over the past seven months. the ‘Baku Statement and Action Plan for Southern Gas Corridor project was also lasting friendly relations between the of sectoral co-operation in the priority Janelidze stated that the economic co- Trilateral Sectoral Co-operation for 2017- highlighted. Georgians and Belarusians, adding they areas defi ned in the Commission’s road- operation between Georgia and Belarus 2019’. The BTK railway is being constructed have common history from once being map. will bring benefi ts not only to the two The document sets forth specifi c pro- on the basis of a Georgian-Azerbaijani- a part of the Soviet Union. Special attention was paid to the high countries but will also contribute to jects and initiatives in the areas of Turkish intergovernmental agreement. “The Georgians are our brothers…You potential of co-operation in such areas ensuring the development and stability economy, energy, agriculture, environ- The peak capacity of the railway will be are well aware how we respect your as agriculture, machine building, tour- of the region. ment protection and innovative tech- 17 million tons of cargo per year. At the country and nation,” Lukashenko told ism and sport infrastructure. He also thanked his Belarusian coun- nologies. initial stage, this fi gure will be one mil- Janelidze. The sides also expressed their interest terpart for his government’s support of Georgian Foreign Minister Janelidze lion passengers and 6.5 million tons of The sides spoke about the trade-eco- in cooperation in the area of high tech- Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial stated that it is a unique mechanism cargo. nomic cooperation between the two nologies. The technological park of integrity. established among three neighboring During his offi cial visit to Baku, Janelidze nations, adding that there is great poten- Belarus is one of the leading parks in Vladimir Makei expressed his readi- countries. also held face to face meetings with his tial for Georgia and Belarus to help each Central and Eastern Europe. ness to participate in the Silk Road Forum “We play an important role not only Azerbaijani and Turkish counterparts. other boost their economies. Furthermore, Janelidze and his Bela- scheduled in Tbilisi for November. On the Road to the Black Sea: China in Central Asia selves as major constructors of large the Middle East. There were already signs OP-ED BY EMIL AVDALIANI infrastructure projects in Central Asia. of deeper problems when in August 2016 Mutual state visits often occur, and Cen- a Uighur national attacked the Chinese tral Asian countries are beginning to Embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. ast week I wrote on China and cooperate more with China on security Moscow should also be concerned as its interests in the South Cau- and military issues. there were reports in 2016 that the Chi- casus. Beijing’s ambitions in nese were building up to 10 defense the region have been driven COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA infrastructure constructions on the Tajik- by its Road and Belt initiative Russia offi cially endorsed the Eurasian Afghan border. Beijing has also increased whichL spans tens of states to directly Economic Union-Belt initiative in May its security cooperation with Kyrgyzstan link west China with the European mar- 2015. However, Beijing's growing eco- through joint border control exercises ket. The road to the South Caucasus, nomic and security involvement in Cen- and has even held joint military train- however, is not an easy one and runs tral Asia may endanger the Kremlin’s ings with the Tajik army. through the no less strategically impor- efforts to keep its infl uence in the region. That said, despite losing its primary tant Central Asian region. Central Asia currently serves as a play- economic position in Central Asia, Rus- China has made signifi cant progress ground for Russian and Chinese interests sia still retains a strong military position in increasing its economic and political and how the two powers can cooperate as it is the only foreign power which has leverage in Central Asia over the past with each other to confront common military bases in the region. decade. Central Asia, with more than 65 threats amid allegedly rising Central The Central Asian region is an impor- million in population, is essentially a Asian militancy is under question. tant space for Beijing in its Belt and Road landlocked region consisting of Kazakh- From the Russian perspective, coop- initiative. And before solidifying its infl u- stan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan rious for historically, is the cornerstone the ‘Eurasian Land Bridge’, and the eration with China in the economic realm ence in the South Caucasus, Beijing will and Uzbekistan. From the Chinese per- of Beijing’s actions. China already con- ‘Khorgos-Aktau Railway’. These routes in Central Asia serves Russian interests work further to expand its assets in spective, these fi ve countries, along with structed a 3,666-kilometer pipeline from are a powerful alternative to sea trade as investments from Belt and Road could Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other coun- Mongolia, represent those two major Turkmenistan. This, in turn, made Turk- routes, with railway alone able to sig- alleviate the region’s low economic devel- tries. Although confl ict between Russia transit routes which will make a large menistan dependent on the Chinese nifi cantly reduce transit times. As a fur- opment and mitigate security problems. and China is unlikely to take place, ten- part of Beijing’s One Belt One Road ini- market, as Ashgabat currently has no ther sign of the importance of the railway, However, Russia is also worried that as sions could at times rise. Meanwhile, tiative operational. other exporters and the price for Turk- China plans to restart talks with Uzbek- China reaches economic success in Cen- Russia will be trying to further strengthen China's economic plans in Central Asia men gas is nearly $165 per 1000 cubic istan to start work on a 270-km-long line tral Asia, the more likely it is that Beijing its military position through exercises include numerous spheres but most meters (actually one of the lowest prices). which will link China and Uzbekistan will get more involved security-wise to or even talks to open new military bases. notably involve a range of industrial As said, Central Asia is now the loca- via Kyrgyzstan. protect its vital infrastructure. Indeed, China, on the other hand, will try to zones alongside the construction of rail- tion of the major Belt routes, most of After becoming a major trade partner China has reasons to be concerned as improve Central Asia's connectivity ways, pipelines, etc. Connectivity, the which run through Kazakhstan: the and investment source, the Chinese are Xinjiang remains a problem and Central problems through large infrastructure lack of which the region has been noto- ‘China-Central Asia-West Asia Corridor,’ now more and more positioning them- Asian fi ghters are returning home from projects. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017 POLITICS 5 Money vs Man in the Mayoral Race

Source: clarencecaldwell.com from pollution, to keep a police force that could OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE guarantee that modern vandals in expensive cars learn to park correctly and drive defen- sively, to protect the city from fl agrant archi- odern political philosophy has tectural terrorism and to liberate it from dust, it that self-government as such dirt and litter. is one of the principles of con- None of this can be done by a person without stitutionality which is generi- money. All that we are trying to do during may- cally observed and maintained oral and other campaigns is a futile job. None of Mby western political culture, based on Man’s free the current campaigning big mouths, full of end- will and democracy. I have the temerity to apper- less empty words and a ton of sweat, will ever tain Georgia to this type of world community, be able to change much in their cities unless they grounding my optimism on the fact that we are have the resources to do so. Any mayor, be they currently running a national campaign of self- democratically elected or assigned from above, government elections. would most likely do the same job if they had at Naturally, we are spending on this cheerful their disposal ample material resource to make political event a lot of our tax-payer’s money, a difference. and other people’s cash, too. We are also spend- I understand that in our times of democracy, a ing our valuable time on it, the remnants of our mayoral posting is a political position, and elected national energy, and many other resources. The mayors then simply hire good managers to do famous good question is if this is all worth it. the actual job. In our Georgian reality though, There is a battalion of mayoral wannabe’s in politically elected mayors are the managers them- Tbilisi, saying nothing of other local election hot selves as a rule: yes, they have deputies and spots, each of them bending over backwards to assistants, and many aides of other categories, get up there, and carrying their own portion of but all the credit for doing something good and sizable electoral expenditure. I just wonder if valuable will still go to that elected mayor, though any of those candidates and their ardent sup- all the lumps for a bad job will fall on his or her porters has even an elementary ability to recog- poor head, too. nize that there cannot be a good mayor in nature The bottom-line is that it is not the elected without a good budget; in other words, if you do mayor who does the job but the money and the not have enough material capacity in the city’s army of aides and specialists who are hired by coffers, you cannot be an effi cient mayor no mat- that money. Any mayor, even the most popular, ter how talented, educated, experienced, patriotic beloved and appreciated, is a sheer zero without and charismatic you happen to be. enough money in the city budget. And the pro- This is no longer about good men and women; verbial moral here is that we the people do not this is about money. To put it a little quizzically, have to be so terribly overexcited about whether even I could be a good mayor of my town, even the mayor of our beloved capital city, or any other without any administrative or engineering back- city or town, or borough or village, is Nick, Rick, ground, if I had a chance to garner and mobilize Jack, or Jill: they will never make a difference in enough funds to build and rebuild it; change its anything that concerns this city and its tired-of- dilapidated infrastructure, create additional electoral-endeavors population unless they are traffi c patterns and new parking spaces, build equipped with appropriate fi nancial potential. It new squares and recreational facilities, maintain is the money that matters in creating a better better inner-city schools and kindergartens, standard of living, not even the best of the may- construct powerful smoke-arresters to save lives oral candidates that are eligible to be elected. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017 To Cross or Not to Cross: Saakashvili at the Border

addressed Georgia with the purpose of OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA frightening Saakashvili so that he would change his mind and not bother to come,” Khukhashvili told Metronome.ge. he increasing number of So, what will happen on September 10 fi res in Georgia might get a at the Polish-Ukrainian border? Will the new addition. This time, not third president of Georgia cross into a natural but a political dis- Ukraine? The answer to this question is aster is oncoming, but of a unknown. Before the local parliamentary scaleT that would bring even more damage elections in 2016, Saakashvili promised to the Georgian Dream (GD) government his electorate that he would be back in than the real fi re did to the Borjomi and Georgia “no matter what,” but he failed Abastumani forests. What Mikheil to meet expectations. Therefore, there’s Saakashvili plans to do on September 10 no way to guess this time round. Georgian at the Polish-Ukrainian border checkpoint political analysts are sure of the future is set to bring about a real heat, the fl ames for Saakashvili if he doesn’t cross the of which will undoubtedly reach Tbilisi. Ukrainian border: “I believe that Saakash- Especially seeing as the government has vili’s political career will be over if he reissued a request for Saakashvili’s extra- doesn’t enter Ukraine. If he dares to do dition and the cell is ready and waiting so, he has a chance of becoming one of for him in “Matrosov” prison. the most important politicians in Europe. The pompous ceremony at Tbilisi City However, it’s hard to say which powers Council celebrating Ukraine’s Independ- Saakashvili: watching and waiting. Source: ft.com are supporting him in Ukraine and what ence Day and attended by Prime Minis- became foe, even sinking to addressing vili as far away from their countries as and, as political analyst Gia Khukhashvili he can rely on,” Politologist Khatuna ter Kvirikashvili further proves that the each other in offi cial notes alone. Kiev possible, because him showing up in said, is getting both governments to play Lagazidze told Metronome. expected “fi re” has brought offi cial Kiev reprimanded Offi cial Tbilisi for ignoring either of them is dangerous for the his own game. “Both Ukraine and Geor- There is also the legal nuance: Saakash- and Tbilisi closer. The PM’s attendance the country on the international arena, respective political elites. gia are playing according to his plan, vili has appealed Kiev’s decision about was not accidental, with the reason for while Tbilisi accused it of protecting However, GD is well-aware that a thus fi nding themselves in an idiotic his citizenship in the European Court of the closeness of the two countries their “criminal” Saakashvili. Saakashvili in prison is far more danger- situation. Ukraine has gone beyond crazy Human Rights. If the latter fi nds the common enemy, Saakasashvili. Now, everything has changed, with the ous than one free in Poland, Brussels, and is acting quite inappropriately by decision illegal, as it did regarding Rustavi The GD government has been asking ex-President of Georgia suffering major New York or even Kiev. President setting up barriers on the border... 2’s famous case, and this happens before Ukraine for the extradition of “Poroshen- problems from the Ukrainian side: dis- Poroshenko also knows that Saakashvili Saakashvili is quite amused with all of September 10, Saakashvili will have the ko’s Favorite” for some fi ve years, yet, missed from his post, deprived of citi- in Kiev would mean at least a new Mei- this. Instead of marginalization, both green light not only at the Krakovets instead, he was promoted to the post of zenship and banned from entering the dan, or could even result in losing the governments are holding PR campaigns border checkpoint, but everywhere in Governor of Odessa. Throughout that country. Tbilisi and Kiev reconciled in majority in Rada. Naturally, Saakashvili for him. They don’t know the rules of Ukraine. And then there’s the Georgian period, the once-partner countries nearly the unity of one dream: keeping Saakash- is using this situation to his advantage this game. I believe it was Ukraine that border… Thank You for Your Trust: All Green Diamond Complex First Stage Apartments Sold 9 Months Before End of Construction

tries see the great opportunity investing tion near the city center. In this regard, in Georgia’s real estate brings, and espe- MAQRO Construction was a pioneer cially in project Green Diamond, and and this novelty was fully justifi ed. More they didn’t miss the chance,” Kaan Karaer and more people are interested in mov- adds. “This was also one of the reasons ing away from the center, noise, and the we had such fast sales. High ROI, 12-14 polluted air. Green Diamond residents % in only 7-8 years, is an unbelievable have the opportunity to enjoy fresh air opportunity as the project is unique in and calm. Karaer says that people were Georgia and renting or reselling can uncertain about the new location at the provide a big income. initial stage, however, after realizing the “Green Diamond is a project that has advantages, demand for the apartments no analogue in Georgia; a unique project is on the rise. where inhabitants will be surprised how As the Deputy General Director, the their lifestyle will change. Their hard- fl exible payment terms have played a working days will end with calm and great role in encouraging sales: the down fresh air, their mornings will start with payment is only 10% of the fl at price. detailed surveys of apartments to poten- pest inhabitants received everything as ADVERTORIAL healthy activities. Green Diamond is a Karaer says he is proud to announce that tial buyers. promised. Afterwards, they recom- project where they can fulfi ll such needs with only 10%, you can become the owner "At fi rst glance, customers cannot mended their close friends and relatives easily, and without leaving the territory. of an apartment. On the Georgian mar- determine the quality of building mate- to buy apartments in MAQRO Construc- n unprecedented result Also, the location and fl exible payment ket, this is quite a favorable offer. In rials, but clients notice it's a very well- tion complexes. Due to this, Green Dia- from the largest building terms play a considerable role," he con- addition, the company offers special organized and clean process of construc- mond is a very successful project. Soon, complex in Tbilisi: the fi rst cludes. discounts in case of full payment. tion. The complex is very beautiful even the second stage of construction is to stage, consisting of 731 Green Diamond is the fi rst large-scale Green Diamond's construction quality at the construction stage,” Oguz Kaan start. We’re grateful to all the existing apartments, sees them all complex located in a convenient loca- is also special and the company offers Karaer says, adding that, “Green Buda- and future residents for their trust and Asold ahead of construction completion we are confi dent that the project will and the grand opening scheduled for continue to be successful". May 2018. The area of the residential complex is Green Diamond is the second residen- 70,000 square meters, of which 23 000 tial complex of MAQRO Construction, square meters will be a green area allows which began after the fi rst successful residents a lifestyle different from most project, Green Budapest. According to in Tbilisi. 23 residential blocks will com- the Deputy General Director of MAQRO prise 1772 fl ats. There are 3 swimming Construction, Mr. Oguz Kaan Karaer, pools, 4 basketball courts, 4 outdoor fi t- the uniqueness and quality of the project, ness areas, 4 playgrounds, 7 pergolas, as well as a lot of satisfi ed residents, led indoor fi tness center, walking and run- to the success. ning tracks, commercial facilities, social "We had expectations that sales would terraces, a kindergarten and a school. be successful,” Kaan Karaer says. “We Green Diamond is a three-stage project. were convinced that all the apartments At the fi rst stage, all 731 apartments have would be sold before the end of the pro- been sold and will be available in May ject. But we really didn’t expect it to 2018. Soon, the second stage will begin, happen nine months before. We thank followed by the third. The second stage all existing and future residents of includes two high-rise building with 244 MAQRO Construction’s projects. They fully renovated units from 31-250 sq.m played a huge role in this success. Resi- with 26 commercials that will fulfi ll dents of Green Budapest recommended residents’ daily needs, including shops, and shared their experience and that markets, café, restaurant, pharmacy, bank, was largely why there was a high demand beauty salon, etc. The complex is all set for Green Diamond fl ats. to be a unique and marvelous feature in “Foreign investors from various coun- the city of Tbilisi.

GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017 Russia Supplying Oil to North Korea? No Georgian Wine Problem, Says Putin's Press Secretary

idential press secretary Dmitry Peskov the North Korean authorities to conduct BY DAVID DRUMMERS Export Increases said, adding that President Putin has a constructive dialogue that would help repeatedly stated that the supply of oil overcome the current crisis,” since actions and oil products to North Korea is neg- “against the North Korean authorities orth Korea is likely buy- ligible. from the position of power will not yield ing diesel from Russian "The President of Russia repeatedly, positive results,” meaning that they would in Last 8 Months oil companies via trading including at a press conference in Bei- not stop the nuclear tests, even if large- companies in Singapore, jing, said that the volume of trade and scale sanctions were imposed on them. and, should the US cut off economic interaction and supplies of oil "On the contrary, Pyongyang needs to Nall oil fl ows to Pyongyang, it would serve and oil products to Korea are at an insig- be involved in dialogue, conditions cre- as the regime’s lifeline - senior-level nifi cant level, at a miserable level," Peskov ated in which Pyongyang will feel secure, North Korean defector Ri Jong Ho told said, underlining that Putin is “serious and thus seek ways out," said Putin's the Voice of America Korean Service in about the situation on the Korean Pen- spokesman, adding that the Russian his fi rst interview since he defected in insula and strongly condemns the pro- leader has not yet planned any contact October 2014. vocative actions of Pyongyang,” which with DPRK representatives in the frame- “Trade turnover between Russia and is almost weekly seeing some form of work of the Eastern Economic Forum, the Democratic People's Republic of nuclear weapon test. nor does he know of any plans by Rus- Korea (DPRK) is minimal, so it is hardly However, the Russian president, Peskov sian representatives to hold meetings advisable to talk about the cessation of said, is not an advocate of driving the with economic representatives of North Russian oil products to it,” Russian pres- DPRK into a corner - it is “necessary for Korea.

rus (35%), US (67%), Germany (39%), BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI Israel (232%), France (378%), Azerbaijan (170%), with Russia, China, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Poland being the top or the period of January-August, exporters. 45.3 million bottles of wine Kindzmarauli Wine, with 7,752.470 bot- were exported to 44 countries, tles exported, leads the list, followed by the Georgian National Wine Mukuzani, (2,478.937 bottles), Tsinandali Agency (NWA) claims, mak- (1,959.406 bottles), Akhasheni (861,185 ingF it a 61% increase compared to the bottles exported), Khvanchkara (451,034 same period in 2016. bottles), Tvishi (172,358 bottles) and “From January to August 2017, the Napareuli (121,986 bottles). exported wine came to a value of $100.3 9,758.746 bottles of brandy were million, a 55% increase compared to the exported to 20 countries, which is 103% same period last year,” the NWA reports. more compared to the same period in “Wine sales have increased in the mar- 2016, with a $21,85 million export, an kets of the EU, South-East Asia, US and increase of 98% y/y. other countries, as a result of the coor- 132,746 bottles of Georgian Chacha dinated efforts and precisely planned were exported to 17 countries, a 153% marketing activities of the Ministry of increase in export, making a $367,757 Agriculture of Georgia, Georgian National million income from Chacha alone, Wine Agency, and of the wine-making amounting to an 85% increase y/y. sector,” George Samanishvili, Head of The overall income from exports of National Wine Agency noted. wine, brandy, Chacha, wine material and Georgian wine export increased in brand alcohol amounted to $165,34 mil- China (51%), Russia (94%), Ukraine lion, a 52% increase as compared to the (42%), Poland (19%), Latvia (25%), Bela- same period of 2016. No Fundamental Macroeconomic Basis for Signifi cant Devaluation of Lari here is no fundamental mac- can take place in both directions. was slightly depreciated, this was a sign roeconomic basis for the “Throughout the summer, we saw the for those who had expected a relatively signifi cant depreciation of GEL strengthening. In recent months, low exchange rate in August to buy for- the Georgian Lari, - declared in order to avoid further strengthening eign currency, which increased demand the Chairman of Budget and of the GEL, the NBG bought $110 million, and was refl ected on the exchange rate. FinanceT Committee, Irakli Kovzanadze. increased FX reserves and managed to I would like to point out again, that “The economic data that we have today maintain monetary stability in the coun- nowadays, there is no fundamental mac- does not give any basis for it”. try,” Kovzanadze said. roeconomic basis for the signifi cant He went on to point to the fl uctuating “The recent depreciation of the GEL depreciation of the GEL. Accordingly, exchange rate regime in Georgia, a rate could be explained by both expectation the fl uctuation of the exchange rate is defi ned by the demand and supply of as well as psychological factors. At the temporary and is expected to be short- the market. This means that movement end of August, when the exchange rate term,” Kovzanadze concluded.

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

GEORGIA TODAY 10 BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017

The President of Poland Supports Visa-Free Regime with Kazakhstan zens up to 30 days would facilitate not service between Astana and Warsaw and BY DAVID DRUMMERS only business contacts, but also tourist the fact that we removed the visa regime visits, as does the launch of a direct air between our countries; now we ask the service already implemented by the Pol- same of the Polish side,” he said during olish President Andrzej Duda ish airline between Warsaw and Astana. a press statement following the talks in on Wednesday began an offi - Mr. President, you can count on the sup- Akorda. At the same time, the President cial visit to Kazakhstan to port of representatives of the Polish of Kazakhstan expressed confi dence that meet the country’s leader, State. Our position here is unambiguous," the visit of President Andrzej Duda would Nursultan Nazarbayev, and he told Nazarbayev. give new impetus to Kazakh-Polish rela- attendP a Polish-Kazakh business forum. President Nazarbayev suggested that tions and serve the benefi t of the two Once there, President Duda voiced his Poland also introduce a visa-free regime peoples. support of President Nazarbayev’s pro- for the people of Kazakhstan. President Duda’s trip to Kazakhstan is posal that there be a mutual visa-free "We are also ready to help each other a return visit after Nazarbayev visited regime between the countries. in the formation of modern transport Poland in August last year, according to "Polish companies have been present infrastructure for the accelerated deliv- the Polish president’s foreign policy on the Kazakh market for several years ery of goods from Asia to Europe and adviser Krzysztof Szczerski. now,” President Duda stated. “The abo- vice versa. The long-awaited event was “Polish-Kazakh trade has increased by lition of the visa regime for Polish citi- the opening on May 28 of a direct air 90% since that visit,” Szczerski claims. British Embassy Bids Farewell to Latest Chevening Scholars

BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES

ritish Ambassador Justin McKenzie Smith this week hosted a reception to bid farewell to Georgian scholars selected for scholarships Bprovided by the Chevening program for the 2017-2018 academic year who will be fl ying off to continue their education in leading UK Universities. Chevening is the UK Government’s international awards scheme aimed at British Ambassador to Georgia Justin McKenzie Smith with Kakha Kiknavelidze, CEO developing global leaders. Funded by at Bank of Georgia the Foreign and Commonwealth Offi ce and partner organizations, it offers a the UK, including in London, Birming- of Georgia is committed to the future of unique opportunity for future leaders ham, Belfast, and Kingston. It takes a lot this program,” he said. and infl uencers from around the globe of work and resources to do so and I Irina Surmanidze, who worked in the to develop professionally and academi- would like to offer our very special thanks Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports cally, network extensively, experience to the Bank of Georgia and BGEO Group of Adjara as the Head of the Culture UK culture, and build lasting positive for their continued support of three Department, is one of the lucky 14 who relationships with the UK. Chevening scholarships. A second ‘thank will be sent to study for a year in the The annual event at the British Embassy you’ goes to the Lord Mayor of the City UK. celebrated the Chevening scheme which of London, who has agreed that for the “I felt I needed an upgrade on my aca- has been operating in Georgia for almost fi rst time since 2003, he will award a Man- demic education,” she told GEORGIA 25 years and has so far offered one-year sion House scholarship for study in the TODAY. “I wanted to learn new skills in fully funded scholarships to almost 250 fi nancial sector”. the direction of culture and entrepre- Georgian professionals, many of whom He then encouraged past benefi ciaries neurship and applied to Goldsmiths are in leadership positions in Georgia to give their own ideas and recommen- University of London”. today. dations to help the system bloom, and Following extensive application pro- The Ambassador began by congratulat- guests to spread the word on the great cesses and interviews, Surmanidze was ing the winning applicants to the program. opportunity the Chevening scheme offers. offered a Chevening Scholarship and “The program began 25 years ago, and “We joined the scholarship scheme says she feels “excited, happy, and proud” since then, almost 250 students have been four years ago; at the beginning of every and is “looking forward to new adven- sent from Georgia to study through the September since, sending the best minds tures during this upcoming fruitful year”. Chevening program. This event is one of of Georgia to the best universities in the The Embassy event was attended by the highlights of the British Embassy’s UK,” said Kakha Kiknavelidze, CEO at Chevening alumni, government offi cials, calendar: saying farewell to the brilliant Bank of Georgia. “Bank of Georgia and civil society and members of the busi- Chevening scholars and welcoming back BGEO are proud to do so and see educa- ness community. many of our friends who have studied in tion as the most important part of our Applications for the Chevening pro- the UK. This year, we are sending 14 Social Responsibility and a key factor in gram 2018-2019 academic year close on scholars to various universities around the development of this country. Bank November 7.

GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017 Tbilisi: a Museum of Desolation

OTHERS DON’T SEE? INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE Well, I think you can look at the glass and it’s either half full or half empty. So maybe it was just me having a negative hen you’re a well- attitude and I saw a glass that was half established European empty. I really expected more, I didn’t journalist and you expect this kind of neglected city. I felt visit Tbilisi and then a kind of depression there, it was a hope- write a blog about less place. This hopelessness permeated Wyour impressions, it’s supposed to be a the whole atmosphere of the city. Take glowing review of the city, praising it’s the buildings for example, they are beauty and authenticity. But one Swiss extremely neglected and that was a very Journalist had other things to say. “Tbi- disappointing thing to see. lisi – a Museum of Desolation,” Bernhard Odehnal writes, followed by the notion HAD YOU BEEN TO that you’d need a rather thick pair of GEORGIA BEFORE? pink glasses to not notice just how No, it was my ﬁ rst trip there. I wanted neglected the city is, administering fur- to go in the 90s, but the civil war there ther salt by stating that most foreign made it impossible. “reviewers” and Tbilissians themselves are rather happily sporting abovemen- YOUR WORDS WOULD BE tioned pink glasses. Needless to say, the VERY MUCH ON SPOT HAD blog didn’t sit well with the Georgian YOU BEEN DESCRIBING audience, so GEORGIA TODAY and TBILISI ABOUT 15 YEARS Source: theitinerant.co.uk Panorama TV Show tracked down “the AGO – BUT TODAY? CITY OF beauty when I came here. And that was culprit” for further questioning. DESOLATION? REALLY? THERE YOUR WAY FROM THE the main source of my disappointment. ARE LOTS OF CONSTRUCTION AIRPORT TO THE CENTER, BUT What I want to stress though is that WHY DO YOU THINK THE WORKS ONGOING IN TBILISI WHAT ELSE DID YOU SEE IN people were extremely friendly – So I TBILISI YOU SAW WAS SO I saw the city from the perspective of TBILISI TO RESULT IN SUCH A don’t have anything bad to say about DIFFERENT FROM WHAT OTHER 2017. And truth be told, when I arrived DEPRESSING IMPRESSION? Georgian people. It’s just I came with JOURNALISTS DESCRIBE? it was like stepping back to the begin- The surroundings of Freedom Square, big expectations and then felt rather I got a lot of criticism for this blog in my ning of the 90s. You say there are recon- Sololaki and Kote Abkhazi Street. Can shortchanged. But perhaps when I come newspaper and also among my friends. struction works going on – I’m sorry but you see this picture (holds up a picture to Tbilisi next time, I’ll leave with more I’ve many friends who have traveled to I didn’t see any of that. What I saw, most with a ruinous, neglected house in Tbi- positive impressions. Georgia and who are actually very big of Old Tbilisi looked like a warzone. Or lisi)? It’s not only one street, but the fans of the country. And truth be told, it the aftermath of an earthquake. And I whole quarter looks like that. I’ve been WHAT WAS YOUR INTEREST even caused some disturbance in my asked myself how come people don’t to warzones, I’ve been in Bosnia, in IN WRITING THIS BLOG? relationship as even my wife doesn’t care about this historically valuable part Kosovo, and didn’t see much difference SOME IN GEORGIA CLAIM seem to agree with what I’ve written- of their city becoming a ruin? And the between this quarter in Tbilisi and what Swiss blogger Bernhard Odehnal was not YOU WERE PRO-RUSSIAN IN and she was with me in Tbilisi. But you most shocking part of this was that some there was after the war. Tbilisi looked impressed with what he saw in Tbilisi, DOING SO, YET WE CAN SEE comparing some areas to post-war zones know what? I think it was just about people still live there, putting their lives like the war ended just weeks ago. FROM YOUR OTHER MATERIAL disappointed expectations. I’ve read a at risk. many where this beauty is long gone, YOU ARE ANYTHING BUT. DID lot about the city and I’ve heard a lot of THIS IS A POST-SOVIET STATE in Tbilisi it wouldn’t require much effort YOUR ARTICLE HELP TBILISI good things about it from friends who WHO DO YOU THINK IS THAT EXPERIENCED WAR LESS to restore it. The more you neglect your BECOME A BETTER CITY? spend a lot of time there, so, naturally, I RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT? THAN 10 YEARS AGO, YET city, the more effort you’ll need to restore I think so. If people only focus on posi- expected a lot – but when I got there for Good question. I guess the city council YOU SEEM TO JUDGE IT BY it and I’m afraid for some quarters it tives and never write about problems, a family holiday, I was left disappointed. has some responsibility. I don’t know if EUROPEAN, MAYBE SWISS might already be too late for that. Another then these problems will remain unre- And I expressed my disappointment in these buildings are private or public, but OR AUSTRIAN STANDARDS thing I didn’t like was to see how pedes- solved forever. Had I written yet another a blog that has apparently caused so my guess is that the authorities have to I’m not judging it by Swiss standards. trian-unfriendly the city was. You liter- article about the beauty of Georgia, about much stir in Georgian and Russian cir- do something about it. I don’t know if Or German standards for that matter- ally cannot cross the street –it’s full of the beauty of Tbilisi, I think nobody cles. It wasn’t a report about the city, it you can rebuild them or if they are lost there are some amazingly ugly cities in cars. The city is too car-focused and it would’ve cared about it. Whereas now was a blog of my personal experience forever. But they look like nobody cares Germany. Tbilisi is not an ugly city, I’m really isn’t best for tourists. That’s prob- we’re talking about these problems, peo- and impressions. about them and that they’re beyond any not saying that, it’s just neglected. And ably one of the things that doesn’t get ple who read my blog are talking about repair. it’s hurts to see that, because you also mentioned often enough in articles them, discussing, so it might serve as an DO YOU THINK YOU see that with proper care, this city would about the city – I was hoping to enjoy impetus to make things better, right? SAW A GEORGIA THAT IN YOUR BLOG, YOU DESCRIBE be really beautiful. Unlike cities in Ger- a beautiful city, but I couldn’t ﬁ nd this One certainly hopes so. Signals: Etseri, Svaneti

told me, at hand-printing up to eight perfor straightness and good visibility from BLOG BY TONY HANMER fectly registered colors of ink, mostly on all sides, and mixed my cement with small, highly detailed stickers or baseball sand and gravel. This was the fi rst time cap crests as advertising for provincial I ever made it without using a container, ighter than last week’s- that companies. George’s artwork was always on a fl at metal surface. Ever try mixing story still working its way a pleasure, and I still have an album of cake ingredients on a counter-top, with through the system, there’s my best work. We later also got into larger no pan or bowl? The experts make it not much to report. cut vinyl signs, for small volume or one- look easy, but there is defi nitely a knack When I was fi nishing my last off orders, and even some sandblasted to it, which I seem to have learned as yearL of high school in Canada, aged 18, and varnished cedar signs. The smell of well. You make a “volcanic caldera” of in 1985, summer work came and found the lacquer thinner cleanup fumes! That, the dry ingredients with a hole in the me in my usual hangout, the Art Room. too, will send me back there, as long as top, pour in the water, fold the stuff in Coolest place in the building, the only those fumes haven’t done permanent with a shovel, and repeat until it’s the room where radio was allowed during damage to my memory cells of the time… right consistency. But it does look a bit lessons (Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” I reminisced on all of this as I was work- like builder’s magic. Add the cement conjures instantly that era for me). Would ing on a couple of vinyl signs for my own around the sign’s post holes, and then I be interested in doing some screen guest house in our village in Svaneti. My let it dry, which is a chemical reaction printing with Solid Rock Signs? The brother-in-law had had them printed (not rather than a process of evaporation, so owner shook my hand, having liked my cut, as we used to do) on the sticky-back it will happen even in the rain. work in a recent school exhibition which substrate, and had also helped me weld Those skills I learned some 32 years I’d curated, and had an opening. I could the framework for the larger sign, which ago are still useful today, and the years hardly believe my luck, as this very type would go in our yard. I’d sanded and of memories with my bosses, great friends of thing was what I’d been hoping to fi nd spray-painted it in fi nal preparation. and mentors at my fi rst full-time job, before the Alberta College of Art took The secret to getting a smooth, air also echo forward into now. me as a student that fall. bubble-free laying on the sticker is this: The ACA rejected my application, how- you wet the receiving surface with water Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since ever, and my summer at SRS turned into and a few drops of liquid dish detergent, 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a over four years. Initially, we worked from apply the sticker, then smooth out eve- weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He Terry’s garage, with him teaching me the rything with a squeegee, sponge or towel. runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook printing and George (RIP) doing most of Otherwise, dry, it can be really tricky. group, now with nearly 1700 members, at the artwork. Then we moved to new It’s also important to have everything www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- premises above an auto dealership and dust-free, of course. sance/ repair shop; but the business was never I dug holes where my wife and I had He and his wife also run their own guest house fi nancially very successful. Yet I went on agreed it would go, put the sign in place, in Iskari hamlet of Etseri: to become irreplaceably good, they later wired it down to a couple of pegs, checked www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017 CULTURE 13 The Memorable Debut of ‘Flight Mode’ in Tbilisi

New Theater Production Based on

Tbilisi. Even the band members confess that is obsolete, you should do much REVIEW BY MAKA LOMADZE Stalin's Gulag Camps that they do not know anyone else play- better than the contemporary musicians ing the same mixed genre. did. It’s extremely diffi cult to achieve “We formed the band two months ago. it, as the history of music knows a lot monly used to refer to any forced-labor BY TAMZIN WHITEWOOD he band ‘Flight Mode’ con- Two of us are still students. There’s of brilliant works. A musician should camp in the Soviet Union sists of two violinists, a always a risk how the audience will take search for a different path to offer some- The performance in Griboedov Theater guitarist and a pianist and our music, but it’s sort of our obligation thing new and tasteful to listeners.” was the fi rst to be held in Georgia, and presents with no exact to play whatever we like,” Sandro Buti- Their music is as saturated in Geor- new theater production depicts the terrible events that took place genre, combining jazz, post kashvili, violinist, told GEORGIA gian as in Asian and Egyptian folk tunes. entitled 'Aljiri' took place in the 20th century. rockT and ambience elements. On Sep- TODAY. “We, the band, have been united Their debut in Georgia happened in Batumi on September 6. 8,000 women were sentenced to the tember 2, they held an event at ‘Back- thanks to our common musical taste. recently in Tserakvi village, Marneuli Chiatura is to host the camp in total, including 281 women from stage 76’ in Tbilisi. Two violins give the band a classical municipality, at the festival ‘One Cau- next performance of the Georgia. This genre is quite a rarity for the hue, adding an academic trait to music casus,’ alongside other musicians from Ashow on September 9 at the State Drama Actors participating in the production Georgian audience. I would say that which is not completely academic.” Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan per- Theater. include: Lyudmila Artomiova-Mgebrish- their sound bears a lilac-purple color, “We didn’t want to play outdated, old- forming their creative works. The fes- Aljiri (Algeria) is Avtandil Varsimash- vili, Ina Voobiova, Natalia Voroniku, hinting at freedom fl oating nearby. One fashioned genres- we’d rather play tival aimed at making friendly ties vili's narrative drama, a revived story is Nino Kikacheishvili, Mariam Kitia, Sophie can travel in a boat on the river of their something new,” Rati Gvalia, pianist, between the Caucasian nations. The based on a true story, written about a Lomjaria and Ana Nikolava. tunes. It is something new, at least among told us. “That’s why we chose ambience, public took the ‘Flight Mode’ perfor- 'Gulag', one of the worst aspects of Sta- The tour is supported by the company those musicians that I have heard in post rock and jazz. If you make music mance very positively. lin's epoch. The term 'Gulag' is com- "Somari". GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER JOUR J Language: Russian (‘The rupture’) - a group of artists Guangle, Wang Sishun, Wang Directed by Reem Kherici Start time: 19:15, 22:00 refl ecting the transition from Yuyang, Xie Molin, Xu Qu, Xu Cast: Reem Kherici, Nicolas modernism to postmodernism in GABRIADZE THEATER Ticket: 13-14 GEL Zhen, Yan Xing, Zhang Ding, Zhang Address: 13 Shavtelis St. Duvauchelle, Julia Piaton Mexico. Zhenyu, Zhao Yao and Zhao Zhao. Telephone: 2 98 65 93 Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Fa ANNABELLE: CREATION Language: Russian Directed by David F. Sandberg IOSEB GRISHASHVILI MUSIC September 8 Start time: 19:10, 21:15 Cast: Alicia Vela-Bailey, Miranda TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM STALINGRAD Ticket: 13-14 GEL Otto, Stephanie Sigman - KARVASLA HOUSE MUSEUM OF Rezo Gabriadze Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Fa Address: 8 Sioni St. ALEKSANDER Language: Russian Telephone: 2 98 22 81 Directed by Rezo Gabriadze TULIP FEVER CHAVCHAVADZE Start time: 22:15 Start time: 20:00 Directed by Justin Chadwick Address: Tsinandali, Kakheti Ticket: 10, 20, 30 GEL Cast: Alicia Vikander, Dane Ticket: 13-14 GEL August 30 – September 20 DeHaan, Cara Delevingne EXHIBITION MUSEUM September 14 September 9, 10 Genre: Drama, Romance THE BORDER TSINANDALI FESTIVAL DIAMOND OF MARSHAL DE FANTE Language: Russian Curated by Inke Arns and Thibaut Performance by Rezo Gabriadze Start time: 21:30 GEORGIAN NATIONAL de Ruyter (Dortmund and Berlin), Directed by Rezo Gabriadze Ticket: 13-14 GEL MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA Production: Liaison des Arts, MAESTRO ZUBIN MEHTA, Start time: 20:00 MUSEUM Karola Matschke (Berlin), KHATIA BUNIATISHVILI AND Ticket: 10, 20, 30 GEL RUSTAVELI CINEMA Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Project co-ordination in Tbilisi: THE ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Lasha Khvedelidze (Goethe ORCHESTRA TBILISI NODAR DUMBADZE Telephone: 2 55 50 00 www.museum.ge institute Georgia) Program: George Enescu- Voix STATE CENTRAL CHILDREN'S www.kinoafi sha.ge De La Nature, Robert Schumann- THEATRE PERMANENT EXHIBITION: MUSEUM OF SOVIET Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 54, Address: 99/1 Agmashenebeli Ave. Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY OCCUPATION Pyotr Tchaikovsky- Symphony No. Telephone: 2 95 39 27 September 8-14 FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. 5 in E minor, op.64 TO THE 4TH CENTURY A.D Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Start time: 18:00 September 12, 13 www.museum.ge South Caucasus Contemporary LOGAN LUCKY Ticket: 5-40 GEL Directed by Steven Soderbergh EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN Dance & Experimental Art Festival PERMANENT EXHIBITION in Tbilisi Cast: Daniel Craig, Channing WEAPONRY BATUMI MUSICFEST 2017 Tatum, Katherine Waterston JÉRÔME BEL - GALA SVANETI MUSEUM OF Venue: Batumi Music Center Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama NUMISMATIC TREASURY Conception: Jérôme Bel HISTORY AND Assistant: Maxime Kurvers Language: Russian ETHNOGRAPHY September 8 THE TESTAMENT OF DAVID Start time: 20:00 Start time: 16:30, 19:45, 22:30 Address: 7 A. Ioseliani Str., Mestia GALA OF FOUNDATION SOS Ticket: 16-25 GEL Ticket: 10-14 GEL THE BUILDER AND NEW TALENTS EXHIBITS OF THE MEDIEVAL CINEMA Georgian National Museum Special guest: BABY DRIVER TREASURY and Project ArtBeat present MICHEL SOGNY Directed by Edgar Wright HERE Start time: 19:00 AMIRANI CINEMA Cast: Ansel Elgort, Jon Bernthal, EXHIBITION STONE AGE GEORGIA A solo exhibition Address: 36 Kostava Str. Ticket: 15 GEL Jon Hamm May 18- November 18 of New York based Telephone: 2 99 99 55 Genre: Action, Crime, Musical, Fa EXHIBITION Georgian artist MUSIC FESTIVAL www.kinoafi sha.ge Language: Russian GEORGIAN COSTUME AND LEVAN MINDIASHVILI SAIRME 2017 Start time: 13:50 WEAPONRY OF 18TH-20TH Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 GEL Ticket: 9-10 GEL CENTURIES GALLERY Address: Sairme Resort September 8-14 September 9 JOUR J MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS THE NATIONAL GALLERY September 13 ENSEMBLES IAME & Event Cinema (Info Above) Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 19:45 Telephone: 299 99 09 www.museum.ge KUTAISI STATE ENSEMBLE DAVID GILMOUR: Start time: 17:00 LIVE AT POMPEII Ticket: 13-14 GEL Telephone: 215 73 00 Ticket: From 20 GEL Directed by Gavin Elder August 10 – September 20 Cast: David Gilmour 7 SISTERS EXHIBITION EDEN EXHIBITION CONSTELLATION Genre: Documentarydventure, Fa Directed by Tommy Wirkola BY ROGER VON GUNTEN Artworks by Chinese contemporary September 10 Language: English Cast: Noomi Rapace, Marwan ‘Edén’ is a visual journey through artists- Ai Weiwei, Hu Xiaoyuan, ENSEMBLE BASIANI Start time: 20:30 Kenzari, Willem Dafoe the works of the artist. Roger Von Li Shurui, Liu Wei, Lu Pingyuan, Start time: 17:00 Ticket: From 20 GEL Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller Gunten is a member of ‘La Ruptura’ Lu Shanchuan, Ma Qiusha, Wang Ticket: From 20 GEL GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 8 - 11, 2017 CULTURE 15 Land of Colorful Birds, Disobeying Gravity

and visions. The topics of the transcen- BY MAKA LOMADZE dental world and Christian mysticism are very interesting for me and I always use them in my work. I dream a lot, so n September 1, at Art Pal- I always have something to paint,” she ace (State Museum of added. For her, this is a process of search- Music, Film, Theater and ing within herself. “I don’t yet know what Choreography), the solo I’m searching for. But one of the paths exhibition of Mariam Kan- for me is to paint more and explore diashviliO titled ‘Bird Land’ was opened. myself in this way,” she explains. The exposition showcases paintings, “The Georgian Art Palace, which counts installations, drawings and illustrations 200 years, and the museum, which is that the author has painted since 2010. around 80 years-old, is hosting a very Kandiashvili is a 24-year-old artist who young but extremely talented artist, received her education in Visual Art and Mariam Kandiashvili,” Art Palace direc- Illustration Direction in England and tor Giorgi Kalandia said. “She also par- The Netherlands. She has participated ticipated in the commemorative exhibi- in numerous collaborative expositions tion of the 850th anniversary of Shota in Georgia and overseas (Florence, Buda- Rustaveli, organized by British Council pest and Amsterdam). She is also the and Georgian Art Palace. I fi rst saw author and illustrator of the English- Mariam’s works in a small Tbilisi gallery language art-book ‘A Place for Us’, which and at once decided to invite her to the was published in 2016. Palace. Her works show the world as Kandiashvili’s creative mediums are perceived through the eyes of someone painting, drawing, illustration, installa- with great talent who deserves a special tion, and text. The main topics of her narrative.” tures of heaven not obeying the same rated with colorful feathers, wings give age to have so many successful exhibi- creativity are interpretation of dreams The narrative, in this case, is birds and laws of nature as us. With mesmerizing us a possibility to fl y, a chance to be free. tions to her credit. I would point out her and visions, illustrations of world mythol- eggs. graciousness, they disobey gravity, liv- Bird land is the land where no airplanes series ‘Land of Sparrows’. I think that ogy, literature and poetry, Christian “The egg is an archaic symbol, impor- ing their life on earth and in the sky and are needed. It’s the place of a million these works are one of the main facts of mysticism, phantasmagorical worlds and tant in alchemy, literature, various some can even live in water. Birds know songs, and dances performed by birdlike modern culture. They represent Mariam’s characters, abandoned spaces, expres- mythologies, religions and philosophical what we cannot.” humanoids who are desperately trying phantasmagorical and psychedelic works. sive portraits and the aesthetics of Rock schools of thought,” Mariam says. “It She also remembers a number of phil- to fl y,” Kandiashvili says to explain her Gray, blue and black colors prevail, leav- & Roll culture. symbolizes life reborn, regeneration, the osophical lines: “‘The function of the exhibition. ing viewers with strong impressions”. “This is my third solo exhibition in beginning, creation of the universe, a wing is to take what is heavy and raise “It is an indisputably interesting exhi- The exhibition ‘Bird Land’ will last for Tbilisi,” she told GEORGIA TODAY. container of space, the womb accom- it up into region above where the gods bition,” said Lelo Chichinadze, art critic, two weeks. “The bulk of the scenes and characters modating a divine embryo…Birds rep- dwell,’ Plato said. Wings are a subject of Head of the Exhibition Programs of Art I paint on canvas come from my dreams resent the soul. Feathered, singing crea- desire for mortal human beings. Deco- Palace. “It is rare for someone Mariam’s WHERE: Art Palace, Kargareteli Str. 6, Tbilisi Tbilisi Photo Festival Kicks off SPORTS on September 13 Georgian Basketball Team Defeats Israel at Eurobasket 2017

Photo Festival is to open this year in its ideology and the photographic image”. BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI 8th edition. Running from September The two central events of the Tbilisi 13 to 20, it will showcase the works of Photo Festival are to introduce the works Photo source: www.fi ba.basketball over 350 photographers, transforming of megastars of the photography world: B category. Tornike Sharashenidze col- BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI ounded in 2010 in partnership Tbilisi into the photography capital of for the fi rst time in Caucasus, the visi- lected 25 double-double points with 19 with Les Rencontres d’Arles the Caucasus region for the duration of tors will have a chance to see the works rebounds, while Zaza Pachulia, Georgian by French Photographer the event. of French photographer Guy Bourdain Basketball Team Captain, got 19 points Lionel Charrier, who now The world of fashion photography is and Viviane Sassen, an artist from the he Georgian National bas- and 11 rebounds. happens to be photo editor to be the major focus of the program of Netherlands. ketball team defeated Israel Georgia played against Italy at 18:30 Fof the French Newspaper Liberation, the Tbilisi Photo Festival 2017, “explor- For more information and the detailed at the Eurobasket match local time Wednesday, just missing a and Nestan Nijaradze, Georgian pho- ing the connections between fashion, program of the festival, go to: www. held in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, chance to be in the playoffs, with a fi nal tographer and journalist, the Tbilisi the tradition of identity representation, tbilisiphotofestival.com/en/the-festival Tscoring 104-91, in the Group score of 69-71 to Italy. PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Website Manager/Editor: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Zaza Jgarkava, Tamzin Whitewood 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Maka Bibilashvili, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Dimitri Dolaberidze, Layout: strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Maka Lomadze, Misha Mchedlishvili Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Commercial Director: Joseph Larsen, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Webmaster: Iva Merabishvili Vazha Tavberidze, Sergey Gevenov F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Marketing Manager: Nugzar B. Ruhadze, is registered in Mtatsminda Melita Tsaava Nino Gugunishvili, Circulation Managers: ADVERTISING & district court. Thea Morrison David Kerdikashvili, SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: David Djandjgava +995 579 25 22 25 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: Photographer: E-mail: marketing@ Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies Irakli Dolidze georgiatoday.ge