Issue no: 1241 • APRIL 10 - 16, 2020 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... FOCUS An Open Letter to the Gov’t ON WORLD HEALTH & People of Georgia Acknowledging the dedication NEWS PAGE 2 and professionalism of Georgia's healthcare workers when responding to COVID-19 in Georgia: the challenges of COVID-19 PAGE 10 The Legal Issues You Need to Know NEWS PAGE 3 NATO Membership: The Macedonian Experience POLITICS PAGE 4 Georgia’s Trade & the First Great World Pandemic: the Bubonic Plague of AD 541-544 BUSINESS PAGE 5 Georgia’s Growth Prospects before COVID-19, & How Things Might Change Image source: National Library of Georgia ISET PAGE 6 How Beeline is Dealing with the Impact of COVID-19 Coronavirus Job Losses Could Hit Four out of Five INTERVIEW People Worldwide BUSINESS PAGE 7 ompanies country- and worldwide are struggling to cope with the spread of COVID-19, from protect- ing their staff to keeping their cli- Transcending Classroom ents happy, supplied and comfort- Walls: UCMAS Workshop able.C With those challenges in mind, GEORGIA TODAY sat down with Andrzej Malinowski, Chief Executive Offi cer at Veon Georgia, to fi nd Goes Online for GEL 10 out how one telecommunications company has SOCIETY PAGE 8 been dealing with the crisis.

HOW DID THE REALITY AT BEELINE CHANGE WITH THE SPREAD Isolation Diaries #1: Online OF THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS IN THE COUNTRY? Events to Keep up Your If we look at the company as at a living thing, which in fact it is, I would emphasize two aspects Social Life of the change: the spirit of our company is SOCIETY PAGE 9 digital, so it was not much of a change in this this digital part of our way of work, that played (not from home, not from the offi ce) no matter regard when we decided to take our work home, a dominant role. We decided to switch to fully what. Network maintenance has to be managed as we’ve been working from any convenient remote work at the early stage of the outbreak, “hands on” by our engineers. Those colleagues location for a long time now, while the body of and thanks to that amazingly fast execution, of ours are unsung heroes of the pandemic and Interview with an Artistic our company, in the sense of the teams work- absolutely every single Beeline employee who I would like to use this opportunity to express ing in all our locations: head offi ce, corporate can work from home was transferred to remote my appreciation and respect. We’ve been doing Couple: Beka Sakvarelidze sales offi ce, call center, data center, retail net- work. I would like to underline one really everything we can to keep them safe as they work, was really comfortably located in these important matter though: our industry requires do their jobs. & Mariam Shakarashvili offi ces. With pandemic spread it was the soul, some of our team members to work outside Continued on page 2 CULTURE PAGE 11 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS APRIL 10 - 16, 2020 Daily Signal: Georgia is America’s Proven Ally in Fighting Common Challenges

gens left over from the Soviet Union’s BY GT TEAM bio-warfare program.' In operation since 2013, the lab has now become a key resource in the fi ght against the corona- he Daily Signal, the Amer- virus, 'testing hundreds of samples and ican political media news turning results around in under 24 hours.”' website, has devoted an In the author's words, "the practical article to the important health partnership between the United partnership between the States and Georgia has had broad ben- TUS and Georgia. efi ts for the people of a country that is "The South Caucasus nation of Geor- growing fast but remains one of the gia has become an important partner for poorest in Europe." the United States on a range of critical As highlighted by the Centers for Dis- global issues," claims the author of the ease Control and Prevention in 2019, article, Anthony B. Kim, who is a “Despite the challenges of rebuilding researcher of international economic after the fall of the Soviet Union … Geor- issues at The Heritage Foundation. gia has persevered and has become a "The small but strategically located nation model country for public health and is on the front lines of efforts to contain global health security.” Russian expansionism, and has contributed In dealing with the ongoing coronavi- thousands of troops to support US efforts rus pandemic, as US Ambassador to in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, the country Georgia Kelly Degnan recently pointed is partnering with the US in the fi ght against out, Georgia has taken proactive steps the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic," the to “contain the spread of the COVID-19 author further notes. virus and minimize its impacts.” Image Source: The Daily Signal In addition, he emphasizes the impor- As of today, Georgia has only three tance of the Richard G. Lugar Center for fatalities from the pandemic. tion began including the country in its have led to the modernization and upgrade the Black Sea, a possible free trade agree- Public Health Research in this partner- "As in past crises and challenges, Geor- annual Index of Economic Freedom, the of the country’s economic system. ment between the two countries, and ship. gia is proving in the current pandemic Georgian economy has moved up from In fact, the country this year replaced ongoing efforts to deepen defense ties, "Central to that partnership is the Rich- to be a dependable ally for the United the ranks of economically “repressed” to the United States as the 12th-freest in both bilaterally and through NATO. ard G. Lugar Center for Public Health States. Located at the strategic geopo- “mostly free.” the world. "America’s enduring relationship with Research—a US-funded research lab on litical crossroads of Europe and Asia, According to the latest edition of the The author emphasizes that this is an Georgia, based on shared values and the outskirts of the nation’s capital, Tbi- the country stands out as one of the most index, Georgia’s economic freedom score important year for Georgia-US coop- common interests, is strong and highly lisi—which was founded 'with the aim notable emerging economies in the is well above the regional and world aver- eration, with a number of signifi cant benefi cial to both countries," the author of limiting the spread of disease in the world," the article further reads. ages, and multiyear reforms to open mar- economic projects, including the con- concludes. region and dealing with deadly patho- Since 1996, when The Heritage Founda- kets, cut regulation, and simplify taxes struction of a stalled deep water port on . Author: Anthony B. Kim, The Daily Signal An Open Letter to the Gov’t & People of Georgia

he COVID-19 pandemic and containing the virus’ spread so far and challenges ahead, leave no one behind, française de Développement, the Inter- Czura, Head of Regional Representation associated economic crisis have since received well-deserved inter- support vulnerable business and house- national Monetary Fund, and the World for the South Caucasus European Invest- is unfolding at an unprec- national praise. Support schemes for holds to withstand the shock, continue Bank Group are working together to ment Bank; Catarina Bjorlin Hansen, edented pace and has pushed business and vulnerable groups have vital infrastructure investments, bridge ensure rapid support to Georgia and are Regional Director, Caucasus European the world economy into a been initiated and recovery plans are the gap in the country’s fi nances, and currently discussing a substantial fi nan- Bank for Reconstruction and Develop- recession.T The impact will be worse than being designed. Fiscal prudence and the prepare for recovery towards economic cial relief package to help the authorities ment; H.E. Carl Hartzell, Ambassador, the global fi nancial crisis and economic buildup of reserves in recent years make resilience. respond effectively to this unprecedented Head of the Delegation of the European damage is mounting across all countries. the Georgian economy better prepared To overcome this pandemic, we need crisis. Many other development partners Union to Georgia; H.E. Hubert Knirsch, As an open economy that relies on tour- to address the economic impact of the a coordinated health, social, and eco- are similarly preparing support packages Ambassador of the Federal Republic of ism, trade, and remittances, Georgia is crisis. Combined with a legacy of struc- nomic policy response. We, the Asian for the people of Georgia. Germany to Georgia; Sebastian Molineus, particularly vulnerable to this pandemic. tural reform achievements, a strong Development Bank, the Asian Infrastruc- As Georgia’s Coat of Arms so appro- Regional Director for the South Cauca- The Georgian authorities, stakeholders response without jeopardizing the coun- ture Investment Bank, the European priately puts it, there is truly ‘strength sus World Bank; Shane Rosenthal, Coun- across the public and private sectors, try’s future is now possible. Bank for Reconstruction and Develop- in unity’! try Director for Georgia Asian Develop- and the Georgian people have responded Nonetheless, given the unprecedented ment, the European Union and the Euro- Selim Cakir, Resident Representative ment Bank; Supee Teravaninthorn, in an extraordinarily resilient and coop- nature of this crisis, major investments pean Investment Bank, the Federal for Georgia International Monetary Fund; Director General, Investment Operations erative manner. Swift and decisive actions and fi nancial support will be needed to Republic of Germany through KfW, the H. E. Diégo Colas, Ambassador of the Department - Region II Asian Infrastruc- from the onset have proven critical in properly equip the health sector for the French Republic through the Agence French Republic to Georgia; Maciej ture Investment Bank. How Beeline is Dealing with the Impact of COVID-19 Continued from page 1 customers don’t even have to go to street ages for those subscribers, so they facilities. We promptly contacted a how much we can achieve as a society terminals to pay for services: everything could stay in touch. As a foreigner liv- transportation company and arranged when the actions are smart, well planned, HOW DID BEELINE RESPOND can be done from the app. Our applica- ing in Georgia and having my entire minivans to pick up nurses from their well-coordinated and well-executed. I’m TO THE PREVENTION tion even works when the phone is family in Poland, these kind of actions homes and transport them to the hos- impressed with the discipline of the vast OF THE SPREAD? offl ine and when there is no money on really appeal to me on a personal level, pital and back home after work. It’s a majority of Georgians and with the way The most important part was to imple- the balance. Some of the other popular but what matters most is that we were small way to express our appreciation this enormous crisis was approached by ment measures to protect our team: applications, of banks for instance, are the fi rst to reach out to our customers to the medical community. the respective authorities. From a pro- ultimately, we moved all our people to also “zero rated” so our customers can with help. It made me really proud to fessional perspective, I’m proud of each remote work. As long as the stores were use those without internet consump- see how we’ve reacted. We made gov- WHAT DO YOU and every one of my teammates: we open, all the necessary equipment was tion. It’s our way of saying: stay home, ernmental hotlines toll free for our THINK IS THE ROLE OF continue serving our customers in times provided to our retail teams across the stay safe. customers: we know how important it TELECOMMUNICATIONS of massive challenge, we’ve been doing country to minimize the risk for them is to have quick access to credible DURING THIS CRISIS? this from day one of the outbreak and and for our customers visiting the stores. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE information, so calling COVID hotlines Connectivity is the name of our busi- we will not stop until we are back to Now, with stores closed, we encourage INITIATIVES YOU ARE is free for Beeline customers. We all ness: telecom companies keep people normal. Last but defi nitely not least, I’m our customers to stay home and use SUPPORTING BOTH WITH YOUR share our admiration for the Georgian connected. Our key role is to do every- really happy to know the vast majority our digital channels – the MyBeeline EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES AND medical personnel, the true heroes of thing we possibly can to ensure connec- of the Beeline team is not exposed to application with more than 1 million OUTSIDE THE USUAL BUSINESS? the pandemic, and we were searching tivity, and we are determined to do so. risk, because of their work: whoever can downloads is in fact our store inside After numerous countries declared a for a way to support them in the most work from home, works from home. the phone. Our customers have all the lockdown of their airspace, many of direct way possible: to identify an actual IS THERE ANYTHING THAT Those staying at home and not working services at their fi ngertips. Moreover, our customers got stuck abroad with problem those extremely hard working THE CRISIS HAS TAUGHT have a lot possibilities to grow their using the MyBeeline app gives our cus- limited chance of communication with people face, and solve it. It turned out YOU SO FAR? SOME skills, and our online learning platform tomers access to products available loved ones back home. Within hours, that with public transportation restric- NOTABLE OBSERVATIONS? SaVVy is accessible from any location inside the application only. The same already working from home, our busi- tions, many of the medical personnel On a personal level, I think the biggest and I’m glad to see many of my colleagues with our most recently completely rede- ness operations team and roaming struggled to make it to their place of lesson is how weak we humans are ver- using it. We will survive this and come signed website. In other words, Beeline specialists created free internet pack- work – hospitals and other medical sus nature, but on a more positive note: back stronger. GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 10 - 16, 2020 NEWS 3 COVID-19 in Georgia: The Legal Issues You Need to Know G Law Offi ce, through truly outside their control and could not the contribution of have been prevented or mitigated. partners Archil Gior- It is noteworthy that the Chamber of gadze and Nicola Mar- Commerce and Industry (CCI) issues iani, joined by senior assessments of specifi c events. Namely, associatesM Ana Kochiashvili, Tamar Jikia, CCI studies the relevant application and associate Mariam Kalandadze, Junior issues its assessment within 10 business In unprecedented Associate Ana Jikia and Paralegal Lasha days, unless additional documents are Machavariani is partnering with GEOR- requested. Assessment of CCI is based circumstances like GIA TODAY on a regular section of the on the specifi c facts of each case and paper which will provide updated infor- will either confi rm or deny the existence these, the courts mation regarding signifi cant legal changes of force majeure events over a specifi c and developments in Georgia. In par- period of time. The service fee is at least may declare the ticular, we will highlight signifi cant issues GEL500 and could be higher in certain which may impact businesses operating cases. CCI’s assessment is only one of COVID-19 in Georgia. the forms of evidence that may be sub- Today the world is facing a global chal- mitted to a court. It may have a higher pandemic a force lenge that it must overcome promptly weight as evidence; however, it is not an to prevent the further spread of the novel absolute guarantee that the defaulting majeure event virus COVID-19 (“COVID”). The out- party will be released from liability due break of COVID fi rst occurred in Wuhan, to force majeure. of aggravation of performance; and China in 2019, and has spread worldwide Consequences of Force Majeure: The e) a risk for change of circumstance since. On 11 March 2020, the World Health purpose of the force majeure clause is shall not be allocated to any of the par- Organization declared COVID to be a to exempt the party from liability for the ties under the contract. pandemic. non-compliance or delayed performance Procedures for Relying on Article 398: The fi rst confi rmed case of the spread of its contractual obligations. The par- A claim regarding adjustment of the of COVID in Georgia was identifi ed on ticular effect of the force majeure depends contract due to a fundamental change 26 February 2020 and since then the on the impact of the force majeure on of circumstances should be made imme- number of patients has increased although the affected party's ability to perform diately after such circumstances occur at rates lower than some of the hardest its contractual obligations. and the failure of a party to initiate rene- hit countries. This triggered the adop- If a party has been impacted by the gotiation may cause the unenforceabil- tion of several corresponding govern- GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS rises to the level of a force majeure event. pandemic and ensuing governmental ity of their right. mental regulations to prevent the spread FOR CONTRACTUAL The clause may specifi cally name epi- restrictions, it may be entitled to (i) uni- The amendments to the contract may of COVID. On 21 March 2020, the Pres- OBLIGATIONS demics or pandemics as events of force laterally avoid performance thereof and have a specifi c time duration, depending ident of Georgia adopted Decree No. 1, In light of the above restrictions, busi- majeure or provide a general list of terminate the contract, if performance on how long the grounds mandating which was later approved by the Parlia- nesses are suffering major losses as forced events. It is a question of interpretation is no longer possible or the non-default- such amendments last. The clear exam- ment of Georgia and which declared a closure of businesses have signifi cantly of the clause whether the parties intended ing party has lost interest in performance; ple of such “special” period would be state of emergency on the whole terri- disrupted their processes and have put the present events to be covered. or (ii) extend the time for performance the duration of a state of emergency and tory of Georgia until 21 April 2020 (the performance of contractual rights and In addition, any procedural require- established under the contract and per- the related restrictions. The parties to “State Emergency Decree”). obligations under question. Therefore, ments established under the contract form the primary obligation after the the contract are free to make any mutual The State Emergency Decree restricts frequently asked questions in these cases must be followed, such as a requirement force majeure events end. If the party amendments. However, as a general rule, the following rights guaranteed by the relate to force majeure clauses or other to give notice of its intention to rely on shows that their non-performance, or the idea of negotiations shall be the solu- Constitution of Georgia: (i) human lib- provisions or legal concepts that com- the clause to the other party within par- late performance, was truly outside their tion of consequences suffered by the erty; (ii) freedom of movement; (iii) right panies may rely on to avoid defaults on ticular timescales, including any for- control and could not have been pre- party due to fundamental changes of to personal and family privacy; (iv) right their contractual obligations. malities required for the service of notices. vented or mitigated, it is excused due to circumstances. The negotiations should to fair administrative proceedings; (v) The answer to these questions depends Some clauses may also require updates overwhelming force/force majeure and be carried out in good faith with the aim right to property; (vi) freedom of assem- on the particular circumstances and the to be provided and/or an express obliga- the other party to the contract cannot of preserving the agreement. If a party bly; and (vii) freedom of enterprise. The drafting of the relevant contractual pro- tion to mitigate. have a claim arising out of the breach of uses the existing situation to trade for State Emergency Decree stipulates that visions. Due to lack of similar events Force Majeure under Georgian Law: the contract, including a claim for pen- benefi ts that are not related to the changed specifi c limitations to the above listed having taken place previously, there is The Georgian law does not expressly alties or damages. circumstances, such party may be con- rights will be provided by the decree of little to take from experience on how to defi ne the notion of force majeure. The sidered not to be negotiating in good the Government of Georgia (the “GoG”). handle business relationships during Georgian Civil Code (the GCC) provides FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE faith. On 23 March 2020, the GoG issued Ordi- epidemics or pandemics. The obvious a similar notion of “overwhelming force,” OF CIRCUMSTANCES In case it is established that the funda- nance N181 regarding Approval of Meas- route would be engagement in direct which is treated as a synonym of the The unprecedented nature of the out- mental change of circumstances occurred, ures to be Taken for the Prevention of negotiations with contractual parties notion of force majeure by Georgian break, as well as the restrictions that but the parties cannot adjust the contract, Spreading of the New COVID-19 (the with a view of reaching mutual under- courts and commentators. The Georgian followed, have placed contractual par- or the other party refuses to adjust its Ordinance on COVID-19). Since its adop- standing. If such negotiations are suc- courts construe Article 401 of the GCC ties under different circumstances com- terms, then the party relying on Article tion, the Ordinance on COVID-19 has cessful, it could result in a better position as a provision containing the overwhelm- pared to those that existed at the time 398 may terminate the contract. been amended multiple times to address for both parties as they will avoid litiga- ing force/force majeure rule. The case when they entered into a particular * * * the rapid changes and challenges of the tion costs and termination of the con- law of the Georgian courts suggests that contract. Georgian law envisages a par- In light of the present circumstances existing situation in the country. tract. such impediment to the performance of ticular remedy in these situations and amid the spread of the virus, it is strongly The GoG has recently strengthened The parties could agree on any com- a party’s obligation under Article 401 of allows parties to request a renegotiation advisable that the arising contractual the security measures and established mercially acceptable outcome, including the GCC is (i) beyond parties’ control of the terms of the contract. The nature issues be resolved amicably. The respec- the Operations Offi ce to be able to bet- extension of performance deadlines, and will, (ii) is extreme and inevitable of this remedy is to help the party whose tive legal mechanisms discussed above ter respond to the spread of COVID. The temporary suspension of contract, reduc- by its nature, (iii) was not foreseeable conditions have worsened to achieve should be implemented with great dili- Operations Offi ce will be authorized to tion of price or even termination of the at the time the contract was made, and those economic results from the con- gence. It is highly recommended to establish exceptions to certain restric- contract. Before proceeding with nego- (iv) materially infl uences or makes it tract that it would have achieved had explore other routes and remedies, either tions established by the Ordinance on tiations, the businesses would be advised impossible to perform contractual obli- the circumstances remained unaltered. under contract or through variations to COVID-19. The head of the Operations to: fi rst, examine the relevant contract, gations in due time. The aim is not avoidance of performance, contracts with other parties, and to seek Offi ce will be appointed and its regula- second, evaluate its options and third, Given the unprecedented nature of the rather facilitation to reach a mutually legal advice early, since determining the tions will be adopted by the Prime Min- seek legal advice, if necessary. Depend- virus outbreak and/or the actions of benefi cial solution. effect of these mechanisms is a highly ister of Georgia. ing on the outcome of the parties’ nego- governments around the world in The remedy is set out in Article 398 of fact-sensitive exercise. While the GoG takes steps to prevent tiations, legally effective and enforceable response, it is likely that the virus would the GCC, according to which if the cir- * * * the spread of COVID, restrictive meas- agreements may be required to document constitute a force majeure event, since cumstances that constituted grounds of Note: this article does not constitute ures have put a strain on businesses, the terms reached in those negotiations. by its nature it is extreme and inevitable; conclusion of a contract change, or if legal advice. You are responsible for preventing them from being able to sat- The threat of default on their obliga- it is beyond the parties’ control and was the understandings which constituted consulting with your own professional isfy their obligations under contracts. tions has become a real risk for busi- not foreseeable in terms of those con- the grounds for the conclusion of the legal advisors concerning specifi c cir- This article aims to provide answers to nesses, especially ones subject to forced tracts that were concluded prior to the contract prove to be wrong, the party cumstances for your business. frequently asked questions and provides closure. Accordingly, we are seeing con- outbreak of the virus. The material infl u- for whom such changed circumstances general guidance on legal issues around tractual parties invoking two major con- ence or impossibility of the performance has a detrimental effect is entitled to MG Law is the fi rst full-service law the COVID-19 pandemic. cepts to address this risk: force majeure of the obligations should be assessed on request from the other party adjustment fi rm in Georgia to be founded by inter- and adaptation of contracts to the changed a case-by-case basis. If the imposed of the contract to these changed circum- national partners. The fi rm advises a circumstances. restrictions prevent the party from ful- stances. diverse group of Georgian and foreign fi lling contractual obligations, the virus Requirements to Rely on this Remedy: companies, fi nancial institutions, invest- FORCE MAJEURE AND THE could qualify as a force majeure. According to the case law of the courts ment funds, governments and public EFFECT OF COVID-19 Notably, it is for the party seeking to of Georgia, a party may request adjust- enterprises. Among many other areas, Force majeure refers to a defense under rely on a force majeure clause for non- ment of the contract to changed circum- the fi rm primarily focus on the follow- which a party may be relieved from performance or late performance to stances if the following criteria are met: ing sectors: Banking & Finance, Capital Negotiations liability for non-performance if unfore- satisfy a court or other tribunal that this a) such change of circumstances Markets, Arbitration & Litigation, Labor seeable circumstances beyond the party’s is the effect of the clause. In unprece- occurred after conclusion of the contract; & Employment, Infrastructure and Pro- should be carried control prevent or delay the party from dented circumstances like the present, b) the change of circumstances could ject Finance, Energy Law, Real Estate, fulfi lling its obligations under a contract. the courts may declare that a particular not have been foreseen and it was beyond Tax and Customs, Investment Law, Cor- out in good faith In Georgia, force majeure clauses may event, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the control of the party requesting amend- porate Law, and Cryptocurrency & be explicitly set forth in a contract, but is a force majeure event faced by the ment of the contract; Blockchain. with the aim of it can also be invoked as a matter of parties, who have encountered genuine c) the changed circumstances extremely Georgian law. diffi culties in performing their obliga- aggravate the performance of the con- For more information, please visit www. preserving the Contractual Clauses: The specifi c con- tions. However, as noted, such parties tract; mglaw.ge or contact Archil Giorgadze at tractual provisions shall be reviewed will still need to show that their non- d) causal link exists between the change [email protected] or Nicola agreement fi rst to determine whether COVID-19 performance, or late performance, was of circumstances and the complication Mariani at [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS APRIL 10 - 16, 2020 NATO Membership: The Macedonian Experience

of Justice in the Hague and in 2011 the Earlier this year, there were some leaked court ruled in favor that Greece had documents which came from a meeting violated the interim accord which was between the representatives of the MFA signed between our two countries in and the previous Russian ambassador; 1996 and which stated that Greece would he was heard speaking harshly about our not block Macedonia’s accession into joining NATO, future implications, and international organizations. The ICJ that it will be a legitimate target for Rus- reached a verdict which said explicitly sia’s operations. But I expect nothing that Greece had no right to block the signifi cant because Russia does not have accession to NATO in 2008. But still it a lot of backing here in the public; they was just a judicial decision and had no have an embassy with a small number political implications; so we had to wait of staff but not a lot of diplomats. In until 2018 when we signed the Prespa essence, they did not and do not have a agreement which actually resolved the voice to share with the public about our naming issue and we had the opportu- NATO enlargement. So, no, we don’t nity to continue our NATO integration expect things to get complicated in that process. What is interesting here is that matter with Russia. before the agreement was signed, there was a massive campaign from the gov- HOW DOES MACEDONIA ernment which is still ruling, that there BECOMING A NATO MEMBER should be a referendum; most people COUNTRY AFFECT THE BALKAN boycotted it and it failed; but then the SECURITY ARCHITECTURE? government tried to fi nd a 2/3 majority I think in the Balkans, the situation is answered. “It should be looked into via A NATO MEMBER. WHAT’S THE in parliament for the agreement to be not going to change drastically because INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE a geopolitical context. I know Georgia FEELING INSIDE THE COUNTRY? adopted with Greece. They pushed and fortunately most of our neighboring is pretty active in a lot of peace opera- Indeed, we have been waiting 27 years fi nally got 81 votes; that’s how this agree- countries are already NATO members: tions; one of the biggest contingents in for it. It started in 1993 with the unani- ment came to life; there was a big dis- Albania is a member, Greece is, Bulgaria s the North Atlantic Alli- Afghanistan actually came from Georgia, mous decision of the Republic of Mac- appointment, there was a massive pro- is. Only Serbia has declared it is not ance welcomed Macedonia and there was always an offer to enlarge edonia to join NATO. And today there’s test against the decision, but it was seeking NATO membership but their as its 30th member country, this contingent, to send even more sol- a wide political, social consensus in our recognized by the international com- strategic objective is to be NATO’s part- The Georgian Institute for diers. I think the open door policy of society; the vast majority of political munity. The opposition, however, claims ner; Croatia is here, Slovenia is here; Security Policy spoke to NATO still stands, but the allies have to parties are for NATO and EU member- that this agreement contains too many almost all the countries and regional AProfessor Alexandar Natsev in Skopje take into account numerous geopolitical ship. Maybe there was a slight disap- concessions and when they come to powers. Turkey is also a member; Bosnia to discuss the both the journey and future implications; Georgia’s proximity to Rus- pointment in the country in 2008, you power they will try to rectify some of is an offi cial partner; so when it comes implications that Macedonia’s NATO sia and everything that happened is a know, the Bucharest Summit, when we these injustices. To be frank, that agree- to the region, I think everyone here is membership entails. Our fi rst question serious obstacle to proceeding forward; were blocked by Greece and we did not ment was made in a pretty exhibitionist pro-NATO, apart from Serbia because concerned Georgia. We asked: While its close proximity to Russia puts it in a become a member, despite us probably manner by the ruling party because they of their bitter history with bombings and Georgia and Georgians would no doubt Russian area of infl uence for some allied being the most prepared country to join. had no strategy to solve the problem. the fact they still can’t get public support heartily congratulate you and your coun- countries. The answer to your question to ask for NATO membership. In terms try on its accession, they might still is that Georgia is mainly suffering for GREECE HASN’T CHANGED WHAT DO YOU EXPECT of the changing security architecture wonder when their time will come. We geopolitical reasons. That is why it is ITS STANCE REGARDING THE RUSSIA’S REACTION WILL here, I’m not expecting any big changes. don’t differ much in democracy rankings not yet a NATO country, which also NAME OF THE COUNTRY. BE AT SEEING YET ANOTHER and reforms, and Georgia has put in a applied to us because if we had not had DOES THE PRICE THAT YOUR BALKAN COUNTRY ACCEDING considerable shift in Afghanistan and this political problem with Greece, we COUNTRY HAD TO PAY WEIGH INTO NATO? DO YOU EXPECT Iraq. But despite that hard work, we still would have become a member in 2008.” HEAVILY ON MACEDONIAN ANY REPERCUSSIONS? seem to be unable to step into NATO’s SOCIETY’S MIND? No. Since they enjoy a rather limited open door. What’s your take on this? MORE THAN TWO-DECADES OF After the Bucharest Summit in 2011, we infl uence here, they have been quite “That’s a pretty good question,” Natsev WAITING AND FINALLY, YOU’RE made a case at the International Court diplomatic when it comes to this matter. Atlantico: Georgia's Positive Development Kutaisi Mayor Must Be Recognized & Encouraged Steps Down BY ANA DUMBADZE tlantico, a French news website, has published an article in which it empha- sizes that the European Union, despite its internal Adissensions, must not forget that it must encourage economic and democratic stability at its borders. The author of the article, Bruno Alomar, discusses the example of Georgia. "Allow me to highlight a very particu- lar example, that of Georgia. Of course, Source: Atlantico. Image: © TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP it would be self-evident to stress the Georgian authorities relayed by a pro- According to the Business Anti-Corrup- geostrategic importance of the Black European population, without prejudg- tion Portal (an NGO funded by the Euro- Sea, at the EU's doorstep. Such is the ing what future relations with the EU pean Commission, the German-Nordic evidence that in August 2016 it gave rise will be, it is not useless to look at the EU countries, and which serves as a to the so-called "3 Seas Initiative" (Adri- performance of a country like Georgia. reference for international organiza- atic, Baltic, Black) in order for its 12 They are rather fl attering, both eco- tions), "corruption presents a very low members, under Washington's favorable nomically and politically," reads the risk for foreign companies wishing to eye, to limit Russian infl uence in the publication. invest in Georgia". It is also not neutral region and to cooperate in the fi elds of The author claims that economically, to point out that according to the Cor- energy and transport. At a time when Georgia can be proud of its performance, ruption Perception Index (NGO Trans- the EU has, for the time being, given up which has improved signifi cantly in parency International), in 2019, and with elected mayor of Kutaisi. It was great negotiating a comprehensive trade agree- recent years, as the World Bank's assess- general elections to be held in 2020, BY ANA DUMBADZE confi dence, as well as a huge respon- ment with both China and the United ment shows. Georgia is at the same level as EU states sibility. Since then, my team and I have States, it should be recalled that it has a The measures taken by the Georgian such as Poland or the Czech Republic, launched many important projects and DFTA (Deep Free Trade Agreement) Dream led Government have drastically and well ahead of EU candidates (Serbia, utaisi Mayor Giorgi Chigh- completed many of them. Even though with Georgia which provides for close reduced its poverty rate from 32.5% in Albania and Kosovo)," reads the article. varia has resigned. He my term of offi ce is not over yet, I economic cooperation between the two 2006 to 16.3% in 2017. More signifi cantly, The author concludes: "From all this posted the respective decided to step down and leave poli- players," the author notes. the improvement of the World Bank's a conclusion emerges. The EU, all to its statement on social media, tics. However, I will not leave my city The article further underlines the desire "doing business" indicator ranks Georgia internal dissensions, must not forget that announcing his decision and I will remain its big supporter. I expressed by the Georgian authorities, 7th in the world. it must encourage economic and demo- Kto leave politics. would like to thank my fellow citizens including President Salome Zurabishvili, "At the political level, the progress cratic stability on its borders. The posi- "In November 2017, by the decision for their trust. I wish good luck, peace at the highest level to become a member made in recent years has been signifi - tive development of a country like Geor- of a large part of the Kutaisi popula- and success to my city!" reads the state- of the EU. cant. A key point to remember is the gia must be understood, recognized and tion, I was honored to become the ment. "Beyond the past and the wishes of the significant reduction in corruption. encouraged." GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 10 - 16, 2020 BUSINESS 5 Georgia’s Trade & the First Great World Pandemic: the Bubonic Plague of AD 541-544

from its commencement and up till BY EMIL AVDALIANI evening that neither to the sick them- selves nor to a physician who touched them would it afford any suspicion of s the world continues to danger. It was natural, therefore, that experience deep negative not one of those who had contracted effects of the novel Coro- the disease expected to die from it. But navirus, it is interesting to on the same day in some cases, in oth- look at various global pan- ers on the following day, and in the rest demicsA which affected Georgia. not many days later, a bubonic swelling The fi rst great pandemic, which is well developed; and this took place not only documented in historical sources, is the in the particular part of the body which bubonic plague, also referred to as the is called boubon, that is, “below the “Plague of Justinian” or the “Justinianic abdomen,” but also inside the armpit, Plague” which occurred in AD 541 and and in some cases also beside the ears, essentially had several consecutive out- and at different points on the thighs.” breaks throughout next several centu- The “Justinianic Plague” impacted the ries. It is thought the plague originated whole Byzantine Empire. As this was in the territory of modern day Ethiopia the period of great conquest of North and then spread to the Eastern Roman Africa, Italy and parts of Spain led by Empire (Byzantine Empire) reaching Justinian’s generals, the empire con- Constantinople (the capital of the stantly needed fresh troops to be sent empire) in 541, before moving out into for the defense of newly-recovered ter- the rest of the Empire. ritories. The plague killed the popula- We have a detailed account of the suf- tion in their tens of thousands, and many fering and the extent of the plague writ- scholars suspect an even bigger impact. ten by 6th century historian Procopius It is also likely that food production of Caesarea. In one of the sections of across the empire was severely dam- his History of Wars, Procopius described aged. The disruption led to the military the symptoms of the disease in the fol- and economic weakening of the Eastern lowing manner: Roman Empire. “But with the majority it came about The modern day Georgian territory that they were seized by the disease represented one of the primary regions without becoming aware of what was of competition in the 6th century. The coming either through a waking vision great war of 541-562 was waged in/over or a dream. … They had a sudden fever, Lazica, what is nowadays western Geor- The “Justinianic Plague” impacted the whole Byzantine Empire. Image source: Medievalists.net some when just roused from sleep, oth- gia. Surprisingly, we do not have written gian territory also represented an impor- est way to spread infections, in this case sian plains. There is even archaeological ers while walking about, and others sources indicating the spread of the tant trade outpost, and as the history the bubonic plague. Moreover, Georgia evidence of Sogdian products, found in while otherwise engaged, without any pandemic on the eastern Black Sea of major pandemics shows, trade ports of the time was also one of the economic the northern Caucasus and on the east- regard to what they were doing. And shore. However, it is plausible that the and vessels, along with merchants, rep- outposts between the Black Sea region ern Black Sea shore. the body showed no change from its disease would have entered the region resented the easiest way to spread dis- and the Eurasian steppes, where the Thus, it is likely that the bubonic previous colour, nor was it hot as might via the high mobility of people trans- eases. Various written sources indicate Byzantines had close economic contact plague reached the western Georgian be expected when attacked by a fever, ferring the infection, among them Byz- that Lazic merchants had close contacts with the Sogdian merchants, people liv- territory, as the latter was a focus of nor indeed did any infl ammation set in, antine troops. with ports in Asia Minor. ing in Central Asia with a powerful mer- imperial competition as well as active but the fever was of such a languid sort Moreover, the modern western Geor- Trade was indeed the easiest and quick- chant class spanning the northern Eura- trade relations.

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Georgia’s Growth Prospects before COVID-19, & How Things Might Change

TOURISM have followed three economic scenarios Decline in tourism and related businesses relating to major world economies, as – tourism arrivals and receipts are expected reported by Orlik et al. (March 6, 2020, to decline sharply as a result of the numer- Bloomberg.com). The numbers refl ect ous travel bans, and due to precautionary growth rate changes relative to the base- behaviors. By February, international line (no virus outbreak). visitor trips had already declined by 0.6% annually, while the number of tourist PRODUCTION stays (overnight) experienced a relatively Production disruptions – domestic pro- moderate 4% yearly growth. In terms of duction will suffer as a result of forced international visitor trips, among the top business closures and the inability of 10 countries, the largest decline in trips workers to get to work, as well as dis- was observed in Armenia (-18.2% YoY), ruptions to trade and business as a result Russia (-25.0% YoY), Iran (-8.7% YoY), of border closures, travel bans, and other and in India (-9.9%), and there was a restrictions on the movement of goods, decline of 59.5% yearly in China. Accord- people, and capital. The overall impact SET-PI has updated its Georgian domestic production and service provi- CONSUMPTION AND ing to our preliminary calculations, the on production may be mitigated by the real GDP growth rate forecast for sion due to the strict social-isolation INVESTMENT Georgian economy lost between 3-9% of fact that in some sectors (particularly in the fi rst and second quarters of measures, the real GDP growth is expected Decline in domestic consumption due potential tourism revenue in February. manufacturing) production can be 2020. Here are the highlights of to decrease notably, depending on the to behavioral and policy changes – i.e. Since tourism industries account for 11.3% ramped up in later periods to compen- this month’s release: length and severity of the pandemic. people staying home as a precaution or of Georgia’s GDP (GNTA 2018), and this sate for lower production (providing I • It is projected that the real GDP may as a requirement. Moreover, currency share has had an increasing trend over closures do not last too long). HIGHLIGHTS decline by 0.82 percentage points if there depreciation and possible price spikes the last three years (2016-18), a direct hit • The annual real GDP growth for 2019 is no international, outbound, or domes- (due to herding behaviors and potential to the industry will substantially impact FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICY amounted to 5.2%, while the real GDP tic tourism between March-May of 2020. disruptions in supply chains) are expected GDP. The GDP losses associated with the Georgia’s public fi nances are in a toler- growth rate reached 5.1% year-on-year While it could reach 1.87 and 5.37 per- to have a negative effect on consumption following scenarios lave been calculated able enough shape to handle a crisis. for January 2020. centage points if the restrictions last and investment. Household consump- below: Public debt to GDP ratio is not very high • Before taking into consideration the until July or December, respectively. tion accounts for 66.7% of the Georgian (44.9% in 2018), and the government negative consequences of COVID-19 • Taking into consideration the corre- GDP (Geostat, 2018). A signifi cant reduc- REMITTANCES budget defi cit is also below 3% of the on the real GDP growth forecast, ISET- lation between the growth rates of Geor- tion in household consumption (e.g., Decline in remittance infl ows – since all GDP. One of the most important tools in PI predicted 4.7% and 5.4% growth for gia and its partner countries, and Bloomb- spending on transportation, clothing, countries will suffer economically in the overcoming the crisis and achieving a the fi rst and second quarters of 2020 erg’s real GDP growth scenarios of change electronics, and domestic services) would aftermath of the health and oil price cri- fast recovery could lie in increased fi scal respectively, based on data from Janu- for the world’s leading countries, Geor- therefore result in an overall slowdown ses, we expect signifi cant slowdown in expansion. Georgia’s government has ary 2020. gia’s real GDP growth in 2020 could vary of GDP growth. Decline in domestic remittance infl ows from the rest of the already announced its boosting capital • Consequently, the annual growth in from 0.82% to 3.91% (assuming a 5% investment – uncertainty and deteriorat- world. The remittances decline will hit expenditure (CapEx) projects, aimed at 2020 was expected to be 4.8% in the baseline growth). ing business sentiments will stall busi- Georgia particularly hard as it is among providing additional economic incentives. worst-case scenario, and 5.9% in the • Based on various scenarios of net ness investment decisions. Expectations the top receiver countries of foreign While other countries push for fi scal best-case or an average long-term growth decline in money transfers (from a 10% of a global recession could become self- transfers. For instance, in 2019, money stimulus and monetary expansion, Geor- scenario. Our middle-of-the-road sce- to a 50% decline), the share of household fulfi lling if ‘business-as-usual’ does not transfer infl ows accounted for 9.8% of gia is facing uncertainties in terms of nario (based on the average growth in real consumption spending (considering resume in the next few months. If com- GDP. Various scenarios for just how infl ationary expectations. As discussed, the last four quarters) predicted a 5.2% the exchange rate and infl ation) may panies expect a slowdown in demand, much Georgia is set to lose in monetary this limits NBG’s ability to stimulate the increase in real GDP. change from +0.3% to -5.5%. they will also delay investment, and GDP infl ows are presented in the table below: economy under the current circum- • After considering the negative impacts Read on for the possible effect of the will decline further. Investment (gross stances. Annual infl ation in January- of COVID-19 on Georgia’s economy, via COVID-19 pandemic on the Georgian fi xed capital formation) accounts for GROWTH SPILLOVERS February was 6.4%, signifi cantly higher tourism, remittances, trade, and restricted economy. approximately 28% of Georgia’s GDP. The spillover effect on other sectors – a than the 3% target. Going forward, a drop in demand for goods and services sharp decline in aggregate demand would in the region, in China, the EU, and in reduce the pressure on infl ation, while the US, will affect the overall economy a depreciating nominal effective exchange via trade and production linkages. While rate will exert upward pressure. There- it is diffi cult to predict how Georgia’s fore, the possibility to reduce the mon- economy will react to a global shock of etary policy rate depends on which effect such magnitude, some preliminary esti- will dominate in the future. In the mean- mations may already be determined. time, NBG is approaching IMF to increase Georgia’s growth rate over the last 20 access to funding under its Extended years correlates notably to several neigh- Fund Facility program. Alongside the boring economies. One of the greatest additional funds from other international correlations is, unsurprisingly, with Rus- donors, this will positively affect the sian economic growth. In order to dis- economy, strengthen the nominal effec- cover how a slowdown across the world’s tive exchange rate and, consequently, top economies will affect Georgia, we curb infl ation.

Note: after the periods indicated in each scenario, tourism is assumed to immediately recover to the 2019 levels. Source: Bloomberg, authors’ calculations Source: Geostat, NBG, authors’ calculations GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 10 - 16, 2020 BUSINESS 7 On Liberty Bank’s Fight against COVID-19

pensions in advance. Pensioners could instantly use the accrued amount when paying by card. And for cashing out, a special schedule was devised to avoid crowding and possible queues. A special website, myliberty.ge, was created to allow customers to check their schedules. Other Liberty channels and information center 08 have likewise been involved in providing this information to retirees. As part of the company’s efforts to facilitate staying home, important steps were taken for all social card holders - cards that expired during this period were extended for three months. The he world has been battling from the facilities offered by the Bank's validity period for PIN codes has also the COVID-19 pandemic back offi ce. been extended so that users no longer for over three months now. To further curb the spread of the cor- have to visit the bank. In Georgia, the fi rst case onavirus, Liberty has enhanced remote Another vital step in tackling the hard- was reported on February services to better coordinate its custom- ships caused by the pandemic has been T26. Private companies have been involved ers on the recent modifi cations to its the introduction of a grace period on the in the fi ght against the pathogen from services, allowing them to stay home. loans that Liberty offered to legal and the very beginning, with Liberty Bank The company believes that such prac- natural persons. The bank created a spe- children and the elderly. based lessons. The projects for 60+ per- being one of the fi rst. tices are indispensable for ensuring cus- cial website allowing its customers to Social distancing should be a priority sons including dance, sport and computer From the very fi rst day of detecting the tomer safety amid the deadly pandemic. check the decisions pertaining to their for everyone today. Starting April 6, Lib- courses will now be available online, and virus in Georgia, Liberty set up special Adhering to the offi cial recommenda- altered individual schedules. erty began offering its users online home- "Life Goes on at Home". working groups to strictly monitor the tions has been of paramount importance Liberty also changed the rules for pay- day-to-day safety of employees and cus- to Liberty, as the bank serves a large ing utility bills. The service has become tomers. The biggest challenge has been number of pensioners who are consid- free through all remote channels: mobile the maintenance of distance in the ser- ered most at risk of contracting COVID- or internet banking, remote service vice centers. 19. To further ensure their safety, Liberty center, telephone payment and fast money The vital challenge for Liberty was has initiated several programs. As of transfer. minimizing the customers’ need to visit March 3, an altered system has been In addition to all these changes, Liberty the bank. To this end, Liberty will soon operating for the issuance of pensions has joined the youth initiative ‘Let’s Help launch a new product whereby the hold- throughout Georgia, allowing persons the Elderly’ and has funded around 600 ers of social cards will be able to exchange to withdraw their pensions from more older persons. card payments for cash on partner com- than 550 ATMs, without the need to visit As a company that values its social panies’ sites. That is, the customers shall the service centers. responsibility, Liberty has already use the payment terminals at Aversi, PSP, And that's not all: in the fi ght against invested GEL 1,365,000 in support of Pharmadepo pharmacies and Nikora COVID-19, Liberty has launched a GEL COVID-19 prevention, protection of the supermarkets as a form of temporary, 100 million program with its own highest standards of consumer safety, mini ATMs. resources, aimed at supporting elderly the introduction of preferential products Prior to that, customers can benefi t persons (70+). The bank issued April’s and services and ensuring shelters for Coronavirus Job Losses Could Hit Four out of Five People Worldwide people have had their workplace fully or sively, and together. The right, urgent BY ELENE DZEBISASHVILI partly closed. The outbreak is expected to measures could make the difference wipe out 6.7% of working hours across the between survival and collapse." world during the second quarter of 2020.” Calling the coronavirus crisis ‘the most illions of jobs around Different sectors of the economy have severe’ since World War Two, the ILO the world came to an been hit in different ways. With travel puts forward a myriad of policy options abrupt halt amid the restricted and social lives put on hold, to mitigate the crisis and facilitate strong struggles to contain the the industries that suffer the most include recovery. ILO expresses hope that nations coronavirus outbreak. accommodation services, manufacturing, can succeed at devising internationally MThe job losses keep multiplying at a diz- wholesale and retail, and real estate and coordinated policy responses that allevi- zying rate, threatening the long-term business. More than 1.24 billion persons ate the economic fallout across the global livelihoods and wellbeing of millions. are employed in these industries world- economy. They could do so primarily by The UN agency International Labor wide. For small and medium companies, “providing a human-centred approach to Organizaton (ILO) has been looking at as well as for people who rely on their growth and development, including by the global impact of the coronavirus, say- everyday social activity to earn income, triggering policy levers that both stimu- ing around 200 million people could end the coronavirus crisis can prove existen- late demand and protect workers and up jobless. tial. enterprises”. The ILO’s preliminary assessment on the "Workers and businesses are facing ILO also stressed the need to engage in potential threats to economies caused by catastrophe, in both developed and devel- social dialogue with workers and employ- the COVID-19 pandemic says “a total of oping economies." ILO Director Guy ers, which is vital for building public trust 81% of the global workforce of 3.3 billion Ryder said. "We have to move fast, deci- and support amid the global crisis. Tsvara Jewelry: Past Wonders Reignited pieces according to ancient jewelry-mak- heritage and represents the country no Levan, themselves professional jeweler- ing techniques. Professional painter, sci- less proudly than Georgian dance, Geor- artists, set up Tsvara Jewelry Company entist and main designer, Vaja Kutateladze gian polyphonia, and Georgian wine and some four 4 years ago. The impressive has put to use his many years of scientifi c cuisine. range of Tsvara Jewelry’s Silver Line can research and rich experience in the fi eld Granulation means covering any tar- be found in 25 trade galleries and art- of Jewelry Art, to, together with his sons, geted object, form, or designed item with shops throughout Georgia, as well as in create outstanding, modern and uniquely tiny globules of silver or gold. The key to Tsvara”s personal shop and various online designed jewelry items, based on the fol- the beauty of it is that these globules are sale areas. lowing technologies: granulation, enamel, applied one-by-one, by hand, as no At the Tsvara Company workshop, fi ligree, nielo; pieces produced in gold mechanical process can achieve the same thousands of handmade jewelry pieces and silver, and others ornamented with quality. In the national museums of Geor- are being borne of creative human ini- diamond, ruby and zircon. The aim of the gia are various examples of royal and tiative, by combining the energy of fi re Kutateladze family business is to promote sacred jewels created through granula- and precious metals in a beautiful blend the unique and antique jewelry culture tion, dating back to the 5th century B.C. of the past and present centuries’ achieve- of Georgia. Founders, Kutateladze’s sons David and ments. It is important to emphasize the sig- nifi cant and diffi cult work put in by Kutateladze, who dedicated over 40 unique ranulation, fi ligree, nielo, jewelry technologies, just like the great years of his life to the restoration of ancient different styles of enam- cultural achievement of the Georgian Georgian jewelry traditions. Through eling, the setting of precious nation, belong to us all: to our country, these years, Kutateladze managed to stones: all these jewelry society, to the friends of our country, to access the ancient keys of Jewelry Art forms have been develop- our future friends, to the entire world. and, based on ancient traditions, to develop ingG on the ancient territory of Georgia Today, we have this very special oppor- new and modern technical approaches, since the fi fth century B.C., - says Vaja tunity to extend the lives of these unique better suited to our century. Kutateladze, top designer and Golden technologies through modern and inno- The name of the company, “Tsvara,” Artist of Tsvara Jewelry Company. “Refl ect- vative approaches and to continue his- comes from the name for an ancient tech- ing all the epochs, even through the shad- tory,” he noted. nique “granulation” (“tsvarnami”; Geor- ows of very diffi cult centuries, the tech- Tsvara is a Georgian jewelry company gian). Granulation is considered a sig- niques never lost relevance. The antique producing modern designed jewelry nifi cant example of Georgian cultural GEORGIA TODAY 8 SOCIETY APRIL 10 - 16, 2020 Transcending Classroom Walls: UCMAS Workshop Goes Online for GEL 10 he unfortunate spread of ing helps build enthusiasm for lifelong WORKSHOP BENEFITS the coronavirus has left learning in kids. FOR CHILDREN us no choice but to A one-month UCMAS online workshop • Explore a new way of calculating embrace the times. With will offer 8 sessions, 2 times per week, • Introduction to Abacus learning the restrictions on class- for just GEL 10 per session. • Engage in fun and interactive activi- roomT learning, helping our kids advance ties with fl ash cards with their mental development is the LEARNING IS NO • Connect and make new friends need of the hour. To this end, UCMAS LONGER LIMITED TO THE For more details, contact us on: Georgia has decided to offer its courses CLASSROOM WALLS +995 599 222 432 online. Engage your child positively by enroll- Register Now! Limited Seats Available! UCMAS is the world’s leading mental ing them for a one-month UCMAS Online #UCMASGEORGIA math program for children. Based on workshop at 10 GEL per session and let #Covid19 Abacus training, the program envisages them experience the power of Abacus- #Lockdown boosting key cognitive skills, including based mental calculation learning. #OnlineClasses focus, memory, problem-solving and A one-month workshop (8 sessions) #MentalMath critical thinking abilities. The interactive 10 Gel/session, two times/week #Learning and highly entertaining nature of learn- Seats are limited! #Georgia Vectoring In: Etseri, Svaneti

Trudeau, wife of Canada’s prime min- Finally, Circle 6 contains only one BLOG BY TONY HANMER ister Justin Trudeau, at about the same person: me. time. Next was the Prince of Monaco, As the circles move inwards and grow followed by Prince Charles, and shortly in populations, one’s own sense of arch 30, 2020: One thing after him the UK’s Prime Minister, Boris impending dread (though not necessar- I’ll say about the onset Johnson. This list too will be ongoing. ily doom!) also grows, unfortunately. of The Virus: It gives The virus is clearly demonstrating its It’s likely just a matter of time for circles me, and no doubt mil- disinterest in one’s wealth, status or any 1-4 to contain someone for each of us lions of other writers, other distinctions between the most on the planet, although some of us, a plentyM of new material. Especially given powerful and the poorest of the world! majority or not, may entirely escape the daily changes in everything around Circle 3 is what we might call two having anyone in circles 5 and 6. We the world, with which one can hardly degrees away from me (from the popu- can all hope so. keep up. lar idea of 6 degrees of separation It’s good to remember, consciously My last night’s confused dreams between any two people on earth): and regularly to remind oneself and included the idea of a set of concentric, friends or relatives of my own friends one’s near and dear, that infection with or nesting, circles representing the or relatives, all of whom I have met and/ The Virus is by no means an automatic spread of the virus from fi rst patient to or know personally. The fi rst one of death sentence! People are not only now (ongoing). It will be a different set these to come to my attention was the getting infected in huge numbers daily, for each one of us in the world; I’ll dem- mother-in-law of one of my friends who and quite a lot of those dying, but also onstrate my set. The picture also illus- died of the virus in the UK on March RECOVERING, almost certainly with trates this. 29. some degree of antibody-powered future The outermost circle, 1, is the start: Circle 4 is only 1 degree away from immunity as a bonus. Many factors mild alarm, initial infections, the jump me: my own friends or relatives, whether infl uence this, from one’s age and gen- from Wuhan to outside the city to beyond near to or far from me in physical dis- eral health to where one lives and access China and into the whole world; this is tance, except members of my own to good medical help there and timing in itself a continuing process, getting household. None of these are infected of treatment, making a nice multi- and qualify the awful process of The 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a bigger and bigger. yet, so far it’s an empty set, and long dimensional graph of probabilities when Virus making its way around the world. weekly writer and photographer for GT since Inside this we have circle 2: people may it remain so. combined. And there is such a concerted Sort of like how naming one’s fear can early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renais- I’ve heard of but never met or don’t Circle 5 is also 1 degree away: people effort to understand and best combat diminish, though not entirely abolish, sance” Facebook group, now with nearly know personally getting infected. For I know personally but located inside the disease as well, all around the world. it. We need all the help and hope we 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/ me and many, the fi rst of these was actor my own home. For me, this could only This set of circles does help someone can get in these diffi cult days, no? groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, be my wife, as no one else lives with us graphically- and literarily-minded like He and his wife also run their own guest house diagnosed on March 12, with Sophie and we have no children. me put things in perspective, quantify Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since in Etseri: facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti 31 Years Since April 9 Tragedy

mourning was declared. People brought BY ANA DUMBADZE a large number of fl owers to the place of the killings to pay respect to the deceased. On April 9, 1991, the second anniversary 1 years have passed since 9 April of the tragedy, the Supreme Council of 1989. The April 9 tragedy (also Georgia declared Georgian sovereignty known as Tbilisi massacre or and independence from the Soviet Union Tbilisi tragedy) refers to the based on the results of a nationwide ref- events in Tbilisi, when an anti- erendum. 3Soviet demonstration on central Rustaveli In the same year, one of the leaders of Avenue was dispersed by the Soviet Army, the protest movement Zviad Gamsakhur- resulting in 21 deaths and hundreds of dia was named the fi rst democratically injuries. elected President of Georgia. The protesters were led by the Inde- A memorial to the victims of the tragedy pendence Committee of Merab Kostava, was opened at the location of the crack- Zviad Gamsakhurdia, Giorgi Chanturia, down on Rustaveli Avenue on November Irakli Bathiashvili and Irakli Tsereteli, 23, 2004. who demanded the punishment of Abk- The night of April 9 remains in the his- haz secessionists and restoration of Geor- tory of Georgia as one of the most tragic gian independence. mand of Colonel-General Radionov started Nato Giorgadze, 23 Marina Chkonia-Samarguliani, 31 but at the same time heroic dates, when Several minutes before the raid, in an brutally routing the protestors. The riot Tamuna Dolidze, 28 Eliso Chipashvili, 25 the whole country united to fi ght for its effort to prevent bloodshed, the Catholicos- police also used chemical gas. Tina Enukidze, 70 Tamar Chovelidze, 16 independence. Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II, asked the Those who ultimately sacrifi ced their Nino Toidze, 25 Nodar Jangirashvili, 40 April 9 is now remembered as the Day people to enter the temple and pray. The lives for Georgia's freedom are listed Zaira Kikvidze, 61 Mzia Jincharadze, 43 of National Unity, an annual public holi- protesters, however, didn’t move. Shortly below, most of them women, many of Manana Loladze, 33 Manana Melkadze, 23 day. after the Patriarch’s address, the troops them under the age of 30. Tamar Mamulishvili, 50 Gia Karseladze, 25 On this day, all Georgians remember started approaching the Parliament build- Aza Adamia, 22 Venera Metreveli On April 10, in protest against the our heroes and once again thank them ing. Armed with entrenching shovels and Natia Bashaleishvili, 16, Mamuka Nozadze, 22 onslaught, Tbilisi and the rest of Georgia for bringing freedom and independence blunt weapons, soldiers under the com- Eka Bezhanishvili, 15 Nana Samarguliani, 31 went out on strike and a 40-day of national to the country. GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 10 - 16, 2020 SOCIETY 9 A Georgian NYC Based Psychotherapist Talks Coronavirus established expectations/ideas how to The current standard of care is the same INTERVIEW BY NINI deal with a medical emergency have had for natives and emigrants, undocumented DAKHUNDARIDZE to change. Medication and surgery are and documented patients. being replaced by our own behaviour: the most sophisticated medicine today WHAT CHANGES DO YOU ngelina Akhvlediani (PhD, is self-isolation and social distancing. EXPECT IN PEOPLE’S OUTLOOK LMHC) is a Georgia-born This is not something that is easy to AS A RESULT OF COVID-19? mental health professional adjust to, hence the crowded streets and Like any other epidemic, COVID-19 can now based in New York devastating number of deaths. We have have a strong impact on mental health. City. In her 22 years of to remind ourselves that every behavior We can expect to see a signifi cant increase Apractice, she has specialized in anxiety, is a learned behavior and it is a must to in anxiety and depression, and a wave depression and relationship issues, but start exercising social distancing. The of PTSD. she recently had to switch to an unusual notion that isolation is inconvenient and platform to counsel her patients – the desire to keep your routine as a HAS THE DEMAND FOR remotely. At time of writing, the state of mother, person of faith, or neighbor, PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP New York has 149,316 confi rmed coro- needs to be reframed. It is not about how INCREASED SINCE THE navirus cases, a lot of those in the doc- convenient or unpleasant social distanc- VIRUS EMERGED IN THE tor’s home district of Brooklyn. While ing is; it is about being responsible for UNITED STATES? I would advise to look at social distanc- for isolation because of this. 13,000 have already recovered, 6,268 have your own health/protection, and by doing The Offi ce of Mental Health in NY very ing and isolation in perspective; to con- died from the virus. In an interview with this, you can take care of others, from swiftly moved to telemedicine, and stantly remind yourself that you do it WHAT IS “SOCIAL RECESSION” GEORGIA TODAY, Dr Akhvlediani talks your loved ones to the doctors and nurses patients did not have any gap in their for a greater purpose and that you’re AND WHAT CAN THE about the NYC rush, the social recession, serving in the local hospitals. treatment. The requests for possible saving your life and your loved ones’ OUTCOMES OF IT BE IN THE and gives tips on dealing with the anxi- New Yorkers are always rushing some- treatment are rising. I don’t have the lives. We are social creatures and we POST-PANDEMIC WORLD? ety of self-isolation. where and now it seems like they are exact numbers, and it’s likely even the need social interaction and face-to-face Social recession is a term similar to eco- rushing to die. It doesn't matter how OMH doesn’t have them yet. The reality relationships, which is strictly limited nomic recession and presents the impact WHAT CAN YOU TELL kind your intentions are when you go is that patients with anxiety are in stress in isolation. We need to try our best to of a pandemic on mental health. People US ABOUT HOW NYC IS out, since the fi nal outcome will always mode on a daily basis, which makes them stay active, do small tasks, reach out by cope with their stress through their per- HANDLING CORONAVIRUS? be the same: you either jeopardize your more “ready” for real crises. Also, a large using modern technology as much as sonal relationships, which are on hold Sadly, the streets in Brooklyn and all life, or someone else’s. We have to take number of people with different mental possible, bring back an old, forgotten now. We have a sense of belonging to throughout NY still seem busy. There is responsibility for our actions, because challenges were already receiving treat- hobby or develop a new one, read the our family, work, faith, or friend groups. a mountain of evidence showing that now more than ever we can change the ment, and their rational coping strategies book you wanted to read two years ago... Our ‘normal’ is to be engaged in relation- social distancing is the only way to pro- fatal outcome of this virus. have been developed at some level. This Again, we constantly have to remind ships with all those groups. Of course, tect ourselves and everybody around, is why you won’t see much immediate ourselves that it is not about if social changing all of this will have an effect but so far, it has not been much acknowl- DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE change. The results of the current pan- distancing is fun or not, it is about the on our emotional well-being. This is why edged by the people here. Until now, we SITUATION OF GEORGIAN demic’s effect on mental health will be reality that it doesn’t matter how diffi cult it’s so important to reach out, and to be thought that in any medical emergency, IMMIGRANTS IS LIVING IN more apparent 3 to 6 months from now. and unpleasant isolation is, it still is the connected virtually as much as possible. doctors would prescribe the needed NEW YORK CITY? MANY OF only way to survive right now. The emo- There is no question that face to face medication or perform the necessary THEM ARE STAYING IN THERE HOW CAN WE BETTER COPE tional complications which will follow relationships are better, but we do not surgery, and the issue would be solved. ILLEGALLY. DO THEY HAVE WITH THE ANXIETY THAT social distancing can be dealt with and have the luxury to choose what is better; Now, for the fi rst time ever, our well ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE? COMES WITH SELF-ISOLATION? treated, so we can't downplay the need we need to fi gure out how to survive. Isolation Diaries #1: Online Events to Keep up Your Social Life

11 April, 10PM: Monday to Friday, 9PM: Nakadi Track Release Live the Great British Home Chorus

Georgian-American artist Nakadi is British choir conductor Gareth Malone releasing a new track during a live per- is organizing a home choir which you can formance on Saturday. If you are missing join from your sofa. Despite the name, the Tbilisi club scene, you can enjoy anyone, anywhere, can take part. Taking Nakadi’s dub minimal, breaks, and house on classics such as “You are my Sunshine”, beats from your living room dancefl oor. Gareth has a knack for making singing The performance will be streamed on fun. The rehearsals are live on YouTube. YouTube. 17 April, 12AM: 14 April, 8PM: ‘Closer in Crisis’ Benefi t Concert Tbilisi Virtual Pub Quiz Musicians are coming together (fi gu- The popular pub quiz held at Wooland’s ratively, not literally – stay home, folks), Speakeasy on Tuesday nights has gone to perform a benefi t concert to raise online during lockdown. There are no money and awareness for COVID-19 teams, instead you log into an online mental health programs and services. trivia platform and compete as yourself. Organized by Sound Mind, Chadwick There’s a Zoom room running simulta- Stokes of Dispatch, Taylor Goldsmith neously so you can heckle the other from Dawes, Foy Vance, Jade Bird, Lang- contestants. horne Slim, Ballroom Thieves, and Alex The past weeks have seen me reach new This week, to help avoid becoming a the Astronaut will perform. The concert BLOG BY AMY JONES levels to keep myself entertained at home. total social recluse and couch potato, 14 April, 4PM: will be streamed on YouTube. Some days, isolation ages me by fi fty I’ve found the best events in the coming The Economics of Covid-19 years as I pickle vegetables, make jams, days being held online in Tbilisi and Every Thursday, 10 PM: t’s been almost one month now and knit on my sofa. Other days, I throw around the world. Perhaps not the most relaxing choice National Theater at Home since I spoke to someone other myself into cleaning or do a YouTube of event, but it’s important to keep up- than my dog in real life. One month exercise video in the garden. And some- ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR to-date with the news and understand For the next eight weeks, the British since I laughed with friends face times, I lie in bed and watch Netfl ix the 10 April, 7PM – 11PM: the economic impacts of the virus. The National Theater will show one of its to face, one month since I walked whole day. Stay Home Brew Day New Economics School is running a most popular productions on Thursday Ipast people in the street without distanc- From now on, I’ll be sharing my weekly Lokal Tbilisi, a co-working space, and series of online lectures where speakers nights. The performances are available ing myself from them, and one month tips on how to stay calm and busy dur- Tbilisi-based craft beer Megobrebi Brew- from around the world address economic online for one week, so you can make since I ate khinkali. ing isolation in this column. You can ery are holding a brewing session to issues surrounding the pandemic. This every night a theater night if you want. We’ve never experienced so much col- expect to fi nd everything from online teach you how to make your own home- session will be presented by Rainer Heu- Shows include One Man, Two Guvnors lective change in such a short time span events to recipes, and mindful techniques brew beer in four hours. Crack a few fers, Founder and Executive Director of with James Corden, Jane Eyre, Twelfth before, and it can be a challenge to keep to craft ideas. beers open as you watch and consider the Center for Indeonesian Policy Stud- Night, and Treasure Island. You can fi nd yourself busy, happy, and healthy at home. So, welcome to the isolation diaries. it your Friday night happy hour. ies. them on YouTube. GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY APRIL 10 - 16, 2020 WHO Head Thanks Georgian PM for Message to Health Workers on World Health Day especially to health workers on World BY ANA DUMBADZE Health Day yesterday. Together, against COVID19! Solidarity!,” WHO head tweeted. r. Tedros Adhanom Ghe- On April 7, on the occasion of World breyesus, Director-General Health Day, the Georgian PM published of the World Health Organ- photos of health workers fi ghting coro- ization, thanked Georgian navirus on social media, thanking them Prime Minister Giorgi for their professionalism and hard work. DGakharia for his message and kind wishes “Today is World Health Day. I want to to health workers and the population on wish the people of Georgia and the World Health Day, April 7. world's determination, hope and good the invisible enemy,” Gakharia tweeted. World Health Organization, as well as It is a day to celebrate the work of “Thank you, Prime Minister Giorgi health. We have endless appreciation for World Health Day is a global health other related organizations. In 1948, the nurses and midwives and remind world Gakharia, for sending such a wonderful doctors, healthcare workers and all pro- awareness day celebrated every year on WHO held the First World Health Assem- leaders of the critical role they play in message to the people of Georgia and fessionals who are heroically fi ghting 7 April, under the sponsorship of the bly. keeping the world healthy.

unforeseen long hours together and are I have not written to my dearest old now compelled to tolerate each other’s friends in a long while and now I have company day in, day out. One can hardly profusely taken to my beloved epistolary Two Ends of a Sugarcane imagine a stronger terminator of our genre of a private streak; in my salad corporeal immunity than our disheart- years, as a young dreamer and romanti- ening imagination, which carries enough cist I used to translate Georgian and power to eliminate the last vestiges of English poetry back and forth and I have hope and the hardly scintillating light of now revived my drooping poetic spirits happiness. to once again put my pen to this art of I deduce that of those two familial stands, intrinsic magnifi cence; not to forget to rejecting hatred and inviting love seems mention, my balconies have never seen to be the best healer of the day, no matter me workout so abundantly, but today how miserable, hungry, thirsty, fearful, they happen to be the witnesses of my constrained, astonished and sickened we sweating in pursuit of a vigorous lifestyle. feel due to our mandatory solitude, which I also started brooding over my healthy has totally dimmed our reality, temporar- diet, balanced out with the most salubri- ily though it is. What a preposterous ous ingredients ever, but this is not easy coronation of our existentiality! at all to afford, and still, I will probably But I don’t really care. Not because I go with it for as long as I continue mak- have already lived my share of years and ing a living. And I do! Only, I do it online, have bored myself to death with the toiling my guts and wits off over the motley palette of my lifelong experience; internet. What else am I up to? Oh, it nor because I am fearless like an animal almost escaped my mind: I am making and intrepid like a medieval knight. No! music by playing the accordion and I am just busy, very busy. That’s all! I am refreshing my piano skills with the help busier now than ever before. For instance: of online lessons. On top of all that, I I am doing more classes online now than have always wanted to watch all the at any other time in the past; I am cur- Oscar-winning movies, but this was rently prepared to answer ten times as practically impossible due to my inces- Image source: PenWin/Getty Images many questions of my students and dis- sant busyness, and here we go at last: I of their secluded family life, turning it Aren’t they lucky to be living in the era ciples than they desired to ask even in am enjoying a movie a day as a minimum OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE into an idyllic getaway from the regular of this global viral invasion, seemingly the times of our physical interactions; I and nothing will get in my way. Who daily routine, taking no notice of the worse than the assault of those familiar have assiduously dusted the once for- should I thank for this exceptional sou- deprivations brought about by the newly cinematic aliens? What else could have saken covers of about twenty bulky books venir? Of course Her Monstrous Excel- ucky are those married cou- imposed curfew and quarantine, never given them a chance like this to volun- I have always wanted to read through lency, as bittersweet as its time of advent ples who appreciate their feeling tired of one another’s constant tarily succumb to their re-burgeoning and never had time to embrace; I am has turned out to be. But we cannot connubial ties and don’t resent presence, and seeking satisfaction only love affair? more than poised to give a new impetus expect both ends of a sugar cane to be looking at each other 24/7, in available variables and solely by afford- At the same time, I pity those marital to a couple of linguistic projects I had sweet. The proverb is Chinese, by the Ltrying to enjoy every second able means. captives who have never wanted to spend stalled because of the shortage of time; way! CoRonization erty. Along the streets; on the facades of BLOG BY VALENTINO BROCCOLI the soviet blocks; in the eyes of street vendors standing on the gravel; in the fl ip-fl ops three sizes too big worn by the rom Russia with love. This is children sitting on the steps. Especially what can be read under the when I was driving in line to get out of two tricolour hearts on the Vladikavkaz, between one Kamaz and sides of the Kamaz trucks leav- another, I remember wondering about ing the IL-76 planes that have hospitals conditions there. Fortunately justF landed in Rome. The TV show that for me, I didn't have the opportunity to comes from the neighbor's window fi nd it out. praises their arrival. And my neighbor, But curiosity remains, so I start writ- in his own way, praises something else. ing to my contacts here and there around Perhaps even he didn’t accept that until the old USSR. For a moment, I chat some time ago, Putin had not bought our simultaneously with a Chechen, a Ukrain- Romagna peaches due to the sanctions ian, and a couple of Russians. I know, it that Italy, together with the EU, had car- seems like a joke told at birthday parties ried out after the start of the war in after six or seven glasses of Sangiovese Donbas and the annexation of Crimea. wine. But these are not times to laugh. Sanctions expired on January 31, 2020. The fi rst cases of coronavirus have arrived distant Russia. Then I try to mediate. to go under it at all. in the world. And I had confi rmation of But, even if everything is silent now, after in Grozny and Moscow, too. And there, Because Russia is great, immense, and Now, if many of their hospitals are in this last summer, coming down from the six years Crimea is still annexed and people are very worried because their not all the hospitals might be so bad. such disastrous conditions, what help Chechen Caucasus, when my driver lis- Ukraine is still invaded. That's why those hospitals "В плохом состоянии" are not There must certainly be some more can they give to our hospitals which are tened full volume to Toto Cotugno. Or military green Kamaz with the RU logo very good. upscale ones. The ones that Putin takes among the best in Europe and beyond? the other night, when I saw the Tbilisi don't fascinate me, even though I’m a They send me some pictures and some pictures of. And those where it costs a Personally, I fi nd it hard to believe the Tower in Georgia illuminated in green, big fan of military green. personal stories. At fi rst, I can hardly lot for an intravenous drip. I'm a teacher. fairy tale "From Russia With Love". And white, and red. This is why, as soon as I Last summer, while Ingushetia and believe it. Some photos cannot be true: Over there, I would earn 37,500 Rubles I hardly believe that we will not be asked saw the knobby tires of those Kamaz North Ossetia sped by the window of they look like mine taken in Chernobyl per month. More or less 400€. No. Lux- for the bill once the emergency ends. rolling on Italian soil, I thought of a real the Kia Rio that was taking me from some summers ago. Others must be taken ury wouldn't be for me. I should hope In my opinion, Italy is one of the most colonization. Indeed, given the times, I Chechnya to Georgia, I saw a lot of pov- from the deeper, more rural and more to go under the right knife, or rather, not beautiful, appreciated, desired countries would call it "coronization". GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 10 - 16, 2020 CULTURE 11 Interview with an Artistic Couple: Beka Sakvarelidze & Mariam Shakarashvili century, which has the refl ections of cave through. This cultural hunger necessi- HAVE YOU EXPERIMENTED WITH painting but is totally rethought, reshaped tated the fast re-shaping of the future ANY OTHER ART DIRECTION? and represented in a different context. and adjustment to the novelty of the Beka: I think an artist unites in himself world. Today, art is mostly defi ned by everything and while you’re in the mid- HOW IMPORTANT DO matter and so the fi ght for self-establish- dle of fi nding out about the world or YOU DEEM PROFESSIONAL ment and realization on the international how it works, it’s hard to follow one EDUCATION IN SHAPING stage for a developing country like Geor- particular path. AN ARTIST? gia is still a big challenge. Mariam: I’m surrounded by art and I Beka: It’s very important. However, it is Mariam: In my opinion, the contem- live in art entirely. So, painting, perfor- not the determinant. It’s important porary Georgian art scene is very worthy. mance, and installation are only ways to because the detailed orrectness of the I know a lot of artists who have repre- express myself. That’s how I depict myself work defi nes its visual and, cultural- sented Georgia and themselves pretty today. educational value. well. Naturally, there are some problems Mariam: Professional education is but that is normal and I prefer to stay THE MODERN ART SCENE IS important because during it we get to concentrated on the good side. EVER-CHANGING. WHAT IS know the works of interesting painters THE FUTURE OF PAINTING that leave marks on us. It can help us WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST IN THIS REALITY? fi nd ourselves. But then I guess there’s INSPIRATION TODAY? Beka: If the artwork is highly valuable, a different kind of honesty in the works Beka: The fast dynamics of the world it doesn’t matter what kind of direction of self-taught painters. and the unlimited possibilities of devel- it has taken: it will always be valuable. opment. Painting is just one of many ways to DID YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME Mariam: My biggest inspiration is the express your inner longing and search- ANY CHALLENGES IN dynamics and path that I and my per- ing for something and it will always be YOUR PURSUIT OF ART? sonal “me” go through together; the associated with novelty. Beka: Following art, like any other busi- problems I and me overcome. I observe Mariam: The future of painting is con- ness or a way of life which grows from how that “me” refl ects on everything nected to the future of the world that is your spiritual or mental state and rep- and it gives me the biggest impulses. why it’s so interesting. We can only make resents your desired future, is, of course, guesses about it. pleasantly hard. No matter how hard WHAT DO YOU THINK IS something is though, if it brings you the ART’S MAIN MISSION? WHAT ARE YOUR perfect outcome and compliments the Beka: The spiritual and intellectual awak- FUTURE PLANS? needs of your soul and intellect, it all ening of humans. Beka: I want to transform my ideas into becomes about enjoying what you have Mariam: I don’t know what art’s mis- reality but a lack of fi nances are keeping created. sion is, but I know what an artist’s mis- me from doing that at the moment. Mariam: The process of me forming sion is. Art is a way to express oneself, Mariam: An artist should always be as an artist has been ongoing since my a portal that connects us to the outer young, at any age. That is what I wish early childhood. Of course I had to over- world. We are the transmitters of our for them and what I advise them: stay come a lot of diffi culties. But these are deepest desires and impulses. forever young, accept novelties and fi lter the diffi culties that the world sends to them to your advantage. Never stop mov- us in order to make us stronger. These WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TELL ing. challenges are the paths that lead us to PEOPLE THROUGH YOUR ART? different shores. Beka: I’m not trying to tell people any- DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR thing through my art. My works, inde- ARTISTS JUST STARTING UP? WHAT WOULD YOU SAY pendently from me, fi nd their own ways. Beka: Don’t follow the trends with your ABOUT THE CONTEMPORARY Mariam: Well, I try to fi nd the perfect eyes closed, mindlessly. GEORGIAN ART SCENE? moment to depict my inner state. Then Mariam: An artist should always be a dear family friend and a wonderful WHERE DO WE STAND ON my artworks fi nd their own ways to young, at any age. That is what I wish INTERVIEW BY NINI painter who gave me painting classes THE WORLD ART MAP? connect to people who can relate to the for them and what I advise them: stay DAKHUNDARIDZE and so grew my interest in art. Beka: Georgia’s current place on the same impulses. Of course, you cannot forever young, accept novelties and fi lter world art map was conditioned by the reach everyone’s heart, and that’s not them for your advantage. Never stop WHO HAD THE BIGGEST cultural hunger our country had to go my goal. moving. eing together is very impor- IMPACT ON YOUR WORK tant for us. We stand by each EARLY ON IN YOUR CAREER? other and we balance each Beka: Early in my career, it was Murtaz other. Despite the fact that Japaridze, the head of Zestaponi Paint- our characters and art style ing School. He facilitated the fi rst steps areB strictly differentiated, our viewpoints of my artistic career. Then, later, of and ideas coincide. We don’t have sepa- course, there were several professors at rate personal or creative lives: we are Tbilisi State Academy of Arts who stim- both entirely engulfed in art. Art was ulated not only my technical skills as an what connected us in the fi rst place. We artist but who also helped me develop respect each other’s personal space, each freedom to think outside the box, being other’s individualism. This whole pro- fl exible to the new and depict this in my cess gives us great pleasure and fi lls our visual works. life. –artists Beka Sakvarelidze and Mar- Mariam: My painting teacher at Gori iam Shakarashvili tell GEORGIA TODAY. Painting School, Gulnara Chitadze, played In an ongoing series of interviews with a big role in my personal development artists, for which we were invited by BI and the style of my works. Then my pro- Auction, we met the artistic couple to fessors at Tbilisi State Academy of Arts fi nd out where the two young artists impacted me greatly and the people I meet in their differentiated individuality. got to meet with during this period: Gia Gugushvili, Aleko Adamia… WHO FIRST INTRODUCED YOU TO ART? HOW AND WHEN DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DID YOU START PAINTING? ARTIST/MOVEMENT? Beka: My genes played the biggest role Beka: There are many important paint- in establishing me as a painter. My father ers and among them, I would name Piet was the pioneer here, and he had me Mondrian, who is considered one of the follow him in the pursuit of art. founders of Abstract painting. Mariam: My fi rst encounter with art is Mariam: Each movement is important also associated with my father, who in its own way because art always depicts always paid attention to my longing for the contemporary reality. I would name painting. Then it was Valer Marghishvili, cave painting and of course the 20th

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