Issue no: 1133 • MARCH 15 - 18, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Concludes Talks with Gazprom over Gas Transit to Armenia NEWS PAGE 3 Of Bread, Circus & German Professors: A Look at How Disinformation Works in Georgia POLITICS PAGE 4 Ukraine Now Experiences What Georgia Saw Years Ago POLITICS PAGE 7 TBC’s Vakhtang Butskhrikidze Wins at FIRST Awards ON NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS The Georgian President meets her counterpart FOCUS in Armenia to discuss future relations PAGE 2 Georgian Man Found Dead in Abkhaz Interrogation Room, De-Facto Authorities Blame Suicide BUSINESS PAGE 7 sentatives of the de-facto Abkhaz government via the communication hotline operated by the EU Monitoring Mission. La Dolce Vita The de-facto Abkhaz authorities say that the young man was detained on March 10 for “illegally crossing the border,” and was left alone in an SOCIETY PAGE 8 interrogation room to write a confession. He was later found to have hung himself to death in the room, say reports from the de-facto Abkhaz security service. Local Georgians claim Kvaratskhelia was beaten to A Look death after a verbal dispute with so-called border guards, who then staged his suicide. Back on an The State Security Service immediately began an investigation to iden- tify the circumstances of Kvaratskhelia’s death “through every instru- Exceptional ment at its disposal,” according to an offi cial statement. Ballet Continued on page 2 Gala CULTURE PAGE 9 Image source: JAM News Street Name Commemorates BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE German Heritage in Georgia

he Abkhaz authorities say Irakli Kvaratskhelia took his own life. Georgian media is reporting on local suspicions that foul play was involved. On Tuesday, March 12, the State Security Service of Geor- gia reported that a 29-year-old Georgian, Irakli Kvaratskhe- Tlia, had died in the Gali district of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia region. The information came to the State Security Service from repre- CULTURE PAGE 11 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS MARCH 15 - 18, 2019 President Zurabishvili Pays Offi cial Visit to Armenia tainability, and development. BY THEA MORRISON Image source: Georgian President’s Administration “We also attach great importance to cooperation in education, culture, and those activities that aim at cultural her- he fi rst female president of itage protection. We are sure that our Georgia, Salome Zurabish- joint efforts in this direction will be vili, paid an offi cial visit to effective,” said Sarkissian. neighboring Armenia on After meeting Sarkissian, Zurabishvili March 13-14 and held high- had a meeting with the Prime Minister Trank meetings with state offi cials there. of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. The sides During the meeting with her Armenian discussed key aspects of Georgia-Arme- counterpart, Armen Sarkissian, Zura- nia political and economic cooperation. bishvili noted that Georgia and Armenia "Our relations should be based on com- have a great potential for further devel- mon strategic interest and I am glad to oping relations. She thanked her coun- receive the same response from the terpart for the warm reception, stressing Georgian government. Now the time has that this visit signifi es Georgia’s expec- come to bring this mutual understand- tation to further deepen relations with ing into action,” Pashinyan said. Armenia. In President Zurabishvili’s view, it is As emphasized, Georgia recognizes the important to realize the full potential of territorial integrity of all states within their Georgia and Armenia’s further developed internationally recognized borders. Also, relations. “We can do much more together Georgia is ready to support the peaceful than alone; we have a lot to do,” she said. resolution of the confl ict. Zurabishvili As highlighted, Georgia and Armenia spoke about the delimitation of the Geor- have a great potential for enhancing gia-Armenia state border. She also dis- bilateral relations; Georgia’s economic cussed Georgia’s European integration potential is better promoted after the and the EU position in this process. country signed free trade agreements At the joint press conference in Yere- with the EU and China. van, Zurabishvili highlighted the vital It was noted that Armenia is Georgia’s importance of stability and peace for the ful way that will be based on international of initiative, speech and advice, and tain the atmosphere of peace, security, partner in terms of tourism. Tourism region. She invited President Sarkissian legal norms. This is a subject for nego- through exercising this right, we can and cooperation in the region. My Geor- traffi c index between Georgia and Arme- to Georgia to attend the Batumi Confer- tiations and dialogue - this is our strong infl uence not only our societies, but also gian colleague and I share the same view nia is high. Armenia ranks 3rd in the ence marking the 10th anniversary of the belief,” she stated. executive and legislative authorities to on the solutions to regional confl icts. number of visitors entering Georgia. In Eastern Partnership. The Georgian President also noted that develop relations that are all-encompass- We think that problems and confl icts terms of Georgian visitors traveling to “We are not only neighbors, but also active economic cooperation between ing and benefi cial for the future,” she said. and their solutions are not the same; Armenia, Georgia also holds a decent friends. We live in a region for which the two countries is necessary, be it in Sarkissian accepted his counterpart’s however, I strongly believe that a solu- place on the list. stability and peace are decisive. Stability tourism, new technologies, energy, or invitation to Georgia, highlighting that tion should be found only in a peaceful Conversation touched upon ethnic and peace are necessary preconditions transport infrastructure that can be developing exceptional relations with way, but in accordance with international Armenians living in Georgia, their inte- for further developing our economies extended to Armenia. Georgia is one of the top priorities on law and norms,” he said. gration into the social and economic life and our economic cooperation. We face “We have a great future. We are vigor- Armenia’s political agenda. The Armenian President also noted of Georgia, and acquisition of the Geor- many challenges in the region; we should ous optimists. We are going to continue “This is evidenced by the recent high- that his country attaches great impor- gian language. realize that the only way to overcome to discuss a lot of issues and not just on level meetings and achieved agreements tance to the implementation of energy Zurabishvili and Pashinyan also dis- these challenges and solve these confl icts the level of statements, but actually pre- between Georgia and Armenia. Armenia and logistics projects in the South Cau- cussed cultural cooperation between the that impede our development is a peace- sent our views. We both have the right is eager to establish, protect, and main- casus to ensure regional security, sus- two countries. Georgian Man Found Dead in Abkhaz Interrogation Room, De-Facto Authorities Blame Suicide Continued from page 1 causes of the incident are found, we what happened before making conclu- controlled territory. Standing at the determine whether it was infl icted when have already taken steps to inform the sions, saying that obtaining precise and Enguri Bridge waiting to collect his the man was alive or whether they President Salome Zurabishvili tweeted international community regarding the objective information on the situation remains, the Kvaratskhelia family was appeared after death.” her condolences to the young man’s issue.” All Georgia’s diplomatic mis- was “vitally important.” accompanied by a retinue of Georgian There is currently no explanation as family, writing “The tragic news of the sions worldwide were instructed to Foreign Minister Zalkaliani confi rmed government offi cials including Deputy to where Kvaratskhelia might have got- sad death of a young man in the occu- inform their host countries of Kvart- that he has been in regular contact with State Minister for Reconciliation and ten the rope, how long he was left alone pied #Gali District is a heartbreaking skhelia’s death. the EU Special Representative to Geor- Civic Equality Ruslan Abashidze and in the interrogation room, or why there continuation of the situation in our At the time of his death, the young gia concerning the incident, along with offi cials from the State Security Service. was no surveillance in the room. #occupiedterritories. I share the sad- man was being held in a detention facil- the co-chairs of the Geneva International On the morning of Thursday, March The Georgian autopsy report is in line ness of Irakli’s family and friends and ity by de-facto Abkhaz authorities. Local Discussions (GID) from the OSCE and 14, an autopsy was conducted to deter- with a medical examination conducted pray for their strength in this diffi cult residents of the Gali district told report- UN, but he does not yet know whether mine the cause of death. The exam by the de-facto Abkhaz authorities moment.” ers that Kvaratskhelia was detained after Kvaratskhelia was physically abused lasted approximately fi ve hours, after before his body was transferred, who Shortly after the news was released, getting into a verbal argument with before his death. On March 13, the GID which the following statement was found “no traces of violence” on the Georgian Foreign Minister David Zal- occupying forces several days prior, and co-chairs from the EU, UN and EU released by medical examiner Irakli body. kaliani told reporters, “We received that he was beaten. traveled to the occupied Abkhazia region Toidze: Minister Tsikhelashvili believes there information about the alarming case Georgian State Minister for Recon- to discuss the details of Kvaratskhelia’s “Pieces of rope were found inside the are no witness who could tell the story yesterday from the EUMM. The reasons ciliation and Civil Equality Ketevan death with de facto Abkhaz authorities. wounds [on the throat]. No other dam- of what really happened to Kvaratskhe- behind the death are being identifi ed Tsikhelashvili, told reporters that she Later that day, Kvaratskhelia’s body age has been found. As for the damage lia. More information is expected to with the help of the Mission. Before all is prioritizing confi rming the details of was transferred to his family in Tbilisi- on the throat, laboratory studies will surface in the coming days. SUBSCRIBE!

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[email protected] +995 32 229 59 19  Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 15 - 18, 2019 NEWS 3 Georgia Concludes Talks with Gazprom over Gas Transit to Armenia

Opposition parties say it is unfortunate BY THEA MORRISON that the agreement with Gazprom is confi dential, noting that the issue is high- profi le and society has right to know the eorgia and ’s energy details. giant Gazprom have The MPs call on the Minister of Economy, reached a new agreement Giorgi Kobulia, to come to parliament to on gas transit to Armenia give further explanation. They claim that after the previous one the agreement with Gazprom which existed Gexpired on December 31, 2018. before 2016 was much better as Georgia The past agreement was reached on was receiving natural gas in exchange for January 10, 2017, under which Georgia, letting Russia transit it to Armenia. as a transit country for the transporta- Giorgi Baramidze from the United tion of Russian gas to Armenia, through- National Movement (UNM) says that out 2018 received payment from Gazprom. the country’s budget is losing millions Russia was paying Georgia for gas due to the agreements of the government transportation by supplying natural gas with the Russian energy giant. to the amount of 10% of the total volume “One problem about this deal is that of the transported gas. we do not know how much Georgia is The information about the conclusion getting for Russian gas transit to Arme- of the new deal was released by the nia, and the second problem is that we Deputy Minister of Economy and Sus- still need to buy gas from Russia,” he tainable Development Natia Turnava at said at the press-conference of the United a special briefi ng. Opposition. “As a result of the negotiations with The European Georgia party also ques- Gazprom, our commercial conditions tioned the deal with Gazprom. The party have been improved: the transit fee has MP Giorgi Kandelaki says they cannot been increased and the Russian gas price trust the government if it does not give has been reduced,” she said. proper explanations. The Deputy Minister noted that the “The Economy Minister promised us negotiating team from Georgia made good he would come to the sitting of the Eco- use of the world's oil price dynamics, Image source: oilandgasiq.com nomic Committee to speak about the adding that because of this, the Russian deal and we are looking forward to this side expressed readiness to make com- “First, it is our country's energy inde- strategic partner in this fi eld. Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zal- discussion,” he added. promises and Georgia has achieved pendence and security. Two of the most “Moreover, the share of Azeri gas will kaliani also commented on the issue, Gazprom owns the world’s largest gas improvement in the commercial interests important strategic segments of our further increase in the Georgian market saying the new agreement is much bet- transmission system, with a total length of the country. Turnava said the negotia- market, population and electricity gen- in the coming years, after the Shah Deniz ter than the previous one. of 172.1 thousand kilometers. tions are successfully over despite “long eration, are fully supplied and will still Stage 2 is fully launched,” she added. “Energy-independence and security Gazprom sells more than half its gas and diffi cult talks,” adding the Georgian be supplied with Azeri gas,” she added. The Gazprom contract has been extended are guaranteed by this agreement,” the to Russian consumers and exports gas side was guided by two basic principles, Turnava emphasized that Azerbaijan for two years and will be valid during 2019- minister claimed, without going into any to more than 30 countries within and and both principles were well kept. remains Georgia’s main gas supplier and 2020, according to the Deputy Minister. further detail. beyond the former . Georgia’s Bakhtadze Holds Meetings in Japan

Image source: civil.ge Eliava Market May Be Removed

Investment Agreement will play a con- the Prime Minister's visit to Japan will BY THEA MORRISON siderable role in this process. be a fruitful one. We really appreciate Through Legislative The PM noted that Georgia and Japan His Excellency's visit to Japan. We look have good cooperation and expressed forward to strengthening our bilateral ithin the framework hope it will be advanced even more. relationship,” he said. of an offi cial visit to “The most important part of our inter- Bakhtadze also met Ichiro Aisawa, Amendments Japan, Georgian Prime action is people to people relations. I do Member of the House of Representatives Minister Mamuka believe that as people to people relations of Japan and Chairman of the Japan- Eliava Market is one of the major zones BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA Bakhtadze was hosted are so great among the two nations, it Georgia Parliamentary Friendship Group. where all the above mentioned materi- byW the Foreign Minister Taro Kono. will be a great precondition for us to Development of political and economic als are available. Therefore, the govern- Discussions were related to the devel- strengthen our cooperation both in relations between Georgia and Japan, ment may remove it and allocate special opment of cooperation between Georgia political and economic fi elds. Also, we along with a deepened cooperation in he Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha areas for similar trade activities out of and Japan. It was noted that the visit of would like to see more Japanese friends various directions was the key topics Kaladze has made an residential areas. the Head of Government of Georgia will coming from Japan to Georgia, having discussed by the sides. announcement regarding Kaladze stated that the decision was advance the bilateral relations to a new more businesses between two nations,” It was also noted that visit of the Prime the government’s plans to made in order to improve the ecology level. he said. Minister of Georgia to Japan, along with restrict the control mecha- of the capital city and decrease the level Bakhtadze focused on the support of Taro Kono thanked Bakhtadze for his a Joint Business Forum to be held in Tnism on the placement and even prohibit of pollution, which is a matter of "para- Japan in various directions, including visit and expressed his gratitude to the Tokyo this week will facilitate the inten- the sales of used spars, scarp iron, infl am- mount importance." He also spoke about the funding of signifi cant projects, pros- Prime Minister of Georgia for warm sifi ed trade and economic relations mable substances, used tires and similar the steps that have already been made pects of deepened economic coopera- hospitality enjoyed in Tbilisi. between the two countries, along with products in residential zones of Tbilisi for amelioration of the situation and tion. It was also noted that the Mutual "We had wonderful discussions. I hope the current potential of tourism. through legislative amendments. future plans in this respect. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS MARCH 15 - 18, 2019 Georgia’s North Macedonian Dream

perceived as part of Greek culture. Fur- BY ARCHIL SIKHARULIDZE, thermore, there were fears of irreden- SIKHA FOUNDATION tism. Millions of Greeks identify them- selves as Macedonians, and offi cials in Athens had concerns this might lead to n March 12, the North Atlan- some concepts of so-called United Mac- tic Treaty Organization edonia threatening the territorial integ- celebrated the 20th anni- rity of the state. versary of the membership So far, the case of the Republic of North of the Czech Republic, Macedonia is unique and inapplicable OPoland and Hungary. Prominent Ameri- to Georgia and Ukraine due to its com- can politician and former Secretary of parative simplicity. The only actor that State Madeleine Albright re-iterated opposed Macedonia joining NATO was NATO’s open-door policy and assured Alliance member . No global Georgia and Ukraine that they will become politics was involved. Furthermore, there Alliance members once the two countries was only one demand that Athens had are ready. Earlier, on June 12, 2018, Greece for Skopje – to change its constitutional and the Republic of Macedonia signed name. Generally speaking, the whole the so-called Prespa Agreement accord- dispute surrounded the name of the state ing to which the latter will change its and the main challenge was to persuade name to the Republic of North Macedo- local elites to negotiate and make a deal nia while Greece will fi nally agree to using a “win-win” approach. Former support its long-standing aspirations of confronting sides belonged to so-called acquiring the NATO Membership Action small actors that are more vulnerable to Plan (MAP). Currently, the Republic of external pressure and infl uence. North Macedonia is on its way to joining the military bloc. The latest happenings THE GEORGIA CASE raised new hopes among the so-called Whether you perceive NATO as a mili- pro-NATO groups in Georgia that their tary bloc, democracy promoter, hybrid state is next on the list. organization or something else, it is Meanwhile, there are serious doubts obvious that modern Ukraine is not ready as to whether the offering of NATO to join the club. This lack of readiness membership to the Republic of North can be seen on every level of the state comes to confl ict in the Abkhazia region. ests. And there is no point presenting ance representatives may speak about Macedonia is a real precedent for Geor- build-up. On the opposite side, there is An even more complicated situation is the Alliance as a Russia-friendly military an open-door policy, but factually these gia and Ukraine. These Eastern European Georgia, which has by all means man- seen in Ukraine, where the Crimean Pen- bloc: the Kremlin will perceive it as a “doors” will be opened only verbally. states face far more serious challenges aged to satisfy NATO requirements; insula was integrated by the Kremlin into threat while NATO prospers and Russia By and large, the so-called Macedonian attached to global politics, geopolitics Tbilisi does not need to be ready for the state while self-proclaimed Donbas is not a member. precedent has nothing to do with NATO and confrontation between the West and Alliance membership because it already and Luhansk on the east receive military Unfortunately for Tbilisi and Kiev, their aspirations for Tbilisi and Kiev. The the East. At present, it is unlikely the is. Thus, we need to abandon this fre- and fi nancial support. separatist regions have become battle- name dispute between Greece and the North Macedonian experience can be quently-used-by-various-Western-high We also need to consider and fi elds between the united West and the Republic of Macedonia was compara- readily applied. offi cials argument and be clear about its geopolitical agenda. Unlike Greece East, meaning Russia, China and all those tively simple, while Georgia and Ukraine the real challenges, recognizing that they and Macedonia, Russia is a “great power”. actors that aspire to shake the existing face extremely serious challenges, includ- NAMES MATTER are much more complicated than Athens Of course, it is no match for the USSR, global political order, with the US on ing separatism, irredentism, the Krem- The name dispute is a long-standing and Skopje. US and/or China, but it still possesses top. This fact makes it even more com- lin’s geopolitical agenda and, of course, confrontation with old roots. Macedonia Perhaps the biggest need is to acknowl- enough accumulated military power, plicated to solve disputes on the ground war for the future of global politics. is a historical region associated with edge separatism and irredentism as actu- backed by a vast territory and natural due to their transformation from local Thus, Georgia will need to wait a while Greece and Alexander the Great. Now- ally-happened facts. Georgia has two resources, to promote national interests (especially in Georgia’s case) to global: on the list. But it is highly important for adays, ancient Macedonia approximately separatist regions supported by its north- and counter any other global actor. The global actors are involved, and their goals these two countries to continue state corresponds with the modern Greek ern neighbor, the Russian Federation. Kremlin perceives both Georgia and go far beyond simple confl ict resolution. building, whether with MAP or not; offi - region of Macedonia and has little to do Additionally, at least some actors in Tbi- Ukraine as zones of infl uence, “living The reasons outlined above are real cials must fi nally understand and accept with the Republic of North Macedonia. lisi realize that, besides the Russian factor, space” and “security belt” and so the challenges that Georgia and Ukraine that the ongoing build-up is not for NATO Athens blamed Skopje of trying to assign there are also signifi cant issues to deal integration of these two states into NATO experience on their way to NATO mem- but for the prosperity of the people on symbols and fi gures that were initially with on the ground, especially when it is a direct threat to its fundamental inter- bership. And while on the ground, Alli- the ground. Of Bread, Circus & German Professors: A Look at How Disinformation Works in Georgia

BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE YOU DENIED THE STATEMENT CAME FROM YOU. ANY IDEA WHERE IT MIGHT HAVE ORIGINATED? t takes very little to wind a Geor- No. I do not use Facebook or any other gian up. If you ask one, they’ll say social media, so I did not even see that it’s because they are fi ercely proud fake information myself: I was informed people (and they are), while oth- by colleagues who had read it and who ers might speak coyly about things forwarded me some screenshots. I have Ilike small nation syndrome being at the no idea who is behind it. heart of the matter. Be that as it may, trying to belittle Georgia and Georgians WHAT’S YOUR OWN TAKE has become a viable tool of disinforma- ON THE STATEMENT? tion over recent years, with powers that This is not just a hoax but an attempt be ably using it to elicit aggression, to undermine my reputation and to negativity or nihilism in society. What cast me in a negative light via defama- transpired last week was a particularly tion, and I am not ready to let this cal- nasty piece of fake news as it covered umny pass by without legal conse- all three of those sentiments. But fi rst quences. things fi rst. On March 2, a Facebook post published WHOSE INTERESTS DO by popular photographer Goga Chanadiri YOU THINK ALL THIS went viral in the Georgian social media as India and countries of Africa.” things posted on Facebook, being pub- runs a travel agency. When asked where MIGHT HAVE SERVED? bubble. The post told of a comment that Needless to say, people weren’t lished by an offi cial media outlet lends the info had come from, Vardanashvili Again, I have no idea. If there are polit- well-respected German professor, lin- impressed with this. A torrent of abuse it a greater degree of veracity. Thus, mentioned a close confi dant who wanted ical intentions involved, I do not know guist and Caucasus scholar Jost Gippert was rained on the poor professor’s head, bread and circuses were enjoyed. That to remain anonymous and declined to any person or group of persons in Geor- (of Frankfurt University) purportedly some going as far as to demand he not is, until Act II came through: Professor answer further questions. gia that might be interested in abusing made of the Georgian nation: be allowed in the country anymore. And Gippert vehemently denied he had ever On March 12, in another bid to clear me for their purposes. “Georgians are a culturally unwholesome yet, perhaps not so surprisingly, there uttered anything of the sort and threat- Gippert’s name, a press conference was nation. They have a natural urge towards were some who agreed with the senti- ened legal action against those who had held in the National Library of Georgia, AND FINALLY, WHAT being slaves of other, bigger nations. And ment, including Chanadiri himself. Online disseminated the false information. attended by Gippert’s numerous Geor- WOULD YOUR MESSAGE this manifests in everything. For example, media (presa.ge, geotimes.ge, progress- Questions were asked, with watchdog gian colleagues, all eager to speak out BE TO GEORGIANS? a nation that has its own language and news.ge, for.ge – the latter notorious for media like Mediachecker and Myth on behalf of him. A student of Gippert, My attitude towards Georgia, the Geor- three unique alphabets to its name resorts its far-right, pro-Russian reporting), see- Detector taking it upon themselves to Mariam Kamarauli, was kind enough to gian people, their language and their to, even after gaining independence, indi- ing the post going viral, wasted little expose the falsehood. Media outlets facilitate direct contact with the profes- culture is manifest in several books and cating the roads in a foreign language. I time in publishing it as separate articles, pointed a fi nger towards Chanadiri as a sor, with whom GEORGIA TODAY con- quite a lot articles. I think there is no have witnessed such phenomena only in giving the piece even greater exposure. source, while the latter attributed it to ducted a brief yet concise interview to further need to prove that that fake infor- the nations of the former colonies, such And while one might be skeptical of one Paata Vardanashvili, who owns and sum up the whole story. mation is absurd. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 15 - 18, 2019 POLITICS 5 Georgia Celebrates 100 Years of Parliamentarism

Image source: Parliament of Georgia lators from ethnic minorities and fi ve female law- BY AMY JONES makers. This was especially forward-thinking for the time; in 1919, many females in European coun- tries did not even have the right to vote. eorgia celebrated the 100th year of The members represented six different political parliamentarism on March 12. The parties. The Georgian Social Democratic Labor Constituent Assembly of the First Party fi lled 102 seats, the Georgian Socialist-Fed- Parliament of Georgia took place in eralist party took nine seats, and the Georgian Tbilisi on the same day in 1919. National Democrat Party had eight. GThe creation of the fi rst Parliament was an impor- Although the Constituent Assembly only ran two tant event in Georgia’s democratic history. An years, until the invasion of the Soviet Russian army, extract from the Constitution of the Georgian Con- it was signifi cant in Georgia’s history. The Con- stituent Assembly at the time reads “state author- stituent Assembly was ahead of its time with its ity belongs to the nation. Parliament exercises the legal principles and worked to ensure the balance authority of the nation.” of power between central and local government. Following the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Following Georgia’s succession to the Soviet Union Independence Act of Georgia, adopted on May 26, in 1922, the country did not experience democracy 1918, paved the way for parliamentarism in Georgia. again for almost 70 years, until 1991. “Until the convocation of the Constituent Assem- To mark the anniversary of parliamentarism, offi - bly, the governance of Georgia shall be referred to cials and politicians attended an event at Rustaveli the National Council,” reads the act. Theater in Tbilisi on March 12. Speaking at the Accordingly, elections for the Constituent Assem- event, Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze under- bly took place on February 14, 1919. 1,024,682 people lined the historical importance of the Assembly: were eligible to vote in the elections, of which “The day embodies the aspiration of Georgian 616,150 ballot papers were counted. society to independence and democracy, and 130 elected members formed the legislative body. reminds us that democratic institutions in Georgia By profession, 21 of the members were journalists were already established 100 years ago,” he said. and 20 were teachers. The body included 21 legis- Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze and Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Chairman of the ruling party Georgian Dream, also attended the event. Many countries around the world congratulated Georgia on the anniversary, including the parlia- ments of Israel, , the UK, Norway, , Hungary, Armenia, , , and . ‘The inaugural parliament set an outstanding exam- State authority belongs ple for democracy during its time,’ reads a letter from the British parliament. to the nation. Despite Georgia’s strong parliamentary legacy, democracy still has plenty of room to grow in the Parliament exercises country. The Economist Intelligence Unit consid- ers Georgia to be a ‘hybrid regime’ rather than a the authority of the ‘full democracy’ or even a ‘fl awed democracy’. Georgia’s ranking in 2018 fell from 5.93 to 5.50, much nation because of Bidzina Ivanishvili’s grip on politics. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS MARCH 15 - 18, 2019 The Burden of the Georgian Crown

royal titles. Ever since, the Russian OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA Emperors referred to the the former kings of Kartli as “Mukhranskis,” while those of Kakheti “Gruzinskys,” and those oon, a collegium of three judges from Imereti as “Imeretinskis.” After the at the Tbilisi City Hall will Bolsheviks took over the , have to rule on a bizarre deci- most of the Georgian fl ed sion. Who does the Royal and ended up in Spain and Italy. How- Crown belong to: Princess Ana ever, some members of the family SBagration- or David remained in the homeland. Today, there Bagrationi-? The fact that are three different lines of Bagrationis: recently the opposing parties were hus- Gruzinskys, Mukhranskis and Imeretin- band and wife makes the responsibility skis. The Gruzinskys and Mukhranskis and burden of the judges all the heavier. view themselves as predominant and Years ago, their marriage was celebrated compete with each other for the lead. publicly. Today, the former royal couple Exactly because of this historic con- are accusing each other of conmanship troversy, the decision to marry Ana and illicit use of the royal title. Ana Bagration-Gruzinsky to Davit Bagrationi- Bagration-Gruzinsky is the claimant who Mukhraneli was made with the aim of also accused her former husband of issu- uniting the two royal branches for all ing Royal Orders in exchange for money. eternity. Although the idea of this “con- dissolved with the efforts of the govern- ple were back together and the Prince as some have stated that the Patriarch’s However, David Bagrationi-Mukhrani is tract” belonged to the Patriarch of All ment, who “forced” a local TV celebrity was born. While the Church did not idea is quite interesting. claiming the Gruzinskys are not real Georgia Ilia II, the government in 2009 Shorena Begashvili into the life of Davit really participate in raising the child, Why the Royal project is collapsing Bagrationis and accuses them of illegally argued that in reality the initiative Bagrationi-Mukhraneli, deteriorating who is being raised in Vake, where his again and what the real reason is behind misappropriating the royal title. belonged to the former chief of Intelli- the marriage. mother currently lives, the fact that our the new court case initiated in the Tbi- The of the Bagrationi family gence of Russia, Yevgeny Primakov. Then The forgotten project was reinstated country has a prince is already a politi- lisi City Court is unknown. Especially as the kings of united Georgia began in Minister of Interior Affairs Vano Mera- only after Georgian Dream came to cal intrigue in itself. Especially for the considering that neither is Saakashvili 978 and ended in 1810, which is when bishvili believed that the Kremlin sup- power. At one of his Sunday masses, godfather, Knight Levan Vasadze, who, in government, nor David Bagrationi- Russia’s Emperor Alexandre 1st ruled a ported the restoration of monarchy and Patriarch Ilia II preached about the ben- after the famous mass mentioned above, Mukhraneli fancing celebrities anymore. manifesto on adopting Georgia’s dis- viewed it as a favorable alternative to efi ts of the for decided to hold the responsibility of One clue to the scandal could be that mantled regions into Russia. This was the government of Saakashvili. In 2009, Georgia and the perspectives of raising being the main propagandist of the mon- where once the Patriarch checked Ivan- how the Bagrationis ruling Kakheti, Kar- the royal project failed, with rumors up the future monarch within a Church archy. However, the Georgian Dream ishvili, perhaps now Ivanishvili has tli and Imereti became deprived of their suggesting that the marriage had been environment. Soon afterwards, the cou- isn’t completely indifferent to the idea, decided to check him back with the King. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 15 - 18, 2019 POLITICS 7 Ukraine Now Experiences What Georgia Saw Years Ago don its pro-Western path. BY EMIL AVDALIANI It is like what Georgia experienced a decade ago. Where, before the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, some sections of kraine is bracing itself for the Georgian political and cultural elite the upcoming elections argued that it would still be possible to on March 31. The results work with the Russians and maybe even of said elections could get back control of Abkhazia and the have major repercussions Tskhinvali region, in 2008 these legiti- Uon both Ukraine’s internal developments mate hopes were dashed. In other words, and the surrounding region as the coun- the Russians dissipated hopes among try struggles to keep its territorial integ- Georgians for a geopolitical rapproche- rity in the view of Russian military and ment with Moscow. economic moves in eastern Ukraine and True, Moscow has been able to hinder the Black and Azov seas. Georgia’s NATO and EU accession. True, Surprisingly, the polls conducted in Ukraine’s aspirations hit the same prob- February gave 41-year-old Zelensky 25% lem. But the Russian strategy shows that of the vote, a 10-point lead over incum- Georgia and Ukraine’s populations have bent Petro Poroshenko and political become increasingly pro-western. In veteran Yulia Timoshenko, who are also other words, Russia nowadays has a running for offi ce in the national elec- similar understanding of things as in the tion. 1990s, but under Boris Yeltsin, the policy The popularity of the current leader towards Georgia and Ukraine was more of the race refl ects the thinking of many practicable, leaving space for diplomacy Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Ukrainians nowadays and their deep and giving hope to Tbilisi and Kiev that mistrust towards the ruling political elite. tion of the Crimean Peninsula, Kiev has Recently, Ukraine’s Orthodox Church In addition, there is also a very sim- it would be possible to at least keep its Zelensky is associated with one of the managed to reinforce the Ukrainian army gained autocephaly (independence) from ple reason why Ukraine is unlikely to territorial integrity in exchange for being powerful Ukrainian oligarchs, Ihor Kol- amid ongoing confl ict and contain the the Russian Church. become pro-Russian or even try to be pro-Russian. omoyskiy, who recently also endorsed confl ict with Russia to eastern Ukraine Beyond this, Ukraine’s trade has been neutral. The very fact that Russia has It is still surprising why the modern him publicly. and the Azov Sea. redirected to Europe rather being mostly taken away Crimea and supports the Russian foreign policy is not subject to Despite numerous allegations that his Ukraine also ratifi ed the Association dependent on Russia, as was the case separatist elements in eastern Ukraine serious questions. Receding Russian government has been marred in deep Agreement with the European Union, before 2014. will always keep Kiev’s willingness to infl uence has already become a trend. corruption, it was still under Poroshenko the non-signing of which actually deposed Thus, it is highly unlikely that Ukraine’s cooperate deeper with the West. And The preclusion of Georgia and Ukraine that Ukraine saw a veritable divorce with the former president Viktor Yanukovych. foreign policy will change if Zelensky this is a major fl aw in the Russian strat- from entering NATO/EU might last for Russia in almost every aspect of geo- Moreover, Ukraine also got visa-free wins: there are simply too many eco- egy. Moscow is simply pressing too years or even decades, but the willing- politics. access for its citizens to the EU (except nomic, military and ideological strides hard on Ukraine, leaving very little, if ness of the Georgians and Ukrainians to In the last fi ve years since the Ukraine for the UK and Ireland) and four other that now connect the country to the any, possibility for improvement in the see their countries with Russia is dying crisis broke out following the annexa- Schengen-associated countries. West. relations or hope that Kiev will aban- out much faster.

BUSINESS TBC’s Vakhtang Butskhrikidze Wins at FIRST Awards business as a responsible citizen of our TRANSLATED BY KETEVAN country,” Butskhrikidze said. KVARATSKHELIYA “We have developed special programs in the support of business, with particu- lar accent on small and medium-sized he CEO of TBC Bank, Vakh- businesses. Within the scope of the given tang Butskhrikidze, has platform, comprising of a number of been named among the four activities, including trainings, lectures, winners of the prestigious business awards and meetings, we help award of the international them, as well as allocate investments Torganization FIRST, the International and contribute to their growth and devel- Award for Responsible Capitalism 2019, opment. held in . Within the scope of the “Our paramount aspiration is to create awards ceremony, HRH Princess Anne a digital ecosystem and thus facilitate delivered the FIRST Award for Promot- life for people. ing Responsible Capitalism, and Presi- “After coming out on top in Georgia, dent of EBRD, Suma Chakrabarti, pre- we decided to move beyond its borders sented the 2019 Special Award in and expand in other countries. TBC aims Adversity to Vakhtang Butskhrikidze. to increase the number of customers to The awards ceremony, which took place 10 million, which is fi ve times more than at Lancaster House on March 7, was the current fi gure. attended by the diplomatic corps based “This is not my personal award. It in London, representatives of the busi- belongs to the 7000 employees of TBC ness and government circles, including who deliver our culture and philosophy the Ambassador of Georgia to the United to our clientele. I am very grateful to Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern have people like them by my side,” But- Ireland, H.E. Tamar Beruchashvili, and skhrikidze said. the employees of the TBC Bank London FIRST has been annually awarding the branch. leaders of the private business sector “Despite fi nancial crisis, civil war and since 2000, for their successful entre- military confrontations, we have been preneurship and social responsibility. achieving success for 27 years. Today, Over the years, the list of the winners ver; Alan Wood CBE, Chief Executive of between leaders in the industries of ures of the governments and executives our brand is renowned in Georgia as of the prestigious FIRST awards has Siemens PLC and John Browne, Execu- fi nance and government worldwide and of corporations. The experts of the being the most active in terms corporate included such names as Guler Sabanci, tive Director of British Petroleum. to promote strategic dialogue. organization operate in 60 countries, on social responsibility and is recognized Chairman of Sabanci Holdings; Howard FIRST is a multidisciplinary interna- There are multiple high-level meetings three continents. FIRST magazine was for its support of business. We have man- Schultz, Chairman of Starbucks Coffee tional affairs organization. Founded in and international conferences organized awarded The Queen’s Award for Enter- aged to succeed as we have been doing Company; Paul Polman, CEO of Unile- 1984, it aims to enhance communication by FIRST and attended by the fi rst fi g- prise twice, in 2010 and 2013. GEORGIA TODAY 8 SOCIETY MARCH 15 - 18, 2019 Blog Beginnings: 2007

The former is a new work of Georgia's patron saint by Zurab Tsereteli, replac- ing the banished Lenin statue in what is now Freedom Square. The latter is a Communist-era piece higher over the city, holding a wine bowl for guests and a sword for enemies. Joke: she's saying to her guests, "Drink this all or I'll cut your throat!"—welcome to the subtleties of Georgian hospitality... April 2007 Etseri and Ushba, August 2004 Another journey which gave me much to dream about before it happened. Nodar's brother Sergo and I [on horse- back] crossed a bridge over the Inguri from Etseri and then climbed and crossed the "mountain wall", taking about six hours to reach several log cabins on the other side. Here a few families spend the summer, grazing and milking their cattle, making nationally famous sulguni Saakashvili’s renovation. So that was cheese and sending it back to Etseri tiny mincing steps as they cautiously felt Such is life, occasionally tragic. Move BLOG BY TONY HANMER eight years ago this month, without miss- weekly for sale elsewhere. their way. Sensible enough: but at this on. ing a single Friday issue to date. Here Sounds a simple trip, right? At one rate it would take a very long time to get Sukhishvili Dancers, Tbilisi, June 2006 are a few early blog snippets, showing point early on, before we even crossed home. There was nothing for it but to It may now be permitted to photograph welve years ago this month, where this ongoing journey began. Thank the river, my horse was going downhill speed things up. I followed my host's concerts of Georgia's spectacular Sukh- I began a blog, http://geo- you very much, GT! at such a steep angle that I almost fell lead as we dismounted. Then all we could ishvili national dancers, but several years synchronicity.blogspot. 1st posts, March 2007: over its head, yelling in fear. On the other do was run down the blasted mountain ago it wasn't. I snuck my camera in sev- com/, to write and exhibit Living in St P[etersburg, Russia] from side we had to stumble, mounted, over pulling the horses behind us—two not eral times anyway, in a plastic bag, and photographs. It was still 1992-99 was a real adventure. A beauti- an ice-and-snow bridge on a tributary huge men descending at a steep angle shot on slow shutter speeds without fl ash Thalf a year before I moved wholesale to ful city, but the weather was typical of to the main river. Then the long climb; with large beasts slipping and sliding until one of the ushers found me and Ushguli, from where the blog continued, a far northern swamp. Countless visits glorious views, even Ushba showing and snorting down their necks for sev- told me to stop. The conditions forced using my cellphone as modem and post- to the Hermitage. Footsteps of Dos- through the clouds—without that peak eral hours. the way of shooting, with blur result- ing from my desktop computer. I already toyevsky's "Crime and Punishment". I might not have bothered to shoot, so I had my photographs, the journey was ing—but what better to capture motion had about 30 years of photographs and Architecture to dwarf the soul and then important is it; not far down to the cab- behind me. Was it worth it? Well, I sur- from dance than blur anyway? travel behind me from which to draw, exalt it. Beyond that, soul-destroying ins after that. After overnighting there, vived. Will I always? and in that fi rst year I averaged more concrete jungle, only the interiors of I had new views the next morning, includ- A footnote to the story is that, of all Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since than a post a day. This blog eventually apartments betraying their inhabitants' ing one for the cover of a book on Svaneti the [35mm] fi lms from all three of my 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a ran out of Google’s allotted storage space, personalities. I loved it and was prepared I'm slowly writing. Mountain-scapes visits to Svaneti in 2005, only a single weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He and I started the next one, http://geo- to stay for much more than the seven gradually shrugging off their veils of roll remains. It's the set with the wall- runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook synchronici-2.blogspot.com/. Four years years I had—but all the time the Cauca- cloud; even a short rainbow. crossing trip's best shots on it, merci- group, now with nearly 2000 members, at later, I had some tens of thousands of sus was pulling my attention south as The trek back to Etseri was mostly fully; but lost somewhere in Canada, www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- views, and enough CV material to per- well. downwards, down the mountain wall, stolen from an unlocked mailbox where sance/ suade the people at Georgia Today news- St George and Mother Georgia monu- and this is when it really got insane. Rain well-meaning friends left them, are He and his wife also run their own guest house paper to take me on as a weekly writer ments, Tbilisi Old City, Georgia, Decem- in the night had made the leaf-strewn more views of Ushba, and all the frames in Etseri: from Svaneti, then in the full throes of ber 2006 ground slippery, and the horses made from only my third ever trip to Ushguli. www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti La Dolce Vita Now is the time in this country to make OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick- sand of once bitterly experienced injus- too have a dream that Georgia tice to the solid rock of national unity irreversibly goes down in history and political constructivism. Now is the as the greatest demonstrations of time to make justice an absolute reality freedom of enterprise, human for the good people of Georgia. It must liberty and unadulterated democ- be universally remembered that it would Iracy, forever remaining a great beacon be fatal for the nation to overlook the light of expectation for change for tens urgency of this pivotal moment. 2020 is of millions of post-soviet hopefuls who not going to be an end of good inten- were seared in the fl ames of lasting com- tions, but a beginning of the overall munistic prejudice and injustice. national rehabilitation when we return I too have a dream that Georgia will to business as usual. never be defaulted on the recent prom- In the process of gaining our deserved issory note to which every member of and rightful place in the world history our society was to fall heir, refusing to and its ongoing life, Georgia must not believe that our bank of justice is bank- be guilty of wrongful deeds. Just the rupt and unable to give us, upon demand, contrary – Georgia has to be right and the riches of freedom and the security justifi ed in every possible respect of its of fairness. current existence and from the viewpoint

JSC ‘Khashuri Glass Tare’ invites Image source: wtop.com of historical decision-making by its intel- was a sheer accident, and when it fl ashed pooped in front of my gates, and the interested companies/individuals to lectual elite. Let us not seek to satisfy in my mind that the brilliancy of its politicians are working on major issues our thirst for freedom and good life by veracity could be tailored to our cum- of the day to raise the plummeting stand- declare their Request for Information drinking from the cup of bitterness and bersome reality, I took the risk . . . and ard of living, and the high-ranking civil hatred. We must forever conduct our then, cynically, I remembered the popu- servants learn how to drive their own (RFI) on dismantling of buildings, struggle on the high plane of dignity and lar American song of the roaring twen- modest cars instead of residing in their discipline. ties ‘I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream chauffeured vehicles with darkened I too have a dream that one day this for Ice Cream’. Yes, it is time to scream windows and loud horns, or the hateful infrastructural objects and other nation will rise up and live out of the for La Dolce Vita if it could be gotten TV stations give us some good news true meaning of the universal creed of hold of with the help of dreams, screams every once in a while, or the architects constructions owned by the company humanity so wisely and dexterously used and wishes. There are so many other of the country learn what to build when once in history by the American found- dreams that come and go in my wistful and where, or the scores of panhandlers and sales of all materials resulting from ing fathers: ‘We hold these truths to be mind, like some day in the foreseeable in town have jobs and homes. self-evident, that all men are created future, I open my eyes and the good news But all of a sudden, all those T’s get demolition process. equal’. I too have a dream that someday has that Georgia is a member of NATO crossed and I’s get dotted in a joke of very soon we will sit down together at and the EU, lost lands are back, and the my youth: the table of brotherhood to discuss the dream triangle of friendship and coop- - Baby, do you want a candy? – a grownup For additional information please contact: ills and pains of this nation so that the eration amongst Georgia, Russia and man is asking a little boy promisingly. cure is found at last. Thank God Almighty America is working with pleasurable - Yes, I do – answers the kid eagerly. Mr. Givi Chachia 595 300 303 that we are free and ready to put our success, or I see the heavy traffi c of bikes - I don’t have one – the answer sounds crucial act together! and scooters instead of the huge stupid with vicious but unconscious cynicism. Deadline: March 20, 2019. My revisiting the King’s masterpiece SUVs in our streets, or dogs have not That’s the way it goes! GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 15 - 18, 2019 CULTURE 9 A Look Back on an Exceptional Tbilisi Ballet Gala

With Nutsa Chekurashvili

of the choice of mixing contemporary She looked back on her career, which REVIEW BY GABRIELLE COLCHEN dance with classical ballet: “I think it is began when she was very young, in Japan: nice to have a mix of every style, the last “I started ballet when I was four years part is Balanchine which is neoclassical, old. When I was fi fteen, I left for Portu- ast weekend saw the Ballet so it is nice for the audience to see a gal to learn ballet and then I came here Gala performed at the Tbilisi variety of styles and different dances: [to Tbilisi]. All my life I was only doing State . The public got they get a taste of everything.” ballet, I did not even go to high school to enjoy the performances of Sebastian explained that it was his in Japan”. She told us how dancing a world-famous Maria Kochet- fourth time in Tbilisi and he particularly Symphony is rigorous and being sup- kova,L Sebastian Kloborg, Andrey Batalov appreciated being able to better enjoy ported by other dancers helped her a lot and many local dancers from the Tbilisi the city this time round. “We’ve been to get ready for the Gala. “The prepara- Opera. GEORGIA TODAY had the chance here for four days now and have had tion was not too stressful […] when we to interview some of them and to attend time to see [and] enjoy the city, whereas dance together, people help me a lot, the show. usually you arrive, you do your show, from behind, even from wings: dancers The Gala in Three Acts was composed you go home.” help each other and that’s amazing.” of classical ballet as well as neo-classic We also spoke to Ruika Yokoyama, who Yokoyama also had one of the main roles and contemporary pieces. The audience made a wonderful performance in the sec- in the Laurencia Ballet a week prior, also comprised many well-known personali- ond act’s Pas De Deux from the ballet Esmer- in Tbilisi State Opera. ties including ambassadors, and all enjoyed alda and in the third, Symphony in C. Finally, we had the chance to exchange the fantastic three-hour show. some words with Nutsa Chek- The concert opened with urashvili who performed in the Act I, presenting Alexander second act’s Pas De Deux ballet Glazunov’s Raymonda, with from Le Corsaire and in the third leading soloists of the State act’s Symphony in C. She was Ballet of Georgia Ekaterine very moved to have danced with Surmava and Philip Fedulov international stars. “Sharing a performing the parts of Ray- stage with Kochetkova and Klo- monda and Jean de Brienne. borg was so nice and so beautiful, Act II welcomed the perfor- I would never have imagined mance of the international dancing with them, an I thank duo Maria Kochetkova from Nino [Ananiashvili] for this pos- Russia and Sebastian Kloborg sibility.” She also noted how from Denmark, who presented exceptional it was for her to dance a contemporary ballet. Their with Andrey Batalov: “Yesterday show was very moving, the and today were really meaning- scenery was simple, with a ful for me because I was dancing special play of lights partici- with Andrey Batalov, he is a pating in creating this touch- worldwide professional star, eve- ing note. The public was very rybody knows him”. “I had only enthusiastic and answered the three days to work on this Pas de fi nal bow with thunderous Deux and we met for the fi rst applause. time on stage during the general We had the pleasure to talk rehearsal […] I was really nerv- to Maria Kochetkova and ous because it was the fi rst time Sebastian Kloborg after Act I was dancing Le Corsaire, […] it II. They explained that they is a very diffi cult variation […] I often dance together and were love ballet but it is very hard very happy to do so in Tbilisi. technically.” It was the fi rst time that the The dancers told us they had Russian dancer had performed one day off before going back to here, and she was eagerly- rehearsals for future perfor- awaited by the public. We mances, and we can only admire asked her what she thought With Philip Fedulov and Ekaterine Surmava their inexhaustible motivation. GEORGIA TODAY 10 CULTURE MARCH 15 - 18, 2019

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER Performance consists of various Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama MUSEUM GALLERY short novels: Language: Russian "Good Morning", "Cinemat", Start time: 22:15 TBILISI ZAKARIA THE NATIONAL GALLERY "Welcome-Host", "Shirley Beis", Ticket: 15 GEL GEORGIAN NATIONAL PALIASHVILI OPERA AND 11 Rustaveli Ave. "Painter", "Bohemian Rhapsody" MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA BALLET THEATER TEL (+995 32) 215 73 00 Directed by Kakha Bakuradze CAPTAIN MARVEL MUSEUM 25 Rustaveli Ave. Start time: 20:00 Directed by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck 3 Rustaveli Ave. TEL (+995 32) 2 99 04 56 Until February 26, 2020 Ticket price: 10- 15 GEL Cast: Brien Larson, Samuel L. TEL (+995 32) 299 80 22, 293 48 21 GRAND MASTERS FROM Jackson, Mckenna Grace www.museum.ge March 15, 16, 17 THE GEORGIAN NATIONAL March 15, 16 Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi KETO AND KOTE MUSEUM COLLECTION XIX – XX ASTIGMATISTS Language: English Victor Dolidze's opera Exhibitions: CENTURY Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Start time: 22:00 GEORGIAN COSTUME AND Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet Theater Language: Russian The exhibition showcases the Music Director- Revaz Takidze Start time: 20:00 WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH works of the following Georgian Ticket: 10-15 GEL Start time: 19:30 Director- Ioane (Vano) Khutsishvili Ticket: 13-15 GEL CENTURIES painters: Gigo Gabashvili, Mose Set, Costume and Lighting NUMISMATIC TREASURY Toidze, Valerian Sidamon- March 17 Designer- Giorgi Alexi-Meskhishvili EXHIBITION STONE AGE Eristavi, Alexander Tsimakuridze, DIVINE COMEDY THE MULE Choreographer- Iliko Sukhishvili Directed by Clint Eastwood GEORGIA Aleksandre Bazbeuk-Melikov, Start time: 19:00 * Premiere Dimitri Shevardnadze, Sergo Based on the work of Dante Aligieri Cast: Bradley Cooper, Clint ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE Ticket: 10-150 GEL Eastwood, Michael Peña NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL Kobuladze, Irina Shtenberg, Mikheil Three 20-minute choreographic Bilanishvili, Felix Varlamishvili and statements Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller COLLECTIONS GABRIADZE THEATER Language: Russian Tamar Abakelia. 14 Shavteli Str. Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Start time: 20:00 Start time: 19:30 In the framework of the celebrations MUSIC Ticket: 15 GEL March 15 Ticket price: 10-15 GEL of the European Year of Cultural THA AUTUMN OF MY VOX LUX Heritage in Georgia the Georgian DJ. KAKHIDZE TBILISI SPRINGTIME MUSIC & DRAMA STATE National Museum presents the CENTER FOR MUSIC & THEATER Directed by Brady Corbet Revaz Gabriadze Cast: Natalie Portman, Willem exhibition CULTURE 182 Agmashenebeli Ave. Directed by Revaz Gabriadze Dafoe, Jude Law WISDOM TRANSFORMED INTO 125/127 Agmashenebeli Ave. English Subtitles Genre: Drama, Music GOLD March 19 Start time: 20:00 Language: Russian March 17 WELCOME TO GEORGIA Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Start time: 20:00 Until March 29 VAKHTANG KAKHIDZE JUBILEE The Musical CONCERT Ticket: 15 GEL Georgian National Museum joins March 16 A musical, theatrical play and Participants: Tbilisi Symphony romantic comedy telling a story the cycle of events dedicated to 500 RAMONA CAVEA GALLERY Orchestra and Soloists: George about Georgia and its people by years after the death of Leonardo Revaz Gabriadze 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. Khaindrava, Giorgi Kharadze and Directed by Revaz Gabriadze combining song, dance, culture, Da Vinci and invites visitors to the Georgy Kovalev. The program English Subtitles traditions, history, national Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL educational-multimedia project consists of works for cello, violin, Start time: 20:00 costumes and local cuisine. March 15-21 LEONARDO - OPERA OMNIA viola and chamber. Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Start time: 20:00 where digital reproductions of Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 50-80 GEL CAPTAIN MARVEL Leonardo's artworks are exposed. Ticket: 10-30 GEL March 17 (Info Above) March 21 STALINGRAD Language: English IOSEB GRISHASHVILI TBILISI STATE DIVORCE Revaz Gabriadze Start time: 11:45, 17:00, 19:45 TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM CONSERVATOIRE Directed by Revaz Gabriadze The Musical Language: Russian - KARVASLA 8 Griboedov Str. English Subtitles Based on Giorgi Eristavi’s comedy Start time: 14:15, 22:30 8 Sioni St. Start time: 20:00 Directed by Davit Doiashvili Ticket: 10-19 GEL March 15 TEL (+995 32) 2 98 22 81 Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Start time: 20:00 CLASSICAL MUSIC COGNITIVE Ticket: From 8 GEL GREEN BOOK PROGRAM March 21 Until April 12 CINEMA (Info Above) ‘String Instruments’ Animated documentary fi lm Language: English Tutu Kiladze’s Exhibition Leader- Koka Nikoladze REZO Start time: 19:45 CRYPTOGRAM Start time: 16:00 Directed by Leo Gabriadze AMIRANI CINEMA Language: Russian Ticket: 10-50 GEL Start time: 20:00 36 Kostava St. Start time: 22:30 STATE SILK MUSEUM Ticket: 15 GEL TEL (+995 32) 2 99 99 55 Ticket: 16-19 GEL Address: 6 Tsabadze Str. BARI-BARSHI www.kinoafi sha.ge 9 G. Kikodze Str. MOVEMENT THEATER BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY March 15-31 182 Aghmashenebeli Ave. Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Directed by Bryan Singer PHOTO EXHIBITION March 15 TEL (+995 32) 598 19 29 36 March 15-21 Cast: Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello, GUGA AND ANRI (KILLAGED) THE LAST NOMADS Mike Myers Start time: 22:00 March 15 GREEN BOOK Genre: Biography, Drama, Music Project by Vargha Bahagir Free entry SILENCE, REHEARSAL! Directed by Peter Farrelly Language: English The exhibited photos combine two One-act spectacle that is behind the Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Start time: 14:10 parts of the project: March 16 scenes Ali, Linda Cardellini Ticket: 11-15 GEL Bajau Laut and Raute. ASEA SOOL Atina Kornelius- Vocal BekBekson– Guitar Start time: 21:00 Free entry

March 17 SANDRO BIBICH Start time: 21:00 Free entry

SOUNDS OF GEORGIA

March 15, 16 SING AND DRINK Mini concerts in the cozy atmosphere of Old Tbilisi: a mix of traditional Georgian music, featuring folklore, A capella, guitar, and new Georgian pop and city songs. Start time: 17:00 Tickets: 24 GEL Venue: March 15 - 10 Erekle II Sq., Tekla Palace Hotel, March 16 - New Tifl is, 9 Agmashenebeli Ave., Wine bar ‘Wine Station’

BASSIANI 2 A. Tsereteli Ave.

March 15 HOROOM: SVRECA, NEWA, BEN UFO, HVL, JD J Start time: 23:55 Ticket: 20-30 GEL

March 16 HOROOM: Ndrx B2B Kancheli, BMI Start time: 23:55 Ticket: 20-30 GEL GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 15 - 18, 2019 CULTURE 11 Georgian George Gagnidze’s Triumph at the Opera National de

performing in my favorite theater, where Born in Tbilisi and trained at the State amazing partner. It is always big pleasure BY LIKA CHIGLADZE I have played a number of beautiful per- Conservatory of his hometown, George and honor to sing with him”. formances, including Francesca da Rimini, Gagnidze debuted as Renato in Un ballo After incredible premiere of Othello , , etc. This year I also per- in maschera in 1996 at the Zakaria Paliash- at The Opera Bastille, casting director n March 7, Verdi’s immor- formed Traviata in this unique theater, vili Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theater. of the theater, Ilias Tzempetonidis, called tal Othello was premiered which was praised by French and Aus- After launching his international career George Gagnidze one of the best bari- at the Opera National de trian press,” the great baritone added. in Germany, he was soon engaged by tones of the world and a patriot of Geor- Paris, The Opera Bastille, Since his sensational debut at the Met- many of the world’s important opera gia. one of the primary ropolitan Opera as in 2009, houses. He is the winner of the 2005 George is among maximum three bar- ofO France counting 30 years’ existence Gagnidze has ranked among the leading “Voci Verdiane” Competition and has itones globally who can deliver the spirit with the capacity to seat around 3000 singers of his genre. Regularly invited worked with many distinguished con- of the personalities and demonstrate the people. The audience saw the original by the most prestigious international ductors, including , Zubin highest level of musical performance version of the classical production, by opera companies, during the 2017/18 Mehta, , , James that we need in the Opéra de Paris,” to an Italian libretto by season, he was heard as Tonio in Pagli- Conlon, Plácido Domingo, Mikko Franck, Tzempetonidis said. “I worked with him Arrigo Boito, based on Shakespeare's acci and Alfi o in at Jesús López-Cobos, , Dan- in . And then we invited him to play Othello, fi rst performed at the Tea- the and at the Ham- iel Oren, and Gianandrea Noseda. Paris and agreed to present him in all tro alla Scala, Milan in 1887. burg State Opera, Amonasro in Aida at The entire cast was fascinated by rec- big baritone roles, so since 2014 he has Along with renowned opera singers the , Madrid and at the Tea- ognized Georgian baritone, praising him been singing in Paris. He is a singer who such as tenor Roberto Alagna in the title tro alla Scala, Milan, as well as his debut with love, warmth and respect. is highly appreciated here for his profes- role of Othello and soprano Aleksandra as Barnaba in at the Deutsche Celebrated opera singers, a husband sionalism, good personality and positive Kurzak in the role of Desdemona, the Opera Berlin. and wife performing the title roles, tenor energy and mostly for his great Georgian world-famous Georgian baritone George Career highlights include the title roles Roberto Alagna and soprano Aleksandra voice, transmitting all the traditions from Gagnidze performed before the audi- in Rigoletto and Macbeth; Amonasro in Kurzak, called him their brother and a the beautiful country of Georgia through ence, receiving the great acclaim of the Aida and Shaklovity in Khovanshchina great colleague. the music of Puccini, Verdi, etc., on the public. The performances are scheduled at the Metropolitan Opera, Aleksandra Kurzak, famous soprano: stage in Paris. In this classical produc- to take place over one month. (title role) and Tosca (Scarpia) at the “We laugh that we, wife, husband and tion we have trio of great mature voices George Gagnidze sang the role of Iago, George Gagnidze performing , Rigoletto, La tra- brother are playing together in this opera, that make a difference from other Oth- Iago in Othello Othello’s unfaithful ensign. Gagnidze viata, and Aida at the Teatro alla Scala since George Gagnidze for us is like a ello operas performed on other stages.” has performed in fi ve different produc- Iago is a villainous character; it is very in Milan, Francesca da Rimini, Tosca, brother. We have so many beautiful Bertrand de Billy, Conductor: “Othello, tions so far at The Opera Bastille, includ- interesting for an actor to play it. In this Aida, La Traviata, Othello at the Opéra memories with him. We have a really for a conductor, is a gift. It is one of the ing: Francesca da Rimini composed by opera, I had the chance to show both my National de Paris, Andrea Chénier (Carlo close friendship and we are happy to best operas by Verdi. It is a phenomenal Riccardo Zandonai, 's artistic and vocal capabilities. This work Gérard) at the and perform together. He had his Metro- piece of drama, personality and music. Tosca, Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, Traviata by Shakespeare, Verdi and Boito is truly Deutsche Oper Berlin, Falstaff (title role) politan debut in 2009 with me, we sang I worked with George Gagnidze for the and Othello that has brought more fame incredible. So, playing such a role in this at the New National Theater in Tokyo, together in Rigoletto. It was almost 10 fi rst time at the Metropolitan Opera on and recognition to his already successful opera is a really thrilling experience. Simon Boccanegra (title role) at the years ago, but we still recall that beauti- Il Tritico. We had good time in New York career. Verdi and Boito followed Shakespeare’s Teatro Real, Rigoletto at the Festival ful evening well.” and now we enjoy working on this amaz- “The part of Iago is a very hard role to interpretation and transmitted the piece d’Aix-en-Provence, Cavalleria Rusticana Roberto Alagna, celebrated tenor: “I’m ing opera together in the same way. play since you have to change the char- in diverse musical colors. I’m glad the and at Gran Teatro del happy that the premiere was carried out Besides having a fantastic voice, George acter of the hero several times within audience was so fascinated and clapped in Barcelona, La Traviata and Nabucco successfully and we made it. Performing is a very good actor who is always open just minutes, which requires high artist nonstop for 20 minutes. I’m always at the Arena di Verona, and Othello at on this great stage is always thrilling for to novelties. I really hope to work and performance and technique,” Gagnidze pleased to perform here. Now I am again the Greek National Opera and the Staat- me. I want to thank my friend and col- collaborate with him on many produc- told GEORGIA TODAY. “Even though happy to be in my beloved Paris and soper Hamburg. league George Gagnidze for being an tions in the future as well.” Street Name Commemorates German Heritage in Georgia Foreign Affairs, the embassies of Swit- German newspaper, an elementary school, BY AMY JONES & KATIE zerland and Austria in Georgia, the Swiss a Lutheran church, a hunting club and RUTH DAVIES fund Pro Helvetia, the Deutshe Bank, a theater group. In 1941, Stalin deported the Georgian National Museum, the all Germans who were not married to Ministry of Corrections and Probations Georgians to Siberia and Kazakhstan, a he Union for the Protection of Georgia, the Europe House, Kutaisi total of 6,000 people. The city was of German Cultural Herit- City Hall, and the T.G. Nili Art Space. renamed Bolnisi in 1944, and only a few age in the South Caucasus This year, 2018, has seen the Frankfurt residents of German origin remain today. announced that Joseph Sta- Book Fair with Georgia as its Guest of The legacy of the German founders is lin Street in Asureti is now Honor, which over several months allows maintained in a small museum, various Tcalled Schwabenstrasse (Schwabian Georgia to showcase everything that buildings, and in the small Lutheran Street). makes it unique but at the same time a congregation which was reinstated after Around 1400 German families, many natural and historical part of the Euro- the collapse of the Soviet Union. Today, of them Swabians, settled in Kvemo Kar- pean family. 85% of the approximately 17,000 inhab- tli in Georgia after the Russian Tsar Many German colonies created here itants are ethnic Georgians; the rest are Aleksandr I invited foreigners to live in worked in the agricultural fi eld, being mostly of Azerbaijani descent. A bilin- Transcaucasia. given land to farm on, particularly in the gual commemorative plaque remembers tects and engineers were Otto Jakob pean family. German aid towards Geor- His 1804 law allowed foreigners to use Samtskhe-Javakheti region, where they the fate of the German population in the Simonson, who created the former Vice- gia surpasses EUR 800 million. Our land plots and cultivate them. They were shared their agricultural know-how and town center. roy’s Palace which now functions as the cooperation in the fi elds of security, also exempt from tax and did not need helped boost the local economy. There were also colonies in the sur- Youth Palace at 6 Shota Rustaveli Avenue, economy, trade and business is ongoing to complete military service. One such community you can explore rounds of Tbilisi, most notably in the Albert Salzmann, Edward Sesemann, and German investments are increasing. 2017 saw the celebration in both Geor- today, though the German colonists left current Marjanishvili/Aghmashenebeli Paul Stern, who designed the (now) Art We already have 350 German companies gian and Germany of the 200th year since long ago, is Bolnisi (then Katharinenfeld), Avenue area and in the location which Palace at 6 Kargareteli Street, and Victor on the Georgian market successfully the creation of German colonies in Geor- which is the result of Swabian emigrants is now Rike Park, where numerous trades- Johann Gottlieb Schröter, who was behind fulfi lling their business goals. More gia, as well as the 100th year since the having been forced to leave their homes men set up successful businesses making the exotic neo-Moorish Opera House on importantly, these companies employ restoration of Georgian statehood (Ger- in 1817 due to economic hardships and beer, carriages and other in-demand Rustaveli Avenue. Georgians. Together with investments, many having been the fi rst country to religious oppression and coming to the items. And the relations between the two they bring know-how and technologies recognize Georgian independence in 1992) Caucasus to establish new settlements. European architects made a tremen- countries are ongoing. Then-Minister that are so vital for the development of and the 25th year since the restoration of Katharinenfeld was named after Queen dous contribution to the urban and of Foreign Affairs, Mikhail Janelidze, our economy. Our relations are also bilateral relations between the two states. Catherine of Württemberg, a sister of architectural transformation of Tbilisi stated at the opening of the commemo- deepening in the fi elds of culture and The Georgia-Germany Society, which Tsar Alexander I. After early years of in the late 19th century. Among them rative year 2017, “Following the restora- education: Goethe Institute, namely was founded on February 4, 1992, has epidemics, thievery and economic chal- were Italian, German and Polish design- tion of independence, large-scale invest- Daad, has given out 1100 scholarships carried out numerous important projects lenges, Katharinenfeld in the mid-19th ers who were followed by Armenian ments were realized as an aid in the for Georgian students and scholars, pre- in Georgia, with the support of the Goe- century, transformed into a fl ourishing architects at the turn of the 20th century. process of Georgia’s becoming a demo- senting a unique opportunity to strengthen the-Institut, the German Ministry of community with fi ve football teams, a Of note among the many German archi- cratic state and approximating the Euro- our educational system.”

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