Issue no: 929 • MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue...

Get Energetic with Radio NRJ Georgia NEWS PAGE 2 Putin Approves “Military Deal” with Georgia’s Breakaway South Ossetia POLITICS PAGE 5 VESTUS: First Georgian-Made FOCUS Nanotechnology Product on ON THE PENAL SYSTEM the Market COE report names Georgia among BUSINESS PAGE 7 countries with highest incarceration rates PAGE 10 Tskhinvali Region

Source: washingtontimes.com Is Not Alania: Regional Problems in Tskhinvali Why Georgia Should be SOCIETY PAGE 11 Jamiroquai to Perform at Black Worried about Marine Le Pen Sea Jazz Festival 2017 CULTURE PAGE 13 BY MARIAM TABATADZE AND JOSEPH LARSEN Zaza Pachulia on the hile European Union member states are preoccupied with EuroBasket countering Russian propa- ganda and the related rise of and Georgian domestic right-wing populist Basketball Wmovements, Georgia is steadily working toward integration with the EU and NATO. The Coun- SPORTS PAGE 15 cil of the European Union approved visa-free travel for Georgian passport holders, a measure likely to go into effect in late March. While visa liberalization is a clear positive, complicated domestic situations in several EU member countries threaten to derail further advances on the integration path. The obstacles put up by domestic politics in EU and NATO disappointments in proper context. she emerges victorious, she could squash Geor- member states tend to be poorly understood in France is a prime example of the connection gia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Georgian society, largely due to the lack cover- between domestic politics and Euro-Atlantic Le Pen is supported by notable Russian prop- age by local media. Many Georgians are left in integration. There, charismatic populist Marine agandists, including Marina Katsonova, who the dark about EU member states and how their Le Pen of the right-wing nationalist National commented this year that Le Pen is “a Euroskep- societies view and approach relevant issues. Front (FN) is a leading contender in the French tic, she supports Russia and she’s just the best Taking a closer look helps put the country’s presidential election scheduled for April. Le Pen candidate … It’s hard not to love her.” Euro-Atlantic aspirations, achievements, and is a fi erce critic of both the EU and NATO. If Continued on page 5 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 Ombudsman: Toys on Georgian Market Pose Threat to Children’s Health

The Public Defender was informed that the NGO Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG) had purchased dolls of ten different brands at Georgian shops and sent them to Germany to check their safety in an accredited laboratory. Accord- ing to the results received from Germany, a large amount of harmful substances was found in nine of the ten dolls. Get Energetic with Radio NRJ Georgia The statement of the Ombudsman reads that, unfortunately, it is planned to bring that, in order to develop the Georgian national experience, and direct links BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI the Georgian legislation closer to the radio market, it was necessary for an with Europe’s top performers,” Shar- new EU Toy Safety Directive only in international brand to enter. ashidze told marketer.ge. “Radio NRG 2019. “The European standard radio station is for anyone who loves good music, Nanuashvili believes that, given the nternational music station Radio will change the existing situation radi- follows modern tendencies and lives results of the examination carried out NRJ started to broadcast on March cally for the better,” he said. “Apart from an active, energetic life.” by the CSRDG, it is necessary for the 14 from its Tbilisi studio in the modern international hits, a one-hour The Georgian station will notably government to take effective measures new Radio Café (2 Dolidze Str.), slot will be dedicated to Georgian artists benefi t from all the infl uence of the NRJ immediately and implement the EU Toy a space uniting a café and radio who will also be invited to talk to us live brand around the world in terms of Safety Directive before September 1, studio,I which gives its guests a chance in the studio. The unique location of the proximity with international artists, BY THEA MORRISON 2019, in order to protect the best inter- to see live broadcasts and to actually Radio Café brings a chance for music capacity to organize exclusive events ests, health and safety of minors. take part in the radio shows. lovers not only to listen to the music live and innovation force on air and on “The Public Defender addressed the Radio NRJ’s entering the Georgian on air, but also to take part in the show digital platforms. eorgia’s Public Defender Georgian government with a recom- market is seen as an opportunity for the itself,” Sharashidze added. Richard Mazeret, CEO NRJ Interna- (Ombudsman) Ucha Nan- mendation to respond to the results of development of the radio sector and a Although the station’s format is pri- tional: “We see a fantastic potential for uashvili says that many the examination carried out by the platform for the promotion of both marily for music and entertainment, our brand in Georgia and we know that toys on the Georgian mar- CSRDG, to plan measures for regulation Georgian and international brands. the show hosts will discuss ongoing NRJ will bring something new, dynamic ket are dangerous for chil- of legislative and institutional frame- Music lovers can listen to the station current events in the country in the dif- and powerful to the audience in the Gdren’s health. works under the Toy Safety Directive at 104.7 FM in Tbilisi City, Tbilisi region, ferent show formats, but keeping it country.We are very excited to start this Nanuashvili applied to the Parliament obligations before 2019, and to take effec- and in Gudauri. within the entertainment and music new adventure with our partners in of Georgia with the request they take tive steps for supervising the market in In an interview with marketer.ge, niche. Georgia. We are confi dent that our part- proper measures to ensure the safety of order to protect minors’ rights to life George Sharashidze, founder of Radio “The advantage of Radio NRJ, along- ner will leverage the unique assets of toys on the Georgian market and protect and health,” the statement of the Public NRJ Georgia, says that the idea of coop- side its being a non-standard studio, is our brand to write a new page of the the health of minors. Defender reads. erating with NRJ came after realizing the strength of the existing brand, inter- NRJ success story.” GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 NEWS 3 NATO Sec Gen’s Annual Report Includes Georgia

how NATO is adapting to the new secu- “NATO’s door remains open to those ment of a Joint Training and Evaluation “The Partnership Interoperability Ini- rity environment by strengthening its countries that want to join and that meet Center, a Defense Institution Building tiative also offers specific partners collective defense and projecting stabil- the criteria of membership. Work con- School, and a Logistics Facility. It also enhanced opportunities for deeper coop- ity beyond its borders. tinues with other countries that aspire provides expert advice in the areas of eration. Five partners (Australia, Finland, BY THEA MORRISON The report says that Georgia is an aspir- to join the Alliance – Bosnia and Herze- acquisition, strategic and operational Georgia, Jordan and Sweden) currently ant country and one of the main partners govina, Georgia and the former Yugoslav plans, Special Operations Forces, mili- have access to enhanced cooperation, of the Alliance, greatly contributing to Republic of Macedonia – to help them tary police, cyber defense, maritime which includes tailored consultation on orth Atlantic Treaty NATO peacekeeping missions. prepare for NATO membership. NATO security, aviation, air defense and stra- security matters and close participation Organization (NATO) Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a strong program of cooperation tegic communications. The package also in exercises. All fi ve Enhanced Oppor- Secretary General Jens (MFA) released a statement in response, with each aspiring member state to help covers support and contributions to tunities Partners participated at the Stoltenberg has released noting that the NATO Secretary General it carry out the reforms necessary for NATO exercises in Georgia, which are NATO Summit in Warsaw,” the report an annual report for 2016 mentions Georgia in the context of the membership,” the report reads. open to partners,” the report reads. reads. Nwhich claims Georgia is one of the most NATO Open Door Policy. According to The report also reviews the implemen- Stoltenberg also says that at the War- The document also underlines Georgia’s valuable partners of the Alliance. Stoltenberg, NATO’s Open Door Policy tation of the Substantial NATO-Georgia saw Summit in 2016, NATO leaders agreed signifi cant contribution to providing The report was published on March 13 is a founding principle of the Washington Package, saying the defense capacity on additional practical ways to intensify international security, saying Georgia is and aims to show how in 2016 NATO Treaty and one of the Alliance’s greatest building for Georgia is provided through capacity-building support to Georgia, the biggest contributor among the non- “took further steps to keep our almost successes. Since its foundation in 1949, this package. including supporting Georgia’s crisis member countries, having 870 military one billion citizens safe” and highlights NATO has grown from 12 members to 28. “The package includes the establish- management capabilities. servicemen involved in the mission. President Holds Consultations over Surveillance Bill Inspector as key players, needed to be report of its activities annually to the PM. tions on the draft law for wiretapping. ance of Patriots of Georgia (APG). All BY THEA MORRISON changed. The responsibilities of the Agency will The President also met with members the opposition parties which took part The Court stated that the legislation include: hidden surveillance of phone of the opposition party United National in the consultations advised the presi- allowing the police to have direct, unre- communication; retrieving information Movement (UNM) on Tuesday. dent to veto the bill, saying it does not he President of Georgia, stricted access to telecom operators’ net- from computer systems; control of post “We discussed two major problems of answer the verdict of the Constitutional Giorgi Margvelasvili, has works to monitor communications was offi ce transfers; secret audio and video the draft law. First, how independent the Court and gives too much power to the been holding consultations unconstitutional and set March 31, 2017 as surveillance; and photographic surveil- newly established agency will be and SSS. Non-Governmental Organizations over the surveillance draft the deadline for implementing the court’s lance. how compatible it will be with the deci- also share this position on the issue. bill, which was adopted by decision and replacing the existing sur- The President invited all political par- sion of the Constitutional Court. Second, The majority sees no need for the TParliament on March 1 and fi ve days after veillance regulations with new ones. ties, including the Georgian Dream (GD) that this law may impose an unjustifi ed presidential discussions, saying the bill sent to the President for his signature. The fi nal legislative package provides majority, to take part in the discussions, burden on businesses, because, as spec- has already been adopted by parliament Margvelashvili has until March 21 to for the creation of a legal entity of public however the ruling party has not yet ifi ed in the law, the agency uses busi- and no amendments are necessary. How- sign or veto the bill. law (LEPL) the Operative-Technical offi cially responded to the proposal. nesses and in this case, the resources of ever, they say they will make the fi nal Discussions regarding the new bill on Agency of Georgia, which will be respon- Margvelashvili and representatives of the communication companies, without decision after the president’s steps. covert investigative actions were raised sible for covert surveillance. The Agency the President’s Administration have paying them,” the Parliamentary Secre- If President Margvelashvili vetoes the after the Constitutional Court of Georgia will be under the supervision of the State already held a meeting with the repre- tary of the President of Georgia, Ana bill, the majority will need votes of at ruled on April 14, 2016 that the existing Security Service (SSS), however, the sentatives of the parliamentary minority Dolidze, stated after the meeting. least 76 MPs to override the veto. The model of surveillance, with the Interior agency will be accountable to the Prime Movement for Freedom-European Geor- On Wednesday the Presidential Admin- ruling party has 116 MPs in the 150-seat Ministry and Personal Data Protection Minister and will submit a generalized gia and listened to their views and posi- istration met with the opposition Alli- parliament.

WWelcomeelcome ttoo IIndianndian PPunjabiunjabi RestaurantRestaurant SSanjhaanjha CChulhahulha 1

Mobile +995 596 56 13 13 Phone +995-322-95-96-14 Skype: SANJHA CHULHA Facebook: sanjha chulha indian restaurant mail: [email protected] Website: Sanjhachulha.ge Agmashenebeli Avenue 130, Tbilisi 0112 Georgia Delivery service areare availableavailable GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 Visa-Free Status & Association of Ukraine with the EU

elected as Prime Minister, he would BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE initiate the withdrawal of the signature of The Netherlands from the ratifi cation. Nobody doubts he will do it- according erhaps the main recent event to preliminary information, the number in the process of Ukraine's of votes in the upper house of parliament "European integration" came is suffi cient to approve his decision. at the end of February when Against the ratifi cation of the agree- the lower house of the Dutch ment is also Gert Wilders, leader of the parliamentP called for ratifi cation of the ultra-right Party of Freedom. According Agreement on the Association of Ukraine to recent polls, he was equal in popular- with the EU. It is an issue which seri- ity with the current prime minister of ously divided the parliament: 89 in favor, the country, Mark Rutte. This is impres- 55 against. But this is not the end of the sive, but the protest against the ratifi ca- process as now the deputies of the upper tion of Association Membership (AM) chamber must approve the decision of in fact unites the entire opposition spec- the deputies of the lower chamber, after trum of The Netherlands politikum: the which it will be ratifi ed by the king - and Ultra-Right, Christian Democrats, and only this will complete the process. even the Socialists. It seems that at the It was not the last surprise that the end of the elections, the topic will not House of Representatives presented to lose relevance. Moreover, the report of Ukraine on the last day of work (it closed the Research Institute of SEO Econo- on February 24 and reconvened after the misch Onderzoek claims the economic elections held on March 15). Deputies gain of The Netherlands from AM with considered, but refused to vote for, a Ukraine will be about EUR 177 million, draft of additional conditions for Ukraine and many politicians consider this too fi led by the deputy of the Socialist Party, small a bonus against the background MP Harry van Bommel. Adoption of this of possible risks. document could at least somehow mit- "The EU Council, the European Parlia- igate the decision of the deputies and ment and the European Commission explain it to the voters. After all, they reached a decision on granting Ukraine actually went against the direct will of a visa-free regime. This decision will be their own citizens. confi rmed by the Committee of Perma- Therefore, it is not surprising that nent Representatives of the EU member The EU also approved the suspension pean Union, which must make a decision alization and avoid unexpected barriers." Ukraine became a hot topic in the Dutch states (COREPER)," it was stated of mechanism for visa-free travel, a deci- within a relatively short period of time. Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Pavel Klim- parliamentary elections. It is curious Ukraine's mission to the EU in February. sion without which the aforementioned And, I expect that by mid-June, Ukraine kin, says Switzerland is also considering that the current government in every On March 9, the European Parliament's decision would not have been ratifi ed at will get a legal decision on visa-free the possibility of granting Ukraine visa- possible way tried to avoid this, but Justice Committee supported the deci- all. So far, it concerns only Georgia, but travel arrangements," said Konstantin free status (Switzerland is not included delaying the implementation of the results sion to support the introduction of a visa- it was developed, we may recall, with Yeliseyev, Deputy Head of the Presiden- in the Schengen Area), but will do so of the referendum held last spring only free regime for Ukraine. It must be con- the target of Ukraine (and even mostly tial Administration of Ukraine. He goes only after the EU does. contributed to the problem. firmed in the European Parliament for Ukraine). on to state that there are no political The EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Hugo Van Haersma Buma, a candidate for Committee on civil rights, then deputies "We expect that in early April, the obstacles for Ukraine to be "visa-free" Mingarelli, in an interview with UNIAN prime minister from the Christian Dem- at the plenary meeting of the European European Parliament will put the fi nal as now this issue lies solely in the tech- on granting visa-free status to Ukraine, ocratic Party (CDP), said that he would Parliament, as well as by members of the point in the issue of visa liberalization nical and legal plane, moreover, "the spoke of the end of June. However, he cau- "throw the agreement on the Ukraine- EU Council. After that, the publication and will make an appropriate decision. president gave clear instructions to all tiously noted that he does not expect objec- EU Association in the trash". As for the in the offi cial journal of the EU and a After that, the ball will move to the fi eld our diplomatic institutions in the mem- tions to the process from the elections in ratifi cation of the Association Member- pause of 20 days - only after that you can of the member states of the European ber states of the Schengen zone to do France (the second round is scheduled for ship, the candidate stated that if he is say "yes, there is" about visa-liberalization. Union, that is, the Council of the Euro- everything possible to obtain visa-liber- May 7). We will wait for their results. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 POLITICS 5 Putin Approves “Military Deal” with Georgia’s Breakaway South Ossetia

"Such steps are not directed towards BY THEA MORRISON the maintenance of peace or peaceful resolution of the confl ict. It prevents the peace process, which is needed for such ussian President Vladimir resolution,” Janelidze stated. Putin has decided to accept The minister also called on the Russian the government’s proposal Federation to fulfi l its obligations under and sign a deal on integrat- the 2008 ceasefi re agreement, withdraw ing the forces of Georgia’s military forces from the Georgian ter- Rbreakaway South Ossetia (Tskhinvali) ritories, and to create all conditions for into the Russian Army, claimed Russian a possible peaceful resolution of the news agency Tass on Wednesday. confl ict. Tass reports that Putin also instructed Georgia’s State Ministry for Recon- the Russian Defense Ministry to hold ciliation and Civic Equality also released negotiations with the South Ossetian a statement regarding the issue. side and sign an agreement on Moscow’s “We strictly condemn the decision on behalf. merging certain South Ossetian troops Under the agreement, the integration with Russia’s army… This step is the of South Ossetian units into the Russian continuation of the annexation process Armed Forces implies recruiting citizens that has been underway since 2008. Tens for military service in the Russian Armed of similar agreements have already been Forces and sending them to a Russian signed between Russia and de-facto gov- military base in a voluntary procedure Photo source: ABC News ernments aimed at strengthening Rus- for active duty. integrating units of the “South Ossetian The treaty envisages promotion of Offi cial Tbilisi says the deal is illegiti- sia’s full and exclusive control on Geor- The deal will allow the Russian mili- Defense Ministry” into the Russian social, economic, humanitarian and for- mate. gia’s occupied territories,” the statement tary to recruit South Ossetian soldiers Armed Forces is an additional document eign affairs, and defense and security The Minister of Foreign Affairs of of the ministry reads. as contractors, but fi rst they will need under the ‘Treaty on Allied Relations cooperation between the two “countries”. Georgia, Mikheil Janelidze, claims the The ministry calls on the international to be dismissed from active duty by South and Integration’ signed by the Putin and It also implies forming a common agreement is illegal and has not been community to duly assess the so-called Ossetia. the “president” of the breakaway region defense and security space between Rus- recognized by the international com- agreement and further calls on Russia Tass reports that the agreement on South Ossetia, on March 18, 2015. sia and South Ossetia. munity. to fulfi l its international commitments. Why Georgia Should be Worried about Marine Le Pen Continued from page 1 the Institute for Human Sciences, during be lifted because they are a “big stupid- propagandists are working to undermine ment should work to strengthen its rela- an interview with EUobserver. ity.” his campaign. He recently accused Rus- tions with EU member governments, The power of propaganda should not Le Pen’s statement about legitimizing sia of “trying to hack into his campaign’s especially leading countries such as be underestimated. Despite the fact that WHY DOES IT MATTER Russia’s annexation of Crimea could computer systems and spreading disin- Germany and Italy. It should work with in November 2016 the EU parliament FOR GEORGIA? become the offi cial position of the French formation” about him in Kremlin-spon- civil society representatives outside of approved a resolution aimed at counter- The outcome could be transformational government. That would erode French sored news outlets. Following those Georgia to promote the benefi ts of Geor- ing “disinformation” and “hostile prop- for France. It also deserves more atten- support for the principle of territorial accusations, the propaganda outlet Sput- gia’s integration for both Georgia and aganda” emanating from Russia, state- tion from Georgian media and academia, integrity, with direct and harmful impli- nik News ramped up negative coverage the EU. sponsored propaganda aimed at for two main reasons: Not only will the cations for Georgia’s own efforts to regain of Macron, claiming he is backed by a The necessity of such a forward-think- undermining and destabilizing the EU result directly affect Georgia’s path to sovereignty over its territories occupied “gay lobby” and is a “US agent” in the ing approach is even clearer as the latest continues to infl uence domestic politi- Europe, but it may transform France’s by Russia. Without support from the pay of the American banking sector. polls published by Ipsos SopraSteria for cal discourses in EU member states, long-standing commitment to Georgia’s country’s European partners, the policy The impact of Russian propaganda isn’t FRANCE 24 projects that Le Pen will especially France. territorial integrity. of “non-recognition” is unlikely to bear lost on everyone. As French Minister of have a clear lead in the fi rst round of France is a prime target of Russian The latter factor shouldn’t be taken for fruit. Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian told the voting. She would then likely lose to propaganda for its importance and the granted. During the Georgian-French Moreover, Le Pen has undermined newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche: “we either Macron or Fillon in the subsequent proximity of its pivotal presidential elec- economic forum that took place in Tbi- Georgian efforts at deeper integration should not be naïve and think that there runoff, the poll predicted. That poll came tion. The fi rst round of voting will take lisi on May 13, 2014, French President with the EU. On February 2, when the is no risk for our democracy.” out prior to the revelation that Fillon is place on April 23, with a runoff likely to François Hollande pledged French sup- European Parliament voted in favor of being investigated for misuse of public follow in May. The election will be a port for Georgia, its territorial integrity, visa-free travel for Georgian citizens, WHAT IS TO BE DONE? funds. If he is forced to drop out, it will litmus test for the infl uence of Russian its internal development, and its Euro- representatives of the Europe of Nations Two things are clear. First, with fewer likely come down to Le Pen and Macron. propaganda in Europe. Among the four pean aspirations. He reiterated those and Freedom group (ENF), of which Le than two months until the election, Rus- Much can change before the fi rst round leading candidates, Le Pen, Republican points on April 21, 2016 during a the Pen is co-president, voted against the sia’s disinformation campaign against on April 23, and opinion polls are often candidate Francois Fillon, independent Georgian president’s visit to France. To measure. Macron is in full swing. Conversely, deceptive. However, the Georgian gov- centrist Emmanuel Macron, and Social- go back further, in 2008, then-French The FN leader has even pledged to take Kremlin-sponsored propagandists are ernment can’t afford to be caught unpre- ist candidate Benoit Hamon, two are President Nicolas Sarkozy spearheaded her own country out of the EU, some- backing Le Pen. By contrast, the Geor- pared, whatever the outcome. It should overtly sympathetic to Russia’s geopo- Europe’s efforts to negotiate the Six-Point thing that would threaten the entire gian-language media is largely silent on work harder to strengthen its relations litical interests. Agreement between Georgia and Russia European integration project. By exten- the issue. That leaves the Georgian pub- with key EU member governments. Le Pen presents the friendliest face to following the August War. sion, “Frexit” would spill over into disil- lic in an information vacuum. The gov- Moreover, the government should devote Russia. However, Fillon has also expressed Le Pen is promising a radical change, lusionment with the EU in Georgian ernment should address this gap, coming more effort to countering Russian prop- pro-Russian sentiments. He welcomed of course. Given the real possibility that society, pouring fuel on the Eurosceptic up with a communication strategy to aganda within the country. a new alliance with Russia in November she could win, Georgians should be con- narratives expressed by the Russian better inform citizens about the EU and 2016, stating that when national interests cerned about her position on Russia’s propaganda outlets that broadcast in the its member states, including France. are involved, France should unite with annexation of Crimea, and what that country. Engaging citizens more directly in dis- all possible forces, “democratic or not.” could mean for Georgia’s own territorial There is a more Europe-friendly can- cussions about Euro-Atlantic integration He pointed out that “De Gaulle allied integrity. She expressed support for Rus- didate. Emmanuel Macron, an economic would help the process along. The Georgian Institute of Politics was founded with Stalin to defeat Nazism.” sia’s annexation of Crimea during a 2017 and social liberal, is running as an inde- Second, Georgia’s government should in 2011 to strengthen institutions and promote Thus, Russia has two contenders it can interview with CNN’s Christiane Aman- pendent centrist. His position toward prepare for specifi c foreign policy sce- good governance and development through feel good about. “Moscow seems to be pour, commenting that “there was a coup both the EU and NATO are similar to narios that could arise should Le Pen or policy research and advocacy in Georgia. satisfi ed with Francois Fillon and Marine d'état in Ukraine, no invasion of Crimea, those of Hollande. A Macron victory Fillon win the French presidential elec- It publishes its blog with Georgia Today twice Le Pen, who can be considered Kremlin- Crimea was Russian and has always been could potentially rejuvenate France and tion. Preparing for those contingencies per month. Check out our website in English friendly politicians,” said Anton Shek- Russian.” In her view, the sanctions bolster the EU. could help mitigate any negative effects and Georgian at gip.ge for more blogs, data, hovtsov, a scholar of Russian Affairs at imposed by the EU against Russia should For exactly those reasons, Russian on Georgia. In particular, the govern- and analyses. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 Keeping up Appearances: Ogden on Georgian Conspiracy Theories

Georgia’s Margvelashvili Attends Baku Global Forum small and large countries should treat their neigh- BY THEA MORRISON boring countries and other states with respect. He then touched on the current challenges of the world, such as terrorism and extremism, armed eorgian President Giorgi Margvelash- confl icts and hybrid wars, and also spoke about vili went to Baku, Azerbaijan, to par- globalization. ticipate in the two-day Baku 5th Global “Globalization creates favorable conditions for Forum. The forum gathered more than each state to enjoy the benefi ts of joint coopera- 300 delegates from 50 countries to tion,” Margvelashvili said. discussG issues such as transatlantic cooperation and Ongoing projects in the region were also men- the threat of terrorism under the slogan - The Future tioned. According to the Georgian President, the of International Relations: Power and Interests. Caucasus region is essential for the development Margvelashvili delivered a speech at the opening of close cooperation in the fi elds of transport and OP-ED BY TIM OGDEN ceremony focused on current global challenges, logistics. the international relations agenda and regional “The Georgia-Azerbaijan relations are an exam- security issues. ple of a long-lasting and fi rm cooperation which He stressed that after the collapse of the Soviet leads to a common wish- to strengthen the region henever something goes wrong Union, the Russian Federation has posed many and to create a common space of cooperation,” he in Georgia, it is simply incon- threats to Georgia, its culmination being the illegal concluded. ceivable that the simplest expla- occupation of Georgian territories. The opening ceremony was followed by discus- nation is probably the right one. Georgian politicians The Georgian President underlined that both sions and a working lunch. There is always a conspiracy Wtheory that will be aggressively defended in the have something of a face of logic, evidence or contradiction, and the events in Batumi several days ago have proved no tendency to think that exception. The Georgian government is, fairly enough, cur- what happens in rently attempting to Westernise the country in all things, from its education programs and legislation Georgia stays in to its military forces and infrastructure. With the shocking state of Georgian driving being a byword Georgia amongst visitors and foreign residents, it is well within the government's interest to fi nally address he had heard of it 'from the police chief's inner what is one of the country's biggest problems (the circle'. However, this was clearly enough for his collision and accident fi gures of recent years make supporters, who managed to infl ict hundreds of for an informative if rather shocking read). Yet as thousands worth of Lari in damage, injured eleven well as promising to introduce tougher penalties police offi cers, and then expressed outrage when for drunk driving and carelessness, the government riot police dispersed them with rubber bullets and has also attempted to clamp down on parking vio- tear gas. lations. The responses around the country were equally It is hardly surprising that several days ago, a few predictable. The opposition parties blamed the Georgian men in Batumi - seemingly unfamiliar government for 'provoking' the protestors, and with even the notion of a parking fi ne - became hinted darkly that there was a 'Russian infl uence' abusive to police offi cers and ultimately resisted on the affair. The government, again, in a fashion arrest when their vehicle was found to have been quite typical of reactionary Georgian politicians, parked badly. The subsequent reactionary riot by completely missed the opportunity to appear mag- friends and family deepened the plot, with a fur- nanimous, and accused the opposition parties ther reason for their protest being revealed: appar- themselves of complicity. ently, the local police chief had apparently called The idea that this was simply a group of Georgian the Adjaran population 'Tartars'. men, a group easily provoked and generally hostile In true Georgian style, the self-proclaimed organ- to the authorities, railing against laws they believe iser of the riot, Merab Gogoberidze, later admitted to be unnecessary does not seem to be being con- that he had no evidence that the police chief had sidered, perhaps deliberately; to the minds of Geor- ever said this, and gave the vague explanation that gian politicians, it might suit for the riots to have a political fl avor. With the Georgian public devoid of the scepticism commonly found in Britain, sup- porters of either the government or the opposition will be more than ready to believe the accusations. Georgian politicians have something of a tendency to think that what happens in Georgia stays in Georgia, and so do not seem to believe that the With the Georgian foreign institutions they desperately want to be part of have the right to judge them on their inter- public devoid of the nal affairs. Foreign powers might think more kindly of the Georgian authorities if they had managed to scepticism commonly prevent what really was quite a simple, albeit vio- lent, breach of the law from becoming a political found in Britain, issue. In light of the recent EU legal ruling in favor of Rustavi 2 and the government's vehement deni- supporters of either the als of their involvement in what has been described as a politically-motivated case, the Georgian Dream government or the party should tread more carefully. It is, after all, affairs like these that Georgia will opposition are more be judged on; accession to membership in the Euro- pean Union or NATO will have nothing to do with than ready to believe how kindly Georgia happened to treat its six mil- the accusations lionth visitor. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 BUSINESS 7 VESTUS: First Georgian- Made Nanotechnology Product on the Market

BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI

igma Technologies and Solu- tions, a company that has been operating in Georgia for several years now bringing new tech- nologies in construction mate- Srials to the Georgian market, this week introduced Vestus, the fi rst Georgian nanotechnology product, at a presenta- tion held at Rooms Hotel Tbilisi. Produced in Georgia, Vestus is a ther- mal, hydro and anticorrosive innovative nanotechnology product made using a unique formula. Sigma Technologies and Solutions has an exclusive right to export it to neighboring countries and claims that the thermal-isolation surface and its composition is made up of small micro-spheres of glass, ceramics or alu- Vestus can also be used for gas or oil to expand our country’s export potential, minum which, when mixed with stabi- pipelines and reservoirs, water and heat- create new workplaces, and, importantly, lizers, allows for stretching and elastic- ing pipes, railway or auto transport con- to minimize the costs for our consumers ity. “It looks like paint and can be used tainers and cisterns, and even wine fac- and business partners,” Tsintsadze said. as the last layer on a surface to serve as tories,” Tsintsadze said. “This is a brilliant and very important a hydro-isolator,” company representa- Looking at its potential in the construc- initiative. Especially for us at Tbilisi tives said. tion sector in more detail, we were told Municipality, energo-effective technolo- “Vestus is particularly indispensable that Vestus can be applied with paint, in gies are crucial,” said Irakli Lekvinadze, for the safety of facades in the construc- layers, either with a paint brush or roller, Vice-Mayor of Tbilisi while discussing tion sphere or during the installation of even at minus 30 degrees Celsius and the Green City project that the Munici- pipelines or other aggregates,” they said, remains fi rm up to a temperature of 200 pality is working on together with the adding that Vestus is commonly used in degrees. “The material can be used both European Bank for Reconstruction and the US to coat spaceships. on building facades and interiors, increas- Development. Giorgi Tsintsadze, CEO of Sigma Tech- ing the thermal barrier by up to 40%. The Vice-Mayor noted that one of the nologies and Solutions introduced Ves- Another benefi t of Vestus is that it can major challenges the municipality tus as a super-thin, thermal-isolation also be easily applied to metal surfaces, encounters is how to make buildings in material made under a western franchise. guaranteeing them a longevity of up to the city energo-effective. He then went on to tell the history of 15 years,” Tsintsadze said. “We think that popularization of such the product, fi rst used by NASA in the He also introduced Vestus micro cap- enterprises, showing customers the many 1980s. sules during the presentation, claiming positive effects of such new technolo- “Vestus can be used for the thermal them the perfect solution for sound-iso- gies, is essential,” Lekvinadze said. and hydro-isolation of newly constructed lation and prevention of condensation. The presentation at Rooms Hotel ended buildings. Once the product is applied “We’re extremely proud that Vestus is with the performance of young jazz musi- to a surface, it creates a thermal barrier. produced in Georgia. It gives us a chance cians Sasha Frid and Nino Katamadze. PASHA Bank to Partner the International Business Forum by BIA n March 20, the BIA Forum their business initiatives in order to opment of Georgia ‘Georgian Economy - Pros- attract fi nancing, search for new export - Zurab Alavidze, Minister of Regional pects and Challenges' is channels and set new business contacts. Development and Infrastructure of Geor- to take place in the Radis- The welcome speech will be delivered gia son Blu Iveria hotel, Tbilisi by Dimitry Kumsishvili, Vice Prime - Bruno Balvanera, Director for Cau- Owith PASHA Bank as partner of the event. Minister of Georgia. Shahin Mammadov, casus, Moldova and Belarus, EBRD The forum will bring together more than CEO and Chairman of the Board of Direc- - Mercy Tembon, Regional Director 300 top executives from the business tors at PASHA Bank, will speak about for the South Caucasus, World Bank community, representatives of local gov- the Georgian corporate market from the International speakers will be covering ernment and international organizations. viewpoint of commercial banks. topics concerning credit ratings, venture The forum aims at facilitating a com- Among the speakers will be: capital funds and real estate markets. munication platform between foreign - Giorgi Cherkezishvili, Deputy Min- “PASHA Bank started operating in investors and local companies and opens ister of Economy and Sustainable Devel- Georgia in 2013 as a result of the direct opportunities for both local and investment of PASHA Hold- international businesses. ing,” said Shahin Mammadov. Shop Fest and B2B meetings “The Bank offers corporate and will be held in parallel with the investment services to large forum. Shop Fest gives a good and medium-sized enterprises opportunity for participant in Azerbaijan, Georgia and companies to showcase their Turkey. Supporting the BIA products/services, attract new Forum has a double bonus for connections and make deals us: we get to share our success- with event-exclusive terms and ful experience with the attend- prices. ees, and establish new connec- B2B meetings will bring tions with potential customers. together the representatives of We believe this event will have local businesses and potential a positive impact on the eco- foreign investors, with inter- nomic development of the ested parties able to present country.” GEORGIA TODAY 8 SOCIETY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 Georgia to Join Red Nose Day Campaign

Victoria Brides Introduces New Measure of Protection from Fake Accounts

ictoriaBrides, the premium diffi culties in building relationships as fi le pictures belong to a real person. minates in a televised show of fun, music dating platform which all of us do. What we aim to do is give And now Victoria Brides is adding a BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI and laughter in which the audience can helps men fi nd the perfect our clients all possible proof that our new legit anti-scam measure. All girls see how money was raised by different Russian bride, has intro- female users are real women. So, anti- who want to join the site and fi nd the groups and the good causes that the duced additional anti-scam scam protection for us is the high-pri- American husband of their dreams are or the fi rst time this year, Geor- money goes towards. Vprotection measures- from now on, all ority issue". requested to make a video, in which gia is to participate in Red Red Nose Day is hugely popular among new female users are required to make Female accounts on victoriabries.com they talk about themselves and their Nose Day, a month-long cam- international celebrities, with Helen a video about themselves. are created by representatives of the romantic goals. According to Rasbell, paign beginning March 24. Mirren, Anne Hathaway, Adele, and There are dozens of dating sites on the company’s local agencies to ensure that “A photo is not enough to understand Red Nose Day was thought Rowan Atkinson having taken part over internet with fake accounts, leading to there are no fake accounts. When inter- how a woman looks in real life, so the upF in 1985 to end child poverty using the years. mistrust in the entire system. viewed at her local agency, each woman aim of the video is to give much more entertainment. The campaign was Over the last 25 years, more than $1 “It’s a challenging task for a new user has to prove her identity by providing information about the person on the launched by Comic Relief, a British char- billion has been raised as part of the Red to recognize a fake,” said company rep- all necessary documents. other side of the screen. Our goal as a ity founded by scriptwriter Richard Nose Day campaign, says Comic Relief resentative James Rasbell. “Some users “The fact that women are willing to dating service is to do everything we Curtis and comedian Lenny Henry. Inc, US. The projects and programs all have even asked our support team: ‘Is provide these documents to register on can to help our clients fi nd their ideal The UK was quickly joined by the US, share the same goals of keeping children VictoriaBrides a scam?’ Having worked the site demonstrates that they really do partners as soon as possible”. China, Belgium, and other countries healthy, safe, and educated. in the fi eld of dating for many years, we have serious intentions,” says Rasbell. VictoriaBrides is an international online around the globe. During the Red Nose In Georgia, the 2017 Red Nose fund- understand that it’s hard to believe that Identifi cation is just the fi rst step. All dating site that helps men and women Day campaign, people buy red noses and raising campaign will help seven-year- so many beautiful women are looking women must get through an interview overcome the physical distance between help socially deprived children overcome old Nika Dvalidze who is fi ghting leu- for love online. We are an international and fi ll in a questionnaire which gives their home countries and embark on poverty worldwide. People are encour- kemia. One of the organizers of the site, and while our male users are mostly them further help in fi nding the perfect romantic relationships. The company aged to hold fund-raising events in their campaign, Aka Sinjikashvili, announced Americans, our female users live in East- romantic match. considers the confi dentiality and web local communities, businesses and it will also be used to open a place where ern Europe, where all women are incred- The next step is the photo session. All safety of its clients a priority. Its support schools, with the money pledged to the street children can come to receive free ibly beautiful! What people don’t always of the women get professional photos, works 24/7 and is always ready to pro- Red Nose campaign. The campaign cul- food and clothing. remember is that they face the same so that male clients can be sure that pro- vide customers with any help they need. When Healing Georgian Hands were Flown to Donald Trump He was the fi rst person with ESP (extra- middle of the party, somebody called on BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE sensory perception) to be publicly exposed behalf of Donald Trump.” on VZGLYAD, the popular Russian TV The Georgian healer was then ‘abducted’ program. As a result, all Europe saw him, aboard the billionaire’s helicopter after eorgian journalist Tamaz soon followed by booming popularity in which he was ushered into a ballroom Cheishvili resided in many Tbilisi. Notwithstanding the social hard- where everything, even the grand piano, different countries, fi nally ships in the country, the pages of his work was made of crystal and the people were returning home in the tur- diary were packed with patients seeking in the throws of a New Year Ball. bulent 1990s. In Brazil, he to make use of his extrasensory talents. “I was taken to the daughter of Trump’s Gwas awarded the honorary title of Extraor- Interestingly enough, the force majeure friend, a 22-year-old Jewish girl who was dinary Citizen. Once, billionaire Trump, even promoted his activity. At that time bent double due to back problems.” now the United States President, invited in Georgia, people were afraid to leave The doctor is said to have sat casually him to his New Year Ball on a special the house, not even for a doctor’s appoint- next to the patient and placed both palms mission, mobilizing his personal chop- ment, because the armed groups roaming on her waist, asking her: ‘Do you want per to pick him up. the streets. It was then that he started to see a trick? Give me a second! Do you The unusual story of the well-known healing sessions in various towns through- feel the heat of my hands? I will now Georgian journalist made top news at out Georgia. count up to fi fty, then you will take a the time. Earlier, Tamaz Cheishvili, by Time passed and tens of thousands deep breath and stand up’. At 50, the girl, virtue of certain vicissitudes of life, had experienced his magically healing hands propping herself on both hands, rose embarked on a totally different trade to all over the world. Cheishvili has man- and made a couple of hesitant steps . . . practice –extrasensory perception. The aged to cure many, but not all. Those the room exploded in applause. To cut extrasensory capability was a part of his who were healed still pray for him, and a long story short, everyone wanted to childhood, but in his salad years, he those unaffected by his efforts name him have a glass of champagne with Tamaz thought it commonplace and made no a charlatan. from America. Explaining his comeback, emigration: before, he looks like an eagle that night. Eventually, amply imbibed, big deal of it. Cheishvili attended the After an appearance on Brazilian tel- he said that he was affl icted with a bad with burning eyes, and after, he seems and he was seen to the exit by Donald Moscow Radio Technical Institute to evision, Tamaz Cheishvili became known case of nostalgia, emphasizing that Geor- depressed and unfortunate with a pallid Trump himself, who reached out hefty major in paranormal phenomena. As a to entire Latin America. In Brazil, he gians had something so special in their washed-out expression,” he said. wad of banknotes from the pocket of his consequence of the soviet Perestroika, lived in a charitable millionaire’s apart- character that even the most urbane Cheishvili recollects his unbelievable tuxedo and said, “You’re a real magician. the Institute was closed, but he was lucky ment in one of the best residential areas westerners could not boast to compare. Donald Trump story which took place How much?” enough to have been introduced into the of the capital. The famous healer trave- Trying to corroborate his statement, in December, 1990. Cheishvili refused the money, instead circles of the Russian scientifi c elite led almost the whole world but for fi nal Cheishvili alluded to the picture of Geor- “I was once invited to New York by a vowing his brotherhood to Trump in where he started out his extrasensory residence he picked his native town. gia’s national hero Kakutsa Cholokashvili. wealthy Jew of Georgian origin to take typical Georgian style, kissed him good- career. Everyone was surprised at his return “Just look at his photo before and after up the healing of his family. Right in the bye and left. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 SOCIETY 9 Find it, Buy it: Tbilisi

It certainly has enough spillage of petroleum prod- BY TONY HANMER ucts and other chemicals to provide a novel envi- ronment for extremophiles to fl ourish in, just before they vanish in the hellish aftermath of a single o, this isn’t my new set of brass carelessly dropped cigarette, that is. Seriously, why knuckles. They are something rarer the whole huge place hasn’t had a catastrophic fi ery than all publicly sold jewelry in meltdown ever is simply beyond me. Georgia, but cost almost nothing, But there’s no place better to fi nd, along with the available only second hand. They biggest selection of building materials, old pieces Naren’t made of any precious metals, contain no of anything electro-mechanical. Failing that, to have precious stones. But fi nding them was a major piece exactly what you need made by hand from a block of detective shopping, and I bought almost all the of solid metal by a guy with a machine the size of examples I found. This is my hose clamp collec- your dining table and more knobs, levers and other tion. parts than a locomotive engine. Your item will be Being in Tbilisi for the school holidays, I had ready in minutes and cost a few GEL. made a shopping list of all the things likely unavail- So my second hoard of hose clamps did turn up able elsewhere: peanut butter (though I might roast here, after a simple walk down Junk Lane quizzing and blend my own), laptop RAM, rechargeable the stall patrons one at a time, “Got any of these?” batteries, the cheapest good dark roast coffee beans, and showing one of my rings. Again, only one seller and so on. And these things, as another weapon in did have any, and again I bought almost all he had, my arsenal against water issues in DIY Svaneti. once he’d asked me what I paid for my fi rst batch The fi rst few I found at one GEL each in the left- and offered his for the same low price. over used hardware section of my Metro’s bazaar. I now have a selection in a few different sizes. I had had to begin only by looking, as describing They feel solid enough never to break, and are them was beyond my Georgian abilities. Snapped stainless and rust-free into the bargain. I have now them all up, as one does with an item known to be have the biggest collection of them in the whole country, or there may be someone else in another city, Kutaisi or Batumi, who’s holding out until his are the very last and he can sell them for whatever he pleases. But mine are enough for my needs, and I don’t expect ever to want or need to sell them in this way, because I bought them to use in my fara- so elusive. Now that I have these ones, though, I (Aside: the area of Tbilisi where this bazaar is way fastness. You have to get it done, whatever it can simply show one of them elsewhere and ask if found is named for a Soviet-era institution which takes. Must have running water, for goodness’ sake, Finding them was a anyone has any. Easy! produced world-renowned populations of… bac- that’s what this is all about! You manipulate them with a pair of pliers, but I’d teriophage, i.e. bacteria which eat other bacteria. major piece of be doing this anyway with the previous alternative, These life forms have important medical implica- Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti which is simply wire. Purpose: to join a piece of tions in the real world. They are also featured in a since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early detective shopping, pipe to another snugly. That’s all. Simple, well bio-sci-fi thriller by Greg Bear, Vitals, in which 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook designed; likely to outlive me, quite unlike the wire. Stalin is discovered never to have died, but been group, now with over 1350 members, at www.facebook. and I bought almost all My second shopping stop for the things was actu- kept alive by the little critters.) com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ ally the only location where I’d expected to fi nd The Eliava bazaar, come to think of it, likely grows He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: the examples I found them in all Georgia: the main Eliava bazaar. its own unique pharmacologies of micro-organisms. www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti Austrian Schirnhofer Opens Bollywood Masala First Brand Store in Tbilisi Indian Restaurant

Find your next great lunch or dinner dining experience featuring time-honored recipes at New

almost 20 new workplaces have been created in BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI the process, the company claims. Bollywood Masala Indian Restaurant “Schirnhofer products in Austria are always asso- ciated with the best quality,” Ambassador Benko t number 7, Vazha-Pshavela Avenue, noted in his speech. a new Schirnhofer store awaits cus- The meat products company was founded in 1926 tomers and, besides offering the famous by Joseph Schirnhofer. The family business was sausages it is loved for, an Austrian then continued by his son Karl, who made it one cheese and meat delicatessen can also of the largest meat product manufacturers, known Abe found in the store, as well as an assortment of for using only Austrian meat for production. Their freshly baked bread, made from Austrian fl our quality control accompanies every stage of the using Austrian technology. product through ultra-modern technologies and The store opening this Tuesday was attended by the laboratories. Schirnhofer holds an IFC (Interna- Ambassador of Austria to Georgia, Arad Benko, and tional Food Standard) certifi cate, which ensures Schirnhofer Company representative, Alois Kaiser. constant product quality control. “Schirnhofer is very proud to present its products “Georgian customers know the Schirnhofer brand in Georgia; I wish our business partners great suc- well. This is our fi rst store in Tbilisi, and in Geor- cess,” Kaiser said at the opening. gia, and we’ll be focusing on the cheese and meat Tel: +995 551 526 000; +995 592 900 002 The Schirnhofer store opening is regarded as an delicatessen,” says Lasha Babuadze, Schirnhofer important event both for Georgia and Austria. Half Georgia representative, adding that the company Add: Str. Kostava 44, Tbilisi, Georgia a million USD local investment was made and plans to expand and open more stores in future. Email: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 CoE Annual Penal Statistics: Incarceration Rate Grew in Georgia in 2014-2015

BY THEA MORRISON

eorgia is among the countries with the highest incarceration rates, accord- ing to the latest Council of Europe (CoE) Annual Penal Statistics (SPACE), published on Tuesday. GThe survey says that the number of people held in European prisons decreased by 6.8 percent from 2014 to 2015, although prison overcrowding remained a problem in 15 countries, including Georgia. The list of countries with the highest incarcera- tion rates is led by Russia (439.2 inmates per 100,000 inhabitants), followed by Lithuania (277.7), Georgia (274.6), Azerbaijan (249.3), Latvia (223.4), Turkey (220.4) and the Republic of Moldova (219.9). The Netherlands (53) and some Nordic countries – namely Finland (54.8), Denmark (56.1) and Swe- den (58.6) - appear to be those resorting less often to imprisonment and thus registering the lowest rates. Signifi cant reductions in the incarceration rate were recorded in Greece (-18.8%), Croatia (-10.2%), Denmark (-11.9%), Northern Ireland (-9.7%), the Netherlands (-9.5%), Lithuania (-8.8%), Romania (- 8.6%) and Slovenia (-8.2%). On the other hand, the incarceration rate grew most in Georgia (+20.5%), “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” trations suffering from overcrowding grew from The SPACE reads that after natural causes, sui- The Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics, (+12%), Turkey (+11.6%), the Czech Republic (+11.4%) 13 to 15,” the report reads. cide was the most common cause of mortality in better known as SPACE (Statistiques PénalesAn- and Albania (+10.3%). The report says that in 2015, inmates serving fi nal prisons, representing 25% of all deaths. One in nuelles du Conseil de l’Europe), include two related “Despite the overall reduction in the prison pop- sentences represented 73% of the total prison every four suicides was committed in pre-trial projects. SPACE I provides data on imprisonment ulation in 2015, there was no progress at the pan- population. Among those prisoners, almost one in detention. and penal institutions in Council of Europe Mem- European level to reduce overcrowding, and the fi ve (18.7%) was convicted for drug-related offenses. Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn ber States. Information on non-custodial sanctions number of inmates remained above available places In Italy, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Lux- Jagland welcomed the drop in the overall number and measures are collected under the project SPACE in one third of the prison administrations. The embourg, Montenegro and the Russian Federation of people in prisons of Europe. II. situation improved in some countries and deterio- this proportion was higher: 25% or more of inmates. “Increasing the use of alternative sentences does Data is collected by means of two questionnaires rated in others. The number of inmates for every The second most common offence for which inmates not necessarily lead to higher crime rates but can sent every year to the Penitentiary administrations 100 available spaces in European prisons was 93.7 were serving time was theft (16.2%), followed by help to reintegrate offenders and tackle overcrowd- and to the Probation authorities or equivalent bod- (93.6 in 2014), but the number of prison adminis- homicide (13.2%) and robbery (12.6%). ing,” he said. ies of the Ministries of Justice. Somewhat Different – Living more Comfortably by Simplifying Things

tional' design tasks in a somewhat different way. BY MAKA LOMADZE The organizer is Goethe Institute. Dr. Stephan Wackwitz, Director of Goethe Institute, Georgia, told guests at the opening, “If you don’t like opera, he Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen you can simply not go. If you don’t like reading, e.V. (IFA), which stands for the Insti- you can choose not to pick up a book. But there tute of Overseas Cooperation, and are directions in art, for instance, design, that com- curator Volker Albus, prepared the prise the everyday things that are made for each exhibition ‘Somewhat Different - Con- of us. We are very happy to have exhibited them!” Ttemporary Design and the Power of Convention’ “This is already the second design exposition at the Tbilisi History Museum, which shows a great taking place under the aegis of IFA with the medi- diversity of designs diverging from the conven- ation of Goethe Institute,” Lika Mamatsashvili, tional, illustrated by 106 different items and a total Director of Tbilisi History Museum, told GEORGIA of 148 objects by 67 individual designers and stu- TODAY. “My favorite painter has always been Tou- dios, 47 of them based in Germany and 20 in other louse Lautrec, who used to say: ‘you will always European countries. The exhibition discusses the win if you simplify things’. This exposition is ded- objects in terms of function, materials, construc- icated to this concept. Life is diffi cult and we should tion and content references and is being held in try to make things easier. For instance, there is a the context of the Germany-Georgia Friendship wonderful chair under which a housekeeper can Year. keep the vacuum cleaner. So, it is a chair and a A bookshelf, a Persian rug, an armchair: these vacuum cleaner at the same time. The latter can- generic terms alone trigger associations relating not even be noticed, whilst a woman/man can use to the structural, decorative and confi gurative it without standing up. There is a nice variety of aspects of the objects. This is why designers delib- hangers for different garments that are very simple, erately subvert their general, conventional under- too. Looking at them, I think: why didn’t I invent standing to reveal their absurdity. The designs do that?!” not only provoke astonishment, but challenge one “The IFA organizes very interesting expositions to refl ect on general expectations and codes of in photo, fi ne arts, design, etc.,” Tamta Gochitash- behavior, as well as the referential context of fi rmly vili, representative of the Goethe Institute Depart- established notions, in order to review traditional ment of Culture, told GEORGIA TODAY. “These fi xations. It is such 'breaks from the power of con- exhibitions travel to different countries. After Tbi- vention' that in their causality document the far- lisi, the exhibition will go to Tashkent. Goethe reaching socio-cultural changes which we currently Institute chooses the exhibits that will be of most witness in all areas of our daily lives and which interest for Tbilisians, we order them and they send manifest themselves in key phenomena such as us the works. Our cooperation with Tbilisi History mobility, migration, changing nutritional habits Museum is very tight. For the last 15 years, IFA and more. exhibitions have been held here.” The exhibition illustrates the international aspect “Designers perceive art as a moderator between of this discourse on contemporary design in two the people and things. This is an exhibition that respects. First, it complements the works of the 47 shows how objects can be applied in a different German designers and design partnerships with context. This exposition aims to overcome the examples by 20 foreign designers from Denmark, homogeneity,” said Volker Albus, curator. France, Great Britain, Italy, The Netherlands, Aus- The main plus of the exhibits is that they are very tria, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and Spain. And comfortable, and you want to take them all home second, IFA invites every institution wishing to and fi ll up your house with them! host the exhibition to add objects by designers from WHERE: its own country who have approached 'conven- WHEN: Until April 15. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 SOCIETY 11 Tskhinvali Region Is Not Alania: Regional Problems in Tskhinvali according to V.Bartold, - the Allans are would bring about nothing but encroach- range of the Caucasus was offi cially defi ned Ossetia” and the teaching process was OP-ED BY ACADEMICIAN ROIN looked upon as representatives of Greek ment upon the territorial integrity of as a border between Russia and Georgia. conducted in the Ossetian language; while METREVELI, VICE PRESIDENT Orthodoxy in a source of the XIII century: Georgia. Anybody who may wish to Consequently, it left no reservations that the Ossetian language and literature were OF GEORGIAN NATIONAL “The places of their settlements, at that maintain peace between Georgians and the extreme North of Shida Kartli – Dval- seen among independent subjects. To ACADEMY OF SCIENCES time, spread a little farther in comparison Ossetians must banish this thought of eti – was within the jurisdiction of Geor- continue the recital: the Pedagogical Insti- to what they were before. By the time of integrating southern and northern parts gia. Russia had made it her goal to annex tute in Tskhinvali, an advanced training the very fi rst invasions of the Mongols, of Ossetia. Those wanting to keep peace Shida Kartli and was therefore trying to institute for teachers, music and art schools t is beyond one’s comprehension the space beginning namely beyond Der- between Russia and Georgia must too create contentions between the Georgians and schools providing tertiary education, and maybe even rousing indigna- bent towards the North and even at the dismiss this thought. That is the reality.” and the Ossetians. Being up to that under- agrarian, medical and other colleges. It tion when the de facto Ossetian estuary of the River Volga were in the [Nezavisimaia Gazeta, 1992.,22.I.No13]. taking, Russia succeeded in inspiring is also noteworthy that according to the leadership tries to redub Tskhinvali Allans possession, which most probably No comment needed. What a pity that armed insurrections targeted at one goal data of the census of population, in 1979, Region Alania. This, on the one must be perceived as remnants after the such a wisdom has been shown neither – to set up a soviet order of governing in the number of graduates with higher hand,I is but ignorance of history and on collapse of Khazars’ kingdom. Broken and by the Russian nor the Ossetian bureau- “South Ossetia” and breaking it away from education status per every hundred edu- the other - a complete negation of reality. defeated by the Mongols, Allans were in crats and it leaves no doubt that the out- Georgia, because only after having cated men across the Soviet Union, the Generally, to rename either a region or part replaced into various regions of the come will be distressing. Absurdly enough, achieved this would it be easier to get so called South Ossetia occupied second a place without taking into account their Mongol Empire., the colony belonging to Russian media has repeatedly stated that hold of the entire country. In 1920 the place. geographical development within a his- the Allan Christians are mentioned by the Kuchuk-Kainary Pact, which was made Soviet Russia and the Bolsheviks assisted Further, in 1927 the Institute of Folklore torical time is simply wrong. At this point, Catholic missionaries in China,” V.V. Bar- in 1774 between Russia and the Osmans, Ossetian insurgents to declare Soviet was established in Tskhinvali, which later the arrangement of an opinion poll of the told, Allans, vol.II I.M.I963, pp.66. This annexed not only one part of historical Order in the so-called South Ossetia, pro- transformed into the South Ossetia Insti- population comes across as a mere farce extensive excerpt from the article ”Allans” Ossetia but, allegedly, entire Ossetia. At nouncing this territory to be part of Rus- tute of Language, Literature and History or rather an endeavor to veil a lay opinion by Bartold, an internationally acclaimed this point, they mean the northern part sia. It must be accentuated that the very and joined the Georgian Academy of Sci- showing negligence as regards the given scientist, has been brought to the atten- of Shida Kartli, where in the years that act was formed by breeching all the norms ences. In addition to that, Tskhinvali pre- issue. More than that, to carry out the tion of the reader in order to clearly followed, the Autonomous Region of existed: Georgia was territorially disin- pared and released a multi-volume edition renaming of the truly Georgian land arbi- visualize the area outlined as a dwelling Ossetia was set up. Later, in 2004, on July tegrated, the will and opinion of Georgian of the South Ossetia history (documents trarily is nothing other than blasphemy. place for Allans, with which to underscore 10, the Russian Duma made a bizarre population – trampled on. The regional , materials), a two-volume edition of “The It is common knowledge the Ossetians the fact that they had never lived to the announcement that, allegedly, in 1774, resolution made by Russian Communist History of the South Ossetia” as well as are deemed to have settled in the North South of the Caucasus. As for those called Ossetia integrated with Russia on a strictly Party on March the 23rd 1920 reads: four volumes of “The Ossetian Language of the Caucasus – the present day North Ossetians, they appear on the stage of voluntary basis. Proceeding from this, it 1. to immediately organize a revolution- Defi ning Dictionary”, next to the multi- Ossetia – a couple of centuries ago, together historical Georgia exclusively in the XVI- was made defi nite for Russia to “equita- ary committee in South Ossetia; volume edition of ,”Ossetian Literature”, with tribes of Skythian-Sarmatic origin. Ith century, and, as is corroborated, they bly” protect the rights of the Osseti civil- 2. declare the Soviet Order; three volumes of Ossetian fairy tales and It is also a noteworthy fact that in the vast do not comprise aboriginal tribes of the ians. One can easily observe that on their 3. form an armed detachment; a crown of this list – a compilation of family of Indo-European languages, the Caucasian population., even in the North part they demonstrate a complete incom- 4. set up relations with North Ossetia… Ossetian songs, attached with the musi- Ossetian language is formed by the North- Caucasus they started to dwell as settlers petence or rather ignorance of history as and allot one hundred thousand Rubles cal scores, etc… It may be little known ern and Eastern Iranian group of languages. only XX centuries ago. such. It must be said that in those days for the disposal of the Revolutionary Com- that Tskhinvali, at that time, was vibrant In the Xth-XIIth centuries, the Ossetian We have intentionally used sources only the term “Osseti” did not exist in geog- mittee. There can be traced another appeal with the operating museum and an art kingdom established relations with dif- by foreign authors vis-à-vis Allans in the raphy; it is clear enough, then, that the as well: “Moscow, to comrades Lenin and gallery, the public library and the unions ferent countries, including Georgia. But persons of I. Makvarti, V. Bartold in order term “Ossetian State” can’t have existed Chicherin. According to the order of the of artists and composers along the musi- in the XIth -and –XIIth -century Osseti, to be free from any bias. The fact makes either. Those Ossetians who lived in the Local Caucasian Committee, of March the cal and choreographical societies, dance one of Georgia’s vassals after Tamerlan’s it clear that the people called Allans have mountains considered themselves to be 23rd, confi rmed by special Couriers to the and song state national companies. What rampages, lost its integrity to eventually never lived to the South of the Caucasus, refugees. However, from the second half same Committee… On June 8 - South is interesting, Ossetia used to have their disperse into different directions - Hun- mainly in Georgia – in the Region of Tskh- of the XIXth century, the Russian bureau- Ossetia declares Soviet Rule”. own national broadcasting system as well gary, the Balkans, etc. One group tried to invali. crats have been applying their determined Other materials that exist also read as their own periodicals and own fi ction. put down roots in Kartli but the Georgian Consequently, it is made absurd when efforts to somehow implement in reality clearly enough as to via whose prompt- It must be nonetheless interesting, that feudals retaliated and their attacks fi nally Tskhinvali Region is meant for the dub- the imaginary terms such as the “North ing the Ossetians let the fratricidal war in comparison to the North Ossetia, South made them retreat. However, in the XVth- bing Alania in the fashion of the North Ossetia” and “South Ossetia”; while until break out. Obviously, to even assumingly Osseti Autonomous Region issued books XVIIIth centuries, the Ossetians manage Caucasus; consequently to think of inte- the XIXth century there practically exists incriminate the so-called ”xenophobic” - fi ve times more in amount and three to settle down in the fore part and the grating South Ossetia with North Ossetia no document which could possibly cater government of Georgia in the “genocide” times larger vis-a-vis circulation per every lowland zone of mountainous Georgia, is simply a blasphemy. for the endeavor to dub the mountainous of Ossetians means running the gauntlet ten thousand inhabitants of Ossetian ori- the northern part of Kartli, while a minor The categorical allegations of certain region of Shida Kartli Ossetia. of amorality. gin. It is clear as a daylight, the Georgian group found refuge in the Kingdom of Russian politicians, that both South and As a matter of fact, the three Ossetian The vicious plan of the Communist state and Georgian people gave to people Imereti. North Ossetia were once constituent tribes in the North Caucasia from Alagiri, Party and the Soviet Russia to make Geor- of Ossetia an opportunity to evolve nation- Those having found abode in Kartli had parts of Russia and that Stalin divided Kurtati and Tagauri gorges joined the gia soveticised was fulfi lled, which, in its ally, culturally, socially, politically and to live within the dominion of Georgian them to hand South Ossetia to Georgia Russian Federation in 1774; notably, the turn, meant that annexation of Georgia economically. feudals, the Machabelis and the Eristavis, with the view of setting up an autonomous fourth tribe from Diagori Gorge living in took place already a second time. Having To refl ect on the circumstances in the and attend to them like other serfs. Inter- region there - is in fact overwhelming. the domain of Kabardo joined Russia later done that, Russia broke the treaty of May North Ossetia, who, to-date, is in the estingly, the Ossetians used to be engaged Maybe a politician is not expected to in 1781. To cast an eye at the north part of 7th of 1920, made between her and Geor- jurisdiction of the Russian Federation, it in the military campaigns against the foe know the history of the Caucasus exces- Shida Kartli,where later was formed the gia. It is noteworthy, that the so called would be apt to draw a small excerpt from harassing Georgia. As sources imply, the sively well, however those who happened so called autonomous district of Osseti, South Ossetia was warranted to have the the publication of Head of the North Ossetian peasants and serfs were dealt to have handed them such information it belonged to the united kingdom of status of an autonomous region without Ossetia Supreme Council A. Galazov – “I with due attention by King Erekle II him- are too distanced from the truth. Indeed, Georgia, later to Karli and then to Kartl- any grounds; consequently, in 1924, in sincerely feel grieved to see the young of self. when making such announcements, one Kakheti kingdom indivisibly.The docu- June, the autonomous region was turned my nationality, because despite their ought to be more cautious, to say little of ments attached to the “Treaty of Geor- into the autonomous republic to, in the knowing foreign languages and the civi- A FEW WORDS ABOUT ALLANS how necessary it is to examine and re- gievsk” let an opportunity to declare that end, remain within the union of Russian lizations of the world, they do feel uncom- Allan, to follow its defi nition in the Ira- examine facts. Unfortunately, many a fact the north part of Kartli and its extreme Federation. The so-called Ossetia unifi ed fortable at home due to their not knowing nian source, denotes a name for an Iranian from the history of Russian-Ossetian rela- northern province - Dvaleti -belonged to the regions at certain places densely even the basics of the Ossetian culture…. tribe mentioned in works by the XIIIth tions have been severely distorted of late the kingdom of Kartli and Kakheti, where populated by the Ossetians with feignedly The national youngsters have been century scholar and writer Iacuti and also [see Ossetians in Georgia by An. Giorgi Saakadze enjoyed his rights that annexed Georgian town Tskhinvali: As deprived of their mother tongue. Until by Al-Fidas, the Arab historian and geog- Totadze.,Myth and Reality, An.Totadze of a governor (XVII cent.). the “Caucasian Callendar” of 1900 has it, last year, for instance, there was no school rapher of the same time period. Accord- Tbilisi,2006]. After Georgia had been annexed by by the time the XXth century commenced, in the North Ossetia that would render ing to the sources, the Allans populated Suffi ce it to get familiar with the works Russia (18O1), the north of Shida Kartli, Tskhinvali was inhabited by Georgians, teaching in the Ossetian language”. a territory in Mid Asia – Islamic period- by G.Togoshvili, Ossetian by birth, espe- along with Dvaleti, is found to be within Georgian Jews and Armenians, surrounded ¬[gazeta “Pravda”,1989,11-XI]. No com- having migrated to the North of the Cau- cially with his encyclopedic articles, in the dominion of Imereti only for a while by a couple Georgian villages. It did hap- ment needed. casian Ridges. To listen to Professor I. the volume “The Georgian SSR,” under afterwards to become a constituent part pen under duress arousing due indigna- To-date, when the devastated villages Makvarti, since the IXth century, the the title ”South Ossetia Autonomous of Gori District. Later, in 1858, adhering tion among Georgians [materials to be of Tskhinvali come to mind, when our Allans had been known as Uss; the same Region, South Ossetia” [I981,pp.337-339] to the decree issued by the Tzar’s Gover- seen in the book entitled “From the His- fellowmen go uprooted from their abode name, Uss, is confi rmed from the Mongol to realistically revive the history of South nor General of the Caucasus Bariatinsky, tory of Relations between the Peoples of in thousands having been turned into period by Academician V.Bartold - see Ossetia. With this in view, it is interesting Dvaleti had been handed to the Osseti of Georgia and Ossetia”, Tb., 1991,pp.56-73]. refugees in their own country, when along V.V.Bartold, Allans, vol.2 M., 1963,pp.866- to read works by V.Abaev, B.Plyeva, O. the “Caucasian Line”. Thus, only Dvaleti The setting up of the autonomous region pains we do suffer from the offence of 867. Along with this, the latter also quotes Tedeea,Z.Gagloiti, P.Doguzov and others. happens to be annexed to the North Osseti made the Georgian population of that defeat, we acknowledge the circumstances a note from encyclopedia of the Xth-XIth Here is an excerpt from what the patri- and not the part of Shida Kartli’s land, area, in their native land, a minority, that realistically. centuries, Al-Birum, having that “Allans arch of Ossetian science writes – “The where consequently was formed the so for its part, must be looked upon as Having to state a sorry fact, we realize and Usses” as kith and kin, lived between major part of the Caucasian Region is a called autonomous region of Osseti. infringement upon human and national that in the XXIst century of hopes and the Arali and the Caspian seas, who hap- natural border between the Georgians After the Democratic Republic of Geor- rights and freedom. expectations, Man remains as covetous pened to migrate later to the North of the and the Ossetians…any endeavor to erase gia had been established in the year of It does deserve a double take, that the and vicious as in the former centuries; Caucasus. As a matter of fact, the form this border line shall entail a state of per- 1918, the October Revolution destroyed Ossi people within Georgian union used violence has not as yet been curbed. Uss serves as a basis for Oss in order to manent confl ict between the Georgians the Russian Empire too letting Dvaleti to have all prerequisites to develop their We fi rmly believe the world community later turn into Ossi in the Georgian lan- and the Ossetians… The fi rst thing to do enter the jurisdiction of Georgia again. economy. Before the Soviet Union col- ought to vociferously argue against the guage, which, in its turn, was adopted in with this idea suggesting Ossetia’s break- On the basis of the Agreement made lapsed, between 1990 -1991, the number criminal intent of the Tskhinvali offi cials. the Georgian fashion for the region as ing from Georgia is to immediately nib it between the Democratic Republic of of Ossetian comprehensive schools in It must be made clear for all that the well eventually to be accepted by the in the bud. Not a single Georgian govern- Georgia and Russia, on the 7th of May, Georgia counted a hundred, of which Tskhinvali Region is the real Georgia and Russian language as Ossetia. Further on, ment can ever give assent to do this, as it 1920 - the border running on the major ninety schools were in the so-called “South that Georgia is not Alania. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 Art Connections: The UK Gov’t Art Collection on Display at British Embassy Tbilisi Candoco – World’s Leading Inclusive Dance Company Returns to Tbilisi The Sunday Times names Candoco well as representatives from different REVIEW BY MAKA LOMADZE performances ‘a joy to watch’, while The sectors in order to raise awareness. The Guardian described it as ‘one of the most parties discussed problems and chal- potent moments of theater’. Through lenges that are present in this direction he British Council in Geor- their performances and educational in Georgia. Concurrent to that, inclusive gia presented a striking activities, Candoco twists perceptions sectors are being researched in the four double bill from the Can- of what dance is, who can dance and abovementioned countries. doco Dance Company, a who can experience it. The performances Stine Nilsen, Co-Director of Candoco, contemporary group of in Tbilisi were supplemented by a prac- confi rmed the progress among Georgians Tdisabled and non-disabled dancers, on tical workshop with Candoco choreog- in this direction: “I have been cooperat- 11 and 12 March at the Marjanishvili raphers on inclusive contemporary dance. ing with Candoco since 2000, the fi rst Theater. The company of disabled and non- seven years as a dancer and the last 10 The performances were called Unlim- disabled dancers creates excellent and as an artistic director. I’m really passion- ited and the performers fully justifi ed profound experiences to excite, challenge ate about what we’re doing. I think that the title. The core of the inclusive dances and broaden perceptions of art, aesthet- bringing dance out to more people is a is to make people see the dance and not ics and ability. First and foremost, Can- great way to make changes happen. In the disability. That disabled and non- doco encourages all disabled people to terms of Georgia, there are more disa- disabled people could cooperate each get involved in art, to use it as a form of bled people coming [to our shows/work- making the event possible. “Bank of of their moves so aesthetically is never self-expression, giving a sense of life, shops] than there were three years ago. BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI Georgia rightly sees itself as one of the more diffi cult to imagine- and Candoco, entertainment, and fun in which the This is a small thing, but it’s an improve- bridges between the UK and Georgia,” last here in 2013, showed us how in their student may even fi nd a profession. ment. More disabled people are doing the British Ambassador added. sell-out shows. Their popularity was Candoco’s performances in Tbilisi mark dance now in Georgia than 12 years ago he British Embassy in Geor- “The Government Art Collection is the proven in Georgia and it is a clear step the launch of the British Council’s new when I fi rst came here. It’s great!” gia presented a new display largest collection of British artists in the towards making the necessary changes program that aims to offer disabled art- GEORGIA TODAY asked Nilsen if of works from the UK Gov- world,” George told guests. “It was set to combat social stigma against the dis- ists in Georgia unprecedented and unique they’ll be back. “We hope that within the ernment Art Collection to up 118 years ago with the sole intention abled. opportunities to develop professionally, British Council project, we will come guests at a reception hosted of promoting British art and engaging Candoco has three main directions: create new work and collaborate inter- back again. With its support, we’ve already Tby the Ambassador, Justin McKenzie in cultural diplomacy. Several years ago, performing, teaching and advocating nationally. set up a dance company in Armenia.” Smith, on Wednesday. when this [embassy] building was still rights of the disabled by means of bring- GEORGIA TODAY talked to Zaza Purt- The privately-owned Armenian dance The selection and installation of the being designed, the architect, Michael ing changes to the relevant policy. In seladze, Country Director of British company is already training new danc- new display, showcasing more than 30 Wilford, came to us asking for sugges- 2012, the company performed alongside Council Georgia: “This tour is not the ers, and it is Nilsen’s desire to have the works from internationally renowned tions about the works we could install Coldplay at the Paralympic Games clos- only activity that is planned within the same happen in Georgia. “We want artists, including Phyllida Barlow, Michael here. What we’ve done now is to present ing ceremony in London, and in 2015 project. It aims to develop the profes- Georgians to be inspired by this unity Landy, Marc Quinn, and Hamish Fulton, a display of works of some very young won the UK Theater Award's 'Achieve- sional network of disabled artists in of disabled and non-disabled dancers”. was curated by Adrian George, Senior British artists, but also some recognized ment in Dance' award. Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Eka Mazmishvili, Director of the Mar- Curator and Deputy Director of the UK British artists alongside them.” Their inclusiveness gives a new fl avor Ukraine. We also aim at deepening this janishvili Theater, host of the event for Government Art Collection. It is hoped that a connection will be to the work, inspiring it with new move- cooperation within the aforementioned the second time, noted: “This is the part “Georgia is a country defi ned by its made with the ambitions and aspirations ments and style. It is impossible not to countries, as well as creating a relevant of our long-term partnership with the culture, and so is Britain. I hope this will of the British Embassy in Georgia. “The be at once captivated with the exquisite- platform. The latter should enable art- British Council in many different direc- start new conversations between Britain Embassy [here] is very forward-looking, ness and lightless of the dance. The ists with disabilities to develop profes- tions. In this case, our welcome is special, and Georgia in the future,” Ambassador very aware of what’s happening in terms dancers move as if released from the sionally, as well as participate in trainings as this is a really distinguished dance Smith said in his speech at the reception, of arts and culture, and particularly weight of their bodies in a manner almost that are also planned within the project,” company in terms of artistic level as well going on to thank the Bank of Georgia because the arts and culture scene in too good to be true- the most beautiful he said. as priorities. We are happy and proud Group for their support in bringing the Tbilisi is very vibrant right now and proof that genuine art has no boundaries A workshop was also held that united and hope to cooperate with them again art works from Britain to Georgia and rapidly expanding,” George concluded. at all... disabled and non-disabled people, as in future.”

ROUTING FLIGHT NUMBER WEEK DAYS DEPARTURE ARRIVAL TK 387 05.50 07.25 TBILISI - TK 385 11.45 13.25 ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT TK 383 18.10 20.00 EVERYDAY TK 386 01.40 04.55 ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT - TK 384 07.30 10.50 TBILISI TK 382 13.55 17.15 TBILISI - TK 381 07.40 09.00 ISTANBUL SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT EVERYDAY ISTANBUL SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT - TK 380 20.45 00.10+1 TBILISI BATUMI - ISTANBUL TK 393 17.50 19.10 EVERYDAY ISTANBUL - BATUMI TK 392 13.55 16.55 Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected]

TIFLIS KIS TARIFESI 7.5x6cm ING.indd 1 02/11/16 15:23 GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 CULTURE 13 Jamiroquai to Perform at Black Sea Jazz Festival 2017 as 400 GEL, while one day tickets will TBC Status continues to support the BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI only be available for the Silver Zone, Black Sea Jazz Festival, so tickets pur- priced from 100 to 250 GEL. chased with TBC Status or TBC Prime The number of tickets is limited. Ticket Cards will have an exclusive price, and he Black Sea Jazz Festival sales will open at 9 am on March 27 on TBC Bank clients will have a chance to 2017 will run from July 27-30 tkt.ge buy tickets at a 20% discount. in Batumi, Georgia, with concerts to be held at the Take 5 and Batumi Tennis Tclubs. Jamiroquai, the headliner of the festi- val, will be presenting its new album to the audience along with popular older hits. The event’s size grows by the year and this year individual entrances will be added to the VIP, Silver and Gold zones which are expected to make access eas- ier for the crowds. Ticket insurance is a novelty introduced for the Black Sea Jazz Festival 2017- those who buy tickets together with insurance will be able to receive a 100% refund in case you return them. Kids Stone, De La Soul, Cory Henry & The Apostles, and MF Robots are also featured in the announced 2017 line-up: CORY HENRY and THE FUNK APOS- TLES at Take Five club July 27, 23:00 JAMIROQUAI Batumi Tennis Club July 28, 20:00 DE LA SOUL Batumi Tennis Club July 29, 20:00 JOSS STONE Batumi Tennis Club July 30, 20:00 MF ROBOTS Take Five club July 30, 23:00 A three-day VIP Zone ticket is priced GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE MARCH 17 - 20, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER March 17 Bremner, Jonny Lee Miller The exhibition showcases money GEWOHNTEN" ENGLISH DETECTIVE Genre: Drama circulation on the territory of The exhibition showcases 148 Agatha Christie Language: Russian Georgia from the 6th century BC. works by designers and groups TBILISI ZAKARIA Directed by Vakhtang Nikolava Start time: 13:45 to 1834. of designers from 47 European PALIASHVILI OPERA AND Language: Russian Ticket: 9-14 GEL countries. Miscellaneous projects BALLET THEATER Start time: 18:00 THE TESTAMENT OF DAVID are free from infl uence: their Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 10 GEL BEAUTY AND THE BEAST THE BUILDER AND THE NEW structure, function and meaning is Telephone: 2 99 04 56 Directed by Bill Condon EXHIBITS OF MEDIEVAL perfectly comprehensible. March 18 Cast: Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, TREASURY March 18 SCARLET SAIL Ewan McGregor The exhibition showcases: a MUSEUM OF SOVIET AIDA Alexander Grin Genre: Family, Fantasy, Musical fragment of the only surviving OCCUPATION Starring: Irine Ratiani, Giorgi Directed by Avtandil Varsimashvili Language: Russian testament of David the Builder, Address: 3 Sh. Rustaveli Ave. Oniani, Tea Demurishvili, Language: Russian Start time: 12:30, 15:30, 16:45, 19:00, 22:00 a copy of its glass negative made Nikoloz Lagvilava, Kakhaber PERMANENT EXHIBITION Start time: 12:00 Ticket: 9-14 GEL by Aleksandre Roinashvili in 1895, Tetvadze, Ticket: 10 GEL paleographical blades of David the Visitors can discover the State's Gia Asatiani, Nutsa Zakaidze, personal fi les of "subversive" SPLIT Builder's handicrafts created by Tamaz Saginadze, Georgian public fi gures, orders to MOVEMENT THEATER Directed by M. Night Shyamalan Sargis Kakabadze in 1911, the richly Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet shoot or exile, and other artifacts Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Cast: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor- embellished gospel "Ceremonial" Theater choir, Mushthaid park representing Soviet-era cultural Joy, Haley Lu Richardson (Sazeimo) which is thought to have Ballet dancers, orchestra Telephone: 599 555 260 belonged to Queen Tamar, and and political repression in Georgia. Genre: Horror, Thriller Stage Director and Set Designer: more. Language: Russian GALLERY Franco Zeffi relli March 17, 18 Start time: 19:30, 22:15 Assistant Director and IGI September 27 (2016) – Ticket: 9-14 GEL Light Designer: Stefano Trespidi Jemal Karchkhade September 22 (2017) THE NATIONAL GALLERY Conductor: Zaza Azmaiparashvili Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze EXHIBITION Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. RUSTAVELI CINEMA Start time: 19:00 Start time: 20:00 STONE AGE GEORGIA www.museum.ge Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 10-80 GEL Ticket: 15 GEL Telephone: 2 55 50 00 MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS March 10 - 28 www.kinoafi sha.ge RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION March 20 March 19 Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. OF AMIR KAKABADZE GIORGI ZAGARELI AND PERFORMANCE LABYRINTH Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Dedicated to the 75-year GEORGIAN PHILHARMONIC Directed by Kakha Bakuradze EXHIBITION Start time: 20:00 March 16-23 LADO GUDIASHVILI AND anniversary of the artist. ORCHESTRA The exhibition showcases artworks Conductor: Ilya Inaishvili Ticket: 15 GEL GEORGIAN MONUMENTAL LOGAN created in different media: painting, Giorgi Zagareli - viola PAINTING CINEMA (Info Above) graphic, sculpture, pop art, fi lm and Program: Start time: 19:30 theater painting. Valeriy Antonyuk - Concert March 6 – April 6 Ticket: 13-14 GEL for Viola and Orchestra (world AMIRANI CINEMA THE EXHIBITION MUSIC premiere) Address: 36 Kostava St. MASTERPIECES FROM MUSEUM Telephone: 2 99 99 55 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST OF FINE ARTS COLLECTION Pyotr Tchaikovsky - Symphony N6 TBILISI CONCERT HALL www.kinoafi sha.ge (Info Above) The exhibition showcases "Pathetique" Address: 1 Melikishvili St. Start time: 22:15 unique masterpieces of Georgian Start time: 19:00 Telephone: 2 99 00 99 Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 Lari Ticket: 9-14 GEL and world art preserved in the Ticket: 10-80 GEL March 17-23 Museum of Fine Arts: Bernardo March 23 SPLIT Daddi, Lucas Cranach (Elder), GEORGIAN STATE MOEIN CONCERT LOGAN (Info Above) Guido Reni, Jan Steen, Jacob PANTOMIME THEATER Start time: 20:00 Directed by James Mangold Start time: 14:15, 19:45, 22:30 Van Ruisdael, Auguste Rodin, Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 125-300 GEL Cast: Doris Morgado, Hugh Ticket: 9-14 GEL Pablo Picasso, Vassily Kandinski, Telephone: 2 99 63 14 Jackman, Dafne Keen Robert Falk, Masterpieces by Niko MOVEMENT THEATER Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi MUSEUM Pirosmanashvili, Lado Gudiashvili Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., March 18 Language: Russian and David Kakabadze. STOP AIDS Mushthaid park Start time: 16:30 GEORGIAN NATIONAL Telephone: 599 07 50 61 Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili Ticket: 10-14 GEL MUSEUM SIMON IOSEB GRISHASHVILI Start time: 19:00 JANASHIA MUSEUM TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Ticket: 10-15 GEL March 21, 23 KONG: SKULL ISLAND Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. - KARVASLA JAZZ AT MT Directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Address: 8 Sioni St. GRIBOEDOVI THEATER RESO KIKNADZE QUINTET Cast: Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, www.museum.ge Telephone: 2 98 22 81 Free Admission Address: 2 Rustaveli Ave. Samuel L. Jackson Start time: 21:00 Telephone: 2 93 43 36 Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy PERMANENT EXHIBITION: March 15 – April 15 Language: Russian GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY THE EXHIBITION March 22 March 16 Start time: 19:30, 22:15 FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. "DIFFERENTLY THAN USUAL MILONGA, LA CUMPARSITA MAYAKOVSKY Ticket: 13-14 GEL TO 4TH CENTURY A.D MODERN DESIGN AND ARGENTINE TANGO DANCE Directed by Avtandil Varsimashvili THE POWER OF CUSTOMS NIGHT Language: Russian TRAINSPOTTING EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN /ANDERS ALS IMMER. Start time: 20:00 Start time: 18:00 Directed by Danny Boyle WEAPONRY ZEITGENÖSSISCHES DESIGN Ticket: 5 GEL Ticket: 10 GEL Cast: Ewan McGregor, Ewen NUMISMATIC TREASURY UND DIE MACHT DES DJANSUG KAKHIDZE TBILISI CENTER FOR MUSIC & CULTURE

March 15 CONCERT OF WELL-KNOWN GEORGIAN COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR SHAVLEG SHILAKADZE Start time: 19:30 Tickets: 5 GEL

March 18 90-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SULKHAN NASIDZE Start time: 19:30 Tickets: 5-20 GEL

March 21 EVENING OF CHAMBER MUSIC Conductor: Shavleg Shilakadze Participants: pupils of the Zakharia Paliashvili Tbilisi Central Music School for “Gifted Children” Start time: 19:30 Tickets: 10 GEL

TBILISI SPORTS PALACE Address: 1 26 May Sq. Telephone: 233 33 11

March 19 FOR LIFE Charity concert Participants: Niaz Diasamidze & 33A, Regioni, Nikolshow, Goofy Land, Banderoli, Loudspeakers, Windows and Levan Maspindzelashvili Start time: 19:00 Tickets: 10 GEL GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 CULTURE 15

SPORTS Zaza Pachulia on the EuroBasket and Georgian National Gallery Basketball Pays Tribute to Source: yahoosports Amir Kakabadze renowned theater painter, told GEORGIA TODAY. BY MAKA LOMADZE “I painted his portraits and presented them to his family. It’s great to see such an exhibition organ- ized in his memory. The wider public will get to n March 10, at the Georgian National know him as a painter at the National Gallery.” Museum Dimitri Shevardnadze David Andriadze, art critic, remembered Amir National Gallery, the retrospective Kakabadze’s fi rst exhibition. “It took place in 1988. exhibition of the late Amir Kakabadze I was a rookie then,” he told GEORGIA TODAY. was opened, dedicated to the 75th “This exhibition will be a discovery for many art- Oanniversary of the artist. lovers. However, there are no surprises here for Amir Kakabadze was born to renowned Georgian me as I’m very familiar with his work. I even ded- artist David Kakabadze and Eter Andronikashvili. icated a book to him named ‘Allegories of Seeing After graduating from the Tbilisi State Academy Paintings’. All his works represent a review of world of Fine Arts, he lived and worked in Georgia, Rus- culture with which Amir was very well acquainted. sia and France. This exposition is full of allusions and reminis- INTERVIEW BY SABA SHALAMBERIDZE AND IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE Visitors will have the chance to discover Kak- cences from world art, from Diurer to Salvador ALFONSO ARAMENDIA (WASHINGTON) THE TOP FOUR TEAMS ENTERING abadze’s multifaceted art in an exhibition taking Dali. He was verily intelligent and an amazingly THE TOURNAMENT? up all four halls of the ground fl oor which show- modest painter who well realized the responsibil- Spain, Lithuania, France, Serbia…there are so many cases artworks created in different media: paint, ity of being the son of the great David Kakabadze.” good teams. I’ve played against many European graphic, sculpture, collage, pop art, fi lm and theater Amir Kakabadze was an honorable artist of Geor- n his 14th season in the league, Georgian teams and anyone can be a surprise if they play painting. He was awarded at a number of fi lm and gia. During his life, he had 14 solo exhibitions in center Zaza Pachulia has a serious shot at hard. With the tight schedule, you need the con- theater festivals and his fi lmography counts, among Georgia, Russia, Germany and France. His works winning the NBA ring this time, as he’s now tribution of everybody in your team. To have 5 others, ‘On the Way Home,’ ‘Old House,’ ‘Sea,’ were exhibited at: Gallery Vernisaje, Tbilisi, Geor- part of one of the most talented teams in games in 7 nights is worse than the NBA schedule. ‘Georgian Chronicle of the 19th Century,’ ‘Autumn gia; the Georgian Embassy in London, Great Britain; NBA history. You have to prepare really well and try to win as on Tbilisi Balconies’ and ‘Pirosmani’. the Bad Rappenau, Germany; the Central Artist’s IWhile enjoying his role in the Warriors, Pachulia much as possible. Art critic Khatuna Khabuliani writes: “Amir Kak- House, Moscow, Russia and more, and he partici- took time out to check on his basketball academy abadze is an artist who visualized psychological pated in many more group expos, including in in Tbilisi and to talk to us about the upcoming YOU WERE PLANNING TO TAKE formulas constructed on free nerve endings and Canada, Spain, Germany, France, and Russia. EuroBasket. MILWAUKEE BUCKS’ OLD BASKETBALL surrealistic paradoxes. It is not easy to give perfect The organizer of the exhibition is the David Kak- COURT TO GEORGIA FOR THE defi nitions for his oeuvre due to the variety and abadze Fund. Supporters are: Tbilisi City Hall, the HOW IS THE SEASON GOING ON KIDS TO EXPERIENCE A REAL NBA quantity he offered. It seems there are other mean- Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of FOR YOU IN THIS NEW TEAM? COURT. IS IT ALREADY THERE? ings behind his art works. Enigma-codes or hidden Georgia, Artarea and two private companies. It’s a very special situation here: a great team, Yes, the floor is laid in my academy in Tbilisi. contents of mysteries - that’s why his art always very good coaching staff, very nice organization. We have almost 600 kids. The academy is resembles a question which is never answered. “ Where: Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery, Shota There is a lot of talent in this locker room. We doing pretty well. The kids are excited, work- “Amir and I were classmates and used to paint Rustaveli 11 Ave. have good chemistry; we’re all on the same page; ing hard, practicing, playing a lot of games, together as interns,” Gogi Alexi-Meskhishvili, When: The exhibition will last until March 29. we get along with each other; and all this helps and getting better. There is progress. I see us to perform on the court. their enthusiasm. They want to get better, become good basketball players and represent WHAT MAKES THIS TEAM SO SPECIAL? the country. It’s exciting when someone -with There’s no secret formula. The talent in this team your help- is trying to pursue a goal. The kids is, obviously, amazing. We use our talent and, with understand that the coaches are doing a good the guidance of our coaching staff, share the ball job, teaching them the right habits, the fun- and help each other. It’s fun when you do the right damentals, and that success doesn’t come in things. one day. It’s going to take hard work and a lot time on the court. THE EUROBASKET IS THIS SUMMER. WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS? YAO MING WAS RECENTLY ELECTED We enjoy playing for coach Zouros. He’s brought PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE a lot of positive things. We climbed the rope and BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION. qualifi ed for EuroBasket. It’s exciting for the coun- SABONIS LEADS THE LITHUANIAN try, for the team and for myself. We’re looking AND GARBAJOSA THE SPANISH. forward to competing at EuroBasket. It’s a special WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED AT SOME moment when you represent your country; it’s POINT IN LEADING THE GEORGIAN something to always take seriously. Hopefully, BASKETBALL FEDERATION? we’ll have everybody healthy, have a good train- Right now I’m enjoying playing basketball. That ing camp, and make another round. Let’s see what is what I’m thinking about and that is where my happens. mind is.

PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Photographer: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Irakli Dolidze 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Zaza Jgarkava, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Maka Bibilashvili, Layout: strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Dimitri Dolaberidze, Misha Mchedlishvili Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Commercial Director: Maka Lomadze, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Iva Merabishvili Tim Ogden, Joseph Larsen, Webmaster: F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Marketing Manager: Vazha Tavberidze, Sergey Gevenov is registered in Mtatsminda Mariam Giorgadze Nugzar B. Ruhadze, ADVERTISING & district court. Nino Gugunishvili, Circulation Managers: SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: Thea Morrison David Kerdikashvili, +995 595 279997 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: David Djandjgava E-mail: marketing@ Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies georgiatoday.ge GEORGIA TODAY 16 SPORTS MARCH 17 - 20, 2017 Full House Roars Georgia on to 16th Straight Win over Russia

second of the afternoon. BY ALASTAIR WATT Kvirikashvili’s conversion extended the advantage to 21-0, with over half an hour to go. However, there was to be no raucous home crowd of humiliation for the Russians who fought over 55,000 at Tbilisi’s back valiantly. Dinamo Arena, which The dogged determination of full-back exceeded the attendance Ramil Gaisin would secure the visitors at Rome’s Olympic Stadium a fi rst try of the game in the 55th minute, Afor Italy v France the previous day, roared scoring a meter from the posts to give Georgia on to a 28-14 victory over neigh- Kushnarev a straight forward conversion bors Russia last Sunday evening in the to reduce the arrears to 21-7. penultimate round of matches in this The Russians conceded a penalty almost year’s Rugby Europe Championship. immediately but Kvirikashvili missed a The Georgia v Russia fi xture has become routine kick which briefl y kept the visi- a reliable annual boost to the national tors in the game. morale here, with this the sixteenth Georgia soon restored their 21-point Georgian success in a row. Scenes of cushion though when Lobzhanidze found adulation and joy followed the fi nal Davit Kacharava, and the experience whistle at a packed Dinamo Arena but replacement slid over the whitewash for this wasn’t quite as emphatic as the the fourth Georgian score of the match. Georgian fans perhaps expected. The fi nal try of the evening would go to Indeed, this was Georgia’s narrowest the Russians though as a breakdown in winning margin over the Russians on Georgian defensive lines allowed Bogdan their home turf since a slender 9-3 suc- Fedotko to score his fi rst international try. cess in 2004. Kushnarev’s conversion brought it back Under Milton Haig, prior to this match to 28-14 but the Russians had limited the Russians had lost 46-0, 36-10 and 33-0 time remaining to snatch a defensive in Tbilisi. With the Russians having bonus point, let alone a draw. endured a poor campaign so far, includ- A lap of honor ensued for the home ing a loss to Spain, expectations among side upon the fi nal whistle, which the the home support were of a similarly over for the opener as the Dinamo erupted. for Georgia’s second score in the 27th Home blushes were spared when Rus- fans embraced vociferously, suggesting merciless demolition. Full-back Merab Kvirikashvili did the minute, which was duly converted. sian fl y-half Yuri Kushnarev fi red wide. that the extent of the winning margin Such hopes were only further encour- honours with the resulting conversion Georgia couldn’t add to their tally before Following the restart, the Georgians was actually of minimal concern. aged when Georgia notched their fi rst to hand the Lelos a 7-0 advantage. the break, although their 14-0 lead should continued on the front foot with the The result keeps the Georgians top of score of the evening inside four minutes. And the experienced Kvirikashvili have been reduced on the stroke of half- uncompromising Mamuka Gorgodze the table going into the decider against After some typically robust forward pres- would then produce the moment of the time. A rash decision to run with the spearheading much of their attack. It second-placed Romania in Bucharest on sure, the ball was swept left from scrum- match, embarking on a thrilling run from ball, rather than kick to touch for the was after another spell of sustained pres- March 19, while Russia are in danger of half Vasil Lobzhanidze and eventually deep in his own half, sliding past three half-time whistle, ultimately led to Rus- sure near the Russian line that Lobzha- fi nishing bottom and a subsequent rel- found center Giorgi Koshadze who dived Russians before setting up Lobzhanidze sia winning a penalty. nidze pounced to touch down for his egation play-off.