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Issue no: 881 • SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Georgian PM Holds High Level Meetings at UN NEWS PAGE 2 Plans to Resurrect KGB

POLITICS PAGE 7 TBC Bank Deputy FOCUS CEO on Consolidation ON CHURCH WARS Benefi ts and Georgian Orthodox protesters plan to bar Pope Francis from entering Competition 's ancient Svetitskhoveli Cathedral PAGE 3 BUSINESS PAGE 8 Donald Johanson on Human Evolution in Georgia’s Ruling Party Offers Tbilisi & his Discoveries SOCIETY PAGE 10 Memorandum to Ensure Peaceful Elections Elena Vaenga Fulfi ls 15-Year

BY THEA MORRISON Dream by Singing in Tbilisi

everal of Georgia’s political parties have agreed to sign a memorandum initiated by the ruling party (GD) last week that would ensure peaceful, democratic and trans- Sparent parliamentary elections on October 8. According to Georgian Dream’s statement on the matter, the ruling coalition envisages a polit- ical agreement between all of the country’s political parties to refrain from provoking each other during the campaign season and on the CULTURE PAGE 12 day of the election. Each party would agree to discourage their Georgia’s State Ballet to Open supporters from attending a meeting or rally by a rival party and order their followers to refrain 165th Season with Giselle from disrupting events held by a political oppo- nent. CULTURE PAGE 15 “This agreement will cover the whole election cycle until the fi nal results are published," said the GD Executive Secretary, Irakli Kobakhidze. According to reports, the Georgian Dream, ident Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Tughushi, a member of the UNM stated. Republicans, Industrialists, Alliance of Patriots, Movement (UNM), the , Labor Mamuka Katsitadze, a member of the New Nino-Burjanadze’s pro-Russian Democratic Party and coalition have all Rights party that is now aligned with opera- Georgia and former Defense Minister Irakli refused to sign the memorandum. singer-turned-opposition-leader Paata Burchu- Alasania’s will sign the memo- The UNM said in a statement that the memo- ladze’s State for the People coalition, labelled randum. randum is “a cynical and poorly planned PR the memorandum “a farce”, saying his party had Though he has vowed to sign the initiative, stunt” by GD, and that the ruling team was a no intention to offi cially heed GD’s call. Alasania believes the document is weak and major source and threat for provocations. Several Non-Governmental Organizations have vague as it fails to defi ne the role of each specifi c “We are not going to sign the memorandum, backed GD’s memorandum, but stressed that its party’s leadership. but we promise that the UNM will not disrupt terms must be properly defi ned and fulfi lled by Georgia’s main opposition party, former Pres- the election campaign of any party,” Giorgi all the signatories. GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 Belarus Security Secretary Georgian PM Holds Visits Azerbaijan High Level Meetings at UN

Zas’ visit to Azerbaijan saw a discussion with the BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE President on the development of bilateral relations met Dana Hyde, the executive director of US gov- BY THEA MORRISON and cooperation, and operational issues on the ernment foreign aid agency, the Millennium Chal- agenda of future relations in the political, economic, lenge Corporation (MCC). n September 20, President of Azer- military-technical and other spheres. The two sides discussed the importance of MCC’s baijan Ilham Aliyev received a del- “I studied at the Baku military school in 1981-1985 eorgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kviri- project to develop Georgia’s human capital to halt egation headed by the State Secretary and have witnessed huge and very exciting devel- kashvili has held several bilateral the country’s crippling loss of its young profes- of Security Council of Belarus, Stan- opments in Baku since then,” Zas said, emphasizing meetings, including with Germany’s sionals. islav Zas. his respect of Aliyev’s role in said developments. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Stein- At a joint meeting with Moldova’s Prime Minister OThe head of state recalled with satisfaction his Aliyev further noted that the relations between meier, before the start of the 71st ses- Pavel Filip, Kvirikashvali announced that he would recent meeting with the President of Belarus, Alex- the leaders of the two countries gave impetus to Gsion of the UN’s General Assembly in New York. travel to Moldova on an offi cial visit later this year. ander Lukashenko, in Bishkek. Stressing that Azer- the expansion of cooperation between all agencies, Steinmeier said following the meeting that Geor- Filip and Kvirikashvili both expressed their read- baijan and Belarus are in a very clos and friendly including dealing with the economic bloc, foreign gia is a leader among the EU’s Eastern Partnership iness to deepen bilateral relations further and relations, President Aliyev highlighted that the two policy, and security. The President also pointed to Countries following its successful implementation agreed to hold the inaugural meeting of their joint countries cooperate in all areas, treat each other the need for correct threat assessment in the cur- of the Visa Liberalization Action Plan. Inter-Governmental Economic Commission early with trust and respect, and always support each rent diffi cult times and a consolidation of forces Kvirikashvili and Steinmeier also discussed new next year. other. against such threats. prospects for bilateral cooperation between the The Moldovan delegations expressed their keen two countries as well as Georgia’s goal of full Euro- interest in gaining insight and expert advice from pean and Euro-Atlantic integration, and the Geor- Georgia regarding the successful implementation gian government’s Four Point Plan – a new state- of reforms. sponsored initiative that covers economic Prior to holding offi cial meetings, Georgia’s PM development, infrastructure, education and gov- attended the Atlantic Council's Global Citizen ernance reforms. Awards at the American Museum of Natural His- Georgia’s delegation formally requested that Ger- tory. many send poll monitors for the upcoming October US Secretary of State John Kerry, World Economic 8 parliamentary elections. To further drive home Forum founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Georgia’s commitment to hold free elections, Kviri- Schwab, and around 500 guests from across the kashvili assured Steinmeier that the elections would globe also attended the gala event. be transparent and democratic, and fully comply The Georgian PM later attended the opening of with both EU and international standards. UN General Assembly. Following his meeting with Steinmeier, the PM The General Assembly will close on September 26. Chicago Tribune Names Tbilisi Top Travel Destination

architecture buffs. The country straddles both BY NATIA LIPARTELIANI Europe and Asia. Its architectural infl uences are a mix of Persian, Soviet and Art Nouveau,” the article is quoted as saying. ajor US-daily, the Chicago Trib- The paper urges readers to stay at Tbilisi’s une, named Georgia's capital Rooms Hotel, an upscale design hotel located in city Tbilisi one of the world’s one of the city’s historical neighborhoods. top travel destinations in Sep- Tbilisi ranked seventh on the paper’s list, which tember. also included New York, Paris, Mexico City and M“Georgia’s capital is a must-see destination for Hong Kong, GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 NEWS 3 Radical Nationalist Groups, Georgian Orthodox Priests Protest Papal Visit

Pope Francis plans to attend a mass at BY NICHOLAS WALLER the cathedral and meet with the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Patri- arch Ilia II, during his three-day visit to group of Georgian Ortho- the small South Caucasus nation that dox ultranationalists and begins September 30. priests held a rally Wednes- The protestors believe a papal visit to day afternoon outside the the birthplace of Georgian Orthodoxy Vatican Embassy in Tbilisi amounts to an attempt by the Vatican to Ato protest the upcoming visit of Pope proselytize to Georgia’s estimated 3 mil- Francis. lion Eastern Orthodox believers. The group claimed the papal visit is Holding signs reading, "Pope Arch- an affront to the purity of the Georgian heretic. You are not welcome in Georgia" Orthodox religion and an insult to the and "Stay far away from Georgia, Anti- Georgian people, as the Holy See is christ" Ungiadze and other protestors anathema to the beliefs of Orthodox refused to comment whether the rally Christianity. had been sanctioned by the Georgian One of the organizers of the rally, Patriarchate. Avtandil Ungiadze, claimed the protest- Local news outlet Netgazeti later ers were there to “preserve the reputa- reported that the Patriarchate has denied tion of the true church”, and vowed to any involvement with the protestors, but bar Pope Francis from entering the 11th refused to reprimand the priests who century Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in attended the rally. nearby Mtskheta. The rally was the latest in a series of The cathedral, whose name translates provocative acts that brought together The gathering echoed calls by Russia’s that make up Eastern Orthodoxy. II fi rst met in the early 2000s. in English as “the Cathedral of the Liv- ultranationalists and members of the powerful Patriarch Kirill, who has claimed The Western and Eastern branches of Despite claims by the protestors out- ing Pillar,” is considered the Georgian Georgian Orthodox Church. In 2013, the women’s and LBGT rights are “anti- Christianity formally split into two com- side the Vatican Embassy that Georgia Orthodox Church’s most venerated place two took part in a violent crackdown on thetical to Orthodox beliefs and tradi- peting branches in 1054 over political is a strictly Orthodox nation, recent sta- of worship. Orthodox believers claim a Gay Pride rally in Tbilisi that left doz- tional family values.” and theological differences. tistics say that Orthodox Christians make the church houses Christ’s Mantle – the ens severely injured. Georgia’s Orthodox Church has fos- Roman Catholicism (and later Protes- up 86 percent of Georgia’s population, tunic reportedly worn by Christ at the In May, Georgian nationalists, led by tered close ties with the Moscow Patri- tantism) placed a greater emphasis on while Roman Catholics - who have been time of his crucifi xion. the eccentric Levan Vasadze – whom archate over the last decade. Earlier this the dual divine and human nature of in Georgia since the 14th century - make The organizers of the rally claim that news portal Coda Story described as “a year, it joined Russia and Serbia in boy- Christ, while Orthodoxy mainly focused up 1 percent. the Pope’s visit to the cathedral and dagger-sporting homophobic knight cotting a Holy Synod – the fi rst in more on Christ’s mystic divinity. The country’s second largest religious Mtskheta – the site of Georgia’s 4th cen- dressed in Georgian national attire” – than 1,000 years – called by the Patriar- Relations between the two branches group, Muslims, account for roughly 13 tury conversion to Christianity – amounts members of the Georgian church and chate of Constantinople, as the three have been fraught over the centuries, percent of the overall population. to “a spiritual aggression by the Vatican far-right Christian extremists from Rus- churches objected to several modest though a rapprochement has been on- Georgia’s 2,500-year-old Jewish popu- and an attempt by the Catholic Church sia and the US gathered in Tbilisi for the modernization initiatives that were to going since Constantinople Patriarch lation has dwindled in the last 20 years to colonize Georgia.” World Congress of Families. be discussed by the various churches Bartolomew and former Pope John Paul due to high levels of emigration to Israel. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 U.S. Lawmakers Urge Azerbaijan to Observe Human Rights Obligations

ior offi cials, are in jail. Party offi ces have BY EUGEN ILADI been closed or bombed. Azeri authorities are also attempting to eradicate independent media. Azadlig, resident Ilham Aliyev of Azer- the only independent newspaper left in baijan is poised to execute a the country, is facing forced bankruptcy power grab that would extend after the government blocked its access his presidential term from 5 to fi nancing. There are no independent to 7 years, give him the author- TV channels left. ityP to dissolve parliament and handpick Ismayilova said that there are at least a vice president. These measures are 138 political prisoners in the country. designed to ensure dynastic succession Conditions in overcrowded prisons are and keep the Aliyev family in control harsh. Torture is common. There is no indefi nitely. independent monitoring and reporting These were just some of the disturbing mechanism to assess detention condi- revelations at a September 15 hearing tions. conducted by the Tom Lantos Human This situation applies to all prisoners Rights Commission at the US Capitol. targeted by the regime, including some The bipartisan commission expressed a prominent businessmen who crossed sense of urgency about the need to take President Alyiev and his top aides. The action because of the rapidly deteriorat- case of Jahangir Hajiyev, one of Azerbai- ing situation in the country. jan’s former top bankers and a one-time Aliyev's government has cracked down contender for the much-coveted Azer- on dissent and rounded up journalists, baijan Central Bank Governorship, is a political opponents, religious activists, perfect example. Photo: Less than six weeks ahead of a constitutional referendum, the Azerbaijani authorities unleashed a new wave of repression to members of civil society and prominent Hajiyev, who is also an International silence critical voices. Source: nhc.no business leaders. Radio Free Europe/ Council Member for the Belfer Center Radio Liberty and several NGOs were failure to record ballots, combined with of Policy and Government at George tion can also impose restrictions using for Science and International Affairs at expelled from the country, and RFE/RL limitations on freedom of expression, Mason University. He lamented the state existing regulations. the John F. Kennedy School of Govern- reporter Khadija Ismayilova was impris- freedom of assembly, and freedom of of affairs in Azerbaijan. “Quiet diplomacy The hearing’s third witness was Turkel ment, Harvard University, has been jailed oned on questionable charges for a year association.” has not worked,” he said. The Ambas- Karimli, son of opposition leader Ali since December 2015. He is still awaiting and a half before being released in May Speaking via video link, Ismayilova sador recommended that the US recall Karimli who is Chairman of the Popular trial and his attorney reported that he following an international outcry. urged that any international fi nancial its ambassador and impose travel bans Front Party of Azerbaijan, Board Mem- has been denied adequate medical atten- According to the commission, “Restric- assistance to Azerbaijan "should come and a freeze on assets against key fi gures ber of the National Council of Demo- tion despite his deteriorating health. tive laws in Azerbaijan effectively pro- with conditions on improving human in the Azeri regime. cratic Forces and a former political pris- His case shows that the Azeri regime’s hibit the operation of non-governmental rights and the democratization of the Several acts of Congress, such as the oner. Karimli said the Azeri regime is grab for power extends beyond quash- organizations and independent media. political process.” Azerbaijan Democracy Act of 2015 and facing civil unrest because of the harsh ing political opposition and free speech, The Aliyev government is mired in alle- Another witness was Ambassador The Magnitsky Act of 2012, provide the treatment of its . He presented to economic and fi nancial interests. The gations of corruption, and is facing a Richard Kauzlarich, who served as the legislative framework for imposing such a detailed account of the systematic and bank Hajiyev used to run, International weakening economy and a falling cur- top U.S. envoy in Azerbaijan and is now sanctions on high-ranking Azeri offi cials brutal clampdown by the government Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA), was the larg- rency. Past elections have suffered from the Co-Director of the Center for Energy linked to human rights violations and on any opposition or dissent. Currently, est in the country. He was replaced at irregularities with vote counting, and Science and Policy at the Schar School corrupt practices. The US administra- 11 members of his party, including 5 sen- Continued on page 5 Welcome to Indian Restaurant

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Continued from page 4 the helm by other bankers loyal to - and even related to - the Aliyevs. Clearly, the fi ght to control the country’s fi nancial assets smacks of corruption. All in a Headline: The Ismayilova’s own release from prison and commuted sentence came as a result of signifi cant international pressure and the fact that her case was taken up by Amal Clooney, a highly recognized Leb- anese-British human rights lawyer. Similar pressure would have to be applied ‘Pearls’ of the Local Press to impact cases like Hajiyev's and those of opposition activists. ical activity is making a nose dive? BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE Ismayilova urged the West to start • Freedom, fast development, wellbe- “naming and shaming” the Azeri govern- ing – Finally! ment as a way to force an end to its • Who has played a dirty trick on whom? human rights abuses and corruption. f we carve some additional leisure – You will never guess it in Georgia. She also called on Western diplomats to time into our tight schedule to • Myths about Bidzina blown to smith- react promptly when politically moti- delve into the local press, I guar- ereens – So what? vated arrests occur, even if the detained antee that we for that moment we • My Georgia is here and the Georgia are not prominent individuals. Hajiyev will forget any other form of enter- of Rustavi TV is in Odessa – I love those and other business executives and com- Itainment. The political literary ‘pearls’ fun metaphors. munity leaders being held indefi nitely scattered across the sizzling hot pages • We will win and give life back to the would fi t into that category. of Georgian newspapers will take our Georgian highlands – OMG, this is too Karimli concluded that Azerbaijan is breath away, especially the headlines loud, hurting even my waning ears. “at a crossroads.” He said that President and highlighted phrases that hit the • People no longer owe anything to Aliyev shows no intention of backing interested eye with their overwhelming Ivanishvili, just vice versa – some calcu- down. “Public diplomacy and pressure power of satire and humor. The domi- lations sound so weird! Will anybody has to be applied on the government, nant tool for making a reader laugh is ever know who owes what to whom in asking for meaningful reforms to ensure the mind-twisting ambiguities profusely this country? transition to democracy,” he added. used by the authors to impress us to the • Politicians are dropping their masks Some US lawmakers have begun to act. marrow of our bones with the ‘truth,’ and showing their true faces: some look Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) which cannot sound like anything but like penguins and some are wolves ... a announced on September 16 that he and egregiously biased and deliberately exag- genuine animal farm! – nothing more Congressmen Joe Pitts (R-PA) and Adam gerated evaluations of past, current and fun for kids than politics ‘à la Georgian.’ Schiff (D-CA) had sent a letter to Pres- presumable present content of our • How should a parliamentarian behave ident Aliyev expressing their deep con- political life. in bed to maintain dignity? – This is the cern about Azerbaijan’s September 26 Below are a few examples of those chronic as is it seems to be in this land... • No chance for coalition escapers to subject for a very educated guess. constitutional grab for power. They urged pearls – as untouched and fresh as I • A revolution awaits Georgia – What overcome the 5% electoral barrier – Isn’t • May you rest in peace, dear Paata, in him to reconsider. found them at the pleasurable moment a natural condition for our electorate the entire electoral hullabaloo one big your political aftermath – Yes, some of The letter specifi cally addressed polit- of reading the lovely masterpieces of and its boisterous nature! myth? us are like meteors in politics, appearing ical prisoners who, it said, were "detained our ladies and gentlemen of absolutely • Govt wants to instigate provocations • Certain political forces and nongov- as a streak of light and disappearing just on trumped-up charges and some have outlandish and peculiar Georgian press, – Some conclusions sound utterly mind- ernmental bodies have evil intentions as quickly, but trying is also a human faced mistreatment and torture at the over-spiced with journalistic salt and boggling, don’t they? and seem to be possessed by the devil right. hands of authorities.” pepper: • Brexit, visa liberalization and Geor- – Why ‘certain’ in the fi rst place and what • The way the Ministry of Education The hearing host, Human Rights Com- • Makes no difference at all who comes gian rugby – What a perfect insalata! does Satan have to do with the elections? has bluffed students and teachers – mission Co-Chair James P. McGovern to power – we shall remain sex workers • War of the exit polls – Who needs • The country is ruled by the mafi a – Haven’t they been doing this all along? (D-MA) said he will present the new in any case – You see how diffi cult it is those polls on the doorstep of the poll- How do they know this? What a leakage So why are the press eyebrows raised so fi ndings to his colleagues on the US to make a difference? ing station? of information! high? House Committee of Foreign Affairs. • Ivanishvili believes that he is infal- • Govt expects riots – Don’t they always? • Civil servants have to fulfi ll their • Bad things will happen, bad things More “tough love diplomacy” against lible – Maybe he is and we the people • Elections and sacks of dough – Eve- obligations with integrity and ethics this – This is not exactly news. Azerbaijan will almost certainly follow have no clue! rybody speaks of them but nobody knows year because political activity is on the And this is the result of only a ten- soon. • Raid of Delirium in Georgia – As where they are rise – How about the times when polit- minute reading. Imagine more! GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 American Military Base Deployment: Opportunities and Challenges

agenda domain in recent years. It was BY DR. VAKHTANG MAISAIA defi nitely more than just a sample mes- sage to probe public opinion and play the US vs Russia card. n the eve of elections, for- Recently, the “red line” of confronta- eign and defense policy tion between the two has rested on two topics have already become important geostrategic regions – the PHOTO: In order to protect dominant and decisive Baltics and the Caucasus. The impor- Allies (and Georgia is thought issues for achieving the tance of these regions is further under- to be considered as such), concreteO political objective of getting lined by both the USA and Russia, as theoretically and conceptually seats in parliament. they were implicitly mentioned in the the “White House” has And it’s a battle of two armies – between National Security strategies of both accepted the right to use the sympathizers of the “Good Ole Soviet super-powers. military forces whenever it Union” and the proponents of the shiny For example, the latest National Secu- considers it applicable. new (not exactly near) future with NATO rity Strategy of the Russian Federation, Source: sputniknews.com and Europe in general. This trend has adopted on December 31, 2015 by the been reinforced with the dynamics of President of Russia, mentions the geo- As for the US policy, the Obama Admin- the Concept in Chapter: ‘Strengthen to use military forces whenever it con- “New Cold War” provisions being fought strategic importance not only of the istration in its own strategic document, Our National Defense,’ it mentioned siders it applicable and provided a leg- between the West (EU and NATO) and Caucasus region but specifi cally Georgia. the National Security Strategy, adopted how the USA could use its military islative basis for that stance, David Usu- Russia. In Paragraph 89 of the Strategy Chapter in February 2015, indicates the impor- forces and how: “We will be principled pashvili’s statement from that perspective So it didn’t come as a great surprise named ‘Strategic Stability and Equal tance of strategic relations with Cauca- and selective in the use of force. The is not seen as illogical and irrelevant and that when Parliament Speaker David Strategic Partnership,’ the Kremlin incum- sus countries that need to be enhanced use of force should not be our fi rst is not without substance as many might Usupashvili and his Republican party bent authority declares the occupied to strengthen the US alliance with Europe, choice, but it will sometimes be the have thought before. voiced their view on the possible deploy- territories of and South Osse- including tackling global security chal- necessary choice. The United States Moreover, Usupashvili, as one of the ment of American military bases on tia as the most vital zones of strategic lenges and encouraging the resolution will use military force, unilaterally if best experienced and most qualifi ed Georgian terrain, in fact, it had very infl uence, while in Paragraph 106 it per- of regional confl icts – see the respective necessary, when our enduring interests lawyers, would not have voiced such a sound resonance. ceives as a military threat any kind of chapter of the document, page 25. demand it: when our people are threat- statement without having suffi cient evi- The statement was obviously oriented activity or rapprochement of any type Moreover, the Strategy identifi es Geor- ened; when our livelihoods are at stake; dence to back it up. for local consumption and could be of military infrastructure of NATO toward gia, Moldova and Ukraine as strategic and when the security of our allies is Therefore, one can assume Georgia is treated as new PR schtick for attracting Russia’s state borders, including those partners, giving them the status of “piv- in danger. In these circumstances, we being transformed into a possible model more of the Georgian electorate, namely in Georgia. otal states” (as a side note, one of the prefer to act with allies and partners.” of “divided Germany” as during the Cold those who support pro-Western foreign The document has made it blatantly leading American experts in security Based on that document and consider- War, with the already deployed military policy. obvious that the Russian government studies and geopolitics, Ariel Cohen, ing the fact that in order to protect Allies forces of Russia in occupied parts of Geor- It also turned out to be a neat Falcon considers the Caucasus region and Geor- recently defi ned Georgia as the most (and Georgia is thought to be considered gia and possible deployment of American Punch for the Free Democrats, as this gia in particular as a strategic chokepoint strategically important ally). as such) theoretically and conceptually military forces in what is still a sovereign kind of thing has been exclusively their from national security perspectives. Stemming from the declarations in the “White House” has accepted the right and democratic part of Georgia. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 POLITICS 7 Russia Plans to Resurrect KGB former Russian Orthodox Patriarch BY NICHOLAS WALLER Alexey II, Russia’s current Grand Mufti Talgat Tadzhuddin and Georgian Patri- arch Ilia II), prosecutors and bureaucrats ussian state-media outlet had an iron grip on Soviet society; arrest- Kommersant reported late ing human rights activists and persecut- Monday that the Kremlin is ing those who wanted to leave the coun- planning to resurrect a new try, including the 's Jews. security apparatus that Before Mikhail Gorbachev’s perestroika wouldR resemble the Soviet Union’s infa- and glasnost initiatives, the KGB had mous KGB as part of a massive restruc- become more powerful than the Soviet turing of Moscow’s intelligence agencies. Union’s Communist Party. According to Kommersant’s report, Putin appears to be safeguarding his Russian President plans power base by not incorporating his new to create an all-powerful, fully independ- 400,000-strong praetorian guard – offi - ent security agency under its Stalinist- cially known as the National Guard – into era name, the Ministry of State Security the MGB’s security structure. (MGB). The National Guard was created in Kommersant reported that the new April to oversee Russia’s Interior Min- agency would be created ahead of Rus- istry troops, including OMON riot police sia’s next presidential elections in March and the SOBR special-forces units. The 2018. Federal Migration Service and Federal The Kremlin has not yet commented Drug Control Service were also placed on the report, and Putin’s usually out- under the National Guard’s authority. spoken spokesman Dmitry Peskov has By creating a powerful security force refused to issue a statement on behalf that was personally loyal to Putin, he is of the administration. guaranteeing that the new MGB will not The original MGB was created at the be able to become its power base in the behest of Josef Stalin's Georgian-born PHOTO: Soviet MVD troops look out at the KGB's (now FSB) headquarters on Lubyanka Square in Moscow, December 1989 way the KGB was able to under Putin’s mentor Yury Andropov and Vladimir head of the feared NKVD, Lavrenty Beria, As the Soviet Union began to implode advocates, journalists, civic activists and Kryuchkov – the latter of which led the one of the masterminds behind the Great in late 1991, the KGB was broken up into religious offi cials. August 1991 hardline coup that attempted Terror of the 1930s when millions of separate agencies under the guise of the Social media speculation has centered to overthrow Soviet President Gorbachev. Soviet citizens were murdered of impris- FSB, which also includes the Federal on the idea that Putin fears mass protests Speaking to RFE/RL, Mark Galeotti, a oned in labor camps for crimes against Protection Service (FSO) and the For- during the presidential elections in two Russian security services expert and the state. eign Intelligence Service (SVR) years and has opted to create a powerful senior research fellow at the Institute of The country has made The MGB was responsible for the forced The new incarnation of the MGB will KGB-style agency to hedge his bets. International Relations in Prague, said, a conscious decision mass deportation of Crimean Tatars, assume control over all intelligence Gennady Gudkov, a former KGB colo- "The suggestion is that a presidential Chechens, Ingushetians and Georgia’s activities – including domestic, foreign nel-turned-anti-Putin-politician, told security service will remain outside it. to pursue the worst- Meskhetian Turks to Central Asia dur- and counter-intelligence operations – as RFE/RL's Russian Service that he believed But basically speaking, this new ministry ing World War well as have the power to provide inves- the Kommersant report indicates, "The would reconstitute the KGB in all its case scenario. It is Following Stalin’s death, the ministry tigative material for cases opened by law country has made a conscious decision aspects." entirely clear that was reorganized as the Committee for enforcement offi cials and federal pros- to pursue the worst-case scenario. It is In the quarter of a century since the State Security - KGB. ecutors. entirely clear that Russia has gone from collapse of the Soviet Union – an event Russia has gone from The newly restructured agency would Echoing the sweeping powers of the authoritarian to totalitarian. Putin has described as “the greatest geo- authoritarian to effectively reconstitute the KGB, where KGB, the new ministry will be able to At the height of its power in the political tragedy of the 20th century” – it Putin served as a lieutenant colonel from use its powers to prosecute dissidents, 1950s-1980s, the KGB’s vast apparatus of appears he is now to resurrect its most totalitarian 1975 to 1990. opposition party activists, human rights spies, informants (reportedly including sinister institution for today’s Russia. GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 TBC Bank Deputy CEO on Consolidation Benefi ts and Competition

and to improve its position. The second BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI WERE THERE ANY PROBLEMS DURING THE part of the answer is in the corporative NEGOTIATION PROCESS? segment: historically, the two largest No, there were no problems in the actual banks were the key players and the com- BC Group and French negotiation process but, as you probably petition was still fi erce. Usually, strong Société Générale recently know, when a fi nancial group as big as competitions on the market create more signed an agreement that Société Générale makes a decision to benefi ts for our clients. allowed TBC Bank to sell its asset, it naturally discusses as acquire a 93.64 percent stake many options as possible, making an WHAT IS YOUR COUNTER- Tin JSC Bank Republic for GEL 315 mil- assessment of all existing offers and, of OFFER IN THIS REGARD? lion. course, this takes time. This new partnership between TBC Bank This deal will make TBC the largest As we know, TBC bank was not the and Bank Republic has created a unique Georgian bank in terms of both loans only interested player. Nevertheless, we synthesis of experience that will make and deposits. At the same time, Société tried to make our offer most attractive this union especially successful due to Générale is becoming one of TBC Bank’s for the Société Générale Group. Cur- TBC Bank's deep insight in the local major shareholders, with 5.4 percent rently, together with the Bank Republic market and the French group's strong shares. The parties also agreed that TBC team, our team is working almost 24/7 international experience. Bank will become Société Générale’s in order to make the completion process These two strengths create endless main partner in Georgia. as smooth and comfortable as possible possibilities to develop better innova- TBC Bank has already entered into for Bank Republic employees. We believe tions for our clients, which will make preliminary negotiations to acquire the it is a unique chance for these high pro- our services more accessible. These remaining 6.36 percent of Société Géné- fi le professionals to continue their careers benefi ts and advantages will soon be rale, currently owned by the European at the number one fi nancial institution available for our growing number of Bank for Reconstruction and Develop- in the country. At the same time, we’re customers once the merger is completed. ment (EBRD). doing our best to make sure that the cli- Société Générale remains our partner TBC Bank is strengthening its position ents of both banks will be primary ben- and shareholder. The group considers in all operational segments and, most efi ciaries from this transaction and able the alliance very positive, and believes HOW WILL TBC BANK’S the Georgian and international banking. importantly, in the strategic direction of to take advantage of all the benefi ts a in it, both as a strategic player in Geor- PREMIUM LISTING HELP Also important, a year and a half ago we retail banking. united bank can offer its customers. gia and as a major fi nancial investor for ITS CUSTOMERS? merged Bank Constanta into TBC Bank, GEORGIA TODAY spoke exclusively us. Société Générale, as our partner in When a fi nancial institution has scale which had 50 percent more branches with George Tkhelidze, TBC Bank Dep- IS THERE A RISK OF MONOPOLY Georgia, will provide us with a consid- and the opportunity to attract the required than Bank Republic. The process of the uty CEO, about the recent transaction IN THE BANK SECTOR AND erable global outreach through their fi nancial resources to the capital mar- Constanta acquisition and integration and TBC Bank’s ambitious plans for HOW WILL THE MERGER AFFECT clientele and an opportunity for future kets, it has endless opportunities to invest was quick and smooth −and we’ll most development. SMALLER BANKS IN GEORGIA? collaboration through various product more in its continuous development to likely see the same with the Bank Repub- This is a very important question that innovations. further respond to the needs of its pri- lic merger. THIS ACQUISITION IS A must be answered. To put it simply, the There are many similarities between vate and corporate clients. GIGANTIC STRATEGIC STEP answer is no - and there are two main TBC and Bank Republic. We both started WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS IN THE GEORGIAN BANKING reasons why. First, Bank Republic had to operate in the early 1990s. Bank Repub- IS THERE A RISK OF TBC BANK OF INTEGRATION? SECTOR. TELL US WHAT LED TO a strong emphasis on the retail segment, lic had a unique history of success work- BECOMING BUREAUCRATIC There will be an approximate two month THIS UNPRECEDENTED DECISION where it has been facing strong com- ing as an independent Georgian bank AND INFLEXIBLE THROUGH period to complete the acquisition when According to TBC Bank’s strategy, our petition with both larger and smaller for a decade; a strong and an ambitious THIS TRANSACTION? TBC becomes 100 percent shareholder principal goal was to transform and, at banks operating in Georgia. That said, player with an attractive client base, There is a huge transformation on the in Bank Republic, since we also plan to the same time, increase TBC Bank’s the competition landscape is not chang- which was undoubtedly a decisive factor horizon and every organization is facing acquire the remaining 7 percent share potential market reach. We wanted to ing. in Société Générale’s interest when it the risk of becoming less fl exible as they from EBRD. strengthen our portfolio and client base, Another factor is also related to the acquired a controlling stake in 2006. In grow, but we are well positioned to man- The next stage will consist of the actual as well as our team. The negotiations retail segment, where TBC Bank over- its 22-year history, TBC Bank has trans- age it. integration that will take three to six with Société Générale started at the took the leader’s position from Bank of formed from a local Georgian bank into It largely depends on the management months, after which Bank Republic will beginning of 2015, and were the most Georgia. This means the two traditional a strong fi nancial institution with a large team of the merged banks, who will have be fully integrated into the TBC system. productive in August and September of competitors are entering a new phase number of international clients and to avoid typical mistakes and make sure The transaction process will be fi nalized 2106, when they successfully ended and of intense competition, which will natu- investors, an IPO on the London Stock we stay fl exible and focused on our in November 2016, and integration pro- we acquired a controlling stake of Société rally mean that the current number two Exchange (2014), and membership on employees and clients. Our management cess will be completed in the fi rst half Générale. will try its best to be ever more active the premium market (2016). team has huge experience working in of 2017.

SOCIETY Austrian Embassy Opens in Tbilisi gia, set for next year, which will coincide BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI with the resumption of the OSCE (Organ- ization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) chairmanship by the Austrian he offi cial opening of the government. Austrian Embassy in Tbilisi The opening of the new Austrian was held on September embassy in Tbilisi is seen as yet another 22nd within the offi cial visit possibility to strenghten and widen bilat- of Michael Linhart, Secre- eral relations between the two countries. Ttary-General of the Ministry of Foreign “The implementation of the Associa- Affairs of Austria to Georgia. tion Agreement is very important for us. “It’s a historic day for both of our coun- Within the Eastern Partnership and tries,” said Gigi Gigiadze, Deputy to the Eastern policy of the EU we can con- Foreign Minister of Georgia, noting the tribute to the implementation of the importance of the 24-year bilateral part- agreement. The OSCE chairmanship is nership of the two countries, through a big challenge for us and we need Geor- which the Austrian government has gia as a key strategic partner,” Linchart continuously supported Georgia’s ter- said, going on to highlight the long his- ritorial integrity, sovereignty and Euro- tory of Austro-Georgian relations, and pean integration. the establishment of the Austrian Devel- Gigiadze also pointed out the signifi - opment Agency in 2013 which began cance of the fi rst offi cial visit of Austrian cooperation in the sectors of infrastruc- Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz to Geor- Photo: Opening of the Austrian Embassy ture, food and agriculture. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 BUSINESS 9 Now You Can Buy Green Diamond Apartments in GEL

AQRO Construction has been teetering for a while in Georgia fl ats in Green Diamond, in which a square Company, one of the and is expected to devalue against the meter costs 799 USD, free from any largest investors on the USD by New Year. Therefore, MAQRO additional payments in case of internal Georgian market, has Construction has decided to offer fl ex- credit. started selling apart- ible payment conditions for those that The offer is of an unprecedented nature Mments in the national currency of Geor- wish to purchase fl ats in Green Diamond,” for the Georgian market. Companies sell gia. The future residents of the ongoing said Oguz Kaan Karaer, MAQRO Chief real estate in USD, as such we are con- outstanding project ‘Green Diamond’ of Project Development, PR, Sales and fi dent the Georgian consumer will be will now be able to purchase fl ats in the Marketing Offi cer. satisfi ed with the new conditions offered Georgian Lari (GEL). Payment terms are tailored to the cus- by MAQRO Construction. As Georgian people receive their sala- tomers: 10% - fi rst payment, 30% of the As potential client Mariam Berzenish- ries in GEL, high dollarization has led total amount distributed over 30 months, vili says, the MAQRO Construction con- to many problems for the consumer meaning that customers are paying only ditions take each consumer’s requests today. This new offer has appeared on 1% monthly. When the construction is into account: the MAQRO Construction agenda as complete, customers need to pay deliv- “I receive my salary in GEL. Therefore, social-economic conditions in the coun- ery payment - 60%. Potential clients are it is more comfortable for me to purchase try are taken into consideration. offered a 15% discount if they pay the a unit in the Georgian national currency. 23 living blocks and 1772 units. You will sport facilities, walking and running “GEL purchases will simplify the pro- full amount. The more down-payment Everyone knows that our country is suf- be able to satisfy all your needs, includ- tracks, commercial areas, social terraces, cedures of purchasing real estate for our customers pay, the greater the discount fering an unstable exchange rate. Many ing with the 3 swimming pools, 4 bas- kindergarten and school. consumer, helping them to avoid many MAQRO construction will offer. people’s expenses increase when they ketball areas, 4 outdoor fi tness areas, 4 fi nancial problems. The exchange rate Customers will receive fully renovated buy fl ats in USD. Therefore, I like the children’s playgrounds, 7 pergolas, indoor ADVERTISING conditions very much. I prefer to know how much to pay and not be afraid of further devaluation of the GEL,” she says. The new residential complex of MAQRO Construction, Green Diamond, was launched on 28th of May. Construction consists of three stages, the fi rst stage of which includes 731 units. The unique residential complex is being built in an ecologically clean district of Tbilisi, near to the Olympic facilities. Next to the residential complex Green Diamond a mega project – the Techno- logical University, will be established, which will be unique in Eastern Europe. The area of the residential complex will be almost 70,000 m2, with 23,143 m2 internal green territory. It will offer a unique, brand-new and affordable life in Tbilisi. In the residential complex you can fi nd GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 Donald Johanson on Human Evolution in Tbilisi & his Discoveries with skulls found in Dmanisi (Kvemo human-like. And I thought, maybe I can Kartli) considered to be the oldest hom- do that…. inin fossils found in Eurasia and prov- ing that the territory of Georgia WHEN YOU FOUND LUCY, was among the fi rst locality DID YOU REALIZE IT WOULD of human dispersal out of CHANGE THE WAY WE SEE Africa. OUR HISTORY AND SCIENCE? The exposition also show- You know, when I found her, I more excited cases realistic reconstruc- to know that this was part of a skeleton. tions of early hominins and That it wasn’t just one bone or a piece of the Dmanisi paleoenviron- jaw. I didn’t really know how old she was, ment by world renowned but I did know it was a new kind of human. paleoartists such as Eliza- And I was just so happy to see my dream beth Daynes, John Gurche, there in front of me. It wasn’t until she Mauricio Anton and came back with me to the United States Rodolfo Nogueira. that I really sat down and began to try to The exhibition is to be fi gure out what this was. But I knew it held in the frames of the would be very important. conference ‘100+25 years of Homo Erectus: Dman- CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE isi and Beyond,’ happen- FIRST FAMILY DISCOVERY? ing in Tbilisi this week (EDITOR’S NOTE: A COLLECTION and focused on the emer- OF PREHISTORIC TEETH gence of Homo Erectus and AND BONES DISCOVERED its evolution history. Two BY JOHANSON AND HIS world famous palaeontolo- TEAM IN ETHIOPIA) gists, Donald Johanson and I know if the First Family discovery had BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI Michel Brunet, came to Georgia to speak been made before Lucy, it would have at the conference- Johanson giving a lec- been more famous. Because it is very ture on Lucy, an almost complete skel- important. There are the remains of at here are days of unexpected eton of a 3.2 million year old Australo- least 13 or 15 individuals living in a group. meetings that you instantly pithecus afarensis which is considered We don’t know how or why they died. know you’ll remember to be the earliest ancestor of modern You can rarely tell from a fossil how or many years ahead if not human, which he found together with why the person died. forever. Today was that Tom Gray in Hadar (Ethiopia) in 1974. Tday for me… that evening, to be precise, SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND DO YOU THINK When it comes to understanding fossils, lot of work to be done! where I was lucky enough to attend the THE WORLD ARE INSPIRED TECHNOLOGICAL much of our work still relies on mor- pre-opening of the exhibition ‘Stone Age BY WHAT YOU DO. WHAT PROGRESS WILL ASSIST phology and anatomy. So, at least in my WHAT ABOUT TODAY’S of Georgia’ at the Simon Janashia Museum INSPIRED YOU PERSONALLY TO FURTHER DISCOVERIES? lifetime, I don’t think there will be major EXHIBITION? in Tbilisi, and apart from a captivating CHOOSE YOUR PROFESSION? I think that the tools of scanning, imag- changes. I love the exhibition and I think it should exposition that strikes you with the age Donald Johanson: I read a very small ing and dating, and understanding the be permanent. Georgia is very rich in and magnitude of human history, I was book when I was 13: Man’s Place in sort of mechanics of how bones were ARE THERE LOTS OF archaeology and this is an extremely able to grab Donald Johanson for an Nature written by Thomas Henry Hux- built, help, but I don’t think we have a DISCOVERIES AHEAD? important exhibit that will draw people exclusive interview. Johanson is a famous ley. Huxley was a close friend of Charles sea of methods for discoveries and I ANY SUGGESTIONS in all the time. There are children who’ll American paleoanthropologist and the Darwin and they often spoke about the think we still have to go out and look. FOR THE YOUNG? come to this with their teachers. The man behind numerous discoveries that idea of evolution and human evolution. We have to excavate and hope to fi nd Yes! North of Ethiopia has to be explored, strength of it is that it’s not behind glass: have shaped our understanding of human When I read that book I was very excited them before they disappear. for example. But some young people will you get a better sense, you can walk history. by one idea; that humans and African Theoretically, if you had a way to scan be working on the specimens that have around the skulls. The reconstructions The exhibition opens to the public on Apes have a common ancestor. In that the surface of the ground in very high been found to better understand their are excellent and based on good infor- September 27 and offers “a time fl ow of book Huxley said that someday some- resolution, with the light at the right anatomy, so not everybody will be dis- mation from the past. It’s a big moment human evolution,” displaying the period body would discover a fossil of a human angle, you might fi nd something. But as covering; some people will need to be for the museum in conjunction with the of 1.77 million years in Georgia, starting more ape-like or a fossil of an ape more it is, there’s no replacement for the eye. working in laboratories. There’s still a symposium- very exciting! Taking Offense: Ogden on Georgian Sensibilities

that - but people in my own news feed. would be a shrug and 'Fair enough'. OP-ED BY TIM OGDEN Essentially, my Georgian Facebook Those people do exist, but since we share friends were not best pleased with what a nationality and nothing more I have this woman had to say, and seemed to no right or reason to be offended when here's been an article fl oat- be deriding her post as simply the com- they come under fi re. I am well aware ing around Facebook this plaints of another know-nothing for- that any criticism directed towards them week written by an expat eigner; I recall there was a similar reac- does not refl ect on me. woman that has caused a tion to another post last year which Georgians, however, are a sensitive bit of unrest amongst some claimed that Georgian females intrinsi- folk, and react badly to any criticism of TGeorgians on my newsfeed. She basically cally prefer foreign men. Both were fi lled their country and people. I understand claims that foreign women should not with platitudes along the lines of 'I know that entirely, but what I don't understand date Georgian men due to their attitudes not all Georgian men are like this, but...' is educated Georgians being offended towards casual sex, marriage and 'own- which did nothing to mollify the people by posts that clearly do not refer to them ership'. I'm going to assume that anyone who took offence, but then – as now – or their friends. Surely they can't be so reading this is more or less familiar with there was little by way of introspection. removed from society that they're entirely the Georgian male culture being referred The Georgians on my Facebook friend unaware of the national problems with to, and if not, read my article from a few list and the others who creep into my attitudes towards women amongst some weeks back. newsfeed tend to be educated, middle- men; even if they were so ignorant or While I felt that the Facebook article to-upper class sorts, who work profes- remote, if they read the post and the was not particularly well written, the sional jobs and live lives not so different comments then they surely could not author made some valid points, and from people in Europe; they are, of course, discount the comments of Georgian although she received the inevitable abuse nothing like the men described in the women (and even some Georgian men) from a few Georgian males, she was vin- blog posts that caused so much keyboard agreeing with the blogger. dicated by a number of Georgian women rage, yet for some reason still seem to I suppose it all comes down to how agreeing with her, especially a particularly think they are somehow being targeted. one takes criticism, and being introspec- changes they were invited here to imple- Georgian methods were not good vocal one who claimed to have an English I shall make myself a little clearer. If tive enough to recognize that comments ment. I originally came to Georgia with enough. husband (huzzah! Sensible girl). someone wrote about the problem of directed towards some sections of soci- my mother when she was asked here to I'm no psychologist, but there's some- However, Georgian males are not what football hooligans in England who live ety are not a damning condemnation work on legal reforms, and she – along thing here that needs examining. National I want to write about today. What sur- on benefi ts, drink beer all day and fi ght of the collective. I’ve heard that EU and with others before and since – struggled mentalities do interest me, and as much prised me is how people reacted to the all night while ramping up a number of NATO reform workers – whom Georgia to deal with the paradox that the Geor- as I'd love to discuss this further, the criticism; not the men leaving offensive teenage pregnancies that even the most claims to want here to help the country gians desperately wanted everything word count is looming like the Grim. R comments on this woman's blog – there conservative Georgian grandmother develop – have encountered signifi cant brought up to 'Western standards' but Reaper. That, though, was a waste of was nothing particularly surprising about would think is excessive, my response resistance when trying to make the were angered by any suggestion that words. And so was this. And that. GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 SOCIETY 11 Time (to) Leave, Guys (TLG)

I look back on my TLG years with nostalgia and BY TONY HANMER gratitude for the years of experience they brought me; and with some surprise that this project of former Georgian president Saakashvili has lasted nd it's school opening time again... so long without him. However, there are less than for some. Etseri school has its larg- twenty TLG volunteers now, so things are dwin- est group of pupils since my wife dling from the fi fty per group we were at the and I began here fi ve years ago, 67, beginning, hundreds in the country at one time. with seven of them entering grade And only one of those a returnee. I taught in Mes- Aone (new laptops for these!), and four from a fam- tia, Becho (two locations) and Etseri, with a total ily which had moved from the village now back of seven co-teachers; and before TLG even started, home. But I was only there as a journalist this in Ushguli, with not one, just someone to help me time, the fi rst such school opening day for me with discipline while I ran an unintentional pro- since we moved here. Some things change. totype of the whole thing. TLG (Teach and Learn with Georgia) had changed TLG has branched into other languages, includ- the rules over the summer, now requiring all of ing a substantial Chinese group, and I believe us volunteer teachers to move to other locations. has done the country a considerable service, Easy for most, when the vast majority of us have especially in the less privileged and helped vil- been singles staying with host families. But me— lages where it concentrated the English teaching. this is my house I live in, conveniently located I was always telling my pupils that the doors of three minutes' walk from Etseri school! My wife Europe will eventually open for them, and that is one of my co-teachers. Not so easy to relocate: they'd better be ready! Visa-free travel there will what would the cattle and chickens say, or do, for eventually happen, I still believe. While that that matter?! might seem less of a hurdle to them than the A compromise was not possible, to put it in a funding of such travel, for some farmer's child nutshell, so I fi nd myself not teaching English this from an unheard of village in the high Caucasus, year. There's plenty to do around home and vil- it was equally challenging for one such as my lage, though. My wife is staying on at the school, wife, at the other end of the country. But she saw her salary boosted by the fi nal arrangement of a it happen, visited about 40 countries, used her "high mountain" addition to salaries up here, long English everywhere, and has been greatly enriched rumored. Her reputation boosted, too, by having by it all. passed her fi rst national exams for English teach- I toast the new TLG group, wish you all great ers this summer with the stunning mark of 84%. success in your schools, villages and host families, I'm really proud of her; she spent weeks swatting and hope to hear of how your volunteering has and sweating upstairs, at the end of which I told changed lives, which I fully expect it will. her to wrap it up, as she was ready and couldn't cram in any more, in my opinion. Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in She hosted one of my former Becho village co- Svaneti since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT teachers and her family, great new friends, at a since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” feast up there in her "offi ce", having promised Facebook group, now with over 1300 members, at them that she would do this if she passed. Flying www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ colors, I'd say, and she feels a quite some weight He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: off her shoulders now. www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

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Address: Airport settlement, Samgori district, Tbilisi Tel: +995 599 529 529 [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016

ROUTING FLIGHT NUMBER WEEK DAYS DEPARTURE ARRIVAL TK 379 02:35 04:05 TBILISI - ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT TK 387EVERYDAY 06:35 08:05 TK 383 22:55 00:30+1 TK 386 01:40 04:55 ISTANBUL ATATURK AIRPORT - TBILISI TK 382EVERYDAY 18:10 21:30 TK 378 21:15 00:30+1 TK 381 1/2/4/5/6/7 04:25 05:50 TBILISI - ISTANBUL SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT TK 381 3 05:05 06:30 ISTANBUL SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT - TBILISI TK 380 EVERYDAY 19:40 22:55 TK 391 1/2/4/6/7 10:35 11:40 BATUMI - ISTANBUL TK 393 1/3/4/5/7 20:15 21:20 TK 390 1/2/4/6/7 06:25 09:20 ISTANBUL - BATUMI TK 392 1/3/4/5/7 16:20 19:20 Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected]

TIFLIS 7.5x6cmTurkey ING.indd 1 Opens 13/06/16 15:16 First State School in Batumi…without Permission

to it,” he said. BY THEA MORRISON He went on to say that the Turkish side fully intends to teach the Georgian lan- guage to Turkish children attending the urkey opened its fi rst state- new school. run school in Georgia's “Our relations with Georgia are deep- Black Sea city Batumi on ening in all fi elds and we would like to September 19. strengthen these ties in education as The 24-classroom Batumi well,” Temizkan said, adding that the TTurkish School built for 170 students and opening of Georgian schools in Turkey 25 teachers launched its educational was also under consideration. activities on Monday. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Turkish Min- istry of Education, as well as the diplo- matic mission of Turkey in Georgia. The school will follow the Turkish curriculum and be supervised by Turkey’s National Education Ministry. Yet Batumi City Hall has stated that the school had no permission for con- struction and highlighted that it has been fi ned three times to a total of 9,000 GEL. The Supervision Service of Batumi City Hall says that if the school is unable to get a permit, it may be demolished. Photos: New Turkish School in Batumi. Source: Turkey’s Consulate General in Batumi Georgia’s Education Minister, Aleksan- dre Jejelava, said his offi ce and the Turk- ish Embassy in Georgia had had consul- tations over the school and agreed that the school would be authorized under Georgian legislation. However, he said that if the school has no construction permission, it will be in violation of the law. Jejelava also expressed dissatisfaction that the school leadership decided not to invite Ministry offi cials to the open- ing ceremony. “But I’m sure that in the end we will overcome this diffi culty and will end up with a very good educational institution accredited under Georgian legislation,” Jejelava said. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Adjara said they had also not been informed about the opening of the school. The Consul General of Turkey, Yasin Temizkan, explained that Turkey has a number of schools abroad under the subordination of Turkey’s Ministry of Education and the new school is only for Turkish children whose families live in Batumi, adding the teachers in the school are Turkish citizens as well. He said the building was built by a philanthropist businessman and the Consulate was not involved in the pro- cess of its construction. He promised to clarify if there were violations during construction of the building. He also claimed that the school had not been offi cially opened which is why the Georgian side was not invited to the recent ceremony. “The offi cial opening is planned in the near future and members of the Georgian government will be invited GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 CULTURE 13 Elena Vaenga Fulfi ls 15-Year Dream by Singing in Tbilisi

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concert, though the theme of love pre- express her position. “But I am a citizen BY MAKA LOMADZE vailed. One song in particular, about a and a mother. I will propagate love and mother’s love for her son, struck a chord friendship at the very least through my with many a Georgian mother in the hall. songs. I am happy to have performed n September 16, talented 39-year-old Elena proved to be excep- with musicians from Belarus, Ukraine, Elena Vaenga sang for tionally communicative, full of humor and Kazakhstan.” She then introduced Tbilisi. The Russian singer, and self-irony between songs, confi ding Achi Purtseladz as her new Georgian songwriter and actress, with the audience that she’d been dream- singing partner after which they sang a named one of the best ing of coming to Tbilisi for 15 years: “I duo with motifs from ‘Mimino,’ a well- singersO in her homeland, presented to was born on the 27th of January, when known Georgian-Russian fi lm. the Georgian audience a show that needed St. Nino the enlightener of Georgia was “I am happy that I am Russian when I CONTACT PERSON 557 12 38 90 no marketing to draw a crowd. born. You are a great nation!” look at Elena!” said overwhelmed audi- With her verses, humor, drama, and Elena says she appeared on the Russian ence member Irina Lanevskaia after the richness of musical palette, Elena sur- stage by stealth, using her musical and show, a Russian woman who was born passes the pop-music genre. Indeed, her artistic talent and quick wit. She also in Tbilisi. Such Georgian-born Russians repertoire was quite varied at her Tbilisi mentioned that she is often told not to were in abundance in the hall that night. CineClub to Screen Corn Island, Q & A with Director

BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES

he monthly CineClub sea- son is to reopen after the summer break with a show- ing of Corn Island (2014), directed by Giorgi Ovash- Tvili, giving us ex-pats yet another gem of cultural insight to enjoy. A psychological drama, the action in Corn Island takes place at the natural border of the Georgian- Abkhazian con- fl ict – the Enguri River. The spring fl oods CineClub is made possible thanks to WHERE: Amirani Cimema create a small island in the middle of the its partnership with CineDoc and Ami- WHEN: Monday, September 26 river where an old peasant begins to rani cinema. TIME: 19:00 grow corn with the help of his 16-year- CineDoc-Tbilisi selects the best creative old granddaughter. Later, a Georgian documentaries from around Georgia, often PRICE: 3 GEL per ticket plus 1 GEL contribu- border policeman comes to the island directed by award-winning fi lmmakers. tion to the CineClub project (5 GEL total) and changes the seemingly ideal life the old man has made for himself. To fi nd out if it’s for the better or worse, head over to Amirani cinema on Monday. You’ll also get the chance to discuss the fi lm with the director and some of his crew after the show. Tickets can be bought at the Amirani cinema Box Offi ce. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER Contemporary dance Ticket: 9-10 GEL BLACK SEA aid of modern technologies. With Start time: 20:00 BRIDGET JONES’ BABY The exhibition brings together fast progress in the background, it's GEORGIAN STATE Ticket: 15-25 GEL Directed by Sharon Maguire artists from Georgia - Lia imperative to keep reinterpreting PANTOMIME THEATRE Venue: Nodar Dumbadze Cast: Renée Zellweger, Patrick Bagrationi; Romania - Sebastian our heritage. The installation uses a Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. Professional Youth Theater Dempsey, Colin Firth Moldovan; Turkey - Nezaket Ekici; Kinect sensor to monitor the crowd Grand Stage Telephone: 2 99 63 14 Genre: Comedy, Romance - Mariana Vassileva; Russia and morph the shape, visuals, Language: Russian - Iced Architects; and sounds according to people's September 26 September 23 Start time: 22:40 Ukraine - Nikita Kadan. movement. ROSES Together they bring installations HOST AND GUEST Ticket: 13-14 GEL Freak-cabare created in different media, MUSIC Vazha Pshavela Start time: 20:00 including video art and ceramic Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili SAUSAGE PARTY Ticket: 33 GEL Directed by Greg Tiernan, Conrad works. All of the artists share the Start time: 19:00 TBILISI CONCERT HALL Venue: Kakha Bakuradze's Vernon same source of inspiration - the Ticket: 10 GEL Address: 1 Melikishvili Ave. Movement Theater Cast: Kristen Wiig, James Franco, Black Sea. Telephone: 299 00 99 Paul Rudd September 24 CINEMA Genre: Animation, Adventure, SHALVA AMIRANASHVILI TERENTI GRANELI September 23 Comedy MUSEUM OF ART SOLO PRESENTS ERIC BENÉT. Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili Address: 1 Lado Gudiashvili St. AMIRANI CINEMA Language: Russian Start time: 19:00 Start time: 19:00 Telephone: 2 99 99 09 Address: 36 Kostava St. Start time: 20:05 Ticket: 50-200 GEL Ticket: 10 GEL www.museum.ge Telephone: 2 99 99 55 Ticket: 13-14 GEL ROOMS HOTEL TBILISI September 29 www.kinoafi sha.ge BEN-HUR September 14 – October 1 Address: 14 Kostava Ave. DREAM AND REALITY Directed by Timur Bekmambetov GURAM TSERTSVADZE’S Directed by Davit Shalikashvili Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 Lari Cast: Jack Huston, Nazanin Boniadi, PERSONAL EXHIBITION September 24 Start time: 19:00 September 23-29 Ayelet Zurer SOLO PRESENTS ERIC BENÉT Ticket: 10 GEL GALLERY September 25 Genre: Adventure, Drama, History Start time: 19:00 Language: Russian Ticket: 75-200 GEL TBILISI OPERA AND BALLET HAMLET Start time: 22:35 THE NATIONAL GALLERY THEATER Directed by Sarah Frankcom Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. Cast: Maxine Peake, James Allen, Ticket: 13-14 GEL MOVEMENT THEATER Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. www.museum.ge Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Telephone: 200 44 66 Mya Diamonds Language: English MUSEUM Mushthaid park PERMANENT EXHIBITION Telephone: 599 555 260 September 24, 25 Start time: 19:30 Niko Pirosmanashvili, David Ticket: 19 GEL GEORGIAN NATIONAL GISELLE MUSEUM Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili and September 24, 29 Adolphe Adam SIMON JANASHIA MUSEUM sculptor Iakob Nikoladze. THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN JAM SESSION AT MT Ballet in Two Acts Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. LEADERS: Start time: September 24 - 19:00, Directed by Antoine Fuqua Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 June 24, 2016 – June 24, 2017 Cast: Denzel Washington, Chris RESO KIKNAZE QUINTET AND September 25 - 14:00 www.museum.ge NIKO PIROSMANASHVILI’S PAPUNA SHARIKADZE Ticket: 10 - 70 GEL Pratt, Ethan Hawke WORKS “YARD CLEANER” AND Genre: Action, Western Start time: 21:00 PERMANENT EXHIBITION: “EAGLE SEIZING A HARE” Free Entry September 24, 25 Language: English GEORGIAN ARCHAEOLOGY Both paintings were in the Start time: 19:40 ATTILA FROM 8TH MILLENNIUM B.C. ownership of Ilya and Kirill September 26 Language: Russian Giuseppe Verdi TO 4TH CENTURY A.D Zdanevich until 1930 when Dimitri BACK FROM SIENA JAZZ Start time: 22:00 Starring: Legi Imedashvili, Irine Shevardnadze bought part of ACADEMY Ticket: 13-14 GEL Ratiani, Sulkhan Gvelesiani, THE CAUCASUS NATURAL their collection (39 paintings) Start time: 21:00 Gia Makharadze, Tamaz Saginadze, HISTORY MUSEUM including the "Yard Cleaner" and Ticket: 10 GEL Gia Asatiani ELLE COLLECTION RENEWED "Eagle Seizing a Hare". Today, both Directed by Paul Verhoeven Conductor - Zaza Azmaiparashvili EXHIBITION paintings are among the collection September 27 Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Directed by David Sakvarelidze and of the Shalva Amiranashvili JAZZ JAM SESSION WITH Lafi tte, Anne Consigny Museum of Fine Arts. Jean Louis Grinda EXHIBITION OF GEORGIAN SPECIAL GUESTS FROM SIENA Genre: Drama, Thriller Set and Costume Design - WEAPONRY JAZZ ACADEMY Language: Russian September 6-28 Jean Pierre Capron and David NUMISMATIC TREASURY Start time: 21:00 Start time: 22:15 THE SOLO EXHIBITION "DEEP Monavardisashvili The exhibition showcases a long Free Admission Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 13-14 GEL history of money circulation on the CALLETH UNTO DEEP" BY GIA Ticket: 5-40 GEL territory of modern Georgia from BUGADZE. TBILISI NODAR DUMBADZE STORKS the 6th century BC. to 1834. The project "Deep Calleth unto STATE CENTRAL CHILDREN'S MOVEMENT THEATER Directed by Nicholas Stoller, Doug Deep" is based on the 7th article THEATRE Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Sweetland June 11 – March 11 (2017) of the 41st psalm and outlines Address: 99/1 Agmashenebeli Ave. Mushthaid park Cast: Andy Samberg, Jennifer EXHIBITION "MEDIEVAL the drama which lies in the Telephone: 2 95 39 27 Telephone: 599 555 260 Aniston, Ty Burrell TREASURY" confrontation between the internal Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family and external worlds. September 25 September 23 Language: Russian June 16 – December 16 INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND RECITATIVE IN THE CITY Start time: 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 THE EXHIBITION “NEW NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC ART FESTIVAL "START" LIBRARY Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Ticket: 8-12 GEL DISCOVERIES - GEORGIAN The international pop music and Address: ¼ M. Aleksidze Start time: 21:00 ARCHAEOLOGY” art contest-festival for children Free Entry RUSTAVELI CINEMA The exhibition will be held in Start time: 18:00 September 18 – October2 Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. the frame of the international Ticket: 7 GEL SPYING FUTURE September 24 Telephone: 2 55 50 00 conference On Salt, Copper, and Exhibition Project of Center of Performance www.kinoafi sha.ge Gold: The Origins of Early Mining KAKHIDZE MUSIC CENTER Contemporary Art-Tbilisi in the Silence, Rehearsal and Metallurgy in the Caucasus" Address: 123/125 D. Agmashenebeli Ave. framework of "Tbilisi Science and Directed by Kakha Bakuradze Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Telephone: 295 01 19 Innovation Festival 2016.” Start time: 21:00 September 23-29 MUSEUM OF SOVIET OCCUPATION Various artists Ticket: 15 GEL INTERNATIONAL MUSIC Curator: Wato Tsereteli THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN Address: 3 Sh. Rustaveli Ave. FESTIVAL “AUTUMN TBILISI” (Info Above) September 25 TBS INTERNATIONAL THE EUROPE HOUSE Start time: 22:40 PERMANENT EXHIBITION MOZART CORONATION MASS FESTIVAL OF THEATER Address: 1 Freedom Sq. Ticket: 13-14 GEL Here, visitors can discover Start time: 19:30 the State's personal fi les of Telephone: 2 47 03 11 September 24 Ticket: 12-20 GEL "subversive" Georgian public WITHIN STORKS fi gures, orders to shoot or exile, and September 18-25 ADITI MANGALDAS DANCE (Info Above) September 28 other artifacts representing Soviet- IRA SHENGELIA’S EXHIBITION COMPANY Start time: 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 JANOSHKA ENSEMBLE era cultural and political repression ALMOST EVERYDAY THE DRISHTIKON DANCE Ticket: 8-13 GEL Start time: 19:30 in Georgia. The exhibition hall is “Almost Everyday” started as an FOUNDATION Ticket: 12-20 GEL equipped with monitors on which artistic diary - from the decision Start time: 20:00 SULLY to create a single drawing each visitors can watch documentaries RUSTAVELI THEATER Ticket: 10-55 GEL Directed by Clint Eastwood day despite any inconveniences. of various historical events. Address: 17 Rustaveli Ave. Venue: Marjanishvili Theater Cast: Tom Hanks, Anna Gunn, Images from personal archives and Telephone: 2 72 68 68 Grand Stage Laura Linney appropriated from the web depict IOSEB GRISHASHVILI www.rustavelitheatre.ge Genre: Drama TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM humans during their most routine September 26 Language: Russian - KARVASLA activities. PEREGRINUS Start time: 18:00, 22:15 Address: 8 Sioni St. September 26 Improvisation Ticket: 11-14 GEL Telephone: 2 98 22 81 FABRIKA GEORGE TCHITCHINADZE & Start time: 18:00 Address: 8 Ninoshvbili Str. GEOGRIAN PHILHARMONIC Ticket: 10-55 GEL JASON BOURNE September 16 – October 8 ORCHESTRA Venue: New Tfi lisi (Agmashenebeli Directed by Paul Greengrass Georgian National Museum September 24-30 Concert dedicated to the memory Avenue) Cast: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Tbilisi History Museum in frames Nikoloz Kapanadze’s installation of Tengiz Chumburidze Jones, Alicia Vikander of the project "Contemporary VISI GORISA KHAR? Participants: George Tchitchinadze, September 26 Genre: Action, Thriller Art Gallery" invites you to the It is an audio-visual interactive Nusta Kasradze, Merab Ebralidze BE LIKE WATER Language: Russian exhibition installation tries to respond to the Start time: 19:30 Kari Hoaas Start time: 15:15 FROM THE SHORES OF THE challenges of urban living with the Ticket: 15-20 GEL GEORGIA TODAY SEPTEMBER 23 - 26, 2016 CULTURE 15 Georgia’s State Ballet to Open 165th Season with Giselle

Fadeyechev’s version of the classic bal- Tbilisi’s historic opera house recently BY NINO GUGUNISHVILI let, the premiere will take place on Sep- underwent a massive six-year renova- tember 24 at Tbilisi’s recently restored tion that forced the ballet company to 19th-century opera house. move to different venues throughout eorgia’s State Ballet will The State Ballet’s artistic director Nino the city. They returned to their home open its 165thseason with Ananiashvili – herself, a former prima stage in February to complete the 164th a performance of French ballerina for Moscow’s world renowned season composer Adolphe Adam’s Bolshoy Ballet – said Giselle is the fi rst Tickets for the performance are avail- Giselle. of several classical performances planned able at the Tbilisi Opera House (#25 GBased on Russian choreographer Alexey for the 2016-17 season. Rustaveli Avenue) and online at tkt.ge.

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