ON SUCCESS Ministerial in Brussels the Silk Road Forum 2019 NEWS PAGE 2 Wraps up with Numerous Positive Messages for Ruling GD Praises Bera Georgia's Future

Issue no: 1197 • OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Georgian Defense FOCUS Minister to Attend NATO ON SUCCESS Ministerial in Brussels The Silk Road Forum 2019 NEWS PAGE 2 wraps up with numerous positive messages for Ruling GD Praises Bera Georgia's future. PAGE 4,6 Ivanishvili for Donating $1.1m to Amazon Forest Saving Fund NEWS PAGE 3 PM: Support Act Advances Relations between Georgia & the US to a New Level POLITICS PAGE 7 Female Judges Outnumber Men in Georgia but are Underrepresented in Managerial Positions POLITICS PAGE 9 Veon Group Holds its Third Global Hackathon First Cancer Screening Center Opens in Zugdidi for Employees BUSINESS PAGE 10 BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE Huawei Ships 200 Million n October 22, Caritas Czech Repub- Smartphone Units For 2019 lic in Georgia, together with the Ambassador Extraordinary and In Record Time Plenipotentiary of Czech Republic to Georgia, H.E. Petr Mikyska, BUSINESS PAGE 10 DeputyO Minister of Health of Czech Republic Radek Policar, Deputy director of NCDC (at Ministry of Health of Georgia MoIDPsLHSA) Georgian Astrophysicist on Alexandre Turdziladze, Samegrelo-upper Svaneti deputy Governor Nino Vibliani and City Mayor Why We Can't See Aliens of Zugdidi Municipality, Giorgi Shengelia offi - SOCIETY PAGE 11 cially opened Zugdidi Screening Centerat the address 198 K. Gamsakhurdia Str., Zugdidi. At the opening event, the Caritas Czech Repub- Exhibition Dedicated to lic in Georgia offi cially handed over the Zugdidi Cancer Screening Center to local non-govern- Zviad Gamsakhurdia to mental organization Cancer Prevention Center with the fi nancial support of the Czech Devel- zia given the proximity of the border, to ensure (CPC) for management. Project Donor CzDA opment Agency (CzDA) in the frame of the timely detection of oncological diseases. The Open at Art Palace and the NCDC signed a bi-lateral Memorandum project “Establishment and Promotion of Can- Center will start receiving patients from Novem- of Understanding as an expression of the further cer Screening Center in Zugdidi”. Center is ber. CCR further supporting the Zugdidi Screen- CULTURE PAGE 13 commitment to and support of the implementa- equipped with up-to date offi ce and medical ing Center through consultations and meth- tion of National Cancer Screening Programs in devices, including a digital mammography odological assistance together with partner the region. With this action the parties join the machine. The project aims at enhancing the organization “Tanadgoma”. The campaign aims campaign “Pink October” to raise awareness accessibility to National Cancer Screening Pro- at educating the population as well as health- Special Offer for readers about the breast cancer, marked internationally grams (Breast, Cervical and Colorectal Cancer care professionals about the importance of since 1997. screening programs, Prostate Cancer manage- cancer prevention and early detection and of Georgia Today The Screening Center was constructed and ment program) in the Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti engagement of the population in cancer screen- equipped by Caritas Czech Republic (CCR) region, as well as for the population of Abkha- ing programs. -15% off all Diet Plans! PAGE 9 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 Georgian Defense Minister to Attend NATO Ministerial in Brussels Georgia Ranks BY ANA DUMBADZE

7th among 190 eorgian Defense Minister Irakli Garibashvili will attend the meetings of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of Countries in the GDefense Ministers at the NATO Head- quarters, which is held in Brussels. In particular, Minister Garibashvili will attend a meeting of the NAC with reso- World Bank Doing lute support operational partner nations and potential operational partner nations on Friday. He will speak on the importance of ensuring global security and Georgia’s Business 2020 contribution to this process through the est number of procedures required, the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in BY ANA DUMBADZE survey reads, adding that “in dealing Afghanistan. with construction permits, Georgia Within the framework of the Minis- improved its building quality control by terial, the Georgian Defense Minister eorgia has ranked 7th with increasing public access to information.” will meet with the NATO Secretary 83.7 points out of 190 coun- In the ranking, Georgia is ahead of General, where the sides will discuss tries in terms of Ease of Great Britain, Norway, Sweden, Germany, NATO-Georgia cooperation mecha- Doing Business, the World Lithuania and other countries. nisms. He will also meet with foreign Bank Report 2020 says. The list is led by New Zealand, followed counterparts and discuss bilateral GLast year, Georgia ranked 6th on the by Somalia. defense cooperation issues with the list. The World Bank has been publishing Ministers of Defense of Finland, Poland, “For starting a business, for example, the Ease of Doing Business rating since Germany, Sweden and the United King- Georgia and New Zealand have the low- 2003. dom. GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 NEWS 3 Ruling GD Praises Bera Ivanishvili for Donating $1.1m to Amazon Forest Saving Fund

“Any contribution, regardless of quan- comes to the topical issue in the world, what the Ivanishvili family have done tity, is significant and important. the Amazon forest. for Georgia, including those who criti- Together, we can make a change. Thank “It is hard to make a comment on such cize Bera. you and God bless you,” Bera tells view- a criticism towards a kind step, espe- “They are donating this money from ers. cially when the philanthropy of Bidzina their own pockets and why it should Bera Ivanishvili’s announcement was Ivanishvili’s family is immeasurable,” become a subject of such an uproar, I followed by controversial comments he added. have no idea,” her post reads. from society, the majority of whom took Minister of Economy and Sustainable Brazilian environmental organization to social networks, to criticize him for Development of Georgia Natia Turnava ISA, the Social-Ecological Institute, helping Brazil and not Georgia. also made a comment, saying Bidzina reports that Bera Ivanishvili has become Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakh- Ivanishvili and his family are always the new ambassador of the campaign aria responded to the criticism of Bera, helping Georgia, and it is no surprise "Forest People" (#PovosDaFloresta). saying it is unfair to slam a person for that they pay attention to global prob- The organization writes on its website a charitable act. lems too. that the Georgian musician will spread "It is unfair to attack a charitable act, “Bidzina Ivanishvili has done and does the voice of Brazilians to Europe and Image source: 1tv.ge and in this case twice as unjust because a lot for Georgia directly. Billions are enhance the organization's environmen- and is the founder of the Georgian record Bidzina Ivanishvili’s family has been being spent by him to develop our tour- tal work. BY TEA MARIAMIDZE label and production studio ‘Georgian helping our country to preserve our ism infrastructure, restore cultural her- The proliferation of fi res in the Ama- Dream.’ He published a video a few days historical heritage for years and is spend- itage sites, and develop the Georgian zon rainforest drew international atten- ago in which he speaks about the need ing hundreds of millions of dollars on economy in general. He is a philanthro- tion in August. The number of fi res uling party Georgian Dream to save the Amazon forest, which is the educational projects for our future gen- pist on a global scale, and it is no sur- decreased by 35% in September, but (GD) has praised Bera Ivan- “lungs of our planet, our life and the erations," he said. prise that he focuses not only on Geor- experts say this is merely a slowdown ishvili, son of former Prime future of our children.” Gakharia added that it is absolutely gia's development, but also on global in a crisis with global repercussions. Minister of Georgia, bil- “This is a call to action. Today, I want unacceptable when a young person's issues such as climate change. We live There were still 19,925 fi re outbreaks lionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, to help my Brazilian friends… Despite philanthropy becomes the “subject of in a global world and everything affects in September on the Brazilian part of Rfor his announcement that he will trans- the fact that I live thousands of miles a political attack due to a political con- Georgia too. Ecological challenges are the rainforest, which accounts for nearly fer $1.1million to the Amazon Forest away, my Brazilian fans treat me … as a text.” one of the major threats that everyone 65% of the Amazon basin. Moreover, Saving Fund. family member. In the spirit of such The Ministry of Environment Protec- should take care of,” Turnava said. through the fi rst nine months of the Bera is a Georgian singer, rapper, song- love, I want to help them as much as tion and Agriculture of Georgia pub- Sopho Kiladze, Chairman of Parlia- year, the number of fi res soared by 41% writer, record producer, and entrepre- possible,” he said. lished the comment of Minister Levan ment's Human Rights Committee, took compared to the same period in 2018, neur. He established his music career The video also voices a call to partici- Davtashvili, who says that criticizing to Facebook to express her support to Brazil's National Institute for Space in both Georgia and the United States, pate and act in order to save the Amazon. Bera is shameful, especially when it Bera, claiming that everyone knows Research (INPE) says. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 The Tbilisi Silk Road Forum Ends with Success politicians, potential investors from 60 BY EMIL AVDALIANI countries, visited the Georgian capital. The event has been held for the third time since 2015 and attracted due atten- he Tbilisi Silk Road Forum tion worldwide. In total 300 different was most successful. Over meetings have been held during the 2000 delegates were engaged event. Georgian Infrastructure Minister and over 300 bilateral meet- Maia Tskitishvili expressed hope that ings were held- stated Prime those meetings involving Georgia “will MinisterT of Georgia, Giorgi Gakharia. be translated into investments.” “Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, held for the “We have established new connections third time in Georgia, was most success- and met with dozens of people, investors ful, which is primarily manifested in the who are interested in doing business in high number of its participants,” he noted Georgia. The Georgian government is at the Executive Government Meeting eager to help and assist interested busi- on Thursday, commenting on the key- nesses enter Georgia,” Tskitishvili said. note event of international magnitude. Historically, Georgia has played an According to the Head of Government important role in the development of of Georgia, over 2000 delegates were the Silk Road. In the modern world, when engaged in the Forum and over 300 bilat- economic integration and globalization eral meetings and negotiations were is in change, the development of trade scheduled within two days. and economic relations between coun- “All of this, of course, facilitates the tries is of top importance. strengthened role and duty of our coun- Tbilisi supported the Silk Road initiative try as a connection point of two large and signed the cooperation deal back in civilizations. Within its economic con- 2015 which was translated into the signing text, it is primarily related to transport, of the Georgia-China free trade deal. logistics, tourism and all the rest con- The Tbilisi Silk Road Forum is expected tributing to a strengthened economy. to play an important role in the imple- Our key priority is to let the economy mentation of the Silk Road initiative. grow at a high speed, create new jobs The event will help Georgia carry out how Georgia has recently upped its his- He went on: “At a time in which interna- attracting more investments and enhanc- and employment opportunities. We its function as a connecting bridge torical role as a regional hub connecting tional trade is facing unprecedented chal- ing economic cooperation between cooperate towards this end with all the between Europe and Asia. Europe and Asia. On the map, it is in fact lenges, it is important to assure dialogue various regions. relevant institutions within the country “Georgia is a very important country, the shortest route between China and opportunities among States, but also In the long run, Georgia's Free Trade and beyond. I also want to once again as it is at the crossroads of Asia and Europe. There is a revitalization of the between private companies and civil Agreements with China and European underline the value and signifi cance born Europe,” said Mircea Ciopraga, Secretary ancient Silk Road taking place in Geor- society organizations, in order to develop countries, its geographical location, attrac- by the positive cooperation held by and General Permanent Secretariat of the gia. This in turn makes the country an inclusive and effective solutions.” tive investment environment and market between the Government of Georgia, Intergovernmental Commission of increasingly attractive destination for Thus, we see now the Silk Road con- openness, correct economic policies and private sector, central bank and various TRACECA (International Transport foreign investment. cept gradually emerging at the borders reforms, positively assessed by interna- institutions engaged in the economic Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia). “The “Georgia is the natural venue for a Silk of Georgia. For the fi rst time in many tional fi nancial institutions and author- policy of the country,” the Prime Min- forum is important for TRACECA, in Road Forum and Italy, with the 6th larg- centuries, major transcontinental trade ized ratings, and its growing economy ister concluded. order to tie China and Europe together. est trade surplus in the world, is a natural routes run through the Georgian terri- are important foundations for achieving Georgia’s rising place on the new Silk This forum helps businesses ensure easy participant and terminus on the Silk Road, tory. Due to its geographical location, the goals that should bring Georgia back Road is well refl ected in the successful transit of products for doing business as it has always been,” said the Under- Georgia will play a bigger role as a trans- to its historic role and further enhance completion of the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum and developing the country.” secretary for Foreign Affairs and Inter- continental trade corridor. This implies its position in modern economic relations held on October 22-23 when up to 2000 The hosting of the event underscores national Cooperation, Ivan Scalfarotto. attracting joint projects, increasing trade, between Europe and Asia. Minister Turnava on the Tbilisi Silk Road Forum 2019 only of this edition, but of the Silk Road the same framework, to the same liber- EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY Forum concept in general. alization of tariffs and so on. VAZHA TAVBERIDZE However, this latest edition still man- Afghanistan, being one end of Lapis aged to stand out as it was attended by Lazuli corridor, sent its Transport Min- a record number of 2000 participants ister to attend the 2019 forum, who dis- EORGIA TODAY asked from 60 different countries, and saw a cussed the means to improve the situa- the Minister of Economy host of bilateral meetings organized. tion for drivers. Another important and Sustainable Develop- Panel discussions are incredibly impor- matter that was thoroughly discussed ment of Georgia, Natia tant to raise awareness about a country was digitalization of these corridors. It Turnava, to share her and its business environ; to fi nd ways to has become increasingly prominent and Gimpressions of the 2019 edition of the solve regional challenges, but bilateral Georgia is trying to champion the course. Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, which saw 2000 meetings are where deals are brokered An artifi cial intelligence panel was intro- delegates from 60 countries in attend- and decisions are made, contracts are duced at the Forum for the fi rst time. ance. signed and so on. While some other countries are discuss- And we discussed a great many pro- ing how to get rid of bureaucracy in WHAT ARE THE DELIVERABLES jects during these bilateral meetings. For regards of awarding certifi cates, tickets, OF THE TBILISI SILK example, several Chinese business groups custom checks and so on, we are already ROAD FORUM? WHAT that plan to invest here advanced their making advances towards making it all WAS ITS IMPACT? projects further, a high-ranked Uzbek paper-less and fully digital. This endeavor This edition of the Silk Road forum was delegation, headed by their Vice Prime is heartily supported by our partner different from the previous two that I Minister, visited the Black Sea coast to countries as well, including for example, attended, though then I was not as a choose specifi c locations, be it Poti, Ukraine, which is a hugely important member of the government. A marked Anaklia or someplace else, where they access point for our corridor. distinction is that whereas during the plan to build and develop terminals and previous forum the talk of the day evolved other logistical projects. This clearly GIVEN THAT THE MISSION OF Georgia is one of the least tax-burdening are working to accommodate. Another around future plans and investments, showcases that the Uzbek businesses THE FORUM WAS TO ATTRACT countries. We have only six types of tax. challenge would be the region itself. today the domineering narrative was are trying to fi nd a corridor to other MORE INVESTMENTS TO THE Add to that the fact we are safe and Georgia is liberal, open to the wide global foreign investment funded by private markets and view Georgia as a strategic COUNTRY, WHAT WOULD macro-economically stable; we have a world, well integrated in the world and businesses that proved to be a success. partner. Railway delegations from sev- YOUR SALES PITCH BE FOR stability that means you shouldn’t expect regional value-chain, which means that And they were eager to share their expe- eral countries organized working meet- GEORGIA, AS A MINISTER? surprises, and business usually isn’t really every challenge that the region has takes rience and the know-how with their ings here, where they discussed impor- I would focus on themes that have actual fond of surprises; they prefer a stable its toll on us as well. Maybe not so over- potential colleagues and investors: What tant matters such as preferential customs impact and infl uence on how investors environment. We’re dynamically grow- whelmingly as in other places, though, made their success possible, why they duties and so on. make their decisions. The most effective ing and stable in this growth as well: as thanks to our macro-economic health, decided to invest, what plans for enlarge- Our corridor has distinct advantages: and potent message I have is that we are despite lots of regional shocks, our our economy is able to withstand regional ment they have, why they opted for it is short, stable and safe and allows a country where it is easy to do business. economy withstood it and we remained shocks. Geopolitically, every political or Georgia instead of other frontier markets. access to many neighboring countries. In terms of ease of business, we are both a healthy and stable country. And we economic problem has an effect on Geor- It was a very inspiring thing, because The challenge is that this corridor has top reformers and top performers. And offer high profi ts in return for their gia as well. But I am happy to say that if earlier it fell to us the government to so many participant countries in it, mean- this is the line that really sells. The com- investments. despite this diffi cult geopolitical land- convince the business sector it was worth ing it has to cross so many borders, so plex bureaucracies around founding a scape, we are still considered an island their time and resources to invest here, if it wants to compete and claim an new business? We’ve already forgotten AND WHAT ARE THE of stability. Georgia is on the shortlist of now we can see it obviously bore fruit advantage over alternative routes, it what that means: here, in Justice House, MAIN CHALLENGES? international investors, and every sign and the business sector itself is raising becomes really vital that everyone is on you can sort it out in just one hour. Business wants more predictability in points to the fact that the numbers of its voice. This is a marked success not the same page, that everyone agrees to Another important incentive is that reforms and we’re well aware of that and such investors are growing.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 BBC Business Correspondent Joe Lynam: Don’t Burn Old Bridges, Just Build New Ones cessful country surrounded by enemies. EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY It can be done. VAZHA TAVBERIDZE CAN AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY LIKE GEORGIA ou have the rule of law, ACTUALLY HAVE ANY LONG- infrastructure and human TERM PLANS WHEN IF WE resources, if you continue LOOK AT SITUATION FROM on this path, in 15 years A REALPOLITIK PERSPECTIVE, Georgia will be the leader WE DON'T REALLY KNOW ofY the forecasted Caucasus – Joe Lynam, WHETHER TOMORROW the Chief Business Correspondent of RUSSIA MIGHT INVADE? BBC, at the Silk Road Forum in Tbilisi I don't know the answer to that. I just this week. think that Russia wants to control its Lynam visited Tbilisi in the frames of new neighbors, wants them to be depend- 2019 Tbilisi Silk Road Forum, where he ent on them. Ask Ukraine, ask Moldova, led one of the panels. After, he talked to ask those countries; it wants to create Georgian media about Georgia’s com- dependencies and it would be a mistake petitiveness, affordability and attractive- to be dependent on any one country. So ness. He also mentioned the positive if you can get your gas from somewhere international standing of Georgia in the else, I know it's more expensive, you get component of ‘Ease of Doing Business’, your gas from Azerbaijan and I know (World Economic Forum) which is very you're developing a lot of hydroelectric appealing for investors and helps to earn plants. There’s a lot of sunshine here in their trust. Georgia, some solar panels can make “These types of ratings are a good you independent. This is what's going example. People need assurances to to happen in the next 20 years; fossil invest. They need to know the rule of fuels will go down, renewables will go law. They have to know if they enter into up; you guys have sunshine nine months a dispute, the courts will be just. This is a year, 10 months a year, you can do very important for international busi- something. We could even go wave power ness. That is the reason investors are from the Black Sea. You're in a good entering Georgia. You have rule of law, President Trump and XiJing Pi to Tbilisi And yet America is not very construc- nice to as many countries as possible as position- remember Azerbaijan is land- you have the infrastructure and human to have a big discussion; they're going tive towards NATO at this moment. picking sides is not a good idea if you're locked. capital. If you continue on this path, in to Chile for the next few weeks and The current president has shown no a small open economy. 15 years Georgia will be the leader of Georgia should be on that map. It should loyalty to NATO; has created a trade WHAT’S YOUR INSIGHT Caucasus.” he stated. “The Silk Road be seen as the new Reykjavik, the new war. It's very important that China and SOME PROMINENT EXPERTS ON THE ANAKLIA DEEP SEA initiative could be the start of a major Helsinki, the new Vienna; the ‘we will America come together and to do that ADVISE THAT IT WOULD PORT? IT’S A MUCH DEBATED transformation for this country. One that meet between Asia and the West and be there will have to be some agreement BE BETTER TO STAY CLEAR TOPIC NOWADAYS, WITH makes this country wealthy and a home together.’ because it will force the world into a FROM TRADE WITH AND THE CONSORTIUM AND THE to its young people.” Lynam said in his recession. ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE GOVERNMENT SEEMING AT opening statement.” DO YOU THINK WE HAVE ON RUSSIA, BECAUSE IT CAN ODDS AS TO HOW TO PROCEED. GEORGIA TODAY sat down with him THAT LUXURY CONSIDERING HOW DOES THE RUSSIAN BE USED AS LEVERAGE. I know that having sea access is very to fi nd out more of his thoughts. GEORGIA’S SPECIAL FACTOR CHANGE I'd refer back to my own example here. important. I know Azerbaijan would love RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT EQUATION? When Ireland joined the European eco- to have access to the sea. So, you make WITH CHINA AND THE US THE UNITED STATES? You know the Russians better than any- nomic community, we knew back in 1973 your ports open and free and cheap, and EMBROILED IN A TRADE Well, you also have a special relationship body. It looks like China and Russia are that 60% of Irish trade went to one coun- these countries will have to come in to WAR, HOW DO YOU THINK with China; you signed a free trade agree- getting a little bit closer, that's the prob- try, to the UK, now it is 12%. What you your country to do business. It worked IT MIGHT AFFECT GEORGIA, ment recently. lem. This is why you should not put all do is not burn any bridges with Britain for Singapore, it worked for so many A COUNTRY THAT WANTS your eggs in the USA basket. We need or in your case with Russia; you continue other countries. You make it easy to do TO ATTRACT AS MUCH BUT THE US IS STILL to get a good relationship with Russia. on one bridge and add small bridges and business; make sure that Georgia doesn't INVESTMENT AS POSSIBLE CONSIDERED OUR MAIN It's tough when they are sitting in Abk- that means travel and that means qual- burn any bridges, only building new FROM BOTH DESTINATIONS? STRATEGIC PARTNER hazia and Ossetia as they are; it is very ity, always offer quality and rule of law. ones. Look at how Ireland did it from Georgia should never take sides. The IN TERMS OF NATO tough. I don't know how to revise that. Look at another example, where a tiny the 70s: a very, very poor country and Prime Minister of Georgia should invite MEMBERSHIP AND SO ON. The basic perspective is we need to be country like Israel is now a very suc- now the second richest in Europe. Putin-Erdogan Meeting in Sochi as terrorists. The deal includes proce- BY BEKA ALEXISHVILI dures for combined Turkish-Russian patrols along the border and was made after six hours of talks on Tuesday urkey and Russia have agreed between Turkish President Recep Tayyip to a ‘historic’ settlement Erdogan and his Russian host, Vladimir intended at keeping Kurdish Putin, in Sochi. militia away from Syria's An armistice brokered by the US was northern border with Turkey. set to expire on Tuesday evening and TThe meeting came during a break in Turkey had lurked to re-instigate its Turkey's offensive to expel the Kurdish offensive against the Kurdish fi ghters. forces while forming a "safe zone" in the The Turkish offensive began after the area. US publicized a rapid and unexpected According to the new deal, Syrian and withdrawal of its fi ghters from northern Russian forces will supervise the with- Syria. The US troops had been accom- drawal of the Kurdish forces. panying the Kurdish fi ghters, who have There is no comment yet from the been supporters in the battle against the Kurdish fi ghters, whom Turkey deems Islamic State (ISIS). GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 POLITICS 7 ‘Borderization’ OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE

was a linguist before I became a journalist. I am making this opening statement because I am suffering a problem of a semantic character with the word ‘borderization’. I chose it as the title of this piece, and as soonI as I put it on my computer monitor, the system marked it with a red underline, indicating that it is not stipulated as an entry in the pro- grammed dictionary. I hastily delved into my most usable two dictionaries, Webster and ABBYY Lingvo, to look up the meaning of the word, but both dictionaries refused to help. Then I discov- ered the defi nition on Google: borderization is the installation of border marks and fencing. This means that we are using a glaring euphemism to describe the continuing Russian attempts to move the border from north to south from within the de-facto South Ossetia right into the Georgian territory. What is taking place at the so called border between Georgia and the Tskhinvali region is not a harmlessly executed regular borderization but a forceful expansion of the occupied part of Georgia in favor of the de-facto Republic of South Ossetia. Question: is the unrecognized ‘Republic’ strong enough to move borders back and forth? Answer: Of course not! Then what’s happening, folks? Image source: pexels.com Russia, the big brother of all the newly-hatched demarche before the Russian government about at all what has happened in Sakartvelo. that life will someday be better in Georgia without smaller siblings, is the answer to the puzzle. The its mishandling of their independence and making How about us, the Georgians? I am not entirely spilling sweat at the altar of honest labor; insist on Tskhinvali mini-brothers have that giant relative a request for immediate ‘borderization’ of their positive, but we might be compelled to put up with our being right in political dealings while every- to do the job for them, and the goal of the effort de-facto territory so that Abkhazia gobbles up the the situation forever and drag on with endless body else is wrong; keep bringing up the younger is to turn the mentioned ‘Republic’ into a bigger entire west of Georgia. The result: the birth of a political talk-shows, with nonsensical narratives generation with the potential of committing exactly country than Georgia proper. Just imagine the new geopolitical unit under the name of ‘The Abk- about anything but the nation’s wellbeing; continue the same blunders that have been made in the last level of the Russian-Ossetian elation if some day hazian-Ossetian Republic,’ with the city-state of playing the attractive drama and comedy in our 30 years following the collapse of the soviets. in the near future, South Ossetia possesses a Tbilisi squeezed in-between as an immobilized lovely theaters; carry on dancing the folk routines Excuse my pasquinade – lampoons are not my larger territory than Georgia itself, and Tskhin- enclave and an impotent new administrative for- and singing the famous polyphonic tunes; keep on cup of tea – but I didn’t know how to better wrap vali carries bigger international clout than Tbi- mation. building various exotic eateries; persist in indulg- in words the sense of helplessness I harbor within lisi! How do you like that picture? Well, Russia might ing in sumptuous parties and idle cruising around myself at knowing that our little darling is shrink- Here is a fascinating sequence to the story: hav- be extremely happy at having fi nally truncated and the city in oversize SUVs (calling all of them ‘jeeps’); ing even more every day, and nobody can do any- ing learnt that the once-unnoticeable South Osse- tamed Georgia; Europe might welcome the new real- maintain the habitual inborn conceit, pride and thing substantial and effi cacious about it. Mean- tia has grown into a serious state comprising all of ity to feel secure; America might take it easy because arrogance for totally unknown motives; stay nurs- while, the mutual incrimination on the subject by central Georgia, the dwellers of another runaway it is too preoccupied with current unsolved problems ing the confi dence in ourselves that we are the the ruling power and its opposition is yielding into creation, called Abkhazia, are undertaking a of Mankind; and the rest of the world might not know chosen people of Our Lady; go on daydreaming pure nothing!

PM: Support Act Advances Relations between Georgia & the US to a New Level

the two countries to a completely new qualitative BY ANA DUMBADZE level. This is confi rmation of the successful reforms and democratization process carried out in our country in recent years and of course we must would like to stress the importance of the continue this line with the same attitude and enthu- Georgia Support Act, which reaffi rms the siasm,” he said. high-quality partnership we have with our The US House of Representatives conferred on strategic partner,- said Prime Minister Giorgi the Georgia Support Act, presented by the co-chairs Gakharia. "There are very important points of the House Georgia Caucus, Congressmen Adam highlightedI in this Act: the fi rst is, of course, our Kinzinger and Gerry Connolly, which has about 30 country's independence and territorial integrity, as co-sponsors from both the Democratic and Repub- well as the need to strengthen Georgia's security lican parties. context and the protection of human rights in the Even before the submission of the Act by the occupied territories.” The PM spoke at Thursday's House of Representatives, the draft was collectively cabinet meeting in a response to the recent Georgia and unanimously accepted by several committees, Support Act adopted by US House of Representa- including the Foreign Relations, Legal Affairs and tives, adding that it advances the relations between Revenue Committees. the two countries to a new qualitative level. The manuscript declares the United States of He also noted the importance of the economic America’s continuous assistance for the independ- component of this Act, as it emphasizes the need ence and sovereignty of Georgia. It acknowledges for working on a possible free trade regime more Georgia’s commitment to democratic values, includ- actively. ing free and fair elections, and further affi rms US 15 M. Kostava str. “All this will advance the relationship between opposition to Russian aggression in the region. (+995) 322 30 03 05 GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 The USS Porter Visits Batumi Port tural events during their stay in Batumi. BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE “The port visit provides American sailors an opportunity to explore local historical sites and build lasting partner- n October 22, USS Porter ships with their Georgian Coast Guard (DDG 78) entered Batumi counterparts,” reports the US Embassy harbor. This is the ship’s in Tbilisi. second visit to Georgia. The USS Porter has a crew of 39 offi c- The visit highlights the ers and 282 enlisted personnel. The continuedO cooperation between the US ship’s dimensions are as follows: length Image source: U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi and Georgia to promote regional peace 154m, beam 20m, draft 11m. and stability. The USS Porter, forward-deployed at Commander C.M. Trent was greeted Naval Station Rota, Spain, is conducting by Georgian offi cials at the harbor and naval operations in the US 6th Fleet area offered a traditional glass of Georgian of operations in support of US national wine. A welcoming performance of a security interests in Europe. traditional Georgian dance and song The US 6th Fleet, headquartered in were put on for the ship’s crew. The Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum Commander then spoke to representa- of joint and naval operations, often in tives of the local press. concert with allied and interagency part- Commander Trent complimented ners, in order to advance US national Georgian hospitality, saying: “Thank you interests and security and stability in for the hospitality, thank you for the Europe and Africa. warm welcome – that was amazing. The US Navy routinely operates ships Georgia has a legendary reputation for in the Black Sea consistent with the hospitality, and you have certainly Montreux Convention and International exceeded that. Thank you so much.” Law. The Ships of the United States often After thanking Georgia for the tradi- visit Batumi port to emphasize and cel- tional and heartwarming welcome, Com- ebrate the strong relations between the mander Trent went on to talk about the two countries. symbolic signifi cance of the ship’s name In April, a different ship of the United and the strong ties between the United States arrived in Batumi. The United States of America and Georgia. States Ship (USS) Ross (DDG 71) arrived “My ship is the USS Porter and, if you in Batumi for the fi rst time for a port can see, it says ‘Freedom’s Champion.’ visit on April 21. Much like this October That is the motto of the ship, and that visit, the April one served to highlight refers to my country’s beginnings, founded the continued cooperation between the on the principles of freedom. I know that US and Georgia by promoting regional those are the principles that we share peace and stability. with Georgians. That is what makes our In addition to tours of the ship, sailors friendship strong. Our ship visit is a from the USS Ross played a friendly soc- symbol of that friendship,” he stated. cer match with the Georgian Coast Guard, The USS Porter’s visit not only serves a basketball game with Maritime Acad- offi cial means, however, as the crew plans emy students, and met with local youth to participate in several offi cial and cul- at the American Corner in Batumi. De-facto Security Services Accuse Georgian Side of Provocation of Koda, Abano, Kobi, Tsaghvli and Atotsi, BY BEKA ALEXISHVILI they restrict the movement of Georgian activists, media and NGOs to prevent an objective assessment of the situation he behavior at the illegiti- there. The presence of the policemen mate checkpoint and pres- and the Georgian checkpoint near the ence of Georgian forces settlement of South Ossetia increases near the village of Tsneli the risk of a military threat that could have signifi cantly increased lead to armed clashes," Biazrova added. theT risk of military threat on the border Such provoking and confrontational and may even trigger an open armed statements are a part of the misinforma- confl ict, - the South Ossetian "security tion operation directed by the occupa- committee" was cited as saying by the tion forces with the help of their Russian Russian Sputnik agency. associates. This type of falsifi cation is "Georgian provocateurs do not cease not new to the Moscow or their sup- their revanchist aspirations and create ported breakaway republics, and in this a hub of instability at the South Ossetian- case, it is happening near the village of Georgian border. And Georgian special Chorchana of the Khashuri municipality. services have been spreading misinfor- ‘Overall, these de-facto services relent- mation over the past two months and lessly try to justify their infl ammatory misleading not only the Georgian popu- actions along the occupation line.’ the lation but also Georgia's political lead- Georgian State Security Service issued ers," states Ekaterina Biazrova, head of in response to the statement of the de- the security committee’s press center. facto security committee of the Tskhin- She adds that Georgian security forces vali region (South Ossetia). are organizing an extensive provocation The central administration operating power to safeguard the wellbeing of the "Out hotline is working in permanent to our international partners," the State in the area. "At the border in the villages in Tbilisi claims to be using all of its local populace on the ground. mode and information is timely provided Security Service said. GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 POLITICS 9 Female Judges Outnumber Men in Georgia but are Underrepresented in Managerial Positions

Image source: complex.com

The study reads that time poverty emerges as a BY TEA MARIAMIDZE barrier for women to achieve career advancement. “Unlike their male counterparts, women judges often struggle to balance work and family respon- he Council of Europe (CoE) presented sibilities. The burden of administrative tasks related the study 'The main factors contrib- to the managerial position in the judiciary makes uting to the underrepresentation of it less attractive to women,” it says. women judges in the management of Based on the study results, two contradictory the common courts in Georgia' which discourses were revealed in terms of determining Trevealed that 53.3% of judges in Georgia are female, the criteria for appointing chairpersons of courts/ however, their representation in managerial posi- boards/chambers. tions is signifi cantly low. “As perceived by NGO representatives, the absence The study was prepared by Analysis and Con- of set criteria and procedures is problematic, as sultation Group (ACT) for the Council of Europe the process is not transparent and enables various project “Support to the Judicial Reform in Geor- groups to make subjective decisions; judges on the gia” and combines quantitative and qualitative other hand believe that setting criteria for appoint- research methods. The initial stage of the study ing judges to management positions may be coun- involved a qualitative survey: in-depth interviews terproductive,” the study reads. and focus group discussions with judges, repre- In addition to this, it also identifi ed potential sentatives of the High School of Justice, the High incentives that could encourage a more balanced Council of Justice, the Parliament, NGO sector, representation of women judges in managerial fi eld experts and law students in three cities of positions: reducing the judicial workload, remov- Georgia: Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Zestaponi. At the ing managerial functions from chairpersons, increas- second stage of the study, the quantitative survey ing the duration of paid parental leave and intro- was conducted through online questionnaires ducing relatively fl exible work hours. involving judges, as well as Court Managers and The CoE says that introducing a target number judicial assistants of the court. as a mechanism to increase the share of women in The survey reads that as of October 2018, the total the management of the court system was also number of judges in Georgia reached 306. Of 26 addressed in the study. One discourse says that a heads of the courts, only four are women, while in quota is an important mechanism to increase the nine chambers only two chairs are female and the share of women in the management of the court rest are men. In addition to this, all chairmen of system. The second discourse notes the introduc- the board are male. tion of a quota is positive discrimination and may The statistics show that since 2010, the number backfi re instead of supporting the representation of female and male judges in courts of fi rst and of women in management. second instance has been almost equal, and has It added that according to the judges participat- changed little from year to year. As for the third ing in the study, the system has two main challenges instance, in the ACT study we read that there are and they are not associated with gender but with signifi cantly more male judges than women. trust and the backlog of the courts. The organization said the fact that the number The study was funded by the voluntary contribu- of female judges in the Supreme Court from 2014 tions of Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, to 2016 increased from 21% to 38% is a positive Norway, the Slovak Republic and Sweden to sup- trend. At present, the share of female judges in the port the implementation of the Council of Europe court is 36%. Action plan for Georgia 2016-2019. GEORGIA TODAY 10 BUSINESS OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 Veon Group Holds its Third Global Hackathon for Employees vices and products that rely on the new vation, 5G is most alive. The winning In addition to DIGITHON being a great lenges. DIGITHON's idea is to encour- BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI 5G technology. That's why the award for team is also given the opportunity to motivation for employees, Veon member age innovation, creative thinking and the fi rst-place team is a trip to Seoul take part in organizing the next year's companies have successfully used this collaboration that enables companies to where, amidst the Southeast Asian inno- DIGITHON event. platform to solve the most exciting chal- foster an entrepreneurial spirit. ive Beeline employees from Georgia are participating in the Veon Group global hackathon in Amsterdam. The main prize of the competition is a tripF to Seoul, South Korea. For the third year in a row, international group Veon, a telecommunications and internet service provider presented as ‘Beeline’ in Georgia, has been running an innovative competition DIGITHON for its employees from the 10 countries where Veon is represented. DIGITHON derives from two words: "digi" from the word digital and "thon" from the word Hackathon. DIGITHON serves to create or improve already exist- ing digital products and services. At the fi rst stage, a local competition is held in all ten countries of Veon. The fi rst team/ winner from each country then heads to the group's global headquarters in Amsterdam for the DIGITHON. Team building starts before arriving in Amsterdam and unlike the local competition, it already brings together not only different departments, but also representatives of different countries and cultures. Upon arriving in Amster- dam, the 10 participating teams work on a product idea and prototype for the fi rst 24 hours and the next day must present the results. This year, the participants are working on the creation of innovative digital ser- Huawei Ships 200 Million Smartphone Units For 2019 In Record Time

uawei Consumer Business 2019 saw the launch of a number of wei has claimed this category prize. an industry leader. are used by a third of the world's popu- Group (CBG) has stand-out devices including the multi More recently, the HUAWEI Mate 30 In celebration of the milestone, Huawei lation. Fourteen R&D centres have been announced that it has award-winning HUAWEI P30 Series, Series launched to great critical acclaim. announced the Commemorative Edition set up in the United States, Germany, shipped 200 million smart- widely considered to be the best camera Featuring the ﬂ agship Kirin 990 5G SoC, of HUAWEI Mate 30 Pro 5G. The limited Sweden, Russia, India and China. Hua- phones to date in 2019, 64 phone currently available, as well as an DxOMark winning quad camera system version will come with 8GB RAM + 512GB wei Consumer BG is one of Huawei's Hdays earlier than the same shipment all-round category leader. Amongst a slew with breakthrough SuperSensing Cine Storage and will be available in Forest three business units and covers smart- milestone last year. Huawei’s relentless of awards and accolades, the European Camera and futuristic Halo ring design, Green and Orange with vegan leather. phones, PC and tablets, wearables and focus on cutting-edge technology and Image and Sound Association (EISA), a the HUAWEI Mate 30 Pro has been called It will be available for order on Huawei cloud services, etc. Huawei's global net- innovative ID design, with its complete group comprising 55 of the world’s most “a genuine, unapologetic ﬂ agship phone” Vmall starting from 1st November 2019 work is built on over 32 years of exper- commitment to consumers worldwide, respected consumer electronics maga- by Android Authority while GSMArena at 10:08 am China time in the Chinese tise in the telecom industry and is ded- has reinforced their trust and commit- zines, named the HUAWEI’s P30 Pro stated that “it has some of the best cam- market. icated to delivering the latest ment as more consumers continue to “EISA Best Smartphone 2019-2020”, mak- eras ever found on a smartphone”, once Huawei's products and services are technological advances to consumers support Huawei. ing it the second year in a row that Hua- again cementing Huawei’s reputation as available in more than 170 countries and around the world. GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 BUSINESS 11 ProCredit Bank Now Offering New Financing Opportunities for Purchasing Electric Cars

roCredit Bank Eco-Mobility Loans, a new service for business and private clients, aims to encourage customers to replace their fossil fuel-pow- eredP vehicles with electric cars. By doing so, clients can actively contribute to reducing their negative environmental impact. The electric vehicles available on the market today only need one full charge in order to enable drivers to com- fortably reach destinations in and around the city as well as the surrounding areas. Loans are issued in amounts ranging from GEL 15,000 to 90,000 with a fi xed interest rate (nominal - from 10%, effective -from 11.32%). Eco-Mobility Loan- saresecured with the vehicle purchased. ProCredit Bank continues to carry out strategic activities under the concept of eco-mobility. It is one of the fi rst institutions in Georgia to start using hybrid and electric cars, thus enhancing its role in promoting sustainable business prac- tices. Currently, ProCredit Bank is in the process of replacing the fossil fuel-pow- ered vehicles in its fl eet with electric cars and the necessary equipment. By using environmentally-friendly vehicles and developing the appropriate infrastructure, ProCredit Bank is raising the awareness of eco-mobility. It has been over a year since the bank's head offi ce at 21 Kazbegi Ave made an electric charger available for public use. As a next step, ProCredit Bank plans to install additional electric chargers in the near future.

SOCIETY Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Accuse the Ministry of Health of Neglect

FEEDBACK FROM THE UNION OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

atients with multiple sclerosis, their family members and doctors, gathered at the Radis- son Blu Iveria Hotel again to discuss the illness Multiple SclerosisP and the problems related to its treatment. The event was organized as part of the Together for One Campaign, which aims to support patients and actively engage the public and the state in this process. At the meeting, patients and doctors summarized current problems, discussed the need for timely diagnosis and adequate treatment, and reminded the government that people with multiple sclerosis are waiting for funding. However, they accused the Ministry of Health of neglect, pointing out the need for affordable treatment. This year, the Ministry of Health of Ajara pays 25 thousand GEL for expensive medicines for patients with multiple sclerosis. The program has 10 benefi ciar- ies at this stage. Patients living in Tbilisi and the regions are also waiting for such assistance. Yet despite the promises, they do not know what to expect in 2020 and cannot understand its citizens. In spring, lies need us to be active: there are young timely diagnose it and provide access to tory processes in the nervous system are whether the disease modifying treat- we received a promise that the multiple children behind us,” said Marika Kajaia, adequate treatment. followed by the death of neurons in the ments will be available to them. sclerosis treatment would become more who has been fi ghting the disease for Information on Multiple Sclerosis: brain. This process can continue even if Representatives of the Ministry of affordable. However, we still do not know several years, sometimes winning, some- Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, progres- the patient has no clinical symptoms. The Health were invited to the event but did what to expect. Moreover, the condition times giving up. She is an active person sive neurological disease and approxi- primary purpose of treatment for multi- not attend. for 2020 is also unclear. We are patients today, an active marketing specialist, and mately 2.3 million people worldwide have ple sclerosis is to reduce disease activity Attendance was free. Interested people who live, work, pay taxes into the state has a child who needs her support. this pathology. The fi rst symptoms tend at an early stage so that disability does at the meeting had the opportunity to budget, but neglect by the government To support people with multiple scle- to appear in the age group of 20 to 40 not progress. Nowadays, modifying ther- share their experiences with each other can take away all of this and drive us rosis, a worldwide campaign was organ- years and therefore multiple sclerosis is apy for the treatment of multiple sclero- in the fi ght against the disease and ask into a wheelchair. Keeping and caring ized in spring, titled "Bringing Us Closer". a major cause of non-traumatic disability sis can be provided, which signifi cantly questions to leading specialists. for persons with disabilities is much The goal of the campaign is to raise in young people. The disease activity is reduces disease activity and progression “It is diffi cult when your government more expensive for the state. Our fami- public awareness about the disease, very important in all forms- infl amma- of disability. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 The Yard

so you’d better not leave it unattended. But it works go one up and then walk down. But we’ve installed fi ne and looks beautiful, and works.) both A/C and a heater in the fl at to balance tem- There are lots of trees in enough density almost perature extremes. to be called forests. Parking is a bit iffy, as these Although the atheist origin period of these parts neighborhoods were designed and built when pri- of the city excluded religious life, most of them are vate cars were a fraction of the number they are getting or already now have new Orthodox churches The place we did get is at the end of one of the today. But people have built themselves garages (and other venues of expression, less visible per- BLOG BY TONY HANMER city’s two Metro lines, which means you can always outside their apartment blocks: illegal, but no one’s haps but present nonetheless) within walking dis- get on an empty carriage, sit, and read. The shop- coming to tear them down. So far. I’d pay quite a tance for the fi rst time. The bells ring; so far, Mus- ping around the Metro stop includes all household few thousand for one, but they rarely come on the lim calls to prayer will not be heard. The churches, lthough I had my heart set on buying goods and a great food bazaar, as well as a mall market. On the rare occasion when I drive my gas- aside from edge sharpness, could have been built property in and moving to Svaneti, which even has western and Asian fast food and guzzler all the way from Svaneti to here, I always 1500 years ago, so little have their designs changed. my wife had some wise advice for us: brand name supermarkets. The Metro is a mere 10 manage to fi nd a place for it nearby, so it could be In Georgian, yard is ezo; neighbor, deriving from Also acquire a place to live in Tbilisi. minutes’ walk from us, exercise I fi nd helpful. much worse. this, is m-ezo-beli. A nice root. We are only here a As a bachelor, couch-surfi ng with Between the subway and the fl at is a long section The actual courtyard that my high-rise looks onto few times a year, seldom together, but it’s our home friendsA in the city whenever I visited from Svaneti, where people come and daily spread out second has a supermarket, occasionally changing hands away from home when we need it. That was good “somewhere of my own” here had not been an hand goods, from tools to clothing to antiques. but always reopening; stalls and kiosks for fresh counsel indeed, Love. issue. (Although storage of all those books, I’ll Some of my favorite pressed glass liqueur bottles produce, popcorn and more; languages including admit, occasionally did pose a challenge.) But as a I found here, and they washed up just fi ne. Also, Svan, Mingrelian, Russian, Azeri, Armenian, Osse- Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti couple this option was not nearly so practical. Also, rather than shelling out a small fortune for a Rus- tian and of course Georgian; vastly more noise in since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early might we eventually retire from the physically sian samovar at the Dry Bridge Market, I spent only summer at night than our graveyard-quiet village 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook demanding village life to a simple apartment? 40 GEL for a late Soviet-era model in brass, having home. Especially from barking stray dogs, but at group, now with nearly 2000 members, at www.face- Indeed, this was a possibility; better to prepare for checked that it went on when plugged in but didn’t least most of these have been “fi xed”. Benches book.com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ it sooner rather than later, and not be caught una- leak. (There’s no on, up/down or off switch, noth- abound for outdoor life and socializing. He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: wares. ing to stop it boiling dry and then destroying itself, The lift currently doesn’t stop on our fl oor, so we www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti Georgian Astrophysicist on Why We Can't See Aliens

ican physicist Enrico Fermi – posits that because BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE the Milky Way is so vast and so old, the chances of alien civilizations being out there are pretty high. The Georgian physicist suggests that maybe aliens n October 20, Science Alert published are buzzing around the Universe in micro-machines an interesting article projecting the just a nanometer long. What's more, he's provided hypothesis and ﬁ ndings of Georgian some pretty detailed calculations to go along with astrophysicist. this idea. "What if alien spacecraft are already While it is true that Osmanov's paper has yet to inO our midst – and we don't know about them be peer-reviewed, so we can't place too much because they're tiny nanostructures?" that now is importance on it just yet – it does open up an the main question of Zaza Osmanov, a Georgian intriguing possibility and rather fascination theory. astrophysicist working at the Free University of Tbilisi. Read the article sciencealert.com/another-reason- Osmanov's new theory deems to explain the Fermi we-might-never-have-seen-alien-probes-they-re- paradox. This paradox – named after Italian-Amer- incredibly-tiny-micro-machines GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 CULTURE 13 Exhibition Dedicated to Zviad Gamsakhurdia to Open at Art Palace BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI

n exhibition dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the fi rst President of Georgia (1991-1992), one of the lead- ers of the National Libera- Ation Movement (1973-1990), Translator, Doctor of Philology and National Hero of Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia is set to open at the Art Palace (Kargareteli 6) on the evening of October 28, 18:00. The exhibition will feature unique video, audio and archival documents preserved at the Art Palace, which will introduce many interesting and hitherto unknown stories of Zviad Gamsakhur- dia's political or public activities. For the fi rst time in history, along with unique posters, photos or manuscripts brought out from the museum fund into the exposition halls, visitors will have the opportunity to view photos and archival documents of Georgia's political situation in 1989-1992, owned by The Washington Post. An exhibition catalog dedicated to the 80th anniversary of President Gam- sakhurdia will also be presented as part of the event, which, together with important facts about Gamsakhurdia's political career from January 3 to February 2, 1992, combines rare footage of the mass dis- persal of the former President's supporters. It is noteworthy that October 28 was Image source: Art Palace website chosen as the opening date of the exhibition. On October 28, 1990, the fi rst registered not by the Soviet authorities national observers from overseas mon- democratic and multi-party elections but by the Central Election Commission, itored the elections. were held in Georgia, in which the par- elected on a parity basis. However, for The exhibition will continue until ticipating parties and organizations were the fi rst time in the Soviet Empire, inter- November 10 at the Art Palace. The National Museum to Present First Solo Exhibition of a Ushgulian Artist

Source: Georgian National Museum and FB Page guli, where he still works. The artist about by foreigners many times and BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI himself says that nature, the universe many stories and videos have been and Man are his main inspirations. dedicated to him in Georgia: it is that The artist paints, works on wood and difficult to see and not be amazed by he Georgian National is the author of many poems. the genius residing in a small house Museum is preparing to The name of the unique Ushguli in a small mountain village in the host the first exhibition artist, Fridon Nizharadze, is probably Svaneti region. of Ushgulian artist Fri- unknown to many, though he is well Fridon Nizharadze has never had an don Nizharadze at the known to numerous Georgians and exhibition – this will be his first. The TbilisiT History Museum. foreign tourists who have visited exhibition, featuring 40 paintings by Nizharadze studied at the Tbilisi Ushguli and seen the works of this the artist, will open on November 2 Art Academy, then returned to Ush- great Svan artist. He has been written and will last until November 15. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER October 30 Shakespeare Until November 30 The fi rst museum of digital art in LADO ATANELI Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Exhibition ‘WISDOM Tbilisi, where you will meet three 30 Years on the World’s Opera Stages GIFT FESTIVAL Composer: Sandro Nikoladze TRANSFORMED INTO GOLD' different spaces: Vazha-Pshavela's Participants: Nino Surguladze, PROGRAM 2019 Language: Non-verbal Supported by the EU "Dried beech", the world of torches, Khatuna Chokhonelidze, Marika Start time: 20:00 With ancient archaeological fi nds, and a digital space decorated with Machitidze, Shalva Mukeria, Armaz Ticket: 10, 15 GEL October 27 the exhibition presents for the various graphic and visuals effects. Darashvili, Gocha Datusani, Tbilisi In the main hall is decorated with Levan Khetaguri Master Class for fi rst time gold jewelry of Late Opera and Ballet Theater Choir and October 27 Antiquity (2nd-4th century AD), video projections and mirrors, Young Theater Critics Orchestra. INTRO goldsmiths' tools from the Museum's demonstrating there is no boundary Venue: Rustaveli Theater, VIP Room Conductor- Zaza Azmaiparashvili Directed by Kakha Bakuradze ethnographic collection, and items between man and nature. Start time: 15:00 Program: Giuseppe Verdi, Music: Sandro Nikoladze made from gold and precious metals. Ticket: 10-30 GEL Rigoletto IV act, Language: Non-verbal October 30 Macbeth I act Start time: 20:00 IOSEB GRISHASHVILI MUSIC Aurelia Thierrée Presents Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 10, 15 GEL TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Bells & Spells Ticket: 10-200 GEL - KARVASLA RUSTAVELI THEATER Direction– Victoria Thiérrée-Chaplin October 31 8 Sioni St. GABRIADZE THEATER 17 Rustaveli Ave. Starring– Aurélia Thiérrée and Georgian-American Premiere TEL (+995 32) 2 98 22 81 Jaime Martinez 14 Shavteli Str. TAMADA IN MANHATTAN October 28 In co-production with Théâtre les Directed by Paul Gordon October 15-30 The Vivace Association Célestins, Lyon October 25, 26 GOGA JAPARIDZE’S EXHIBITION RAMONA Author: Paul Gordon, Ioseb CHARITY CONCERT Théâtre Atelier Carouge, Genève ANATOMICAL ODDITIES Revaz Gabriadze Bakuradze, Supporting Georgian children and Change Performing Arts, Milano Directed by Revaz Gabriadze Genre: Musical youth in the fi eld of education and Start time: 20:00 Until November 12 English Subtitles Decorator: Kakha Bakuradze musical promotion. The donations Ticket: 8-50 GEL NASASJÓN Start time: 20:00 Choreographer: Robbie Priore, will go equally to Georgian Venue: Marjanishvili Theater Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Abby Leithart, Vanessa Owen, The exhibition consists of works UNICEF for Education programs Gavin Strewart, Lasha Robakidze by six Icelandic artists: Ingólfur and the association "Vivace". TBILISI OPERA October 27 Language: Non-verbal Arnarsson, Ívar Valgardsson, Young music competition winners AND BALLET THEATER STALINGRAD Start time: 20:00 Kristinn G. Hardarson, Sólveig from Switzerland and Georgia will 25 Rustaveli Ave. Revaz Gabriadze Ticket: 25 GEL Adalsteinsdóttir, Rádhildur perform together with "Georgian Directed by Revaz Gabriadze Ingadóttir and Tumi Magnússon. Sinfonietta" October 25 English Subtitles MUSIC & DRAMA STATE All the artists were born between Start time: 20:00 Victor Dolidze's opera Start time: 20:00 THEATER 1954 and 1959. Ticket: 15-100 GEL KETO AND KOTE Ticket: 20, 30 GEL 182 Agmashenebeli Ave. Music Director of the Production- MUSEUM OF SOVIET OCCUPATION STEINWAY & SONS Revaz Takidze October 29 October 29 4 Rustaveli Ave. 1 O. Dgebuadze Str. Director- Ioane (Vano) Khutsishvili REZO WELCOME TO GEORGIA TEL (+995 32) 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Set, Costume and Lighting Animated documentary fi lm The Musical www.museum.ge October 26 Designer- Giorgi Alexi-Meskhishvili Directed by Leo Gabriadze A musical, theatrical play and An Evening of Classical Music Choreographer- Iliko Sukhishvili English Subtitles romantic comedy telling a story sounds Start time: 20:00 The exhibition hall is equipped Participants: Giorgi Davitadze about Georgia and its people by By Frederic ROZANES Ticket: 15 GEL combining song, dance, culture, with monitors, where visitors (Kote), Vakhtang Jashiashvili can see documentaries of various In Program: Beethoven, Liszt and (Prince Levan), Manana traditions, history, national Chopin October 30, 31 historical events. Iordanishvili (Maro), Kakhaber costumes and local cuisine. Start time: 20:00 THE AUTUMN OF MY Start time: 20:00 Tetvadze (Makar), Chorus MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS Ticket: 10-30 GEL SPRINGTIME Ticket: 50-80 GEL and Orchestra of the Tbilisi Z. Revaz Gabriadze 10 Betlemi Str. ELEKTROWERK Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Directed by Revaz Gabriadze MUSEUM 2 Monk Gabriel Salosi I Turn Theater, National Ballet Company English Subtitles Discover the Museum of Illusions ‘Sukhishvilebi’ Start time: 20:00 Be brave enough to jump into an GEORGIAN NATIONAL October 27 Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 20, 30 GEL illusion created by the Vortex, MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA INSIDE Ticket: 40-200 GEL deform the image of yourself in a MUSEUM The tasteful blend of traditional SHALIKASHVILI THEATER Mirror Room, be free in the Infi nity 3 Rustaveli Ave. dance music and experimental October 27 37 Rustaveli Ave. room, resist the laws of gravity and TEL (+995 32) 299 80 22, 293 48 21 electronic sound make their Giuseppe Verdi size ratio, and take selfi es in every www.museum.ge creation always outstanding and LA TRAVIATA October 25, 26 possible pose. Enjoy the collection STOP AIDS varied Music Director of the production- Exhibitions: of holograms, and discover optical Language: Non-verbal Start time: 20:00 Zaza Azmaiparashvili, GEORGIAN COSTUME AND illusions. Director- Laurent Gerber, Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 15 GEL Ticket: 15 GEL WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH Scenographer- Massimo Bellando GALLERY CENTURIES EPISODE 7 Randone, Costume Designer- Ester October 29 NUMISMATIC TREASURY Tsavkisi Martin, Choreographer- Nina ABIGLUKOZA EXHIBITION STONE AGE THE NATIONAL GALLERY Ananiashvili, Participants: Marika Language: Non-verbal GEORGIA 11 Rustaveli Ave. October 31 Machitidze (Violetta), Nutsa Start time: 20:00 ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE TEL (+995 32) 215 73 00 EPISODE 7 Zakaidze (Flora), Mariam Kobaliani Ticket: 15 GEL NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL Line up: (Annina), Armaz Darashvili COLLECTIONS GRAND MASTERS FROM THE (DJ) Skalitzer, (Alfredo Germont)… MOVEMENT THEATER GEORGIAN Naomari, Zei Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State 182 Agmashenebli Ave. Until December 15 NATIONAL MUSEUM Start time: 21:00 Theater Orchestra, Choir and Ballet The fi rst-ever exhibition of A COLLECTION XIX – XX CENTURY Ticket: 15 GEL Company. October 26 REMARKABLE COIN FROM Start time: 19:00 THE TEMPEST THE TIME OF KING DAVID THE Until November 20 MOVEMENT THEATER Ticket: 10-200 GEL Based on the work of William BUILDER Georgian National Museum and the 182 Agmashenebli Ave. Embassy of Italy in Georgia present the exhibition October 29 "THE FORM OF COLOR FROM JAM SESSION- TINTORETTO TO CANALETTO" Improv played by different from Trieste's National Gallery of Georgian and foreign musicians Ancient Art. and instrumentalists. The Gallery displays three Musical art director- Sandro Nikoladze centuries of Italian painting– Start time: 21:00 from the late Renaissance to the Ticket: 5 GEL Rococo. The National Gallery brings SOUNDS OF GEORGIA together 55 artworks of Tintoretto, Guerchino, Bernando Strozzi, SING AND DRINK Antonio Canaletto, Giovanni Mini concerts in the cozy Lorenzo Bernini and other painters. Visitors will get acquainted with atmosphere of Old Tbilisi, a mix the major painting schools of of traditional Georgian music of Northern Italy from the 16th- different genres: folklore, a capella, 18th centuries - from Bologna guitar, and Georgian pop and city (Giuseppe Maria Crespi) to Genoa songs every Wednesday, Thursday, (Givanni Batista Paggi, Gioacchino Friday, Saturday Assereto, Giovanni Francesco Start time: 17:00 Castiglione) and from Lombardy Ticket: 24 GEL (Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli, Pier Venue: October 26- New Tifl is, Francesco Cittadini) to Veneto 9 Agmashenebeli Ave., Wine (Bonifacio de' Pitati, Carlo Caliari, bar ‘Wine Station’. October 30- Francesco Maffei, Nicola Grassi). Corner of 2 Turgenev Str., and 37 Javakhishvili Str., deep yard, October TBILISI DIGITAL SPACE 31- Europe Square, 2 D. Megreli Str., Tbilisi Mall Hotel “Nata” GEORGIA TODAY OCTOBER 25 - 28, 2019 CULTURE 15 Lado Ataneli - 30 Years on the World Opera Stages n October 30, at 19:00, the Belvedere International Singing Com- Lado Ataneli founded the charity fund Tbilisi Opera and Ballet petition. Since 1996, he has performed “Tanadgoma”, which aims to help young Theater is to host unfor- successfully on the world's famous opera talented singers and pave the way for gettable evening of the stages - New York, London, Paris, Ber- their international triumph. acclaimed Georgian bari- lin, Vienna, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, Lado Ataneli Singers Competition has toneO Lado Ataneli - 30 Years on the World Munich, Washington, Tokyo, etc. The been held since 2010. Ataneli was awarded Opera Stages. Georgian baritone is acknowledged as the Shota Rustaveli State Prize and the The program covers the fourth act from one of the best performers of Verdi, Gold Medal in 2011. In the same year, he Giuseppe Verdi's opera Rigoletto and Puccini, Giordano, Leoncavallo, was recognized by the Georgian Writ- the fi rst act from opera Macbeth. Apart Mascagni and Massenet operas. His ers' Union as a "Knight of Kindness." In from Lado Ataneli in the concert will repertoire consists of more than 40 2012, he was awarded the Order of Excel- participate Nino Surguladze, Marika operas, including roles of Scarpia, lence. In 2017, he was named as honorary Machitidze, Khatuna Chokhonelidze, Gerard, Tonio, Iago, Macbeth, Nabucco, citizen of Tbilisi. The same year, Ata- Shalva Mukeria, Armaz Darashvili, Gocha Rigoletto, Barnaba, etc. neli’s star opening ceremony was held Datusani, Irina Sherazadishvili, Philipe In 2003, EMI Classics recorded Pon- in front of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Ghatchava, Tbilisi Opera and Ballet chielli's opera La Gioconda, where Lado Theater. Theater Chorus and Orchestra, while Ataneli performed Barnabas' most rig- Music critics have dubbed Lado Ataneli Conductor Zaza Azmaiparashvili will orous part together with Placido Domingo. “the Golden Voice from Georgia” and lead the evening. In 2005, he released his fi rst solo album “100 Carat Diamond.” Lado Ataneli made his debut at the called “Opera Arias”, followed by his “Italian music is like a catalyst for his Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater in 1989 next CD “Baritone Arias” in 2009. Among voice that brings the best out of him,” with the role of Renato in Verdi's opera his DVD recordings should be mentioned emphasizes an article in the Orpheus Un Ballo in Maschera. Ataneli is the Verdi's Othello, Massenet's Thais, Tchai- magazine, which also claims that Lado Grand Prix winner of the I. Chestel and kovsky's The Queen of Spades. In 2009, Ataneli’s voice puts out 355 horsepower. Brazilian Film Festival in Tbilisi 2019 BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE

he Brazilian fi lm production of recent years is being recognized everywhere for its quality and diversity. That is why for the sixth Ttime Tbilisi will host an open-to-public event celebrating Brazil’s cinematic beauty and success. The 2019 edition of the Brazilian Film Festival, fully dedicated to Brazilian cinema, is scheduled in Tbilisi from October 25 to 31. Presented by the Brazilian Embassy in Tbilisi, the festival has been able to dis- play in Georgia, since 2012, more than 40 top-quality Brazilian fi lms, most recent and previously locally unscreened pro- ductions, and has been growing in size and attendance since its foundation. The Tbilisi Brazilian Film Festival in 2019 is set to showcase a selection of great movies from the new wave of Bra- zilian fi lmmaking. Six days of this full week of Brazilian Cinema being projected at the Georgian Cinema House will be dedicated to feature fi lms and one to recently produced short Brazilian animation movies. Among creations of popular culture for “mass consumption,” like action features and comedy, the fes- Image source: Tbilisi Brazilian Film Festival tival gives a chance to get a glimpse of Silveira, a psychiatrist in Brazil who animated movie night. Happening on by Amir Admoni (2012) - 6min. Geneva International Film Festival, the the independent division of Brazilian treated her patients with art instead of Monday, October 28, Cinema House will The Tbilisi Brazilian Film Festival will Brasília Film Festival, the Miami Film contemporary cinema, too: the Brazilian electroshock therapy. Promising Brazil- welcome guests to delve into the follow- wrap up on October 31 with the screen- Festival and the Grand Prize of Brazilian Film Festival in Tbilisi will screen some ian actors like Gloria Pires, Luciana ing short animation fi lms from Brazil: ing of ‘The Ballroom’ (2007). Cinema. truly creative and audacious fi lms both Fregolente and Simone Mazzer partici- ‘Way of Giants,’ directed by Alois Di Leo To keep the intrigue, we won’t reveal The movies will be shown in their in form and content. pated in the production. ‘Nise: The Heart (2016) - 12min; ‘Menina da Chuva’ (Rain the movie’s setting with any spoilers – original language with English subtitles. The fi rst fi lm to be screened is one of of Madness’ won the Best Film nomina- Girl), directed by Rosaria (2010) - 7min; see it for yourself! We’ll mention, how- Films may contain mature content. the most interesting. On Friday, October tion in the Tokyo International Film ‘Daydreamer,’ directed by Quiá Rodrigues ever, that the Ballroom is internationally Entrance is free. See more of the sched- 25, the Georgian Cinema House will screen Festival and the Best Film in the Rio Film (2012) - 20min; ‘Tarik's Puzzle,’ directed acclaimed and has been very well ule on the festival’s website. The tickets ‘Nise: The Heart of Madness’ (2015). Festival Audience Award. by Maria Leite (2015) - 19min; ‘Power received. will be awarded on a fi rst-come-fi rst- Directed by Roberto Berliner, the fi lm One of the most exciting parts of the House,’ directed by Maria Leite and Dan- The musical romantic drama, directed serve basis, starting 30 minutes before is based on the true story of Dr. Nise da Tbilisi Brazilian Film Festival 2019 is its iel Herthel (2007) - 5min; ‘Linear,’ directed by Laís Bodanzky, won awards at the each session.

PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Website Manager/Editor: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Zaza Jgarkava, Katie Ruth Davies 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Maka Bibilashvili, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Vazha Tavberidze, Layout: strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Misha Mchedlishvili Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Commercial Director: Beka Alexishvili, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Webmaster: Iva Merabishvili Tea Mariamidze, F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Sergey Gevenov Marketing Manager: Ana Dumbadze, is registered in Mtatsminda Sesili Tikaradze Nini Dakhundaridze, Circulation Managers: ADVERTISING & district court. Ketevan Kvaratskheliya David Kerdikashvili, SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: David Djandjgava +995 555 00 14 46 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: Photographer: E-mail: Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies Irakli Dolidze [email protected]