Issue no: 1167 • JULY 12 - 15, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Proud but Poor: Russian View of the Georgian Problem NEWS PAGE 2 What Are the Expectations of Khazaradze's Political Movement? NEWS PAGE 3 Russian MP Gavrilov: Georgia Can Learn Protection of Human Rights from Moscow POLITICS PAGE 5 Family Day Picnic of the FOCUS AmCham and US Embassy ON PUTIN'S VERSION POLITICS PAGE 6 OF HISTORY Georgian historian Tomos Wars: Rogue One dissects Putin's alternative version of occupation PAGE 4 – Interview with Honorary Patriarch Filaret Photo Source - Getty Images POLITICS PAGE 7 EU Invests in Akhalkalaki First Ever Pride March Held to Preserve Heritage, Raise Employment in Tbilisi Despite Ultra- SOCIETY PAGE 8 Caucasus University Breaks Ground on New Conservative Opponents Batumi Campus BY AMY JONES SOCIETY PAGE 9 International Seminar with n 8 July, LGBTQI activists held a pride march for the fi rst time the Support of the EU on in Tbilisi despite threats from ultra-conservative and homo- Tourism Development in the phobic groups. On the same day,O Tbilisi Pride opponents gathered in Black Sea Basin front of the Georgian parliament after fail- ing to stop the Pride march from going ahead, SOCIETY PAGE 13 disrupting anti-Russian occupation protes- tors. Ultra-conservative opponents of Tbilisi Artists Recreate Georgian Pride and the Georgian Patriarch strongly opposed Tbilisi Pride. On the morning of Medival Poem Knight in the planned Pride march, clergymen marched from Republic Square to the Georgian Par- the Panther’s Skin as a liament demanding that the government prevent Tbilisi Pride from happening. Comic Book Continued on page 5 CULTURE PAGE 15 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS JULY 12 - 15, 2019 Proud but Poor: Russian View of the Georgian Problem

really shown any signs of a long-term foreign pol- OP-ED BY EMIL AVDALIANI icy towards the South Caucasus. Russian efforts in the region have so far been limited only to coun- tering Western economic and military intrusion ooking at the troubled Georgian-Russian mainly through a military build-up in Abkhazia relations particularly of the past 30 years and Tskhinvali region. (since 9 April, 1989) one could easily see At times its seems that Moscow is content as it that a certain deadlock has been reached. has essentially reached its major strategic impera- Photo Source - Vestnikkavkaza Both sides blame each other for vari- tives such as preventing Georgia's NATO and EU Lous actions in the past. Both might be right as, at membership plans. Even while controlling major do this. Economic troubles of the country prevent based on Russia's future as a global power which times, aggressive statements, incorrect political passes into the South Caucasus, Moscow still needs it from being attractive in foreign policy. But there will withstand all the vagaries of the geopolitical moves, etc. truly damaged and caused a rift in bilat- at least Georgia to be neutral or Russia-friendly. It is also an understanding that Georgia should not competition between with the west, and between eral relations since the break up of the Soviet Union. is important for Moscow because of Russia's his- really expect any Russian benevolence if pro-west- America and China. However, blaming all the damage in relations on torically low ability to integrate and properly con- ern aspirations are not abandoned and more impor- This "imperial aloofness" nevertheless distances separate statements and actions of various Geor- trol the North Caucasus. Moreover, without Geor- tantly independence of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali the Georgian people from the Russian world and gian and Russian politicians would be incorrect. gia, Russia's ability to control the South Caucasus region is not recognized by Tbilisi. prevents Moscow from having a long term foreign We deal here with a pure geopolitical process which itself is at best untenable. A certain "imperial aloofness" is also present in policy aimed at improving relations with Georgia lies behind the Georgian-Russian dilemma: West- Thus, military build up might serve only as a tool various Russian discussions on Georgia. The coun- without the demands to recognize Abkhazia and Russia competition and Georgia's place as one of to defend your positions for a certain period of try might always be proud, but it will always remain Tskhinvali region. One could even suggest that the layers in this struggle. time. After that, robust diplomatic, economic and poor unless it enjoys the benefi ts of Russia's eco- Moscow, by recognizing Georgia's breakaway ter- Russian politicians as well as analysts in the past cultural initiatives are needed to prop up geopo- nomic space. Another view is that considering the ritories, has in fact limited its options in diplomatic couple of weeks have paid large attention to what litical interests. This is what Russia has not been size of Georgia, the unstable region and troubles games with Tbilisi. No one in Georgia now believes is going on in Georgia and what is generally wrong doing with Georgia for the past several decades, in Europe, as well as the refocusing of US geopo- that Moscow would consider the handing over of between Russia and its southern neighbour. since the break-up of the Soviet Union. litical attention to Asia-Pacifi c to counter China, Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region in exchange for The confl ict is overwhelmingly cast as a result In other words, Georgians do not see why Russia Georgia's western aspirations will be doomed Tbilisi's refusal to join NATO and the EU: a strik- of western manipulation and Georgia's political can be attractive enough to be their long term ally. eventually forcing Georgia into Russian hands. This ing contrast to pre-2008 when many believed this class' ineptitude to act independently and without Those who depend on Russian money (through Rus- scenario is not entirely groundless, but it still is could happen. emotionally-driven masquerades. Again, Georgian sian tourists or exports to Russia) do so out of neces- politics are often emotionally driven, but it is also sity which one day can easily change and those same clear that an overwhelming majority of the Geor- people might make good business from European gian population is unwilling to tolerate a pro-Rus- tourists and via exports to the European market. sian Georgian government based on past previous In fact, one might say that the entire Russia for- The Protests and the Zero Barrier experiences with Russia (primarily, Russian rec- eign policy for more than 20 years has been based ognition of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region). more on prevention of western infl uence in the OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA What the Russian view lacked these days and, post-Soviet space than on an actual long-term per- one could even say, for the last couple of decades, spective of how to improve Russian positions in is what can be done to improve the situation. And, the region. this is where the trouble starts as Moscow has not There are plenty of reasons why Russians did not olitical crisis continues. Despite winning some concessions, the demands of pro- testing students for the resignation of the Interior Minister remains unchanged. The compromises offered by the govern- Pment are truly epic, only the fact that the parliamen- tary elections will be held with a proportional sys- tem for instance is worth so much. However, this didn’t prove enough for the youth and the Georgian Dream found itself in an even worse crisis. The rea- see what strategy will the united opposition choose son for it is the so-called zero-barrier, which in the for their battle against the Georgian Dream. end didn’t turn out to be zero afterall. With the new rules assigned, in order to get into And so the issue of zero-barrier became the reason the parliament, a party will need to obtain 0.7 % of contradictory assesments from politicians and which is about 14,000 votes. If we consider the results experts. Some believe it to be a step forward, while of presidential elections of 2016, the ruling party got others argue that it is a trap, aimed at getting vari- 38%, United National movement 37% and European ous extremist, pro-Russian and GD’s satellite people Georgia 10%. This means that there are only 12 man- into the Parliament. dates left to distribute, for which the minor parties After the informal governor of the country will need to fi ght. announced the zero-barrier for the parliamentary So where is the trap? Political expert Vakhtang elections of 2020, everyone, whether politician or Dzaboradze believes that the trick is not in “buying” not, remembered the story of 30 years ago, when the parties, but in distributing these 12 places which the barrier of 2 % resulted in a total of 24 political will be crucial during the formation of the govern- parties entering the parliament. ment: “If the Dream has to buy votes for other par- In the distant era two decades ago, in 1992, 2,592,117 ties, why would they do it? They would buy votes voters elected 75 MPs through the majoritarian sys- for themselves. The trap is different. The Dream tem and 150 proportionally. It shouldn’t be hard to needs this not because it buys votes for other par- imagine what will happen in the conditions of a 0 ties, but because it will get the highest percent and % barrier, especially when we need to elect 150 MPs. the right to comprise a coalitional government.” Where from or why did the zero barrier emerge, Although this argument could have some logic in when nobody asked for it? What is the trap that it, if we calculate that 14,000 votes is 4 to 5 bulletins Bidzina Ivanishvili is tring to form against his polit- on each polling station, and if we add Ivanishvili’s ical oponents? Some experts believe that this way, fi nancial resources to it, we will see that the Dream Georgian Dream will try to create a new majority. shouldn’t have a problem to create a few “fake” par- While this could be true to some extent, there are ties and win the electoral marathon of 2020. If he experts who don’t fi nd this perspective alarming pays 100 GEL for each vote, winning the elections and on the contrary, argue that it will aid “natural will cost the billionaire just 6 million USD. It shouldn’t selection” of the current political spectrum. As a be hard to understand why Ivanishvili decided to result, we could see parties in parliament that do lower the barrier to 0%. It is also easy to understand have some trust and rating from the population. why the students continue protesting in front of the In itself switching to the proportional system is parliament. The leaders of the protests are honest good, but for now it seems that the consultations when they say that each day of protests costs the and debates around it won’t pass withut noise and Georgian Dream its rating. hassle. The situation could become even more com- It has been two weeks already that the Dream is plicated when Georgian Dream decides to ban the in the mode of self-explanation and it doesn’t seem creation of political blocks prior to the elections to be changing soon. If all continues as it is, it is and therefore create a dilemma for numerous rela- unlikely that the party will get the 38% that it got in tively small parties that used to create an alliance the last elections. Hence, either the Minister of Inte- and enter the legislative system this way. rior Affairs or the Party’s ratings – it is after the If they will be deprived of this, they will need either Dream to decide which one to choose. By the way, to self-liquidate or unite under a single new party, better later than never, Salome Zurabishvili responded or at least continue playing on the political arena stated being ready to get engaged in the consula- under the status of non-parliamentary parties. It is tions around the ongoing issues. In any case, the hard to fortell, which way they will choose to go, future elections will take place by the proportional but there is a fair chance that the united opposition system, the 0% barrier will be in force only in 2020 will transform into a party. However, let’s wait and and most probably be forgotten afterwards. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 12 - 15, 2019 NEWS 3 Passenger Traffi c Increases by 18% in Georgia in First Half of 2019

country: Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli Inter- BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA national Airport, Batumi Aleksandre Kartveli International Airport and Kutaisi David Aghmashenebeli International uring the fi rst half of 2019, Airport, the latter being on the leading the three airports of Geor- position of the list with respect to the gia have catered for number of served travelers. 2,489,823 travelers, reports The airport of the Georgian capital the Civil Aviation Agency Tbilisi Airport catered for 1,870,082 pas- Dof the Ministry of Economy and Sustain- sengers and showed 11.64% increase, able Development of Georgia, noting whereas in case of Batumi International that the passenger traffi c has increased Airport the number of travelers amounted by 18.24% compared to the same time to 247,391 with 30.01% growth. Kutaisi period of the last year. International Airport served 364,834 The number of passengers increased passengers, 55.4% more in comparison in all three international airports of the with the fi rst six months of 2018. Photo source - Tbilisi Airport What Are the Expectations of Khazaradze's Political Movement? multi-party democratic system. BY THEA MORRISON The expert believes Khazaradze’s plans are “strategically well-calculated.” According to him, neither Georgian amuka Khazaradze, one Dream, nor the UNM can overcome the of the founders and 50% barrier to gain complete control. former Chairman of the He says there is a likelihood that Georgia Supervisory Board of will have a multi-party parliament with Georgia’s largest bank the necessity of forming a post-election MTBC, announced that he will unite a coalition. “healthy, progressive and pro-western “In such conditions, the emergence of society” and create a political force a force with15-20%, even in the 3rd place, named Civil Movement in September. means that it will have a "golden key". Khazaradze said he made such a deci- Everything will depend on which side sion because of the recent developments this third component will take,” he in the country, which “are getting alarm- explained. ing,” adding there is a “deliberate pro- To note, on February 14, the National cess of confrontation and splitting the Bank of Georgia (NBG) stated that after society.” He claimed June 20 events examining transactions conducted by were a “watershed” that moved him to TBC Bank 2007-2008, it was revealed act, referring to the large-scale protest that the Chairman of the Supervisory which left 300 arrested and around 240 Board of TBC Bank Mamuka Khazaradze injured. Photo source: RFE/RL and his Deputy Japaridze had violated He pledged to establish a movement different reactions among politicians the leaders of the party, Giga Bokeria, natural that new political movements or the requirements of the legislation reg- together with his “friends and like-minded and experts. said that they consider whoever shares forces appear before 2020 parliamentary ulating confl ict of interests. Therefore, people, professionals from different Former Defense Minister Tina Khi- their opinions on some fundamental elections. According to the MP, it is it suspended the authority of the two fi elds,” but does not specify to whom he dasheli says Khazaradze became a poli- issues to be a potential ally. important to know what Khazaradze’s men. Meanwhile, the Prosecutor’s Offi ce refers. It is only known that his business tician on the day when he went to the Former ruling party United National position is in order to assess his deci- launched an investigation or alleged partner and friend Badri Japaridze will parliament to announce that he received Movement has the same position. UNM’s sion. money laundering. be in the movement. a letter of threat from the Interior Min- Roman Gotsiridze underlined that the An independent MP, Davit Chichinadze, Khazaradze resigned as the Chair of Khazaradze, who says that he and his ister Giorgi Gakharia. Khazaradze made appearance of a new force on the polit- who quit GD recently, says Khazaradze TBC Supervisory Board and in April, he TBC Bank have been under attack by this statement in parliament in March, ical arena means that everyone is uniting wants to come into politics to “save him- and Badri Japaridze quit the board. the government during the last few 2019. against the ruling party Georgian Dream self.” He says this time betting is placed TBC Bank is leading the consortium months, wrote in a Facebook post that The ex-minister believes that not a (GD) and its funder, “informal ruler of on Mamuka Khazaradze and his “so that is constructing Anaklia Deep Sea his movement will unite the represent- single businessman in the country has the country,” Bidzina Ivanishvili. called new pro-western model, with Port, a very strategic port for the coun- atives of various spheres, “those people, ever made such statements during a “We welcome all public and political relatively less bad history.” try on the Black Sea coast in the west. who will be united by the idea of build- parliament tribune. forces, which will support us in ending Political expert Gia Khukhashvili The deadline for attracting investments ing a Western-style state in Georgia with Opposition party European Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili's oligarchy,” he explains that, after the government’s by Anaklia Development Consortium the most competitive and strong economy, positively assessed Khazaradze’s state- stressed. decision to hold 2020 elections with the expired on June 15 but the government where the rule of law will triumph.” ment, saying the formation of a pro- The ruling GD MP and Deputy Parlia- proportional system and zero barriers, decided to extend the deadline for six Khazaradze’s announcement caused western movement is welcome. One of ment Speaker, Gia Volsky, claims it is Georgia is showing signs of forming a more months. European Commission Head: Russian Flight Ban is Unjustifi ed

has weathered external pressure before transparent judiciary is essential for wait for solidarity from Brussels. BY ANA DUMBADZE and will do so again this time. The EU public trust, for economic and social "My Brussels experience tells me stands with Georgia in solidarity and development and also for attracting that you can count on European soli- with full commitment to your sover- foreign investments”, he continued. darity as long as your Georgian soli- uropean Commission Head eignty and territorial integrity," he He welcomed the decision of the darity lasts, and as long as you respect Donald Tusk assessed Rus- noted. Georgian Dream ruling party to con- your common strategic political goals. sia’s decision to ban direct At the same time, according to him, duct the 2020 parliamentary elections Democracy is a constant debate and fl ights to Georgia from July the judicial system is gaining more within a fully proportional system. not a civil war. Therefore, everything 8. According to him, this public confi dence in Georgia and the "I see this initiative as a real chance is in your hands", he said. decisionE was “disproportionate, unfair economy is becoming much more to enhance the plurality of Georgia’s The International Conference “Geor- and unjustifi ed.” attractive for foreign investments. democratic landscape. I encourage all gia's European Way”, dedicated to the Tusk made the relevant statement "EU-Georgia relations are built on stakeholders to use this opportunity 10th anniversary of the Eastern Part- at the joint briefi ng with the Georgian our common values,” said Tusk. “Geor- to work in good faith", he noted. nership, has been opened in Georgia’s President Salome Zurabishvili on the gia’s greatest asset lies in its demon- Donald Tusk also touched upon seaside city of Batumi. High-ranking sidelines of the 16th Batumi Interna- strated commitment to democratic ongoing, anti-occupation rallies in offi cials from several countries are tional Conference. reform and the rule of law. This is a Tbilisi, and said that “democracy is attending the conference. "Russia's recent decision to ban process that needs to be taken forward for development and not to trigger The conference aims to assess the fl ights to Georgia is unjustifi ed and with continued determination. As you civil rivalry and wars.” EaP, its main deliverables, as well as disproportionate. But your country know, a credible, independent and According to him, Georgia should Photo source - Sky News present geopolitical context. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS JULY 12 - 15, 2019 Georgian Historian on Putin: Russian Leader Could Not Pass History Exam

Abkhazian Bolsheviks tried to obtain the BY ANA DUMBADZE status of Republic to Abkhazia. However, they were refused and Abkhazia joined the Federation of Transcaucasus as well he Russian President as later the Soviet Union as an integral Vladimir Putin has recently part of Georgia. offered his “alternative ver- These events took place in 1921-1922, sion” of how Georgia “occu- so I’d like to remind the society and Putin pied” the currently Russian- himself, who is a big “expert” of history Toccupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South that Stalin became the leader in 1924, Ossetia) regions. after the death of Lenin. He was in gov- "Georgia, with help from German troops, ernment before, but served as a Secre- occupied Abkhazia in 1918, and Georgian tary-General and had no real power. So, troops were even crueler in South Osse- Putin just used his name, as an evil Geor- tia during 1919 and 1920. This was essen- gian politician. tially what is called genocide today," As for terror and genocide of nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated the Russian politician is talking to us at a meeting with journalists on July 9. about it. He, together with his state, GEORGIA TODAY spoke to the histo- destroys the ethnic environment every- rian, Professor Jaba Samushia, the Dep- where they can. They tried everything uty Director-General of the Rustaveli to divide the Georgian nation according National Science Foundation of Georgia, to their origins from various regions of to follow Putin’s alternative “historical the country, by mentioning them such facts” step by step and fi nd historically as Megrelians, Ajarians, etc. These peo- justifi ed answers to them. ple now say that Georgians arranged As the Georgian historian noted, Putin’s genocide. knowledge of history “equals to the During the Soviet time, in 1937, all knowledge of the pupil of primary class”. nations - Georgians, Armenians, Rus- “It is too bad because when one makes sians, etc. were destroyed. Generally, the a political statement, it should be based year 1937 was the time of the Bolshevik on specifi c facts and knowledge. The Terror. It was a disaster brought by the Russian leader could not pass a history Soviet Regime. By the way, it was cre- exam and put himself in a very funny ated by the structure which raised up situation”, Jaba Samushia said. Putin – KGB. Today, their attempt to Samushia believes that Putin’s state- blame the year 1937 events on Georgians ment is a classic example of how the is nonsense. The ethnic component has empire tries to use history to justify its nothing to do here because the Empire violent actions. does not have origins. The Soviet Union Here, we offer to our readers Vladimir equally destroyed all nations around it. Putin’s alternative versions on how Geor- gia “occupied’ Abkhazia and Tskhinvali FAKE # 7: THIS IS A GRIM regions, followed by the historically jus- LEGACY THAT ONE OF THE tifi ed arguments of Professor Jaba Sam- FIRST GEORGIAN PRESIDENTS ushia. SIMPLY IGNORED WHEN HE TOOK AJARA AND FAKE #1: OSSETIA JOINED ABKHAZIA’S AUTONOMY, THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN RESTULTING IN AN EXPLOSIVE 1774. BOTH NORTHERN AND FRATRICIDAL WAR. AND SOUTHERN OSSETIA Answer: Putin made several mistakes in CAME TOGETHER, AS AN these two sentences. First of all, no one INDEPENDENT STATE. abolished the autonomous republics of Answer: Ossetia defi nitely joined the Abkhazia and Ajara. South Ossetia did Russian Empire in 1774. However, it was of our Northern neighbor to occupy not 1920. THIS WAS WHAT WE autonomous republics. None of the not have the status of the autonomous not based on its free will, but Russia only the territory but history as well, CALL TODAY “GENOCIDE”. autonomous republics existing on Rus- district at all. As for fratricidal war, Putin occupied it. I talk about the occupation which is the worst. They can occupy the Answer: Ossetian people lived in many sian territory had their own television, does not have to go far if he is interested of historic Ossetia, namely, principalities territory by force, but occupying the his- regions of Georgia and they never faced while there was a local television in who started this war in Abkhazia and existing in North Ossetia. As for so-called tory is impossible, as Georgian-Abkha- any trouble anywhere during the exist- Abkhazia, there were universities oper- Tskhinvali. He must have the relevant South Ossetia, there has never been any zian unity is too big. The Georgian mark ence of the Democratic Republic of ating in Sokhumi and Tskhinvali, etc. documents in his cabinet, as he was the Ossetian administrative unit on Southern in Abkhazia and signs of existence of Georgia. Moreover, a few Ossetians from In reality, the main center for studying Security General at a time. Additionally, slope of the Caucasus, until Russia and ethnic Georgians are too big there. the Social Democratic Party were the Ossetian Culture and history (I mean he can ask his colleagues about it, they later, Soviet Russia contributed to estab- This rich cultural heritage is Georgian members of the Supreme Council of the historic North Ossetia, which is occupied will defi nitely give answers. lishing an administrative unit there. His- and I’m afraid that they will try to destroy Republic of Georgia. They actively worked by Russia), was Georgia, namely the sci- torically, so-called South Ossetia has the monuments for hiding the Georgian for Georgia’s independence. entifi c centers of Tbilisi and Tskhinvali. FAKE # 8: AT THE TIME, I always been included in Shida Kartli mark there. However, this cultural herit- As for the fact that there were rebel- So, Georgia would freely normalize TRIED TO CONVINCE MR. Region of Georgia and was a part of it. age is so big that I think it will be impos- lions on the territory of Shida Kartli relations with people living in Abkhazia SAAKASHVILI. I SAID, “MR. sible for them. Region of Georgia, they were inspired and Ossetia if there was no Russian inter- SAAKASHVILI, DO NOT TAKE FAKE # 2: ABKHAZIA JOINED by Bolsheviks who used to come from vention. Russia does not love any nation ANY MILITARY ACTIONS THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE IN 1810 FAKE # 3: ABKHAZIA WAS North Caucasus and arrange so-called - this country has its own imperialistic AGAINST ABKHAZIA OR SOUTH AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE, DEVELOPED IN THE FOLLOWING “rebellions” there. Consequently, Geor- thoughts and has no empathy for anyone. OSSETIA.” I SAID THE SAME A PRINCIPALITY, AS WELL. WAY: WHEN THE RUSSIAN gian troops had to expel them. There Putin tells us his alternative version of TO THE AMERICANS: “NO, LATER, EVENTS BEGAN TO EMPIRE COLLAPSED AFTER WWI were no rebellions, just Bolsheviks used history and forgets the genocides Russia UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES." TAKE PLACE WITHIN A SINGLE GEORGIA MADE ATTEMPTS TO to arrange such confrontations in villages arranged in North Caucasus. AND WHAT HAPPENED? THEY STATE. THE SOUTHERN PART TAKE OVER ABKHAZIA. THE inhabited by ethnic Ossetians. However, STARTED A WAR. THE RESULT? IT IS WELL-KNOWN TODAY. OF OSSETIA BECAME PART OF INDEPENDENT GEORGIAN STATE there were many Ossetians in the Army FAKE # 6: DURING THE RUSSIA HAD TO ACKNOWLEDGE TIFLIS GOVERNORATE. NO APPEARED AND WITH THE HELP of the Democratic Republic of Georgia SOVIET ERA, IT WAS DECIDED THE INDEPENDENCE OF THESE GEORGIA EXISTED, THERE WAS OF GERMAN TROOPS GEORGIA who had to oppose them. TO ESTABLISH THE SOVIET REPUBLICS AND PROTECT THE TIFLIS GOVERNORATE. OCCUPIED ABKHAZIA IN 1918. SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF THE ABKHAZIANS AND ABKHAZIA, WHICH INCLUDED Answer: The principality of Abkhazia Answer: It is total nonsense. There was FAKE # 5: THE GEORGIAN THE SOUTH OSSETIANS. really existed, but it was similar to other no case of occupation of Abkhazia in AUTHORITIES WOULD DO TODAY’S GEORGIA. IT WASN’T Georgian principalities existing at a time 1918. Troops of the Democratic Republic WELL TO REMEMBER THIS. IT EVEN GEORGIA. THE SOVIET Answer: I can’t say anything about it, as and was one of them. It was inhabited of Georgia serving in Abkhazia fought MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF it is our modern history and everyone by Georgians. So talking about the exist- against Denikin (Russian Lieutenant IF GEORGIA’S CURRENT GEORGIA WAS ESTABLISHED knows about the developments. The ence of the independent principality of General in the Imperial Russian Army) GOVERNMENT WANTS TO DURING STALIN’S TIME, AND society can judge it itself. It does not Abkhazia is absolutely unacceptable and and the warriors of so-called White Army MEND RELATIONS WITH ABKHAZIA WAS INCLUDED. matter, I once again say that this is occu- foolish. Putin wants to create new his- at a time. THE PEOPLE OF ABKHAZIA BY THE WAY, HUMAN RIGHTS pation and until Russia frees itself from tory to cover his imperialistic plans, but Additionally, there were no German OR SOUTH OSSETIA. ACTIVISTS NEVER NOTE imperialistic thoughts, of course, it will THIS, WHICH IS STRANGE. at least he can ask how many Georgian troops in the territory at a time. They Answer: Georgia would always be able always be a danger for Georgian state- cultural monuments are present in Abk- were placed on Georgian-Turkish terri- to manage relations with Abkhazians However, on Stalin’s orders, the NKVD, hood. We need to work more and more hazia's territory – churches, monasteries, tory and they were just Germans living and Ossetians if there was no Russian governed by Beria, took very harsh meas- actively to avoid these dangers. It does episcopal centers, manuscripts, etc. For in Shida Kartli Region of Georgia, who intervention. The periods of the Demo- ures on Abkhazians in order for Georgia not only mean to strengthen our economy example, Bedia Monastery, where Geor- were dressed in military uniforms. cratic Republic of Georgia and the Soviet to absorb this territory and the Abkhaz- but also to fi ght against hybrid war, which gian King Bagrat the Third is buried, Union are its obvious examples. Moreo- ians. also includes intellectual war. What we Likhni Monastery in the middle of Abk- FAKE # 4: THE OCCUPYING ver, if they look through the statistics, Answer: By mentioning Stalin, Putin have just seen from Putin is an obvious hazia where Georgian manuscripts even FORCES ACTED VERY HARSHLY. there were research centers of local cul- raised quite an intriguing topic. He needed example of intellectual war. We should from the 11th century are still preserved, THE GEORGIAN TROOPS ture, history, ethnography, etc., in Abk- to mention Stalin because he was Geor- show our real history to Europe and the Besleti Bridge, etc. There are numerous ACTED EVEN MORE HARSHLY hazia and Ossetia. There were no similar gian. However, everything happened whole world and prove that what he said examples. So, it is just another attempt IN OSSETIA IN 1919 AND centers in North Ossetia or in any other before Stalin, in 1921. For a few months, is absolute nonsense. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 12 - 15, 2019 POLITICS 5 Russian MP Gavrilov: Georgia Can Learn Protection of Human Rights from Moscow

BY THEA MORRISON

ergey Gavrilov, Head of the State Duma Committee on the Development of Civil Society, Issues of Public and Religious Associations, whose appear- Sance on June 20 in the seat of the Geor- gian Parliament Speaker sparked large- scale protests in Tbilisi, says Georgia could learn human rights protection from the experience of Russia. The MP said sharing Russian experi- ence in human rights protection would help Georgia for the stabilization of recent developments. The information was released by the Russian media. At the Duma Committee sitting, which was also attended by the Russian Ombuds- man Tatjana Moskalkova, Gavrilov thanked the Public Defender for "the prompt reac- tion related to the incident in Georgia, when Russian MPs were attacked.” “It is a pity that Georgia is not part of the Eurasian Alliance (ombudsmen) because it would learn from the experi- ence of Russian human rights activities which would help to stabilize Georgia’s internal political situation and restore its image, build a democratic model and develop this country,” he said. Anti-Russian demonstrations in Georgia were launched after a session of the Gen- eral Assembly of the International Assem- Photo source: duma.gov.ru bly on Orthodoxy (IAO) on June 20. Gavrilo, IAO president, took the speaker’s and guests, including Russians, are prop- concentrated in the hands of President the Russian constitution provides for As for Georgia, it has 63 scores and is seat in the Georgian parliament. erly ensured in Georgia. Vladimir Putin. freedom of speech, “vague laws on in the list of Partly Free countries. The Outraged by this action, the Georgian Following the anti-Russian protests, “With loyalist security forces, a sub- extremism grant the authorities great report reads Georgia holds “regular and opposition disrupted the event and the Russian President Vladimir Putin banned servient judiciary, a controlled media discretion to crack down on any speech, competitive” elections, and its demo- protests ended in an attempt to break fl ights to Georgia and tightened Geor- environment, and a legislature consisting organization, or activity that lacks offi cial cratic trajectory “showed signs of into the parliament’s building. The Rus- gian wine exports to Russia. of a ruling party and pliable opposition support.” improvement.” sian delegation had to leave the country Freedom House report Freedom in the factions, the Kremlin is able to manipu- Freedom House reports that the Rus- Regarding freedom of expression and and the assembly was ended, after which World 2019 measuring democracy in late elections and suppress genuine dis- sian government continued its “relent- human rights, the report reads freedom Gavrilov claimed Russian MPs were countries, shows that Russia is listed sent. Rampant corruption facilitates less campaign” against nongovernmen- of assembly is generally respected in the attacked. among Not Free countries, with 20 points shifting links among bureaucrats and tal organizations in 2018 and a total of 15 country, adding the civil society sector Offi cially, Tbilisi says Russian lawmak- out of maximum 100. organized crime groups,” the Freedom foreign NGOs have been deemed “unde- has grown signifi cantly in recent years. ers were not attacked. The authorities The report reads that “power in Rus- House says. sirable organizations” on the grounds In this category, Georgia has 3 out of a also assure that the safety of all tourists sia’s authoritarian political system” is The report also stresses that although that they threaten national security. maximum 4 points, while Russia has 0. First Ever Pride March Held in Tbilisi Despite Ultra-Conservative Opponents

Continued from page 1 under much duress and persecution to cancel the event after the time and and receive signifi cant funding based location were leaked online. However, Georgian businessman Levan Vasadze on this argumentation.’ read a state- around 40 activists and the Tbilisi Pride also joined the rally in front of parlia- ment by the church. ‘They want to organizers still gathered in front of the ment together with his supporters and present their activities as a fi ght against Ministry of Internal Affairs, fooling their representatives from extreme-right discrimination, while in reality, they opponents and avoiding violence. political and social movements such as work to popularize and propagate their Chanting “Gakharia, resign!” during ‘Georgian March’ saying “they will never way of life, aiming to offi cially and the procession, the LGBTQI protestors allow such events to take place in Geor- legally sanction it. criticized the Minister of Internal Affairs gia.” Georgia has a poor track record of pro- Giorgi Gakharia for failing to guarantee On June 16, Vasadze had released a tecting the rights of its LGTQI commu- their safety. “The violent regime should video address calling for “real” men to nity. In 2013, a small anti-homophobia end,” stated march participants. “We prevent Tbilisi Pride from taking place march was met violently by approximately want to live a decent life.” and to create a “people’s army”. 20,000 counter-protestors. Around 28 LGBTQI protestors also used a drone “We will divide the city, patrol the city people were injured during the clashes. to fl y a LGBTQI rainbow fl ag over oppo- quietly, quietly, we will not have any Given the threat of violence, Tbilisi nent protestors who had gathered in weapon, except for one – we will bind Pride organizers had asked the Ministry front of the parliament with Vasadze. their hands with belts and take them of Georgian Affairs (MIA) to guarantee After hearing that the Pride march had away,” Vasadze threatened. their protection and right to protest, taken place, ultra-conservative groups The Church also called on the govern- which the MIA denied. and Vasadze rushed to the Interior Min- ment to prevent Tbilisi Pride from tak- Tbilisi Pride organizers cancelled their istry. However, the march had already ing place saying it is ‘absolutely unac- planned march twice. On June 22, they fi nished after around thirty minutes. ceptable’ and a ‘sodomite sin’. delayed their march due to the anti- On July 9, Tbilisi Pride released a state- Photo source - Tbilisi Pride ‘Regrettably, certain LGBT groups Russian occupation protests that began ment that they had ‘achieved some sig- government’s handling of the event: ‘the tected in Georgia nor is there any polit- and their supporters present informa- on June 20. nifi cant results’ by organizing Tbilisi authorities have shown us that funda- ical will for its protection,’ read the tion to foreign countries as if they are In addition, on Monday, they decided Pride. However, they were critical of the mental human rights are neither pro- statement. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS JULY 12 - 15, 2019 Family Day Picnic of the AmCham and US Embassy the Embassy on many things and with BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE the Government in the USA – looking for a way to make sure that Georgia is successful,” said Cowgill. “We believe n July 6, 2019 the American that the basis of that is a very strong Chamber of Commerce in economy so we always look for more Georgia (AmCham Geor- American, Georgian and international gia), hosted a family picnic companies to include. This combination together with the U.S. of American, Georgian and International EmbassyO in Georgia which celebrated companies is what makes us so strong. the 243rd anniversary of the signing of This is what the real basis of future suc- the U.S. Declaration of Independence. cess of Georgia looks like,” he continued. American, Georgian and international While welcoming the media, Elizabeth families enjoyed an American style pic- Rood, Chargé d’affaires, commented on nic with a giant barbeque, live bands, a the event; beer and wine garden, illusionist and “We are very happy today to be cele- toys for the children. From bouncing brating the 243rd anniversary of the castles to face-painting and riding a rodeo United States of America with our part- bull – the picnic featured a large variety ners from the American Chamber of of fun activities. Commerce,” stated Rood. “This is the The picnic celebrated not only Amer- 19th year that we have celebrated together ican Independence Day, but also the with AmCham here on the grounds of friendly partnership with Georgia, being the Embassy. The American Chamber one of AmCham’s primary missions. of Commerce is a very strong partner of Founded in 1998, AmCham Georgia is the U.S. Embassy in promoting American the largest business association in Geor- business here in Georgia and helping gia representing more than 200 Georgian, American companies invest and do busi- American and international companies. ness. And, when more American com- The association works to strengthen U.S. panies succeed in Georgia it makes our – Georgia business and economic rela- relationship stronger and it makes Geor- tions while focusing on giving valuable gia stronger too.” input towards the improvement of the Elizabeth Rood also commented on the business climate in Georgia. recent happenings in the country and The President of the American Cham- emphasized USA’s support of Georgia ber of Commerce, Michael Cowgill, on the subject once more; “The United mentioned in the interview that the States fi rmly supports Georgia’s territo- “relationship between America and rial integrity, and we call on Russia to its recognition of the so-called independ- around 1,500 guests, the American gian national anthem by Natalia Blauvelt. Georgia has never been stronger”. do the same, including to abide by the ence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.” national anthem was performed by Katie The annual event closed with a beautiful “We, the AmCham, partner up with 2008 ceasefi re agreement and to reverse After Rood and Cowgill welcomed Nutt from the US Embassy and the Geor- display of fi reworks. 100th Anniversary of Georgia’s Parliamentary System in the UK n July 9, 2019 the UK All even have the right to vote. Party Parliamentary Group The event in the UK Parliament fea- (APPG) on Georgia and tured an exhibition refl ecting on this the Embassy of Georgia to important anniversary. The guests had the UK jointly hosted an an opportunity to look through the his- eventO dedicated to the 100th anniversary torical photos of the members of the of Georgia’s parliamentary system. Constituent Assembly, core achieve- The event was opened by HE Tamar ments by the Assembly, as well as inter- Beruchashvili Ambassador of Georgia esting facts related to the fi rst Georgian to the UK, and Mr Jonathan Djanogly legislative body. MP, Chair of the APPG on Georgia. Besides the historic dimension of the A century ago the newly-emerged event, the Ambassador of Georgia also Democratic Republic of Georgia held talked about the importance of this the fi rst universal, democratic and multi- anniversary in the contemporary con- party election of the Constituent Assem- text, as modern Georgia is inspired by bly. The fi rst Georgian legislative body and stands fi rmly on democratic values, was elected by universal suffrage, based ideas and approaches of the First Dem- on gender equality and inspired by such ocratic Republic. values as liberty, democracy and rule The event was attended by the mem- of law. bers of the UK Parliament, diplomatic The Constituent Assembly was a multi- corps accredited in London, the group ethnic institution, members of which of Chevening scholars, representatives represented almost all main ethnic minor- of Georgian diaspora organizations and ity groups. Even more signifi cant achieve- educational institutions. ment was the election of fi ve women as At the end of the event the guests were members, at a time when in the majority invited to the reception hosted by the of the European states women did not Embassy. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 12 - 15, 2019 POLITICS 7 Tomos Wars: Rogue One – Interview with Honorary Patriarch Filaret CHURCH ANNOUNCED THAT ALTHOUGH YOU REMAIN AN HONORARY PATRIARCH AND BISHOP, YOU HAVE LOST THE RIGHT TO YOUR DIOCESE IN LIGHT OF YOUR LATEST ACTIONS. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? This decision has nothing to do with our church. On June 20, we held a local coun- cil, which is the supreme body of the church governance; this local council took a decree saying that we withdraw from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and we stay within the Ukrainian Ortho- dox Church – Kiev Patriarchate. So, their decision has nothing to do with us.

IS A COMPROMISE POSSIBLE? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO SOLVE THIS DISPUTE? Maybe there will be four churches in Ukraine: Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate, Ortho- dox Church of Ukraine (OCU), and pos- sibly this autocephalic church. And the Tomos is to blame for that. If it wasn’t for the Tomos, Ukrainian orthodoxy would grow and be united. The Tomos split us.

ISN’T IT RUSSIA THAT BENEFITS FROM THIS CONFRONTATION? Indeed it does - Russia really benefi ts from this situation. Russia is glad that as a result of the Tomos, we now have this schism and infi ghting.

would have already been in Kiev. Due to We want to be free and we won’t settle BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE MOST OF THE WORLD’S IN LIGHT OF THAT, WOULD the fact that there’s the church of Kiev CANONICAL ORTHODOX for less. NOT IT BETTER FOR THE Patriarchate, Putin did not go beyond some CHURCHES SEEM TO BE UKRAINIAN CHURCHES TO areas of Donbas. The Kiev Patriarchate HESITANT TO RECOGNIZE ON JUNE 20, YOU SAID PUT ASIDE THEIR DIFFERENCES power struggle has split the played a great role in this war. On the other THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX WOULD NOT HAVE SIGNED THE AND COOPERATE IN ORDER Ukrainian Orthodox Church, hand, the Ukrainian Church of Moscow CHURCH’S AUTOCEPHALY. TOMOS HAD YOU READ ITS TO OPPOSE TO RUSSIA? just six months after the Patriarchate assists Russia in spreading the WHAT DO YOU THINK CONTENTS BEFOREHAND. DO We cannot unite based on a lie; we can country celebrated the crea- lie that this aggressive war, the capture of ARE THEIR REASONS? YOU STILL STAND BY THAT? unite only based on the truth. The truth tion of the unifi ed Orthodox our Ukrainian territories of Crimea and Not just most Orthodox churches - the I confi rm that. We didn’t know the con- is that Ukraine should have an independ- AChurch of Ukraine independent from the Donbas is not an aggressive war waged by Tomos granted by the Patriarch Bartho- tent of the Tomos – had I known what ent church as Ukraine is an independent Moscow Patriarchate. Honorary Patriarch Russia but a civil war of Ukrainians against lomew of Constantinople is not recog- it entailed, we would not have agreed to country. With that, the Kiev Patriarchate Filaret Denisenko was seen as a leading Ukrainians. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church nized by any of the world’s 13 orthodox hold this council and to accept it. This will become once again as great as it campaigner for this independent church – Moscow Patriarchate defends the inter- churches. That’s why this Tomos did not Tomos did not bring us recognition by used to be and will have the same infl u- and instrumental in obtaining a Tomos, ests of Russia by suggesting that the war is bring us anything good. It brought us other churches. It split the Ukrainian ence as it used to have on Ukrainian the document confi rming the Ukrainian not waged by Russia. more problems. This Tomos split the orthodoxy which was whole and united society… We believe that the truth will Orthodox Church’s autocephaly from the Kiev Patriarchate from inside. Another before. All it brought us is trouble… we prevail. And the truth is that the Ukrain- Patriarchate of Constantinople. But, the THERE IS THIS NOTION IN reason for their reluctance is that Russia were told that the Tomos would mean ian state is independent and this inde- 90-year-old fi rebrand cleric now claims MANY ORTHODOX COUNTRIES tries to use its infl uence on these churches autocephaly. And we thought that this pendent Ukrainian state guarantees peace that the Tomos has not granted the church THAT DESPITE ALL KREMLIN to make sure they won’t recognize this Tomos would be the same as the one of in Europe. If there’s no Ukrainian state, true independence. MACHINATIONS, RUSSIANS Tomos. other churches – Romanian, Greek, Bul- there will not be peace in Europe because As head of the Kiev Patriarchate, one STILL SHOULD BE TREATED garian, Georgian and others... But as it Russia will go further. Europe should of the country’s three orthodox confes- AS BROTHERS IN THE SAME EVERYONE EXPECTED turned out we didn’t get that kind of ensure that Ukraine will remain an inde- sions, Filaret has now announced that FAITH. WHAT DO YOU RUSSIAN PRESSURE, BUT Tomos, what we got was a document pendent state. In order to do so, it is he will not join the newly formed church. THINK OF THIS CONCEPT? NO-ONE THOUGHT THAT that puts us in subservience. necessary to have an independent church. Metropolitan Epiphanius, who heads the I would like nothing better than for the THE TOMOS, HAILED AS If Europe allows the dependence of the fl edgeling unifi ed Orthodox Church of Christians of Ukraine and the Christians A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT, IS THERE A CHANCE THAT Ukrainian church through Moscow or Ukraine church, has promptly stripped of Russia to live like brothers. We want WOULD FRAGMENT AND SPLIT UKRAINE MIGHT LOSE THE Greece, that will bring harm both to Filaret of his rights to govern his diocese, it. But today it is not possible because THE UKRAINIAN CHURCH TOMOS ALTOGETHER? Ukraine and to Europe. although he retains the status of a bishop. Russian Christians support Putin who is INSTEAD OF UNIFYING It depends on the Patriarch Bartholomew IWPR spoke to Filaret about why he an aggressor and a tyrant. We want them IT. WHAT HAPPENED? of Constantinople, not on us. He can The article was prepared as part of the fel- thinks that the Tomos leaves Ukraine even to stop supporting Putin and the war that The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kiev revoke this Tomos. Even if he does so, lowship funded by the Institute of War and more vulnerable to Russian interference. he wages, as true Christians would do. Patriarchate did split due to the fact that it will not bring us great problems - it Peace Reporting (IWPR) within the Project we believed that this Tomos would grant already brought greater problems by “Giving Voice, Driving Change - from the IWPR: WHAT ROLE DOES WHAT’S THE IMPORTANCE AND us autocephaly, full independence. We splitting the Kyiv Patriarchate. Borderland to the Steppes.” The views and RELIGION PLAY IN THE THE IMPACT OF UKRAINE’S believed and wanted it to be this way. opinions expressed in this article are those of ONGOING WAR BETWEEN STRUGGLES TO OBTAIN Instead, all we’ve got was the Tomos that AND IF THAT WERE TO the authors and do not necessarily refl ect the UKRAINE AND RUSSIA? AUTOCEPHALY, INCLUDING IN placed us under the dependence not of HAPPEN, WOULD IT offi cial policy or position of the Institute for Filaret: The war waged by Russia was THE CONTEXT OF THE WAR? Moscow, but of Constantinople. Thus, TARNISH YOUR LEGACY AS War and Peace Reporting. directed against the Ukrainian people. The We need the recognition of the Ukrainian this Tomos resulted in splitting the A RELIGIOUS FIGURE? Ukrainian people were inspired by the church in order to enter into relations with Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kiev I will not be the one to blame for that. Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kiev Patri- other Orthodox churches. But the Tomos Patriarchate. We wanted the Tomos granting us the archate. The Kiev Patriarchate supports does not grant us full autocephaly. If there Dependence is dependence, no matter independence and the autocephaly. They the independence of the Ukrainian state, is no independent church in Ukraine, Putin how you look at it. We don’t want to be deceived us. And as it is they who deceived supports it morally and inspires the people will conquer the Ukrainian state. If he con- dependent either on Moscow or on Con- us, how can I be responsible? to defend Ukraine. If it were not for this quers the Ukrainian state, he will go far stantinople. We want to be both an inde- church of Kiev Patriarchate, I think Putin beyond, capturing the Baltic states, Poland. pendent state and an independent church. THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX GEORGIA TODAY 8 SOCIETY JULY 12 - 15, 2019 EU Invests in Akhalkalaki to Preserve Heritage, Raise Employment

Earlier this week, the European Union BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE Delegation to Georgia shared a success story from ENPARD Akhalkalaki that assists with strengthening employability he European Union’s pri- and helps preserve the cultural heritage mary program for support- of the region. A major aspect of the pro- ing agriculture and rural ject is distributing small and medium- development in Georgia is sized grants within the target community, the European Neighbor- especially for startups and small busi- Thood Program for Agriculture and Rural nesses looking to expand. Development (ENPARD). Launched in In one project, the Akhalkalaki Adult 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 Education Center was given 12,000 GEL, million, the main goal of ENPARD is to matched by 3,000 GEL of their own con- reduce rural poverty in Georgia. tribution, with which they purchased Within the ENPARD project, the EU machines for knitting, sewing, and selected 12 target municipalities for direct embroidery. The new equipment is used support, implemented by international in free classes that teach techniques for and Georgian non-governmental organ- making carpets, rugs, and tapestries with izations: Tetritskaro, Dedoplitskaro, traditional Armenian-Georgian designs Borjomi, Kazbegi, Lagodekhi, Khulo, and patterns. There are no age or gender Keda, Tsalka, Mestia, Tskaltubo, Akhmeta, restrictions, but the classes are most and Akhalkalaki. The Akhalkalaki project popular among young and middle-aged is being implemented by Mercy Corps women with an eye for building skills with implementation support from the that could help them fi nd employment, Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, or even start their own business. The Georgian-Dutch development technol- participants in the fi rst course discussed ogy fi rm Elva, and Irish organization opening a social enterprise together West Cork Development Partnership. which could perhaps increase the num- Akhalkalaki is a small city with fewer than ber of tourists who to come to the region. 10,000 people in the Samtskhe-Javakheti The project is one of only 16 funded by Photo: ENPARD region, near Georgia’s borders with Turkey the ENPARD program in Akhalkalaki. the renovation and expansion of businesses egy created by the Local Action Group – a development, under the LEADER model and Armenia. The population of the munic- Across the 12 ENPARD municipalities, from guesthouses to paintball parks to non-profi t organization that acts as the of community-led local development, ipality is almost entirely ethnic Armenians, more than 360 rural development projects dairy processing factories, or community voice of local people in an area, as a coun- which has seven principles: area-based, and there is generally a low knowledge of have been selected for funding, with more projects like developing a tourist guide terpart to municipal government. Local bottom-up, public-private partnerships, the Georgian language, making integration to come. Projects include the renovation for little-known areas. The priority areas Action Groups have been established in innovation, integration, networking, and into the wider Georgian society and eco- of public facilities such as parks, sports for funding vary by municipality, as they all ENPARD municipalities, in accordance co-operation. The ENPARD program is nomic markets more diffi cult. stadiums, or kindergarten playgrounds, are based on the Local Development Strat- with European best practices of rural scheduled to end in 2022. Batumi Hosts International Conference 'Georgia's European Way' by the executive authorities as well as the BY ANA DUMBADZE high ranking offi cials of the legislative body. The moderators of the conference are well- known media and international experts. he International Conference Participants of the conference will refl ect “Georgia's European Way”, on the challenges common to the EU and dedicated to the 10th anniver- Eastern partners so that Eastern Partnership sary of the Eastern Partnership effectively accommodates to the interests of (EaP), has been opened in Geor- each party, in line with the principles of dif- Tgia’s seaside city of Batumi. ferentiation and inclusiveness. The conference aims to assess the EaP and Two parallel events: Eastern Partnership its main deliverables, as well as present geo- Investment Forum and Donors’ Annual political context. Assembly of the Eastern Partnership Techni- Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, cal Assistance Trust Fund will take place on Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze, the sidelines of the conference. as well as members of the Government The EaP is a joint initiative involving the addressed the conference’s participants. EU, its member states and six Eastern Euro- High-ranking offi cials, including the Pres- pean Partners: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, ident of the European Council, European Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and The Eastern Partnership aims to increase Crisis Management and ministers of several open democracy, prosperity, and stability in countries attended the conference. the region. The conference will end on July Georgia is represented at the conference 12. SUBSCRIBE!

1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION - 60 GEL (6 ISSUES)

Money Back Guarantee!

 [email protected] +995 32 229 59 19  Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY JULY 12 - 15, 2019 SOCIETY 9 Caucasus University Breaks Ground on New Batumi Campus

BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE AND KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA

n Wednesday, Caucasus University began construction on their new Batumi campus. The project was launched in an offi cial ceremony, attended by rep- resentativesO of the government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara, Caucasus University adminis- tration, staff, and students and other invited guests. Remarks were delivered by Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara Tornike Rizh- vadze, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Irina Abuladze, and President of Caucasus University and the International Asso- ciation of Universities Kakha Shengelia. While addressing the audience, Zurabishvili empha- Photo: Caucasus University sized the signifi cance of launching the new univer- of an educational institution, but will provide well- graduate and graduate programs, the university side Tbilisi has been sparse and often lower qual- sity in Ajara, noting that it is leading the process of developed modern infrastructure for young people, will also offer courses in vocational education and ity than in the capital, there is growing recognition decentralization and development of the regions, including all the necessary facilities: labs, libraries, training. that sustainable growth and the preservation of which is pivotal for the strength of the country. sporting arenas, and more, for obtaining a high- Academically high achieving students with Georgia’s regions depends on decentralization. “I have said multiple times that the development quality education. Rizhvadze expressed hope that expressed fi nancial need will be eligible for schol- With consistently improving transportation links of the regions is our major priority and obviously, the new campus will transform Ajara into a regional arships and fee waivers – worth noting, as Cauca- throughout the country, both rail and road, the launching a new educational institution is one of hub for education. sus University is one of the more expensive private logistics of a major university outside Tbilisi are the paramount steps in this direction,” said the Caucasus University has nearly 130 partners from universities in Georgia. also becoming more feasible. President. 70 countries, enabling it to admit foreign students Caucasus University was established in 2004 on Construction is currently underway in Kutaisi on Zurabishvili also expressed happiness with the and lecturers, as well as to conduct dual education the foundation of Caucasus School of Business, a massive University City project, fi nanced by the fact that the modern university building has been and exchange programs for students, faculty, and established in 1998. In 2018, the university launched Cartu Foundation, the charity fund of Bidzina Ivan- designed by Georgian architects and will create jobs staff. a new campus in Tbilisi, marking its 20th anniver- ishvili, Georgian billionare, former Prime Minister, for local people – yet another way it is contributing The project underwent several months of nego- sary. Last fall, Caucasus University announced and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party. to the regional development of the country and tiations to determine the land where the new cam- another new campus in the town of Gurjaani, called The university will focus solely on science and stemming the brain drain and rural-urban migration. pus will be constructed and the architectural design. ‘Caucasus Wine University,’ which plans to accept technology, with the aim of drawing 60,000 top Finally, the Georgian President noted that the Batumi The university plans to have it completed within its fi rst class of students in the 2020-2021 academic students out of Tbilisi, and from other countries, branch of Caucasus University will serve Georgian, three years. The Caucasus University has been year. The campus will provide vocational educa- to study in Kutaisi. It will feature state of the art as well as international students, opening a source implementing Educational Programs in Batumi tion and training for the viticulture industry. facilities in an American-style multi-building liv- for additional fi nancial profi t from abroad. since 2010 in tourism, law and economics. The new Caucasus University is not the only higher edu- ing and studying complex over 140 hectares of land. Chairman Rizhvadze told the guests that the pro- campus will house 1500 Georgian and 500 interna- cation institution with interest in the regions, The current schedule will see the fi rst class of stu- ject not only involves the construction of a campus tional students. In addition to its standard under- though. While, traditionally, higher education out- dents enter the university in the fall of 2020.

FISH & MEAT RESTAURANT II FLOOR

Two Different Restaurants in one Space

GEORGIAN RESTAURANT I FLOOR

T: (+995) 591 914 416 / Ardagani Lake 6000, Batumi F: Grand Grill Restaurant / F: Ardagani Terrasa GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY JULY 12 - 15, 2019 Victoria’s Secrets – Canada of my Canadian family live; more expen- sive; more eclectic, wacky spiritually; it has both the mountains and the ocean, even though I admit the water’s far too cold for more than a splash on even the hottest days. Fruit abounds. Driftwood delights. Sand, salt, sculpture. Oh, there is the top end of the infamous San Andreas Fault running up there too; rumbling in Richter 6s and 7s down south of late, and threatening to swallow Van- couver Island into the sea if The Big One comes, as apparently eventually it must. The losses would be millions of people. But might it be quick? It might, I suppose, and be more merciful to those submerged than to survivors. So every place has its pluses and minuses, and in my scorebook, the Island still comes out in the black. For now, Georgia remains my chosen home and this only an occasional visiting place. I’m content.

Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook group, now with nearly 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- sance/ He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

caravan in their driveway. Literally a BY TONY HANMER stone’s throw away was the Pacifi c, a long, stony but quite comb-able beach, which I would walk almost every free morning o, not the lingerie kind. I had. The thing which I will never forget The kind held by the small about these strolls, aside from the end- city which is the capital of less variety which the ocean would throw British Columbia, dwarfed up for inspection, was the smell. It might by wet mainland Vancou- have been mostly seaweed going off, but ver,N island-based, charming. I was back I detected just salt air. If I could bottle for a visit after about 12 years, stopping this aroma, I would; it might be the main off on my way to family near Edmonton, thing I miss landscape-wise in Svaneti. capital of neighboring Alberta province. My friend took me back to the exact same I biked here with a good friend almost spot on this trip, and again, despite the exactly 30 years ago: fi rst a train to Jasper changed surroundings of 3 decades later, in the Rocky Mountains, then cycling I marveled at the air and its power to snap down to Banff and east. In 3 weeks of one back to the time of the associated leisurely mountain-biking and tenting we memories. had only a 2-hour stretch of rain and that Victoria has North America’s second- was as we were heading into Kamloops oldest Chinatown, and seems to be boom- to stay indoors with friends. ing. After 3 days I bus/ferried back to We slacked off for 3 days, losing some Vancouver, where another old friend met of that hard-won tone, then compounded me for the Great Road Trip back to Spruce the mistake by setting lazily off at hot Grove, Alberta. For much of this, we midday. The huge, long uphills of the dry retraced the cycles of that Great Bike Trip Coquihalla Highway dried us out, and we of summer 1989, and I marveled at the began looking longingly at dirty puddles crazy long hills outside Kamloops again: for water. Pressing on in desperation, we Did we really bike up those? Well, we fi nally found a proper campsite as dark were 22, invincible, and yes, we did. Our was falling: saved, just! biked weighed more than we did, but we Within 24 hours of arriving in nearby weren’t going for speed, just for the com- Sidney, we had perfect jobs in Victoria, fort of mountain bikes. Our shortest days driving Kabuki Kabs’ pedicabs, which are were about 50 km, our longest one 120 foot-powered tourist taxis. This lasted a and the average 80. We were in such good few necessary weeks before something shape when we fi nished! better turned up as the tourist season was If I ever resettled in Canada, I would winding down. choose the West Coast. It’s much milder We lived in my friend’s grandparents’ than the Siberian interior where the rest A Real Snafu in Georgia lisi in a totally unexpected violent dem- man number one of the country in retal- brief recount of what the nations is people is still nostalgic of the ‘good old OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE onstration of anti-Russian sentiments, iation of the used teargas and rubber breathing with these days. times’ and the younger one is so diso- coughing out the unheard-of invectives bullets against them. Axiomatically, the process of building riented philosophically that the prefer- and vituperations against the occupant The other day, there came another a free democratic society contains in ence is mostly given to politics, and not his nation has lately stopped Russia. The emotion has probably been bomb when the cockiest among the ladies itself the likelihood of manifest public to science. Who will take us towards eating, drinking and having latent for years until it became so visibly and gentlemen of the press started his discontent, exposed in occasional pub- the western horizons unless we drag fun. It has started living on turbulent, mostly expressed by the young show with an outburst of a diatribe, per- lic upheavals, but in case of Georgia, ourselves in that direction on our own? protests and manifestations people of cell-phone epoch, who were sonally directed against the Russian the picture called ‘people-in-the-street’ What will keep this land on the track of every possible substance not even born in the years of Georgia’s president and worded with the harshest has become a constant political value. of unhampered development and also Tand curve, materializing all over the latest fi ght for independence. The trig- possible vocabulary one would hear on We just want to be out there to yell until safe from possible skirmishes with bet- place. The public exaltation became ger of the snafu used to be a Russian the air. The terribly unpolished rant of our voice cords are torn to a lethal ter armed neighbors and potentially overwhelming, both in the streets and parliamentarian, publicly and expressly an anchor ended up in a massive dem- extent. I am not saying to keep mum at looming wars with them unless we know the Internet space, threatening all of us feeling himself at home in Georgia. Then onstration of viewers in front of his TV all times like we did in the still remem- exactly the most optimal ways and with the maturation of extraordinary the heat increased and the nation broke station, spontaneously and unsuspect- bered weird soviet times and never say instruments of our survival? Standing developments unless some legitimate up into rivaling sides, politically and ingly defending the otherwise-hated-in- a disgruntled word. I am only against in the streets interminably and shout- power, like a government, wants to take journalistically represented on TV Georgia Russian leader. admitting that the street politics in its ing the worn-out slogans might very up the situation in its own iron but fair screens with nervous party and corpo- The third nidus of discontent was built permanency and endlessness is the only well be an expression of national free- hands, and call the country to order. rate intentions respectively. The dem- somewhere in the center of Tbilisi by and the best way of building the life we dom and independence but it does not The startling snafu came upon the hap- onstration, described as peaceful by the the gay-haters, bullying off the frightened want to build in this country. This style make a better standard of living for us. pily quiescent country right out of the opposition and qualifi ed as violent by but still persisting LGBT community. of expressing our dissatisfaction costs The outdoor politics might be a token blue and it stuck. All of a sudden, people the administration, came to a dire fi nale All what I am saying is no longer the us billions of – you name the currency! of forwardness but it also is a harbinger found themselves massively crowded in for physically injured protesters who news but it is the piece of our history How shall we get there if the already of economic backwardness. Shall we at front of the Parliament building in Tbi- now demand the resignation the police- which needs to be parsed. This is just a dying out generation of the Georgian least look for the golden median? GEORGIA TODAY JULY 12 - 15, 2019 SOCIETY 11

Want to Increase Birth Rates? Try Gender Equality for decades, and have continued to thrive. rates close to the level of people’s fertility Small countries like Switzerland or Nor- desires – and to provide alternatives to way have continuously punched above outmigration – it must create an environ- their weight. ment in which young people are confi dent What this tells us is that the fi xation to plan their future and start a family. on numbers we sometimes see in the This requires progress on good gov- region, and on birth rates in particular, ernance, making economies more com- is unproductive. Most scientists agree petitive and matching individual skills that there is no optimal fertility rate, and with labour market demands. And, it that, in any case, raising birth rates is requires a set of specifi c policies respond- not an easy fi x. ing to the needs of families, women, men Studies show that traditional pro- and children. grammes providing parents some form There is broad consensus on what of fi nancial incentive for having more needs to be part of such a policy pack- children generally only have a temporary age: Quality, affordable childcare starting effect. People might choose to have a from an early age. Flexible and gener- baby earlier than planned to cash in on ously paid parental leave for both parents the incentive, which initially drives up (with incentives for men to take what the number of births. But they won’t they are entitled to). Flexible work have a bigger family overall, so long-term arrangements, and providing equal pay birth rates remain largely unchanged. for women. Programmes to encourage OP-ED BY ALANNA ARMITAGE This is not surprising: even the most men and women to equally share care AND TOMAS SOBOTKA generous fi nancial incentives will only and household work. And affordable cover a tiny fraction of the total costs of housing as well as fi nancial support for raising a child. low-income families. any countries in Eastern Besides, without changes to the over- Countries like Sweden show that var- Europe face what is often all environment, any potential gains iations of this policy mix can work in perceived as a popula- would just mean adding more young sustaining higher birth rates. Estonia has tion crisis. Highly skilled people to those who already can’t fi nd gone further still in its radical redesign people of reproductive a decent job or can’t see a long-term of parental leave policies and has sig- Mage are leaving their countries to look for future in their country and are moving nifi cantly expanded early childhood better opportunities elsewhere. Among elsewhere, taking public investments in education. A few countries in Eastern those who stay, birth rates are below two their education with them. Europe have also embarked on this jour- children per woman; in some countries, A more promising path for the coun- ney, with support from UNFPA, the they are closer to one. tries of Eastern Europe is to focus on United Nations Population Fund, and its These trends have raised alarm among one often-overlooked fact: most people partners. politicians and the general public. The in the region actually want two or more It is not going to be easy. Shifting scarce fear is that outmigration and low birth children. The reasons why they can’t resources towards family policies is likely rates will lead to smaller, older and realize their reproductive intentions are to spark resistance, as will the urgently weaker nations. the key for fi nding solutions to the region’s needed transformation of traditional Are these fears justifi ed? To some extent, population crisis. social norms and stereotypes about men yes. Rapid population decline and age- Where young people can’t be confi dent and women’s roles in society. ing can pose serious challenges, espe- about their country’s future and their Overcoming these roadblocks will cially if countries, for economic or ide- own job prospects, having children is require strong political leadership and ological reasons, can’t attract immigrants fi nancially risky, especially given the readiness for change. But the potential to compensate for demographic losses. weak social safety nets in the region. benefi ts are massive – and go far beyond In such cases, lower population numbers High youth unemployment, low salaries increasing birth rates. Because when can indeed put strains on economies, – especially for women – and the trend young people have confi dence in their social systems, and infrastructure in towards more unstable work arrange- future and women can fully participate sparsely populated areas. ments don’t help. in all spheres of society without having However, much of the unease around Another major factor is a lack of sup- to give up childbearing, countries are these demographic changes is rooted in port for working women, who are still likely to grow, not only in numbers, but outdated notions of nation and power. widely expected to take care of children in opportunity, stability and prosperity On today’s World Population Day it is and the household. Public childcare for for generations to come. important to emphasize that it is not small children below age three is woe- Alanna Armitage is Director of the population size that matters in contem- fully inadequate in Eastern Europe and United Nations Population Fund Regional porary societies. What matters is the work arrangements rigid, leaving many Offi ce for Eastern Europe and Central human capital of a population – its edu- women forced to choose between chil- Asia. Tomas Sobotka leads the research cation and health, productivity and inno- dren or career. group on fertility and family at the Vienna vative potential. Countries like Germany What all this means is that for any gov- Institute of Demography, Austrian Acad- or Japan have had very low birth rates ernment to be successful in lifting birth emy of Sciences. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY JULY 12 - 15, 2019 TBC Status and Eastern Promotions Present 13th Jazz Festival atumi will host the 13th Black During the jazz festival, TBC Status Sea Jazz Festival on July 18-20 will take care of visitors not only at night This year festival participants but during the day as well - on July 18-20, include: CORY HENRY & Iveria Beach will turn into the beach of The Funk Apostles (USA); TBC status offering: MokuMokuB Band (GEO), ‘Kraak & Smaak’ - Consumers of TBC Status will have funk-group, INCOGNITO (UK), and the opportunity to use the beach with official festival resident artist - DJ. 20% discount; MACHAIDZE. - During the day, the iconic marine gifts The festival will be held in Batumi Ten- of TBC Status will be handed over to all nis Club on July 18. Cory Henry and the holidaymakers who will be on the beach band ‘The Funk Apostles’ will start the at the moment; fi rst day of the festival. - Happy hour 14: 00-17: 00 (free drinks); On July 19, MokuMoku group will per- - Live music form in front of the auditorium, after Tickets for 13th Black Sea Jazz Festival which the Dutch funk-group ‘Kraak & are available online at TKT.GE. Smaak’ will appear on the stage. The Consumers of TBC Status will get 20% legendary British group "Incognito" will of cashback while purchasing online and close the festival in July 20. in cashier’s offi ce (box-offi ce). HUAWEI P30 Series Forms New Rules for the Game – 10 Million Sales 85 Days after Presentation Summit; saying that “in 2018, 10 Million available in more than 170 countries and P20 Series were sold 147 days after its is used by one third of the world popu- presentation. This year, it took us 62 days lation. 16 research and development less to reach this impressive number.” centers function worldwide in the USA, Thanks to HUAWEI’s innovations, the Germany, Russia, India and China. HUA- P30 Series offers yet another set of WEI Consumer BG is one of the three impressive possibilities to users – ultra- HUAWEI business dimensions. The main sensitive, 4 general cameras created with direction of their work is producing leica, 10x hybrid zoom, ultra-powerful smartphones, personal computers, tab- battery and totally new and wide choice lets and cloud services. The global net- of colors. The leading international media work of HUAWEI is supported by 20 gave the P30 Series the title of “2019’s years of experience in the telecommu- Best Camera phone.” nication business and serves as a source According to the company’s data, in of offering innovative technologies to sum, HUAWEI has invested more than consumers around the world. 480 billion Chinese Yen in technological development and different partnerships with its programming and technical sup- plier. These approaches served as the key to HUAWEI’s success – becoming one of the leading companies in the industry of technologies and smart- phones. All those behind HUAWEI think that constant innovation and investing in this UAWEI P30 Series sets after the presentation, the number of sales Kevin Ho, the President in Sales Depart- direction will lead to more developments new record – newest mod- reached 10 million. The aforementioned ment of HUAWEI Service Business in their products, hence giving the con- els show the best selling information is confi rmed by HUAWEI Group, made the statement about the sumers the best experience possible, results in the history of the Service Business Group. The company “10 Million sales 85 days after the pres- assuring their loyalty. Hcompany. Only 85 days outdid their previous record by 62 days. entation” at the MWC Shanghai Global HUAWEI’s production and service is Destination Wedding Market in Georgia Is Rapidly Growing eorgia is becoming an According to representatives of sev- music bands and souvenirs' produc- increasingly popular des- eral wedding agencies working with tions. Developing the wedding market, tination for weddings for foreign couples, the nationality of peo- in general, helps to grow existing play- couples from around the ple who come to Georgia to marry is ers and also creates new business open- world. Some come here for quite wide: starting from neighbouring ings. For example, now the profession Gthe beautiful nature, reasonable pricing, countries, to as far as Canada, the USA of wedding host is on the rise when it good food and wine, others - for bureau- and the Philippines. didn’t exist here a few years ago. cratic convenience in registering an Foreign weddings in Georgia help to The fi rst professional Wedding Stars offi cial wedding. develop both tourism (on average wed- Awards will help all market players to Being the fi rst professional awards, ding guests spend two to three times grow and achieve a higher level of ser- Wedding Stars Awards aims to evaluate more than a tourist) whilst also devel- vice and creativity that will benefi t the the market. The Ministry of Juice pro- oping the internal wedding market. market. vided interesting statistics regarding the More and more Georgian couples pay Organizers of the Awards invite all increase of destination weddings in attention to details and elements of companies and private persons who Georgia. Western weddings. This trend could work in the wedding market in Georgia 1216 marriages were registered between develop further and as weddings on the to participate in the competition and foreign citizens in Georgia in 2017. Whilst local market become more elaborate, apply. The Awards will be distributed in 2018, this number grew to 1911 mar- combined with Georgian traditions, of for 25 nominations covering all main riages. These fi gures include all the reg- course. services related to weddings. The appli- istrations whether the couple simply The wedding business is a synthetic cation deadline is November 1st, 2019. came to the Public Service hall and signed sphere, infl uencing many other business The Wedding Stars Awards gala cer- the papers or did a big outdoor ceremony areas: from hotels and restaurants to emony will be held on December, 5th, among family and friends. transport companies and wineries, to 2019 in Biltmore Hotel in Tbilisi. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 12 - 15, 2019 SOCIETY 13 International Seminar with the Support of the EU on Tourism Development in the Black Sea Basin

Making presentation at the seminar

International guests from the countries imple- TRANSLATED BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA menting the project, have also traveled to Georgia to participate in the seminar: Mrs. Petya Paseva, Communication Offi cer, LP - Sozopol Municipal- he major aim of Georgian tourism ity, Bulgaria and Project CULTOUR-BSB, Mr. Ser- strategy is to launch a guide which hii Luzanov Executive Committee of Izmail City From the right - Mr. David Bujiashvili, Head of the EU Assistance Coordination and Sectorial Integration will contribute to the sustainable (Ukraine) Council, Communication Offi cer, Mr. Department Directorate General for European Integration Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and prof. development of the tourism industry, Viorel Babaian, Communication Offi cer, Commu- Givi Gavardashvili, Director of Ecocenter for Environmental Protection growth of income and increasing of nication Offi cer, (Ukraine) "Lower Danube Eurore- Tthe importance of the fi eld. gion, Mrs. Tetiana Pasmarnova Tourism Expert, ence at the seminar: Mrs. Gulnaz Surmanidze Tourism was emphasized at the meeting. The Whereas, the government is tasked to design and ASDEI “Lower Danube” Euroregion” Ukraine, Mrs. (Association Executive director) - Mtirala and main aim should be to prepare tour agencies, implement a plan, which will transform the rich Hanna Bilobrova, Tourism Expert, Executive Com- Machakhela Protected Areas Friends, Professor bureaus, etc., to better operate in the industry. natural and cultural resources into a global-scale mittee of Izmail city Council, Ms. Zeliha Oraloglu, Soso Surguladze - Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State Meetings and discussions also took place during tourist product and create the possibility for obtain- Communication Offi cer (Turkey), Ms., Elif Berna University, Tourism Department, Company ''Hi the seminar coffee-breaks as follows: Discussion ing unique and unforgettable impressions. The Bakir, Duzce Governorship. Georgia" Ms. Nehayat Aleso, Public Relations Man- with representers of local tourism agencies of abovementioned is to attract tourists with higher Special booklets, triplets, banners and other ager - Gvantsa Kordzakhia, Company “Mtskheta Georgia, as well as the tourism experts, participat- payment capabilities from European countries, informative material, aimed at the promotion of Cruise'', Ms. Nino Kekelidze Director of Company ing in the project „Development of Sustainable North America, as well as the Middle East and Asia. the international project, were given to the seminar “Discover Georgia", Prof. Giorgi Begadze - Tour- Cultural Tourism in the Black Sea Basin” CULTOUR- From 2009 to 2015, the visitor infl ow in Georgia participants, guests and students interested in the ism Management center of Ilia State University, BSB, EMS number: BSB 117“: professor Giorgi Mel- was one of the highest in the world: the total num- tourism industry. Mr. Irakli Maisashvili - Tourizm center of Tskaltubo, adze, academic dctors – Tamriko Supatashvili, Natia ber of international travelers increased by 293% The seminar was offi cially opened by Givi Gavar- Prof. Kakhaber Jakeli – International Black See Gavardashvili, Petiya Paseva, Sergey Luzanov, Zeliha and exceeded 5.9 million (2009, 1.5 mln). The profi t dashvili, Director of the Ecocenter for Environ- University, Tourism Department, Mrs. Ketevan Oraloglu, Viorel Babaian and others. obtained from the tourism industry increased rap- mental Protection, Doctor of Technical Science, Zautashvili (Head of department) - Foreign Rela- During the working process of the seminar, the idly from $476 million to $1.9 billion. Professor and Supervisor of the international pro- tions, International Projects and Tourism Depart- target groups were offered specially designed sur- The international seminar-presentation, fi nanced ject “CULTOUR-BSB, EMS number: BSB 117“ from ment of Kvareli Municipality (Kakheti region), Mr. vey comprising of questions for three types of by the EU project “Development of Sustainable Georgia. Mr. Givi Gavardashvili spoke regarding Gocha Khorava (Head of department) - Tourism organizations regarding the current situation in Cultural Tourism in the Black Sea Basin” CULTOUR- the signifi cance of the project for the development Department of Baghdati municipality (Imereti the tourism industry, challenges, as well as future BSB, EMS number: BSB 117“ and taking place on of the Black Sea tourism, which is to contribute to region), Mr. Alexander Khmaladze – Director of perspectives. More than 60 representatives from May 11-12 at the Cruise Hotel in Tbilisi, was dedi- the sustainable progress of the tourism industry Company "Discover Sighnaghi", Ms. Lali Giguri - the various organizations participated in the sur- cated to resolving the given issues. in Georgian and increasing the profi t. Director of Company, "Georgia holiday", Ms. vey. The heads of the international project are as fol- The speaker strongly focused on the assimilation Makvala Rikrikadze – Director of Company "Travel- The Ecocenter for Environmental Protection, as lows: Lead Partner - Sozopol Municipality (Mrs. of new tourist routes in Georgia, as well as their georgiarik", Ms. Khatuna Chargazia Director of the partner organization of the international pro- Petya Chapevova, Vice-Mayor of Suzopolo, Radina promotion across Europe, noting that this process LTD "Turalux", Mr. Giorgi Didebulidze - Director ject „Development of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Bayanova, business consultant, Simona Valchanova, will increase the tourist infl ow in Georgia and as of LTD "Gland travel Georgia" e.c. in the Black Sea Basin” CULTOUR-BSB, EMS num- Tourism Expert, Bulgaria) Bulgaria and Project a result help the stable growth of the country’s Along with the issue of developing Black Sea tour- ber: BSB 117“ from Georgia is currently processing Manager of CULTOUR-BSB Bulgaria), Project economy. ism, the speakers also accentuated the importance the surveys completed by the tourism experts and partners: Constanta Municipality (Georgiana Petre, At the seminar, welcoming speeches were deliv- of sophisticated educational programs in business will distribute the results to the lead organization Communication offi cer PB2, Cristina Sapunaru ered by: Mr. David Bujiashvili, Head of the EU administration. It was also stated that it is vital to – Suzopolo Municipality shortly. Tourism Expert, Roman), NNLE - Ecocenter For Assistance Coordination and Sectorial Integration enable students to obtain education in accordance Environmental Protection (Georgia), Agency of Department Directorate General for European with the modern requirements, which will create a ECOCENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Sustainable Development and European Integra- Integration Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, solid basis of different business administration areas, Organization in consultative status with the tion “Lower Danube Euroregion” (ASDEI), (Ukraine), Ms. Rusudan Mamatsashvili - First Deputy Head including marketing, management and more. Economic and Social Council ECOSOC Executive committee of Izmail city Council (Ukraine) of Georgian National Tourism Administration, and Düzce Governorship (Turkey). who noted that the project is of strategic impor- Heads of the governmental and non-governmen- tance for Georgia in terms of the development of tal organizations (NGOs), professors and special- tourism in the Black Sea Basin and expressed their ists in tourism from a number of universities, as support towards the implementation of the project, well as organizations and tour operators from dif- which is to contribute to the progress of tourism ferent regions and municipalities of Georgia, par- as business in the country. ticipated in the seminar. The following participants addressed the audi-

Filling in the questionnaire GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE JULY 12 - 15, 2019

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER paintings of the XIV-XIX centuries; MUSEUM OF BROKEN ART GENE FESTIVAL RIKE a combination of voice, lighting, RELATIONSHIPS Tbilisi Museum of Ethnography Touristic center "Gamarjoba", immersive visual and multimedia. Next to Bridge of Peace GABRIADZE THEATER 10 Betlemi Str. Giotto– ‘Ognissanti Madonna’ and July 12 13 Shavtelis St. the ‘Scrovegni Chapel,’ Leonardo 20:00-21:30 Folklore Concert: July 12 TEL (+995 32) 2 98 65 93 THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN da Vinci– ‘Annunciation,’ Botticelli– Samegrelo Ethnic Dinner Show "Gaumarjos" RELATIONSHIPS ‘The Birth of Venus’ and ‘Spring,’ 22:00 Final Concert: NINO Introducing cultural performance July 12, 13 Raffaello– ‘The Madonna of the The unique collection of the KATAMADZE about history of Georgia, traditions THE AUTUMN OF MY Goldfi nch, Bellotto– ‘Piazza San museum aims to provoke Start time: 20:00 and culture. SPRINGTIME Marco,’ ‘Castello Sforzesco,’ feelings of understanding among Ticket: 29 GEL Show is performed by professional Revaz Gabriadze Canaletto– “The Chapel of Eton individuals and serve as some dancers and singers, along with Directed by Revaz Gabriadze culinary performance by executive College”, Canova– ‘Amor e Psyche’ kind of therapy for those who have July 13 English Subtitles chef, paired with delicious and ‘The Graces’. 20:00-21:30- Folklore Concert: experience break-ups. Georgian cuisine and wine. Start time: 20:00 Racha-Lechkhumi Ticket: 20, 30, 40 GEL GALLERY Start time: 19:00 IOSEB GRISHASHVILI 22:00- Final Concert: 33A Ticket: 120 GEL TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Start time: 20:00 July 14 - KARVASLA STALINGRAD THE NATIONAL GALLERY FOLKLORE CONCERTS FOR 8 Sioni St. July 14 Revaz Gabriadze 11 Rustaveli Ave. TOURISTS TEL (+995 32) 2 98 22 81 20:00-21:30- Folklore Concert: Directed by Revaz Gabriadze TEL (+995 32) 215 73 00 Sanapiro Str. Bldg 2. Adjara Every Sunday English Subtitles Until September 10 22:00- Final Concert: Start time: 20:00 The Georgian National Museum Until February 26 (2020) SUKHISHVILEBI July 15 Ticket: 20, 30, 40 GEL within the project "Contemporary GRAND MASTERS FROM THE Start time: 20:00 Folklore Evenings of ensemble Art Gallery" presents GEORGIAN Ticket: 29 GEL EGARI July 16 Vakho Bugadze's exhibition: NATIONAL MUSEUM Ensemble offers folklore events Animated documentary fi lm ‘Three, Four" COLLECTION XIX – XX EZO FESTIVAL in order to popularize Georgian REZO folk music creation for tourists. Together with Vakho Bughadze are CENTURY Mtatsminda Park Directed by Leo Gabriadze artists Gogi Okropiridze and Katrin The concerts will present songs, Start time: 12:30 Bolt. Within the framework of the July 13 trisagions, instrumental music, MOVEMENT THEATER Ticket: 15 GEL exhibition, documentary fi lm about EZO FESTIVAL 2019 dance, urban folklore from diferent 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave. parts of Georgia and ethno-jazz MUSEUM Vakho Bugadze will be presented. SEASON CLOSING TEL (+995 32) 598 19 29 36 Start time: 18:00 music. The guest will listen live MUSEUM OF SOVIET Ticket: 50 GEL polyphony, diversity of instruments GEORGIAN NATIONAL (Salamuri, Panduri, Chonguri, OCCUPATION July 12 MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA Chiboni, Doli). 4 Rustaveli Ave. Unlock: Chapter Three MOVEMENT THEATER MUSEUM Start time: 20:00 TEL (+995 32) 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Multimedia journey- "Today", 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave. 3 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 50 GEL www.museum.ge TEL (+995 32) 598 19 29 36 TEL (+995 32) 299 80 22, 293 48 21 aims to show our present reality from a new angle PHOTO, VIDEO, GEORGIAN FOLK SHOW www.museum.ge July 13 The exhibition hall is equipped 10 Rustaveli Ave. INSTALLATION, MUSIC, PRINT DJ Set Exhibitions: with monitors, where visitors Start time: 21:00 Every Tuesday, Friday, Sunday can see documentaries of various MICHEL GEORGIAN COSTUME AND Free Entrance Start time: 20:00 WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH historical events. The exhibition July 12, 14, 16 Ticket: 5 GEL The fi rst full and systematic folk CENTURIES also includes one of the train MUSIC carriages in which the participants show for tourists. NUMISMATIC TREASURY July 16 of the national uprising of 1924 Visit Georgia’s regions in one EXHIBITION STONE AGE JAM SESSION were executed. It is also dedicated SOUNDS OF GEORGIA hour through its world renowned GEORGIA Musical art director- Sandro folklore. ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE to the history of the anti- July 14, 15, 17, 18 Nikoladze Start time: 20:00 NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL occupational, national-liberation Start time: 20:30 SING AND DRINK Ticket: 40 GEL COLLECTIONS movement of Georgia and to the Free Entrance Mini concerts in the cozy victims of the Soviet political IN THE DENSE FOREST Until September 10 repression throughout this period. atmosphere of Old Tbilisi, a mix BAR DYSTOPIA 5 Iliko Sukhishvili Str., Tskneti Under the joint initiative of of traditional Georgian music of 4 K. Marjanishvili Str. Georgian National Museum and MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS different genres: folklore, a capella, July 14 Georgian Post, 10 Betlemi Str. guitar, and Georgian pop and city July 12 PAPUNA'S BOSTON TRIO Exhibition: STORY TOLD BY songs. Mind Atrophy FEATURING KHODZI POSTAGE STAMPS Discover the Museum of Illusions Start time: 17:00 Lasha Avsajanishvili and Lasha Papuna Sharikadze, Be brave enough to jump into an Giorgi (Khondzi) Berishvili, Dedicated to the 100th anniversary Ticket: 24 GEL Kantaria's raw techno project, illusion created by the Vortex, Max Gerl and Tyson Jackson of the fi rst Georgian stamp. Venue: July 14- 10 Erekle II Sq., Tekla primarily oriented on heavy deform the image of yourself in a industrial and hypnotic sound that Present an extraordinary night with Palace Hotel, July 15- New Tifl is, Until August 31 Mirror Room, be free in the Infi nity demands so much energy while special guests After-party for All Multimedia technology exhibition- room, resist the laws of gravity and 9 Agmashenebeli Ave., Wine bar rave. Their b2b performance is not Start time: 16:00 IMMAGICA. A JOURNEY INTO size ratio, and take selfi es in every ‘Wine Station’, July 17- Corner of 2 just playing the music, for the most Ticket: 20-80 GEL BEAUTY possible pose. Enjoy the collection Turgenev Str., and 37 Javakhishvili part, it is the storytelling. ADJARA An impressive journey within of holograms, and discover optical Str. July 18- Europe Square, 2 D. Start time: 21:00 BLACK SEA JAZZ FESTIVAL time, introducing us to Italian illusions. Megreli Str., Hotel “Nata” Ticket: 10 GEL Batumi Tennis Club

July 18 CORY HENRY & The Funk Apostles (USA) Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 100-200 GEL

UP2YOU Seafront Promenade

13 July SAKHE A2K CHIKI Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 20 GEL

18 July DAVIT GOMATELI Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 25 GEL

SOHO BATUMI Old boulevard

13 July LEXSENI Start time: 18:00 Ticket: 20 GEL

BATUMGORA Venue: Cable car Argo

FOLKLORE SHOWS EVERY DAY During whole summer, you will have a wonderful opportunity to attend traditional folk shows every day from 8 pm. Enjoy UNESCO recognized traditional folk dances and songs, Georgian drum show and master classes in dancing on 250 meters above the sea level. Start time: 20:00 GEORGIA TODAY JULY 12 - 15, 2019 CULTURE 15 Unprecedented warranty offer from HUAWEI

UAWEI in Georgia offers on the market). This was in fact caused versions and predictions, one thing is an exceptional guarantee by the US President Donald Trump’s clear – HUAWEI is on the road of tech- service to their consum- decision that American companies would nological development and promises ers, proving once again not be able to provide production to their consumers many pleasant surprises that the users’ interests HUAWEI but the announcement was and innovative decisions. areH a priority for the company. applied to smartphone models that the HUAWEI’s production and service is Here are the conditions of the sugges- company produces after August 19. available in more than 170 countries and tion – If your device can't run Google As of today, Trump has changed his is used by one third of world population. and Facebook apps HUAWEI will give decision and has allowed American com- 16 research and development centers you 100% reimbursement. panies to continue trading and partnering function worldwide in the USA, Ger- The one-month-long campaign started with HUAWEI. With the abovementioned many, Russia, India and China. HUAWEI on July 5. Additionally, the warranty ser- campaign, we’d like to assure our con- Consumer BG is one of the three HUA- vice will be available only for newly sumers that our brand is trustworthy. WEI business dimensions. The main bought smart-phones during 2 years. This campaign is an additional proof and direction of their work is producing Bear in mind that the guarantee condi- guarantee that there are no restrictions,” smartphones, personal computers, tab- tions only apply to offi cial HUAWEI says the Manager of Guarantee Service lets and cloud services. The global net- Smartphones. of HUAWEI, Salome Melitauri. work of HUAWEI is supported by 20 “A lot of disinformation spread claiming Lately, a lot of information from unre- year-old experience in telecommunica- that Facebook and Google Apps will not liable sources have been spreading around tion business and serves as a source of work well on the new HUAWEI smart- HUAWEI and this situation news mis- offering innovative technologies to the phones (the ones that are already selling guides consumers. However, with all the consumers around the world. Artists Recreate Georgian Medival Poem Knight in the Panther’s Skin as a Comic Book

this poem the artist gave birth to a new stand this masterpiece in a new different BY LIKA CHIGLADZE genre whilst also reviving the centuries- way. The good news for foreign readers old monumnet. “It is such a complex is that the book is already being trans- piece that anyone who tried to work on lated into English and Russian as well”, n July 10 the long-awaited it, was lost into its deepness and phi- Tinatin Mamulashvili, Director of the exhibition and presenta- losophy. So it was a really big challenge publishing house told us. tion of a new contemporary to me as well”, Davit Machavarian told The text for the graphic novel was edition of the internation- GEORGIA TODAY. adapted Saba Award Winner Salome ally known Georgian epic “We, as a traditional country, fi nd it Benidze, a young female writer, notable poemO The Knight in the Panther’s Skin diffi cult to accept novelties and some- for her unusual storytelling and writing was opened at The Georgian Museum thing different, that in fact expands our style. of Fine Arts in Tbilisi. horizons and mindsets,” said Machavar- “To me, it is a century’s project and Acclaimed Georgian artist David Match- ian. “This is the very reason, why for probably the biggest challenge and avarianiis is the main person behind the such a long time, we were afraid to trans- responsibility in my life so far”, the writer graphic novel. The artist, better known form our epic poem and present it in a said. “When working on this project I by his nickname, Kakadu, worked for new form.” had a feeling that we were opening a three-years nonstop to create amazing “Over the three years of the working new way, a new path for the readers to graphic drawings of each episode and process, I explored Arabic architecture get closer to this poem. After having a characters of the 12th-century national and Indian costumes too feed my inspi- close look at the graphic novel, I think poem. ration and obtain historic elements to society will rediscover this great piece The exhibition hall was overcrowded embody them into my artworks. I started in a different way. Besides, I hope teach- by people, eager to see the amazing works working on this project in Tbilisi and ers at schools will fi nd this version of presented on huge canvases at the exhi- very soon I moved to Nepal to escape the poem very helpful when teaching it bition hall. The guests could get a copy all the distractions and commit myself to students. We hope this will become of the limited inaugural edition of the to this job, then I travled to France where favorite book of many.” book with the mind-blowing comics as I worked at my uncles’ studio and then “I must admit it was extremely diffi cult Photo source - Tbilisi Museum of Fine Arts well as get it signed personally by the I was planning to go to India, but sud- to transform such an extensive and com- authour of the drawings. Artworks made denly I found enthusiastic people who time, eventually building one integral After graduation of State Academy of plex poem into a graphic romance. for the classical version of the book by helped me to fi nish these works, so I monument. This was the most diffi cult Arts in Tbilisi, David traveled to the US Although the current text is quite dif- David over the last ten years were also changed my plans.” part, since I was thinking both about the where he met DC Comics Editor Dan ferent, we tried to maintain certain pas- showcased in the hall. “We locked ourselves in our studio and past passages, the present one I was Raspler in Philadelphia who has heavily sages from the original version that are Written in the 12th century by Georgian worked day and night to present the working on as well as the ones laid ahead, infl uenced the artist’s subsequent crea- very important in an authentic way,” she poet Shota Rustaveli, The Knight in the book in its present form. When I was to link them naturally and fl awlessly”, tive formation. After returning to Geor- continued. Panther's Skin is considered to be the working on the classic edition of the David Matchavariani elaborated when gia, David Machavariani worked across “In the beginning I was a little bit frus- main masterpiece of Georgian classical book and making relatively solid draw- talking to GEORGIA TODAY. a variety of genres, such as illustrations, trated, I did not know how to cope with literature. The book, uncovering a thrill- ings on the same theme 10 years ago, As David says, The Knight in the Pan- comics, theater performances, cinema, such diffi cult writing, but eventually, I ing story about true love, friendship and even though it required more detailed ther's Skin taught him many things. “It’s video games, and others. managed. As for the drawings, David has heroism, conveys deep philosophical and sophisticated technique, it was much like a second bible that liberates to one’s The project the artist has dreamed put a monumental effort, he started cre- ideas that can change one’s mindset and easier than creating comics.” mind and soul. I learned that soul is about so long, was realised in coopera- ating comics far earlier than I started attitude toward the world. It is labeled “Telling stories through illustrations immortal, that what you send out to the tion with Sulakauri Publishing, that working on the text. At times, we coop- as the artifact of Georgian renaissance, is easier, since you make illustrations world comes back to you. I think this marked its 20th anniversary through erated on some issues so that the sto- the Golden Age, when the country was between ten pages or even more and in is the book that unites all of us, the printing this glorious graphic novel. ryline and drawings were in line and ruled by its fi rst female monarch, Queen this way incorporate important passages whole nation”, he adds, saying that “This book represents an epic poem fi lled each other. In this case, fi rst came Tamar. Although the story takes place in one unit. As for the comic book, it despite living in the modern era of tech- told through graphic illustration consist- the image and then the words. So I basi- in the fi ctional settings of "India" and took me one week to create one page. nologies, he purposefully decided to ing of 222 pages. This is the project that cally followed and relied on the drawings "Arabia", in fact it represents an allegory Besides the exhausting working process, use traditional ways to create his draw- Our publishing house is extremely proud when editing the text”, Salome Benidze of the rule of Queen Tamar of Georgia, I had to think how to transfer the story ings simply using paper, pencil and ink. of. The text was specifi cally adapted for noted. describing the size and glory of the King- in a smooth way so that the plot is well “If they are meant to survive and endure this version of the book and Salome The exhibition will be on show until dom of Georgia at that time. rounded and harmonically linked to one time, they will. Let god and nature decide Benidze (writer) handled this duty with July 17 at Rustaveli Avenue 7. Attendance Through creating graphic artworks for other as well as fi tted to rhythm and their destiny.” success. The book will help us to under- is free.

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 Dimitri Dolaberidze, Layout: strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Vazha Tavberidze, Misha Mchedlishvili Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Commercial Director: Nugzar B. Ruhadze, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Webmaster: Iva Merabishvili Samantha Guthrie, F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Sergey Gevenov Marketing Manager: Amy Jones, Thea Morrison, is registered in Mtatsminda Sesili Tikaradze Ana Dumbadze, Circulation Managers: ADVERTISING & district court. Ketevan Kvaratskheliya David Kerdikashvili, SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: David Djandjgava +995 555 00 14 46 GEORGIA TODAY Editor: Photographer: E-mail: Reg. # 06/4-309 Amy Jones Irakli Dolidze [email protected]