President Zurabishvili Delivers First Report in Parliament

Issue no: 1131 • MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Pardoning Commission to Move to Justice Ministry NEWS PAGE 3 Saving the Georgian Dream or Ivanishvili’s Dream?

POLITICS PAGE 4 China Opens a New Military Base in Tajikistan POLITICS PAGE 5 FOCUS Spanish Platform Dyntra Ranks Tbilisi at Just 19% ON EQUALITY Transparency A look at how women are represented in the tech sphere PAGE 2 POLITICS PAGE 7 Irakli Kervalishvili: We'll Have a Deep-Water Marina President Zurabishvili Delivers in Poti by Year-End 2020 BUSINESS PAGE 8 First Report in Parliament 2019 European Social bishvili said that work was ongoing with the Justice Ministry to facilitate BY THEA MORRISON Innovation Competition procedures for the restoration and preservation of citizenship. “It is our duty to create favorable conditions for immigrants’ return to Launched the country and to provide them with information about the demand for resident of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili delivered her fi rst specialists in employment that allows them to fi t their professional plans SOCIETY PAGE 10 report before the Members of Parliament on March 6. with the local market,” she said. The fi rst female president of the country started her report Zurabishvili also claimed that neither the democratic system nor state by summing up her visits abroad in the rank of president, stat- stability would be preserved in the country without protected and objec- Russian Freethinker Deals ing that her meetings with the EU and NATO offi cials, and tive information. Continued on page 2 follow-onP meetings with her French and German counterparts, had with Stalinism: “Stalin Is Not brought Georgia closer to its foreign partners and states. Zurabishvili spoke about her visits to Afghanistan and Azerbaijan, high- yet Completely Dead” lighting she was warmly welcomed by the offi cials there. She said she raised the issue of Russian occupation during every meeting and underlined that Georgia will not put up with the injustice of it. “Georgia will not reconcile with the occupation, abductions and creep- ing lines that are parts of [Russia's] violent policy. The formats of negotiations are at a technical level at present. I talked to our partners about the necessity to restore high political formats. Our partners must tell Russia that games ending in zero points are not in the interests of anyone and that leading an aggressive policy is the way backward,” she added. The Georgian President named the diaspora and cultural relations as priorities of her activities and as such, she met with students and emigrants during her foreign visits. She underlined that having the status of a Georgian citizen was very important for emigrants to keep close links with the motherland. Zura- CULTURE PAGE 15 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 Tech4Equality Supports Women’s Empowerment in Tbilisi

highly underrepresented. personal fi elds of interest apart from BY LISA MAIER Louisa Vinton, United Nations Resident typical gender roles,” Chechelashvili Coordinator in Georgia, opened the said. Talk4Equality event and the stage for a Ulrik Tideström, Ambassador of Swe- n March 5, International row of inspiring speakers. She pointed den to Georgia and Armenia, stated, Women’s day was marked to the importance of celebrating Wom- “There will be no sustainable develop- with the Tech4Equality en’s Day and to use this day to shine the ment, welfare, sustainable peace or secu- talk in Tbilisi; aiming to spotlight on both sides of gender equal- rity if we keep excluding half the popu- discuss new ways of ity, “To celebrate the positive while also lation,” and went on to demand more empoweringO women and girls by sup- seeking solutions for the negative.” engagement from men to end this exclu- porting their involvement in the fi eld of Women in Georgia are well-educated sion. technology and science and echoing this and are still underrepresented in the All speakers exemplifi ed how they had year’s theme for International Women’s working environment and particularly found new approaches and creative solu- Day, ‘Think equal, build smart, innovate in high positions, as well as in the sci- tions on global problems. Natia Ninike- for change.’ The event was organized by ence and technology fi eld. Vinton stated lashviliv, founder of www.soplidan.ge, the United Nations in Georgia in coop- this fact as “shocking” and referred to created a start-up, distributing food eration with the Administration of the the need for innovation to equalize this products from the regions on the inter- President of Georgia, Gender Equality imbalance. “The main challenge is to net in order to ease farmers’ lives from Council of the Parliament of Georgia, think equal, end stereotypes and point the burden of worrying about sales- the governments of Sweden and Norway, to role models for young girls,” she building a bridge between rural and and the Georgian civil society organiza- said. urban areas in Georgia. “Promoting equal tion ‘Innovation Support Fund.’ The talk hosted a line-up of inspiring rights in the technological fi eld will bring Georgia is still facing a gender imbal- speakers from a wide range of fi elds who a whole new and innovative set of ideas ance in the work environment, with the presented their stories and experiences Ulrik Tideström, Ambassador of Sweden to Georgia and Armenia to the fi eld,” she said. fi eld of science and technology the most in the tech and science world and what “There are so many strong women who affected area of gender inequality. Women kind of diffi culties they had had to face Ninikelashviliv, Founder of www.sopli- and bio-artist. stand out in Georgia, but when you look are more represented in social works in a “male-dominated” world. The speak- dan.ge; Maia Todua, Director of the The speakers presented positive aspects at the average wage gap and the lack of and the wholesale sector than in techni- ers counted UN and governmental rep- Abastumani Observatory; David Che- as well as negative, pushing for easier representation, particularly in political cal activities, science, politics and the resentatives discussing structural per- chelashvili, a strategy oriented, experi- access for young girls to the tech fi eld. leadership, I think women need to take manufacturing sector. Equality among spectives and offi cial efforts already enced high-tech entrepreneur, technol- Some speakers pointed to their child- courage and demand their rights. But genders is still not a matter of course, as made, as well as leading women in sci- ogy commercialization expert; Esma hoods, where stereotyping starts either we also need to work together with men the statistics show (geostat.ge), and ence and technology offering their rather Gumberidze, an activist who advocates in the families or in schools. “Our edu- to ensure and spread the idea that gen- although the sphere of technology and personal stories and experiences. Among for equal opportunities and access for cation system is still all about remem- der equality is a good thing for women science is a permanently increasing work the speakers were Nana Dikhaminjia, all in Georgia; Mariam Rusishvili, CEO bering, not about self-awareness, think- as well as men, and at the end for society environment, creating ongoing future Professor of Electronic and Computer and founder of QuickCash AI; and Ani ing and criticizing. We need to be overall,” Louisa Vinton told GEORGIA and sustainable jobs, women are still Engineering at Ilia State University; Natia Tsitsishvili, microbiologist, veterinarian teaching soft skills like curiosity to awaken TODAY. President Zurabishvili Delivers First Report in Parliament Continued from page 1 We should stop fresh fl oods of misin- formation, slander, the language of “We cannot close our eyes to the hatred and secret recordings exposing threats which intimidate people and private lives,” she added. society in the form of slander and false In addition, the President mentioned information,” she stressed. a number of other challenges that the The President underlined that polar- country is facing, like unemployment, ization was raging in the country and healthcare and social issues, poor con- that a violent environment intimidated ditions for disabled people and the lives of all. “The public expects increased cancer cases. boiling water to become calmer. It Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, needs peace and reconciliation. This members of the government and Tbi- requires the processes developed in lisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze attended the information and social networks to be delivery of the annual speech by Pres- Photo source: 1TV brought within civilized frameworks. ident Salome Zurabishvili. SUBSCRIBE!

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 [email protected] +995 32 229 59 19  Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 NEWS 3 The European Commission against Racism & Intolerance Reminds Georgia of Two Unfulﬁ lled Recommendations

Image source: http://hollywoodunitednc.org

Image source: ECRI ECRI encourages the Georgian author- BY THEA MORRISON Pardoning Commission to ities to continue on this path. It considers that this recommendation has been partially implemented,” the commission he European Commission stated. against Racism and Intoler- The second issue concerns ECRI’s rec- Move to Justice Ministry ance (ECRI), the Council ommendation that the Georgian author- of Europe’s independent ities scale up their support for the Coun- president of Georgia noted that during President’s function to pardon inmates. human rights monitoring cil of Religions, which operates under BY THEA MORRISON the term of the previous president, the “In this situation, we will get a very Tbody specialized in combating antisem- the auspices of the Public Defender’s practice of pardoning resembled acts of ineffi cient, inactive and dead pardoning itism, discrimination, racism, religious Tolerance Center. amnesty rather than a concept based on mechanism. The pardoning function was intolerance and xenophobia, has released “The authorities should in particular he Pardoning Commission the discrete right of the President. imposed by society on the President, not a report in which it reminds Georgia of task the newly created State Agency for of Georgia, the body under “The discrete right of pardoning means on the executive government,” Koridze two as-yet unfulfi lled recommendations. Religious Issues to cooperate with the the President which dis- the selection of individual prisoner cases noted. As part of its fi fth round of monitoring Council of Religions and utilize the cusses all cases sent by by the President where the priority goes He said even in 2014-2015, the author- work, ECRI has renewed its process of Council’s expertise and recommenda- inmates or their families to human principles. This [change] will ities tried to take the pardoning function interim follow-up with respect to two tions in order to tackle the problem of Tand makes the initial decision which reduce risks to the public,” Zurabishvili from then-President Margvelashvili, who specifi c recommendations. religious intolerance,” ECRI said. prisoners are deemed to deserve pardon- said. is often criticized by the governmental In its report on Georgia (fi fth monitor- The Council said they were informed ing, will now function at the ministry of According to the President, having a offi cials for having pardoned “too many ing cycle) published on 1 March 2016, by the Georgian authorities that they Justice. state Pardoning Commission at the Jus- inmates.” ECRI recommended that the Georgian consider the State Agency for Religious The statement was made by the Pres- tice Ministry will ensure the involvement “The government did not win back authorities set up a specialized unit Issues to be the main interlocutor between ident of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, of representatives of different adminis- then but today we see that Zurabishvili within the police to deal specifi cally with religious communities and the govern- while delivering her fi rst report before trative bodies in the commission work. herself transferred this power to the racist and homo-/transphobic hate crime. ment and fully capable of acting as an parliamentarians on March 6. “The commission will discuss applica- authorities. It means the body which The Commission said they were impartial, trusted and successful media- Currently, the President’s Pardoning tions which meet new criteria, and pre- manages the penitentiary system will informed by the Georgian authorities tor in cases of problems related to reli- Commission is composed of 10 people. pare recommendations. The fi nal deci- also have the right to pardon prisoners,” that a human rights department had been gious affairs or inter-religious tensions. Members are mostly lawyers from the sion will remain the President’s Koridze stressed. established in the Ministry of Internal However, ECRI says the only example civil sector and public fi gures, alongside prerogative. Private, social, religious or Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani says Affairs in January 2018. provided by the authorities of co-oper- the Public Defender and the Georgian political factors will not infl uence the they will work with the president on the ECRI said they were told the new ation consists of the State Agency review- Patriarchate. decision-making,” she said, adding that Pardoning Commission formation and department is tasked with monitoring ing documents produced by the Council The Commission chooses from the the number of commission members further procedures. the process of investigating hate crime of Religions. inmates’ applications the ones who will be increased. “It is necessary to have a commission incidents, identifying gaps and propos- “This already points to a rather mini- deserve pardoning and send the list to Former Head of the Pardoning Com- which consists of professionals. No writ- ing measures for improvement. It is also mal level of interaction between the two the President for approval. The President mission, Zviad Koridze, says the Presi- ers and artists will be included in the mandated to cooperate with international bodies. Moreover, the authorities refer is the only person authorized to grant dent’s decision to transfer the body to mechanism but social workers, psychol- organizations, such as the United Nations to tensions between the Council of Reli- pardons in Georgia. the Justice Ministry will defi nitely result ogists, teachers and other competent and the European Union, and various gions and the State Agency, in particular During her speech, the fi rst female in less effective outcomes as it is the people,” the Minister said. NGOs in order to develop action plans that some members of the Council alleg- and hold training events. edly advocate for the abolition of the “Unfortunately, ECRI has not received State Agency, but without providing any information about co-operation further details as to the reasons for this with LGBT NGOs, which would be rel- lack of trust,” the report reads. evant to tackling homo-/transphobic In addition, the Council noted that the hate crime. It expresses its hope that local Muslim community had requested these groups will also be included in the involvement of the Public Defender the co-operation work of the new depart- and the Tolerance Center, because they ment,” the follow-up report published did not trust the State Agency and other on March 5 reads. members of the commission to be impar- The Commission says the creation of tial. this department is a very positive step, “The State Agency, however, rejected but it is still too early to assess the impact the request. ECRI regrets that on this of its work. occasion yet another opportunity for “Such a department is not a substitute co-operation and for the utilization of for a specialized investigative unit within the experience of the Public Defender’s the police, as recommended by ECRI. Tolerance Center with regard to promot- The new department was created to ing religious tolerance was missed,” the review hate crime investigations, not to organization noted. carry them out. It therefore does not ECRI added they have not received constitute a dedicated reinforcement of any other information that could be hate crime investigation capacity at law interpreted as an expression of interest enforcement level,” the report reads. from the side of the State Agency for However, ECRI notes positively that meaningful co-operation with the Coun- the Ministry of Internal Affairs cooper- cil of Religions. ated with the Offi ce of the Public Defender ECRI concluded that the situation that of Georgia to train, in May 2018, some had originally given rise to this priority 40 police offi cers, who are designated recommendation persists and that the to be specifi cally in charge of investigat- State Agency for Religious Issues has ing alleged hate-motivated crimes in the not taken any serious steps to cooperate future. with the Council of Religions, as recom- “Taken together, the above efforts con- mended by ECRI. stitute promising steps towards tackling The organization therefore considers the problem of racist and homo-/tran- that this recommendation has not been sphobic hate crime more effectively and implemented. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 Saving the Georgian Dream or Ivanishvili’s Dream?

party resigned. Politicians Eka Beselia, BY AMY JONES Gia Zhozholiani, Mirian Tsiklauri, Zviad Kvachantiradze, Levan Gogichaisvili and Gedevan Popkhadze have all quit the ormer Georgian Prime Min- party since 21 February 2019. ister Irakli Garibashvili will Georgian Dream is keen to show a united return to politics following a front despite the recent spate of resigna- three-year political hiatus. tions. Speaking about his decision to Bidzina Ivanishvili announced return to politics on the evening talk show theF sudden decision on March 5 at a Reakcia, Garibashvili said, “Today our meeting of the political council of the main objective is to unify and strengthen ruling Georgian Dream party. However, the party, my main mission would be, does his surprise return to politics under- certainly together with the party chair- line Ivanishvili’s undeniable grip on man [Ivanishvili] and other leaders, to Georgian politics? bring our party’s founders, deputies of Garibashvili was Prime Minister of the previous parliament, the fi rst genera- Georgia from November 2013 until his tion, and those of the new generation, resignation in December 2015. Since closer together; to achieve better coordi- stepping down from politics, Garibash- nation and to, in the end, unite. This is vili remained mostly out of the public my main mission, my main task.” eye. It later emerged that Ivanishvili had Garibashvili also underlined the crucial advised him to resign from the position role of Ivanishvili in the party, saying of Prime Minister. that a Georgian Dream victory was Ivanishvili and Garibashvili have a close “absolutely impossible and unimaginable relationship. Garibashvili worked as a without Ivanishvili”. He also stressed Image source: GPB business executive in several of Ivanish- the need for a leader “who would unite Economist Intelligence Unit (EUI) Dem- widespread popular discontent with the The strong ties between Ivanishvili and vili’s companies for eight years before and consolidate the political processes. ocratic Index Report, Georgia fell from government, as the key factor in his deci- Garibashvili are undeniable. With Gari- they both turned to politics. He will now Bidzina Ivanishvili “was, is, and will be 5.93 in 2017 to 5.50. The index credited sion,” read the report. “Under Mr Ivan- bashvili’s return to Georgian politics, replace Gia Volsky in the position of this leader,” he argued. Ivanishvili’s return to politics in May ishvili’s infl uence, the government also Ivanishvili has once again shown his Political Secretary in Georgian Dream. However, despite Garibashvili’s support 2018 as a fuelling factor for the slip of intervened in the second-round presi- infl uence within his party. With his infl u- Many media outlets claim Garibash- of Ivanishvili. his decision to return to democracy in Georgia as he has “redi- dential election, offering a debt write-off ence and power, it is likely that Georgian vili's return is an attempt to hold Geor- Georgian politics could be seen to further rected government policy.” to 600,000 citizens two weeks after elec- Dream will recover from its loss of party gian Dream together. In recent weeks, demonstrate the grip Ivanishvili holds “The Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikash- tion day. This appeared to provide the members. However, questions remain the party has lost its constitutional major- over the party and Georgian politics. vili, resigned in June, citing his disagree- government with a sizeable campaigning as to whether Ivanishvili’s hold is dam- ity as several founding members of the In the most recent edition of The ments with Mr. Ivanishvili, rather than advantage over the opposition.” aging to Georgian democracy. The Abkhaz View on Crossing the ABL is to understand why Abkhazians choose sons that push Abkhazians not to cross interested in understanding why Abk- existence of a lot of gossip between peo- BY GABRIELLE COLCHEN to cross or not cross the Administrative it. First, Georgia is still widely described hazians choose to go to Georgia proper. ple, a strong societal control and many Boundary Line (ABL) that separates the as the “enemy state” by Abkhazians, and It seems that having relatives living on internal confl icts. It is hard for people territory from Georgia proper, and what many people feel embarrassed to go the other side of the ABL is one of the living there to step back from the situa- ndrea Peinhopf is doing her this implies for confl ict resolution. Pei- there: afraid of being judged by the mem- main reasons that push people to go tion. Therefore, they often choose to PHD at the University Col- nhopf often faced challenges gaining bers of their community and being treated there. There are a lot of mixed families leave the territory for short periods of lege London and gave a people’s confi dence enough to interview as “traitors”. Another reason is the trauma living in Abkhazia, in which the mother time. The diffi cult economic situation presentation at the CRRC them and noted she felt that she was that persists from the 90s war. The is Megrelian and the father Abkhaz, who and the lack of employment also force offi ce on the theme: “Why addressing very sensitive subjects and memory of the violence is still strongly want to visit their relatives in Georgia people to look for work outside of the Across the confl ict divide? The success had to be careful not to assume the opin- present in people’s minds and the idea proper. Another reason that presses region. Finally, she says, they enjoy bet- and failure of Abkhazian de facto state- ion people had of Russia, Georgia, and of crossing the ABL sometimes appears people to cross is the oppressing atmos- ter medical treatment in Georgia proper hood.” of the confl ict in general. traumatizing. Finally, Abkhazians are phere in Abkhazia. She described that than on the territory of the Abkhazia She explained that she spent six months People from Gali are free to cross the very attached to their land and home, the people living there are very close- region. Indeed, the Abkhaz health system in Abkhazia to conduct fi eldwork and ABL, whereas other Abkhazians encoun- she says, and share the idea that they knit due to the need to develop a strong provides expensive and ineffi cient treat- interview people there, and that her work ter diffi culties doing so. Taking that into should not leave their own territory. sense of solidarity when the war occurred. ment, contrary to Georgia proper, which is still in progress. Her main challenge account, Andrea fi rst described the rea- On the other side, Peinhopf was also However, this closeness also implies the gives free and good quality treatments. While conducting her research, Pein- hopf gathered very diverse and often contradictory narratives from Abkhaz- ians. Some people were pro-Russian, while others were very sympathetic towards Georgia. She understood that, generally, people feel frustrated by the Abkhaz State and the lack of services there but would not for all that neces- sarily turn their back on Abkhazia. For people living there, the Abkhaz “state” has become normalized and they often take it for granted since they travel with Abkhaz passports. Their preoccupation is not so much about legitimizing the existence of this state, but that they are tired of the confl ict and aspire to move on and breathe “fresher air”. Pei- nhopf argued that some Abkhazians have no preoccupation in re-integrating with the Georgian territory but have a strong interest in engaging with Georgia and Europe and are curious of what is happening on the other side of the ABL. Some of them feel that it is a shame that passing from one side to the other is so complicated. They are also often quite critical about Russia, she said. In sum, this very interesting study focuses on quite a delicate and complex question. It is impossible to make a gen- eralization of what Abkhazians think and want, Peinhopf noted, and empha- sized that her remarks of are merely an interpretation of what she observed during her time there. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 POLITICS 5 China Opens a New Military Base in Tajikistan

Image source: DoD Photo expansion across Eurasia and, as yet, no statements BY EMIL AVDALIANI from Chinese offi cials have revealed a military agenda for the continent. There is also a purely logical point in the Chinese thinking that it would estern media outlets recently be more prudent to fulfi ll geopolitical aims through announced China has built economic and public diplomacy measures. military facilities on the Tajik However, the point many scholars miss is that side of the Tajik-Chinese border. China, being a rising power which relies on global The move is signifi cant as it is trade routes for internal stability and further fiW rst confi rmation (built upon earlier unconfi rmed enhancement of its world role, will eventually have reports) of the Chinese military/semi military pres- to be more active in military and security affairs ence in the Central Asia region. beyond its borders, whether it wants to or not. The The section where the Chinese facilities are new semi-military base in Tajikistan is a good indi- located is strategically important as it overlooks cator of this evolving Chinese approach to world one of the crucial entry points from China into security. Central Asia and is close to the vital corridor In other words, the Chinese see the need to be through which the country has a connection with present in those territories which are strategically Afghanistan's heartland. The corridor is particu- important. As said, the base in Tajikistan is at the larly important to China due to its Belt and Road crossroads of Central Asia, China and Afghanistan. Initiative (BRI). To prove further the likelihood of China’s more Put into a wider context, the opening of the new active stance on the Eurasian arena is that the base base might be problematic as Central Asia is per- in Tajikistan actually is not the fi rst one built by ceived by the Russians as a sphere of their own China. Beijing already opened a surveillance/secu- infl uence. As I argued in previous pieces for rity/semi military base in Djibouti, which controls GEORGIA TODAY, for Moscow, Central Asia the commercial traffi c in the Red Sea. nowadays is especially important as it is the only Many may compare China to Germany of the region where the Kremlin can still extend its exist- early 20th century, when a rising power wanted a ing infl uence through military and economic larger role for itself in world affairs, but there are means. Quite naturally, Chinese military/security many problems with this attitude. True, China, like measures go against Russian pillars of power in Germany a century ago, also aspires to build a this region. larger navy and increase its economic potential It is fashionable among world analysts to argue abroad. However, rather than comparing China to that Russia and China would rather cooperate in Germany, which was defeated in both world wars, Central Asia than fi ght each other. However, the it would be in some sense expedient to compare point here is that this cooperation might be in force modern China to its current geopolitical compet- in the coming years and perhaps for decades, but itor, the United States, of the late 19th to early 20th in the end the Russians will have to be worried (if century: China today is as cautious as the United they are not already) as China grows economically, States was a century ago. Beijing acts prudently on a process concomitant with simultaneous military the world stage, as any open moves in security or expansion beyond its borders. military affairs could inspire a strong antagonistic Many believe the Chinese do not plan military coalition of powers in Eurasia. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 Surprises, No Surprises

carry to the meetings with Russian dip- OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA lomats. Political analysts believe that Moscow might be pressuring Ivanishvili, who ast week, Official Tbilisi could be facing a serious dilemma: “There received messages of threat is pressure on Ivanishvili because of this. and warning from the Defense Practically defending the real sovereignty and the Deputy Interior min- of Georgia is causing the exacerbation isters of Russia. Whether the of relations with Russia, which is a seri- threatL from Sergey Shoygu and warning ous threat,” claims Ghia Nodia, Chair- from Grigory Karasin are interconnected man of the Caucasus Institute for Peace, is presently unknown, but if we take into Democracy, and Development. He does consideration their respective work pro- not rule out that if facing a choice, Ivan- fi les, we can clearly imagine the possible ishvili could give up the sovereignty of reason behind it and just what “surprises” Georgia in favor of Russia. And the latter might await us. could be directly connected with the At the collegium session of the Min- Anaklia Port project, which could be istry, Shoygu blamed NATO for threat- terminated as a result. ening global security. He was especially Founder of the Georgian Strategic unhappy with the fact that NATO has Analysis Center, Nodar Kharshiladze, doubled its military trainings, with both stated in TV program ‘Accents’ that Ivan- Ukrainian and Georgians participating. ishvili received direct instructions about “In such circumstances, we are forced Anaklia from the Kremlin, and that the to provide an adequate response, car- psychological pressure could result in rying out strategic containment events him adopting rougher methods of game Image source: pxhere.com with plans of stepping up combat capa- within the country. bilities of military formations and units,” a surprise that would soon be revealed, back to the 90s. Abashidze had met earlier with the infor- Why the port of Anaklia is in the role he stressed. His promise was fulfi lled to journalists in Prague. By tradition, It seems that the change of meeting mal leader of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanish- of “black cat” in Georgian-Russian rela- as he quickly generated large-scale the primary subject of meetings between place for negotiations between the Rus- vili. Nobody knew the details of their tions will be analyzed as we witness the military trainings in the occupied region Karasin and Abashidze is economy; sian diplomat and his Georgian colleague private session until we all found out developments of Georgian politics in of Tskhinvali. What other plans Shoygu hence, we can guess that the surprises were not the only change we were to from Karasin that he not only knew what the near future. Before that, what Geor- has on the matter of the so-called secu- will be coming specifi cally from that witness, but also the tone of voice. Where they talked about but was also aware of gians are trying to fi nd out is whose rity balance in the region will perhaps area. Karasin and Abashidze used to meet in the tone with which Ivanishvili addressed personal representative is participating be revealed in future; for now, the Consider tourism and infrastructure: Prague’s Hotel Diplomat, this year they Abashidze. Why the Russian diplomat in the Georgia-Russian negotiations, that Defense Minister has taken a time-out. this sphere is completely tied-up with moved to Augustine. More importantly, decided to stress the tone of voice is of PM Mamuka Bakhtadze or of Chair- Interestingly, though, while we were in the Russian market, as is the export of not a single instance can we recall within ambiguous, but we can guess that he man of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivan- a way accustomed to receiving threats agricultural goods. So, if Russia closes the period of the last fi ve years, when implied that the invisible hand of the ishvili. For now, the only thing which is from said Ministry, this was not so its market and bans touristic relations Karasin started the negotiations with a Kremlin came as far as Sololaki. Mean- clear is that it is Ivanishvili with whom typical of the Russian diplomacy. But with Georgia, the country’s budget can threat, nor when he disclosed a secret ing that Moscow is well-aware of what Abashidze consults before meeting this time, before meeting his Georgian be easily reduced by half, causing infl a- about his Georgian colleague after the is being discussed in Ivanishvili’s glass Karasin and bringing his messages to colleague, Grigory Karasin mentioned tion of the Lari and a sudden plunge meeting. But never say never: Zurab palace and what messages his emissaries Prague, not PM Bakhtadze. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 POLITICS 7 Spanish Platform Dyntra Ranks Tbilisi at Just 19% Transparency

BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE

yntra, or the Dynamic Transparency Index, is a collaborative platform that works to measure and manage open governance and Dtransparency in cities, regions, and public institutions around the world. Its latest rankings for Tbilisi put the city at a dismal 19.3% transparency (where 100% is perfect transparency), with information publicly available on just 11 out of Dyntra’s 57 indicators. The platform evaluates the transparency of a municipality’s administration by looking solely at the offi cial website of City Hall. This methodology raises questions of effectiveness, particularly in Georgia, where government websites are not always up to date – and the Eng- lish versions of websites rarely have all the information that the Georgian versions do. Dyntra looks at the English version of the government’s website, and the native-language version using Google translate. Many citizens get information by phone or in person, or from Tbilisi’s district governments that help disperse City Hall’s central agenda. However, transparency and accessibility of a Dyntra. That’s why we have a two-step ing in transparency, however, can be Anyone can submit evaluations of a internet access and use continues to municipal government’s website, as sub- process: 1) evaluation that can be done found on the websites of the central city government’s online transparency increase among the Georgian popula- mitted by the public in a crowd-sourced by anyone, and 2) verifi cation of the government and other government bod- to Dyntra, including the city itself. Accord- tion, and especially in Tbilisi internet model, and then verifi ed by an in-house evaluation by an expert of our team,” ies – as per Georgian government stand- ing to de Grave, Tbilisi City Hall has not access, particularly on smartphones, is expert. While there are several fl aws to explains de Grave. The platform can be ards. For example, Dyntra deducts points responded to the transparency ranking exceedingly common. The City Hall this approach, and many important fac- updated and edited in real time, any time from Tbilisi City Hall for not having “the publication or registered with Dyntra to website is a resource for many residents tors are overlooked, there is certainly a of the year. remuneration of Mayor and Aldermen” begin the process of self-evaluation. to fi nd information about municipal benefi t to a city government having a The Dyntra ranking scores Tbilisi high- and “the declaration of assets and prop- For reference, in 2018, Transparency programs, laws, news, and events. simple, transparent website. De Grave est in the categories of “citizen partici- erty of the Mayor and Aldermen” pub- International ranked Georgia 41 out of As Dyntra cofounder Erwin de Grave defends Dyntra’s approach, saying “we pation and collaboration” (33%), “access lished, but that information is freely 180 countries in its Corruption Percep- describes the project, “Dyntra is a free have a citizen focus, and the citizens, to information and active advertising” available for all public servants at www. tions Index, with a score of 58 out of 100 global online citizen-driven platform that when they fi nd out more information (31%), and “economic and fi nancial trans- declaration.gov.ge. If the charge is that (100 being the least amount of perceived evaluates in real-time the transparency about a public organization, generally parency” (20%). On the lower end, City a governmental institution cannot be public sector corruption). level of public organizations by connect- visit the organization’s website,” adding, Hall scores 0% for “open data,” and transparent without publishing all such Among the municipalities Dyntra has ing each indicator with the information “if an organization says it is transparent, “transparency in contracting services,” information on its own webpage, the evaluated, Tallinn, Estonia, leads Europe on the organization’s website. Any citizen that means that they have the informa- 11% for “public works and urban plan- solution is likely a much heavier, clunk- with 42% transparency. can actualize the organization’s transpar- tion published and accessible for any[one] ning” and 13% for general “municipal ier web interface – the impact such ency at any time during the year.” through their website.” transparency.” changes might have on the lives of citi- For a more detailed breakdown of the score In reality, the platform evaluates not “It is important to know that everyone Much of the information for which zens or on the quality of Georgian democ- and for more information, visit www.dyntra. overall municipal transparency, but the can evaluate any organization within Dyntra evaluates Tbilisi as weak or lack- racy is unclear. org. Our Nervous Life & the Nervous System breaks make the most entertaining part OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE of the academic process. Here, when the long-expected interval bell rings, the fi dgety kids rush to their freedom like hat gives, my friends? crazy to let the restrained physical energy What are we so wor- out in the corridors of the school build- ried about? Why are ing. Those restless little devils jump over all of us so jumpy and each other’s heads, trip over the fallen restless? Is there any- bodies and run around without purpose. thingW happening to us that is so different The upset teachers and security guards from what the rest of the world is expe- look disgruntled, but their annoyed riencing in our tense and agitated times? grownup concern usually results in merely Probably nothing, except that our national a displeased and short-tempered calling nervous system is not historically used for better behavior – all ineffective. This to this much neuroticism, so character- is likely the root of the irrationally touchy istic to our current life. Take, for instance, style that has to be taken as the precursor our parliament. Why should folks as wise of our grownup behavior when we fi nd and solid as the legislators almost every- ourselves in parliaments, governments, where in the world are be so apprehensive at the wheel and in other walks of life. and fretful in Georgia? Their cushy sine- Let us now add to those recurring epi- cures are cast-iron stable because of their sodes one more experience of our life elective nature; their comfy seats are Image source: hellodoktor.com and the picture will become almost com- warmer than anybody else’s in the coun- parliamentary desks: they are vexed for they happen to be, the uptight poker-faced is suffering with on an everyday basis. plete – the television, where the stories try; their chauffeured vehicles are fueled some reason, and maybe for no reason, government members reveal their edgy Drivers here behave like madly fuming are often garbled and values confused. If with free gas, and their daytime snacks feeling panicky and uncomfortable when and uneasy disposition anyway, especially badmouthed gladiators in their internal we imagine the entire TV network of are cheaper than the lunches of all of us the media pester them for some news- in expectation of a certain prickly ques- combustion four-wheel chariots ready to Georgia as one big restively talking screen, working beyond the parliament premises. making comment or fact. tion from our means of mass communi- eliminate each other to ensure their own permanently refl ecting the faces of our Yet, notwithstanding all those fringes, Parliament appears as a spacious arena, cation, which may turn those bundles of survival. persnickety interviewers, and the discon- our dearest lawmakers still feel over- populated by oversensitive jittery politi- nerves into irritable and distressed fi gures, When in traffi c, I myself become one certed expressions of our harassed inter- stressed and look overwrought, and use cal animals: some of them well-qualifi ed involved in a frantic political process of those overstrained types, beeping, viewees, we will immediately understand the harshest possible vocabulary when for the job and some still in the middle which is not very easy to cope with. swerving, passing and middle-fi ngering the natural connection between our nerv- addressing each other; their verbal skir- of on-job training. I have seen frazzled OK, let’s leave the parliamentary grounds my fellow drivers, and if compelled, pro- ous life and the nervous system. What is mishes periodically garnered with fi st- and distraught American senators and and the governmental chambers for a fusely discharging the obscene verbal it after all that makes us so hung-up and fi ghts and their mikes pushed around for congressmen in action, but they look and while and take to our streets, where angry, exhaust that so badly contaminates our unreasonable, so much ill-at-ease and the graphic expression of indignation sound totally different from ours. As far impatient and fussy driving is a norm, cultural environment. Like the traffi c, like irate. Could it be ignorance, non-profes- about any issue raised on the fl oor. No, as the country’s administration is con- and where aggressiveness is an ever- the nation! sionalism, irrationalism, or just genetics they are not simply worried about suc- cerned, the cabinet meetings are less on present reality. Traffi c is a mirror of the Let us now, for a change, peep into a and the way we are all brought-up? Could cessfully handling the agenda on their display to the public eye, but whenever overall nervous tension that this nation regular primary school within which the be all of these together! GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 Irakli Kervalishvili: We'll Have a Deep-Water Marina in Poti by Year-End 2020

ture, and development of transport requirements are quite high, so most BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI infrastructure should fi rst begin with likely we will see Norwegians, Dutch marine infrastructure. The country and Turks expressing interest. Obvi- needs a deep-water sea port, hence ously, the selected company will need PIC, a US-based Private PACE Group’s developing 25 hectares subcontractors and we will make rec- Investment Corporation, of port infrastructure. Over 700 meters ommendations of those Georgian com- is to fi nance PACE Group’s of berth construction is planned. The panies with whom we have successfully new port and terminal with project will be implemented in two cooperated before. We have a very strict $50 million. GEORGIA phases. Within the fi rst phase, 260 schedule; the works should end 18 TODAYO spoke to PACE Group co-founder meters will be built of a depth of around months after it begins, and at the end Irakli Kervalishvili about the project. 12m. The $93 million includes trans- of 2020 we will have a deep-water ter- portation infrastructure, such as rail- minal. In the second stage of the project, OPIC IS SPENDING $50 ways, and open and closed warehouses. not only OPIC, but other fi nancial insti- MLN ON CONSTRUCTION This is not a new project: PACE Group tutions have expressed their willingness OF THE MARINE TERMINAL. started in 2015 and the fi rst phase is to cooperate. We plan to develop a HOW DID PACE GROUP partially fulfi lled, with $28 million spent warehouse infrastructure, including MANAGE TO ATTRACT SUCH so far. The PACE terminal is up and liquid cargo (we now focus on bulk A LARGE INVESTMENT? running, we are starting up cargo, and cargoes). The PACE terminal has a OPIC's trust in PACE Group and Geor- the terminal is busy enough to neces- 27-year history and I can name a num- gia is so high that this unprecedented sitate a deep-water port. We have an ber of examples where we were able to loan has been allocated. OPIC has been open warehouse of about 10 hectares attract new cargoes by our own efforts. active in the Caucasus region for 20 and a 30-thousand-ton capacity in Aluminum oxide, which is a raw alu- years, however, this is its fi rst investment closed ones. We add 50 thousand tons minum production, was carried from in transport infrastructure, distinguished of closed warehouses due to the demand Russia by a Tajik factory. We managed by a volume that clearly demonstrates and these are already full. We have to convince them to move 35 thousand this project is real. OPIC expressed inter- Carbamide, mineral fertilizers to tons through the Poti Port, and then est in the project in 2014 and studied arrange and need additional infrastruc- upped it to 150 thousand tons annually. PACE Group activities during this period. ture. These warehouses and infrastruc- Poti Port became a hub for that Tajik A lot of time was been spent on engi- ture will carry about 1.5 million tons factory and aluminum realization was neering expertise, marine-nautical nav- of cargo. Depending on the size of made from here thanks to the proxim- igation, environmental protection of high cargo, we need to be able to receive ity to the European market. The PACE By means of our terminal, we trans- decreased to 2.6 million tons. In 2018, standards, as well as labor safety condi- big ships, otherwise we will lose cargo. terminal was the fi rst in Georgia to craft ported BP pipelines within the Shah we signed a number of important agree- tions, and, on seeing the convincing PACE Group employs over a thousand cargoes that could not be obtained by Deniz 2 project, which is so important ments and we are expecting to increase results, they agreed to offer a $50 million people and this number will increase any other port of our country. Among for our region, in 2015-2017. The relevant the cargo by 700 thousand tons this year. low-interest loan, which we have 15 years as a result of this project. them is Turkmenistan Mineral Fertilizer infrastructure was not in the country, Russian coal, Turkmen sulfur, and wheat to pay back. - Carbamide, which was transferred to we allowed these pipes to be transported fl ows will increase. During the past year, TELL US ABOUT THE SECOND Poti in 2016. Prior to that, transporta- and stored here. PACE Group has taken an important THE PROJECT COST AMOUNTS STAGE OF THE PROJECT. tion went through Russia and Iran. Also, step, as many companies have promised TO $120 MILLION, AT THE We have already prepared tender doc- PACE Group was the fi rst to implement SUM UP LAST YEAR AND GIVE to cooperate with us. FIRST PHASE $93 MILLION. umentation. In two-three months we a modern reverse-type wheat terminal, US AN INSIGHT INTO WHAT WHAT WORKS ARE PLANNED will announce the tender to choose the which is the only one in the country. TO LOOK FORWARD TO FROM WITHIN THE FIRST PHASE? company that will perform the second- Last year we dealt with 100 thousand PACE GROUP IN FUTURE. In order to maintain and enhance Geor- phase construction works. Presumably, tons of Russian-Kazakh wheat. The ter- 2018 was fi nancially hard for the com- gia's importance as a transport corri- Georgian companies will not be able to minal also processes mineral fertilizers pany. Our annual cargo turnover amounts dor, it is essential to develop infrastruc- participate in the tender because OPIC's produced in Central Asian countries. to about 3 million tons, but last year it PM Bakhtadze Meets EBRD President PM of Georgia for facilitating the oper- growth for the development of small BY THEA MORRISON ation of the Investors Council. and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the EBRD is one of the largest partners of country. According to Bakhtadze, the Georgia in terms of fi nancial coopera- portfolio of the EBRD is fully tailored ir Suma Chakrabarti, President tion and attraction of investments. Its to the challenges Georgia is facing, of EBRD, praised Georgia, investments made in the economy of especially towards SME support. saying it remains a role model Georgia so far have exceeded EUR 3 The projects funded by EBRD in the for the European Bank for bln. energy sector of Georgia were also Reconstruction and Develop- The sides noted that last year was a mentioned. The signifi cance of the ment.S record-high in terms of investments right development of the energy sec- Chakrabarti made the statement dur- made in Georgia, though the EBRD is tor in the sustainable development and ing the meeting with Mamuka Bakhtadze, keen to further increase the volume. energy security of the country was Prime Minister of Georgia. The parties also discussed the oppor- underlined. In the opinion of the EBRD President, tunity of an Economic Forum of Eastern Moreover, the current reforms imple- Georgia is advancing in the right direc- Partnership Countries to be organized mented in the education sector were tion and many partners are interested by the EBRD in Georgia. also discussed by the sides. Chakrabarti in sharing its experience. In addition, discussions related to the assured the Prime Minister of Georgia He also expressed his gratitude to the significance of inclusive economic of the bank's full support of the reform. Georgia Exports 12.2 mln Bottles of Wine in January-February

Ukraine – 976,482 BY THEA MORRISON Poland – 628,022 China - 600,783 Kazakhstan – 346,152 wleve point two million The amount of wine exported to Euro- bottles of wine were pean markets also increased: Lithuania exported to 32 countries - 75% (104616 bottles), France - 24% from Georgia in January- (17406),) Sweden - 300% (9000), Bul- February 2019, which is a garia - 6% (4500). Also, on traditional 13%T increase compared to the same and Asian markets: Mongolia - 200% period last year. (66012), Russia - 17% (8688854), Azer- Exported wine income amounted to baijan - 8% (8814), Belarus -1389% $30 million- 21% higher than the data increase. of the previous year. In addition, 4,2 million bottles of Georgia’s National Wine Agency brandy were exported to 13 countries (NWA) reports that the export increased worldwide, 89% more that in 2018. to strategic markets too: Poland 42% Further, 85,4 thousand bottles of cha- (628,022 bottles), China 7% (600,783), cha were exported to 10 countries world- and USA 1032% (128,145). wide, a growth amounting to 188%. The top 5 exporter countries in Janu- In total, wine, brandy, Chacha, brandy ary-February were: alcohol and brandy export income Russia – 8.688.854 bottles amounted to $43,6 million. GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 SOCIETY 9 The g.Vino City Wine Hotel desire to contribute to the development ture very much in mind while founding for the specialties. At the restaurant of of the country and help the local popula- the hotel. That is why wine, translated the hotel, the visitors can taste dishes tion. The experience of travelling across into Georgian (gvino) became the cor- like: beef tartare with green adjika, slow the globe and trying different cuisines nerstone of the project. g.Vino creates an cooked beef cheeks, kubdari wellington also played a particular role in the launch ideal space for informal gatherings and with demi-glace sauce: tastes that mingle, of the wine bar. gives a chance for guests to spend time blend, delight, meet and merge. Today the wine bar g.Vino is one of the with loved ones in a cozy atmosphere. The modern interior, where the works best places, offering a great variety of The boutique hotel offers just 26 rooms, of contemporary painters embellish the natural wines of local production, made in fi ve categories. The relatively small walls, creates a perfect mélange with the using ancient Georgian technology of number of rooms represents a wonderful authentic charm of the old building. more than 8 000 years, and delicious local opportunity for the welcoming hotel staff g.Vino City Wine Hotel offers a wine food. Along with a glass of wine, guests members to treat each guest with excep- tour to visitors and gives them an oppor- can enjoy an exquisite plate of artisan tional care. Furnished in soft tones, the tunity to have a drink at the most won- cheese, cold cuts and Georgian-style tapas. spacious and elegant rooms with wooden derful wine bars or the cellars of the Even though the hotel welcomed its beds are an excellent place for a relaxing capital. fi rst guests quite recently, it can be said and pleasant stay. that g.Vino City Wine Hotel is one of the As there are many coffee enthusiasts most distinguished hotels in the city of among the guests of the hotel, the rooms Tbilisi. The founders had the importance are equipped with coffee machines along- of wine for the Georgian nation and cul- side a choice of fl avors suitable for different tastes. g.Vino City Wine Hotel not only pro- REVIEW vides comfortable accommodation but BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA aims to promote the history of ancient Georgian viniculture. Each room has been given the name of a different Georgian idden among the multiplic- grape variety and guests are given a bot- ity of streets and old houses tle of wine with a postcard that briefl y of the Chughureti district describes the sort of grape their room is of Tbilisi, g.Vino City Wine named after. Hotel is a marvelous bou- The hotel’s restaurant has a grand ter- tiqueH hotel, launched by Lida Vardania race that is nothing short of spectacular and Mamuka Maisuradze and based on and offers guests an incredible variety of an absolutely wonderful concept. natural Georgian wines, as well as an But before exploring the hotel, it would assortment of European wines. The young be interesting to take a moment and fi nd chef of the g.Vino restaurant, Tamta Kika- out more about its story. g.Vino City Wine leishvili has explored Georgian gastron- Hotel represents a continuation of the omy, fl avors, scents, ancestral cooking wine bar of the same name, opened by techniques, and puts a lot of effort into Vardania and Maisuradze in 2015. The cooking traditional Georgian dishes with idea of commencing entrepreneurship in modern European twists that perfectly the fi eld of winemaking came to the cou- suit a guest’s chosen wine, to create a ple, who both come from a development bouquet of marvelous tastes. Kikaleishvili fi nance background, as a result of the uses only sustainably-grown ingredients 10.1-inch HUAWEI MediaPad T5: The Best Choice for Your Children's Safety

memory up to 256 GB and watch your ADVERTORIAL favorite movies anytime and anywhere. BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI In addition, MediaPad is equipped with a smart management system that regu- lates the operating time and speed of hen delivering each applications. new product of HUA- HUAWEI MediaPad T5 can connect WEI, the customer HUAWEI's smartphones and computer aims to take advan- platforms. tage of the more The strength of the device is provided Wadvanced technological capabilities by an 8-core processor and the wide compared to predecessors, and the com- and sharp depiction through a high- pany is exactly oriented towards these resolution screen. If you want to get expectations. By launching each new professional stereo sound, this is not a model, HUAWEI once again shows that it is an advanced and innovative oriented brand. HUAWEI has introduced an updated 10.1-inch HUAWEI MediaPad T5 to Geor- gian customers. This is the latest and most innovative MediaPad, with an 8-core, powerful processor and 10.1-inch and 1080P full HD screen. At ﬁ rst glance, it has a simple and plain design, but thanks to the updated technological capabilities, your kids’ eyesight health: Posture Guid- you can use multiple apps ance (provides reminder for your child simultaneously, and problem for this model as don’t read the tablet when lying down), with the microSD you’ll ﬁ nd a double speaker Blue Ray Filter and Usage Time Control. card, and increase in the lower part of the HUAWEI products and services are your mediaPad tablet. available in more than 170 countries and The 460gram MediaPad are used by a third of the world's popu- also has rounded edges lation. There are 16 research and devel- for maximum comfort in opment centers operating worldwide in your hands. the USA, Germany, Sweden, Russia, India With the special func- and China. HUAWEI Consumer BG is tionality embedded into one of HUAWEI's three business units, the HUAWEI MediaPad mainly focusing on Smartphones, per- T5, you can set limits to sonal computers, tablets and cloud ser- your child’s usage and vices. HUAWEI Global Network is based customize the content on 20 years’ experience in the telecom- available.. Besides the parental con- munications business and serves to pro- trol feature, HUAWEI MediaPad T5 vide innovative technologies to custom- offers enhanced eye-comfort modes for ers around the world. GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 2019 European Social Innovation Competition Launched

Manufacturing at the European Com- BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE mission. The European Commission (EC), the EU institution responsible for proposing he 2019 European Social legislation, implementing decisions, Innovation Competition upholding the EU treaties and managing has offi cially begun. Last the day-to-day business of the Union, has week, the European Com- several existing plastic-reducing meas- mission launched the com- ures in place. The EC developed the fi rst- Tpetition with a ceremony in Ljubljana, ever Europe-wide Plastics Strategy, Slovenia. Each year the Competition launched the Circular Plastics Alliance addresses a different issue facing Europe. at the end of last year, and runs a volun- The 2019 theme is Challenging Plastic tary pledges campaign. These initiatives Waste – seeking ideas and projects that lay the groundwork for “a transition aim to reduce plastic waste by targeting towards a more circular economy, foster- systemic change at the local, national ing growth and innovation,” says the EC. and European level. At the Launch Event in Ljubljana, a The European Social Innovation Com- zero-waste city recognized by multiple petition was founded in 2013 in memory awards for sustainability and green of Portuguese politician and technology development, attendees learned about advocate Diogi Vasconcelos. The com- the competition’s details and heard from petition is open to all EU Member States one of last year’s winners, HeritageLab, and Horizon 2020 associated countries an Indian organization dedicated to con- – including Georgia. The call goes out necting citizens to museums, art, and to anyone interested, including social heritage. Attendees also participated in innovators, entrepreneurs, students, Image source: European Commission a discussion on plastic waste with 2019 designers, businesses, doers, makers and competition judges, and a mini hackathon change creators. vators shaping society for the better.” cling existing plastic waste; dealing with addressing plastic waste is a big chal- to brainstorm initial ideas. The fi nal Entrants are evaluated by a team of Projects in 2019 are expected to offer accumulated plastic waste in landfi lls and lenge, it is also an opportunity to inno- event of the launch was called “Toasted independent judges, who select the top solutions that improve existing processes the environment; changing consumer vate and create new solutions. That is Furniture,” a social art exhibit from Slo- three projects to win the prize – €50,000 or introduce new products and initiatives behaviors, or retail and wider business why this year we are calling for ideas to venian artists Nuša Jelenec and Nina each. The 2019 competition will run until to reduce plastic waste and littering. practices; implementing alternative busi- tackle this societal issue, laying the foun- Mršnik that highlights how plastic waste autumn, with the winners awarded in Within the competition theme, the solu- ness models and optimizing supply chains; dations for new business models, new can be transformed into colorful panels October. In its own words, the competitions must be scalable, must target change introducing new materials fi t for a circu- forms of cooperation and stimulating to build furniture and home décor. tion “acts as a beacon for social innova- at the systemic level, and must be rooted lar economy or that offer sustainable new ways of doing things for a better, tors in Europe, employing a proven meth- in one of the following areas: Reducing alternatives to fossil-based plastics. cleaner and more sustainable future for Applications to the competition are open until odology for supporting early-stage ideas the consumption of single use plastic “We collect more than 27 million tons all,” said Slawomir Tokarski, Director in Thursday, April 4. For more information, visit: and facilitating a network of radical inno- products; recycling, reusing, and upcy- of plastic waste in Europe per year. Whilst charge of Innovation and Advanced www.eusic.org The Sunsurfers’ Ecovillage in Kakheti land in November 2017, the volunteers different challenges such as “common BY GABRIELLE COLCHEN began the construction of the village in values, rules, settlement economics, July 2018. The main goal of such a pro- common expenses, self-reliance, resolv- ject is “to cultivate self-awareness and ing issues, resolving disagreements, ew people have heard about unleash the potential of each person. For personal space, interaction with neigh- the Georgian eco-village being this purpose, yoga retreats, community bors and with the state [or] the educa- built by the Sunsurfers com- gatherings, universities of free-spirited tion of children,” for example. munity in the Cheremi area nomads, and workshops on eco-building Various reasons push people to live in of Kakheti. GEORGIA TODAY and permaculture will be held at this eco-villages: they can be attracted to life decidedF to fi nd out more. eco-settlement,” explains Wickenden. in nature, life outside the “system,” the The Sunsurfers community is a group Even though the construction of the ability to grow organic food, having a of travelers who share the same values village is still in progress, some people healthy lifestyle and a calm mind, being and want to make positive changes for are already living there. They already eco-friendly, living with like-minded the planet. They are committed to a have a water supply, solar power station people and sharing, the ability to educate healthy lifestyle that rejects alcohol and and 3G internet. According to Sasha, future generations in a different way or the use of drugs and aims for self-devel- “about 100 volunteers from 20 countries simply a wish to escape a life that does opment in different spheres. The com- of the world have already invested their not fi t them and develop themselves on munity gathers people from different energy, time and skills to set up the fi rst a different basis. backgrounds, countries and religions foundations of the eco-village.” They are In the Georgian eco-village, there are Image source: Sunsurfers Community thanks to retreats and gatherings. currently working to build the fi rst warm six rules that should be observed: discuss them at general meetings accord- ers will help establish good neighborly One of their main projects is the devel- house, bath and cellar to enable the 1: Do not kill. ing to the principle of “the absence of basic relations, support the local economy, opment of the new Georgian eco-village. residents to live comfortably in winter. 2: Do not steal. objections,” which means that everyone share experiences and help us to not be The information we acquired comes There will be separate houses made of 3: Be truthful. agrees with the decision. Of course, this isolated from the outside world.” from an interview with Sasha Wickenden natural materials for permanent resi- 4: Do not consume alcohol, tobacco or system will have to be tested and adapted. In terms of education of children, no (co-funder of the Sunsurfers community), dents, and guest houses for visitors. other drugs. As for economic survival, they have specifi c plan has yet been made but Sasha given to Sasha Postovar, with the sup- 5: Abandon promiscuity. already refl ected on different sources of is thinking about a system in which the port of Marat Chasanov. THE PHILOSOPHY OF 6: Abandon competition with others. income: they will rent or sell parts of the eco-village school will welcome children THE ECO-VILLAGE The eco-village aims at developing the land and houses to inhabitants of the from inside and outside the village so THE MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION Sasha explains that people living in eco- people living there, not only spiritually, village and the money received “will be that they can learn from each other. OF THE VILLAGE villages experience a complex intercon- but also in terms of an alternative system spent on […] roads, electricity, water, a Even though people have already begun After the acquisition of 9.1 hectares of nection system since they face many of education for children, alternative yoga dome, school, garden, fruit forests, to live there, the eco-village is currently ways of growing products such as per- planting and goats.” under construction and many things are maculture, and learning to construct Sasha explains that “the second source likely to change since new people will objects with natural materials, among of income is educational activities: yoga come with new ideas. many other things. According to Sasha, retreats, Sun-Universities, permaculture One thing on which Sasha insists is people can live “in ecological and mini- and eco-construction courses, and school. that they “do not seek to run away from malistic harmony with nature, […] use The third source is the eco-production the world. We do not plan to build fences, natural products in everyday life and get of honey, herbs, and organic fruits and to hide from our neighbors, nor close closer to the zero-waste lifestyle.” vegetables.” ourselves off in our own bubble. On the To ensure a minimum harmful impact contrary, we plan to invite as many peo- THE VILLAGE LIFESTYLE on the environment and animals, the vil- ple as possible to show how the world Living in such a place implies being in lage will be entirely vegetarian. They will could be. Not in the way we describe it. specifi c economic and political systems. have the minimum number of animals But by the way we live it.” In terms of governance, Sasha is working that give dairy and wool and they will Those interested in the project can on the project of a “sociocracy” where concentrate on growing organic fruits support it by making direct donations. people are divided into groups called “cir- and vegetables according to the season It is also possible to go there and volun- cles” within which they all elect their cir- and to permaculture methods. However, teer for a minimum of one week. cle leader who will be part of the “higher Sasha says that “there is no goal to achieve circle” of leaders. To make important 100% self-suffi ciency in terms of food. More information can be found here: www. decisions that concern everyone, they Buying some products from local farm- sunsurfers.ru/en/ GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 SOCIETY 11 Japan to Host ‘Georgia – Homeland of Wine’ Exhibition

BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA

eorgia is preparing to present its wines to a wide audience within the scope of the project ‘Georgia – Homeland of Wine’, which Gwill be implemented from March 10 to May 7 at the exhibition center “Terrada Warehouse” in Tokyo, Japan. Even though, with 8000 years of winemaking history, Georgia has already gained recognition worldwide and has been named as the ‘cradle’ of wine, such initiatives will contribute to the promotion of the Georgian wines to particular nations, Japanese in this case. Wine enthusiasts and other guests at the exhibition will have an opportunity to discover the history of Georgian viniculture and ancient wine-making methods. “This exhibition presents the history and the culture of the world’s oldest Georgian wine, sometimes referred to as the 'Tears of Cleopatra',” – reads the preview of the organizers. A special website georgia-homelandofwine.com has been launched especially for the event, which will serve as a particular guide to the potential visitors of the exhibition and provide all useful information regarding Georgian winemaking history and the details of the event. The website is bilingual: Japanese and English. Aside obtaining prominence, the given project will is to have fruitful outcomes in respect of boosting the Georgian wine Image source: georgia-homelandofwine.com enterprises and helping them augment help the development of tourism in Georgian wine has won a number of their sales, locally, as well as abroad. Georgia by raising the interest of for- international awards, including the Dia- ‘Georgia-Homeland of Wine’ may also eigners in Georgia. mond Trophy at ‘Foodex Japan 2019’. Georgian Wine Wins Diamond at Japan Int'l Contest

sented at the International Food and since 2014," noted the National Wine BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES Drink Exhibition "Foodex Japan 2019" Agency. where it received the highest award - The Sakura Japan Women's Wine Diamond Trophy. Awards took place for the 6th year this Georgian wine has been Natia Metreveli, the Director of Vazi- year and saw over 4000 different wines awarded the Diamond Tro- ani, received the award on behalf of the from 33 countries presented. The com- phy in a prestigious inter- company. petition jury is staffed by women repre- national wine competition "Victory in such prestigious competi- sentatives of the wine industry (som- judged exclusively by Jap- tions will promote the promotion of meliers, wine writers and journalists). Aanese female wine specialists. Georgia and Georgian wine in general For the purpose of promoting Georgian Sakura 2019 in February awarded Vazi- on the important export market in Japan, wine and popularity in Japan, from March ani Winery the Double Gold award in where the National Wine Agency has 10 to May 7, the project "Georgia - Wine February, after which the wine was pre- been implementing marketing activities Homeland" will be implemented in Japan. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 Ceramic Revival: Mtskheta My Russian friend really wants to see BLOG BY TONY HANMER pottery restored as an art in Mtskheta, and the art scene revitalized in general, especially among children, our future. side from having a name She and her husband have found a build- diffi cult for Westerners to ing which locals claim was for a long pronounce, Mtskheta is time the center of this industry, although known for being the capital nothing now remains to testify of it at of Georgia as it was from all except the structure itself. We walked Aroughly 500 BC to 500 AD. This, then, around it and wondered how we might would be the city where Christianity fi nd out its true history and current own- was adopted as the national religion early ership; is there anything there worth in the 4th century. restoring, or should one start elsewhere Given Georgia’s truly ancient status as in Mtskheta? a place of dwelling, however, it should As I walked around this ancient city not come as much of a surprise that which I have not been in much for about things much older than 2500 years old a decade, seeing the changes and improve- might be found here. One of these would ments made to it during this interval, I be pottery, one of the world’s earliest began to have hope that much of its arts. infrastructure and culture could continue I recently caught up with my new Rus- to receive new life here. It’s all so close sian friends, who had just left our Svaneti to Tbilisi that a daily commute would guest house after two weeks of children’s not be hard at all, especially if one lived clubs and pottery teaching, described in on the closer side of the current capital. my last three GT articles. They, too, can Mtskheta offers the quieter, simpler now be found in Mtskheta. They have advantages of small-city living while bought a house near the Shiomgvime being close to the big action as well, if Monastery just outside the city and are one wants this. So, I hail my friends’ renting another place while they have desires to see the improvements con- this riverside one renovated. tinue and grow and look forward to what The wife introduced me to a local pot- another decade of growth will bring. ter whom she met. Eldar Mamaladze has had his current studio since 1994. Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since He digs and refi nes his own clay from 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a near Mtskheta, and has a wheel and two weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He electric kilns, one small and one more supportive wife. Eldar, however, was Father and son have a good collection color to the usually reddish earthenware. runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook than a cubic meter in volume, to fi re the fi rst in his family to get into ceram- of plaster molds for pressing or pouring It fetches high prices, and should, because group, now with nearly 2000 members, at work in. He also has a son, Giorgi, who ics, largely infl uenced by his mother, multiple pieces which they then color it is beautiful and refi ned. We were given www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- in his mid-20s has been following dad’s who was a painter. Pottery traditions with clay slips or glazes. They also throw wine to drink on the spot, after our tour sance/ footsteps in learning the art; a daughter might get handed down through the vessels on the wheel, often incising or of the facility, and then given the bowls He and his wife also run their own guest house who is very active in the city’s Council generations, but they have to start some- texturing them (this latter is a process we had used as a precious gift to treas- in Etseri: of Culture and Education; and a very where! secret to them) and then again adding ure. www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti Controversial Road Project to be Abandoned

announced. They explained that the its negative impact on the Caucasus ecol- BY GABRIELLE COLCHEN geological situation was the main obsta- ogy and ecotourism. cle. Instead, they are considering improv- However, the government still wants to ing the existing unpaved road to Tusheti. build the Juta–Roshka section of the road ven though the ﬁ nal decision Whereas the government had afﬁ rmed so that tourists coming through the has yet to be made, the road that the initial road project would enhance Stepantsminda–Verkhny Lars border with project connecting Georgia’s local tourism and help people have bet- Russia can cross directly into Khevsureti, northern Khevi region with ter movement, people were divided over Irakli Karseladze (Head of the Roads the northeastern Tusheti the construction plan. The rejection of Department) said. Activists expressed Eregion through Khevsureti is likely to be the project should make local residents their disappointment and said they would abandoned, Georgian authorities have of Tusheti happy since many denounced continue to oppose these projects.

Image source: agenda.ge PM on Investments in Education System challenges. “It is the main goal of our BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA life to overcome these problems,” he said. The Head of the Government also spoke he occupation line and eco- about the signifi cance of education and nomic hardship hinder our presented the new project. possibility for full develop- “Today, the political team of the Geor- ment, which is intolerable, gian Dream is announcing the launch of stated the Prime Minister the boldest and largest-scale idea: the Tof Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze at the national concept of education, within presentation of the new initiative ‘Edu- the scope of which the government will cation – A Road to Freedom’, at the take an unprecedented commitment to National Library on Thursday morning. annually spend 6% of our national wealth, Bakhtadze said the two problems serve which makes a quarter of the current as major motivators for he and his col- budget of the country, on the full trans- leagues to stay and work in the sphere formation of the Georgian education of politics in Georgia, and strongly system into one of the most outstand- stressed his desire to overcome the given ing,” said Bakhtadze. Photo Source: georgianjournal.ge GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 CULTURE 13 Illusions Museum Opens This Weekend! of the word "museum" and it offers a stimulate creativity,” notes Natalia Ana- Corporate events, meetings and presen- unique new space that is designed for niashvili, Head of Marketing of Illusions tations will also be possible. entertaining cognition. The Illusion Museum. “The Tbilisi Illusions Museum is part Museum is a place where all the optical, The museum collection consists of of a global project on the Georgian mar- physiological and cognitive illusions are more than 70 exhibits based on knowl- ket. The concept of the museum itself presented together. The Illusion Muse- edge of science, mathematics, biology is unchanged from country to country. um’s illusion collection should simulta- and psychology. You can fi nd informa- The only difference is in the format size. neously encourage an observer, surprise tion and explanations next to the exhib- In relatively small museums, there is and make them think about their own its. The narrative language will be Geor- naturally not enough space for every feelings. gian, English and Russian. The technical room or attraction. The Tbilisi museum Visitors have an opportunity to fi nd support for the museum in Tbilisi, as in format is 150-400 m2, however, and so out about human vision, perception and other countries, comes from their Croa- offers visitors the complete collection science through attractive and entertain- tian counterparts. of Illusion Museum exhibits.” ing installations. “The museum also has As Ananiashvili notes, the museum is Why is this type of museum opening a gaming room and a souvenir shop intended for all generations. In addition, in Tbilisi? The authors of the idea say where visitors of all ages can play, com- the museum will have the facilities to that it was the lack of such places in pete, learn something new and buy host birthday parties for 5-15-year-olds, modern Georgian reality where people original gifts such as fun wooden didac- with a program including a tour of the could enjoy free time in a nice and dif- tic toys and puzzles that develop and museum, didactic games and puzzles. ferent way that inspired them most.

resentatives the opportunity to be the BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI fi rst guests in the world of illusions. “The fi rst Illusions Museum opened in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, in 2015. ark the date- March 9- This was soon followed by openings in to check out a space the Zadar Museum, Ljubljana, Vienna, where you can laugh, Muscat, Belgrade, Kuala Lumpur, New scream, take pictures York, Toronto, Berlin, Athens, Dubai, and do many other Hamburg, Kansas, and now Tbilisi. This Mthings that are usually forbidden in is a completely different place where museums. people can laugh, scream, take pictures In the historical and tourist part of and do many other things that are usu- Tbilisi, the Illusions Museum will be ally forbidden in museums,” says Rocco offi cially opened at 10 Bethlehem Street Zhivkovich, the author of the idea. on March 9 and will offer many interest- The idea of opening the Georgian ing visual and intellectual experiences. Museum belongs to the Sarke Group. As The Museum combines perspectives, a result of their initiative, museum visi- optical and other types of illusion, and tors have the opportunity to learn about a “play room” where visitors can try out human vision, perception and science a number of didactic games and really through static and interactive installa- get stuck into the new experiences to be tions and fi nd out why their eyes see had here. what they cannot perceive. The concept A media tour was held at the Illusions of the Illusion Museum is radically dif- Museum on March 5, giving media rep- ferent from the classical understanding International Stars & Georgian Soloists to Perform at Spectacular Ballet Gala in Tbilisi

ment, which incorporates several clas- BY LIKA CHIGLADZE sical and neo-classical Pas de Deux: Cesare Pugni, Diana and Acteon Pas de Deux from ballet ‘Esmeralda.’ Leading n March 9 and 10, the Tbi- roles: Ruika Yokoyama, Yonen Takano; lisi Opera and Ballet State and a Pas de Deux from ‘The Talisman’ Theater is to present a featuring Nino Samadashvili and Mak- Ballet Gala, a not-to-be- sym Kamyshev. The culmination of the missed event for ballet and concert will be ‘Closer’ - a contemporary theaterO lovers. The audience will get to ballet presented by world ballet stars see a whole set of performances by inter- Maria Kochetkova and Sebastian Klob- national ballet stars as well as by leading org from The Royal Danish Ballet. The soloists of the State Ballet of Georgia, in second act closes with Adolphe Adam, three acts and Pas de Deux from various Pas de Deux from ballet ‘Le Corsaire,’ ballets. The State Opera Ballet Company, performed by Nutsa Chekurashvili and led by Artistic Director and Prima Bal- guest soloist of the Mariinsky Theater, lerina Nino Ananiashvili, has prepared Andrey Batalov. an extensive and varied program for its “Being a soloist in the Georgian ballet spectators. company is very interesting and chal- The program unveils well-known clas- lenging for me, since I’m given the oppor- sic Raymonda by Alexander Glazunov, tunity to try out different roles and gen- Symphony in C choreographed by res through taking part in old as well as George Balanchine, as well as Ballet new productions,” Surmava told us. “The Divertissement featuring invited guests repertoire of the State Ballet of Georgia and world-famous dancers Andrey with leading soloists of the State Ballet performing a contemporary ballet that Odette, the Brides, Big Swan, Pas de trois is very rich and diverse: apart from pre- Batalov, Maria Kochetkova and Sebastian of Georgia, Ekaterine Surmava and Philip is not widely known to the public. The (Swan Lake); The French Doll, Sugar senting classical and contemporary Kloborg, together with soloists of State Fedulov, to perform the parts of Ray- whole concert will be dynamic, incor- Plum Fairy (Nutcracker), Jacinta (Lau- dances, it produces new plays annually. Ballet of Georgia Ekaterine Surmava, monda and Jean de Brienne. porating both classical and contemporary rencia), Variation (Don Quixote), The We have a multicultural troupe with a Lali Kandelaki, Nino Samadashvili, Yonen “The Gala concert is interesting since performances. I’m performing Raymonda, Jockey Dance (From Siberia to Moscow); number of foreign artists dancing in our Takano, Nutsa Chekurashvili, Philip it includes fragments from different per- ﬁ rst staged in the Tbilisi Opera around Seventh Waltz (Chopiniana), and Terp- company, so working in such an inter- Fedulov, Raphael Spyker, Ruika Yokoy- formances and it is extremely pleasant six years ago and now back and reno- sichore (Apollo Musagete). The dancer national and friendly environment is a ama, Karin Washio and Maksym Kamy- to watch,” soloist Ekaterine Surmava told vated, which is very exciting and chal- has also successfully participated in great experience for each of us.” shev and the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet GEORGIA TODAY. “The concert also lenging for us. The play is spectacular company tours and performed on the The last part of the concert, Act III, is State Theater Ballet Company and hosts international stars like Maria and is aesthetically sophisticated,” she prestigious stages of the USA, Japan, Symphony in C, choreographed by great orchestra. Conductors of the Ballet Gala Kochetkova and her partner Sebastian said. Italy, Ecuador, China, Egypt, Belarus, 20th century Georgian choreographer, are Maria Seletskaja, Davit Mukeria and Kloborg, to make the occasion even more Ekaterine Surmava graduated the Vakh- Ukraine, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Spain. George Balanchine, featuring other solo- Papuna Ghvaberidze, while the staging special. One is rarely given the chance tang Chabukiani Ballet Art State School At the upcoming Gala, Eka Surmava is ists from the Georgian Ballet, Lali Kan- choreography is made by Nina Anani- to enjoy a performance by world-leading and joined the Tbilisi Z.Paliashvili Opera also performing in the second act ‘Reﬂ ec- delaki, Yonen Takano, Nino Samadashvili, ashvili and Alexey Fadeechev. ballet dancers, so it’s truly a must-attend and Ballet Professional State Theater. tions,’ a neo-classical Pas de Deux that Philip Fedulov, Nutsa Chekurashvili, The concert opens with Act I, present- event. The pair’s performance will be a She has been a soloist since May 2012 the Georgian audience has not seen for Karin Washio, Ruika Yokoyama, Raphael ing Alexander Glazunov’s Raymonda, novelty for the audience, since they are and is best-known for her leading roles: years. Act II presents Ballet Divertisse- Spyker. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE MARCH 8 - 11, 2019

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER Directed by Kakha Bakuradze UK /2017 Cast: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, FELIX VARLAMISHVILI (VARLA) Music: Sandro Nikoladze Director: Marika Kochiashvili & Steve Carell SOLO EXHIBITION Start time: 20:00 Tamsin Omond Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama For the fi rst time, enjoy more than TBILISI ZAKARIA Ticket: 10-15 GEL 18:15- "Kittens". 2016 Language: English 60 artworks by the author from the PALIASHVILI OPERA AND "Bond"/Ukraine/2018 Start time: 17:15 Georgian National Museum and BALLET THEATER March 14 Director: Zhanna Ozirna Ticket: 14-19 GEL private collections. 25 Rustaveli Ave. THE TEMPEST TEL (+995 32) 2 99 04 56 Base on the works of William March 10 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY MUSIC Shakespeare Directed by Bryan Singer March 9, 10 18:00- "Touch Me Not" Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Romania Germany, Czech Republic, Cast: Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello, TBILISI CONCERT HALL BALLET GALA Composer: Sandro Nikoladze Mike Myers Raymonda Bulgaria, France. 2018 1 Melikishvili St. Start time: 20:00 Director: Adina Pintilie Genre: Biography, Drama, Music TEL (+995 32) 2 99 00 99 Symphony in C Ticket: 10-15 GEL Language: English Ballet divertissement Start time: 14:15 Start time: 19:00 AMIRANI CINEMA March 8 SHALIKASHVILI THEATER 36 Kostava St. Ticket: 11-15 GEL NIAZ DIASAMIDZE & 33A Ticket: 10-150 GEL 37 Rustaveli Ave. TEL (+995 32) 2 99 99 55 MUSEUM Start time: 20:00 www.kinoafi sha.ge Ticket: 20-50 GEL GABRIADZE THEATER March 8, 9 14 Shavteli Str. LIKE THIS GEORGIAN NATIONAL Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL March 9 A comedy performance based on MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA March 8-14 ERISIONI AND CHARITABLE March 8 novels of Georgian national motives. MUSEUM ORGANIZATION THE AUTUMN OF MY Start time: 20:00 3 Rustaveli Ave. GREEN BOOK TKHILIS GULI’S SPRINGTIME Ticket: 15 GEL TEL (+995 32) 299 80 22, 293 48 21 Directed by Peter Farrelly Revaz Gabriadze www.museum.ge CHARITY CONCERT Directed by Revaz Gabriadze MUSIC & DRAMA STATE Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Start time: 20:00 English Subtitles THEATER Ali, Linda Cardellini Until March 29 Ticket: 15-50 GEL Start time: 20:00 182 Agmashenebeli Ave. Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama The Georgian National Museum Ticket: 20, 30 GEL Language: Russian joins the cycle of events dedicated DJ. KAKHIDZE TBILISI March 12 Start time: 22:15 to 500 years since the death of CENTER FOR MUSIC & March 9 WELCOME TO GEORGIA Ticket: 13-14 GEL Leonardo Da Vinci and invites CULTURE RAMONA The Musical visitors to the educational- 125/127 Agmashenebeli Ave. Revaz Gabriadze A musical, theatrical play and CAPTAIN MARVEL multimedia project LEONARDO Directed by Revaz Gabriadze romantic comedy telling a story Directed by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck - OPERA OMNIA where digital March 10 English Subtitles about Georgia and its people by Cast: Brien Larson, Samuel L. reproductions of Leonardo's VAKHTANG KAKHIDZE JUBILEE Start time: 20:00 combining song, dance, culture, Jackson, Mckenna Grace artworks will be exposed. CONCERT Ticket: 20, 30 GEL traditions, history, national Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Visitors have an opportunity to get In program: Vakhtang Kakhidze’s costumes and local cuisine. Language: English acquainted with high-defi nition and symphonic pieces composed in March 10 Start time: 20:00 Start time: 22:15 full-scale digital reproductions of different periods: STALINGRAD Ticket: 50-80 GEL Language: Russian Leonardo da Vinci's 17 artworks. "Coniugationes”, symphonic picture Revaz Gabriadze Start time: 17:00, 19:30 “Salambo”, concerto for piano and CINEMA Directed by Revaz Gabriadze Ticket: 13-15 GEL IOSEB GRISHASHVILI symphony orchestra, symphonic English Subtitles TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM suite from the ballet “Amazons” Start time: 20:00 POLITIKA BAR CAVEA GALLERY - KARVASLA and “Sorrow” from the fi lm “The Ticket: 20, 30 GEL 164 Agmashenebeli Ave. 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. 8 Sioni St. Russian triangle”. TEL (+995 32) 2 98 22 81 Start time: 19:30 March 14 March 8-10 Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL Ticket: 10-30 GEL Animated documentary fi lm FEMINIST FILM FESTIVAL March 8-14 March 9 – April 12 REZO FROM ROSA TO SIMONE 2019 Tutu Kiladze’s Exhibition TBILISI STATE Directed by Leo Gabriadze CAPTAIN MARVEL CRYPTOGRAM CONSERVATOIRE Start time: 20:00 March 8 (Info Above) 8 Griboedov Str. GALLERY Ticket: 15 GEL 19:00- "Heroines (3 stories)" Language: English Georgia/2019 Start time: 11:45 March 12 MOVEMENT THEATER Director: Natia Nikolashvili/Studio Language: Russian THE NATIONAL GALLERY Piano Music Concert 182 Aghmashenebeli Ave. Animatory Start time: 19:30 11 Rustaveli Ave. Laureate of world piano TEL (+995 32) 598 19 29 36 Drawings by Anuk Beluga Ticket: 10-19 GEL TEL (+995 32) 215 73 00 competitions Followed by a lecture "The Andrejs Osokins (Latvia) March 8 Amazons, Mothers, Women" GREEN BOOK Untill October 5 I THE STORY OF A MURDERER of a philosopher and a gender (Info Above) EXHIBITION J.S. Bach- Largo from Klavier Directed by Kakha Bakuradze researcher Lela Gaprindashvili Language: English MASTERS OF GEORGIAN ART Concerto in F minor No. 5, Music: Sandro Nikoladze, Davit Kakulia Start time: 19:45 Paintings of Kirill Zdanevich, Shalva L. van Beethoven - Sonata op. 110 in Start time: 20:00 March 9 Language: Russian Kikodze, Ketevan Magalashvili A fl at major, Ticket: 10-15 GEL 16:00- "Love & Sex & Start time: 22:30 and Elene Akhvlediani together F. Liszt- Sonetto del Petrarca No. 104 Rocknrollstuhl" Ticket: 16-19 GEL with Lado Gudiashvili's and David F. Liszt- Liebestraume No. 3 S. 541/3 March 9 Germany/2017 Kakabadze, giving a comprehensive R. Wagner- F. Liszt Isolde's DON JUAN Director: Susanna Wüstneck VICE picture of the diversity and Liebestod S. 447 One act comedy 18:00 - "Look at me like that" Directed by Adam McKay aesthetics of Georgian Art. II J. Brahms- 3 Intermezzo op. 117 L. van Beethoven– Sonata, op. 57 in F minor “Appassionata” Start time: 18:00 Ticket: 10 GEL

GARDEN HALL Ilia Park

March 8 DATO EVGENIDZE & BAND– MURMAN JINORIA Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 30 GEL

BARI-BARSHI 9 G. Kikodze Str.

March 8 EREKLE DEISADZE LIVE CONCERT Line up: DJ Querubim, Erekle Deisadze Live Band: Erekle Deisadze (Vocal), Sandro Sulakvelidze (Drum), Archil Sulakvelidze (Guitar), Oto Khmaladze (Piano) Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 15 GEL

March 9 THE WINDOW Nino Isakadze (Lead vocals, guitar and songwriter), Tamar Akhalkatsi (Violin), Davit Tavadze (Flute/ Keyboard, sound engineer, keyboard), Mariam Tsibakhashvili (Cello). Band producer- Tinatin Menabde. Start time: 21:00 For table reservation: 591 99 72 67 GEORGIA TODAY MARCH 8 - 11, 2019 CULTURE 15 Russian Freethinker Deals with Stalinism: “Stalin Is Not yet Completely Dead”

easily a person becomes a tyrant, and is ready for. At the same time, there is BY TATJANA MONTIK how conveniently the environment allows no total persecution of dissidents in Rus- him to.” sia. The situation is tricky: artists must The author admitted he is afraid it decide for themselves where the red t the age of 43, Artur Solo- won’t be possible to perform his new fl ags are, where the real danger begins.” monov, a Russian writer, play in Russia. In recent years, although Despite all the diffi culties Russian art- theater critic and play- his homeland has changed a lot and there ists have been facing due to (self-)cen- wright, was named ‘a new is no direct censorship except for the sorship, there are still some highlights Dostoyevsky’ by the Ger- offi cial media, you still cannot criticize and breakthroughs in Russia’s cultural Aman newspaper Tageszeitung. In his fi rst the government or say anything bad life. Ilshat Mukhutdinov, a young theater novel, ‘Theatrical Story’ (2013), the theater about Stalin. On State television, for director from the city of Buinsk, Tatar- stays pars pro toto for society and the example, Stalin and other offi cial rulers stan, has dared to perform one of Solo- readers are confronted with the author’s cannot be shown as funny, weak or dying. monov’s plays called ‘God’s Grace.’ It sharp non-conformist attitudes, social “And, of course, the irrational plays an won second prize in the 8th Biennale critique and a fi ne psychological analy- immense role. There is a superstitious for Dramatic Art in London as the best sis. The novel has already had three edi- unwillingness by the authorities to be political and social play, and was per- tions with rave reviews from respected reminded of their mortality, or even of formed on March 7 in the Buinsk Drama Russian cultural personalities. To stage the mortality of their ’distinguished pre- Theater. The play depicts a kind of “Soviet the novel in a theater was not easy, the decessor’. In fact, Stalin is still not com- Union of the future”. Although the char- author recalls, as it deals critically with pletely dead.” acters live in a world of fear, mistrust the intervention of the Russian Orthodox I asked Solomonov why he is not afraid and denunciation, they long for love, but Church in secular affairs. Yet, since the victims were tortured, enslaved and tor, who also plays Stalin, and the play- to deal with such a sensitive topic and he no relationships come about because no very fi rst performance in Moscow in subjected to violence and humiliation; wright gradually become “Stalinized” and responded: “I’m worried about topics that one trusts anyone. 2015, Solomonov’s ‘Theater Story’ has they lost their dignity, health and lives. slowly morph into the characters in the now fall into taboo category: the relation- Taking into account all recent tenden- been played to a full house. On the other hand, there was colossal drama: violence takes place on stage as ship between individuals and the State; cies in the current Russian political and I met the celebrated artist this winter construction, the war was won and the espionage and conspiracies emerge and the problems of religious worship, the social situation, Arthur Solomonov says in a downtown Tbilisi café. Solomonov State became powerful. This logic is a fi rst prison cell is established. After the relationship between the artist and the he sees a huge threat to Russia’s future was also here two years ago to write his diabolical—and we know its author.” play is altered, the author can’t recognize government; and an endless, almost the- development: “If the number of taboo new play depicting Russia’s Stalinist past His new play ‘How We Buried Stalin,’ it, and ‘the man from the Ministry’ arrives atrical hypocrisy in all spheres of life.” topics increases and criticism, satire, or and its continuing consequences. He is ready, and is a brilliant piece that makes again to announce that the President will “In every country, a person trying to even irony are perceived as an “enemy’s received permission to carry out research us both laugh and tremble with horror. soon stage the play himself. engage in creative work is in confl ict invasion,” then we will again fi nd our- in the Communist Party Archives in The action takes place in a present-day Solomonov says he intentionally wrote with generally accepted values; however, selves in the situation Soviet art went Tbilisi. theater in Moscow during a rehearsal a tragic farce and the main idea was “the only in a few countries of the civilized through. In the dramatic arts, this was “When I was examining the archives, for a new play about Stalin’s death. The criminal plasticity of the human psyche, world do you get punished for what you called “the struggle between the good I became terrifi ed at how little value creative process is interrupted by a “man and how people, in certain conditions, express. This is a very important moment and the best” because nothing could be human life had back then, and how in from the Ministry” who brings a mes- are ready to reproduce the most treach- for all contemporary artists in Russia; wrong in a beautiful country. How it all today’s Russia this is repeating itself,” sage from the Russian President asking erous practices of the Soviet past. It our words are gaining momentum again ended for this “beautiful, infallible he said. “I cannot understand people them to change the play: Stalin shall not becomes obvious that the past has not and they can have an effect that is impos- country,”we all know. So, overall, my goal who say Stalin is their hero--people who die, and there must be no amusing scenes gone away and that it takes possession sible in an uncensored state.” is to not to leave problems unnamed or use completely unacceptable calcula- in the play. of the present and even stretches out He added, “Today, every artist decides unrevealed; otherwise they will develop tions: on one hand millions of innocent A drama ensues as the actors, the Direc- into the future. This play is about how for himself what consequences he or she destructively, even pathologically.” The Tbilisi Jazz Festival Features Pat Metheny

The Tbilisi Jazz Festival was completed BY KETEVAN KVARATSKHELIYA Photo: Giorgi Nakashidze with the joint concert of Pat Metheny and the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vakhtang Kakhidze at the bilisi hosted the 22nd Jazz Tbilisi Concert Hall. The world-renown Festival on February 20 – guitarist performed within the scope March 2. The Festival was of the project Missouri Skies and More. distinguished this year as The audience was given an opportunity legendary American jazz to listen to the diverse and unorthodox guitaristT and composer, Pat Metheny presentation of the famous composi- was the major performer, featuring twice tions. during the festival. “I am grateful to the organizers of the Metheny is the owner of 20 Grammy Festival for giving me an opportunity Awards and the only performer to have to work with such a legendary ﬁ gure as won in the Grammy’s 10 different cat- Pat Metheny,” Kakhidze said after the egories. He is said to be one of those concert. outstanding musicians who can freely Tbilisi Jazz Festival is organized by improvise on stage and offer absolutely Eastern Promotions and TBC Status incredible compositions to audiences and supported by the Ministry of Tbi- worldwide, and this he did in Tbilisi. lisi City Hall and the Ministry of Edu- The three-day festival was opened cation, Science, Culture and Sport of with a new project ‘Tbilisi Big-Band’ & Georgia. ‘New Jazz Generation’ in the Grand Hall At the press conference, the Director of the Tbilisi Conservatoire. At the con- of Eastern Promotions, Giorgi Keresel- cert, the representatives of different idze, focused on the importance of generations performed together and inviting such prominent guests to Geor- mesmerized the audience with various gia for promoting the country and con- jazz compositions. tributing to the popularization of high- On March 1, the Pat Metheny Trio took quality jazz music for the Georgian to the stage for more than an hour and audience. He also noted that in order transformed the evening into a real cel- for everyone to be able to attend the ebration for jazz enthusiasts, who twice event, the ticket prices would be "mod- called the performers back on stage for erate" to attract many and encourage an encore, which they were happy to do. all generations to develop a love of jazz.

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