Issue no: 1145 • APRIL 26 - 29, 2019 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50 In this week’s issue... Georgian Justice Minister, EU Migration Offi cial Discuss Visa-Liberalization Challenges NEWS PAGE 2 A Georgian on Russians’ Minds: A Story of Stalin’s Popularity FOCUS ON ISRAELI-GEORGIAN RELATIONS POLITICS PAGE 4 Discover just how invested Israel is in EU4Climate Kicks Off in Georgia's bright future PAGE 8 Georgia POLITICS PAGE 6 Georgian Supra Traditions Alarming Lead Levels Measured Introduced in Tokyo in Georgian Children BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE study released this week by UNICEF Georgia has once again raised the alarm on lead in the country. The headline: 41% of Georgian children have elevated blood lead levels. AThe study tested the blood of 1,578 randomly selected children two to seven-year-olds across Georgia. The results indicated that 41% of chil- SOCIETY PAGE 9 dren have 5 micrograms or higher of lead per deciliter in their blood. Of these, 25% have 5 - 10 micrograms, and 16% of children had 10 micro- Eifman’s ‘Rodin’ Ballet: grams or higher per deciliter. No level of lead exposure is safe for humans, according to the A Masterpiece World Health Organization (WHO), and levels CULTURE PAGE 15 of 5 micrograms per deciliter or higher are con- sidered to be particularly worrying. UNICEF’s Maia Kurtsikidze told OC Media in October 2018 Connecting Thoughts: that the study would be broad enough to provide a representative picture of nationwide lead expo- CinéDOC-Tbilisi Int’l sure. The concern is especially acute for children, Documentary Film Festival who are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead. Returns in May Continued on page 10 Image Source: UNICEF CULTURE PAGE 15 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS APRIL 26 - 29, 2019 Georgian Justice Minister, EU Migration Offi cial Discuss Visa-Liberalization Challenges The sides discussed a future plan of BY THEA MORRISON joint measures that would ensure unin- terrupted functioning of the visa-free regime. eorgia’s Justice Minister Zalkaliani stated that the meeting was Thea Tsulukiani met with very fruitful, adding Georgia always Simon Mordue, Deputy reacts quickly to all the concerns of the Director-General of Migra- European partners regarding challenges tion and Home Affairs connected to the visa-free regime. GDepartment of the European Commis- “At the meeting, we talked about spe- sion, in Tbilisi on April 24 to discuss cifi c plans that will minimize and reduce EU-Georgia visa-free travel challenges. the facts of misuse of visa liberalization The Ministry of Justice reports that by citizens of Georgia,” Zalkaliani said. Tsulukiani provided Mordue with the The visa-free regime with the EU took measures carried out by the Georgian effect on March 28, 2017, meaning all government to reduce illegal migration. Georgians holding biometric passports The Minister assessed the meeting as can enter the Schengen Area for 90 days very important as it gives Georgia a within any 180-day period for vacation, chance to address diffi culties in this fi eld business, or any other purpose except together with the EU offi cials. work. “Visa-free travel is a unique possibility Georgians are able to travel without for our citizens to enjoy greater choice visas to the following 22 EU member in tourism and we should do our best to states: Belgium, Austria, Germany, Den- preserve it,” Tsulukiani noted, while mark, Spain, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithu- recognizing that some Georgians have ania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Nether- been misusing the system. lands, Poland, Portugal, Greece, France, “We need to make some changes in Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Finland, order to ensure that those who enter the Image source: Justice Ministry of Georgia Sweden, and the Czech Republic. Schengen Area and come back on time Georgians can also travel without visas are able to continue using these benefi ts,” adopted a law that envisages criminal able to illegally cross the border of an Zalkaliani. The meeting focused on coop- to four non-EU-member states (Iceland, the Minister stated. liabilities for promoting illegal migra- EU-member state. eration between Georgia and the EU in Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) One part of the legislative amendments tion. Tsulukiani emphasized again that the the fi eld of migration. as well as four Schengen candidate coun- has already been implemented by the In addition, Tsulukiani said that by visa-free regime is for short-term visits Special emphasis was placed on the tries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania and government in order to maintain visa- 2020, Georgian passports will come in only and not for work purposes. political and practical importance of Croatia). free travel with EU countries, and, she full line with European standards and Simon Mordue also had a meeting with visa-free travel to the country's European Exceptions for visa-free travel include noted, the Parliament of Georgia has so will prevent Georgians from being the Foreign Minister of Georgia, David integration. Ireland and the United Kingdom. Celebrating Easter as a Georgian s the church plays a huge by the delegation. couraged. Because of this, many Geor- role in Georgia, it comes On the morning of Easter Sunday, it is gians instead went to graveyards to pray, as no surprise that Easter a tradition to greet one another with a tradition which has outlasted commu- is one of the most impor- “Christ has Risen [Kriste agdga]” before nism and become a part of the Easter tant holidays of the year. even saying hello. If someone says this celebrations. AThe streets of Tbilisi are left empty as to you, you should reply “Indeed He has After arriving at a grave, it is tradition thousands of Georgians head out of the Risen! [chesmaritad],” before continuing to light a candle and roll one of the red city to celebrate Easter over the weekend the conversation. eggs across the grave whilst declaring with a variety of unique traditions. Of course, no Georgian celebration is “Christ has risen! Indeed he has risen!”. Unlike in many other countries where complete without food. A special dish This ritual is performed three times eggs have become commercialized choc- is traditionally prepared on Easter Sun- before a supra is set up at the graveside olate products, the easter eggs in Geor- day called ‘chakapuli,’ a lamb-meat stew. with many toasts with wine dedicated gia are actual eggs and they are red. Many ‘Pska’ is also popular. ‘Paska’ is a kind of to the deceased. The occasion is cele- Georgian households use madder roots bread cake with raisins, nutmeg, saffron, brated, not mourned, as they are happy and onion peel to dye eggs a deep red cloves, cinnamon, and other spices. to sit once again at the table with their color on ‘Red Friday’ (Good Friday) Perhaps the most unusual Easter tradi- departed. It should be noted that the before sunset. Symbolizing Christ’s res- tion takes place on Easter Monday when government is looking to outlaw the urrection and eternal life, Georgians will Georgians visit the graves of their rela- practice of eating and drinking at the crack the strongest eggs on Easter Sun- tives, which has a signifi cant meaning graveside, though it is unclear how this day morning by tapping them against for many families. So many people travel will be received or prevented in reality, the eggs of another family member. The to graveyards on Monday that public especially in the regions. person with the least broken eggs wins. transportation to cemeteries is free, traf- When the celebrations are fi nished, wine Grass is another symbol of Easter in Image source - Go Kartli fi c jams are common and parking is near is poured on the grave, a custom called Georgia that can often be found decorat- church services held across the Easter the Holy Fire in Jerusalem. During the impossible! “knocking over a goblet.” Although for- ing the Easter table. Called Jejili, the weekend in often packed churches. The service, they perform a ritual called Georgia’s history makes this tradition eigners are often stunned by such an action, freshly grown grass symbolizes new life Saturday evening before Easter Sunday ‘Litonioba’ which involves praying, lis- even more signifi cant. During the com- Georgians believe it means they won’t be and renewal. is one of the most important church tening to the Catholicos-Patriarch and munist reign, many churches were alone after death as their relatives will also Many Georgians will visit various services, celebrating the appearance of waiting for the ‘Holy Fire’ to be brought destroyed and religion was heavily dis- visit them at their resting place. Abkhazians Collect up to 3 Tons of Stink Bugs using pesticides, the method of collect- that the Russian Federation provided BY THEA MORRISON ing the pest by hand is safer and helps 4,800 liters of pest control products, to save money. adding more aid is expected in May. “Unfortunately, in recent years, we “More than 10,000 pheromone traps ocals from Georgia’s Russian- have not been able to boast a healthy and additional knapsack sprayers will occupied region of Abkhazia phytosanitary situation in the country. be sent to us,” he added. have collected up to three The plants are attacked by many kinds Asian stink bugs also created many tons of the dangerous-to- of pest, including the Asian bugs,” he problems in Georgia. The pest destroyed agriculture pest, the Asian said, adding that if the works are not more than half of the nut and hazelnut LStink Bug (Brown Marmorated Bugs) intensifi ed, the situation will become harvest in the western regions in the which destroyed nearly the whole hazel- hopeless.