Issue no: 1254 • JULY 10 - 16, 2020 • PUBLISHED WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

Want to watch it LIVE? Scan here and enjoy! In this week’s issue... Enterprise Georgia Shortlisted for World Trade Promotion Organization Awards 2020 NEWS PAGE 2 Contemporary Int’l Relations & Georgia’s Possible Response: Challenges, Risks, Answers. Part II POLITICS PAGE 6 Tbilisi Hills Golf & Residences: Meticulously Designed to Serve Every Imaginable Need BUSINESS PAGE 9 Beeline’s New SMS Portal Enables Companies to FOCUS Manage & Plan Mass SMS ON TURKEY Campaigns In an exclusive interview, the BUSINESS PAGE 9 Turkish Ambassador talks about neighborly support, post-COVID PAGE 4 Mortgage Subsidy: Encouraging Borrowing in the Midst of a Crisis Georgia Opens Borders ISET PAGE 10 Tourism Sector Challenges Unconditionally to 5 Countries Worldwide & Opportunities he Georgian government's admin- to Overcome Crisis Caused Image source: cnn.com istration released a statement made by the Prime Minister's Adviser by Global Pandemic Irakli Chikovani regarding the deci- 11 sion to open borders to 5 EU coun- SOCIETY PAGE Ttries. The statement reads: "The European Union, The Hidden Shame of Gori, on June 30, included Georgia on the list of safe countries and issued a recommendation on the And No, It’s Not Stalin possible reopening of borders to these countries. Based on said recommendation, the Government SOCIETY PAGE 12 is holding bilateral negotiations on opening bor- ders with relevant EU member states. Notably, based on the epidemiological situa- Natela Iankoshvili – An tion in the world and Europe, some EU member states have, at this point, opted against opening Artist’s Life between borders to foreign citizens, including from the EU. And a 14-day quarantine at one's own expense Coercion & Freedom is still mandatory upon arrival in a number of CULTURE PAGE 15 countries. Georgia is also monitoring the global picture and takes cautious steps to protect the health of its borders to the following 5 countries: As for other countries, in making this decision, Georgian Basketball Team its citizens. 1) Germany the Council considered the fact that several As of today, of the countries who have opened 2) France countries have opened their borders, among Captain Shengelia to Play their borders to Georgia without reservation, 3) Latvia others, to states not listed by the EU as safe Georgia, on the decision of the Interagency 4) Lithuania countries. for CSKA Moscow Coordination Council, will unconditionally open 5) Estonia Continued on page 2 SPORTS PAGE 15 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS JULY 10 - 16, 2020

Open-air Cultural Events to be Allowed Hungarian FM Praises Georgia's Success from July 13 as EaP Leader, Distinguished NATO Ally

Government Administration, and Irakli BY ANA DUMBADZE Chikovani, Advisor to the Prime Minis- ter on International Relations, attended the meeting held at the Government s part of his offi cial visit to Administration. Georgia, Hungarian Foreign Earlier today, the Hungarian FM met Minister Péter Szijjártó met with his Georgian counterpart David with Georgian Prime Min- Zalkaliani. ister Giorgi Gakharia. The topics discussed at the meeting BY ANA DUMBADZE ABoth sides noted that the fi rst high- included the opening of borders. level visit to Georgia since the start of “There are many Hungarian citizens the pandemic is an important signal of who want to come to Georgia. In order pen-air cultural events will how close the partnership between the to give them this opportunity, we agreed be allowed in Georgia from countries is. to set up a working group to exchange July 13, Prime Minister During the meeting, the Prime Minis- information. Our friendship has deep- Giorgi Gakharia announced ter of Georgia and the Minister of For- ened during the pandemic. A large num- at a government meeting eign Affairs and Trade of Hungary dis- ber of medicines are imported to Geor- today.O cussed issues of bilateral cooperation on the success of the countries in the country was also stressed. gia from Hungary. We want Georgia's He added that the above will apply to and future prospects. The focus was on fi ght against COVID-19. The Hungarian The talks touched upon the possibility integration into Europe to be fast. We any type of event, including open air the country's European and Euro-Atlan- minister noted that Georgia has very of intensifying tourism between the know that Georgia is a country of very exhibitions. tic integration agenda. important positive results in this direc- countries as soon as possible. The sides deep civilization and culture. At the same “The ban on open-air cultural events Péter Szijjártó praised the successful tion and the decisions of the country's noted that the restrictions on interna- time, the Bank of Hungary has created will be lifted from July 13. I think, espe- reforms implemented by the Georgian government and the efforts of the citi- tional travel will be eased gradually, a fund of 155 million euros, which can cially now, in the summer, when domes- government and noted that the country zens are noteworthy. consistently and carefully so as not to be spent on the territory of Georgia tic tourism is becoming more and more is a leader in terms of both the Eastern The Hungarian Foreign Minister endanger the lives and health of citizens. today," said Péter Szijjártó. relevant, it is very important. All events Partnership and NATO relations. In his focused on the favorable business envi- Péter Szijjártó reaffi rmed Hungary's He explained that the line of credit will that are held outdoors will be allowed,” words, Georgia is a clear example of ronment in the country and the desire unwavering support for Georgia's sov- be used by Hungarian businessmen aim- PM Gakharia said. what kind of alliance NATO can have of Hungarian companies to operate in ereignty and territorial integrity. ing to invest in Georgia and expressed Georgia resumed domestic tourism on with non-member states. Georgia. The successful operation of the David Zalkaliani, Minister of Foreign hope that the line of credit will be fully June 15. During the meeting, the talks focused Hungarian company Wizz Air in the Affairs, Natia Mezvrishvili, Head of the utilized. Georgia Opens Borders Unconditionally to 5 Countries Continued from page 1 status quo will be maintained by Geor- The recommendations and the list of be obligated to complete a mandatory gian citizens more than 200 Euro. gia as well. Besides the 5 countries above, safe countries published by the EU will 14-day quarantine period. Importantly, our Georgian Airways, formerly Airzena, The citizens/residents of the 5 coun- in the case of countries listing Georgia be reviewed every other week. citizens must also consider the approaches is carrying out commercial charter fl ights tries above can only use direct fl ights to as a safe country or imposing various Importantly, to encourage economic to reopening borders taken by the EU to the following capitals: Vienna, Amster- Georgia for any type of visit. types of restrictions, their citizens will activities in Georgia, business trips from member states listed above. dam, and Tel Aviv, while Qatar Airways Before crossing Georgia's border, they be able to enter Georgia as long as they all countries will be allowed without Negotiations are underway with inter- will, in the next few days, carry out a must fi ll in a special e-form and list their complete a 14-day quarantine period at reservation, based on a completed spe- national airlines to resume air travel and one-off commercial charter fl ight from travel history in the course of the previ- their own expense. cial form and coordination with relevant regular fl ights with the 5 EU member the capital city of Doha, to repatriate 105 ous 14 days, as well as the location of Besides the 5 countries above, work on sectoral agencies. Business visitors to states who have unconditionally reo- Georgian citizens. their stay in Georgia, contact informa- relevant procedures continues with the Georgia are obligated to carry out a PCR pened their borders to Georgia. In par- The presently applicable regulations tion, etc. countries that have unconditionally test for COVID-19 at their own expense ticular, an agreement has been reached will remain enforced on Georgia's land With their consent, or in case thermal opened their borders to Georgia. every 72 hours, or complete a mandatory with Lufthansa to carry out two fl ights borders. screening at the border reveals a tem- At this point, the following countries 14-day quarantine, also at their own a week to Munich starting in August. We The Government of Georgia continues perature higher than 37.0, a PCR test will have not opened their borders to Geor- expense. Of course, that does not apply are also negotiating with Air Baltic and active cooperation with partner EU be performed at the airport. gia: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, to the citizens/residents of the 5 coun- Air France. member states. Based on the relevant Testing and quarantine will be manda- Norway, Malta, Finland, Switzerland, tries enjoying unconditional border To ensure the orderly repatriation of recommendation, the rules for entering tory for those with a history of traveling Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. Notably, reopening with Georgia. Georgian citizens abroad, Wizz Air and Georgia and for Georgian citizens enter- to high-risk non-EU member states in a joint commission with Hungary has Relevant e-forms mandatory for the MyWay Airlines will carry out fl ights ing various EU states will be reviewed the course of the previous 14 days. been established to work on the issue of citizens of the EU member states listed from the following destinations in July: jointly once every other week. All persons arriving in Georgia will, movement reopening. above, as well as for business visitors Warsaw on July 13 The health and safety of citizens is our throughout their stay, maintain proac- Some countries (Italy, Cyprus, Iceland, from any country, will be available on Barcelona on July 15 top priority, and each decision is made tive communication with and receive and Slovenia) are ready to open their the Georgian Government's special web- Rome on July 17 with this priority in mind. We will do care from a special call center group. borders with certain restrictions, includ- site www.StopCoV.ge. Paris on July 22 everything to ensure the maximal pro- As for other EU member states who ing a mandatory 14-day quarantine period Georgian citizens, upon their return from Athens on July 28. tection of the health of our citizens and have not opened borders to Georgia, the for arrivals. any type of visit to EU member states, will The fl ights above will not cost Geor- the country's guests in Georgia." Enterprise Georgia Shortlisted for World Trade Promotion Organization Awards 2020 applications, the highest number since tion organizations play a crucial role in BY ANA DUMBADZE the awards were created in 2004. A jury supporting business innovation, trade- of peers selected the shortlist. The jury led growth and the internationalization is comprised of the 2018 award winners of MSMEs. To be able to deliver services he International Trade and is chaired by ITC Executive Direc- at a time of multiple external shocks Center (ITC) has selected tor a.i. Dorothy Tembo. these organizations must be proactive, 18 national trade promotion The competition, open to all national and forge their place at the front line". organizations for the 2020 trade promotion organizations, recog- "The entries demonstrate how these World Trade Promotion nizes excellence in trade support ser- organizations are responding, while also TOrganization (WTPO) Awards, includ- vices. They celebrate organizations that shaping their initiatives to contribute to Source: intracen.org ing Enterprise Georgia. excel in innovative, effective export inclusive and sustainable economic culture, launched a new government refurbishment of existing enterprises. The shortlisted organizations are com- development initiatives. The organiza- growth," she added. 'Today's nominees program 'Produce in Georgia.' The Export Division promotes the peting in three categories: tions must show that they help micro, showed vision and commitment to The program’s objective is to promote export potential of the country by increas- Best use of a partnership - Colombia, small and medium-sized enterprises excellence in service delivery.' an entrepreneurial culture throughout ing the competitiveness of local products Egypt, Sweden, the United Republic of (MSMEs) to become competitive in The TPO Network World Conference the country by stimulating the establish- and the overall volume of goods directed Tanzania, the Netherlands, Viet Nam, international markets. is a biennial event, fi rst held in 1996 in ment new enterprise and supporting the towards international markets. Zimbabwe; Entrants were asked to demonstrate Cartagena, Colombia. The 13th confer- expansion of existing operations. The Invest Division’s primary role is Best use of information technology - innovation and boldness for each of the ence, themed 'Bold solutions for resil- Enterprise Georgia is the key imple- to attract, promote and develop direct Brazil, China, Georgia, Malaysia, Portu- three categories. The fi rst category dem- ience and recovery' will bring together menting partner of 'Produce in Georgia' foreign investment in Georgia. gal, United Arab Emirates; onstrates strong service delivery through more than 200 TPO representatives, and is responsible for business support, As the moderator between foreign Best initiative for inclusive and sus- key partnerships; the second focuses on policymakers and business leaders from export promotion and investment in investors and the Government of Geor- tainable trade - Austria, Costa Rica, effi ciency through new technologies; over 70 economies. Georgia sectors. gia, the Invest Division ensures access Lithuania, Saint Lucia, Spain. and the third showcases solutions that The Business Division of the agency to updated information, provides an The winners will be announced at the contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sus- ABOUT ENTERPRISE GEORGIA promotes entrepreneurial activity in effi cient means of communication with 13th WTPO Conference in Accra, Ghana, tainable Development. In June 2014 the Ministry of Economy Georgia by supporting entrepreneurs - government bodies, and serves as a “one- on 14 October. Commenting on this year's shortlist, and Sustainable Development of Geor- assisting with the creation of new enter- stop-shop,” supporting investors through- The WTPO Awards 2020 received 60 Ms. Tembo said: "National trade promo- gia, together with the Ministry of Agri- prises as well as the expansion and out the investment process.

GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS JULY 10 - 16, 2020 Turkish Ambassador: We Need Connectivity to Get Re-Established

Want to watch it LIVE? general supply and demand contraction In the fi rst months of this COVID-19 globally will have an impact on all of us. crisis, 25,000 trucks crossed the Sarpi Scan here and enjoy! This year, we intend to work on the border, which means 25,000 drivers: some domestic tourism sector; and I hope that Turkish citizens, some Georgian. They this crisis will not be instrumentalized were quarantined safely. But what hap- as a global economic fi nancial tool of pens when it’s tourists, not truck drivers? foreign policy, because we’re all in the It’s all under discussion, but we all know same boat. We’ve lived through many we have to open up the economy, because crises and we’ve made it, so I’m sure the there is no alternative for sustainable Turkish tourism sector and the economy recovery. in 2021 will not be far away from any other robust economy. WHERE DO YOU SEE GEORGIA IN SIX MONTHS CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT OR ONE YEAR IN TERMS OF TURKEY’S DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC RECOVERY? OF A VACCINE? I can’t predict, to be frank. Because it will The Turkish healthcare sector is involved be speculation. Georgia has elections in the global endeavor. There are many coming up in October, which is an impor- professional and experienced doctors in tant event on the agenda. As I see, eco- Turkey, and they do believe in the ben- nomic recovery is not only a COVID-19 efi t of this vaccine. And once it is estab- issue, it is also a political one. I’ve heard lished to be healthy and safe, we’ll be complaints from entrepreneurs, but I’m introducing it to our public. It’s an ongo- sure the government is trying to take ing business, Turkey can’t be separated steps to make people happy, and they will from the WHO or other partners. It’s try to address the issues raised. It is rational team work. political behavior. When the tourism sec- tor, the services sector, come back, and MANY PUBLICATIONS, BOTH start generating income, there will be a IN THE US AND EUROPE, HAVE very good program in terms of inviting PRAISED GEORGIA’S HANDLING investors. The government started the OF THE PANDEMIC. WHAT’S program ‘Enterprise Georgia’ together YOUR TAKE ON THAT? with the Ministry of Economy, and they The Government of Georgia did a very are revising what can be done to further good job in controlling the pandemic. attract FDI. These upcoming two years are a great time for construction, because a time for us when we, as a team, had to the markets globally will be coming back INTERVIEW BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES concentrate and think of the best ways with higher prices. The Turkish business to deal with the pandemic. We had an sector is interested, looking favorably at interesting time understanding our roles, the sectors to work with their Georgian s part of GEORGIA TODAY’s functions and capabilities. partners. We don’t know when the post- ongoing ‘Ambassadors Go COVID period will come, but let me say Live’ series, we spoke to the WHAT STEPS HAVE TURKEY’S two things about Turks and Georgians: Turkish Ambassador to GOVERNMENT AND fi rst, we lived through the diffi cult 90s, Georgia, Fatma Jeren Yaz- HEALTHCARE SYSTEM TAKEN when the money infl ation in Turkey was gan,A about COVID-19 past and present, TO FIGHT COVID-19, AND 120%. And here, too. Second, we’ve both and took a look ahead to world recovery. HOW EFFECTIVE DO YOU THINK lived through the comfort zone following First, the latest COVID-19 statistics from THAT FIGHT HAS BEEN? the 90s, when we were able to consume Turkey, which is 783,562 km² and has a There are a couple of aspects concerning more, to have holidays abroad. Now it is population of 82 million. the fi ght against COVID-19. First, it was time to re-discover our neighbors, for Turkey appears 15th on the Worldom- vital to investigate the virus itself: we had people to learn how to produce more, eter coronavirus list. There are 16,145 seen that some European countries went and maybe spend less, or consume more active cases, of which 1,172 are critical. through a diffi cult process of dealing with smartly. And I think both Turks and Geor- 5,282 Turkish citizens have died and total the pandemic and sometimes failed to gians are resilient enough to make it cases currently stand at 208,938. address the problems, so like everybody through. else, we checked our potential, and it HOW HAVE YOU AND turned out that our healthcare system Another huge step that the Turkish gov- There are also things that it could be WHAT HAS YOUR BIGGEST YOUR EMBASSY COPED was strong enough to deal with the ill- ernment took was to increase COVID-19 criticized for, like any other government, TAKE-AWAY BEEN FROM THIS AND ADJUSTED AND ness. Another challenge was to fully testing, with over 50,000 tests conducted but this is a case of “lessons learned”. WHOLE PANDEMIC EXPERIENCE? HELPED TURKISH CITIZENS inform our citizens so that they could in a single day. The needs of the frontline And I think they did the best any gov- My biggest take-away is that we shouldn’t LIVING IN GEORGIA, take full responsibility for their actions. healthcare workers became another prior- ernment could do here. But it’s not over take anything in our lives for granted. DURING THE PANDEMIC? We had certain issues when, for instance, ity, as they sacrifi ced so much in this crisis. yet. Issues to consider are, for instance, The freedom to go to restaurants and In the fi rst months we were basically try- people did not understand why it was so The same was the case for Georgia. All how to open the economy when you have a cup of coffee was taken from us ing to keep safe, follow government guide- important to avoid public gatherings; that these issues are not over yet; we’re just have been controlling the pandemic at by an invisible enemy: COVID-19. We lines, and to inform and advise our citizens certain traditions and the life as we knew now managing them better. But we still such a successful level, regarding the should pass this awareness on to our on the pandemic as it progressed in both it before the virus had to change. The need to be alert. The governments are now number of patients and capacity of the young generations, teach them not to take countries. Our foremost concerns were measures that the government took to responsible for managing this balance Georgian health system? And allowing things for granted. We have to be more public health and accessibility to informa- address such issues were all controversial between freedom and the economy, and for business trips without 14 days’ quar- fl exible and adaptable. And realize how tion, because people were worried whether and sensitive for the public, but in most we as people have a responsibility to obey antine. We need connectivity to get re- important it is to have solidarity. Com- they would have access to essential aid. cases they were effective. I think the big- the fundamentals in this fi ght. established. Turkish Airlines is ready munities should come together. Seeing We tried not only to inform but to ensure gest success for the Turkish government and they are waiting for the Georgian nurses and doctors putting their lives at that our citizens were provided with due in the fi ght against the virus was coordi- HOW DID TURKEY SUPPORT government’s decision. I think that we risk in the hospitals, seeing their noses assistance. Georgia being our land neigh- nating the medical response, following ITS CITIZENS, ESPECIALLY need to see how we can help the Geor- bleeding from wearing face masks while bor made it easier to coordinate the trans- up the latest information on the formulas THOSE WHO LOST THEIR gian government to make that safe tran- people complained of boredom while portation of our citizens, which was one for treatment, and ensuring the capacity JOBS DUE TO THE CRISIS? sition. It is the same issue internationally. having to self-isolate at home…it made of the core issues that we had to keep up building for the intensive care units. I’m There were a couple of fi nancial packages It is also a public demand. We have seen me realize we need to be more resilient with. I’m thankful for the cooperation, very proud to see that the Turkish private introduced to support workers and busi- Georgian people coming home to Geor- and more understanding and to be more assistance and understanding on the part sector, together with the small technol- nesses, particularly small and medium gia, one or two, not many, infected with responsible. COVID-19 is not over yet, of the Georgian authorities. ogy startups which started some years enterprises. With the introduction of the virus, and they were very success- but I do believe it’s a journey that will Another thing we had to do was to ago, were able to invent, build and start these measures, keeping employees was fully detected, quarantined and healed. change our lives. inform our citizens of the measures intro- serial production of ventilators in a very made easier, credit lines became more Georgia is capable of handling the virus duced by the Georgian government and short time, which also helped instill hope affordable, and there were some incen- now, but if the numbers go beyond, what Interview transcribed by Ana Dumbadze and the rules they had to follow. So this was in the public. tives on the subsidies for certain sectors, happens then is the question. Elene Dzebishashvili like the construction sector. Most of the measures were targeted not towards immediate fi nancial aid, even though there was some, but to inventing meas- ures that would ensure the overall sus- tainability of the economy.

HOW DO YOU SEE TURKEY IN SIX MONTHS OR ONE YEAR’S TIME IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY? We’re now seeing that in the last couple of months, our exports and imports have increased, our trade is continuing, which is a very good sign for any economy. This GEORGIA TODAY JULY 10 - 16, 2020 POLITICS 5 Author Oscar Jonsson on the Russian Understanding of War

rently favor Russia. It’s a very extensive it’s not something you can blame on INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE goal, not likely to happen very soon: someone else or pretend does not exist. basically, an order which recognizes the As such, we need to keep in mind that spheres of infl uence and non-recognition although it looks worse than ever, Putin ith President Putin of the sovereignty of its neighbors. I has remained in power to a large degree successfully paving certainly don’t see peace as a mid-term because of his genuine popularity in his way towards the prospect.” Russia. “Tsar for Life” trophy, and the West once WOULD IT MEAN MAKING THE EACH TIME PUTIN'S POPULARITY Wagain pondering the conceivable ways WEST ACCEPT THE RUSSIAN DROPPED DRAMATICALLY, HE of dealing, or rather, deterring Russia, PERSPECTIVE OF THINGS? PULLED OUT A CARD AND the importance of awareness of the That’s the strategic goal that Russia has CLIMBED BACK UP, EITHER Kremlin’s nefarious tactics becomes as in all its diplomatic negotiations, in all VIA A SMALL VICTORIOUS important as ever. To that end, the Geor- interactions with the West: that’s a key WAR OR A PIECE OF CAKE gian Institute of Security Policy spoke goal in Russian foreign policy. They do FROM UKRAINE. ANY IDEA to Oscar Jonsson, author of highly- not want a unipolar world and want to WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT? acclaimed ‘Russian Understanding of undermine the idea that human rights Putin came to the presidency as Mr War’ for its new episode of ‘Insights on are universal, and propose that democ- Nobody, yet managed to win the elec- Putin’s Russia’ series. racy can be different depending on where tions within a couple of months. In his “To understand the purpose behind you are. career, there’s a strong correlation Russia’s edging more towards non-mil- between public approval and military itary means of warfare, it needs a close DESPITE STRONGLY ADHERING actions. look at modern Russian history,” Jonsson TO THE “POWER IS MIGHT” What could be next on the cards? The tells us. “After the [Russo-]Georgian War, PRINCIPLE, RUSSIA ALWAYS annexation of Belarus? I don’t think so: the strategists in the Kremlin sat down CLAIMS TO BE ON THE I hardly see it being popular. What we and thought, hey, why did we lose the DEFENSIVE, ACTING FROM need to understand about Ukraine is that global information battle? And part of THE POSITION OF A BESIEGED the circumstances were quite unique, the answer they found was because of POWER. WHAT PROMPTS THAT with no central government; with an the structure of global international CONSTANT DEFENSIVENESS? area that was previously part of Russia. media. They realized they needed to It’s simple: it works. A lot of people buy I would be cautious to predict too much, increase their efforts in the global infor- into the narrative that Russia is a defen- but I don’t want to exclude that much mation environment: RT’s funding was sive power that was encroached on by either. expanded and channels were added in the West. If we judge them upon the core Arabic, French, and Spanish, RT UK principles by which international order accidental downing of the MH17; it was the European governments since the IS WHAT RUSSIA IS NOW came out, and RT US. After the Arab stands, then they’re most often wrong, only after that we saw any substantial notion of eternal peace took hold after DOWN TO WHAT PUTIN IS Spring, they saw how power was formed but it is an effective way of framing Rus- sanctions placed on Russia. Less than a the end of the Cold War. It’s a very typ- AND HAS DONE FOR THE in social media and thought about how sian actions. year ago, the French President came out ical trend in most western countries that COUNTRY? WILL THERE COME to best operate in this sphere. This and said “we need to improve relations questions of security have been demoted A TIME WHEN PUTIN WON'T BE resulted in ‘the troll farm’. HOW SUCCESSFUL CAN THE with Russia again.” This suggests that to the point they are not top in the minds THERE EITHER PHYSICALLY OR “I would argue that a lot of instances WESTERN ATTEMPTS TO nothing substantial happened in Ukraine, of politicians. Our fi rst line of defense POLITICALLY THAT MIGHT GIVE where Russia has been effective have AVOID CONFRONTATION that you have a signifi cant large scale is the notion that international law applies, THE WEST ANOTHER CHANCE? come from a threat perception of losing WITH THE KREMLIN BE? CAN attack on the US presidential elections, but, sadly, I think the security and defense Short of a change in the system govern- in that fi eld and building their offensive THIS BE SEEN AS A SIGN OF use of chemical weapons on NATO ter- questions have been left behind: we don’t ing Russia, the person that comes after there. For instance, former Soviet Union WEAKNESS BY RUSSIA? ritory, yet relations can be repaired. So, want to accept economic pain for geo- is likely to act similarly, in part because countries have been very attracted by Russian aggression is premised on the I would ultimately agree with the notion political gain. the choices are shaped both by the inter- liberal democracy and rule of law, to notion that the West tends to be very that the West is predictable. est of the elites and from popular sup- the point where citizens revolted against predictable, that the West will always WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT port. I have a hard time seeing a genuine rulers and replaced them with pro- negotiate for a solution. It gives Russia a WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT FROM THE OBVIOUS OUTCOME reconciliation, short of a change in the Europeans. This was met with a politi- strategic utility, and escalation control, THE WEST THAT IT TOOK THE OF THE RUSSIAN REFERENDUM? international system. cal offensive and support for actors whereby they can always try to isolate DOWNING OF THE AIRCRAFT TO What’s interesting now is the popularity undermining Western and transatlantic themselves, because they know the point ACTUALLY FORCE THEIR HAND fi gures, but coupled with the things Putin unity. where they will be able to back down and TO RESORT TO SANCTIONS, has promised, in bringing stability, eco- “I think if you look at what Russia says, negotiate a solution. After the invasion AND THAT WHAT HAPPENED nomic growth, or at least national pride one of the things they insist on is a kind of Ukraine, Lavrov allegedly said, “you IN GEORGIA AND UKRAINE to the global stage, a lot of this is under- of renegotiating of a new settlement on are very angry right now, but you will WAS NOT ENOUGH? mined, and we are seeing a notable drop international order and international forget about this in six months.” Actually, It shows fi rst of all how far the security in the handling of the coronavirus. The security, which they feel does not cur- he would have been right if not for the policy has slipped out of the minds of virus is a concrete physical phenomenon; Elections – Fine, but How about Territorial Integrity? an experienced and careful journalist Georgian political tangle of 30 years; the OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE who has never taken sides or persisted soft-power bickering between the two in prognostic efforts. I will not even say political cultures has never mitigated; the that the idea sounds somewhat attrac- frozen confl icts on de-jure Georgian ter- f our country’s territorial integrity tive because I am not prepared to get ritories are covered with an even thicker is still an issue, elevated into the caught in the middle of a squabble layer of ice; the diplomatic language and rank of a national idea, then why between Russophobes and Russophiles. political correctness have become much are we talking about elections You know, we usually associate the for- subtler and less useful; the Russian tour- more than about territorial integ- mer USSR with today’s Russia, and this ists in Georgia feel cozily ensconced in Irity? Maybe because the elections have is fair enough because, after all, it is Rus- Abraham’s Bosom, enjoying the beauty now become a national idea and territo- sia that has assumed the role of the Soviet of our nature and sipping the delicious rial integrity has been moved to the back Union’s offi cial legal successor. Whatever Georgian wine like in good old times of bench! I don’t know of any politician we say or presume on a local patriotic peace and cooperation, as if nothing much who would like this question asked point level, we will never be able to eschew the has changed. blank, but I am still asking it. There is cruel man-supposes-god-disposes para- The Georgian-Abkhaz divorce has another way though to handle the issue: digm. Meanwhile, we are faced with music instigated the Armenian-Abkhaz mar- forget about the forfeited lands, take of the following tones: the occupied ter- riage; the Georgian properties are still good care of what is left, and look into ritories continue to be just as occupied waiting for their legitimate owners; the the future like nothing has happened. as they were three decades ago, and even two runaway territories continue think- Easy, isn’t it? wider; the Russia-Georgian borders are ing of themselves as independent nations I’ve got the third version of resolution: being tailored like they are perennially in a procrastinated expectation of inter- Image source: emerging-europe.com putting the following question on the movable frontiers; the confused unsus- national recognition; generations have tist governmental staffers have been The time between now and the Election ballot of a hypothetical nationwide ref- pecting border violators still get arrested grown who are not even familiar with sprawling on the Russian payroll, bask- Day is getting shorter, and the process erendum: ‘Would you say Yes or No to and fi ned. Surprisingly, the trade between prewar maps, and couldn’t care less ing in the imaginative glory of freedom in between is becoming overwhelming: the revival of the Soviet Union if Geor- the two feuding countries remains better whether Georgia’s territory is complete and independence, when in reality they politically, emotionally, and physically. gia’s territorial integrity was immediately than averagely functional; plenty of Geor- or tattered; the rhetoric – ‘You can’t take are so broke that their monthly paychecks No matter how fascinating the electoral restored?’ I wonder to the extent of a gian enterprises operate under Russian back peacefully what you have lost by are persistently getting thinner. outcome is, if the potential of reinstating splitting headache how the Yay and Nay ownership and management; the western war’ has taken fi rm hold in the minds of I am dying to know if the rebels love Georgia’s territorial integrity doesn’t responses might proportionate if the alliances and individual well-wishers frustrated patriots who probably know the Russian and Armenian presence in grow as a consequence, then even the referendum actually took place. Please carry on behaving even more cautiously that belligerency is not the best way for their everyday routine more than the most successful end of the day will see don’t expect me to make a forecast! I’m as facilitators to unraveling the Russian- Georgia to achieve any goal; the separa- habitual Georgian shoulder to rely on. a fl y in the ointment. GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS JULY 10 - 16, 2020 Contemporary Int’l Relations & Georgia’s Possible Response: Challenges, Risks, Answers. Part II

ferent scenarios and develop a response and geo-political location is a destiny OP-ED BY VICTOR KIPIANI, to every possible one. Precise prognosis that can be a blessing when used prop- GEOCASE CHAIR is diffi cult, but the margin of error of erly and a curse due to the constant these studies must be reduced to a min- threats. Our principal foreign policy imum. It is equally important that the course adds itself to that, and as a result very coin has two sides, and responses not be mere reactions but the entire palette of the ‘Georgian case’ what we are dealing with proactive, responsible and balanced, is presented. here does too. It is one thing especially with regard to regional arrange- We already know that Georgia’s National to understand the dissatis- ments. Georgia must not only ‘fi t’ into Security Council announced that it was faction of US leaders with the post-pandemic world order, but to begin work on a conceptual paper. I theE current situation and their desire wherever feasible also mold the order expect that working on this paper and to change things, but it is another to around us by participating in the process discussing it will be an inclusive process, soberly assess how such a revision could of defi ning its contours. giving us the possibility to assess all the either strengthen global order and secu- risks properly and to recommend ways rity or instead make things worse. This A MORE GENERAL DISCUSSION of neutralizing or minimizing them. I is especially thought-provoking for us, OF THE GEORGIAN CASE would also like to share my opinions on Image source: emerging-europe.com since it is quite possible that a change Any discussion of Georgia in this context a couple of circumstances and factors and their mission is mainly linked to and levels of compatibility. Logically in global relations could create even must be neither too general nor too which I believe are important. joint intensive training. In short, there speaking, neither political nor economic more mind-twisters for us, and that our detailed, and I shall try to fi nd a sensible One of these is the possibility of estab- are ways, but all this requires more ties fall behind the increasing dynamics theories would hardly be compatible medium between these two undesirable lishing Georgia as a keystone state in the thought and most importantly action in of security which was specially under- with reality. extremes. According to modern Western region, but I have recently spoken of this order to remain a step forward of cur- lined in the assessments dedicated to That said, I personally believe in the teaching of foreign policy, the US are matter quite widely and will therefore rent events. In this regard I am still left the 10th anniversary of the strategic realistic, rational, technocratic approach. the largest single contributor, and this only touch upon a few of its nodal com- with a feeling of disappointment. partnership. This process of productive Realism implies uncompromised think- indeed seems perfectly right and logical, ponents. I would also mention Georgia’s regional cooperation gives rise to the hope of ing and an assessment of issues which but any world map of geopolitical actors First of all, it should be mentioned that diplomacy, including second-level diplo- even more interesting perspectives, rejects groundless hopes and illusory identifi es not one but several centers of this status is not linked to any formal macy, its establishment as a hub, as well especially in our unpredictable modern ideals. But here, too, we must remember power and gravity. recognition. In reality, this role indicates as the country becoming one of the main world and region. The wish to develop that realism maintains that power remains These are Europe, China and the region the country’s functional usefulness for contributors to knowledge and informa- multilateral links through somewhat central to political life and that the main which we refer to as the Near East, its allies and partners as well as its con- tion databases in the region. Both these non-standardized and sometimes brand- concern of states is their own security, whereas Western political vocabulary tribution to regional security and stabil- circumstances could also be seen as new decisions and approaches is also and that they must fi rst of all rely upon refers to it as the Middle East. Despite ity. However, before we consider the contributing to the development of Geor- linked to this hope. This is why the recent their own resources instead of interna- the usual geographical clichés and ste- question of regional contribution, we gian ‘soft power’. assessments published by a party group tional norms and mechanisms. reotypes, I obviously think that all three should not forget that Georgia herself I would also emphasize Georgia’s of the US congress caused such surprise, Alongside its sober rationality and are important and relevant for Georgia, needs support for her national security potential place in the rearranged global not only because they were far removed pragmatism, this form of realism does since what goes on in Europe, China or and stable development. Some practical chain of supply and demand, which we from reality but also because they cast of course have its own side-effects, e.g. the Middle East affects our country’s mechanisms for this do exist, and here see as a precondition for rethinking the a shadow over the two countries’ main the dangerous rise of nationalism in domestic and foreign policy. Some might of course the ultimate one would be country’s economic sovereignty and achievement. To quote the US ambas- international relations; using interna- think that this assumption is somewhat Georgian membership of NATO’S col- long-term development. I already have sador in Tbilisi, ‘[our] strategic partner- tional judicial norms and orders to fur- exaggerated, but I believe that it is abso- lective security system, but the problem already discussed this question in the ship with Georgia has never been as ther an unhealthy state ego; and (unin- lutely accurate. At this stage, we should is the absence of clarity from NATO past. strong as it is today’. tentional?) pessimism when it comes to of course not try to fi nd explanations for regarding the question of further expan- Large-scale change is never a simple multilateral efforts to make the world a our ‘uniqueness’ or ‘historic mission’, as sion. GEORGIAN-AMERICAN process; this is something that we all better, fairer and safer place. We will add any such attempts are hardly serious and It is true that in recent years several RELATIONS: A SOLID understand, and we should be just as here as well that, in terms of materiali- make us lose the valuable grip of Real- important steps have been taken in the PRECONDITION FOR understanding whenever assessments zation, too, a new course towards an politik. We should instead search for the rapprochement between NATO and DEVELOPMENT of change differ. But we must always ‘offshore balance’ has quite a few faults real explanation in the specifi cs of the Georgia, especially in the Black Sea, but There is a general consensus that Geor- remember that, in our assessments, it is and weaknesses which challenge its region in which Georgia is located, but a feeling of dissatisfaction remains and gian-US relations are developing dynam- very important that we never uninten- effective implementation both for the once again I cannot describe different against the background of fast-changing ically and in practically every sphere. tionally damage our high-level relations United States as well as for her regional theories and geo-strategic teachings at events is linked to the absence of com- That said, I would still focus upon the with well-wishing partners. Achieving partners. length in this format. mensurately fast ideas and decisions. military aspect and security issues in this level of relations has required enor- Studying and analyzing these faults in I have discussed these issues earlier, On the other hand, the Black and Caspian general, of which the American approach mous efforts over several generations, detail would be important from our point but I feel I should repeat and underline Sea micro-region, as one of the knots of to Georgia (as a country not part of and maintaining them will require many of view, but we must unfortunately limit one of them again, the most important Eurasia, deserves much more attention NATO) can serve as a good illustration. more. In this regard, we must always ourselves to a more general description one for us: establishing the global actors and resources. On the path towards bet- On the July 6, 2016, for example, Georgia remain objective when evaluating exter- and instead discuss this issue in detail of Eurasia as leading forces and the global ter security, another mechanism is Geor- and the United States signed a memo- nal events and actors and be twice as some place else. At this stage, in any results linked to this process. I will also gia’s bilateral defense pact with the US, randum of understanding on deepening critical and demanding towards ourselves. case, it is very diffi cult to predict whether add that the micro-region of the Black particularly since it could coincide with their partnership in defense and security Our country’s ‘grand strategy’ should the world will follow the path of cardinal and Caspian seas is one of the knots of the above-mentioned doctrines of real- spheres, which later became a framework also provide a concrete guide to Geor- rearrangements, whether traditional the Eurasian strategic space; more pre- ism and ‘offshore balance’. Equally accept- agreement for cooperation in 2016-19 gian ‘realism’ and provide guiding prin- forms of inter-state relations will be cisely, the area of which Georgia is one able and more tactical in nature would and was renewed on November 21, 2019. ciples which could ensure that the ‘strat- maintained, or whether the post-pan- of the centers—with access to the sea, be so-called intermediate scenarios such This agreement defi nes the two coun- egy’ is in constant development and demic world will offer us something new. and neighboring with Russia, Europe as agreements providing for the visits tries’ strategic partnership and defi nes capable of responding to specific Be that as it may, at this stage Georgia and NATO’s eastern fl ank as well as with of allied armed forces. Analogues of this priorities for mutual cooperation with moments in history and concrete national should begin to analyse and model dif- the Middle East. Georgia’s geographic specifi c step can be found in practice, the aim of improving defense readiness interests. Newly Renovated & Fully Equipped Boutique Hotel for Sale or Rent in the Heart of Tbilisi ocated in the most authen- safety in all rooms tic district of Tbilisi, in a • Autonomous supply of water (tank) safe neighborhood, this and electricity (generator) newly reconstructed hotel The building is fully functional for a has been renovated to high boutique hotel; however, it can be eas- standards.L ily transformed into: • Exclusive design of both interior - A representative offi ce and exterior - A representative offi ce plus hotel • 26 rooms, fully equipped with high rooms (for short term consultants) standard furniture and equipment - Any other use (such as a co-living • Common spaces (two terraces, one and co-working space for expats) large area for lunches, one conference Total area: 1500 m2 room) Suggested rent: 9000 USD (excl VAT) • Fully equipped restaurant with EU - Substantially lower than market price standard equipment Suggested sales price: USD 2.5 mil- • EU quality ventilation and air condi- lion (plus VAT), including all equip- tioning (each room has a source of fresh ment and furniture air) Please contact: • High standard electricity and fi re E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY JULY 10 - 16, 2020 BUSINESS 7 History of Georgia’s Economy. Part II continued to function during this period. by economic problems. BY APOLON TABUASHVILI, In the14th-15th centuries, Georgian cities The situation worsened in Samtskhe- EMIL AVDALIANI Tskhumi, Poti and Batumi developed to Javakheti, which was occupied by the some extent as a result of maritime trade Ottoman Empire. Although economic with Genoa. Against the background of ties between above mentioned regions s shown in the fi rst part of the deteriorating economic situation, and Kartli were not completely severed, this series, agriculture the eastern part of the country remained the Ottoman customs system hampered played a leading role in the somewhat stable. As a result, in the late this relationship. Over time, the dete- economies of countries in 15th century, Gremi, Zagemi and Kara- riorating economic situation in the the Middle Ages. Neverthe- ghaji emerged in Kakheti. Like Kakheti, Akhaltsikhe vilayet became quite notice- Aless, the share of cities was relatively the economic situation in Samtskhe- able. small, and overcoming feudal backward- Javakheti was somewhat normal. It is As the same time, the kingdoms of ness eventually depended on the devel- true that during the 13th-15th centuries Kartli and Kakheti became economically opment of cities and urban life. There- the cities of south-western Georgia were dependent on Iran, as a result of which fore, even in the medieval era, the level also affected, but Akhaltsikhe, Akhal- trade and other relations were mainly of urban life is considered to be an indi- kalaki, Artanuji, Tmogvi and other cities with the cities of Iran. In the 17th century cator of the development and decline of continued to exist. and early 18th century, there were four a country. In the 15th century, the following cities main cities in Kartli: Tbilisi, Gori, Surami The history of the development and functioned in Georgia: Tbilisi, Gori, and Ali. The cities of Kakheti, which had decline of medieval Georgian cities is Ateni, Ali, Mdzovreti, Zhinvani, Gremi, advanced from the 15th century, were divided into several stages. In pre-feudal Zagemi, Karaghaji, Telavi, Akhaltsikhe, destroyed by the invasions of Shah Abbas and developed feudal epochs, urban life Akhalkalaki, Artanuji, Artaani, Tmogvi, I. In the 17th and early 18th centuries, A Medieval town. Source: fee.org in Georgia, despite some obstacles, was Kutaisi, Batumi, Poti, and Sokhumi. only Telavi was considered a small town generally marked by a steady growth. increased. During the united Georgian some cities of great economic signifi - Although the population in Georgian in Kakheti. The establishment of feudal relations in monarchy, the following Georgian cities cance were incorporated into the Geor- cities had declined by the 15th century, In eastern Georgia of the discussed era, Georgia did not lead to the decline of existed: Tbilisi, Rustavi, Gori, Ateni, gian Kingdom, and some of them were their role in economic activity was still thanks to the rich traditions, only agri- the cities of the ancient era. The old cit- Uplistsikhe, Zhinvani, Surami, Ali, Zovreti, indirectly controlled by Georgian kings, signifi cant. culture was sustainable, and some pro- ies – Mtskheta, Urbnisi, Ruisi, Kutaisi, Dmanisi, Artanuji, Akhalkalaki, Akhalt- including Barda-Dvin-Ani-Kars and the An even more diffi cult situation came gress was made in this area. However, Tsikhe-Goji and others, still remained sikhe, Baraleti, Tmogvi, Oltisi, Samsh- other caravan roads of regional impor- to be at the end of the 15th century and in the wake of foreign and domestic as trade and workshop centers. However, vilde, Khunani, Khornabuji, Telavi, tance. in the 16th-17th centuries related to the disturbances, as well as the increasing the share of agriculture in the economies Kutaisi, Vardtsikhe, Shorapani, Petra, As a result of economic development disintegration of the united Georgian number of invasions by Dagestani moun- of cities grew further because of the Batumi, Poti, Tskhumi, Bichvinta, and in the 12th and early 13th centuries, the state into kingdoms and the ongoing taineers, agriculture was also severely predominance of feudalism. Nicopsis. In the 12th and early the 13th revenues of the Georgian state increased geopolitical changes near the country's damaged, and the decline of urban life Urban life in Georgia developed espe- centuries, as a result of the country's signifi cantly. The total revenues of the borders. made the overall picture even worse. cially in the 9th-10th centuries when political strength, the cities of Armenia, Georgian monarchy, including the trib- Once the Ottoman Empire dominated The population was declining. The eco- Akhalkalaki, Akhaltsikhe, Tmogvi, Oltsi, Rani, and Shirvan, including Ani, Dvin, ute paid by the vassal states, did not fall the Black Sea, Georgia, as a link between nomic situation created as a result of the Telavi and other cities were formed. In and Kari (Kars), Shamkori, and Kabala, far short of the revenues of the world's Europe and Asia, lost its strategic impor- compromise agreement with Iran in the the same era, the city of Artanuji, founded became part of the Georgian kingdom. leading countries of the era, including tance. From the 16th century, the division 1730s may have allowed for the physical during the Vakhtang Gorgasali (5th c.) Thus, urban life in feudal Georgia reached Byzantium, England, and France. of Georgia by Iranians and the Ottomans existence of the people of Kartli and period, attained its prominence through its peak in the 12th and early 13th centu- Jalal al-Din's 1225 invasion, then the into eastern and western parts not only Kakheti, but the country, which was its location on an important trade route. ries. As a result, craftsmanship and trade Mongols' domination over Georgia, hampered foreign trade, but also dis- almost completely cut off from European Tbilisi was especially advanced from developed. Many fi elds of craftsmanship caused a decline in the number of Geor- rupted the domestic market. Two parts technological development, could not the 5th century, and was steadily devel- were developed in the Georgian cities of gian cities, and the economy in general. of the country, eastern and western progress. As a result, the economic and oping until the middle of the 13th century. the mentioned epoch. The cities were Georgia's economy fell into an even more Georgia, were torn apart. As a result, social situation in eastern Georgia lagged Along with the growth and development involved not only in domestic trade but diffi cult position during the invasions of urban life in western Georgia declined far behind what it was in European coun- of Tbilisi, the rise of other cities in Geor- were also connected through caravan Timur-Lang at the turn of the 14th-15th sharply in the 17th-18th centuries. Under tries. Against the background of the dif- gia was observed in the 11th-13th centu- routes to Byzantium, Iran, Russia, and centuries. Despite these disruptive fac- the conditions of Ottoman economic fi cult economic situation, the state rev- ries. As a result, the share of urban other nearby or distant lands. tors, with some cities being completely isolation, the slave trade in western enues of the Georgian kingdoms also residents in the country's population In the 12th and the early 13th centuries, destroyed and others degraded, most Georgia reached an alarming level, caused decreased signifi cantly. GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS JULY 10 - 16, 2020 Premiere Belgian Beers in Georgia

of Chimay beer: red, with a sweet, fruity aroma; white, Chimay Triple, a light- orange dry, hop beer; blue, dark and strong with the aromas of spices, choc- olate and caramel; and gold, the monks’ favorite, similar to the taste of the red, but less strong and paler. Rochefort offers three varieties: Roche- fort 6 – the lightest of the three types this is the oldest Rocherfort beer and has a reddish color. It is slightly fl avored with fruit; Rochefort 8 carries a yellow- ish-brown colour, with more fruits and a touch of Demi-sec; Rochefort 10 – considered by some one of the great beers of the world, has a reddish-brown color and is a barley wine with a rich taste, fl avored sweetly. “We have two Westmalle beers: West- malle Dubbel – a reddish-brown color with aromas of banana, chocolate and herbs, hints of aloe and dark fruits, leav- ing a dry and long aftertaste; and West- malle Tripple – golden-yellow color with fl avors of ripe banana, hop fl owers, light fruits and some spice. “We offer three Delirium beers: Delir- ium Tremens – gold-colored, the taste of which is characterized by its round- niques of beer making, topped by the ness, spicy aroma and its leaving a ADVERTORIAL various unique aromas of the beer selec- strong, long-lasting and dry bitter after- tion, make Premiere Belgian Beers your taste; Delirium Red – with its deep red best company, especially now, during color, the perfect balance between sweet remiere Belgian Beers is the the hot summer evenings. and sour, often taken as a dessert beer; offi cial representative of Bel- Tinatin Didava spoke to GEORGIA Delirium Nocturnum – dark brown-red, sour, spicy and sweet tastes, usually Australian wine and Belgian beers and gian Beers in Georgia. The TODAY about the outstanding taste of this beer gives one sensation at the time, paired with fi sh and poultry; Lindemans it’s good to see the market becoming company unites well-known the different brands of Premiere Belgian bitterness, sourness, and sweetness Peche – a fresh fruit beer, golden in ever-more international and the quality brands like Chimay, Roche- Beers. thanks to the hops, and the roasted and color, enriched with peach juice, and of the production only getting higher. Pfort, Westmalle, Delirium, and Linde- “The company offers three Trappist chocolate malts. going well with salads, desserts, and It’s also assuring that companies like mans. Although the company is new on beers: Chimay, Rochefort, and West- “Our selection has three Lindemans cheese.” Premier Belgian Beers are starting up the market, it is already popular among malle. The Trappist beers are brewed beers: Lindemans Kriek – a slightly Premiere Belgium Beer also sells and developing due to the high demand: the Georgian beer-lovers as it has estab- by Trappist monks (a Catholic religious cloudy red beer with the taste of fresh French champagne ‘Armand de Brignac’ PBB’s production is available in Agro- lished itself as the supplier of the high- order of cloistered monastics that cherries, pairing very well with bread and Australian wine ‘Yellow Tale.’ Geor- hub and Gastronome in Tbilisi and now est-quality beer in the country. The branched off from the Cistercians). and cheese; Lindemans Gueuze – a light- gia has not been overly spoiled with a they are opening their own shop in history of the drink, the refi ned tech- There are four different colored labels colored beer that travels between the large selection of French champagne, Bagebi, ay 7 Tskneti Highway. Engineer Dashti Shukri, Executive Manager for Rekan Group Georgia LTD the Georgian Embassy in Amman, and ADVERTORIAL the Kurdistan government, open Iraqi airspace to help Georgian citizens stranded in Kurdistan to return home. n 2015, Rekan Group for Invest- Mr Shukri built his experiences after ment and Development (an Iraqi graduating from a civil engineering col- nationality company from Kurd- lege in Baghdad, Iraq. Until 2003, he istan), started its fi rst overseas worked in many fi elds, as a supervising project in Batumi city. The Group engineer, IT specialist, admiration and Icreate a new company in Georgia under trading. After 2003, he started to work the name of Rekan Group-Georgia LTD with the Coalition Provisional Authority in 2014, after which it began studying (CPA) as Project Manager and Advisor Georgian investment laws and checking to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affair the investment environment with plans in Iraq. He was responsible for facilities to start investing in Georgia. The result analysis, developing tenders, drafting led the company to choose Batumi city agreements, and rehabilitation of more for its fi rst project. In December 2014, than 50 vocational training centers for the company signed an investment agree- the Ministry. He managed teams of Iraqi ment with the Ministry of Economy in engineers tasked with the rehabilitation Adjara to invest $50 million in a multi- of facilities and also participated in pro- complex project in Batumi city named curement committees with other tech- Batumi View. The project will include nical staff to implement transparent and four buildings with a hotel, 60 commer- accountable procurement procedures cial shops and more than 870 residential and to develop a signifi cant Information apartments. Technology program with IOM supervi- In 2004, he became the Transparency Chapters and contacts). Moreover, in for group projects inside and outside Iraq. In 2015, Mr. Shukri moved from Iraq to sion. Toward the end of his tenure, he International (TI) liaison in Iraq, where 2005 he participated in writing the draft He was responsible for building and cre- Georgia and was designated the Execu- worked as technical advisor to the Min- he was responsible for sending several Platform for Action that was submitted ating all needed documents, like feasibil- tive Manager for Rekan Group. He got ister for all technical and some admin- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to in the Forum of Future for G8-BMENA ity studies, designing projects documents his resident permit and began commu- istrative work. participate in international activities and Civil Society Dialogue, which was held with expert engineers to get investment nicating with offi cial government bodies After that, he moved to work with a to support Iraqi CSOs to build a good in Bahrain for G8-BMENA. licenses. He was responsible for control- to present the project design and get USAID-funded project program as the relationship with TI and to get training After 2006, Mr Shukri started working ling the goods and negotiations with local approval and a license. Building a good National Anti-Corruption Program Coor- from them. He joined many TI work- with Rekan Group for Investment and and international suppliers to ensure good relationship with the government was dinator in Iraq for ICSP, designed to shops in Kuwait, Amman, Lebanon and Development. Rekan Group is a group of results. 200 local employees and 20 spe- one of his major responsibilities, ensur- strengthen the capacity and effectiveness Berlin. He represented ICSP and CSOs companies based in Kurdistan, special- cialist foreigner employees from four ing the company and Batumi View work of Iraqi civil society organizations (CSOs). in a TI Conference about Corruption in ized in investing in many fi elds of projects, different countries were managed by him. within Georgian regulations. His responsibilities included coordinat- Economic Perspective. In November among them real-state, housing, com- In 2015, he began his new position in In 2020, during the COVID-19 crisis, ing the work of about 25 local staff in 2005, he represented Iraq alongside 90 mercial centers (malls), and many others. Rekan Group Georgia as Executive Man- with air borders closed, Mr Shukri suc- four regional offi ces. He managed, trained, countries at the Transparency Interna- The capital of these projects reached ager and quickly realized that Georgia is cessfully represented his company to, and provided technical assistance and tional Annual Membership Meeting in $400 Million. He started as general man- one of the best countries a person can with the support of Adjara government, programmatic guidance to these staff. Berlin (for TI Annual meeting for TI- ager and business developing manager invest in. GEORGIA TODAY JULY 10 - 16, 2020 BUSINESS 9 Tbilisi Hills Golf & Residences: Meticulously Designed to Serve Every Imaginable Need

here and how we live ing to implement European quality and impacts all other vision when it comes to the way of life. functions of daily The residential area is located only 15 life. Tbilisi Hills Golf minutes from the city center but is nev- & Residences has ertheless very tranquil and eco-friendly, beenW designed not only to provide high- offering a new way of life for Georgians. quality accommodation, but also to create a shared living space where the ARE THERE ANY OTHER meticulously designed atmosphere is UNIQUE FEATURES OR there to serve every imaginable need. VALUES THAT DISTINGUISH From the day of its opening, Tbilisi Hills TBILISI HILLS FROM has been setting the bar very high with SIMILAR RESIDENCES? its prestigious project, on that is We’re building a small town near Tbi- unmatched in the residential real estate lisi. The complex is spread across 331 market in Georgia. hectares and boasts not merely a resi- To learn more about this standout dential area but other vital spaces, among project, GEORGIA TODAY spoke with them a fi ve-star hotel, a spa, lounges, Anastasia Udalova, CEO of Tbilisi Hills. restaurants, club house, school, kinder- garten, Infi nity swimming pool (the fi rst WHERE DID THE IDEA in Georgia), a bakery, supermarket, TO CREATE TBILISI HILLS football fi eld, tennis court and running COME FROM? tracks. All infrastructure is adapted for Our shareholder Oleg Ossinovski has the safety of children. From an archi- been investing in Georgia for more than tectural point of view, we have certain ten years now. He adores the country. references that each of our clients need For the last six years, he has been the to follow: we intend to have a common largest investor from Europe to Georgia. architectural style to all our buildings, When he came to Tbilisi and saw the so that we don’t have problems with Shavnabada Monastery, he instantly fell the visual part of our project. We still in love with the view of the city from allow our clients to build their dream the hill. As part of his numerous con- house, albeit with certain restrictions tributions to Georgia, he decided to that aim to safeguard the integrity of build this beautiful project here. the overall architectural design.

TBILISI HILLS IS A VERITABLE THE CONCEPT BEHIND TBILISI HAVEN FOR GOLF-LOVERS. HILLS IS LARGELY BASED TELL US MORE ABOUT IT. ON ECO-FRIENDLINESS. Tbilisi Hills is the fi rst golf residential TELL US MORE ABOUT IT. area in Georgia. It offers a world class With rising environmental issues, a 18-hole golf course, and is the fi rst pro- green environment and fresh air is fessional golf course in the country, becoming everyone’s priority. This is developed by renowned Tilander Golf something Tbilisi Hills can guarantee. Design (Finland) and stretching over Infrastructural buildings take up only 110 hectares. All golfers know that every 40% of the territories of the complex. fi eld is unique, and Tbilisi Hills offers The remaining 60% is a natural, green mesmerizing landscapes, well-suited space. In the process of construction, for the professional game. we’re using eco-friendly materials only, most from Europe. We always uphold COMPARED TO SIMILAR the highest European standards and PROJECTS, WHAT SPECIAL quality control. We intend to use energy- CONVENIENCES DOES saving materials like solar panels, dif- TBILISI HILLS OFFER? ferent kinds of water heating systems We offer our clients an opportunity to which will take heating from the land become members of a new, secured com- so that we’ll be able to use less electric- munity. We have the set of recommen- ity. Tbilisi Hills also is an eco-sustain- dations for the buildings, as we are try- able architectural project.

Beeline’s New SMS Portal Enables Companies to Manage & Plan Mass SMS Campaigns eeline, a member of the inter- gia (they might also choose several regions national group Veon, is offer- simultaneously) any neighborhood of ing a brand new, unique Tbilisi (they can also go for several neigh- opportunity to companies: a borhoods at the same time); fi ltering based newly created SMS portal on the type of smartphone across the whichB processes Big Data, enabling users Beeline base; and the number of texts to to identify their focus group and send send out. For privacy protection purposes, SMS with relevant information. The a company cannot identify the users, and portal was created by the Beeline team the processed Big Data is completely to fi rst process the information, and then depersonalized. to use it to reach campaign goals. The portal also gives companies the The newly-created portal allows a com- option to pause their ongoing campaign, pany to send out group text messages and, if necessary, to make changes before under the brand name of its choice to the continuing with the campaign. The por- number of consumers and locations of tal generates an invoice according to the its choice; check the status of the sent fi ltration and the quantity of SMS’. Sev- SMS, plan campaigns, and view the results eral employees of a company can use of campaigns that have already run. While the system at the same time, and can planning a campaign, a company has the even send out the campaign texts under option to use several fi lters at once: com- the names of different brands simulta- pany’s customer base, any region of Geor- neously. GEORGIA TODAY 10 BUSINESS JULY 10 - 16, 2020 THE ISET ECONOMIST A BLOG ABOUT ECONOMICS AND THE SOUTH CAUCAUS www.iset-pi.ge/blog

The ISET Policy Institute (ISET-PI, www.iset-pi.ge) is an independent think-tank associated with the International School of Economics at TSU (ISET). Our blog carries economic analysis of current events and policies in Georgia and the South Caucasus region ranging from agriculture, to economic growth, energy, labor markets and the nexus of economics, culture and religion. Thought-provoking and fun to read, our blog posts are written by international faculty teaching at ISET and recent graduates representing the new generation of Georgian, Azerbaijani and Armenian economists. Mortgage Subsidy: Encouraging Borrowing in the Midst of a Crisis

BY TAMTA MARIDASHVILI OF ISET-PI

n 28 May, Georgia an nounced its fourth anti- crisis plan, in which the government will subsidize 4% of the interest rate of mortgageO loans for fi ve years. The sub- sidy will be issued for loans not exceed- ing 200,000 GEL and will only apply to those taking mortgages for the purchase of residential apartments that are newly built or under construction, from 1 June 2020 to 1 January 2021. The state will also ensure the completion of ongoing construction. Moreover, the state will issue loan guarantees on mortgages to the amount of 20 per cent of their total. The guar- antee will last for fi ve years, starting from date of issuance, and will apply to loans where the participation is at least 10 per cent. The state will also buy three times more apartments than originally planned for IDP families. Within the plan, the government aims to encourage demand and, consequently, support the construction and develop- ment sector. However, the fi rst compo- nent of this plan, the mortgage interest rate subsidy, has turned out to be a con- troversial matter, fueling debates among experts. This article aims to further dis- cuss aspects of this controversy. Firstly, we can question whether the subsidy will have any effect on demand. In normal times, it would, but during the COVID-19 pandemic it is doubtful, because it has triggered a massive spike in uncertainty.1 ISET conducts a Con- sumer Confi dence2 survey every month,3 and therefore, prices will be sustained supply shrinks amid decreasing prices, may also go underwater, potentially advantaged by this intervention. We must with one question asking: “is now the or even decrease to a lesser extent. which in turn is related to the size of the resulting in defaults and foreclosures. therefore hope that before designing this right time for people to make major pur- housing bubble in Tbilisi. Although this scenario appears less likely, program, such an analysis was carried chases in Georgia?” In May, only 0.8% WINNERS AND LOSERS The housing bubble is a situation in if there are signs of its occurrence, it out. It is also questionable whether of respondents thought it the right time While it is clear that this new initiative, which excessive expectation of future could be sensible to enact the subsidy encouraging people to take the risk of a to do so, while in January and February funded by taxpayers, benefi ts construc- price leads to ever-increasing demand5 program only at that stage. major purchase during the crisis com- it amounted to over 10%. Moreover, such tion companies, it is yet to be seen how in the face of limited supply as the latter In conclusion, it is dubious, in the fi rst plies with the responsible crediting uncertainty is likely even higher for it will affect future homebuyers. And, takes a relatively extended period to place, whether the subsidy program will principle, which has been embraced by apartments under construction, as peo- if the later lose out, its effects might replenish and increase.6 Prices rise, encourage demand due to the high lev- the National Bank of Georgia in recent ple recall negative past experiences of remain invisible, even to them, to home- expectations are reinforced and a vicious els of uncertainty surrounding the pan- years. What happens if the crisis is fur- extremely prolonged residential con- buyers. circle is established until some kind of demic. But if it works, without a proper ther exacerbated, will not the homebuy- struction projects, as well as pyramid Milton Friedman in one of his most shock occurs. As the cost of construc- cost-benefi t analysis, it is hard to assess ers have to bear the risk and burdens of schemes. famous interviews said: “… there are two tion does not increase as much, profi ts whether future homebuyers will be dis- repayment? Thus, price elasticity of demand, i.e. a sets of effects of actions, the immediately widen for the construction companies. measure of the responsiveness of con- visible effects and widespread invisible If there is a bubble in the Georgian 1 The world uncertainty index reached its historical maximum since 1970. sumers to a change in a major purchase effects. Let me give you a very simple housing market,7 where the profi t mar- 2 Consumer confi dence is the degree of optimism that consumers feel about the overall state cost (in this case, interest costs), might example: we have a quota on the amount gins are high, there is room for prices to of the economy and their fi nancial situation. How confi dent people feel about the stability be far lower amid the COVID-19 pan- of sugar than can be imported from decline, while most construction com- of their incomes determines their spending. demic than ordinarily and this brings various countries. The visible effect of panies (those who are cost-effi cient and 3 We randomly sample 300-350 individuals every month and question them about the into question the effectiveness of the that is that there are beet sugar growers effective) remain on the market. The past, current and future fi nancial situation of their families and the country as a whole. subsidy program. Research shows that who benefi t greatly from it. The invisible assumption here is that when prices go 4 Reed, S. and Crawford, M. (2014). How does consumer spending change during boom, during recessions consumers tend to effect is that every consumer in the down, demand increases. However, if recession, and recovery? hold off major purchases, and this is United States pays twice as much as a the pandemic, ensued uncertainty, and 5 When there is a housing bubble, homebuyers think that a home that they would normally particularly notable in the housing mar- world price for the sugar. Now you are economic hardships persist, this assump- consider too expensive for them is now an acceptable purchase because they will be com- ket.4 a consumer. How much attention do you tion might not hold, and enduring pes- pensated by signifi cant further price increases. Moreover, buying a home seems to be a Now, let us assume that Georgian peo- pay to the fact that you pay twice as simistic expectations might place down- good investment opportunity associated with low risks. First-time homebuyers may also worry ple are not so risk-averse. Then this much for sugar as you ought to? Is the ward pressure on prices: the more during a housing bubble that if they do not buy now, they will not be able to afford a home program will have a positive impact on fact that you pay twice as much for sugar buying power homebuyers think they later. demand via two channels: fi rstly, lower as you ought to, going to lead you to go will gain by waiting for apartments to 6 Case, K.E. and Shiller, R.J., 2003. Is there a bubble in the housing market?. Brookings costs will encourage purchasing; sec- down to Washington to testify against get cheaper, the more they put off buy- papers on economic activity, 2003(2), pp.299-362. ondly, the program might twist home- the sugar quota? But are the beet sugar ing. Ever-decreasing prices, in turn, might 7 One of the indicators for a housing bubble is the affordability index. In 2016, the Tbilisi buyers’ expectations. If previously home- farmers going to go down to Washington lead to more and more construction index accounted for 39.5, which indicates that the average Georgian household income buyers would have been put off from to testify in favor of the sugar quota?” companies defaulting and leaving the from employment is only 39.5 per cent of what a household needs to receive to take out a buying, supposing that prices would Considering whether dispersed eco- market, causing a considerable supply mortgage on a typical Tbilisi apartment (see this ISET blog). Other methods to determine continue to fall, they might now start to nomic agents – future homebuyers – shrink. Hence, the low prices people whether a housing bubble exists include comparing the price of a house to its construction reconsider, encouraging them to buy would benefi t if the government does were counting on may simply vanish. cost, comparing house prices to rents, examining the relationship between house prices and today. As a result, demand will increase, not intervene, all depends on the extent While those with existing mortgages economic fundamentals, such as income, population, and employment (see this paper). GEORGIA TODAY JULY 10 - 16, 2020 SOCIETY 11 Tourism Sector Challenges Worldwide & Opportunities to Overcome Crisis Caused by Global Pandemic

usiness and Technology Uni- specifi c characteristics, including the versity and Hospitality Man- most heavily affected countries, such as agement Institute, with the Brazil, China, the US, France, Italy, the support of the United Nations UK, etc. and offers relevant recommen- World Tourism Organization dations for effective recovery in the andB the National Tourism Administra- post-COVID period. tion, publishes a large-scale research The research also includes In-depth and recommendations with the involve- interviews with experts regarding the ment of local and international experts. current main challenges in economies The study discusses the challenges of and businesses worldwide and relevant the tourism sector worldwide and the solutions. possibilities of overcoming the crisis It is noteworthy that a part of inter- caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and viewed experts stressed Georgia’s suc- provides relevant recommendations cess in the fi ght against the Coronavirus. based on the analysis of the member “The unpredicted nature of the out- states of the UN World Tourism Organ- break shakes hospitality sector, turning ization. the hotel management into a challenge. The steps to be taken to rehabilitate Avery day is a new battle, but the tour- the global tourism industry in the post- ism industry has to remain active. Each pandemic period, in a roundtable format, tourist or visitor’s trust to the country with the participation of international should be restored; due to the fact that organizations, the National Tourism total of new cases of COVID 19 and Agency and experts were discussed on fatalities remain fl at and because of the July 9. effective implementation of healthcare measures by the government, Georgia THE WORLD ECONOMIC has achieved its leading position in its FORUM REPORT REVIEW fi ght against the pandemic,” said Elene Presented by the World Economic Forum Sharikadze, the General Manager of on March 17, 2020, the report refl ects the Hotel Radius and the Director of Oper- challenges in the tourism sector caused ations at Hotels MC Ltd, with more than by COVID19 pandemic. 20 years of work experience in hotel Based on the World Travel and Tour- sector. ism Council, the COVID-19 is putting up Alvaro Hidalgo, a member of the advi- to 50 million jobs worldwide in the global sory board of HITEC Europe for HFTP, travel and tourism industry at risk. the largest US association of Hospitality Asian countries are expected to be the IT & Finance professionals, also con- worst affected. gratulated Georgia on its successful Once the epidemic outbreak is over, efforts and becoming a safe destination. the industry will need up to 10 months “I would like to congratulate Georgia. to recover. You have become a safe destination; it The tourism industry currently accounts is not easy to achieve. The main task for 10% of global GDP now is to resume operations and main- In cooperation with Thomson Router, tain security. In my view, a strong train- the World Economic Forum offers the ing system should be established and following solutions to respond to the travel service companies, bars, hotels challenge. and restaurants need to be certifi ed that The impact of the pandemic on the they provide COVID-free environment. tourism sector depends on its duration, “As for domestic tourism, citizens will and since it is expected to exacerbate in be able to travel and spend money if the the future, the recent restrictive meas- safe environment is provided. And once ures taken by, for instance, the US admin- the safe environment is created, inter- istration regarding travel to Europe seem national tourism will also revive. The to be too generic and less sensible. COVID-19 has triggered an economic ‘Certain measures are not helping and crisis making tourist services more they can prompt the economic impact expensive. to be way more signifi cant,’ (Thomson “Once the economic crisis defuses, a Reuters) large fl ow of tourists will start travelling It is argued that implementing such and the industry has to be ready for this. generic policy, the effectiveness of which Interesting research will be possible is yet to be proven in containing the during this process; however, this might virus, cannot be justifi ed. Imposition of take a long time as we cannot foresee such restrictions could only complicate the crisis end period. willing to cover the costs themselves. signifi cance of this issue, all countries, implemented for the airport personnel the matters for medical experts travel “As it seems, people have started plan- “Regarding domestic tourism, I feel without any exception, should make their in compliance with the existing interna- and medical supplies delivery. ning their travel, which is very important skeptical about it as I believe it will not share of contribution to its solution. Tax tional standards. Around 850, 000 people travel each and pleasant, but whether they will be boost economy. In other words, this will regulations should be adopted and 3. Host countries need to prepare their year to the United States from Europe, able to implement their plans is yet lead to much greater evil than COVID19 imposed so that the industry can get fuel tourist zones, establish common regula- which amounts to a $3.4 billion contri- unknown,” he said. in terms of economic collapse; and small or parking benefi ts and be exempted tions and provide strict certifi cation in bution to the US economy (Thompson At the same time, the expert Fernando countries, like Georgia, will not be able from standard taxes and income tax amid accordance with the international stand- Reuters). Cortinas, a Global Executive with more to recover the country’s economy with the pandemic. ards. Certifi cation costs should be cov- The estimated 50 million jobs are than 25 years’ experience in top compa- domestic tourism alone,” he noted. Strict regulations should be introduced ered by the state to prevent affected expected to be lost in the following nies and an Associate Professor at EI regarding the transportation of passen- tourism sector representatives incur countries: Business School, noted that small coun- CONCLUSION AND gers by airlines and the passenger seat- additional costs. Asia – 30 million tries, like Georgia, will not be able to RECOMMENDATIONS ing rules - accurately defi ned for every 4. Small and medium-sized companies Europe _ 7 million recover the country’s economy with “As a result of the reviewed materials fl ight, Aircraft cleaning standards need and self-employed individuals should The USA - 5 million domestic tourism alone. and the conducted interviews, we can to be regulated to ensure the level of be entitled to special tax benefi ts from Other continents – 8 million “The most important is opening bor- pinpoint several central issues that need cleanliness on-board. Airlines need to the tourism industry during the pan- Based on the WTTC, a three-month ders to allow people to travel. I suggest to be addressed in order to stimulate the serve hygiene kits (including masks, demic. Moreover, funds need to be sub- loss of global travel in 2020 corresponds introducing quick immune sustainability battered tourism industry revival during disinfectants, antiseptic tissues, etc.) sidized to ready companies to comply to a 12-14% reduction in jobs. The World tests the results of which will be refl ected the economic fallout from COVID-19 during the fl ights. with international standards so that they Travel and Tourism Council is also call- in the travelers’ passports. Consequently, pandemic,” the authors of the research Airlines should expect the demand can survive. ing on authorities to either abolish or we will have 5-6 hour delay precedents, conclude. decline resulting in reduced passenger 5. Technological platforms need to be simplify visa regulations wherever pos- which is much better than 15 day long The main issues to be addressed and number on every fl ight and try to main- developed to provide easy access to sible, to lower travel taxes and introduce quarantine. This will be benefi cial both experts’ recommendations are as fol- tain pre-pandemic ticket prices to make remote services for tourists (booking, different incentives once the epidemic for international business and travelers. lows: it more affordable for tourists to purchase commuting, meals, etc.) is brought under control. “Airlines should be granted the pos- 1. On the report of consolidated anti- plane tickets to their destinations. Air- 6. Strict regulatory measures should The WTCC also calls on fl exibility in sibility to check passengers’ health con- crises action plans and surveys carried ports need to adopt new security routine, be established for small and large hotels the tourism sector that will allow trave- dition before permitting them to fl y. out worldwide, and based on the respond- such as measuring the temperature of in relation to the number of guests lers to postpone their planned visits Implementation of quick tests is espe- ent experts' claims, the most sensitive passengers and giving viral antibody received, sanitary norms and personnel rather than to cancel them. cially benefi cial for the countries with link the recovery of which heavily con- tests based on which a COVID-19-free health safety. By sector, airlines and cruise chips have busy tourist traffi c. Unfortunately, airline tributes to the tourism sector is air trans- health certifi cate can be issued. The lat- 7. The provided list will allow countries a greater impact on the industry than companies can measure passengers’ port, namely airlines, airports, air-cash ter will allow foreign travelers bypass to overcome the 'trust' and 'communica- hotels; hence, they need more immedi- temperature, but they cannot identify registers and other minor segments that the 15-day quarantine; however, the cost tion' issues, which, currently, represent ate support. the asymptomatic viral infection. We have got severely affected. Virtually, of the pre-travel test needs to be covered the major challenge for the tourism Meanwhile, the offi cial WTTC advo- have many examples of people who every country, that has already rolled by commuters themselves. In the matter industry. cates confi ning certain cities to contain endured COVID 19 without a rise in out anti-crises relief measures, has set of cargo aircrafts, new regulatory meas- 8. With regard to the domestic tourism, the outbreak– as it is happening in Italy temperature. It is in the interest of host aside considerable fi nancial resources ures and standards should be introduced, experts unambiguously agree that it is and Spain – should health offi cials rec- countries to compile testing protocol to provide subsidies to air traffi c resto- including cleaning and disinfection pro- not justifi ed for states to allocate funds ommend to do so, but only in specifi cally that will include the data on temperature ration, which, on its part, stimulates cedures using chemical disinfectants. for its promotion. Amid the economic targeted areas or for certain age groups. and infection tests. This should not speedy recovery of other sectors, such The Sanitation Services should monitor turmoil, domestic tourism does not rep- The research reviews different coun- impose any burden on countries or air- as international business, medical tour- the process. resent a priority with respect to sustain- tries’ anti-Crises plans based on their line companies as most travelers will be ism, and education. Due to the global 2. Health safety regulations need to be ability and growth potential. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY JULY 10 - 16, 2020 The Hidden Shame of Gori, And No, It’s Not Stalin signs to add meaning to the poignant OP-ED BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES, sight. The Museum of War and the Entho WITH ANA DUMBADZE Museum had also been closed for reno- vation prior to the borders reopening to foreign tourists. The nicest part of my ast weekend, I took time to walk was the renovated ‘Old Gori’, with explore Gori. Just an hour by its buildings of red-brick and carved shared taxi outside Tbilisi, wooden balconies, reminiscent of the this ancient city is close works done to restore Old Tbilisi, enough to home that I’ve been Sighnaghi and Mestia, housing souvenir puttingL it off for years, passing through shops, salons and sporting goods stores. on the way to the west and each time Then my feet closed the circle on my thinking, “Oh, I must go and see what’s day of exploring by taking me to one of there.” No more! Donning a face-mask Gori’s two parks, Akhalibagi (New Gar- and braving the heat, I set out from my den). Roses, trees and a fountain were comfortable guest house near the Akhal- a welcome sight after the hot concrete ibagi garden to explore, apparently the of the city streets, though another Stalin only tourist on the streets that day. statue, nestled in a copse of bushes there, The fi rst stop: of course, the renowned was a surprise. On warm summer eve- Stalin Museum. I taught the late Nika nings, this and the fortress are THE place Rurua, Minister of Culture under ex- to be with friends and family. So what I President Misha Saakashvili. I remember saw next was a huge disappointment to “Fox”, though he must be hiding in the animals from the wild and holding them completed. in one of our classes we were talking my otherwise “it’s got brilliant potential dark and dismal concrete house in the in captivity. Specifi cally, Article 85, Par- “An irrigation system is being arranged about the latest law banning the display and makes a nice day-trip” opinion of back corner, as there’s no sign of him. His agraphs 3 and 4.” [The bear I saw there in the recreational park and once fi n- of fascist symbols and the iconizing of the city until that point. Because the neighbor, in a cage the same size, is a was brought in from the Georgian moun- ished, the territory in front of the new people such as Stalin. It led to a lot of shame of Gori referred to in the above jackel, who, like the bear, is also circling tains after a feast was allegedly made of cage will have a trail around it, after Stalin statues being removed. But not in headline is its “zoo”. his cage, despairing of an escape. There his predecessor]. which, with the help of specialists, we Gori, it seems, as I saw two standing in A semi-circle of barred low concrete is nowhere for him to climb or hide except If the Gori Mini-Zoo were to close, the will move the bear to the new enclosure. public spaces while there. Another thing buildings, open and free to access, greets his triangular concrete shelter in the cor- bear would likely go to the Bear Shelter, “We believe that the existence of the we talked about in that class was the visitors. The largest inhabitant of this ner. Beside him is a slightly larger, but and the other animals to Tbilisi Zoo. Mini-Zoo in Gori is important not only planned upgrade to the museum named depressing space is a native brown bear. equally sparse cage, labelled “Pigeons.” With that in mind, we contacted Zurab for the local population, but also for the after the 20th century dictator, with the Indeed, that’s all we know about him or This one made me think ironically of Gurielidze, the Director of Tbilisi Zoo, citizens of nearby municipalities- Kareli, aims of turning it from a hero-worship- her- as the sign shows just the words humanity: inside were two pigeons, there who says he is aware of the small enclo- Kaspi, Khashuri. This is confi rmed by ping look at how he came to power, to ‘Brown Bear,’ in Georgian and English, by choice though there was an opening sures the animals are kept in in Gori. the large number of visitors who come a balanced view that shines light on the no further description. What I can eas- to allow them to come and go into the “As I saw during my visit 3-4 years ago, to the Mini-Zoo every day.” atrocities he committed. It seems the ily see, though, is the poor bear’s distress city. The birds next door were not free the main problem was the size of the My visceral reaction to the Gori ani- locals were against it, as what I saw as it paces in tight circles around its 8 to come and go: a Japanese chicken, cages, especially that of the bear, though mals’ plight led me to post photos and showed only his life: from school and sq m cage, sliding on the smelly wet rooster, and a beautifully colored pheas- the living conditions of the animals in videos on facebook. It soon caught the tutorship under Lenin, to his rise to fame, cement that makes its home. Every time ant strutting their stuff around a closed terms of food and sanitary norms weren’t attention of international animal rights fortune and devastating power. Stalin’s it gets to the narrow end of its cage, cage equal in size to that of the pigeons. bad. At the time, the administration was supporters, among them Laura Marie death mask, on a plinth surrounded by where a shallow, dirty pool of water sits, What I saw in Gori struck me as a dis- planning to build larger cages for the Vølpert Momme of DIGU, a Danish ani- red carpet and pompous white marble it shakes its head, then begins to circle graceful and totally pointless example zoo residents,” he told GEORGIA TODAY. mal welfare organization, who shared columns, was the eeriest exhibit there, again, pausing only once to look at me of cruelty to animals. It cannot be claimed When informed that this had not been the post, noting: “It is a tragic and deeply as was a white dove embroidered in Italy with doleful eyes. The next two cages they are there for educational purposes: done, he insisted the responsibility was disturbing sight that after years of strug- as a gift for the dictator, claiming him a are empty; the one after is unfurnished I already mentioned the lack of inform- on Gori to maintain its zoo, but that the gle, [Gori Zoo] has still not been closed! “Champion of Peace”. An enlightening save for a tree branch leading from the ative signs, and no personnel were pre- animals “should certainly be provided DIGU has contacted various organiza- glimpse into a different world, with no concrete fl oor to an upper platform. sent to talk to. Nor can it be claimed they with better living conditions.” tions around Europe hoping for assis- mention of the purgings and genocides. Hunched in the corner near my feet is are there for entertainment: what fun “Tbilisi Zoo is ready to provide Gori tance. Let's get these animals out and Indeed, most older locals will wax lyri- a big bundle of feathers: a vulture, I can a person get from watching animals with all the necessary consultations and put pressure on [the authorities] by cal about Stalin and his times. For a look ascertain from the printed sign, though pace in circles in a habitat so different to share experience in this process. Clo- spreading the word!” at the darker side of Soviet rule, head to it is the tiredest looking bird-of-prey I’ve in size and character from what they sure of the Gori zoo and transfer of the Indeed, that is my hope. That by once the Soviet Occupation Museum on ever seen. I wonder if it ever tries to should have been living in? animals to other places is no solution,” again shining a spotlight on this zoo, a Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. stretch its wings. Investigation on my return to Tbilisi Gurielidze claimed. “It would be diffi cult shameful corner of an otherwise his- The next stage of my walk took me up A noise distracts me from the sad sight: revealed that the Georgian animal rights for the animals to adapt to new condi- torical and important city, it will spur to Gori Fortress, dated to the 13th cen- a family of six African goats trots out of supporters, among them the Georgian tions and ‘socialize’ with the old residents the authorities to act in the animals’ tury and offering a great 360-degree view their room into a fenced area of maybe Society for the Protection and Safety of of Tbilisi Zoo. Provision of an appropri- favor, because, if anything, this corona- and huge potential but, like most of Gori, 10-15 sq m, to munch on the hay scattered Animals (GSPSA), have been fi ghting ate environment for animals in zoos is virus period has taught me, and many with half-fi nished construction and no around their enclosure. They seem the for better conditions for these animals, not only a local but a global problem. of us, an even greater respect for nature historical signs to describe the signifi - happiest of the animals I’ve seen so far, ideally the closure of the Gori Mini-Zoo, However, improvement of their living and a better understanding of our place cance of the place (it survived a 9-month though they too are naturally deserving since 2012, when journalist Shalva Ram- conditions is possible, and it can be in the great scheme of things. It has also siege in the 16th century!). On the way, of much more space to thrive in; trees ishvili reported that the head of Gori achieved through the relevant efforts. In enforced my personal belief that we, the I’d also passed a few buildings still scarred and rocks to play among and rest in the City Hall and the director of the zoo had Gori’s case, larger cages should be set people of the 21st century, have no need by bullet holes from the renowned 2008 shade of. allegedly, two years’ prior, killed and up for animals on the spot.” or right to use animals for food, cloth- Russo-Georgian war. Again, no detailed Next is a 4 sq m cage whose sign reads eaten one of the three bears captive there. We then reached out to Gori City Hall ing, entertainment or other purposes. I spoke to Temur Lachkepiani of the for a comment, and received this from Let us protect wildlife by letting it thrive Georgian Federation for the Protection Bachana Gvianishvili, the Director of where it belongs: in the wild, with us of Animals (GFPA) who was amongst Public Amenities in Gori municipality: visiting it in mobile cages of our own if those, including Teimuraz Tsikoridze, “We do not accept the opinion that the we must. Our children can be taught to Chairman of the GSPSA, to petition the residents of the Gori Mini-Zoo are kept admire and respect animal kind from a Gori authorities and Ministry of Envi- in inappropriate conditions and in small distance. Seeing a bear pace a small, dirty ronment to shut the mini-zoo down back enclosures, except the bear. The cages cage can teach them nothing of the nature in 2016. GSPSA representatives went to are cleaned daily and we believe that the of our fellow earthlings, though it cer- Gori Mini-Zoo in 2016 following a noti- situation is satisfactory in this regard. tainly highlights the darker side of some fi cation from the PETA (People for the The only recommendation we received humans. Ethical Treatment of Animals) Investi- from Tbilisi Zoo Director Zurab Guri- gation Division asking them to look into elidze was to transfer the bear to a new, To donate to the GSPCA and help in their the situation, provide information, and larger cage, at which point a project was fi ght for Animal Rights in Georgia, click on appropriately respond in case of a viola- launched to build a new enclosure, and this link: http://gspsa.org.ge/en/donate/ tion of animal care rules. This the GSPSA a tender was announced. The construc- ?fbclid=IwAR2L3TtzSTvqxF5y2ksA_EzO4xk- representatives did, interviewing the tion of the new cage has already been KKSA4EVqDK3XBJqwkXwcu9OlOGchN3wo zoo director and staff. It was found that Gori zoo management was “doing its best to facilitate normal conditions for animals” and all animals were found to be “in good health, while hygienic stand- ards were being followed”. After many letters sent back and forth, Gori City Hall opened a tender to increase the size of the cages. Clearly, nothing came of it. “The problem in Georgia is the lack of a Law on Animal Rights,” Temur told me. “But in this case, we can try taking Gori to court for violation of the law referring to the illegality of removing GEORGIA TODAY JULY 10 - 16, 2020 SOCIETY 13 The European School - Road to Excellence

a gift for reaching each and every student through play, where they are free to fail cation in the context of a fast-moving and they say they are proud of them and ADVERTORIAL and instilling in them a love of learning. often and fail proudly to learn and be world. Curriculum innovation, applying of the results they achieve. Their teach- Andrea M. Schuitema (USA) - MYP lifelong learners. new content and using new methods and ers and administrators are committed to Language and Literature teacher and a The European School is an institution new resources is their normal routine. helping every one of them attain their xcellence is an art won by dynamic international educator dedicated where educators are aware of the new The school uses experiences and exper- full potential, and that objective drives training and habituation. We to supporting academic and personal demands for learning and new expecta- tise from across the world in these pro- everything they do. do not act rightly because we growth. tions of citizenship. They strive to lay the cesses. Educators from many different Parents are given the fl exibility to select have virtue or excellence, but Viktorija Rudež (U.K.) - MYP English foundations for bright futures while at cultures play a critical role in the devel- the type of education they desire for their rather we have them because teacher experienced in teaching a variety the same time successfully dealing with opment of their programs. The interna- children- National or International- by Ewe have acted rightly. We are what we of ages and courses, from EAL support the new challenges of the world. Partner- tional faculty are a growing and increas- engaging in the following academic pro- repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an to Acquisition and Literature classes in ship with Microsoft Company and con- ingly important part of the European grams: International Baccalaureate (IB) act, but a habit. (Aristotle) the IBMYP framework. sistent experience of the staff gained School staff, bringing diversity, new per- Programs (PYP, MYP, and DP, for grades The European School is a school with Joelene Kerr (U.K.) - PYP teacher for through attending Microsoft trainings in spectives, and skills to inspire change and 1-12), American High School (grades 8-12), long traditions and a reputation second whom teaching has always been a pas- the previous years has played a major innovation in teaching and learning. Georgian Program (grades 1-12) and Pre- to none for academic excellence. Every- sion, as she loves to motivate and see role in building an excellent distance They believe the infusion of talent and school (years 3 -5). one has a talent. Whatever creative or others excel. learning program in the current unprec- diversity will increase the reputation of The European School continues to academic outlet makes a child tick, the Kaitlin M. Swala (USA) - PYP teacher edented reality and their becoming a the school and contribute to achieving accept new students for the academic European School fi nds and nurtures it. who strives to create a space for children leader in online learning as well. their goals on the road to excellence. year 2020-2021. Follow the link to register Endeavour and fun are the most impor- to engage in the world around them The European School always sees edu- Their students mean the world to them, online: https://es.openapply.com/ tant elements of intellectual life there, and success follows this explosion of discovery and purposefulness. Their commitment to excellence has driven their successful growth from a local private school established in 2007 to the fi rst international school in Georgia accred- ited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). Their supportive approach enables everyone to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be respon- sible, considerate and well-rounded indi- viduals suited to the demands of our ever- changing multicultural society. Their aims are simple: they want to achieve excellence so that each and every student reaches their full potential. They believe that their philosophy of education instills a love of learning. Quality teachers are the backbone of the European School. Excellence in teach- ing is evident in the qualifi cations of the staff, as well as the professional learning opportunities offered by the school to its teachers. From the new academic year, several experienced and expert leaders and edu- cators will join their team. They all dem- onstrate important pedagogical attributes, qualifi cations, and practices of excellent teaching. Their new colleagues have been successfully delivering IB programs and taking several leadership roles in various IB world schools. Here, we introduce them: Soha Saad (Egypt) - PYP coordinator and devoted teaching professional with Walking in Circles: Days 1-2 Svaneti. A good point to stop for photos with the late spring wildfl owers, of which there are so many varieties, colors across the spectrum. Then mostly down from there to the little lake, which provides wonderful refl ections of Ushba as a bonus. Set up camp: 2-person tent for me, cov- ered hammock Josh’s preference. Lots of evergreen fi rewood, along with resin-rich pinecones and needles, already fallen on the ground and waiting to be used. A cup of coffee and some mushroom noodles with peanuts later, all was well with the world as we experienced it. Next morning was also clear, the lake mirror-still. A man who had spent the night in a nearby hut gave us best direc- tions down to Mazeri, top hamlet of Becho village, our next destination, and we were off. His huge but totally benign Caucasus Shepherd dog joined us all the way down, which was fi ne too. But either the directions were false, or Lake Meziri, our fi rst stop for the night. we simply got it wrong. We ended up in the backpack just gave me too much area, even dishes and dish soap! Light BLOG BY TONY HANMER Taking our time as we adjusted to the a steeply downhill pathless forest, know- wobble to feel anything like secure, una- rain that night could not spoil our eupho- weight on our backs, a new thing for me ing that Mazeri was below and hardly fraid though I am of heights. I’d had to ria. A new, ¾ view of Ushba loomed over as until now I have only had a small day missable, but really struggling from the turn back and force another way through us, and we slept another peaceful night. he time had come to begin pack with me. Plenty of pauses for a angle. Huge trees lay all around, felled the undergrowth. Glad that was all over, The next day would test us considerably our 400 km, 3-week walk- moment to catch my breath. I had done by deep snows of previous years and NEVER again, I told myself! further with its huge ascent and then ing and camping tour of plenty of extra walking in the weeks now in various stages of decay. Josh’s Lunch at a friend’s guest house in descent, but that was still to come. Svaneti. My young friend leading up to departure, but none with phone was guiding us towards… a road Mazeri, and we packed up enough lefto- Joshua Pearce has been a this extra 15 kg added on! halfway down? We crashed through, the vers for the next two meals, also leaving Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since Tvisitor to the region 4 or 5 times over It was taking a while to adjust straps backpacks doubling the diffi culty of a bag of less necessary things with him 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a the past several years, and is also an so that most of the weight would be on movement: no way of reversing our way to collect later, lightening our loads a weekly writer and photographer for GT since Eagle Scout in the USA, the highest my hips, not shoulders, as is best with to go anywhere uphill: we just had to bit. Then we would begin the next chal- early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renais- qualifi cation of scouting. Lots of outdoor backpacking. This would actually come press on. lenge, the start of the Guli Pass route sance” Facebook group, now with nearly knowledge and experience to join to my to plague me in the next few days. Finally, the actual road appeared, but towards Mestia, reaching 2000 m that 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/ own. After a few hours we trudged up to the just a path, and we were out of that night- day before stopping for the night next groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ Backpacks loaded, we set off from my day’s pass, and there was Mt. Ushba, mare. At one moment Just had crossed to a tiny church in a ruined, abandoned He and his wife also run their own guest house Etseri house, saying goodbye to my wife, dominating the landscape with its mag- a long fallen trunk about 10 feet above a part of Becho. There was running spring in Etseri: and began walking up the road towards nifi cent profi le as it does from much of dip, as had the dog. But when I tried it, water, a covered and benched eating www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE JULY 10 - 16, 2020 Artistic Couples: Keti Dzidziguri paintings and the feelings they sparked INTERVIEW BY NINI FUTURE PLANS? in me vividly even to this very day. I just see myself working and re-working DAKHUNDARIDZE I think it would be objective to say that on new and old material. each era has its own genius, and I couldn’t possibly name one. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR s part of our ongoing pro- ARTISTS JUST STARTING UP? ject with BI Auction to HOW IMPORTANT DO I would tell them to work as much as introduce Georgia’s artists, YOU DEEM PROFESSIONAL they can, to travel, visit museums and and before we introduce EDUCATION IN SHAPING to search for themselves in order to be you to this week’s creative AN ARTIST? interesting. Every talented person has Atalent, we spoke to Bengü Akçardak I think it’s very important; something the ability to fi nd themselves in this Küçük, the Founder Partner of BI Auc- crucial; something like a foundation for incredible gift that we call painting. tion. a young aspiring painter. It is profes- “We are extremely excited to be back sional education that gives us an oppor- WHAT DO YOU THINK ART with the restart of the ‘Artistic Couples’ tunity to develop and fi nd ourselves. AUCTIONS IN GENERAL, AND project - collaborating with our favorite BI AUCTION IN PARTICULAR, media outlet, GEORGIA TODAY,” she HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME PLAY IN PROMOTING ART? said. “We started in February with ANY CHALLENGES IN Art auctions, as a source of artwork Mamuka & Lia with great enthusiasm YOUR PURSUIT OF ART? realization, have only recently established but could not go further with the project The pursuit of art is very diffi cult, because themselves on the Georgian market. I due to the pandemic. Then we “healed” it is a process that never ends. I think I The state of working. Constant dynamic think this type of selling is a great oppor- with the ‘Artworks @ Corona Days’ pro- still have a long way to go to be able to and movement, like life itself. tunity for an artist to present themselves ject, lasting 10 weeks and introducing 12 call myself an artist. to society and popularize their artistic young artists. Now it is time to ‘NOR- WHAT DO YOU THINK approach. It is also important that this MALIZE by ART’ restarting our inter- COULD YOU TELL US OF ART’S MAIN MISSION IS? process positively impacts the artist’s viewing of ‘Artistic Couples’ of Georgia. THE ADVANTAGES AND I think art is designed to explain some- self-esteem and confi dence. I hope your readers will enjoy discover- that pushes you to be your productive DISADVANTAGES OF LIVING thing very inexplicable, and that is what ing them,” Bengü said, going on to explain best self. WITH A FELLOW ARTIST? we, in reality, call life. her interest in the project. In my case, it’s a totally positive interac- “For me, this project is more than just WHO FIRST INTRODUCED YOU tion. Our approaches to painting are in WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TELL introducing artists: it is also an attempt TO ART? HOW AND WHEN harmony and do not dispute each other. PEOPLE THROUGH YOUR ART? to think more about how it is to live with DID YOU START PAINTING? I guess that would not be the case for I want to show people my unconditional a spouse of the same profession. I always Just like any other kid, I started painting all artists living together, but for me, love and respect for painting, through feel (not only feel but also have experi- early, when I was fi ve. The fi rst person personally, there is no negative side to my artworks. ence of it) that when you live with a who introduced me to it, and encouraged our professional relationship. spouse that shares the same education me to do it, was my grandma. She and I THE MODERN ART SCENE IS About BI Auction ‘for ART’: BI Auction is the and/or profession, it can get quite dif- used to make Christmas ornaments WHAT WOULD YOU SAY EVER-CHANGING. WHAT IS fi rst Art Auction Company of Georgia, estab- fi cult, because you can hear the worst together, and that for me was the great- ABOUT THE CONTEMPORARY THE FUTURE OF PAINTING lished in 2016. The company’s aim is to criticisms from them and you always est source of happiness. GEORGIAN ART SCENE? IN THIS REALITY? promote Georgian art and artists and enlarge feel that tension. At the same time, I I believe there are very high-class works I’m a believer that everything new is the market. In four years, BI Auction ‘for ART’ strongly believe that without tension, WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT made in Georgian fi ne arts and fresco well-forgotten old. Painting sustains has organized eight auctions and presented you cannot progress, so it can also work ON YOUR WORK EARLY ON IN scenes. At the same time, in my opinion, itself. The differences between the move- more than 450 paintings from 125 Georgian out very productively,” Bengü says. YOUR CAREER? DO YOU HAVE A the road that Georgian art has to travel ments and art directions will probably painters. In every auction, the collection is Last week, we presented Polikarpe FAVORITE ARTIST/MOVEMENT? to establish itself fi rmly on global terms become more evident. The ways will be selected from among a thousand paintings Klibadze. This week, we give you his The fi rst real impression art made on is still quite long. split and everything will reveal itself as from the well-known legendary artists of Geor- spouse, Keti Dzidziguri. Through her me goes back to when I was six: it was it is. gia and also from promising young artists. answers, you will fi nd that living with a the works of Petre Otskheli that I saw WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST For more information, please contact biauc- fellow artist, one can also fi nd a harmony in his sister’s house. I remember the INSPIRATION TODAY? WHAT ARE YOUR [email protected]

Address: N42 I. Abashidze T:595 50 39 30 facebook.com/thaiboxtbilisi

THE NEW CRAFT OF TASTE GEORGIA TODAY JULY 10 - 16, 2020 CULTURE 15 Natela Iankoshvili – An Artist’s Life between Coercion & Freedom of painters whose artistic life can truly As a Georgian, it brings me great pleas- REVIEW BY GEORGE be called ‘heroic’. ure to see Natela Iankoshvili’s star rising, LALIASHVILI, ART-CRITIC The author is the Artistic Director of and to see her work gain a new lease of the Galerie Kornfeld, Mamuka Bliadze, life in the 21st century. At the same time, who dedicated two years to studying the it’s painful to acknowledge that all of new book dedicated to the life and times of Natela Iankoshvili, and this is happening without the involve- Georgian painter Natela the diffi cult period and conditions in ment and impetus of Georgia. Instead, Iankoshvili has come to the which this great artist was forced to live it’s Germany that has taken on the task attention of the quarterly and work. In the fi rst instance, we must of introducing this foreign artist to new supplement of the German point out the book’s brilliantly-chosen audiences and popularizing her works. Anewspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zei- title, which immediately arouses in the This is, it seems, Georgia’s perennial tung, “Fresko” (N1, 2020) and so I will reader an intense interest in getting to problem; that unless foreigners remind begin with this joyous event. know a previously unknown artist, one us of how rich a heritage we possess, we As Fresko’s resident critic Thomas who had to battle tirelessly for the right are unable to see it ourselves! This has Zuhr writes: “In many cultures around to self-expression. been the case with Pirosmani, Georgian the world, the color black is often asso- In his book, the author makes use of polyphonic music, choreography, cine- ciated with sorrow, suffering and death. the professional opinions of German, matography, Robert Sturua and Giya At the same time, however, it also has English, Italian, American, Russian and Kancheli. associations with intellectualism, refi ne- Georgian art critics (Marleen Stoessel, From the book, it’s very clear that Natela ment and religious devotion. Two mas- Lisa Zeitz, Dennis Goldberg, Gaia Simi- Iankoshvili never bowed down before ters of the color black, Kazimir Malevich onati, Alina Cohen, Katharina Rudolph, “the powers of this world”. Her direct- and Pierre Soulages, say that black is Savva Dangulov, Olga Velikanova, Gaston ness and stubborn character only led to actually the most dynamic color and as Bouatchidze, Eter Shavgulidze), who an increase in the number of her offi cial such their works take inspiration primar- believe Iankoshvili to be an artist of great enemies during her lifetime. It’s incred- ily from this shade. The legacy and works breadth and of indefatigable spirit; some- ible, that already 12 years after her pass- of the Georgian painter Natela Iankosh- one who is able to inspire and delight ing, she has not been fully recognized, vili (1918-2007) shows us that black can viewers already well-versed in fi ne arts. celebrated and respected in a way fi tting have a ‘lightness’ to it, making it as diverse Also included in the book are the recol- for a great artist. It’s unfortunate that as any other color. As such, she exclu- lections of those who knew Iankoshvili during the last 30 years, independent sively uses a black background for her personally (Baia Dvalishvili, Soso Chum- Georgia has been unable to fully re- canvases. In Georgia, this painter has buridze, Rismag Gordeziani, Vaja Dzigua, evaluate the importance of art created long been considered a national treasure, Neli Gurgenidze). After reading them, during the Soviet period. More unfortu- but it’s only in the last few years that she one is absolutely convinced of the art- nately, it seems that the injustice of the tion of canvases of any 20th century ago and encountered Georgian painters has gained international recognition, in ist’s principled and unbending nature, Soviet period is still an integral part of Georgian artist. For future generations there. After Pirosmani, it was Iankosh- the same way as that handful of other something Iankoshvili had to acquire in the Georgian mentality. of Georgians, she produced depictions vili’s painting that left the greatest impres- painters who continued to carve their order never to bow down before (or be This is a wholly inadmissible situation, of more than a hundred church build- sion on them. In 2012 they held a personal own artistic path and express their own broken by) an implacable Soviet regime. and one which makes it clear that Geor- ings, and this at a time when religion exhibition for Iankoshvili in their own beliefs during the artistic dictatorship The book quite clearly illustrates Ianko- gia’s current culture policy is anachro- was considered a dirty word. Her most gallery, while the publisher Kehrer pub- of the Soviet period. Here, we should shvili’s unshakable belief that the human nistic. After so long as an independent valuable contribution, however, is the lished an extensive catalog of Iankosh- also mention that Iankoshvili is a great soul is born for freedom and that no country with open borders, is it only fact that Iankoshvili changed the face of vili’s works in both English and German. master of the use of black. She created earthly chains or fetters can choke it. It now becoming clear to us what is of landscape painting - not just in Georgia, It doubtless that, just as Michael le- more than 2000 canvases, and her par- was precisely with such faithfulness and value in our culture and what has been but globally. How can this innovation Dantu and the Zdanevich Brothers intro- ticular strength is in depicting landscapes. unwavering determination that she estab- forced upon us? This, too, is the hidden not be of interest to a new generation of duced the world to Pirosmani, Alfred Her brushstrokes are incredibly expres- lished her name as an artist that never face of corruption and nepotism; we still Georgian art critics? I’m fully convinced Kornfeld and Anne Langmann performed sive and she manages to lend an inex- benefi tted from offi cial favor. In her haven’t started the entirely healthy pro- that they will soon turn to Iankoshvili, a similar feat a century later - this time tinguishable energy to the color black.” boldness and fearlessness, Iankoshvili’s cess of re-evaluating our artistic heritage. study her work assiduously and eventu- introducing a wholly different wonder Natela Iankoshvili – An Artist’s Life work places Georgia even more fi rmly For precisely this reason, Natela Ianko- ally grant her the place that she deserves in the form of Iankoshvili. The contribu- between Coercion and Freedom is the on the world map of painting. If ten-or- shvili remains a marginal artist in her in Georgian cultural history. tion of these two Germans, genuinely in name of a book recently printed by the so years ago the artist’s name was known own homeland, whereas in reality she For the publication of such a high- love with Georgia and Georgian art, is well-known German publisher Hirmer only in her homeland, last year Ianko- is one of those few Georgian artists that quality printed text that is also richly truly worthy of note and recognition in separate German and English versions. shvili’s works were exhibited next to absolutely can’t be discounted and one illustrated (the books 160 include 66 within Georgia itself. This book introduces an artist with a those of the world-famous artist Meret who fully deserves greater recognition. images), we owe special thanks to the Mamuka Bliadze’s book, Natela Ianko- unique biography to a global audience; Oppenheim at the Istanbul Biennial. It’s evident from Mamuka Bliadze’s German friends of Georgia - the owners shvili – An Artist’s Life between Coercion an artist who rightly deserves to be Before that, she received recognition at book how much of a role Iankoshvili of the famous Galerie Kornfeld in Berlin, and Freedom, is now available for pur- known well beyond the borders of Geor- high-profi le art forums in Berlin, Cologne, played in developing Georgia’s national Alfred Kornfeld and Anne Langmann, chase on Amazon and in Waterstones gia and who belongs to that rare breed Brussels and New York. culture. She created the largest collec- who fi rst visited Georgia fi fteen years bookshops. SPORTS Georgian Basketball Team Captain Shengelia to Play for CSKA Moscow

when I will be able to play alongside the BY ANA DUMBADZE best players, under the guidance of the best coaches." His decision has irritated a large part he captain of the Georgian of Georgian society. Citizens claim that basketball team, Tornike "This is not a patriotic move." Shengelia, has decided to In response to these opinions, the continue his career at CSKA Georgian sportsman claimed that he Moscow, having signed a doesn't have to justify himself, as he did T3-year contract with the Russian club. nothing wrong. CSKA published his fi rst comment after "I go there to play basketball. My cir- the transfer: "I'm happy to become a cumstances do not determine who I am. sia, wherever I am. With this decision, hope that the attitude of the people towards fessional basketball team based in Mos- member of the current EuroLeague I am Tornike Shengelia, the bearer of the my attitude towards my people, my home- me will not change either," he said. cow, Russia. The club is a member of the champion, and I'm looking forward to soul of Georgia in Spain, America or Rus- land has not changed for a second, and I PBC CSKA Moscow is a Russian pro- VTB United League and the EuroLeague.

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