Issue no: 1077 • AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Kaladze’s Weekly Priorities: Transportation, Infrastructure, Keeping Beautiful NEWS PAGE 3 Gov’t Eager to Welcome the German Reps, Baku Touchy about Nagorno- Karabakh POLITICS PAGE 6 2018, The Year in which Russia Boosted its Military Visibility POLITICS PAGE 7 Investment Opportunities for German companies: Georgia, Source: 's offi cial Facebook page Anaklia Port, and SEZ projects

FOCUS ON THE GERMAN VISIT Angela Merkel and German businesspersons touring the South Caucasus PAGE 2, 6 BUSINESS PAGE 8 HUAWEI P20 Pro - Easy Georgia Files New Suit with High-Quality Photos BUSINESS PAGE 9 Strasbourg Court against Russia New Charity Campaign Launched to Help Orphanage

BY THEA MORRISON Children SOCIETY PAGE 11

eorgia has fi led a new suit against the Russian Federation refer- Photo Book on “Timeless ring to the administrative prac- tice of mass detention, harass- Georgia” ment and murder of the GGeorgian population on the Russian occupied territories of Georgia, and “.” The suit, named ‘Georgia vs the Russian Federation,’ was sent to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, which demands the European Court establish Rus- sia's responsibility for violating several arti- cles of the European Convention. “Russia should be held responsible for con- tinuous occupation, erection of barbed wire fences and a targeted campaign against the population of Georgia,” the ministry stated. Continued on page 2 Image source: mediadefence.org CULTURE PAGE 15 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 Merkel: Georgia’s Occupation Is Unfair

ing relationship. Of course we support BY THEA MORRISON Georgia,” the Chancellor affi rmed. Merkel also discussed her country’s relationship with Georgia in different erman Chancellor Angela areas, saying her visit is intended to help Merkel called Georgia’s advance bilateral relations. “I do hope occupation by Russia these ties will be further strengthened,” unfair. She made the state- she said. ment at a joint press-con- Speaking after their meeting, Bakhtadze ferenceG with the Prime Minister of said the fact that Germany is a supporter Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze, on August and partner of Georgia is very important. 23. “Today, Germany's support is especially “What happens in Georgia is unfair. important for Georgia. Russia does not The Russian President knows my posi- fulfi ll the obligations of the ceasefi re tion regarding Georgia and about agreement of 12 August 2008 and con- too... Despite great effort, very little is tinues its occupation of 20% of Georgian being done to end this injustice forever. territory. Today, unfortunately, the regions It should not become a daily reality…We of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali are actually should not tolerate such a situation,” annexed, which further worsens the Merkel stated. security, humanitarian and human rights She also noted that Germany supports situations on the ground,” he stressed, Georgia’s territorial integrity and sov- adding that the Georgian government ereignty and will do its best to help only supports a peaceful resolution of peacefully resolve the confl ict. the confl ict and is relying on its allies “We are doing what we can to contrib- for support, including Germany. ute to the regulation of the situation… Bakhtadze expressed hope that Mer- Last year we celebrated 25 years of dip- kel’s visit will further strengthen suc- lomatic ties between our countries… cessful cooperation between the two Georgia and Germany have a long-last- Source: Mamuka Bakhtadze's offi cial Facebook page states. Georgia Files New Suit with Strasbourg Court against Russia Continued from page 1 kaliani stated Russia needs to be held committed in this area - torture, inhuman pean Georgia, Sergo Ratiani, says that it “This process might last for years. accountable for its illegal actions on the treatment, kidnapping of people, etc. is important that the process has started. Meanwhile, we will be unprotected. That According to the document, Russia occupied territories of Georgia. responsibility should be placed on the “We have been calling on the govern- is why active diplomatic pressure on violated the European Convention Arti- He says the Georgian side expects the Russian Federation,” she said. ment to prepare such a suit for a long Russia and pressing this issue in the cle 2 (right to life), Article 3 (prohibition Strasbourg Court to make a fair decision Lomjaria noted the importance that time. The process was delayed, but now international arena is the most effective of torture), Article 5 (right to liberty and in the case. Georgia use all international levers and it is has begun. It should become a hin- and fastest way to protect our citizens security), Article 8 (right to privacy and In addition, Georgian Public Defender courts to protect the rights and interests dering factor for Russian aggressive and our country's security," she said. family life), Article 13 (right to effective Nino Lomjaria says fi ling the lawsuit of its citizens in the international arena. actions,” he said. Russia occupied Abkhazia and “South remedy), Articles 1 (right to property) against Russia was the right decision. Opposition parties believe the Geor- Salome Samadashvili, member of the Ossetia” after the August 2008 war. Since and 2 (right to education) of Protocol 1, “Due to the fact that the Russian Fed- gian government should have fi led such United National Movement (UNM), says then it has been controlling the territo- plus Article 2 of Protocol 4 (freedom of eration exercises effective control over a complaint a long time ago, however, it is already late to fi le. She believes it ries and does not permit international movement). the occupied territories of Georgia, con- they approve of the step taken. cannot be predicted what kind of deci- monitoring missions to carry out moni- Georgia’s Foreign Minister Davit Zal- sequently, in connection with the crimes Member of parliamentary minority Euro- sion will be made by the ECHR. toring there. GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 NEWS 3 Kaladze’s Weekly Priorities: Transportation, Infrastructure, Keeping Tbilisi Beautiful sections of track, particularly those that BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE required the trains to slow down. City Hall also plans to add new 12 train cars. Also on the transportation front, City ach week, the municipal gov- Hall has begun the procurement process ernment of Tbilisi holds a for 220 new blue city buses. By the end meeting at City Hall. Preced- of 2018, 90 new buses will have arrived ing this week’s meetings, in Tbilisi. Mayor Kakha Kaladze "As promised, by the end of 2019, a total Eremarked on several topics of interest. of 550 new buses will be brought to the First, Kaladze reiterated the new taxi capital and the existing yellow buses will registration procedures. In addition to be fully replaced,” vowed Kaladze. continued availability online and at all 10 The various infrastructural projects of of Tbilisi’s district governments, taxi driv- the summer were also discussed. Road ers will be able to go to the Justice House works on the Kakheti Highway will be for assistance with the registration process. completed in the near future. Kaladze thanked Minister of Justice Tea "On the Kakheti Highway, we have been Tsulukiani for her cooperation. reconstructing the road in three stages. "The easiest way to register is on a per- The fi rst stage of the works, which is cur- sonal computer, without leaving home. rently underway, will be completed by the we will soon develop a concept and vis- install an asphalt covering. As of Thurs- went to more than 30 streets and addressed However, the House of Justice is specially end of September. Now we are starting ualization of what the bridges should be.” day morning, the poll had 11,100 votes violations such as were occurring near designated to assist citizens [with the the full rehabilitation of the right-hand Kaladze also dislikes the appearance of with 52% in favor of no changes, and 48% Eliava market,” Kaladze explained. registration process]. As of [Wednesday], emergency lane, after which the third stage the advertisements across the bridges in favor of asphalt. Kaladze stressed that "We are not trying to make trouble for at least 500 taxi permits have been issued. will start, which means the full rehabilita- which span the entire width of the road. Varaziskhevi is not protected by histori- businesses, but it's all in line with the I would like to appeal to the applicants, tion of the central highway. Within the "I would like Bendeliani to work with cal status and so it would be possible to legislation. I would be very happy if we since providing taxi services will be pro- rehabilitation process, wastewater and businesses on this issue. Of course, we renovate the street, expanding sidewalks did not have to penalize citizens. I would hibited without the proper license start- drainage systems have been completely should not ignore business interests, but and better regulating the underground like to address all the people who are ing October 1. Otherwise, they will be replaced, and curbs and sidewalks were business should not be implemented at communications infrastructure. engaged in this activity – under no cir- fi ned 200 GEL,” said the Mayor. arranged. It is already possible to walk the expense of the city,” he said. The Mayor announced that the Tbilisi cumstances should we do business at the In parallel with the taxi registration freely on one section where the works will Kaladze then brought up Varaziskhevi Municipal Supervision Service has expense of the appearance of the city. process, Kaladze emphasized improve- end in September. This project is strategic. – the stretch of cobblestoned road at the enforced regulations on up to 30 streets This is categorically unacceptable and is ments in public transport. From Septem- Every visitor who arrives in our country intersection between the Vera, Vake, and across the capital, in various marketplaces a problem for people living around and ber 15, the intervals between trains on the passes this way to the capital. The situa- Saburtalo districts. "At present, the pave- and trading areas. those who visit these territories. Every- will be reduced to three tion on this road is not so pleasant, con- ment there is very often damaged and "Last week, as a result of the work of one's interests should be preserved and minutes on average. sidering the conditions of the road and poses a serious problem for underground the Supervision Service, the streets adja- protected. We support all types of legiti- "We continue to work to add new wag- the surrounding areas,” Kaladze noted. communications. I'd like to ask if it is cent to Eliava [Market] were regulated mate economic activity, but it should ons to the metro, to modernize it and The Mayor then put Deputy Mayor possible to pour modern, European-style and cleared from construction materials happen without damaging the rights of reduce the wait to as little as two minutes. Irakli Bendeliani in charge of developing asphalt instead of stones. We’re asking and tires. This was a serious problem for others,” Kaladze insisted. From September 15, passenger fl ow will the concept of pedestrian bridges, explain- the local population for their ideas, too. people living there, in terms of free move- Closing his remarks, the Mayor con- increase further as people return to the ing, "I think we should gather architects I think that there is a lot of noise and dust, ment and from an aesthetic point of view. gratulated Guranda Gabunia, Nana Jor- capital from vacation. We should be ready to work on projects that are visually which, fi rst of all, creates a problem for This must be maintained, and in other jadze, Radish Tordia and Givi Shahnazzar for that,” said Kaladze. appealing, to make climbing up and down people living there,” said Kaladze. After areas, the territories adjacent to market- on their birthdays and noted that they So far in 2018, four new subcontractors convenient. Today, it is impossible for the meeting, a poll was posted on City places should be organized in the same will be awarded for their special contri- have been added to metro projects, sup- people with disabilities to use these Hall’s Facebook page asking if people way. In the span of one week, as soon as butions to the development of Georgian porting the rehabilitation of individual bridges, which is a serious problem, so preferred to leave Varaziskhevi as is, or I gave the order, the Supervision Service culture. GEORGIA TODAY 4 NEWS AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 The IBSU Conundrum aging fi nancial and material resources.” BY THE GT TEAM It all looks quite grim – an unpaid debt, frozen assets and a seemingly irrespon- sible administrative body – from this eachers, students and stu- perspective, the Council might even have dents-to-be all took to the been surprisingly lenient, contending streets when the news broke with only a one-year ban. Strangely, that the International Black though, the very same council granted Sea University, one of the authorization to the university for another Tmost highly regarded universities in the six years after an expert group, chaired country, wouldn’t be admitting new stu- by a UK specialist, presented its assess- dents into its ranks this year. The Author- ment of the education and logistic stand- ization Council for General Educational ards at IBSU. It gets even stranger when Institutions, a body that makes decisions you look at what the other side has to on the authorization of general educa- say – The Head of the Quality Enhance- tional institutions, has slapped the IBSU ment Department at IBSU, Diana with what would be an equivalent of a Mchedlishvili, noted that the sum in transfer ban in FIFA’s terms – the Uni- question is not related to the university’s versity is prohibited from accepting new academic programming and has been in students for one year. The decision of dispute since 2013. Furthermore, the the Council (comprised of a board of IBSU administration claims it has no members appointed by the Prime Min- qualms about paying off “the debt” if the ister of Georgia) was apparently a ongoing court process is against them. response to an ongoing fi nancial dispute So, effectively, the government punished Photo: International Black Sea University the government and the learning institu- them for a crime they are not yet con- administration posted a statement on International Black Sea University have the educational sphere from unhealthy tion have been involved in for some years victed of and one might construe it as a their website in response to the Author- been ignored and the Board has compelled infl uences.” now. And while on the surface it seems means to infl uence the ongoing legal ization Council’s decision: them to apply to other higher educational And this is still not all: the conundrum to be a simple “Do bad things and bad dispute and strong-arm the institution “The authorization board has unlaw- institutions. The decision constitutes a is further complicated by loudly whis- things will happen to you” scenario, the into paying. Additionally, despite the fully denied the International Black Sea threat to students’ legal preferences dur- pered speculation that external infl uences reality is far more complex. seizure of its assets, there is no question University the right to receive a new ing two academic years... are behind the government body’s deci- According to the board, the debts that that the university has been successfully contingent of students for a one year “The irresponsible decision of the sion – The Erdogan government consid- the university has might pose signifi cant able to continue the teaching process period... authorization board hinders the devel- ers IBSU a terrorist organization, with risks to the teaching process. with the existing students (to which an By the decision of the Authorization opment of one of the leading and inter- Gulen links, and the Ambassador of Tur- “The University has unpaid debts absolute majority of said students affi rm) Board of Higher Educational Institutions nationally recognized universities in key in a recent interview said just as much, worth 700,000 GEL that it hasn’t paid and would without problems handle a on 20 August 2018, the International Black Georgia...We apply to NGOs and inter- branding its rector “a terrorist who lives to the government, in relation to that, new contingent. However, the “ban” will Sea University was granted authorization national organizations, diplomatic corps in Georgia” for good measure. So far, all its movable and immovable proper- incur around GEL 3 mln loss to the uni- for six years. At the same time, the Board and civil society to support the Interna- IBSU has spawned no terrorists or extrem- ties have been frozen, as a penalty to versity, which, if anything, would com- made a totally illogical and incompatible tional Black Sea University in its fi ght ists of any sort, yet the Ankara-backed avoiding the payment obliged by Geor- plicate the matter of paying the initial decision that contradicts the experts’ against injustice. We refer to the Gov- narrative has managed to achieve the gian legislation, reads the Council’s debt in the fi rst place. This, coupled with conclusion; it ignores the positive con- ernment of Georgia to take appropriate closure of similar institutions, the Demirel statement. The Council Chariman, David the fact that it was granted a 6-year clusion of experts and the University is measures in order to prevent the dam- College chief among them, in the past. Afrasidze, also wasted little time in tak- authorization, is why the University fi nds forced to stop accepting new students aging of the country’s international Whether this too is a case of political ing a swipe at the IBSU administration, the Council’s decision both unjust and until August 20, 2019. As a result, up to reputation, democratic values, freedom strong-arming, time will show and soon, branding them irresponsible “in man- illogical. And entirely illegal too. The 800 students' choices to study at the of entrepreneurial activity and to protect but the whispers are growing louder. Over 100 Highland Villages in Georgia to Be Provided with Internet, Electricity Development of the Highlands of Georgia discussed BY THEA MORRISON key components of the Strategy for 2019-2023. The strategy and action plan will be developed by the Ministry of Regional Development and round 100 villages in Georgia’s moun- Infrastructure of Georgia. tainous Pshav-Khevsureti and Gudam- Programs to be implemented in the mountains akari gorges will be provided with of the country in 2018-2019 were also discussed, internet and electricity in the near including the development of forests and tourism future. in forests as a main segment. AThe decision was made at a meeting of the After the meeting, Vice-Premier, Minister of National Council for Development of the High- Regional Development and Infrastructure, Maia lands of Georgia, which was held under the lead- Tskitishvili stated that after the adoption of the ership of Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka "Law on Mountainous Settlements" in 2015, the Bakhtadze. Government of Georgia has taken a number of It was decided at the meeting that the cost of important steps forward. internet installation will be fully covered from the "Of course, we know not all problems in the Fund for Development of the Highlands of Georgia. mountains are covered by this law. But we are dis- Solar panels and power supply to over 100 vil- cussing specifi c actions and steps to be taken in lages are being considered by the government for order to encourage the people to return and settle joint funding with the United States Agency of back in their home villages in the mountainous International Development (USAID). Overall, 400 regions,” the Minister stated. households will get power supply. Moreover, it was agreed at the meeting that the The PM underlined at the meeting that the High- Ministry of Health will implement a program of lands Development Project is of the utmost impor- fi rst aid for the residents of high mountainous tance for the government. regions, which implies medical training for locals. Bakhtadze gave the example of Austria, noting , Minister of Labor, Health, Social how they had managed to develop mountainous Affairs and IDPs from the Occupied Territories of regions to a high-level. Georgia, stated the training of locals in highlands “We eagerly invest in resources and energy. We is necessary, so they can provide fi rst aid assistance have positive expectations. Effectiveness and effi - before the ambulance reaches them. ciency should undoubtedly be increased," stated “However, I would like to underline that it does the PM. not exclude sending medical assistance to such Within the Strategy of Inclusive Growth and regions…Many countries have such a practice,” Development, authorities will have new initiatives, Sergeenko added. but the PM noted that initiatives coming from the The Law on the Development of Mountainous people themselves will have greater importance in Regions was adopted in 2015. 1730 settlements were this and many other fi elds. granted the status of High Terrain Communities and The second meeting of the National Council for 330,000 people enjoy privileges provided by the law.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 What to Expect from the Merkel Visit

Image source: tagesspiegel.de/ MICHAEL KAPPELER/DPA

kel could voice support for each South cellor will be accompanied by a group However, Merkel will encourage Azer- Trans-Caspian Pipeline (TCP) could BY EMIL AVDALIANI Caucasus country in the spheres where of German businesspeople, who will baijan to work further on increasing the potentially challenge this assumption. Russia is a geopolitical contester and attend a joint Georgian-German busi- capabilities of the southern gas corridor. A couple of weeks ago, a consensus was the German leader might use the South ness forum in Tbilisi. Berlin understands that gas in Azerbai- reached between the Caspian Sea states n August 23, Angela Mer- Caucasus as a negotiating card in deal- Moreover, Georgia is also an impor- jan is not totally suffi cient to replace to settle some of the most important kel began her South Cau- ings with Moscow. In Georgia, Merkel tant component in the southern gas and the Russian resources. Azerbaijan plans questions considering the Sea. One of casus trip. The German will again face the fact of the Russian oil corridor, which leads us to, arguably, to launch the second stage of a gas pipe- the provisions states that the countries Chancellor will visit all military presence in Abkhazia and the most important part of Merkel’s line from the large Shah Deniz fi eld to can now lay pipelines underwater if all the three countries Samachablo (so-called South Ossetia). tour – Azerbaijan. Criticized by US Europe, which is expected to produce the parties, through whose territories (Armenia,O Azerbaijan, and Georgia) The country is aspiring to become a President Donald Trump as being too some 16 billion cubic meters (bcm) of the pipeline would go, agree. with her fi rst visit to be Tbilisi. NATO member, while economic and close a partner of Moscow and relying gas a year starting from 2020. Approx- In Armenia, Merkel will acquaint her- Merkel makes her trip to the region political relations with the EU progress. too much on Russian gas supplies, for imately 10 bcm will go to Europe, the self with the revolutionary government following her recent meeting with the For Merkel, Georgia is a sensitive issue. the German leader, the visit to Baku rest to Turkey and Georgia. If we com- of Nikol Pashinyan. The question of Russian President Vladimir Putin near She will have to tread carefully so as will be a good opportunity to discuss pare this with what Russia can export Nagorno Karabakh will be discussed as Berlin, Germany. not to offend the Georgian government the development of a southern pipeline via the Nord Stream 2, it is clear that well as Armenia’s foreign policy pros- There is a string of issues the German nor risk deteriorating the relations with to deliver gas to Europe from the Cas- Moscow’s plans to double Russia's pects. Overall, Merkel might send some Chancellor will have to discuss. Each Moscow. However, she will be sending pian. export capacity to Europe to 110 bcm positive signals to both Baku and Yere- South Caucasus country has its own diplomatic signals to Moscow by visit- This shows that Germany is hard will remain dominant. van on the EU willingness to deepen long-standing geopolitical problems ing the occupation line (built by Rus- pressed by the US, that a total reliance However, there is also one interesting cooperation with the two countries. with neighboring countries, but there sians) which separates Samachablo from on Russians gas can be politically det- piece in this diplomatic tour which has Thus, the energy, military and security are also issues which have regional the rest of Georgia. rimental. This is not to say that Berlin remained largely ignored by the public. situation in the South Caucasus will repercussions. According to the Georgian Ministry will abstain from implementing the If the Shas Deniz is not able to fully likely be the German Chancellor’s main From a diplomatic point of view, Mer- of Foreign Affairs, the German Chan- Nord Stream 2 through the Baltic Sea. compete with the Nord Stream, the topics of discussion. Georgia Gov’t Eager to Welcome the German Reps, Baku Touchy about Nagorno-Karabakh Margvelashvili. In addition, a protocol underscores the quality of close relations being declared “persona non grata” in BY DIMITRI DOLABERIDZE visit to Heroes' Square in Tbilisi is between Germany and Georgia ... A high- Azerbaijan. According to Bild, his visit expected, where the Chancellor of Ger- ranking offi cial from a leading European to Nagorno-Karabakh in 2014 and 2016 many will lay fl owers on the memorial country is once again confi rming that served as an excuse for adding the par- n the framework of her tour of of Georgian soldiers who fell for the Georgia is really a reliable partner for liamentarian to the black list, though his the South Caucasus, German “territorial integrity of the country.” Europe,” Bakhtadze said. visits to the region were made as part of Chancellor Angela Merkel paid Commenting on the visit of the Head On the eve of the Chancellor's visit, the parliamentary group for cooperation an offi cial visit to Georgia on of Germany, the Prime Minister of Geor- the Bild drew the attention of its readers with the countries of the Caucasus. August 23. August 24 and 25 will gia noted that the occasion “confi rms to the relatively small but still ongoing As of Wednesday, the German Foreign Isee similar visits to neighboring Arme- that Georgia is a reliable partner of the diplomatic confl ict between Berlin and Ministry was in contact with the Azer- nia and Azerbaijan. In Georgia, Merkel EU.” Baku which resulted in one of the depu- baijani Embassy in Berlin, trying to will hold talks with Prime Minister “This is the fi rst offi cial visit of the ties of the German Parliament, Christian resolve the situation with the Weiler Mamuka Bakhtadze and President Giorgi Chancellor to Georgia. A high-level visit Democratic Union member Albert Weiler, visa. SUBSCRIBE!

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[email protected] +995 32 229 59 19  Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 POLITICS 7 2018, The Year in which Russia Boosted its Military Visibility

gies, including artifi cial intelligence. That in the game. In total, more than 100,000 is why military experts, public fi gures, servicemen will contribute to the Vostok leading scientists and designers are to exercises. take part in several scientifi c and busi- These exercises raise concerns for ness events organized within the expo. some Russia watchers, who accuse the Among the much-awaited innovations Federation of making the world a more are the Su-57, Kinzhal hypersonic weapon dangerous place. Indeed, Russia still and the Armata battle tank. Robotic sys- backs separatists in Ukraine, Georgia tems and a military exoskeleton will also and Moldova as it keeps control on be revealing their abilities. The exoskel- Crimea Peninsula after its illegal annex- eton will help soldiers to carry more ation. weight (50 kg more) and has already Yet, some argue that NATO is playing been tested in the fi eld, as have the major- the same game. The organization still ity of the innovations being presented. conducts military exercises at the Rus- Indeed, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu sian borders. In June, 19 countries took said that many weapons displayed were part in the ‘Saber Strike’ exercise in the tested during the Syrian campaign. Baltic States. On August 1, the Noble President Vladimir Putin said he hopes Partner exercise launched in Georgia the forum will serve as a platform for gathering more than 3,000 troops. On international military cooperation. August 20, Latvia set up the biggest The international military-technical military drill in its recent history. It seems forum Army-2018 is another opportunity that each side adds fuel to fl ame. for the Russian Federation to show its However, the Vostok 2018 exercises is ability to organize global events, and to not to be observed closely for its scale, be seen again as leader in the fi eld of but for the close relations between Rus- military innovations. But innovation sia and China- closer than ever. without strategy is pointless, therefore, Russia will also conduct a huge war game in September. Between September 11 and 15, Russia will organize the Vostok 2018 (East-2018) From August 21 to August 26, the city of all, nine countries are hosting national exercises which are expected to be BY ANTOINE DEWAEST Kubinka, Moscow Oblast, is hosting the pavilions ther: India, Belarus, Slovakia, remarkable. First, because Russia has international military-technical forum Armenia, Kazakhstan, Iran, China, Paki- moved into high gear to make this event ‘Army-2018.’ stan, and Turkey. Belarus alone has one of the biggest war games in the past fter conducting the Sochi According to Director of the Russian brought more than a hundred products, four decades, but also because for the Olympic games and Foot- Federal Service for Military-Technical many never before presented to the pub- fi rst time, China will join the game. ball World Cup, Russia will Cooperation, Dmitry Shugayev, the expo, lic. Chinese authorities will send 3,200 add to its soft power invest- taking place in the Patriot Expo Center, One of the key discussions at the Army- soldiers, 900 tanks and 30 jets to the Ament a touch of hard power. displays more than 26,000 exhibits. In 2018 forum deals with digital technolo- maneuvers. Mongolia will also take part GEORGIA TODAY 8 BUSINESS AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 Investment Opportunities for German companies: Georgia, Anaklia Port, and SEZ projects companies. Over the last decade, Ger- ments (GSP) with the US, Canada and INTERVIEW man business has already invested over Japan. Moreover, the Government of EUR 350 million in Georgia. The invest- Georgia is very active in terms of nego- ments are very diversifi ed in terms of tiating new FTAs, among the existing erman Chancellor Angela industries: banking, construction, trans- talks are India and the Gulf Region. For Merkel’s visit to Georgia portation, services, etc. Importantly, the manufacturing sector, Georgia offers included important eco- many companies from Germany have competitive advantages in terms of pro- nomic componants, includ- invested in manufacturing facilities in duction costs, such as dealing with ing the Economic Forum Georgia like HeidelbergCement, HiPP, bureaucracy, a very low tax burden, cheap Gand the visit of leading German busi- Henkel, Caparol and Knauf. In addition, costs of utilities, competitive cost of nesspersons. Anaklia Port and City pro- we see the positive tendency that Ger- skilled labor and quality infrastructure jects are developing intense relationships man companies select our country as a approximated to EU standards in the with various German companies. We platform for regional activities. For frames of the Association Agreement. spoke to with Keti Bochorishvili, CEO example, BASF and BOSCH use Georgia The country is ideally positioned to of Anaklia City to fi nd out more. as hub for their regional supply chains. capitalize on these advantages, serving as production base at the crossroads of HOW YOU SEE THE WHAT SECTORS DO THE Europe and Asia. We and our procured OPPORTUNITIES FOR GERMAN ANAKLIA PORT AND SPECIAL consortium of professional consultancy COMPANIES IN GEORGIA? ECONOMIC ZONE (SEZ) TARGET companies (BuroHappold Engineering First of all, I would like to bring to your FOR INTERNATIONAL AND and Moffatt & Nichol), which works on attention the fact that Georgia and Ger- GERMAN INVESTMENTS? the economic demand forecast for our many have a long-lasting history of The development of Anaklia Deep Sea SEZ project, consider this a signifi cant economic and trade relations, and today Port and Anaklia Special Economic Zone opportunity for development of an Germany is one of the key economic will signifi cantly boost the demand for export-oriented industrial park. We’ve partners of Georgia. German business transportation and logistics facilities and already prioritized the manufacturing was among the fi rst to recognize the value-added services in Georgia to han- sub-sectors to which Georgia and our strategic location of our country in dle the increased transit cargo fl ows. In SEZ offer an attractive value proposition: terms of connecting Europe and Asia. the frames of the SEZ, we are developing automotive spare parts, building materi- Back in the 19th century, the prominent a modern logistics park powered by fi s- als, FMCG products, cosmetics /beauty company Siemens developed the cross- cal and regulatory incentives as a com- products, household chemicals, hygienic continent telegraph line from Europe plementary platform for port activities. products, medicaments and pharmaceu- to India. This was a tremendous project This park will be fully integrated with ticals, assembly of home appliances and for this period, covering 11,000 kilom- the port and national infrastructure: electronics, plastics, and production of eters of infrastructure between Euro- highways, railway and an international solar panels. Overall, the range of oppor- pean capitals and South Asian states. airport located less than 90km from the tunities is very broad and almost any The Siemens company made the deci- site. manufacturing company can fi nd an Photo by Forbes Georgia sion to use the territory of Georgia part The second priority sector is the man- opportunity in our emerging region. We of this project and located their regional ufacturing industry. Georgia enjoys free already have precedents that companies zone, we intend to introduce the concept infrastructure and connectivity for their offi ce in Tbilisi, underlining Georgia’s market access to the largest consumer relocate their production from China to of modern logistics and industrial parks, business activities in the region. role as a natural shortcut between Europe markets, with over 2.3 billion consum- Georgia, to be closer to the market while which is common to the European mar- The concept of the SEZ envisages the and Asia. ers: the EU28, EFTA countries, China keeping costs optimized. kets but not yet available in Georgia. development of modern logistics and Since re-gaining independence, Geor- (Hong Kong from January 2019), and the In addition, we see huge opportunity Therefore, we will create the demand for industrial parks with related auxiliary gia has become a home for many German CIS region including Russia and Turkey. for the developers of industrial, logistics the German developers and operators of facilities and services. The Anaklia SEZ We also have preferential trade arrange- and commercial real estate. Within our industrial and commercial properties. will have a special regime which includes: With the evolution of the SEZ, there fi scal incentives, special statuses for will be number of opportunities in other trading, wholesale, transit, bonded activ- industries like trading, fi nance, services, ities, manufacturing and many more education, etc. based on the best practices. We’ll also be bringing in a special legal regime and WHY DO YOU THINK THE intend to introduce within the zone GERMAN INVESTORS MIGHT BE international regulations and interna- INTERESTED IN THE ANAKLIA tional dispute resolution solutions based PORT, CITY AND SEZ PROJECT? on the rule of law. Therefore, companies Our projects are international. The Anak- could use the Anaklia SEZ as a regional lia Deep Sea Port will be developed in hub for trade, logistics, distribution, pro- accordance with European standards. duction and value-added services while We’ve already signed Mandate Letters optimizing their regional supply chains. with the leading IFIs on provision of We’ve already initiated our cooperation debt fi nancing; therefore, all studies were with the state and donors to develop implemented by international companies training centers and professional schools in accordance with the highest standards, to prepare a pool of skilled workers to including the environmental and social meet the demand of the industries to be impact. We also signed a contract with attracted by our projects. the leading Dutch company Van Oord, Finally, our projects will contribute which will start the dredging for recla- towards the attractiveness and capacity mation works in September. We have of the Middle Corridor as a competitive the US-based SSA Marine, which oper- alternative to the overland transporta- ates in 250 locations in the world, as our tion between Europe and Asia. terminal operator and partner of the We have active negotiations with a project. Anaklia Port will be a state-of- number of German companies which the-art reliable maritime infrastructure have business in Georgia or in the region. with high quality services. They’ve extended interest and consider The Anaklia Port will be the fi rst Deep- our projects as a future platform for Sea Port in Georgia able to handle large expansion of their regional business. We vessels, signifi cantly cutting the costs also have ongoing communication with and time of transportation to and through several companies not presented in Georgia. Coupled with the logistics park Georgia, which may be interested in within the SEZ, we are creating an inte- investing, considering the developments, grated transport and logistics platform mainly from the logistics industry. to improve the market access (inbound/ We are keen to work with the German outbound) to the Caucasus, Central Asian business community, since we truly states and beyond. German companies believe that our projects will bring many will be able to capitalize on the enhanced business opportunities for them. GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 BUSINESS 9 HUAWEI P20 Pro - Easy, High-Quality Photos

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residence, Ivanka Trump’s abode and Russia, and we began to suspect we were BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE Jeff Bezos’ two houses right next door being watched by a vigilant Russian eye. FROM WASHINGTON DC to one another. Barack Obama’s street The Russian Embassy, originally designed is now limited access, sealed off by the to be the Soviet Embassy, is the largest in Secret Service, who only admit the peo- Washington. It happens to be sitting in hate to go schmaltzy about my ple who live there. Ivanka Trump, the one of the highest parts in the city, which exploits, but I feel I must recount President’s billionaire daughter, lives makes it easy for the Russians to listen this one. Sightseeing in Washing- right around the corner from Obama. I to conversations in the White House and ton DC makes no sense to me doubt they’re friends, though! in the Pentagon. Not long after it opened in 1994, since I lived and worked here for Kalorama residential neighborhood can the FBI set up a listening post on the top Iquite a while. Yet, the other day, I waxed cost $10, $20, $30 million and up. It’s the fl oor of an apartment building up the nostalgic when I found myself riding the sort of place where you can knock on street, where agents now listen to the familiar streets and avenues of DC in the door and a butler answers. Jeff Bezos, Russians listening to the Americans. They the company of my best American friend, now the richest man in the world, and deserve each other, don’t they? Bill Thomas — author, journalist, and who owns the Washington Post, is going And fi nally, the current American political analyst — and my son Boris, to unite his two houses to make one big president! Donald Trump has taken on who is also living in the area and can riff house. Clearly, he plans on making his the Washington Establishment and its like a local intellectual. The three of us presence known. increasingly socialist game plan for gov- made a smoothly operating bunch. Bill There are 180 embassies in Washing- erning the country. That's why the cor- was an informed driver and an eloquent ton. Some occupy palatial 19th century rupt Obama administration, the Demo- guide, and we were all ears throughout mansions. Others belonging to develop- cratic Party and liberal media have tried the tour. I didn’t know I’d missed this ing countries are not much bigger than everything to get rid of him. But nothing slick and tranquil city so much, whitely bachelor apartments. Most ambassadors they've tried is working. Americans used shining like alabaster in the sun. Bill’s try to become a social presence in the to look up to Washington. But those days story of Washington was unique in con- city. Some countries, like France, are are over. Washington is now seen as ‘the tent and overtones. I thought I knew the famous for their entertaining. The par- Swamp’ – a symbol of greed, corruption place, but the more he talked, the less ties the then-Iranian Ambassador used and everything that’s wrong with confi dent I grew. Have you ever heard to throw in the 1970s are legendary. For entrenched political interests. All of this a narrator tell you the story of a city and a time, the Iranian Embassy was Studio has been exposed by Donald Trump. present every bit of its history mixed 54 South. Then came the Iranian Revo- And polls show that millions of Ameri- with the political shenanigans of the lution in 1979, the hostage crisis and the can voters approve of the direction he’s politicians who at some point in the past end of all diplomatic ties between the taken the country in. infl uenced what we are used to calling US and Iran. Since then, the former Ira- Bill Thomas, as much as he is in love the American Civilization? nian Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue with Georgia, tried but could not fi nd We drove through a neighborhood has sat empty. the Georgian Embassy in the Row. It's called Kalorama Triangle (northwest For a couple of minutes, we parked the probably not in a very conspicuous spot quadrant of Washington) and saw Hillary vehicle in front of the Russian Embassy, in DC, but it’s OK – there is always such Clinton’s house, Barack Obama’s new and Bill quipped that we had stopped in thing as ‘next time’ for consolation. Georgian Wine Ranked 5th in World by Export Price liter of wine, followed by New Zealand BY THEA MORRISON at $5.39 and the United States at $3.68. Austria is just ahead of Georgia, taking fourth place with $3.51 per liter of wine. he Georgian National Wine In the rankings, Georgia is ahead of Agency (NWA) reports that countries such as Croatia ($3.41), Argen- according to American tina ($3.11), Portugal ($3.07), Germany the quality and price of Georgian wine Association of Wine Econ- ($3.06), and Italy ($3.06). is increasing on the international market. omists (AAWE) ratings, Irakli Cholobargia, Head of the Mar- The current conditions were preceded TGeorgia was ranked 5th place in the keting and Public Relations Department by agreements within the wine industry, world by wine export price at $3.49 per of National Wine Agency, says that this the right marketing campaign, and con- liter in 2014-2016. rating is indicative of the high quality of crete steps taken in recent years to AAWE ratings place France in fi rst Georgian wine. improve the quality of Georgian wine,” place with an average cost of $6.59 per Together with Georgian wine exports, he said. GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 SOCIETY 11 Stroke Death Rates Decreasing Overall in which bleeding occurs between the tries with available data had signifi cant both sexes and in countries across the “General risk factors for SAH include brain and the surrounding membrane, decreases in age-standardized death rates whole of Europe, particularly in Eastern familial predisposition and disorders of not all countries had data available for from ischaemic stroke, 56% of countries and Central Europe and Central Asia. the blood vessels, leading to aneurysms. the full 37 years however. in men and 51% in women, and haemor- We have also found differences in death Smoking, hypertension and heavy drink- Researchers led by Dr Nick Townsend, rhagic stroke 58% and 67% of countries rates by stroke type. Therefore, it is not ing have also been found to be signifi cant Associate Professor in Public Health respectively. However, eight countries enough to consider cerebrovascular dis- risk factors, as with other stroke types Epidemiology at the University of Bath, had a 19% increase in death rates from ease as just one condition and we must and cardiovascular disease,” said Dr BY SHAWN WAYNE UK, found that across the WHO Euro- ischaemic stroke among men and nine consider each individual stroke type.” Townsend. “Interestingly, when we com- pean region, for the most recent data countries had a 21% in women, compared “Our fi ndings highlight a need to coun- pare mortality from stroke sub-type by available, there had been a 65% decrease to none for haemorrhagic stroke. ter inequalities by understanding local age, we fi nd that death from SAH is more he European Heart Journal in death rates from all three types of “When we looked at the type of stroke contexts in disease occurrence and treat- common at younger ages. In the UK, for published new research on cerebrovascular disease in 33 countries and for the most recent period for which ment. In particular, we need to encourage example, around 60% of deaths from 15 August showing that for men and women. However, there had data were available, the trends could be the implementation of evidence-based SAH in women occur before the aged of deaths from conditions been a 6% increase in Azerbaijan, Geor- quite different,” said Dr Townsend. “This recommendations in the prevention and 75, commonly termed premature. This affecting blood supply to gia and Tajikistan for men and 4% increase shows that considering all cerebrovas- treatment of stroke in all countries. Many is much lower in cerebral haemorrhage, Tthe brain are declining in most of Europe, in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan for women. cular disease over the whole period hides countries have been able to reduce the which is closer to 25%, and lower still in however, in some countries the death Age-standardized mortality rates from a lot of the story. In the most recent mortality burden from stroke in recent ischaemic haemorrhage, which is around rates are increasing. stroke, which adjust to take account of period, there were increases in ischae- years. We must understand why this is 15%. Despite SAH being much less com- Cerebrovascular diseases include differences in population size and age mic stroke in eight countries among men not happening in all countries and iden- mon than the other stroke subtypes, this strokes and narrowing, blockage or rup- structure, were higher in men than in and nine for women, increases in haem- tify barriers to the implementation of greater mortality at younger age groups turing of the blood vessels supplying women for all countries. For stroke, they orrhagic stroke in three countries in men evidence-based recommended practice needs further investigation and interven- blood to the brain, occupying the spot were much lower in Western Europe and one for women, and increases in in countries that are slow to adopt them. tion.” – said Dr Nick Townsend of second largest cause of death in Europe than the rest of the continent. In Central SAH in fi ve countries for men and eight In addition, we only studied between- Although this study did not look at the after heart disease, accounting for 9% Asia, they ranged from 152 in Armenia countries for women. Over the last 35 country inequalities, but we must consider reason behind these changes, he said it of deaths in men and 12% of deaths in to 345 in Azerbaijan per 100,000. In the years there have been large overall within-country inequalities as well if we was unlikely that there was a single rea- women each year. UK, the death rate was 68 per 100,000 declines in deaths from cerebrovascular are to have an impact on the disease.” son for the overall decline in cerebro- The study used data from the World in men and 65 per 100,000 in women. disease in the majority of European The researchers say that SAH amongst vascular disease. Improvements in treat- Health Organization (WHO) to examine When the researchers looked at each countries. While these declines have women was the only type of stroke for ing the disease, including new drugs and mortality trends in three particular types of the three types of stroke individually, continued in more than half of the coun- which more countries demonstrated improved surgical techniques, played a of cerebrovascular disease in Europe data were only available by stroke sub- tries, these have not been consistent increasing trends than decreases in recent role, as did prevention strategies that between 1980 and 2016: ischaemic stroke type for 43 countries; most of the coun- across Europe and our analysis has years. A less pronounced decrease, no encouraged people to improve their life- (a lack of blood fl ow to the brain), haem- tries with missing data were in Eastern revealed evidence of recent plateauing significant change, or a significant styles by stopping smoking, drinking orrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain) Europe and Central Asia. Over the whole and even increases in stroke deaths in increase in death rates from SAH, was less alcohol, improving their diet and and sub-arachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), period since 1980, more than half of coun- certain countries. We have seen this in found in 25 countries for women. taking more physical exercise. New Charity Campaign Launched to Help Orphanage Children ing to help the children, to bring items will be welcomed. BY THEA MORRISON to the Maxim offi ces in Mukhiani Micro “In our center there are orphans and Region 2 offi ce, 11 Noneshvili Str., 78a children without parental care. They Sairme Street, from September 2 to Sep- grow fast and study, so clothes and sta- axi Company Maxim is tember 27. tionery are the things they need for pri- organizing a collection of The children need notebooks, pens, mary needs. Our children always wel- various items and clothes pencils, clothes and shoes. The girls come the guests with pleasure and they for the children of the need shoes of 36, 37, 38 size and the are happy when they get gifts,” Nana orphanage “Sparrows.” boys 32, 33, 38 and 41 size shoes. Any Iashvili, Chair of the "Child and Envi- TThe company calls on everyone will- items for children aged from 1 to 19 ronment" Board says. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 Apprentice Guide Meets Muse: Etseri- Becho, Svaneti

for their hike from our house to Becho. I arranged BLOG BY TONY HANMER this, but decided to tag along, learn the route myself for future money-making opportunities, and per- haps get more of my muse into the bargain. The an one have too much of a good thing guide, a friend and neighbor of ours, took us on a if the thing in question is Mt. Ushba? walk which avoided the full sun of the main road I have certainly been able to put this up, much of it in forest for shade. Near the top question to the test over the past week, point, we found fresh raspberries and blueberries with three separate occasions to view to cheer us on, as well as rose-hips for future jam; theC magnifi cent mountain up close or far away from on the other side it was hazelnuts in the steep for- different angles. est as we descended. My guests, Germans, had a The fi rst was in Becho, a village spoiled for view- German-speaking Georgian guide with them, and ing choice: You can see Ushba from practically she had a copy of a book in that language describ- everywhere on the main road through, from bot- ing and picturing all the trees and fl owers of the tom to top. IF the mountain is cooperating; if not, Caucasus. Apparently, it’s also available in English, it’s simply not there, or its peaks aren’t, shrouded but sadly not in Georgian! There were some keen in the cloud which it seems to make around itself botanists in the group, and this resource proved on a whim. The #1 rule for Ushba-seekers is: if you invaluable to them. see it, shoot it straight away, because you may not At the top, before I could even whip out my cam- get a second chance in your available time-frame! era, I saw Ushba’s peak just dressing itself up in its Taking guests on a tour there, we had a few pre- cloudy veil, too fast for me. I resolved to wait, and cious seconds of the peak peeking through said we needed a break anyway. This was amply rewarded, clouds. I was ready, knowing full well its caprices, as the clouds did indeed part for brief moments. and shot the few frames I needed to make me happy. After a while, we ambled down a bit, half an hour Due to changes in light angle, season and weather, later reaching tiny Lake Mazeri, which can double literally every successful viewing is unique. the pleasure by offering the mountain refl ected. The second time was a couple of days later and Would the clouds part again? from much further away, having driven our guests Indeed they did, again just for seconds, and I had through Mestia to the new Tetnuldi ski resort, to ask my paddling friends to scram out of the water between Mulakhi and Ipari on the road to Ushguli. to let it settle for photos. They obliged, and I lay down Again, clouds came and went. Ushba has such a on my front inches from the water’s edge to get as presence that if you know it’s supposed to be vis- fl at a horizon as possible. I had only been at this spot ible but it isn’t cooperating, you feel like not shoot- once before, on horseback 17 years ago, and had ing at all, the disappointment is that crushing, the similar short-lived luck. But it was enough, both times. glimpsed glory that great. When we got to the top We turned our backs, walked away into the long- of where I could drive, about 3200 m above sea wooded descent towards Becho, and I was able to level, I had a few short seconds of the pyramidal rejoice in my luck again. It isn’t always so with Ushba. peak of nearby Tetnuldi through the clouds, but none at all of Ushba’s twin peaks, which from this Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti angle are side by side, differing by a single meter since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early in height. But I waited long enough for the magic 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook to happen, and again came away satisfi ed. Patience group, now with over 1900 members, at www.facebook. paid off, which is not always the case here. com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ Finally, just two days ago, I was asked in advance He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: by another group of our guests to provide a guide w.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 CULTURE 13 Georgia to Be 'Host Country' Verdi Opera Festival at Frankfurt River Bank Festival to be Held in Tbilisi ent countries of the world. BY THEA MORRISON Georgia is offi cially authorized to con- duct the Verdi Festival. Performances will be held not only in Tbilisi but also in dif- bilisi Opera and Ballet ferent cities throughout the country. Theater is to host the Verdi In 2019, the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Opera Festival in 2019. Theater will also have a tour in Parma The theater Director, at the Verdi Festival, which is part of the Badri Maisuradze, signed agreement made by the sides. Tthe contract with the Verdi International Next year, Parma will be the European Festival, which is held annually in Parma, Cultural Center, which is implemented Italy, and allows thousands of people to within the framework of the European listen to opera performers from differ- Union program "Creative Europe."

tessence, Ensemble Iriao, KORDZ / Georgian wine tasting will also be BY THEA MORRISON Zagareli & Strings, Luka Nakashidze and offered at the festival. Misho Urushadze, Nino Katamadze and The River Bank Festival is one of the Insight, Nikoloz Rachveli and National components of the Frankfurt Book Fair, eorgia is to be presented Symphony Orchestra; Children's Ensem- where Georgia will be represented as as the host country at the bles - Little Georgica and Lamprebi. the guest of honor. Frankfurt River Bank Fes- Within the framework of the festival, Since 1976, every year the Frankfurter tival August 24-26. The Georgian folk art will be represented. Buchmesse (Book Fair) welcomes a festival is visited by 3 mil- Participants will include modern musi- country as its Guest of Honor. After Glion people annually. cians, interactive and spectacular ele- France, Georgia will present itself to the The project is supported by the Min- ments of pantomime and motion theater, fair’s international public as the Guest istry of Education, Science, Culture and and child opera singers. of Honor. Sport of Georgia and organized by the Georgian children will be involved in Before the fair, Georgian writers, as National Music Center of Georgia. the process of preparing souvenirs about well as creative and cultural minds, will There will be three days of concerts, the Georgian alphabet within the project make appearances in German cities. with the participation of modern musical 'Souvenirs from Georgia.' An exhibition The fair will open on October 10, 2018 groups and performers: Jazz-sextet Quin- of Georgian crafts will also be arranged. and will conclude on October 14. Pratap’s Signature Hotel – Resort & SPA At Pratap’s Signature, you will experience the warmth and traditional Georgian hospitality while you enjoy the Beach & River water front and fine delicacies at the renowned restaurants.

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WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI CINEMA SLENDER MAN around Georgia and represents Tickets: General - 5 GEL, ADJARA (Info Above) 14 ethnographic zones: Kartli, Ages 6-18 - 3 Gel, Students and Language: Russian Samegrelo, Adjara, Abkhazia, Pensioners - 3 GEL, AMIRANI CINEMA MUSIC Start time: 18:00, 20:15 Svaneti, Khevsureti, Kakheti, Free admission for orphan groups Address: 36 Kostava St. Ticket: 14-19 GEL Meskheti, Javakheti, Guria, Imereti, and children under 6 Telephone: 2 99 99 55 BATUMI SUMMER THEATER Racha, Lechkhumi and Ossetia. www.kinoafi sha.ge Address: Batumi Boulevard MUSEUM EXHIBITION OF PREVIOUSLY SIGHNAGHI MUSEUM UNKNOWN ART PIECES Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL August 25 GEORGIAN NATIONAL Address: 8 Sh. Rustaveli Blind-alley CREATED BY LEGENDARY August 24-30 The renewed concert of The MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA ARTIST LADO GUDIASHVILI: 1 + FIRE OF GEORGIAN DANCE MUSEUM Exhibition 70 UNKNOWN ALPHA The legend returns in Batumi. Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. PORTRAITS OF KAKHETIAN Directed by Albert Hughes Lots of new dances, novelties, and Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 NOBLES – FROM THE MUSIC Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Natassia miniatures. www.museum.ge BEGINNING OF GEORGIAN Malthe, Leonor Varela Artistic Directors: Gela EASEL PAINTING UP TO 20TH BLACK SEA ARENA Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama Potskhishvili and Exhibitions: CENTURY Address: Natanebi village (Shekvetili), Language: Russian Maia Kiknadze GEORGIAN COSTUME AND Guria Start time: 12:00, 14:45 Start time: 20:00 WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH SAMTSKHE-JAVAKHETI Ticket: 13-14 GEL Ticket: 15-35 GEL CENTURIES MUSEUM August 24 Address: Rabati Fortress, Check in Georgia and Black Sea MILE 22 THE 10th ANNIVERSARY of NUMISMATIC TREASURY 1 P. Kharistchirashvili Str.1, Akhaltsikhe Arena present the concert of Directed by Peter Berg INTERNATIONAL Cast: Lauren Cohan, Mark ‘Sakhe’. 20 YEARS WITH SAKHE EXHIBITION STONE AGE The Georgian National Museum Concert dedicated to the MUSIC FESTIVAL NIGHT Wahlberg, Ronda Rousey SERENADES Genre: Action GEORGIA presents the renovated exhibition 100th anniversary of Georgia's Language: English spaces at the Samtskhe-Javakheti independence. The special guest of ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE Museum, which see the addition the concert will be a member of the August 26 Start time: 21:45 IOSEB BARDANASHVILI'S Ticket: 14-15 GEL NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL of recently discovered exhibits, group ‘Poetry ‘N’ Motion’, Michael COLLECTIONS and technical updates according to Williams. JUBILEE EVENING Artistic Directors– Liana Isakadze MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN modern museum standards. Participants: April 26 – September 1 ‘Sakhe’: Dato Khudjadze, Dato and Giorgi Isakadze Directed by Ol ParkerThurber Chamber Orchestra ‘Georgian Cast: Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, UNKNOWN COLLECTIONS VISITOR CENTER OF Porchkidze, Boriko Shkhiani OF GEORGIAN NATIONAL KOBULETI-KINTRISHI Poetry'N'Motion- Michael Williams Virtuosi’ Meryl Streep, Dominic Cooper, Conductor– Vakhtang Machavariani Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard MUSEUM– INDIA, CHINA, JAPAN PROTECTED AREAS Band: Sandro Sakhamberidze, Luka Address: 271 D. Aghmashenebeli Str., Topuria, Zura Kiknadze, Akaki (Germany/Georgia) Genre: Comedy, Musical Soloist– Gia Iashvili– Violin Language: English May 26 – September 30 Kobuleti Maghaladze, Zura Makhniashvili. THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Directed by Basa Potskhishvili (Austria/Georgia) Start time: 21:45 Program: Ticket: 13-14 GEL OF GEORGIA - 100 YEARS July 5 20018 – July 5 2019 Start time: 19:00 Georgian National Museum Ticket: 5-30 GEL I Part June 12 – August 31 presents new exhibition. The W. A. Mozart – Little Night SLENDER MAN Serenade in G Major, K. 525 Directed by Sylvain Whiteurber Georgian National Museum exposition depicts the unique August 28 presents the exhibition ecosystems of Adjara, in particular Check in Georgia and Black Sea II Part Cast: Joey King, Javier Botet, Julia Bardanashvili– Serenade for Violin Goldani Telles CAUCASUS BIODIVERSITY the Kobuleti wetland areas, Arena, together with the creative Animal and plant life throughout the Kintrishi forests and their union ‘Lion’ and legendary and Strings Genre: Horror Performance dedicated to the 70th Language: Russian the Caucasus. biodiversity. The most interesting esnemble ‘Iveria,’ present the parts of the exhibition are the famous musical Anniversary of the Composer Start time: 14:00, 22:00 Dvorak– Serenade in E Major, Op. 22 Ticket: 12-15 GEL IOSEB GRISHASHVILI Ispani sphagnum peatlands and the ‘CHKHIKVTA KORTSILI’ TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Kintrishi forest illuminated light- Participants: Jemal Bagashvili Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 30-90 GEL CAVEA GALLERY - KARVASLA boxes. Nutsa Buzaladze, Andria Gvelesiani, Address: 8 Sioni St. Boris Bedia, Khvicha Maghlakelidze, Venue: Sheraton Batumi Hotel Address: 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. GALLERY Telephone: 200 70 07 Telephone: 2 98 22 81 Vakhtang Tatishvili, Guram Jashi, Manana Todadze, Keti Tsiklauri, August 28 DEVIL OF VIOLIN Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL June 27 – September 10 THE NATIONAL GALLERY Zura Laliashvili, Gia Baghashvili, GEZA HOSSZU-LEGOCKY August 24-30 Georgian National Museum and Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. Pridon Sulaberidze (Junior). The Goethe Institute, in connection www.museum.ge Composer- Alexander Basilaia Artistic Directors– Liana Isakadze and Giorgi Isakadze ALPHA with 200 years of relations between Authors- Jemal Baghashvili and Chamber Orchestra ‘Georgian (Info Above) Germany and Georgia, presents a The Georgian National Museum Avtandil Gelovani Virtuosi’ Language: English project and the Embassy of Italy to Music Director- Gia Baghashvili Conductor and Soloist– Geza H. Start time: 16:30 THE DYNASTIES - PARALLEL Georgia, within the Museum Fest, Directed by Jemal Baghashvili Legocky- Violin Language: Russian PERSPECTIVE present the exhibition Start time: 19:00 (Hungary/Switzerland) Start time: 11:50 EVIDENCE. A NEW STATE OF ART Ticket: 10-40 GEL MUSEUM OF SOVIET The National Gallery is hosting Program: Ticket: 10-16 GEL ANAKLIA OCCUPATION the exhibition of Garuzzo Institute Saint-Saens, Sarasate, Debussy, MILE 22 Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. for Visual Arts- presenting Bartok, Kreisler (Info Above) Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 contemporary Italian artists' MUSIC FESTIVAL- Start time: 20:00 Language: Russian www.museum.ge artworks created since the 1950s. ECHOWAVES POWERED BY Ticket: 30-90 GEL Start time: 14:15, 22:30 EXIT Venue: Sheraton Batumi Hotel Ticket: 11-19 GEL PERMANENT EXHIBITION GENIUSES OF RENAISSANCE Address: Anaklia The Georgian National Museum August 29 MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO ETHNOGRAPHIC OPEN and the Embassy of Italy to Day Pass: 60 GEL, Season Ticket: 150 EVENING OF TANGO AGAIN AIR MUSEUM Georgia, within the Museum Fest, GEL, Camp (tent for 2 person): 250 GEL. ZSÓFIA BOROS, MARIO (Info Above) Address: 1 Turtle Lake present the exhibition STEFANO PIETRODARCHI Language: English Telephone: 223 09 60, 222 63 02 August 23-26 Artistic Directors of the festival are Start time: 19:30, www.museum.ge LADO GUDIASHVILI ART There will be several stages with Liana Isakadze Language: Russian GALLERY diverse music genres – Main Stage, and Giorgi Isakadze. Start time: 11:45, 14:00, 16:45, 19:30, 22:15 The museum hosts houses and Address: Gudiashvili Atr. KHIDI Stage, EYE Stage, Taiyo Participants: Ticket: 11-19 GEL household buildings brought from Telephone: 293 23 05 stage and Aqua stage, that will Gia Iashvili– Violin (Austria/Georgia) host 150 international and local Mario Stefano Pietrodarchi– artists, including: Die Antwoord, Bandoneon (Italy) Tricky, Solomun, Ben Klock, Marcel Zsófi a Boros– Guitar (Austria/ Dettmann, Juan Atkins, Function, Hungary) Kayakata, NU, Woo York, Henrik Chamber Orchestra ‘Georgian Virtuosi’ Schwarz, Antigoe, DJ TENNIS, Program: A. Piazzola, R. Di Marino, Greenbeam & Leon, and more. L. Bakalov, E. Morricone Start time: 20:00 Top Artist Line-Up: Ticket: 80-160 GEL August 24 Venue: Sheraton Batumi Hotel Day 2: Tricky live, Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann, Shpongle dj set, UP2YOU Function, Derrick Carter, Blond:ish, Address: Batumi Beach Club Butch, Christian Loffl er live, Bjarki, Telephone: 577 43 39 39 Anetha, Woo York live + more. August 24 August 25 DJ MEME MUSIC FROM IBIZA DAY 3: Solomun, DJ Tennis, Start time: 23:00 Ancient Methods, Detroit Swindle, Ticket: 30 GEL Viken Arman live, Sailor & I live, Sigha, Johannes Brecht live, Aril KOBULETI OZONE FEST Brikha live, Rayko, Ison, Stojche + Address: The beach at Kobuleti more. Pinewood

August 26 August 25 Die Antwoord live, Kayakata Line up: live, Kollektiv Turmstrasse, NU DDT, Soft Eject, Green Room, live, Matthew Dekay, Moritz Von Gamouvali Mdgomareoba, Nemra, Oswald, Shlomo, Francois X, Asea Sool, Sevda, Vako T Antigone, Moscoman, Regal, Marc Start time: 17:00 Romboy + more. Ticket: 30-55 GEL GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 24 - 27, 2018 CULTURE 15 Photo Book on “Timeless Georgia”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOUR WORK? 100 towers in the 11-12th century. It was a really I wanted to deal with the picturesque and the spe- important and lively place before. You will also see cial. For instance, the Georgian hospitality. In a the place in which Georgians became the masters village I visited, a man invited me to a “supra,” this of metallurgy, where iron weapons were seen in large feast which brings people together. He said that era like nuclear weapons are today! Tran- “You are the guest, sent by God.” At that moment, shumances, and the Tusheti Towers, Caucasus I understood I was on the borderline between the sentinels, etc. everything you want to see about West and the East. Georgian hospitality is a key the country! part of my work. I remember that a seller gave me For food-lovers, the documentary will also give a watermelon and a few weeks later, the former you a nice tutorial about how to cook and how to Prime Minister wished me success during a toast eat the best khinkali ever. A major part of the book at a local event. I hope it will pay off! is related to rituals and everyday life. Normally, it There’s nothing superfi cial in my work. My pic- is really hard, maybe impossible, but I got permis- tures not only capture life, but also live the life like sion to capture funerals in Svaneti. the “supra,” as strange as it sounds. At the end of the day, I tried to show the “Great- The spirit of Georgia is not only in the pictures est of the small lands.” Georgia is geographically but also in the soundtrack, a repertoire of tradi- small, but culturally huge. tional Georgian and polyphonic songs. WHAT ARE YOUR BEST MEMORIES OF HOW IS THE GEORGIA YOU YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE HERE? DEPICT IN YOUR BOOK? I really liked the days I spent in Svaneti. Why? The real one! I tried to capture all parts of the Maybe I prefer the Svan stone towers to the Batumi country including the Georgia which is disappear- concrete towers. But there is a lot to see in Georgia. ing, like a testimony of traditions. For example, in Georgian landscapes are an honor for our eyes. Svaneti, I had the opportunity to see the mix between One of the “greatest sides of the small land,” but religion and paganism during rituals, a kind of syn- not the only one. cretism. You can fi nd all these examples with more explanation in my photo book. The photo book and documentary are currently in pre- If I had to tell you all the topics my pictures deal sale. The movie will be available online in English. with, we'd be here all day, but among others, in my Website: http://www.nicolaspernot.com/en/timeless- work a part is dedicated to Abkhazia, one of the georgia-preorder-book-dvd-bundle/ most beautiful Georgian regions. There are also Instagram: instagram.com/nicolaspernot some photos about the “medieval Manhattan,” Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicolasPernot- Ushguli. It is incredible, the place had more than Photographie/

ber and then in Georgia mid-December, but you EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY can already pre-order them on the website you will ANTOINE DEWAEST fi nd at the end of the article. The 112-page book is written in French and in English. GEORGIA TODAY met Nicolas Pernot who agreed modern-time French nomad, Nicolas to show us his work. Pernot is an adventurer, photogra- pher and a lecturer. For him, as invet- WHY GEORGIA? erate traveler, venturing is not set- To begin with, nothing too original: the people are tling for touristic roads seen and really friendly. But there is something else. Georgia reviewed.A Rather, the true adventure comes in is a paradise, the one of my childhood. It reminds meeting people and living among the natives, in me of the lifestyle we lost in France. I grew up in other words, really feeling the environment. There- a village and the thing I love here is this everyday fore, for the past 13 years, he was living in Dush- village life: the village produces what you eat, veg- abe, Tajikistan’s capital city, and has walked around etables, honey, bread. Everyone know everyone Siberia and Lake Baikal. Now he’s in Georgia, a else. But in fact, I came here because people from country he has fallen in love with, and he will post-soviet countries often recommended Georgia. soon release the result of his passion: a photo book And they were right. This country is amazing, it and documentary on Georgia, this “Timeless has its own alphabet and language, the oldest wine- Country.” making tradition, the polyphony…! And I wanted The book will be released in France mid-Septem- to share it through my book.

Photos by Nicolas Pernot

PUBLISHER & GM Journalists: Website Manager/Editor: ADDRESS Reproducing material, photos George Sharashidze Tony Hanmer, Zaza Jgarkava, Tamzin Whitewood 1 Melikishvili Str. and advertisements without Maka Bibilashvili, Tbilisi, 0179, Georgia prior editorial permission is COMMERCIAL Dimitri Dolaberidze, Layout: strictly forbidden. DEPARTMENT Maka Lomadze, Misha Mchedlishvili Tel.: +995 32 229 59 19 The author is responsible for Commercial Director: Joseph Larsen, E: [email protected] all material. Rights of authors Webmaster: Iva Merabishvili Vazha Tavberidze, Sergey Gevenov F: GeorgiaToday are preserved. The newspaper Marketing Manager: Nugzar B. Ruhadze, is registered in Mtatsminda Anuka Poladishvili Nino Gugunishvili, Circulation Managers: ADVERTISING & district court. Thea Morrison David Kerdikashvili, SUBSCRIPTION EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT: David Djandjgava +995 597 97 21 12 GEORGIA TODAY Editor-In-Chief: Photographer: E-mail: Reg. # 06/4-309 Katie Ruth Davies Irakli Dolidze [email protected] BBATUMIATUMI VVIEWIEW

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