Issue no: 1073 • AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue...

Patriarch Condemns Marijuana Legalization NEWS PAGE 2 The West, Georgia & Religion – as Seen by a Scholarly Nun POLITICS PAGE 4 Kaladze’s Weekly Priorities: Remembering the War, New Bus Tender Awarded, Robert Sturua

From the campaign #checkinsamachablo. Source: marketer.ge

POLITICS PAGE 6 ON THE AUGUST WAR August 2008 War: Consequences of a Blitzkrieg A look at the confl ict, past and present FOCUS POLITICS PAGE 9 The Good Russian: Victor Erofeyev on the August War, Abkhazia, Stalin and More

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE Georgia Ranked 102nd in Global Peace Index 2018

ictor Erofeyev, one of POLITICS PAGE 9 Russia’s most prominent writers and thinkers, has a busy schedule. sHEROes, a Book about Shifting between Paris Heroines of the 2008 August Vand Moscow, all the while writing modern bestsellers and remaining War, Launches in Tbilisi one of the few outspoken voices of reason in Russia, cannot be an easy task. Banned from publishing until 1988 in the Soviet Union, the former dissident author’s book ‘The Good Stalin’ was recently translated and published in Georgian by Intelekti publishing house – but the book was but one of the few subjects the cel- ebrated author talked us through as he sat with GEORGIA TODAY for an exclusive interview for our Messages from Brussels series. Continued on page 8 CULTURE PAGE 15 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 Lithuanian Lawmakers Initiate Presidential Candidate Zurabishvili Claims Revision of Georgia-Russia 2008 Georgia Started August 2008 War Ceasefi re Agreement of Georgia should timely respond to the the August war is unacceptable for me,” BY THEA MORRISON BY THEA MORRISON statement of the Lithuanian MPs, "a very he added. important statement made by Georgia’s Thea Tsulukiani, Georgia’s Justice Min- friends." ister, has not criticized Zurabishvili but n connection to the 10th anniver- Bakradze says that the Georgian Par- alome Zurabishvili, an independ- stated that the Hague-based International sary of the 2008 Georgia-Russia liament and the Foreign Ministry should ent presidential candidate who Criminal Court, which authorized a probe War, members of the Homeland start working with the Lithuanian side, will likely be supported by the into possible war crimes committed by Union – Lithuanian Christian and highlights that this is the fi rst case ruling Georgian Dream (GD) Russian, Georgian and South Ossetian Democrats have addressed the of an EU member state initiating an party in the race, has accused forces during the confl ict, will soon declare IForeign Minister of the country to assess imposition of sanctions on Russia for Sher own country of starting the war against that Russia is an occupant. the implementation of obligations of occupying Georgia. the Russian Federation in August 2008. “Our government and the ruling party Russia taken under the August 12, 2008 “This is very important, and I want to The candidate made the statement after have one position only: that it was Rus- ceasefi re agreement. express my hope that the Government nominating herself a presidential can- sia which started this war,” the Minister The MPs claim Russia undertook the of Georgia will work adequately with didate on a visit to the Mukhatgverdi stressed. obligations to withdraw its military forces Lithuania and the EU on this issue," Brothers Cemetery to pay tribute to the Image source: RFE/RL One of the leaders of the parliamentary to the pre-war position and to allow Bakradze said. fallen heroes on the 10th anniversary of of Russia-affi liated Democratic Move- minority European Georgia, Giga Boke- international observers to have access The Georgia-Russia six-point ceasefi re the war that left 20% of Georgian ter- ment-United Georgia, voiced the same ria, says that everyone connected with at the occupied territories of Georgia agreement, formalized by the United ritories occupied by the Russian Fed- position as Zurabishvili. Putin is “a useful political idiot.” – Abkhazia and South Ossetia. They Nations Security Council, was mediated eration. According to Burjanadze, it is impos- Member of the opposition party, the noted these obligations have not been by then-French President and EU Head Standing at the graves of the soldiers, sible to start negotiations with the Rus- United National Movement, Salome fulfi lled. Nicolas Sarkozy after he met then-Pres- the candidate accused then President sian Federation and the de facto author- Samadashvili, believes that if Zurabish- “There has been a violation of inter- ident of Russia, Dimitry Medvedev on Mikheil Saakashvili of following the ities of Abkhazia and South Ossetia unless vili becomes President, it will lead to national law, creeping occupation con- August 12, 2008, fi ve days after the mili- provocation of Russia, which located its Georgia admits it was Saakashvili who international recognition of Georgia’s tinues and there are cases of ethnic tary confl ict between Georgia and Russia. forces in occupied Abkhazia and South started the war and holds him respon- occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia cleansing, including persecution and The six principles of the agreement are: Ossetia in early August 2008. sible for his actions. as “independent states,” which was done imprisonment of people. Despite war 1. No recourse to the use of force; “Starting the war was the whim of a “It would have been possible to avoid in 2008 by Russia, and later by Nicara- and occupation, the international com- 2. Defi nitive cessation of hostilities; crazy president who ordered the bomb- this war…Saakashvili thought that Rus- gua, Nauru, Venezuela and this year by munity has not given a proper answer,” 3. Free access to humanitarian aid (and ing of his own population. He started sia would not dare to get involved in this Syria. the Lithuanian MPs’ statement reads. to allow the return of refugees); the war!” Zurabishvili stated. war and that the US would protect us, “If people vote for Zurabishvili, it will They claim that two months after the 4. Georgian military forces must with- Her statements were followed by crit- but he was mistaken. This is my posi- signal that we are refusing to restore war, the international community forgot draw to their normal bases of encamp- icism from politicians and citizens, who tion,” Burjanadze said at the cemetery. Georgia’s territorial integrity and unity,” the Russian offense and chose to ignore ment; claim that Zurabishvili is repeating the Georgian Dream faction Chair Mamuka she added. the fact that Russia had been preparing 5. Russian military forces must with- Russian version of the story that Georgia Mdinaradze said that the ruling party Salome Zurabishvili was an independ- for more than two years for the attack draw to the lines prior to the start of broke onto the territory of an independ- has not expressed its support to any ent candidate in the 2016 parliamentary against Georgia. hostilities. While awaiting an interna- ent state [S. Ossetia] which served as presidential candidate, and that Zura- elections and the GD decided to with- “This inert assessment of the world tional mechanism, Russian peacekeeping the reason for responsive actions. bishvili’s statement is unacceptable. draw their candidate in Mtatsminda encouraged Russia to take further steps,” forces will implement additional security Another presidential candidate, Nino “The statement of any person that region to help her win the seat in the the MPs claim, insisting that the sanc- measures (six months); Burjanadze, who is ex-PM and the leader Georgia is an aggressor state and started legislative body. tions against the Russian Federation need 6. Opening of international discussions to be discussed. on the modalities of lasting security in “We call on the Foreign Minister of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (based on Lithuania to appeal to the international the decisions of the UN and the OSCE). institutions and raise the issue of sanc- The Georgian side fulfi lled all its under- #checkinsamachablo tions,” the MPs said. taken obligations, unlike Russia, whose dvertising agency Kraken began a campaign on the 10th anniversary of the 2008 August War to raise aware- Georgian presidential candidate and forces still remain in Georgia’s breaka- ness and to illustrate that there is no barrier to consciousness in the digital world. Since Georgians do not have one of the leaders of the parliamentary way Abkhazia and South Ossetia where the possibility to physically enter the breakaway territories occupied by Russia, Kraken has come up with a minority European Georgia, David no international monitoring missions way to harness the power of social media to protest the Russian occupation, with people able to use the hashtag Bakradze, believes that the Government are allowed to work. Aand “check in” to various villages throughout the occupied territories. GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 NEWS 3 Patriarch Condemns Marijuana Legalization gia] and create a whole center of drugs. and will actually destroy the nation.” BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE Therefore, I appeal to everyone, fi rst of Deputy Parliament Speaker Tamar all our government, our intellectuals and Chugoshvili responded to the Georgian our youth: take care of our homeland, Orthodox clerics, saying "We have the his week, the Patriarch of take care of our children! I urge you once right to like something or not but talks the Georgian Orthodox again – do not let our children die, do about the abolition of the Court are Church, Ilia II, made a state- not allow this lawlessness. God has given absolutely inappropriate.” Some clerics, ment on the July 30 decision you strength and wisdom,” the Patriarch however, defended the Constitutional by the Georgian Constitu- preached. Court as a necessary component of the Ttional Court that legalized the consump- Immediately after the decision, Geor- Georgian state, saying its abolition would tion of marijuana. gian Orthodox clerics spoke out against be a mistake. During his Sunday sermon, the Patri- the judges, even calling for the complete Zurab Japaridze and Vakhtang Megrel- arch (formally His Holiness and Beati- abolition of the Constitutional Court. ishvili, representatives of the political tude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze made a party Girchi, brought the case to the Ilia II) said that those who pushed for statement on behalf of the Georgian Constitutional Court that resulted in the drug legalization exercised hostility Orthodox Church, saying the four judges legalization. The Court reasoned that towards the nation. He also claimed that of the Constitutional Court “had no right” permission to consume marijuana pro- the decision was made under political to make such an important decision on tects a person's right to free develop- pressure. behalf of 4 million Georgians. “The Con- ment, while prohibiting consumption is “Recently, a great anxiety has arisen in stitutional Court is not a necessary an action directed against its turnover, Georgia – the use of drugs and marijuana attribute of a democratic state: the future while the role of an individual user in has been legalized. This is a big mistake. of our children, students, and school- the support of marijuana circulation is We need to remember that the need for children is based on the judgement of very small, and consequently the threats narcotics does not stop at one level, as just four people,” he argued. Jagmaidze from individual consumption are like- time passes the human body requires added that the Georgian Patriarchate wise small. After the decision, Japaridze more serious drugs and cannot take care plans to appeal to the Georgian govern- called Georgia “a freer country.” of itself. We should remember that per- ment to abolish the Constitutional Court. In his Christmas sermon this January, mission for drug consumption is hostil- Several clerics held a press-conference the Patriarch called for a more effective, ity towards our nation. I am convinced on August 1 echoing Jagmaidze’s state- tolerant drug policy in Georgia. After that those who granted this permission ment. Priest David Nozadze called for a consumption of marijuana was decrim- for drug consumption do not agree with public referendum on marijuana legali- inalized in November 2017, the Patriarch it themselves, but they are under pres- zation, “Let us ask our society what they urged Georgians to be more compas- sure and were forced to make this deci- prefer” he said, “These four judges should sionate towards drug addicts, and called sion. We must not forget that if we allow apologize for making such a decision.” on the Georgian government "to work drugs, we should allow the drug trade Archpriest David Kvlividze took to call- out new drug policies that would prevent and drug production. The main thing is ing names, claiming that people who young people from using drugs and cre- that this will lead young people from consume marijuana are “sick” and say- ate a negative attitude towards that dire neighboring countries to come [to Geor- ing, “This is an anti-national decision Image source: Patriarchate of Georgia disease." GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 Propaganda as a Weapon

NATO of starting the war. Only 8% of respondents BY SHAWN WAYNE named Russia the aggressor in the war, the major- ity believing Russia did its utmost to avoid blood- shed. A staggering 18% of Levada’s poll respondents n 1991, when Georgia declared independence stated that they were hearing about the war for the as the Soviet Union fell apart, a war between fi rst time, while overall 56% said they had simply Georgia and separatists left parts of the former “heard something about it”. This poll was done in South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast under the July this year. de facto control of Russian-backed but inter- Lev Gudkov, head of Levada, stated that this is all nationallyI unrecognized separatists, with a similar due to the fact that after the confl ict ended, the situation developing in the region of Abkhazia. media was severely restricted from broadcasting Then, in 2000, when Putin rose to power, and any information about Georgia, either negative or with Georgia having a pro-Western outlook, ten- positive. Gudkov argued that anti-Georgian prop- sion between Russia and Georgia began to grow. aganda and a lack of post-war news from Georgia By August 2008, pro-Russian separatists had begun shaped public opinion today, and he’s right. Prop- shelling Georgian villages, breaking a 1992 ceasefi re aganda used correctly can be both the rise of an agreement. To put an end to these attacks and empire or the demise of one. restore order, the Georgian Army was sent to the As recent as 8 August 2018, Russia’s biggest rock breakaway region confl ict zone on 7 August and festival was boycotted by musicians due to the fact took control of most of Tskhinvali. Russian troops that the Ministry of Defense had a massive pres- then crossed the Russo-Georgian state border and ence there. When using propaganda as a weapon, advanced into the South Ossetian confl ict zone. you want exposure to be at a maximum level; you Russia joined the fi ght with the separatists against want to saturate your audience so that they cannot the Georgian military with the pretext of peace look away even if they want to. This completely enforcement, blaming Georgia for the aggression. Image source: thehill.com backfi red however, as military hardware was on After several days, the Georgian forces retreated, display to the 200,000 music fans at the Nashest- after which Russia proceeded to target and destroy Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili stated cious chance at strategic advantage? Propaganda. viye festival, with some artists calling the show a undisputed parts of Georgia, setting in motion an on 7 August 2018 that Russia had attempted to split The Georgian President knows this and stated propaganda stunt. ethnic cleansing of Georgians. Russia withdrew Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Georgia decades the following: “The background of Russia’s deci- Putin wants the strategic advantage and he is get- from undisputed parts of Georgia, yet occupied before the South Ossetian confl ict. sions differs from the speculations used by Russian ting desperate to obtain it, threatening Georgia and and recognized the independence of the breakaway propaganda, which try to connect what happened the US, stating that there will be dire consequences regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, leaving SO WHY IS THERE STILL in 2008 to NATO or the European Union. These to NATO membership for Georgia, ultimately jus- Russia's international relations largely unharmed. TENSION AFTER 10 YEARS? decisions were fuelled by Georgia’s attempt to tifying it by saying it is a security risk. Georgia’s Georgia has reached a critical point in time, eco- become a sovereign and independent country, by membership in NATO would indeed be a huge WHY DID ALL THIS HAPPEN, AND HOW? nomically and culturally. At this point, the nation Georgia’s decision to rule its own destiny,” Giorgi security risk for Russia, if its leader’s objective is First of all, Transcaucasia lies between the Russian is also very sensitive and vulnerable. Like a grow- Margvelashvili stated. to occupy the whole Transcaucasia. region of the North Caucasus and the Middle East, ing child, it needs proper guidance and trusting Propaganda, if used correctly, can be a powerful Propaganda, if used correctly, is a malicious and the strategic importance of the region making it a relationships. Georgia has been gaining attention weapon of war, as we learned in WWII; Putin knows downright insidious way of twisting and pervert- target for Russia. Signifi cant economic advantages, worldwide, and with EU-Georgia relations becom- this and has been utilizing it for years. This is evi- ing the human right to freedom of speech; however, such as the presence or transportation of oil, also ing increasingly positive, Putin has been losing his dent in a poll done by independent company Lev- it will be the downfall of Russia. People will soon affect interest in Transcaucasia. In addition, occu- grip in Georgia. With NATO membership getting ada Center, which shows us that 34% of polled realize that what they see and hear is only a husk pying Transcaucasia would ultimately allow Russia closer, he will soon lose his chance to gain a stra- Russians who are familiar with the confl ict said of the reality; reality that has been manipulated by to manage Western involvement in Central Asia. tegic advantage against the West. What options they hold the Georgian leadership liable, and 24% one man’s objective of gaining more power, and The Russians knew this even before the 2008 War. does he have left in order not to lose such a pre- of the respondents accusing the United States and that truth will reign supreme. The West, Georgia & Religion – as Seen by a Scholarly Nun

the West really devoid of spirituality? Does Geor- gia’s European aspirations pose a danger to the Church and the religious? These were the two piv- otal questions that GEORGIA TODAY posed to Professor Sandra Schott during an exclusive inter- view in Brussels. Mrs. Schott is not just another scholar – born Catholic, she converted to Ortho- doxy during a tumultuous period that she spent in the Balkans in the late 90s, and remains a serving nun to this day. Professor Schott is also one of the founders and driving forces behind the European Alliance for Georgia, courtesy of which we have been presenting you our Message from Brussels series. Knowledgeable of the spiritual stances at either side of the great East-West religious divide, she was keen to offer her comparative analysis on the matter.

THE RELIGIOUS EURO-SKEPTIC WING OFTEN ALLUDES TO THERE BEING NO SPIRITUALITY LEFT IN EUROPE. DO YOU CONSIDER THE STATEMENT TRUE? I would consider it as somewhat true because we come from a historical background that is still a little bit confused. This doesn't mean the West is EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE totally removed from spirituality, but it means that it’s more distanced from certain types of spiritual- ity, such as keeping the mystery of faith a mystery recent study found out that in only and not trying to defi ne that which we do not know. two countries, Georgia being one and I see Western society as being quite humble when Ghana the other, the young are more it comes to understanding the faith not from a per- religious than the old. This further spective of pure logic. reinforced the already obvious truth Athat religion plays a huge role in Georgia, just as it THE SAME SKEPTICS INSIST THAT has throughout the centuries. With the Church “LIKE THE WEST,” GEORGIA TOO being the country’s most trusted institution and WILL LOSE ITS FAITH IF IT REMAINS the Patriarch’s approval rating invariably sky-high, ON ITS EUROPEAN PATH it’s little wonder that foreign dignitaries, EU dip- I understand the logic, I understand why it hap- lomats chief among them, often come to pay hom- pens and I think it’s partly true. If Western society age and learn the Church’s perspective on things doesn’t solve the spiritual issue, it will hit a crisis going on in and around the country. Georgia’s EU point. While there are people in the West on a aspirations are no exception, especially given the continual search to fi nd or re-discover purpose and fact that religion often comes up as one of the spirituality, there are also people on the other end shielding points for the Euroskeptics who claim of spiritual evolution, people who I’d say have gone that approximation with Europe and the West will out of their minds and disregard spirituality alto- mean the need to give up religious and so-called gether. traditional values, vague as that term might be. Is Continued on page 7

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 10 Years on: the Geopolitics of the Georgia-Russia Confl ict

bership were further postponed. On a have any Georgian government under BY EMIL AVDALIANI larger scale, the Western infl uence in pressure by ramping up or cooling mil- the South Caucasus was shaken and the itary activities in the breakaway regions. regional geopolitics was altered by the Georgia will always be interesting to ugust 8 marks the tenth Russians as a result of the war. Moscow due to its geographical position This would also mean that in the event might follow Georgia and Ukraine’s path. anniversary of the 2008 in the South Caucasus. And it is not only of a government change in Moscow, it This scenario exists in the minds of the Georgia-Russia War. The RUSSIA’S VIEW about barring Tbilisi from joining NATO is very unlikely that there would be a Kremliners and is already leading to confl ict ushered in a diffi - The Russian foreign policy towards or the EU. Russia’s goal historically has change in Russian foreign policy towards some conclusions that trouble might be cult period in West-Russia Georgia is based purely on geopolitical been to minimize the importance of the the South Caucasus. It is in Russia’s vital in sight for Russian infl uence in Arme- Arelations when Russia was suggested for calculations. It is not even about grab- Caucasus mountain range as a barrier interests to keep Georgia at least very nia. expulsion from the G8 and general con- bing additional Georgian land per se, as between the South Caucasus and the weak and unstable. On the opposite side, The Georgia-Russia War of 2008 was tacts between Europe/US and Moscow many analysts and politicians seem to Russian mainland. the loss of Georgia to the West would the culmination of a long process of became strained. think. The stationing of Russian military From a geopolitical perspective, an mean a rapid decrease in Russian power detaching Georgia from the Russian It was missed at the time that the root forces in Abkhazia and Samachablo insecure, destabilized South Caucasus with much wider ramifi cations for the sphere of infl uence. To be sure, Moscow of the confl ict was not so much around (South Ossetia) since 2008, and the effec- would be a serious problem for Moscow entire former Soviet space. A “Russia- still has a long list of tools to use to exert the so-called South Ossetia, but rather tive occupation of those regions, still as it could spill over into the North Cau- free” Georgia is a nightmare for Moscow its power on Georgia, but the war nev- in EU’s enlargement into Russia’s bor- serves a number of military and security casus (Chechnya, Dagestan etc.). But, in as the Kremlin would then be less able ertheless made hundreds of thousands derlands. The EU and NATO’s expansion goals. a longer-term view, it would be more to pressure Azerbaijan, which exports of Georgians skeptical about any future into Eastern and Central Europe from The primary reason for the August War problematic for Moscow if the South its gas and oil through Georgia. Moreo- cooperation with the country. The rec- the late 1990s strengthened Western was to fi nally get hold of the vitally Caucasus countries built powerful state ver, the Caspian energy corridor would ognition of Abkhazia and the so-called infl uence in the former Soviet periphery important Roki Pass and Abkhazian sea- structures and became pro-western. It again see its relevance and Central Asian South Ossetia by Moscow virtually while undermining the very basis of shore. Both these routes directly connect is exactly for these reasons that the Rus- gas could reach Europe. stripped the Kremlin of the last resort Russian power. The catalyzer of this Georgia’s territories with the Russian sians have been threatening the road, From the Russian perspective, a Geor- to persuade Tbilisi to withhold from its process was the West's recognition of mainland. Without control over Abkha- pipeline and railway infrastructure run- gia associated with the western alliances pro-western-aspirations. Nowadays, Kosovo's independence from Serbia, a zia and Samachablo, Moscow would have ning from east Georgia to the Black Sea will also be a negative example for Mos- many Georgians believe that the country traditional ally of Russia, in early 2008. been shut off from processes in the South shore and vital to the entire region. In cow’s ally Armenia. The latter is already no longer has much to lose as it has Georgia, which under the Mikheil Caucasus. Moscow’s thinking, an unstable South experiencing an ongoing quiet revolution already suffered enough from its north- Saakashvili government became fi rmly Yet another signifi cance of the break- Caucasus full of Russian troops (as is with arrests and a fi ght against corrup- ern neighbor. This matters in geopolitics. entrenched with the West, served as the away regions for the Russians has been the case in our time) is what would limit, tion, where Russian obligations to the This unanimity creates an understand- perfect setting for Russia's response. to keep their troops as close as possible if not entirely preclude, Georgia from country are questioned and even gener- ing that rapprochement with Russia is For the EU, the confl ict was a setback, to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. This joining western political or military alli- ally the pro-Russian foreign policy course almost impossible in the foreseeable as Georgia’s hopes for EU/NATO mem- has been done in order to constantly ances. is criticized. Moscow fears that Armenia future. Kaladze’s Weekly Priorities: Remembering the War, New Bus Tender Awarded, Robert Sturua

buses to the capital within nine months 24/7, and Kaladze apologized to Tbilisi to meet technical requirements, and of the contract’s conclusion. residents for the discomfort the con- there is a plan to replace them with new, Kaladze explained, "I have repeatedly struction may cause. ecologically clean vehicles. said that upgrading public transport is The Mayor praised the efforts of the "From July 1, state and municipal trans- large-scale military intervention and very important and one of the main Urban Development Service. Created port vehicles became subject to compul- BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE aggression by the Russian Federation, priorities of our team. A few days ago, in April, the Urban Development Ser- sory technical examinations...On my which killed many people, including we presented our transport policy, a vice was inundated with a backlog of instruction, all City Hall’s vehicles were civilians. A new stream of IDPs [inter- vision of what will be done over the nearly 800 applications and the work- checked,” said Kaladze. He previously bilisi’s municipal govern- nally displaced persons] in our home- next few years. You know that in 2018- force of the division could not keep up. said that of the more than 500,000 cars ment held its weekly meet- land has emerged, who have not lost 2019, the buses will be fully renovated "Last week, the Urban Development in the city, more than 50% of them are in ing at Tbilisi City Hall on hope for peaceful coexistence with and yellow buses will be completely Service completed work on all overdue critical condition. The new regulations Wednesday, opening with Abkhazian and Ossetian citizens,” said replaced, as they are a serious discom- and ongoing applications...This service on emissions will come into force for a minute of silence in Kaladze. fort for the city and for passengers.” is vital in ensuring that overdue permits private vehicles on January 1, 2019 and memoryT of those who lost their lives Leading into the minute of silence, Kaladze then emphasized the ongoing are no longer an issue for the construc- “will help to improve existing environ- and homes during the 2008 August War Kaladze said, “The enemy is strong, but infrastructural projects in the city, tion sector. The companies had to wait mental conditions,” Kaladze promised. 10 years ago this week. the desire to unite the country is stronger. including the newly begun construction for months, causing serious discomfort. Finally, Georgian director and play- Before turning to municipal business, Nothing can destroy our belief in unity. of a two-pronged highway overpass This is also bad for the economy, as wright Robert Sturua was congratulated Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze remarked This war, together with the greatest beginning at the crossing of Marshall construction is one of the main reasons on his 80th birthday. "I want to con- on the tragic events of the August 2008 tragedy and pain, refl ects heroism and Gelovani Avenue and Sarajishvili Street. for economic growth. We will give gratulate you on this date with great War, which he called “the most tragic devotion. It is our duty to immortalize The project is designed to signifi cantly maximum support from our side to love and respect. I wish you health and even of our country’s recent history.” these people.” unload traffi c in the Vashlijvari area and ensure the proper urban development longevity...the capital city is fortunate “Tragic in its consequences, scale, and The fi rst item on the regular agenda increase traffi c fl ow between the Sabur- of the city,” said Kaladze. Three weeks to have distinct people, whose activities undertaking, the country has not yet was to announce that the tender for the talo and Dighomi districts. Road con- ago, the Service had a remaining back- and creations have made the city's day- been able to cope with the aftermath, procurement of new buses had been struction work is planned to last six log of 200 applications. to-day life special and exciting,” Kaladze and of course, will not be able to until awarded to Tegeta Truck and Bus. For months and cost approximately 4.5 mil- The Mayor also announced that 42 said as he presented Sturua with a cer- Georgia's fi nal reunifi cation. More than a total of 45 million GEL ($18 mil), the lion GEL ($1.8 mil), allocated from Tbi- vehicles belonging to City Hall have tifi cate of contribution to the develop- two decades have passed since the fi rst company will deliver 90 new public lisi’s city budget. Roadwork will continue been removed from the fl eet for failure ment of Georgian culture. SUBSCRIBE!

1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION - 60 GEL (6 ISSUES)

Money Back Guarantee!

 [email protected] +995 32 229 59 19  Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 POLITICS 7 On Paying for a President

ally restricted to a reasonable point both Not alluding to any specifi c personal- lic, which holds the Prime OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE inside and outside the country, not stuck ity, the powerless Georgian President, Minister responsible for the somewhere in the middle. Either the as ineffective as s/he actually is, has Republic’s good and bad, not President is a working fi gure or totally enough budget, time and authority to the President, and the ctober will see us Geor- out of any business that this nation is into. travel around the world at the expense President continues gians standing in the iconic The British Sovereign also holds a cer- of the State, having no realistic force or enjoying life with a light poll-box wondering who emonial position, but the kings and queens way to promote the Georgian cause or heart and an unburdened to choose for President. A of Albion at least use that for a budgetary move the country forward. Inside the back at the expense of our crucial moment, you might advantage thanks to the tourism the mon- country, the President’s position is even toil. think,O but no, not really. It will, in fact, archy generates. Could we imagine for a weaker. Meanwhile, the Georgian tax- But the oil is already in be a waste of time because who really second that Georgia’s President has an payer has to support the governmental the fi re and whether we needs a president with such governing ability to boost sightseeing in the coun- position, paying out for an irrelevant want it or not, we have to impotence as the position now boasts? try? This is one of the disadvantages of election, a luxurious presidential resi- take the heat. We will soon This election is going to be the last the Parliamentary Republic which Geor- dence, idle staff, futile travel expenses have a new President who straight-vote presidential election in gia is called today. We are sometimes and untargeted overhead. Doesn’t this will continue working as Georgia. The next will be the choice of mentioned as a Semi-Parliamentary sound preposterous? And there is no an additional and not very Parliament. Republic, which is even harder to under- way out because the Constitution that much wanted branch of The position of President is so squeezed stand, and years pass as we try to organ- maintains the current presidential status government, and we the in this country that s/he exists purely for ize Georgia into a real state, subject to a has already been written, rewritten and governed will continue liv- constitutional reasons, not functional. trade-off between the top geopolitical approved. The preference in the docu- ing, working and politicking Let us at least have him or her function- decision-makers of the world. ment is given to a Parliamentary Repub- in the same old way. The West, Georgia & Religion – as Seen by a Scholarly Nun

Continued from page 4 tion of human rights, say in the sense of Church being too submissive to politi- STATE BUT A SUBSTITUTE TO IT? WHAT ROLE CAN RELIGION the question of the balance between Man cians. In the Byzantine world, it was a This would mean the state is not strong PLAY IN GEORGIA WHEN IT HAD I POSED THE SAME and the way to God. different setting. enough and that the responsibilities are COMES TO THE COUNTRY'S QUESTION TO A EUROPEAN not being carried out correctly, leaving EUROPEAN ASPIRATIONS? POLITICIAN, I'M PRETTY SURE BUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS THE GEORGIAN ORTHODOX people restless and seeking change. The Church is doing and will do a lot of THE ANSWER WOULD BE CONCEPT SEEKS TO REMOVE CHURCH AND STATE ARE good just by discussing the matter with RELATED TO HUMAN RIGHTS GOD FROM THE EQUATION, SEEN AS ALMOST EQUAL YOU’RE NOT A GREAT FAN the people; by continuing to help main- ROOTED IN CHRISTIAN VALUES. PLACING HUMANS AS PARTNERS, WHILE IN THE OF SECULARISM, THEN? tain the dialogue. I’m concerned that the MIGHT WE BE HEADING FREE AND RIGHT-THINKING WEST, CHURCHES ARE SEEN AS No. But I don't think that it's the role of dialogue might still not be strong enough TO A STAGE WHERE THE WITHOUT NEED OF SUBSERVIENT TO THE STATE. the Church to speak about the things because Georgia had to fi ght so hard for HUMAN RIGHTS CONCEPT HIGHER GUIDANCE True, and this is why when a church they shouldn’t. If you want the Church its religious freedom in the form of direct REPLACES SPIRITUALITY? In the West, humanism has become, let’s somewhere gets a bit of infl uence, the to be responsible for everything in soci- confrontation that it might prove diffi cult It cannot replace it. We have a philo- say, the base of the loop and this now people start demanding it be curtailed. ety, then it at least needs to be effi cient to communicate the same goals without sophical school of thought active today tries to erase the origin even of human- If the Church does not interfere and and know and engage in the things that a fi ght, continuing to construct commu- which dates from the 16th century called ism and adjust itself to the political needs infl uence the affairs of the State, there need to be engaged in in today's world. nication without entering any kind of war. humanism, but humanism is not Chris- of the current world order, which is very should be no problem with it having an This means understanding the trends, tian spirituality and we are mixing it up. dangerous. It comes from the fact that infl uence. trying to see what is happening and also For me, human rights are a product of the Church is disconnected politically giving knowledgeable and relevant opin- humanism, not a product of Christianity. from society, it’s no longer a bridge HOW ABOUT THE CHURCH ions. Not being adapted to the situation But then again, Christianity is much more between people and the State. This BECOMING TOO POWERFUL and remaining stuck in traditionalism developed when it comes to the ques- originates in the past with the Western AND NOT SUBSERVIENT TO THE would not work in this instance. GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 The Good Russian: Victor Erofeyev on the August War, Abkhazia, Stalin and More

Continued from page 1 THE RUSSIAN NARRATIVE Source: odessaclassics.com ply of victims, and he might start run- THAT IT WAS GEORGIA ning out of those. It’s all rooted in our TEN YEARS ON, HOW YOU SEE WHO STARTED THE WAR mentality, which hasn’t adapted to mod- WHAT HAPPENED IN 2008? It’s hard to imagine that a small country ern realities but still rests on archaic It started earlier than 10 years ago- it like Georgia would decide to wage war thinking. started way back with Abkhazia in the against a huge country geared up with 90s. It was the “throes of the Empire” of every kind of arms and weaponry, includ- WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS the former Soviet Union, striving to ing nuclear bombs, so I don’t even want ON THE NOTION THAT THE engineer its own rebirth. And this is very to argue whether there was a realistic pos- AUGUST 2008 WAR WAS A evident in the belligerent speeches of sibility that Georgia would attack Russia. WAR BETWEEN REGIMES AND people like Zhirinovsky and his party. I What’s next – Estonia attacking Russia and POLITICIANS, NOT BETWEEN stand for European values and a Euro- seizing Moscow? This is yet another page PEOPLE AND NATIONS? pean way for Russia: this is the only thing from Russia’s imperial narrative. That’s a very diffi cult issue. You can’t that can lead my country to becoming a unlock the Russian way of thinking eas- modern state, with normal relations and MANY MAINTAIN THE 2008 ily – for example, there is a very strong mutual understanding with its neighbors. WAR WAS A PREEMPTIVE it has. So, I’d rate for the reasonable high culture of Russia stood for back impetus on friendship as a very impor- Georgia has stood for these values since STRIKE BY THE KREMLIN TO political pragmatism of the Georgian then: Akhmatova, Pasternak, Bulgakov tant, core Russian value. Historically, becoming independent in the 90s, while PREVENT NATO EXPANSION leadership. They should understand that and so on. These are the values that not simple folk in Russia have never had a Yeltsin’s Russia opted for imperial values AND TO CREATE OBSTACLES this might cause exacerbation of the only Russia and Georgia, but the whole political culture: there were the serfs and never looked back. The tragic and ON GEORGIA’S EUROPEAN fi ckle situation that we have now, and world shares. So, how could there be a and then there was a Boyar, a master, painful Abkhazian War was undoubtedly WAY. HOW DECISIVE A FACTOR this was also echoed in recent comments confl ict between Russia and Georgia? and the master was always right. If he a part of Russia’s imperial policy too. WAS NATO AND THE EU? made by Medvedev. I’d say be free and When it comes to politics, I think Yeltsin was so wrong you could no longer close Your beautiful country has all rights to The reasons may have been many, but be wise. made a huge mistake not siding with your eyes to it, then the master was mur- be free, to make its own choices, but at Russia harbors an almost mythical, pri- Georgia during the 90s territorial dis- dered, and this was called “revolution.” the same time, considering the uneasy meval fear of NATO - not only militarily, YOU CALLED THE 2008 pute. And I don’t think Putin’s Russia is Nobody voted for the Boyar; serfs weren’t and mighty neighbor up North, you need but also the values that NATO stands WAR “THE AUGUST OF OUR going to reconsider this anytime soon. supporters of his policies, they were just to be reasonable in what you do – you for. Russia is terrifi ed of its neighbors DISCONTENT,” PARAPHRASING If, after him, a reasonable ruler shows doing what they were told. That was the need to be aware that the European val- becoming NATO members, therefore STEINBECK’S FAMOUS NOVEL, up, we can hope for a positive decision, hierarchy. Putin saw that he doesn’t need ues you share with the rest of the West- pursues a strategy of seizing strips of AND STATED YOUR SURPRISE IT if not, it will go on… to modernize the country to retain sup- ern world clash with what Russia stands land from them, knowing that NATO HAD HAPPENED AT ALL. WHY? port, or to make it better – he just has to for, imperial values borne out of an would be wary to admit a country with I’d consider every war in our times unim- COULD THINGS CHANGE FOR give them what they want and what they archaic way of thought. Unfortunately, unstable state borders to its ranks. One aginable. War is a dreadful legacy of THE BETTER AFTER PUTIN? are used to. Georgia was the fi rst exam- for many in the West, this remains a hope is that sooner or later, NATO will uncivilized times of the past. When it I don’t think it’s guaranteed. He might ple of this, and the people rejoiced, as vague notion – that Russia adhered to a reconsider this position, but Georgia comes to high culture, Russia and Geor- put up Kadyrov as his successor. Or they did in 2014: you tell them they vio- policy of expansion as a means to sur- needs to be very careful, very reasonable. gia always understood each other. In Ragozin, or someone similar– he has no lated international laws, but they wouldn’t vival. Countries from the former Soviet It doesn’t have the luxury of not taking Soviet times, me and my older colleagues, shortage of them. But if the next Tsar is even spit on it, because that’s how the Union are much more aware of what the into account a gargantuan neighbor state the so-called Sixties (Shestidesiatniki) sympathetic towards Europe, then yes, imperial conscience works. bells toll for in the Kremlin. with distinctly different ideas on what thought Georgia was one of the freest we might see a positive development. is right or wrong. It needs to pursue its parts of the Union. From my time there, But I really wouldn’t bet on it. Putin’s YOU ARE IN THE MINORITY own policy, stand up for its values, but I saw that Georgia was developing its policy of country-wide mobilization OF RUSSIAN PEOPLE at the same time understand that it doesn’t culture not according to what Moscow (mobilization is easier to carry out than WHO DOESN’T SHARE exist in a vacuum – it has the neighbors dictated, but along the lines of what the modernization) requires a constant sup- GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 POLITICS 9 August 2008 War: Consequences of a Blitzkrieg

Ossetia is going through another crisis: as a UN-member state in the coming BY ANTOINE DEWAEST depopulation. The ethnic rivalry which years. This will never happen while the was a problem before, leading to expro- “authorities” discriminate and enforce priations and insecurity, is no longer the laws against the Georgian people. A UN eorgia, Russia, Abkhazia number one issue. Many natives, Osse- report said that as long as the 200,000 and "South Ossetia", each tian people, have migrated to North Georgians who were forced to fl ee are bear a share of the respon- Ossetia which is an offi cial part of the unable to return to their homes, any ref- sibility in the outbreak of Russian Federation, there establishing erendum will be considered illegal. The hostilities. But each has new settlements in the historic territory de facto republic is also facing a rural Gbecome a victim of it. Since 2008, all the of the Ingush. Tensions are expected. exodus from the Abkhaz-speaking coun- August War belligerents have suffered The so-called South Ossetia also remains tryside to cities, where Russian is mostly from the bloody and destructive confl ict. insecure while Georgian citizens are spoken. Let us take a look at the consequences. kidnapped or attacked on a regular basis. THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION THE BREAKAWAY THE DE FACTO REPUBLIC Russia showed that it could violate inter- TSKHINVALI REGION OF ABKHAZIA national law by invading other countries. There is no doubt that so-called South The situation is considerably more pos- The “support” to South Ossetia was Ossetia has been the main loser of the itive in the Abkhazia region. In terms of beyond the limits of legality and Russia August War. According to George economy, the potential is high, as the has shown itself a liar which thinks noth- Image source: wikipedia.org Mchedlishvili, an Academy Associate at territory is rich in natural resources and ing of breaking offi cial agreements. Per- the Chatam House think tank, the main is well-located near the sea. Politically, haps the lack of international reactions war with Russia but said also that Mos- icy. “Because of discontent about how consequences of the confl ict have been contrary to “South Ossetia,” the political ultimately encouraged Russia to do the cow’s military response violated inter- the war was handled, the Georgian the collapse of the economy. Now, the life is developed, and one can see an same again in Ukraine and Crimea. national law. This report may have leadership became far more intolerant breakaway region mostly relies on fi nan- opposition and debates. The ethnic rela- affected Georgia's international rela- towards any dissent, on the pretext they cial support from Russia. However, the tions with Adigeys, Kabardins, and Cir- STATE-ADMINISTRATED tions and delayed EU negotiations had to protect the security of the coun- local population does not see any of that cassian inside the de facto republic seem GEORGIA somewhat, although the confl ict turned try (…) It weakened and pretty much money, which is misappropriated though to be good, with the exception of the Georgia has suffered from the 2008 the majority of Georgians away from eviscerated any political dialogue and corruption while more than half the Georgian natives. Taking the positive August War regarding its international Russia and towards the European Union, opposition became marginalized (…) population lives on less than GEL 6 per situation into account, the de facto relations and domestic policy. First, the with whom the country signed an Asso- anyone who criticized Saakashvili’s day. The war was a recipe for economic Republic does not desire to join the Rus- EU-backed report released in 2009 ciation Agreement in 2014. The main government was accused of being a disaster, but not only. So-called South sian Federation and expects recognition blamed Georgia for starting the fi ve-day consequences deal with domestic pol- Russian agent,” said Mchedlishvili. Georgia Ranked 102nd in Global Peace Index 2018

the previous year. tic and International Confl ict; and the BY THEA MORRISON With its score, Georgia is the fourth in degree of Militarization. the region, after Moldova, Kazakhstan and The results of the 2018 GPI fi nd that Belarus. According to the report, Georgia the global level of peace has deteriorated eorgia has been ranked is one of the countries that had one of the by 0.27% in the last year, marking the 102nd in the 12th edition worst ratings in 2008 and it has signifi - fourth successive year of deteriorations. of the Global Peace Index cantly improved in the last 10 years. The 92 countries deteriorated, while 71 coun- (GPI), which ranks 163 improvement of positions is linked to the tries improved. The 2018 GPI reveals a independent states and stability of the business environment and world in which the tensions, confl icts, Gterritories according to their level of political situation in the country. and crises that emerged in the past dec- peacefulness. The GPI covers 99.7% of the world’s ade remain unresolved, especially in the Georgia has 2.13 points, which is a dete- population, using 23 qualitative and respected sources, and measures the domains: the level of Societal Safety and Mddle East, resulting in this gradual, rioration of 4 positions compared with quantitative indicators from highly state of peace using three thematic Security; the extent of Ongoing Domes- sustained fall in peacefulness.

When you think of the best gaming establishment in Tbilisi, The MEGA LOTTERY is here! Casino Jewel is giving you the you know the answer - Casino Jewel! We are proud to say that unique chance to win every day for the next 25 weeks! We are most of our clients visit us because of the rich experience offered proud to announce the biggest prize pool of 1,742,000 GEL! in our Casino - including daily shows, belly dancing perfor- Grab your chance to be winner every day! mances, top food and outstanding care for our customers! GEORGIA TODAY 10 POLITICS AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 Russian Responses to 10th Anniversary of August 2008 War

Image source: Kommersant / Valeriy Melnikov Putin “attacked Georgia...to put a full crossed a red line,” that he had “gotten BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE stop to Georgia’s reforms. I was the sym- off his leash.” bol of reform for him,” opined Saakash- Ivanov admitted that the Russian mil- vili. itary developed a plan for confl ict in his week marks the 10-year When asked why troops did not enter so-called South Ossetia during his tenure anniversary of the 2008 Tbilisi, Medvedev disputed Saakashvili’s as Defense Minister from 2001-2007, and Georgia-Russia War. Inter- assertions about Russian aims, saying expressed frustration that his plan was national media outlets and “the goal was to get the Georgian troops not upheld during the August 2008 War. political fi gures have been out of Tskhinvali, to put things in order, “I can reveal one detail [of my plan],” Tcommenting on what preceded the con- and to prevent the further escalation of said Ivanov, “it was stipulated that in fl ict, the events from August 7-12, 2008, violence...The goal was not to crush case it become necessary to militarily and its aftermath, including the contin- Georgia or execute Saakashvili. I believe intervene and force Georgia to peace on ued Russian borderization of the admin- that I did the right thing when I decided the territory of South Ossetia, only mil- istrative boundary line in Georgia’s to show restraint and not force further itary units fully staffed by contract sol- Tskhinvali region. actions.” diers would enter. Not a single conscript Russian media and pundits have also As to what Russia gained from the war, was envisaged in this plan,” a plan which marked the anniversary, with a signifi - Medvedev said, “Russia got the main was supplanted by Anatoliy Serdyukov, cantly different perspective than Geor- thing - peace. We were able to protect Defense Minister during the war. Ivanov gian and Western voices. our citizens - many citizens of the Rus- also blamed Russian losses, specifi cally On August 7, Russian Prime Minister sian Federation live in Abkhazia and of aircrafts, on “bad intelligence.” Dmitry Medvedev, who was President South Ossetia - and [to avoid] the head- Pushed on why Russian forces did not during the 2008 Georgia-Russia War, ache that at some point there would be invade the Georgian capital, Ivanov said, gave an interview to Russian media out- another attack...As a result, everything “Because they did not intend to take it. let Kommersant. In the interview, he in the region is clear.” What for? There was no political sense discussed why Russian tanks did not Responding to NATO’s recent reitera- to it, nor military. We needed from the enter the Georgian capital, what Moscow tion that Georgia will join the Alliance military point of view to infl ict such a gained by recognizing the claims of the at some point in the future, Medvedev blow on the armed forces of Georgia independence of Abkhazia and South said, “NATO enlargement is an absolute that in the foreseeable future they could Ossetia, and about what could provoke threat to the Russian Federation...It's a not repeat the same adventure.” a new confl ict in the region. threat to the world. We all understand He also criticized Western media, “All The August 2008 War “was not inevi- that there is a certain tension in the ter- the Western channels showed footage table,” said Medvedev, blaming the con- ritory of Georgia, that Georgia considers taken by correspondents from Russian fl ict on “the irresponsible, immoral, neighboring territories, or, from our TV channels in Tskhinvali. There were criminal conduct of Saakashvili and his point of view, states, as its own. It is an no other cameramen and journalists in minions...and given the fact that the head unsettled territorial confl ict...And such Tskhinvali – no one. Our journalists cap- of Georgia at that time was such an a country, such a state will be admitted tured the fi ring, the bombardment, the unbalanced person in a psychological to a military bloc? Do we understand horrors of war. CNN and the BBC used sense...there was simply no other option what this threatens? This can provoke a this footage and replayed it endlessly, [but to recognize Abkhazia and South terrible confl ict...beyond any doubt,” twisted it, placing the caption: ‘See how Ossetia as independent]. Perhaps, if there warned Medvedev. Russia attacked Georgia.’” had been a different leadership, it would In another interview with Kommer- Ivanov insisted that the Georgian pop- have been possible to discuss something. sant, Sergei Ivanov, who was Vladimir ulation agrees that Saakashvili was to But I am sure that different leadership Putin’s Vice Prime Minister in 2008 and blame for the war, despite much of the simply would not have adopted such an previously Defense Minister, also pointed public opinion in Georgia pointing the ugly decision to attack the elderly and the blame at Saakashvili, saying that in fi nger at Russian aggression. “The sub- children, to attack Russian peacekeepers 2007-2008, Washington and former sequent reaction - even by Georgia and and, in fact, to declare war on the Rus- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice the Georgian population, who got rid of sian Federation,” he said. assured them that Saakashvili would Saakashvili,” argued Ivanov, shows “that Saakashvili responded in an interview not dare to escalate military confl ict in the majority of the Georgian population yesterday with Ekho Moskvy Radio, South Ossetia. “In a private conversa- understands everything, but to recognize when he said “Medvedev is a zero. I tion, Rice told me that the US was not it aloud is again diffi cult because the thought I was dealing with the Russian behind these events and that this was territorial integrity has been lost by the President and it turned out that he was Saakashvili's initiative,” said Ivanov. state...We are not to blame for this...we nothing, just a nonentity.” He also insisted After the war, Ivanov claims that Rice kept our word, we recognized the ter- that Medvedev was never a decision- told him that Washington was “well ritorial integrity of Georgia until the maker, and then-Prime Minister Vladimir aware that their satellite Saakashvili moment when it was impossible to do Putin really controlled the situation. had violated all the conditions and so any longer.” GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 SOCIETY 11 Living through the August War

because Russian soldiers were on their way. Those BLOG BY GIORGI MUZASHVILI of us left in the village moved away from the fi ght- ing to the next village. I went in my fl ip-fl ops and said goodbye to my house, expecting it to be the he fi rst thing that comes to mind last time I saw it. But it wasn’t. We went back at when I think about my childhood is midnight. The village hadn’t been attacked; it was the village I grew up in. Since 2008, a false alarm. But I remember it was deadly silent. this village has been a ‘borderline’ The alarm hadn’t been false everywhere, though: village. In fact, the barbed wire set Gori, the city where my grandparents were living, upT by the Russians stands just a few meters from had been bombed, there was blood and ruined the public school I graduated. buildings throughout; despair and fear. Russian And what comes to my mind when I think about soldiers announced a curfew and the city was the August War? Fragments of memory. reduced to a shell of what it had been. On August 7, 2008, my brother and father were Then the shooting stopped. The war was over. sitting and watching a Georgian movie, Giorgi But it left thousands of people without homes, Saakadze, when suddenly the power went off. living in tents until new settlements could be built. When we went up to the second fl oor to see what One was set up near my village. Dozens of people was happening, we saw shooting to the north. The died. And a new wound appeared in Georgia- the war had begun. loss of Samachablo. Relations between Ossetians and Georgians were School didn’t begin in the middle of September good prior to that moment, even at the beginning as it usually did: I started two weeks later and still of the century when some kind of confl ict hap- soldiers under the Russian fl ag could be seen pened. I remember two or three times we visited moving along the road through my village, even relatives in the neighboring Ossetian village where in front of my school. I was told that if “something” my father's cousin was living. But the Ossetian happened, I should lie on the fl oor. and Russian politicians changed all that. What happened next? Seeing soldiers became My family spent the fi ve days of war in the vil- the norm, and even after 10 years you still have lage, although most other villagers fl ed to other to check into the Georgian military post before villages or Tbilisi. Just a few grown-ups and fi ve you can enter the village. We have three military children chose to stay. I was 7, but even at that posts and a police station. And you can clearly young age I felt the threat in the air. We were all see the “border” sign warning us away: ‘Attention! glued to the TV. Seeing people leaving their State Border! Passage is forbidden.’ burned-out villages was what fi rst made it hit We’ve adjusted. Some people came back, some home for me; the fi rst time I felt afraid. I was afraid stayed away. And we just…adjusted to our new of losing everything and everyone. I remember reality. The government offered the village pupils taking out my school-bag and packing it with my free university scholarships, and we have good school textbooks. I guess I thought they were roads, street lights, gas and electricity- something important. My mom and a relative from the neigh- not all villages can boast in Georgia. boring house barely slept during those fi ve days, But 10 years later, the Russians are still moving ready to wake us up at a moment’s notice if we the ‘borderlines’ throughout the country, includ- needed to get out, if the Russians decided to invade ing in my village. 10 years later, they continue to our village too. steal our land. 10 years later, they are still arrest- And one afternoon, there was panic- the villag- ing and abducting innocent people. 10 years later, ers had been told to leave as soon as possible Georgia is still occupied. GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018

Plaster Diary, 2: Etseri, Svaneti the roof repairs of some years ago, cut with tin BLOG BY TONY HANMER snips, and the aforementioned scrap wood. As he reapplied this over several hours, using succes- sively thinner coats of cement, the design sharp- irst, an aside: I, too, have a War Story to ened up to its fi nal magnifi cent form. Other things, tell, as it’s the 10th anniversary of the such as paint coloring and wood glue, simply must events here. I was away in the UK for the be fetched from either Mestia (where they’re closer whole Russo-Georgian war of August but at their most expensive) or Zugdidi (4x further 2018, having bought a 1-way ticket and away, but cheaper in the long run if you have a car- fiF nding myself unable to return even if I’d had a ful of shopping, including things not available return ticket: Tbilisi airport was closed. My girl- locally). friend of the time, soon to become my wife, was 3) You’ll be feeding the men three times a day, unreachable by cell phone or landline, so I just had housing them, watering them with various liquids to wait, which was hard indeed. My return was on on demand too, and hope (as is our fortunate case) August 31; within a few hours, getting unspoken that they’re not here to drink into a stupor at every signals that I had better not waste time, I proposed opportunity. They would be unlikely to come highly to her, and we had our civil ceremony in late Novem- recommended if that were the case, but the differ- ber! ences between our expectations and theirs can still Now last week’s house exterior narrative resumes. loom gulf-like. Day 5: As work progresses, it’s worth mentioning 4) It’s vital to establish and maintain a good rela- a couple of important factors in having a major tionship from start to fi nish of the several weeks renovation done by live-in craftspeople (usually of your time together, which hopefully will end men) in a village high in the Georgian mountains well, all parties satisfi ed, peace kept, not too much and 110 km away from the nearest big town’s sup- money asked or spent, and even invitations extended plies. to visit their home province of Kakheti for hunting, 1) You’d better have a surplus of all sorts of fi shing and more. These latter, if they survive unforeseen things at hand, and we’re ideally set through to the end of the work project, are a good up for this, being experienced AND having the sign that all ended on the best note. If you’re feast- village shop in our home amongst other things. ing together on-site as well, on average once a day Plastic sheeting to cover the windows, tape to but maybe more, then things in the interim are fasten it into place, so they won’t get cemented going smoothly. But, host husband, don’t neglect up? Check. Wire, nails, all sorts and sizes of scrap your wife’s needs for help in all that serving, espe- wood for the scaffolding and many other odd cially if she’s doing it alone! Unless this is SO far needs? Check. Hand and power tools, especially beyond the culture of both of you that it can’t be that circular saw? Yes: crowbars for digging holes done, in which case, ignore away, with consequences and digging out nails, spades, shovels and many perhaps obvious. more essentials. Even four large sheets of second- 5) Very important, too, is to keep an eye on weather hand sheet steel, beaten up and a bit rusted, reports, as this is chiefl y an outdoor project, and formed the necessary base on which to pour and rain can force delays. At least the sunshine and mix the cement ingredients, the “cake mixing heat up here aren’t too oppressive compared to the without a pan” miracle which I have written 40 or 45-degree C lowlands, and the evenings cool about previously. (But there was only disdain for right down into the bargain… the ear, eye, lung protection I routinely offer; I’ll likely wrap this up next week, as things are they used nothing more than work gloves, and progressing well and the house is slowly being put as for hard hats, you must be joking if you men- into its fi nal outside form for the coming decades. tion them at all.) What you DON’T have must be either bought or Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti made; either is possible, depending on materials since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early and skills at hand. An example is the rail-guided 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook form used to make the beautiful decorative cement group, now with over 1900 members, at www.facebook. bits under each of our large windows. My main com/groups/SvanetiRenaissance/ craftsman sat down and made this entirely from He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: what we had: bits of scrap sheet aluminum from w.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 SOCIETY 13 "Sakhe" to Celebrate 20th Anniversary at Black Sea Arena on Aug 24

ADVERTORIAL

n August 7, musical group Sakhe held a press confer- ence at Bank of Georgia Echowaves Festival Head Offi ce. Dato Khu- jadze, Dato Porchkhidze andO Boriko Shkhiani, together with the Head of the Georgian National Tourism Pre-Party at KHIDI Administration Giorgi Chogovadze, talked about the concert scheduled for the 20th anniversary of the band, within the framework of Check in Georgia. The evening show will feature the group’s Nightclub new band members and dancers of the Sakhe Studio. Sakhe is motivated to be found himself on the techno scene as a BY ANNA ZHVANIA well prepared for their unique concert unique DJ, producer and live performer. and as Dato Porchkhidze stated, this will George Effe, an outstanding fi gure of be one of their best events so far. the Baku techno scene will join forces “The series of concerts at Black Sea n August 11, KHIDI and with the two DJs and perform before the Arena continues within the framework Photo: Datuna Agasi Echowaves Festival will audience. of Check in Georgia. On August 24, we utilizing all the resources that the arena this will be one of the best concerts in present a festival pre-party Don’t miss the chance to get a glimpse will have the opportunity to attend the has to offer. We will perform well-known the history of our band. We have added which will be held at of the upcoming, large-scale Echowaves concert of the legendary group. Our songs as well as 10 new compositions, a new member to our team, Boriko KHIDI Nightclub. Festival that will take place on August favorite group has turned 20 years old. which will be released as an album. For Shkhiani. You will be able to hear fusion OThe pre-party will feature Max Cooper's 23-26 in Anaklia! With old and new songs, every genera- the past three months, we’ve had daily in our music and sounds including a new audio-visual show BALANCE. Since In collaboration with Echowaves Fes- tion will enjoy the show. Thanks to all rehearsals. As we know that many peo- combination of live and electronic.” 2007, COOPER has acquired a unique tival, KHIDI will present its own stage the partners for supporting this project,” ple will be attending the concert, we're Shkhiani said, “We have long wanted approach to music on stage. His works during the festival. With many variations said Chogovadze. using our maximum capabilities to pre- to collaborate. We initially started with and live performances are the merging and genres of Techno, the stage will boast “We are proud to have the opportunity pare,” said Dato Khujidze. one song, enjoyed working together and of electronic music, visual arts and sci- internationally reknowned DJs such as to participate in this project. Thanks to “We have never performed a concert decided to write ‘Tbiliso’. We then fi lmed ence. His label MESH displays various Ben Clock, Marcel Dettmann, Ancient Check in Georgia for making this pos- without putting our hearts into it,” said a video and came up with a new album. collaboration in visual arts and science. Methods and many more. sible. There is no such hall in the Black Dato Porchkhidze, “But since we have Thanks to Black Sea Arena for the oppor- Together with Max Cooper, Belgian Sea region as the Black Sea Arena and great support and help, we gathered new tunity to have us perform on August 24”. artist and legendary Time To Express Tickets can be purchased on KHIDI Website we have the opportunity to perform in members of the band to keep the stand- Tickets for “Sakhe” concert are avail- founder Peter Van Hoesen will take to Facebook event: KHIDI X ECHOWAVES PRE- this space for our audience. We'll be ards of pop music and we are sure that able on tkt.ge. the stage. Since 2006, Van Hoesen has PARTY

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.

Ganmukhuri, Anaklia www.pratapsignature.com [email protected] +995 591 99 66 55 Redefining luxury at the heart of Ganmukhuri Black Sea Resort, Pratap’s Signature overlooks the visually stunning waters of the Enguri River on one side and Black Sea on the other. This hotel in Ganmukhuri spreads across 9 acres of colorful, tropical gardens and lush lawns that roll down to the water’s edge of the Enguri River. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI CINEMA MUSEUM Exhibition Start time: 17:00 The State Musical Center of Batumi PORTRAITS OF KAKHETIAN Ticket: 23 GEL Contemporary Ballet based on Dato NOBLES – FROM THE Venues: AMIRANI CINEMA GEORGIAN NATIONAL Turashvili's Novel BEGINNING OF GEORGIAN August 15- 2 Turgenevi Str., Tbilisi Yard Address: 36 Kostava St. MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA Original idea and choreography by EASEL PAINTING UP TO 20TH August 16- 2 D. Megreli Str., Europe Sq. Telephone: 2 99 99 55 MUSEUM Mariam Aleksidze CENTURY www.kinoafi sha.ge Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Music by Josef Bardanashvili OTIUM Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Stage Designer: Ana Kalatozishvili VISITOR CENTER OF Address: Near Turtle Lake Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL www.museum.ge With the Giorgi Aleksidze Tbilisi August10-16 KOBULETI-KINTRISHI Telephone: 595 90 95 95 Contemporary Ballet Company PROTECTED AREAS Exhibitions: Gurji-Khatun– Natia Bunturi August 12 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT GEORGIAN COSTUME AND Address: 271 D. Aghmashenebeli Str., Company Artistic Director– GROUP FRANI DJ REMBO Directed by Christopher WEAPONRY OF THE 18TH-20TH Kobuleti Mariam Aleksidze Start time: 21:00 McQuarrieMarshall Thurber CENTURIES Start time: 20:00 July 5 20018 – July 5 2019 Ticket: 30 GEL Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ticket: 10-15 GEL Ferguson, Henry Cavill NUMISMATIC TREASURY Georgian National Museum presents Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller new exhibition. The exposition MTATSMINDA PARK Exhibition showcasing a long August 7 Language: English history of money circulation on the depicts the unique ecosystems of Start time: 19:30 Adjara, in particular the Kobuleti August 10 EMILI AND FRIENDS territory of modern Georgia from CONCERT OF ROMANIAN POP Participants: Emili, “Babilo,” Kids Ticket: 13-14 GEL the 6th century BC. to 1834. wetland areas, the Kintrishi forests and their biodiversity. The most MUSIC ARTIST AKCENT Studio and Special guest: Nini OCEAN’S 8 Start time: 21:00 Shermadii EXHIBITION STONE AGE interesting parts of the exhibition are Directed by Gary Ross Ticket: 40 GEL Start time: 20:00 GEORGIA the Ispani sphagnum peatlands and Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate the Kintrishi forest illuminated light- Ticket: 80-160 GEL Blanchett, Anne Hathaway BLACK SEA ARENA ARCHEOLOGICAL TREASURE boxes. Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime Address: Village Natanebi GALLERY Language: Russian NEW LIFE TO THE ORIENTAL GALLERY (Shekvetili), Guria COLLECTIONS Start time: 16:45 Visitor Center of Kobuleti-Kintrishi Ticket: 13 GEL August 11 April 26 – September 1 THE NATIONAL GALLERY Protected Areas Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. Check In Georgia and Black Sea Address: 271 D. Aghmashenebeli Str., THE MEG UNKNOWN COLLECTIONS www.museum.ge Arena presents the concert of Kobuleti Directed by Jon Turteltaub OF GEORGIAN NATIONAL ENSEMBLE SHVIDKATSA AND Cast: Ruby Rose, Jason Statham, MUSEUM– INDIA, CHINA, JAPAN May 25-August 26 8 TIMES GRAMMY AWARD July 5 20018 – July 5 2019 Rainn Wilson WINNING AMERICAN GROUP The Georgian National Museum The Georgian National Museum Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi May 26 – September 30 TAKE 6 and the Embassy of Italy to presents an exposition of the Language: English THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC Celebrating the 20th anniversary Start time: 19:45 OF GEORGIA - 100 YEARS Georgia, within the Museum Fest, unique ecosystems of Adjara, in present the exhibition of ‘Shvidkatsa’ and Dedicated to Language: Russian the 100th anniversary of Georgia's particular the Kobuleti wetland Start time: 14:00, 22:30 June 12 – August 31 EVIDENCE. A NEW STATE OF ART areas, the Kintrishi forests and The National Gallery is hosting independence. Ticket: 12-15 GEL Georgian National Museum Participants: ‘Shvidkatsa’, ‘Take 6’, their biodiversity. The most presents the exhibition the exhibition of Garuzzo Institute interesting parts of the exhibition for Visual Arts- presenting Georgian National Symphony CAVEA GALLERY CAUCASUS BIODIVERSITY Orchestra are the Ispani sphagnum peatlands Address: 2/4 Rustaveli Ave. contemporary Italian artists' and the Kintrishi forest illuminated artworks created since the 1950s. Conducted by Nikoloz Rachveli Telephone: 200 70 07 IOSEB GRISHASHVILI Directed by Basa Potskhishvili light-boxes. TBILISI HISTORY MUSEUM Start time: 19:00 Every Wednesday ticket: 8 GEL GENIUSES OF RENAISSANCE - KARVASLA Ticket: 20-70 GEL ANAKLIA August 10-16 Address: 8 Sioni St. The Georgian National Museum and the Embassy of Italy to MUSIC Telephone: 2 98 22 81 August 16 CHRISTOPHER ROBIN Georgia, within the Museum Fest, Check in Georgia and Black Sea MUSIC FESTIVAL- ECHOWAVES Directed by Marc Forster June 27 – September 10 present the exhibition Cast: Hayley Atwell, Ewan Arena Present the concert of POWERED BY EXIT Georgian National Museum and legendary Georgian singer Nani McGregor, Toby Jones LADO GUDIASHVILI ART The Goethe Institute, in connection Bregvadze and American artist Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy GALLERY Address: Anaklia with 200 years of relations between Chris Botti, dedicated to the Language: English Address: Gudiashvili Atr. Day Pass: 60 GEL, Season Ticket: Germany and Georgia, presents a 100th anniversary of Georgia's Start time: 11:15 project Telephone: 293 23 05 150 GEL, Camp (tent for 2 person): Ticket: 10-19 GEL independence. 250 GEL. THE DYNASTIES - PARALLEL Participants: Tickets: General - 5 GEL, Enjoy several stages with diverse PERSPECTIVE NANI BREGVADZE, EKA THE MEG Ages 6-18 - 3 Gel, Students and music genres – Main Stage, KHIDI (Info Above) MAMALADZE, NATALIA MUSEUM OF SOVIET Pensioners - 3 GEL, Stage, EYE Stage, Taiyo stage and Language: English KUTATELADZE, NINO OCCUPATION Free admission for orphan groups Aqua stage, together hosting 150 Start time: 14:05 KATAMADZE, STEPHANE and children under 6 international and local artists, Language: Russian Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. MGHEBRISHVILI, BATUMI Start time: 14:15, 17:00, 19:30, 22:15 Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 STATE MUSICAL CENTER'S including: Die Antwoord, Tricky, EXHIBITION OF PREVIOUSLY Ticket: 11-19 GEL www.museum.ge CAPPELLA. Solomun, Ben Klock, Marcel UNKNOWN ART PIECES Special guest: CHRIS BOTTI Dettmann, Juan Atkins, Function, THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME PERMANENT EXHIBITION CREATED BY LEGENDARY Start time: 19:00 Kayakata, NU, Woo York, Henrik (Info Above) ARTIST LADO GUDIASHVILI: 1 + Ticket: 20-30 GEL Schwarz, Antigoe, DJ TENNIS, and Language: English SVANETI MUSEUM 70 UNKNOWN Greenbeam & Leon. Address: Mestia, Svaneti ADJARA Start time: 22:00 MUSIC Ticket: 16-19 GEL Line Up: May 19 – August 19 SOHO BATUMI August 11 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - The Svaneti Museum of History and SOUND OF GEORGIA Address: Old Boulevard, Batumi KHIDI X ECHOWAVES 2018 PRE- FALLOUT Ethnography hosts an exhibition Telephone: 595 53 57 57 PARTY: "MAGNUM PHOTO 70 - GEORGIAN August 15, 16 (Info Above) MAX COOPER LIVE A/V, JOURNAL: ROBERT CAPA 1947, Regular mini-concerts of traditional Language: English August 8 PETER VAN HOESEN, Start time: 19:40 THOMAS DWORZAK 2017". Georgian live music in the STEFAN BINIAK GEORGE EFFE Language: Russian Old Town will introduce you to and Start time: 13:15, 16:30, 22:30 SIGHNAGHI MUSEUM fall in love with the Georgian NEW COMPOSITIONS AND HITS Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 11-19 GEL Address: 8 Sh. Rustaveli Blind-alley character and culture. Start time: 22:00 Tickets: 20-40 GEL Ticket: 20 GEL Venue: Khidi, V. Bagrationi Bridge, UP2YOU Right Embankment Address: Batumi Beach Club Telephone: 577 43 39 39 BAKHMARO MUSIC August 11 THE SUPERMEN LOVERS BAKHMARO SUNSET Start time: 20:00 Venue: Resort Bakhmaro Ticket: 30-70 GEL August 11 Taoba stage in Bakhmaro for one August 15 day. SALOME DE BAHIA Line Up: Start time: 20:00 KORDZ, L8, PLANETARIUM IP, Ticket: 30-70 GEL IOANE, ROMA J, NODYGE Start time: 18:00 SECTOR26 Ticket: 60 GEL Address: Batumi Beach Ticket Price includes: Ticket, Tbilisi -Bakhmaro-Tbilisi, August 3 Camping spot STEPHANE BIRTHDAY PARTY LAGODEKHI Start time: 22:00 Ticket: 20 GEL BLUES FEST Venue: Lagodekhi BATUMI STATE MUSICAL CENTER August 11 Address: 1 O. Dimitriadis Str. BLUES FEST Telephone: 0422 22 15 06 SHANNA WATERSTOWN August 4 Start time: 20:00 GURJI-KHATUN Ticket: 20-70 GEL GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 10 - 13, 2018 CULTURE 15 Film Festival Held in Adjara

Municipality assisted in organizing the movie BY ANNA ZHVANIA screening of Maka Gogoladze’s ‘God, thank you for the tea.’ In a symbolic gesture, viewers were invited to enjoy tea and sweets after the movie. The topic three-part regional fi lm show was held of discussion was labor migration, a poignant topic in Adjara last week within the frame- for the Adjara region. work of the CineDoc International On July 29, in an abandoned open-air cinema in Film Festival in a project supported Beshumi, Romanian director Aleksandru Belk's sHEROes, a Book about by the Swiss Development and Coop- fi lm ‘Cinema, My Love’ was screened. The story Aeration Agency. relates to abandoned cinematography, hence the On July 25, Tsira Gvasalia’s fi lm ‘Rooms’ was shown choice of location for the event. in the Saint Ekaterine Shelter for the Elderly in Batumi. The selected theme for this day was ‘Georgia: a Heroines of the 2008 August The sponsor was “Tkbili Kvekana”. The story takes Collection of the Best Movies. After the movie, a place in an old peoples’ home and the Saint Ekaterine discussion was held with Zaza Khalvashi, who residents were interested to see their daily activities spoke about Georgia’s role in the world of cinema. War, Launches in Tbilisi refl ected on screen. Following the fi lming, a short In the evening, Double Vision performed songs discussion was held as to what extent the viewers from Georgian movies, sponsored by Teliani Val- Open Society Foundation to individual photogra- identifi ed themselves with the movie characters. They ley, Laguna and House of Baklava. BY LIKA CHIGLADZE phers from Central Asia, the South Caucasus, also talked about changes and improvements needed Media partners of the Festival were Rustavi 2, Afghanistan, Mongolia and Pakistan, and in the in the system of care for the elderly. Adjara TV, Liberal, Indigo, Georgia Today, IPN, and same year attend a workshop with Thomas Dwor- On July 27, in the open air at Keda Park, the Keda Artnews. en years have passed since Russia’s zak (Magnum ),Yuri Kozirev (Noor), Adrian Kelter- invasion of Georgia in 2008, but the born and Andrei Polikanov. pain left by the war has not yet lifted. In 2013, she was selected among the world’s 12 The confl ict, often referred to as the best young photographers to attend World Press fi rst war of the 21st century in Europe, Photo’s Joop Swart Masterclass. Her Long term Terupted on 7 August 2008. Georgia tried to retake projects: “I Am Georgia,” “My Place” and “Frozen control of its region of Tskhinvali (so called South Waves” was exhibited in: France, Italy, Spain, USA, Ossetia), following a series of clashes when Rus- Poland, Germany, Turkey, Sweden, Denmark, sian forces launched an assault and pushed further Lithuania, Ukraine, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethi- into country, shelling Georgian cities and occupy- opia, Singapore and Georgia. Oganova is author ing large swathes of territory. of the fi rst Georgian handmade limited edition The confl ict lasted fi ve days before a ceasefi re (87 copies) photo book “My Place,” which is about was agreed. Russia pulled back, but built up its the new generation of Georgians- the fi rst gen- military presence in both South Ossetia and Abk- eration living after the collapse of the Soviet Union hazia. and brought up in an independent country. Now As a result of the war, more than 400 people she is working on a second handmade limited- were killed, up to 2000 were wounded, more than edition book: Frozen Waves. 20,000 people were internally displaced and 22 “It took us around two years to complete sHE- villages were lost. ROes. The working process was very diffi cult and In relation to the 10th anniversary of the war, emotional at the same time,” Salome Benidze told two Georgian women, writer Salome Benidze and GEORGIA TODAY. “We visited many villages as photographer Dina Oganova, teamed up to tell well as densely populated settlements and as a the story of the other side of the war. Their joint result came up with a book that incorporates 60 work remembers and introduces us to those women stories of women. The stories are so deep that I who suffered in and because of the war, and who think each of them deserves a separate book. I were no less warriors than the men. The book want to thank Dina for her idea and for suggest- presentation and photo exhibition symbolically ing we work together on it. took place on August 7, at the Silk Factory Studio. I want to thank the publishers and those who The book ‘sHEROes’ published by ‘Books in Batumi’ helped us bring it all together. I’m also grateful to unveils the stories of women with different back- the heroines of our book who opened up to us, grounds and age, whose lives were forever changed; shared their stories and without whom this book who fought, who did not abandon their burning wouldn’t have happened. The stories they tell are villages; who saved many lives and lost their own distinct and come from women with different loved ones. ages, backgrounds, and experiences. I want to “This is the most important work in my life so thank them all for their openness and bravery,” far, since this is Georgia’s recent history,” Dina she said. Oganova told GEORGIA TODAY. “Everyone should Benidze is a contemporary Georgian author have a copy of this book so as not to forget this who is already well-established in the Georgian war. This is an ongoing war in our country. It was literary scene. In 2012, she received the literary very painful for me that I could not go to the war award SABA for the Best Debut of the Year, which and capture what happened. I wanted to uncover brought her nationwide recognition. She has the story of a different side of the war. Men and since been nominated for many awards. One of soldiers are considered the main heroes of any her latest novels, “The City on Water” (published war and are spoken about most, but there are by Books in Batumi in 2015) became a national women who have experienced no less pain and bestseller and was awarded the Tsinandali Award. struggle. No one speaks about those brave women The main heroes of the book are strong women, who experienced all the hardships of the war and like sHEROes. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, her stories whose deeds are less visible to society. So, this The Lovers of my Lover, The Survivor, and Lidia project aims to reveal the brave and strong women were included in the popular anthology ‘15 Best Georgia has.” Short Stories’ published annually by Bakur Oganova is Georgian, a freelance documentary Sulakauri Publishing. photographer focused on personal, long-term After the book presentation and exhibition in projects in Georgia and post-Soviet countries. In Tbilisi, the presentation of sHEROes is touring 2012, she won her fi rst Production Grant from the the cities of Gori, Kutaisi and Batumi.

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

ფფასიასი:

სსასტუმროსასტუმროს ტტიპისიპის ააპარტამენტებიპარტამენტები ბათუმშიბათუმში 22400400

ბბინებიინები -32-32 კვკვ.მ-დანდან ლლარიდანარიდან შშიდაიდა უპროცენტოუპროცენტო გგანვადებაანვადება 2424 თვეზეთვეზე დდაგვიკავშირდითაგვიკავშირდით: +995+995 555555 009797 009797 / ++995995 555555 009898 009898 მმისამართიისამართი : ლეხლეხ დადა მარიამარია კაჩისნკებისკაჩისნკების ქ. №8 BBATUMIATUMI VIEWVIEW wwww.batumiview.comww.batumiview.com Hotel type apartments with sea view for sale from 32 m2 PPrice:rice: fromfrom 24002400 GELGEL 24-months 0% installment Contact us: +995 555 097 097 / +995 555 098 098 Adress : Leh and Maria Kachinsky street N8

BBATUMIATUMI VIEWVIEW апартаменты гостиничного типа Квартиры - от 32 кв.м ЦЦенаена: отот 22400400 ллариари Беспроцентная рассрочка до 24 месяцев Свяжитесь с нами по телефону: +995 555 097 097 / +995 555 098 098 Адрес: улица Леха и Мария Каинських N8

32 2400 24 +995 555 097 097 / +995 555 098 098 : 8 - :