Issue no: 999 • NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 • PUBLISHED TWICE WEEKLY PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Cyanide Case Prosecutor Says Georgian Ombudsman Is Biased NEWS PAGE 2 Caucasia: The Fiction State for Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan POLITICS PAGE 4 French Ambassador on Franco-Georgian Relations POLITICS PAGE 6 Nenskra HPP Project to Arrange Cleaning Works in the Nakra River Valley FOCUS BUSINESS PAGE 9 ON WINE DISCOVERIES Not about the Math, Part 1 It's offi cial: Georgia IS the SOCIETY PAGE 12 Cradle of Wine! PAGE 2,3 Galaktion: 12 Poems Translated & Merger of Foreign Intelligence & State Published CULTURE PAGE 12 Security Services Raises Questions Rugby Six Nations: Georgia Wants to Join World’s Elite BY THEA MORRISON

pposition parties, former govern- mental offi cials and experts have criticized the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, for making the decision to unite the ForeignO Intelligence and State Security Services (SSS). The experts assure that this decision will be SPORTS PAGE 15 very harmful to the state intelligence and secu- rity systems, claiming it represents a similar structure as that seen in the KGB in Soviet times. The Foreign Intelligence Service was separated from the State Security Service in 2005 and became an independent organ in order to better eliminate foreign threats, however, on November 14, 2017 it was decided by Kvirikashvili that from January 2018, the two structures will be reunited. Former Defense Minister Dimitry Shashkin sees high risks in the concentration of power in the hands of SSS Head, Vakhtang Gomelauri, who will lead the united agencies. He believes the new body will be a real “monster.” Continued on page 2 GEORGIA TODAY 2 NEWS NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 Cyanide Case Prosecutor Says Georgian Ombudsman Is Biased rosecutor of the notorious so-called Cyanide Case, Jarji Tsiklauri, has claimed that the Public Defender Ucha PM Welcomes European Nanuashvili is biased. The caseP involves clergyman Giorgi Mamaladze, who was given a nine-year sentence for the attempted murder of Parliament Resolution the Patriarch’s secretary. The Prosecutor’s statement came after Nanuashvili’s report on the high-profi le Supporting Georgia case, which reads that despite the fact that a Tbilisi City Court judge held the court hearings without substantive pro- cedural faults, it was impossible to cor- interfere with the activities of the Pros- ecutor's Offi ce made the main evidence ahead of EaP Summit rect the violations made in the investi- ecutor's Offi ce or indicate which inves- public and identifi ed witnesses,” Nanu- sovereignty and territorial integrity of gation process, which made a decisive tigative action should be conducted and ashvili stressed, adding the defense was BY THEA MORRISON the Eastern Partnership member states, impact on the court's fi nal verdict. what should be done. deprived of the opportunity to request including Georgia, the occupation of “It is clear that the Public Defender Tsiklauri also expressed hope that the several examinations. Georgia’s two regions, and Russia’s fail- had a biased attitude from the very begin- Ombudsman will further restrain from “A number of important issues were eorgian Prime Minister, ure to fulfi ll its international obligations,” ning,” Tsiklauri stressed, adding Nanu- making any such “incompetent” state- not considered in the guilty verdict, the Giorgi Kvirikashvili, has Kvirikashvili added. ashvili had been deliberately spreading ments regarding the investigation. burden of proof was transferred to the welcomed the decision of He went on that the report also calls false information. Nanuashvili released his report on the defendant and the reasonable doubt the European Parliament for enhancing the EU’s role in peaceful The Prosecutor also rejects the Ombuds- case on November 15. He disapproved which arose during the assessment of to back the resolution rec- resolution of confl icts. man’s claims that he was refused access the closure of the hearing, adding the the evidence was directed against the Gommending for Georgia, Ukraine and “It is very important that the European to the case materials by the Prosecutor’s public had no opportunity to follow the defendant, which contradicts the Con- Moldova to be allowed to join the cus- Parliament singles out practical support offi ce of Georgia (POG). developments and that the Public Defend- stitution,” the Ombudsman stressed at toms or energy union. provided for the Eastern Partnership “His groundless criticism indicates his er’s Offi ce was the only neutral body to the presentation of the report. “We welcome the Eastern Partnership member states, which involves promot- deep incompetence. He said that the monitor the case. The lawyers of the convicted archpriest Report unanimously adopted by the ing investment projects and SMEs, imple- prosecution did not conduct a number The Ombudsman said statements made are to submit the Public Defender's con- European Parliament as an important menting infrastructural projects, and of investigative acts and did not gain by representatives of the authorities in clusion to the Court of Appeal as evidence. decision ahead of the upcoming summit, simplifying education in EU schools for additional evidence that the lawyers relation to Giorgi Mamaladze violated Lawyer Mikheil Ramishvili believes and yet another message from the EU Georgian citizens,” Kvirikashvili said, considered necessary,” said Tsiklauri. the principal of the presumption of inno- that if this report is submitted, the Euro- in support of Georgia and the partner and thanked Georgia’s European part- He also noted that the Code of Crimi- cence. pean Court of Human Rights will make countries,” Kvirikashvili wrote on Face- ners and friends for this support. nal Procedure and the European Court “Statements made by public offi cials a decision in favor of the defense. Accord- book. The resolution was backed by the Euro- of Human Rights guarantees the adver- contributed to the creation of prejudice ing to him, the judge did not deliver the The PM says that the recommendations pean Parliament on Wednesday. The sarial principle, which implies full free- against Mamaladze long before his con- verdict independently. “He fulfi lled an upheld by the European Parliament document was adopted by 519 votes to dom of the defense to conduct any inves- viction,” Nanuashvili said. order,” he said. refl ect the full support of Georgia’s pri- 114, with 47 abstentions, the European tigative action independently from the The report also reads that the defense Father Giorgi Mamaladze, arrested in ority issues, such as Georgia’s European Parliament’s press offi ce said. prosecution. was placed in unequal conditions due February, was charged with planning a aspirations and the need to set long-term The fi fth Eastern Partnership summit “Mamaladze's interests were defended to being obliged not to disclose the details murder and was sentenced to nine years goals in Georgia-EU relations. will take place in Brussels on November by six lawyers and none of them ever of the case, which, according to the Pub- in prison by Tbilisi City Court Judge “Importantly, the European Parliament’s 24 and Georgia’s Kvirikashvili, with his applied to the Prosecutor's Offi ce for lic Defender, did not serve the goals of Besik Bugianishvili in early September. report contains clear messages on the delegation will attend it. the conduct of any investigative action the procedural legislation and was super- The judge declared Mamaladze guilty and/or examination,” he added. fl uous and an unnecessary restriction. for preparing to murder the Georgian The Prosecutor says that no one, includ- “The violation of the equality of the Patriarch’s Secretary, Shorena Tetruash- Merger of Foreign ing the Public Defender, has the right to parties was more evident when the Pros- vili by means of cyanide. Intelligence & State Georgia: Inventor of Wine

Gora, roughly a kilometer away. this were found at the site, meaning these BY TOM DAY The samples were later analyzed and wines were most likely made and con- Security Services found to contain tartaric acid, a chemi- sumed before they had the time to turn cal compound that proves these broken sour. “They don’t seem to have put tree ess than 30km south of Tbilisi, pieces of pottery had wine residue pre- resin with it,” McGovern says. “Maybe a cluster of small, round mud sent on them. There was some debate they hadn’t yet discovered that tree res- Raises Questions houses stand on top of an over whether the residue was actually ins were helpful.” Continued from page 1 UNM member Khatia Dekanoidze says emerald-green valley. The wine, or a non-alcoholic grape juice. But This discovery deepens our under- the new service will be identical to the settlement is called Gadachrili Andrew Waterhouse, a wine chemist at standing of the Neolithic period, which “When you give so much power to one KGB and will be used against the oppo- GoraL and, in a report published this week, the University of California, said that began around 10,000 B.C. This was a person, this means this will be the most nents of the Georgian Dream (GD) gov- its people were found to be the makers succinic acid was also found, indicating pivotal time in human history because powerful man in the country,” Shashkin ernment living abroad. of the oldest wine in history. The stone that fermentation had taken place. This, it was when our ancestors began to farm, told Rustavi 2. “The SSS is persecuting GD opponents age farmers who occupied this place combined with decorations outside of settle down, domesticate crops animals Opposition party the United National in the country. Now, after uniting with 8000 years ago lived in a period when the jars of grapevines and people danc- and lead more complex lives. “Wine Movement (UNM) believes that the the Foreign Intelligence Service, the SSS humans were still dependent on stone ing, confi rmed the it was. fermentation isn’t a survival necessity. unifi cation of the two structures will will have access to the opponents abroad tools. The discoveries were carbon-dated to It shows that human beings back then become a tool of the government to per- too,” she stressed. Georgians have always place the samples between were about more than utilitarian activ- secute their political opponents abroad. Secretary General of the Free Demo- claimed to be the inven- 5,800 and 6,000 B.C., mak- ity,” says Stanford University archaeolo- crats, Tamar Gegenadze, says the changes tors of wine and this ing the ancient inhabitants gist Patrick Hunt. “There’s far greater were the result of distributing power evidence is now the of the village the oldest sophistication even in the transitional among the various wings of the GD. earliest example of wine known makers of wine. Neolithic than we had any clue about.” She claims the head of the Intelligence making in the world. It No evidence of grapes McGovern said that despite these Service, Davit Sujashvili, was the mem- pre-dates 7000-year- being grown could be groundbreaking discoveries, the team ber of ex-PM Irakli Gharibashvili’s team old specimens in north- found on the site, for still hasn’t even reached the deepest, and by uniting the agency with the SSS, western Iran and this reason the team oldest layers of the site. “We might be Intelligence is a he was distanced from the GD. 6000-year-old evidence believe that the wine was able to push it back even further,” he “Through this decision, the PM totally found in Armenia. made in the nearby hills says. “We’re fi lling out the story of wine, very scrupulous destroyed the defense and the security The discovery was pub- close to where the grapes this liquid that’s so pivotal to so many systems in the country,” Gagnidze said. lished in the journal ‘Proceed- grew. “They were pressing it cultures—to western civilization, really.” sphere. It needs Experts claim Georgia should follow the ings of the National Academy of in cooler environments, ferment- He also talked about one moment in Western model, where the two services Sciences’ (PNAS). The team was ing it and then pouring it into smaller the project that stuck with him. He had space, money are strictly separated from each-other. composed of a group of international jugs and transporting it to the villages studied one of the jars in great depth Founder of the Georgian Strategic archaeologists led by Patrick McGovern, when it was ready to drink,” says Uni- and then “come home at night, and I and time. Its Center, Tornike Sharashenidze, recalls an archaeologist from the University of versity of Toronto archaeologist Stephen have my glass of wine in one hand, and the example of the United States, saying Pennsylvania. Batiuk, who co-directed the expedition I'm looking out at this public building, subordination to the FBI deals with the challenges within While excavating the small, circular alongside archaeologist Mindia Jalabdze and there's essentially the same scene the state, while the CIA works on elim- houses at the site, the group found frag- of the Georgian National Museum. right across the street from me." What the State security ination of foreign threats. ments of large pots called qvevri (that In later periods, there is evidence of he saw was the same motif that was found “Intelligence is a very scrupulous sphere. are still used by Georgian winemakers tree resin being used to both cover up on the ancient qvevri: people dancing service will not be It needs space, money and time. Its sub- today) embedded in the fl oors of the foul-tasting wine and to prevent it from under the vines, bridging an eight thou- ordination to the State security service homes. More specimens were unearthed expiring; much like how modern win- sand millennia gap between us and our a good step will not be a good step,” he stated. in another small village called Shulaveri emakers use sulfi tes. No suggestions of ancestors. GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 NEWS 3 Raise a Glass to Georgia, the Offi cial Cradle of Wine BY MATE FOLDI

eorgia, a country which straddles the fertile valleys of the south Caucasus Mountains between Europe and the Middle East, has Gbeen named as home to the fi rst humans to conquer the common grape, giving rise to chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and thousands of other reds and whites we enjoy today. So wrote Nicholas St. Fleur of The New York Times on Monday, as news of the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of Amer- ica (PNAS) study, published the same day, conclusively showed that the people of Gadachrili Gora were the planet’s earliest know vintners, producing large quantities of wine 8,000 years ago. The news spread like wildfi re across inter- national media outlets including National Geographic, The Guardian, The BBC, and many more. The next morning, on November 14, the Georgian Wine Agency held an event dedicated to this issue at the Radisson ment that had to be examined to scien- whether or not Georgia was truly the nized by the world’s scientifi c society,” example of the best international coop- Blu Iveria Hotel, Tbilisi. The Minister of tifi cally prove that Georgia is indeed the “cradle of wine”. The Minister thanked Lortkipanidze said, going on to outline eration between scientifi c groups, giving Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili, com- home of wine. It is extremely important the National Wine Agency and the Geor- the history of the archeological research us the result we have today,” he added. mended the signifi cance of these fi ndings, for our culture, its communication abroad, gian National Museum Director Davit that started back in the 1960s with clas- With the world now well and truly “It’s a very signifi cant day for me person- and for our identity”. Lortikipanidze, also present, for their sical archeological excavations, before informed about this landmark discovery, ally, and for all those who participated in As Davistashvili noted, back in 2013, efforts in the realization of the project. this project in 2014 took the research and Georgia confi rmed as the Cradle of this project. I would like to remember UNESCO recognized the Georgian Tra- “It is a great honor for any Georgian and study to a landmark new level. Wine, the next step should be to sig- the beginning of the project in 2013, when ditional Qvevri winemaking method as to participate in the process of introduc- “Georgia has a strong school of funda- nifi cantly up the ante on marketing. For we met with then-Prime Minister Bidzina a part of the world’s intangible cultural ing our culture to the international com- mental science that proves to be an it is perhaps a true tragedy of our time Ivanishvili to discuss how having a strong heritage. In 2014, the research began as munity. Indeed, this is a situation one extremely important advantage. It’s a that much of the world remains ignorant wine tradition in the country is one of a team of leading specialists from seven can only dream of, when your heritage pragmatic approach for discovery to have of the exceptional quality of Georgian Georgia’s key advantages; a crucial ele- countries began their investigation into is studied on a global level and recog- the right strategy, and this project was an vintages. It’s about time that changed. GEORGIA TODAY 4 POLITICS NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 Caucasia: The Fiction State for Georgia, Armenia & Azerbaijan

could now join forces to bid successfully. A new brand, a new project, would be OP-ED BY J.P.MONFORT When countries integrate, they also exciting for citizens, who could par- benchmark. Georgia, for instance, has ticipate in the building process. For made it to the World's top ten this year Caucasia, the new administrative capi- n March of 2012 while living in in the World Bank's Doing Business tal and new diplomatic capital would my parent's small summer house Ranking, along with Macedonia. Georgia have to be identifi ed, of course different by the Mediterranean coast in in Caucasia, and Macedonia in Balkan- from the current capitals of Yerevan, Alicante (Spain), I had no internet land, could teach the rest of the countries Tbilisi and Baku. I lived in the United for a month. I was unable to com- what to do in order to reduce the "cost States for fi ve years. Americans do many Imunicate with the outside world except of doing business". The same benchmark things very well, one of which is to through a small, bargain LG phone I’d principle can operate at many other lev- eliminate as much redundancy as pos- purchased back in 2008, the cheapest els, from elementary and middle educa- sible. New York City, Chicago, San Fran- model I could get. When I was little, in tion, to the University system, healthcare cisco, Seattle and Los Angeles, the the 1980s, my oldest sister and I had sav- or infrastructure. greatest cities in the United States, are ings of about 20,000 Pesetas (about EUR Let's look for instance at QS University not the capitals of their states. Cities in 120). My father encouraged us to open Rankings for Eastern Europe for the the United States, the larger ones, are a savings account, and we did. Opening present year 2017: Armenia and Georgia for businesses to thrive, students to a savings account came with a prize: we have only one university ranked among attend the greatest colleges, entertain- chose a collection of some of the best the region's top 300, however Azerbaijan ment to fl ourish and entrepreneurs to novels by French science fi ction writer has six. Clearly, Azerbaijan is doing things create. In Europe, every major city is a Jules Verne. I’d never read them, so, in differently, perhaps better, when it comes political center: Paris, London, Berlin, the winter of 2012, without internet and to university administration. In Spain, Madrid, Rome. Moving the capital city with a collection of unread Jules Verne brilliant branding can generate”. Nike were once created, now they are my native country, the best universities of Spain from Madrid to Benidorm (on books, I had the very best and most Nation-states are, to a certain extent, worth billions. Brands can also be cre- are in Barcelona. The Catalans are bet- the coast) would have a phenomenal entertainment month of my entire life. obsolete structures. Many nation-states ated for the association and integration ter at setting up and administering pub- positive impact for Madrileños, from Jules Verne taught me the importance are too small to experience the advan- of nation-states. Caucasia is a powerful lic universities. They could teach the less traffi c congestion to the immediate of dream, vision and prediction. Later tages of resource-pooling and econo- instrument because it establishes a new rest of Spain, how to improve in order availability of hundreds of the best authors such as Agatha Christie taught mies of scale. The majority of humans framework in which tourism and foreign to climb up in the international rankings. buildings for university use. Spain, with me the value of suspense in a narrative's barely know their region, and for many direct investment can become drivers The trend, however, seems to be one of its 17 Autonomous Communities (includ- ability to seduce, conquer and engage Europeans, small countries in the Bal- of economic growth, job creation and confrontation. ing Catalonia) runs 17 parliaments, when the reader. But Jules Verne, with his kans such as Albania and Macedonia, prosperity. Caucasia is also a powerful I like integration because it has many two, perhaps three, would suffi ce. Cal- incredible way of pulling the reader into or in the Caucasus such as Georgia or incentive for the three countries to share advantages, because it makes our lives ifornia, with its 37 million inhabitants, a fantastic vanguardist world ahead of Armenia, remain unknown. In these a common, extremely ambitious agenda, easier. I do not like to have to go through only has one political capital in Sacra- his time, introduced me to the incredible circumstances, prejudice and stereo- removing barriers and borders, creating unnecessary barriers and borders that mento, with one parliament. Savings skill of prediction through projection. types are allowed to emerge and even a common trade area, establishing a are oftentimes capricious. Life is already are phenomenal and those who do not In my narrative, I depict a dream society to thrive. Products and services man- common currency, sharing defense and diffi cult enough for leadership to elimi- see the benefi t or oppose it are either which exists ahead of us, perhaps 200 ufactured locally are associated with diplomacy, creating a common university nate all unnecessary burdens. I like inte- not well informed, or are afraid of los- years from now. In my narrative, I envi- low quality, mafi a, corruption. Potential space, and providing public healthcare gration because it allows us to be more ing a job that is today redundant. sion the very best possible future, beyond tourists are reluctant to visit because to citizens of the three countries any- effi cient, shifting resources from areas To move from theory to practice, I am anyone's imagination, for different regions they remain afraid of the country risk, where in the three countries, similar to that are redundant and overlapping to building The Georgia Presidential Team, of the world. Through a powerful instru- the lack of information, the risks to the accomplishments the European Union areas that are vital. Let's say, for instance, a team of top-notch Experts who will ment called "Fiction State," which I personal integrity. But this game is one has fulfi lled thus far. that I have a telescope and my brother put together the specifi c details of the introduced in a Huffi ngton Post article of misinformation, because oftentimes, The creation of Caucasia in the Cau- has another telescope. Let's imagine that plan of action. Similar teams will emerge in 2016 (this being the subject of my destinations such as Baku and Tbilisi casus, or Balkanland in the Balkans is a I only use the telescope over the week- in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Three second book), I integrate nation-states are among the world's safest, especially powerful instrument, also, for sport end and my brother uses it from Monday national teams, working together, embrac- in regional alliances that exploit to the according to a recent 2017 study con- competitions. For instance, in Albania, through Friday. Why can’t we share the ing the same philosophy, can make it maximum the benefi ts and synergies ducted by MSN. my current country of residence, there telescope? happen; we only have to believe in our radical supranational integration has to In this context, Howcroft establishes exists a football league of twelve teams Let's look at the Balkans. There are six ability to reach the sky. offer society. In this context, I welcome a roadmap towards the establishment of called "Kategoria Superiore," it's the republics, of which fi ve have less than 5 GEORGIA TODAY's reader to the fan- a successful branding plan: furthest thing to a superior category, million inhabitants. Each of them runs J.P.Monfort has earned graduate degrees in tastic new World of Caucasia, the fi ction- “So, what should be done? Set up a new with 12 teams that are not good enough a different currency, therefore has an telecommunications engineering (Politécnica state for Georgia, Armenia and Azerbai- Place Brand Authority with state funds. to be competitive at the continental level. autonomous Central Bank. The same de Madrid, Télécom ParisTech and Universität jan. In this opening piece, I will This authority creates the brand for Perth If the six Balkan countries which still applies to ministries, agencies and Stuttgart), business administration (Collège contextualize the importance of Cauca- and invests in developing its meaning. have not joined the European Union authorities. If six countries in the Bal- des Ingénieurs), fi nancial analysis (Carlos III), sia as a possible and most desirable future It is not enough to generate a design for created a Balkan liga, three or four teams kans were to integrate, one Ministry, fi nancial engineering (California-Berkeley), scenario for the region, and will elaborate Perth: an ‘every media’ communications in Albania would be playing against the Agency or Authority would suffi ce: fi ve economic development (The London School on a handful of fundamental aspects to campaign is required to generate value strongest teams in Serbia and Bosnia could be eliminated. of Economics), public administration (Colum- be expanded and elaborated upon in in the Place Brand. But most importantly, Herzegovina, with a real incentive to Regional integration would be exem- bia), international law (Georgetown-in pro- subsequent pieces. this new authority should only be cre- become more competitive. When one plary. It would show the rest of the world, gress) Religious Studies (University of Chicago- In a recent article called "Why States ated if there is a long-term commitment competes against the best, the road to including the European Union, that admitted), public health (London School of Need A Brand," PriceWaterhouseCoop- to invest in communications for the success becomes tougher, but faster. countries in the Balkans or the Caucasus Hygiene and Tropical Medicine-admitted) ers Australia Chief Creative Offi cer Rus- brand. It’s only through ongoing and The creation of Caucasia, or Balkan- are mature enough to negotiate and agree and global diplomacy (SOAS-admitted). He sell Howcroft elaborates on the impor- continuous investment that an increase land, would be widely covered in the with their neighbors before integrating has been a columnist for The Huffi ngton Post tance that branding has for a region: in tourism, business investment and international media, provoking a desired with more remote countries- integration and Roubini Global Economics and speaks “Governments need to attract develop- trade will occur”. "branding spillover effect" to areas such that is not benefi cial because, in reality, eight languages. He is the Author of Wiley's ment and investment, and just as we all If brands don't work, are little known as tourism and foreign direct investment. integration with a neighbor has spillover TheMonfortPlan and is currently working on understand the concept of soft diplomacy, or perhaps have no brand appeal, new Countries that are too small to organize effects, whereas integration with a remote his second book "Fiction States". He currently we need to invest in the soft power that brands must be created. Coca-Cola or a World Cup or host the Olympic Games nation has a lesser impact. lives in the Balkans.

New Silk Project, including Russia. How- mentioning this railway route, as a rule, teams of Turkey and Armenia, scheduled ever, everyone must be aware that this brings up just one association in Yere- in Yerevan. Then-President of Turkey The Armenian Lesson road is not the one moving from point van, which is the isolation of Armenia. Abdullah Gül attended the match. Paral- A to point B or a route which camels can Indeed, after the railway started operat- lel to this process, the Armenian side take.” Apart from the issue of speed, the ing, Armenia found itself isolated from initiated unprecedented reconstruction way project, President Putin announced Chinese have other concerns, too, one all international transportation projects. works of the 12 km-long section of the OP-ED BY ZAZA JGARKAVA the construction of a new high-speed of them being the unpredictable foreign The only international transport project, Gyumri-Kars railway, which went through railway route crossing Kazakhstan. The policy of Putin’s government, feared Artashat - Meghri, which was supposed Armenia. The goal of the restoration Kremlin thinks this Northern railway widely by everyone, including Europe to connect Armenia with the Iranian works wasn’t announced, but everyone t’s been a few weeks since the will compete with the Southern Route and China. transportation network, failed and now knew: if the political dialogue between Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway or the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars. But before As for our neighbor, serious debates construction of a transport corridor two countries ended successfully, one opened and the fi rst cargo ship- Putin’s plan turns into reality, this Cau- began in Armenia about the issue of between Azerbaijan and Iran is being of the fi rst important outcomes would ment has already passed through casian railway route is supposed to han- Javakheti the moment the BTK railway discussed. This is how Armenia found be the opening of said railway route, the station in Tbilisi to arrive dle 1 million passengers and 6.5 million opened. The media wrote that the rail- itself without a railway connection to which would have had essential impor- Ipeacefully in Turkey. Apparently, this cargos from China to Europe in the fi rst way gave Tbilisi an opportunity to take the outer world. The Armenian govern- tance for Armenia. However, the process was regarded as a revolutionary event years. Notably, Russia is connected with full control over the region and even ment takes all given chances to blame failed: Armenian nationalists accused in regional politics, and Russia started China through rail, the famous Trans- resolve the Javakheti problem. A quite Georgia for this isolation, though eve- the government of “selling” Karabakh talking about initiating the construc- Siberian route, which has been function- precise assessment from their side, if ryone knows that Offi cial Tbilisi has and this project became a thing of the tion of a new railway route. Meanwhile ing for years. Yet, its cargo wagons move not the question as to how it fi ts into the nothing to do with it and Armenia should past. The Tbilisi-Gyumri-Kars railway our neighboring Yerevan started inves- with the speed of only 12 km p/h, which neighboring policy of Georgian-Armenian instead blame everything on the annex- followed, which could have served as an tigating reasons for the failure of the means that cargo coming from Beijing relations. ation of Karabakh, which has been haunt- alternative to the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars pro- project which could have been an alter- will never reach Brussels. On the ques- The BTK will enliven the sleeping ing it for two decades. ject. That’s what happens when numbers native to the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway tion as to why the Silk Road railway route Javakheti, the Municipality of Akhal- In 2008, Armenia had the chance to and economics are substituted by Hur- project. can’t go through Russia, the Ambassador kalaki, densely populated by Armenians; break this cursed loop, the process was ray-patriotism. Therefore, we should Since Russia realized that it might be of China to Russia Li Hui replied: “Eve- and will offer new jobs, which of course even given the name “Football Diplo- learn the Armenian lesson and always withdrawn from the New Silk Road rail- ryone has the right to participate in the will result in reduced separatism. But macy”, a game between the national keep it in mind.

GEORGIA TODAY 6 POLITICS NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 French Ambassador on Franco-Georgian Relations

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY MAKA LOMADZE

ext year, Georgia is to mark the 100th anniversary of its fi rst independence, which France was the fi rst to acknowl- edge. GEORGIA TODAY met with H.E. Pascal Meunier, Ambassador NExtraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Georgia, to discuss the fi elds of bilateral coopera- tion between the two countries today.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE SO FAR Georgia is a very beautiful country. Everybody recognizes it. French people like Georgia very much. As a testimony of this, a lot of French who came here, including businessmen, decided to establish themselves in Georgia and are very happy here. My predecessor ambassadors are always happy to come back and visit. The fi rst reason why we like Georgia is the hospitality of the people, good food and good wine. Even those foreigners who just come for a few days want to stay here longer. In addition, Georgia is a beautiful country from both cultural and geographical points of view. I also like the business environment. I personally like to develop concrete projects and in Georgia, there are a lot of things happening with France, because we have strong political relationships, demonstrated by a lot of visits and a constant and a visa. The visa free regime applies for short stays fi rm support for Georgia’s integrity. Our economic for tourism, cultural, family events and so on, but and cultural relationships are also tight, but didn’t does not mean you can work during your stay. reach the level we would like them to be at. We are Regarding cases of returnees, the Border police of attracting French companies to invest in Georgia, France said that the number of non-admissions has FIRST BRAND HOTEL IN KUTAISI UNDER BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL or to take part in different projects. In the cultural increased signifi cantly since March 28, 2017. Greece Within the framework of the Georgian Hotels’ Regional Three mobile conference halls are available with a total and education fi elds, we try to attract cooperation and Germany are the worst cases in this respect. Network Development Project “12 hotels in 12 regions” by capacity of about 100 persons. between peoples and universities. The Georgian government needs to better inform GHYHORSPHQWFRPSDQ\³6LPHWULD´WKH¿UVWEUDQGKRWHOKDV the population about the exact meaning of the visa been opened in Kutaisi under the Best Western International (XURSHDQFXLVLQHFDQEHHQMR\HGLQWKHJURXQGÀRRUFDIp brand. and a grill-bar menu in the roof top restaurant WHAT CAN YOU NAME AS THE free regime in order to avoid any misunderstand- with panoramic views over the city. STRONGEST AND WEAKEST POINTS ing. If the situation deteriorates, Georgia may face The hotel accommodates 45 guest rooms, including 40 OF OUR GOVERNMENT? the suspension of the visa-free regime and control standard rooms and 5 suites. The hotel was designed taking The International Hotels Management Company “T3 into consideration special conditions and safety for guests Hospitality Management,” providing the hotel management, Georgia is lucky to have Mr. Kvirikashvili as Prime will be tighter. It means that because of the misbe- with disabilities. has 20 years’ experience in hotel management in different Minister: he’s a very wise, open man with a good havior of some people, honest people will also suf- countries globally. strategy. My country wants to accompany Georgia fer. This is not what we want. We want to develop in its development path along the four major points student mobility, business and tourism in both Address: 11 Grishashvili Str., 4600, Kutaisi, Georgia TEL 219 71 00 decided by the government. Priority No1 is educa- directions. That is the reason why we are working [email protected] tion, which brings social progress. If people belong- hard, with my Georgian colleague in Paris, to con- ing to lower-income families still do not believe vince Air France to have direct fl ights to Georgia. that through education their children will be able to get better jobs than themselves, then it means HAS THE NUMBER OF GEORGIANS serious social problems in the long run. The sec- LEARNING FRENCH INCREASED Get More for Less with "Travel Co." ond point is the governmental program, part of DURING YOUR MISSION? with is the reform of the economy, implementing If you want to have an international career, it is not Get to Know Georgia with "Travel Co." it according to the DCFTA agenda, including fi scal, enough to know only Georgian, Russian and Eng- customs, pension and judicial reforms. France is lish. You have to add another language. You have ready to help. the choice between German, French, Italian, and The weak point is education, but the positive Spanish. French is the only language spoken on all aspect is that Georgia is addressing it. In the fi eld fi ve continents and if you know French you can of higher education, internationalization is key to easily understand all Latin languages. At the French speeding up the ongoing reforms and to make Institute, there were 836 students in 2015, 822 in Georgia a regional hub of student mobility. France 2016, 845 in 2017. We also have three French schools. is ready to assist in this process through a project With the partnership of one of the high-tech com- called “Franco-Georgian University”. We already panies, we also have online French tuition. identifi ed four French universities ready to work At Georgian schools, French and other European with Georgian partner universities to implement languages were badly affected by the 2010 reform some of their degrees in the fi elds of tourism and on the teaching of foreign languages at schools. agriculture, including vocational training. The number of French speaking students in Geor- Another weak point is infrastructure: there is not gian schools plummeted from 30,000 in 2005-2009 enough water treatment. Environment is a big to 12,000 in 2011 and 6,500 in 2013. Thanks to the problem too, in which France is supporting Geor- Fonds Molière created by the Embassy with the gia. People should be told to take care of their support of the French Chamber of Commerce and environment, be taught how to recycle plastics, the Swiss Embassy, we are currently reversing this etc. The newly elected mayor said he would deal downward trend. We reached 11,500 pupils in 2015 with this, as well as the absence of parking places and 13,900 in 2016. The 2017 results are to be pub- and the traffi c congestion in the capital, which is lished very soon but we are confi dent that the becoming a nightmare. France has interesting increase will continue. expertise to share in the fi eld of urban transport. The French School of Caucasus is one of our In France, we have tramways on wheels, which is greatest success stories, as it is fully recognized by a new technology. Cities like Strasbourg, Bordeaux both French and Georgian ministries of education and even Paris are using this type of urban trans- as providing high quality education to Georgian, port at the satisfaction of the population. French and other foreign students. There is a con- stant increase in the number of students. This year HOW HAS THE VISA-FREE REGIME there were 366 pupils (+12% compared to 2016, ie INFLUENCED THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS +44 pupils). In the Franco-Georgian university, VISITING FRANCE FROM GEORGIA? which we plan to open next year, there will be two It caused problems, but we anticipated that. When priority spheres: agriculture (cattle-breeding and I arrived last year, I met with the Minister of Inte- wine-making) and tourism. We’ll also have exchange rior and told him that we like Georgians but we programs and vocational training. don’t like them committing crimes in France. We decided to strengthen our cooperation against THE FRENCH GOV’T ALSO OFFERS organized crime. There is today a strong and trust- SCHOLARSHIPS, DOESN’T IT? ful cooperation between the two countries in this Every year, there are between 15 to 20 scholarships Travel Agency Services: fi eld. That’s also why we supported a visa free for Georgian students willing to study in France at 9 Kote Apkhazi, Tbilisi, Georgia regime for Georgian citizens. My opinion is that Masters level in every fi eld, a program co-fi nanced ++995 557 59 14 08 (whatsapp, viber) • Individual and Group Tours Around honest citizens who want to travel to our country by the Georgian government and administrated in +995 593 400 601 (whatsapp, viber) are welcomed and should not be deprived of this partnership with the Georgian International Edu- Georgia www.travelco.ge possibility due to the misbehavior of a minority. cation Center, which is a very important collabo- • MICE Tours [email protected] [email protected] Nevertheless, we noticed that there are Georgians ration for us. In addition to that, we try to develop • Accommodation FB: TravelCoGeorgia who do not want to be tourists but want to work. specifi c scholarships supported by the private sec- • Car rental services Inst: travelcogeorgia To be able to work in a Schengen country, you need tor.

GEORGIA TODAY 8 POLITICS NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 Croatian Film Expert on Kusturica Joining Goodwill Ambassadors of Abkhazia

WHAT KIND OF IMPACT CAN INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE KUSTURICA, GOODWILL AMBASSADOR OF ABKHAZIA. HIS STATEMENTS HAVE ON IS IT A POLITICALLY MOTIVATED THE REST OF THE WORLD STATEMENT OR A GENUINE THAT DOESN’T KNOW HIM enowned director Emir Kus- DESIRE TO HELP ABKHAZIANS? OR THE CAUCASUS REGION turica has joined the “Good- Basically, Kusturica is not interested either AS WELL AS YOU DO? will Ambassadors of Abkha- in Georgia or Abkhazia. At this moment, Not too much since the world also knows zia,” a movement and he is doing the same thing he has for the his controversial statements. You have organization funded by the last 25 years: he’s sucking up to Russians to bear in mind that Kusturica gives rock RAbkhaz diaspora in Moscow. “Goodwill and Serbians. Kusturica is ready to do concerts and calls out Serbian war crim- Ambassadors of Abkhazia” recently issued whatever Russians want him to do or inals in an apologetic way. Karadjic and a call that more international attention be whatever Russians would like to see from Mladich, two Serbian war criminals who paid to the lamentable state of historical his side. He lost his credibility, politically committed numerous atrocities in Bos- and cultural heritage, all the while pinning and morally speaking, in the last 25 years nia during the war, who are at this moment the blame on the Georgian state and accus- during the “divorce” of ex-Yugoslavia. in front of Le Hague tribunal, were named ethnic centers, but, basically, he is earn- allow the concert, Georgian citizens ing it of “cultural vandalism” in Abkhazia. Kusturica was born in Sarajevo, he is a as heroes by Kusturica. ing a lot of money from it. Believe me, should boycott it. Let him to bring in Kusturica, himself a UN goodwill ambas- Muslim. He was a prominent member of he has capitalized on his behavior in last equipment, staff and let him experience sador, has voiced his support of the cause. the Sarajevo cultural scene but when siege MOVIE DIRECTORS USUALLY 25 years. No one in Serbia questions his fi nancial loss. Let no one buy a ticket. It’s not the fi rst time Kusturica has voiced of Sarajevo started he, being a Muslim, EXPRESS THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS words. They view him only as a great his support for Georgia’s breakaway regions: proclaimed himself a Serb, even chang- THROUGH THEIR MOVIES. WHY movie director. The same with Russians. BUT THEN AGAIN, THERE he previously said he considers them inde- ing his name. He is not Emir Kusturica IS KUSTURICA DIFFERENT? He tells them what they want to hear. ARE THOSE WHO SAY pendent countries, had visited both, and anymore but Nemanya Kusturica. During The point is that he materialized and WE SHOULDN’T MIX at one point it was even rumored he’d do the war, he was saying that Muslims must monetized his ideas and public speeches. THERE WAS TALK ABOUT ARTS AND POLITICS… a Kremlin-funded movie about the events be expelled from Sarajevo. He lost his In Serbia, he is considered one of the KUSTURICA’S CONCERT BEING Well, Kusturica was the fi rst to do so and of 2008 August War. So, what’s the real moral credibility not only in Croatia and greatest artists and his projects are funded PLANNED THIS AUTUMN IN he should suffer the consequences of it. worth and weight of Kusturica’s latest Bosnia, but also in this part of Europe. I without questions asked. I’m talking TBILISI. AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY, He was in South Ossetia, he was the one curtsy towards Moscow and can it be con- mean, the rest of the world knows him about projects, not movies. He demanded IT WAS POSTPONED. WHAT’S making political statements. Being a sidered a victory of so-called Abkhazian as a talented director, which he defi nitely Serbia build him two towns and they YOUR POSITION – SHOULD WE good, or even great movie director does diplomacy? That’s what we asked Croatian is. But morally? He is a non-entity. dully obliged, in which he owns hotels, LET HIM DO A CONCERT HERE? not make you a moral person, nor does journalist and fi lm expert, Bernard Cara- restaurants, cinemas and so on. He says I don’t think you should let him have a it make you a political expert, something cas. BUT HE’S WORLD-RENOWNED. that those towns are kind of cultural, concert. If Offi cial Tbilisi decides to Kusturica seems oblivious of. Assessing Russian Power across the Post-Soviet Space, Part IV: Tajikistan list of top transit countries in the Belt the Kyrgyz president reportedly asked pean Union and its enlargement in east and Road Initiative (BRI). True that Vladimir Putin to open a second Russian Europe and on the other as an equal part- Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan military base in Kyrgyzstan. Similar rumors ner to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. routes remain top locations for Chinese have been spreading about Russian plans However here, too, Russia’s strategy investments in infrastructure projects. in Tajikistan too. has not given tangible results. Occasion- But Tajikistan is slowly becoming more To solidify its position in the region, ally, media reports claim that Dushanbe important as one of the BRI theories and Tajikistan in particular, Russia has talks about their potential involvement purports that the project is also about also been very active in holding CSTO- in the Union, but so far the expectations bringing internal stability to China’s led exercises as well as separate security have fallen far short of real action. The relatively unstable neighbors. and military initiatives with Dushanbe reason is the same: Russia’s economic Chinese politicians are clever enough and other Central Asian countries. This and military dominance within the Union not to position themselves as opposing is well refl ected in Moscow’s signifi cant is overbearing. But there could be another military and security forces. Russian infl uence in Tajikistan. Indeed, progress in relations with largely una- calculus, that Chinese involvement can BY EMIL AVDALIANI Another reason for Chinese interests an overview of Chinese analytical reports ligned Uzbekistan. Although Russian potentially limit the need to entirely in and around Tajikistan has been the on the BRI or statements by Chinese offi cials have often hinted at discussions depend on Moscow. Moreover, Tajik separatist movement in Xinjiang, west- offi cials show that Beijing is more con- with the Tajik government on the latter’s offi cials also look at Kyrgyzstan, whose ussia and China vie for eco- ern China. Indeed, Beijing has reasons cerned with other powers such as Japan, accession to the Eurasian Economic economy did not fare well following its nomic and political infl u- to be concerned, as Xinjiang remains a India or the US which could challenge Union, Dushanbe will abstain from join- entrance in the Union. ence in Central Asia and problem and Central Asian fi ghters are the project in the Central Asia and else- ing the project as long as possible. Overall, even though China frames its Tajikistan has been a testing returning home from the Middle East. where. In comparison, the Chinese are Beyond projecting its infl uence through BRI and the ensuing economic projects ground for their indirect There were already signs of deeper prob- less inclined to think of Russian opposi- military moves, Moscow has also used in Uzbekistan not as a competition with economicR and military competition. lems when in August 2016, a Uighur tion to the BRI in Central Asia and Tajik- its pet project the Eurasian Economic Russia or other regional powers, but Despite intensive cooperation with Rus- national ran a car into the Chinese istan in particular. Union. The creation of the Union refl ects simply as a possibility to better recon- sia and China in several important spheres, embassy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, before this Russian geopolitical imperative, nect the Central Asian region, still some Tajikistan, very much like Uzbekistan, it exploded, leaving several people injured. RUSSIAN INTERESTS through which any western economic or geopolitical questions remain. How long will try not to side with China, and will Instances like this could drive Beijing UNDER STRAIN military encroachment on the former will Moscow react as its economic clout abstain from joining Russia-led Eurasian into assuming a bigger military posture So far, Moscow too has not expressed any Soviet space would be if not forestalled, recedes? Bearing in mind the economic Economic Union (EEU). in Central Asia. There were reports from worries over Chinese growing activities then considerably constrained. Indeed, potential of BRI, the fundamental weak- Chinese interests in Tajikistan stem 2016 that the Chinese were building up in the region and Putin himself endorsed the creation of the Union (despite the nesses of the Eurasian Economic Union, from the latter’s geographic position. to 10 defense infrastructure construc- the BRI in his statements. Despite losing fact that economics plays a big part in it) what will Tashkent choose to pursue The country borders on the unstable tions on the Tajik-Afghan border. Beijing its primary economic position in Central is also about further enabling Russia to bigger economic growth. Afghanistan and shares a common fron- also recently increased its security coop- Asia, Russia still retains a comfortable project/solidify its infl uence over Belarus, In all likelihood, Tajikistan will remain tier with Uzbekistan, the centerpiece eration with Tajik forces through joint military position as it is the only foreign Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. a testing ground for Russia-China coop- of Beijing’s Central Asian strategy. In border control exercises and even held power which has military bases in the Beyond trade, the countries also discuss eration/competition in Central Asia. light of the perennial threat of instabil- their fi rst joint military trainings with region and in Tajikistan in particular. security, military affairs and other vital While Dushanbe will continue abstain- ity potentially spilling over from Afghan- the bulk of the Tajik army. Moreover, beyond the existing bases in spheres of cooperation. The overall idea, ing from joining the Eurasian Economic istan to the Central Asian region, Bei- China has already become Tajikistan’s Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, Russia even however, if not openly stated, has been Union, Chinese economic clout and jing’s policy has been to support top trade partner and the investment aims to increase its presence in the region. to place the Eurasian Economic Union cooperation in security and military Tajikistan in upholding Tajikistan’s source. Tajikistan also features on China’s For instance, it was reported in June that on the one hand as a balancer to the Euro- spheres will grow.

Tel: (995 32) 2 45 08 08 10 Galaktion Street E-mail: [email protected] GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 BUSINESS 9 Nenskra HPP Project SOCIETY to Arrange Cleaning Antibacterial Awareness: Fine Line Between Cure & Further Illness Works in the Nakra BY MAKA LOMADZE

River Valley n November 14, at the National Center for Dis- enskra Hydropower Plant is an associated investment scheme of ease Control and Public Project company, JSC Nenskra Hydropower Plant Project, Health, under the Minis- Nenskra Hydro, will which was developed based on the needs try of Labor, Health and fi nance cleaning works of of the population residing in the villages SocialO Care, held a conference dedicated Nakra River tributariy Chuberi and Nakra, in the Mestia munic- to the Global Week of Antibiotic Aware- Nbeds in the Nakra village of the Mestia ipality. The project’s aim is to facilitate ness was held. municipality – Lekverari and Laknashera sustainable economic development of This year, the conferences focused on rivers. the region and create more opportuni- the prevention and control of infections. Cleaning works will be carried out at ties for the local population. Infections associated with medicines the request of the Nakra village com- The Community Investment Program are one of the most wide-spread com- munity. As a result of natural events in includes such directions as: support of plications in the medical sphere. Pur- recent years, the beds of Lekverari and small and medium-sized enterprises portedly, the majority of them are caused Laknashera rivers had become blocked, development, skills improvement, fast by pathogens which are resistant to which, in case of high waters on these track projects and small-scale infrastruc- antibiotics. The Global Week of Anti- rivers, could expose the village to the tural projects. biotic Awareness aims at increasing risk of fl ooding. JSC Nenskra Hydro is a project-based knowledge of the population, medical The fi rst stage of clearing works in the company established in 2015, as a result personnel and politicians, about resist- valley of Lekverari River will start on of cooperation between Korea Water ance to antibacterial medications. other infections. Therefore, Mankind able on prescription, and patients should November 15. The equipment will be Resources Corporation K-water and JSC “This event is dedicated to the world faces a very big challenge, which can know how to take medicines, and com- mobilized, which will be used for clean- Partnership Fund. The company will day of resistance to antibiotics. This is only be prevented by as much aware- plete treatment as is prescribed. Oth- ing the river bed. Gravel and sand will construct the Nenskra Hydropower Plant one of the growing challenges we face ness among the population as possible, erwise, they run the risk that the bac- then be disposed of at a specially desig- in the Nenskra and Nakra river Valleys within healthcare. Antibiotics have their in order not to use antibiotics improp- teria they have in the body can become nated place. in Mestia Municipality of the Svaneti own concrete function and thus, they erly,” said Amiran Gamkrelidze, Direc- resistant, and their disease will not be This process will take place in close region. The 280 MW Nenskra Hydro- should be applied on the basis of a doc- tor of National Center on Disease Con- treated. This can lead to more complex cooperation with Mestia municipality. power Plant will generate approximately tor’s prescription, and not on the basis trol and Public Health. and very expensive treatment, and can Members of the local population will be 1’200.00 GWh of electricity annually, of self-treatment,” said Davit Sergeenko, “For most communicable diseases, we even result in death,” Dr. Marijan Iva- employed for the cleaning work, and which will be fully consumed by the Minister of Labor, Health and Social have medicines available. If microbes nusa, Head of WHO Country Offi ce told local equipment will be used as well. Georgian market. www.nenskrahydro.ge Care. become resistant to those medicines, the audience. The second stage, which includes Lak- “Antibiotics have saved the lives of people can die because [it will mean The World Week of Public Awareness nashera River bed cleaning, will be car- several million people, but on the other that] we have no medicines to treat the on Antibiotics has run since 2015. ried out in 2018. hand, their irrational utilization has diseases. We know this can happen in According to the involved parties, resist- The abovementioned work will be car- obliged us to face the problem that is the case of tuberculosis, pneumonia, ance to antibiotics has no boundaries ried out within the framework of Com- connected with anti-microbe resistance and so on. What is important is that and suggests that everyone become munity Investment Program. in the treatment of tuberculosis, for patients should not buy antibiotics over involved in the campaigning of raising The Community Investment Program example, as well as in the treatment of the counter. They should only be avail- awareness on antibiotics. GEORGIA TODAY 10 SOCIETY NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 Population Dynamics: 2014 Census Data Analysis for Policy Planning

n November 14, at the Ilia sustainable development targets. Chavchavadze Hall of the 2014 Census Data In-depth Analysis is Parliament of Georgia, the of particular importance to the develop- Committee on Healthcare ment of human rights-based policies. and Social Issues of the The in-depth analysis of Census data ParliamentO of Georgia, the National Sta- provides evidence for policy formula- tistics Offi ce of Georgia and United tion and planning, with special focus on Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) the areas such as sexual and reproduc- Georgia (Country) Offi ce held a confer- tive health and rights, adolescents and ence “Statistical Data Analysis for Policy youth, ageing, population dynamics, and Planning - 2014 Census Data In-depth gender. Analysis“. The main fi ndings of the three During 2016-2017, within the framework thematic monographs will be presented of the Sweden funded UNFPA-GeoStat at the conference. Project - Improving Statistic Data Avail- * Population Dynamics in Georgia - An ability in Georgia, the UNFPA provided Overview Based on the 2014 General technical support to the National Statis- Population Census Data tics Offi ce (GeoStat) in undertaking the * Ageing and Older Persons in Georgia in-depth analysis of the 2014 Census data - An Overview Based on the 2014 Gen- regarding population dynamics issues, eral Population Census Data. ageing, youth issues, as well as gender * Young People in Georgia - An Over- analysis of the census data. The ana- view Based on the 2014 General Popula- lytical monographs were developed by tion Census Data. renowned international experts in close The conference was organized to pre- collaboration with their national coun- sent the fi ndings of 2014 Population terparts and in consultation with the Census Data In-depth Analysis. The relevant government agencies. participants had the opportunity to dis- The conference brought together rep- cuss the importance of reliable disag- resentatives of Parliament, relevant gov- gregated population data, generated by ernment entities, the National Statistics Census 2014, and its in-depth analysis Offi ce of Georgia, representatives of to support evidence-based policy mak- academia, research organizations, civic ing and planning to achieve national society, and international organizations. Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Data Analysis for Dialogue in Georgia Advancing Gender Equality Multi Stakeholder Forum “CSR and BY THEA MORRISON Labour Issues”. The main objectives of the forum are to demonstrate the impor- tance of corporate social responsibility he Multi Stakeholder forum in ensuring the effective implementation - Tbilisi Conference “CSR and Labour issues” of international labor standards and followed by a masterclass meeting the requirements of the EU on the same subject, organ- Association Agreement; to highlight the ized by the Center for Stra- role of civil society in promoting labor Ttegic Research and Development of standards; to raise the issue on the agenda; Georgia will take place on November to stimulate stakeholder discussions and 30, in Courtyard Marriott Hotel. to share the experience of European Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) countries. is a relatively new, but very rapidly devel- The forum will also serve as a platform oping concept for Georgia. More and to start constructive dialogue between more Georgian companies understand the main stakeholders: Civil Society, the benefi ts of implementing a coherent Trade Unions, Government and Business CSR strategy and following international Sector. activity standards. European and International Experience Labor issues are among the most acute will be presented by two European problems in present day Georgia, which experts, who are distinguished special- is equally important to various stake- ists of the internationally recognized holders: government, civil society, private CSR fi eld: Lukáš Bakoš (Slovakia, Con- sector and international organizations. sulting Company Maxman Consultants) One way to address poor working con- and Martin Neureiter (Austria, Consult- ditions is through monitoring and enforc- ing Company CSR Company Interna- ing regulations. But, there is also a busi- tional, founder). ness case for improving working Representatives of leading Georgian conditions. companies will talk about labor policies Both academic research and practical and practices in their companies, while experience counter the myth that better representatives of CSOs, Government, working conditions are too costly for International Labor Organization (ILO), business. There is growing evidence of and United Trade Unions of Georgia will n November 16, at Rooms disaggregated population data generated ing to 2010-2014 data, the ratio of new- the association between responsible discuss the issue from their perspective. hotel Tbilisi, the Inter- by Census 2014, and an in-depth analysis born baby girls to baby boys in Georgia workplace practices and various types The forum will be followed in the sec- agency Commission on to support evidence-based policy mak- is 100 to 109 on average, while the max- of positive enterprise level outcomes, ond half of the day by a masterclass “How Gender Equality, Violence ing and planning, to achieve national imum normal biological level of sex ratio including better reputation, reduced to be a Responsible Employer” for a small against Women and sustainable development targets. at birth can be 100/106. The skewed sex employee turnover, and improved pro- group of CSR and HR managers of busi- ODomestic Violence, National Statistics The 2014 Census Data in depth Analy- ratio considerably increases in case of ductivity and profi tability. Compliance ness companies. The masterclass, con- Offi ce of Georgia and United Nations sis is of particular importance to the the third child or more and reaches with labor standards can also help enter- ducted by the international experts par- Populations Fund (UNFPA) Georgia development of human rights-based 100/140. prises to boost competitiveness, access ticipating in the Forum, Martun Country Offi ce held a conference enti- policies. The in-depth analysis of census Of particular interest is the hypothesis new markets and buyers and new sources Neureiter and Lukas Bakos, aims to equip tled, “Data and Analysis for Advancing data provides evidence for policy for- of a recent SRB decline in Georgia. This of fi nancing and credit. participants with knowledge and practi- Gender Equality.” mulation and planning, with special focus hypothesis is linked to the acknowledg- Companies understanding the benefi ts cal skills to properly understand the The conference was organized to pre- in areas such as sexual and reproductive ment that the country has witnessed of responsible behavior could play the main themes of responsible workplace sent the fi ndings of the 2014 Population health and rights, adolescents and youth, deep transformations in its social and role of catalysts for introducing better policies as an integral part of CSR and Census Data in depth Analysis. The main aging, population dynamics, and gender. political system in the last 14 years. labor standards. to be able to integrate them into the core fi ndings of the two thematic monographs The research of the Trends in the Sex The conference brought together rep- Thus, promotion of responsible busi- strategies and operations of a company. presented at the conference were: Ratio at Birth in Georgia is the second resentatives of the inter-agency Com- ness conduct would play a decisive role - Gender Analysis of the 2014 General study of its kind that provides informa- mission on Gender Equality, Violence in addressing the labor issues in Georgia, Population Census Data; tion based on the data of the 2014 Gen- against Women and Domestic Violence, promoting the introduction of interna- - Trends in the Gender Ratio at Birth eral Population Census. Like its eastern Gender Equality Council of the Parlia- tionally acknowledged labor standards in Georgia - An Overview Based on the neighbors, Armenia and Azerbaijan, ment of Georgia, National Statistics and meeting the requirements of the 2014 General Population Census Data. Georgia has long been characterized by Offi ce of Georgia, representatives of EU-Georgia Association Agreement. The participants had an opportunity inordinate levels of birth, refl ected by a academia, research organizations civic These issues will be discussed at the to discuss the importance of reliable skewed Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB). Accord- society, and international organizations.

GEORGIA TODAY 12 SOCIETY NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 Not about the Math, Part 1 Georgia. This country was the catalyst fi nds in the tile sets, there are also infi - BLOG BY TONY HANMER for my fractal tiling discoveries, in a way nite ugly ones, and infi nite mediocre I can only attempt to describe. I have ones too. At the moment, it takes human now lived here longer than anywhere esthetic sense to sort these kinds out. f I told you that there’s math in else in the world, and it’s time to write But give an AI some training on the many this article, would that scare you about my fi nds here in the weekly format beautiful ones which we have found so away? Well, look at the pictures available to me since early 2011. far, and it may well “learn” from our fi rst if it makes you less appre- Squares and equilateral triangles (all choices. They should not be too “dusty”, hensive, and maybe they’ll lure angles the same size, all sides the same containing pieces too small, form lost in Iyou in for a closer look. You won’t be length) themselves can tile the plane, that the process. An infi nity of them, in fact, sorry. The math will be minimal, anyway: is, 2d space; cubes, 3d space. All three of will consist of only one piece. not a formula to be found, and only one these shapes can also be broken down into So what, you may ask? Well, so tile! symbol used once. Hey, I struggled with smaller copies of themselves: the square Anywhere you need a repeating pattern the subject in school too, right through and triangle, four copies each; the cube, to cover a wall or table, drape a window grade 12, and only discovered some of eight. Because of this property, in math or a person, you may use a tiling. If none the interesting bits some years after that. they are called the regular reptiles (from you like in the commercial world please It turns out that all of space, whether “replicating tiles”). All of my tiles are tiles you, make or fi nd one from the infi nity it be fl at (two dimensions) or solid (three of these three shapes, too, arising from of MY tiles. Choose any colors you like dimensions), can be fi lled with shapes this very self-replicating property of theirs. for it, print it on the material you need, which neither overlap nor have holes The exciting part was realizing that the wallpaper, cloth, ceramic sheets, what- between them (higher dimensions too, fi nd has infi nite variations for each of ever. Your own customized décor. but those are a little hard for us 3d-dwell- the three parent shapes. Now, there are Next week, some more examples and ers to visualize). These shapes are called different “kinds” of infi nity, too. One is types. tiles, just like those in your bathroom, called countable: you simply start at zero which are usually square or rectangular. and count up from there towards infi n- Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since How many different tiles are there? Only ity, never reaching it. Another is uncount- 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a ∞; in other words, an infi nite number. I able: the infi nity of numbers between weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He FOUND THEM. zero and one, for example. Between ANY runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook There was something about living in two such decimals as well, no matter group, now with over 1700 members, at Georgia in the early 2000s, single, with loved being here; still do. Now, married have been since my early childhood. how close together they are, exist an www.facebook.com/groups/SvanetiRenais- enough free time outside of work to and running a guest house/farm in the Fractals, a kind of geometry with unend- infi nite number more. My tiles are a sance/ explore Tbilisi and marvel at its details, mountains, I certainly don’t have the ing detail found both in math and in countable infi nity, “smaller” than the He and his wife also run their own guest house especially in media like chased metal or time I did back then. nature, had also been a fascination of uncountables yet still an infi nity. in Etseri: weaving. That was then, that was me. I Patterns are a big thing for me, and mine for some years before I reached Also… if there are infi nite beautiful www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti CULTURE Galaktion: 12 Poems On Galaktion Translated & Published Tabidze A magic lyre seems serene in the dusk OP-ED BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE of bliss, Calling forth on fl ight blue ghosts, binding them with trees... he world may not believe I have never seen the skies tender, as me if I say that a small nation are these! like Georgia has a big poet The moon’s like an iris bloom with like Galaktion Tabidze, pale beads of beams, whose poesy has undeni- Gleaming gently all around as in Tably merited description as the crown night’s light dreams – of poetic thought and rhyme, but I still The riverside and the church sparkle insist on making this statement and per- in white streams... petuating it. Tabidze defi nitely fi gures Skies have never seen the moon among the greatest poets of all time and tender, as is this! nations, but the unfortunate thing about An old man’s ghost, so close to me, is him is that he gave his poetic genius to in royal sleep, humanity just in his native tongue, which And the cemetery’s fi lled with a is Kartuli, the language of Georgia, and sorrow deep, which is spoken only by several million With a daisy and a rose under merry stars... eorgia is a country in which WHAT IS THE TIME? people around the world. So, the great Oh, these sites are haunted oft by the poetry plays a vital role in Poem by Galaktion Tabidze, Galaktion remained the treasure of only lonely bard… the national consciousness, Translated by Nana Bukhradze his own people and the world was with- Fain would die I as a swan singing on and Georgians hold the out the pleasure and thrill of reading and the lake, poems of Galaktion Tabidze The hour, no doubt has grown late, perceiving his outstanding poetic word. ing rhythms and rhymes. Merabishvili, But to say how night has looked into Gin especial affection. This night’s long grief is my heart’s But times are changing and Galaktion , as Galaktion’s translator, has spiritually soul in pains, To this day his works are studied by constant servant. our Gala, is little by little becoming a and intellectually grown into his poetic How the dream has spread its wings, every Georgian schoolchild, declaimed This stinging remorse gives me no globally identifi ed spiritual and intel- genius so deeply and organically that reaching distant skies in countless toasts, and remain a great peace lectual commodity, and this is happening the borderline between the source and When the sails of navy blue set are for infl uence on modern Georgian poets What is the time? What is the time? with the help of human talent, readiness, the target languages has been almost the heights; and artists. Through the window the night won’t knowledge and desire. In the event of obliterated. Gala’s poetic height is pre- The waterfalls and roses change with Although he spent almost his entire wane an inch, Galaktion Tabidze, the carrier of that sented absolutely life-size in her trans- swans’ dying songs, life in Georgia, surviving both the Revo- All of Autumn’s miseries deluge me. particular talent, readiness, knowledge lation, having gripped our imagination Tunes are altered when they feel that lution and Stalin’s purges, his work car- It might only be three! and desire is a very special lady of Geor- with the same magical spell of refl ection the end is close. ries a variety of infl uences from the west, What is the time? What is the time? gia, Innes Merabishvili – linguist, poet that is harbored in the original. Peoples For a soul so strong and bold, that in particularly from Baudelaire and the It must be a quarter past three, surely? and translator on a super-professorial of the world deserve to have Tabidze’s oceans rose, French Symbolists. But the night is still as dark as pitch. level. poesy carved in stone, and Galaktion Oh, the path of death is none but of Beautifully translated by Nana The station bell screams thirteen – Today, as you and I are talking to each deserves to profoundly reach into the sweet pink rose; Bukhradze, these poems weave complex What is the time? What is the time? other via this unusual dedicated article, hearts and minds of those who are thirsty On this path, oh, as fairy tales are the themes of love, loneliness, memory and Ah, strains the gloom-shrouded corridor something totally fascinating and delight- for wisdom-in-poetry. So, the King of poet’s deeds, homeland with musical grace. Though This night coachman to accommodate ful is happening in Albion. The 125th Poets, as he was called by his contem- There is none of darkened nights this small collection represents only a fi tly. anniversary of Galaktion’s birthday is poraries, is now at the disposal of the silent as is this, fraction of Tabidze’s work, it contains Again the telephone – ringing nerv- being celebrated in Asia House in Lon- entire world thanks to the peerless And I say: I’ll greet my death, being so some of his most popular and powerful ously: don, where a book of the great Georgian efforts of his Georgian translator on the close to ghosts, poems; ‘Snow’ and ‘Blue Horses’ in par- poet’s verses was published and pre- one hand, and a British publisher on With my songs I am dying – a king and ticular are masterpieces of lyrical sub- What is the time? What is the time? sented for public judgment and appre- the other. Blessed is and will always be a poet most, tlety and invention. God, this vengeful early morning rain ciation. And this is happening for the their cooperation! Following is one of Through the ages, but with you, harp I hope this edition will allow English- Pours incessantly like a jet of pitch! second time. The book is a poetic trans- the poems, translated by Innes, from of mine will live… speaking readers to acquaint themselves Won’t it end, this spiteful night? lation by Innes Merabishvili from Geor- the precious book, titled ‘Discover Skies have never seen the moon with one of the greatest poets of the What time is it? What time is it? gian into English of Galaktion Tabidze’s Galaktion’. tranquil, as is this! Georgian language. ‘Time for drunkenness, most cherished and famous poems. The Bitter and precious world will be much better off when it THE MOON OF MTATSMINDA Galaktion Tabidze was born on Novem- Henry Roe, Wine’s hour has struck!’ is familiar with Galaktion’s poetic phi- ber 17, 1892; he died on the March 17, 1959, So answered Charles Baudelaire, losophy and the magic melody of his Skies have never seen the moon and is buried in the Mtatsminda Pantheon London, When the question was asked – poetry, masterfully buried in enchant- tranquil, as is this! of Writers and Public Figures in Tbilisi. January 2017 What is the time? GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 CULTURE 13 David Lynch Tours Georgia

BY LIZA NADIBAIDZE

n November 15, a press conference was held in Tbilisi Marriott to announce the arrival of David Lynch, American director,O producer and actor, in Tbilisi, Georgia. The conference was hosted by Nina Tasagareli and Giga Agladze who will accompany David Lynch as he tours the country. The trip marks Lynch’s fi rst time in Georgia and his arrival is dedicated to his foundation “David Lynch Foundation in the South Caucasus” established July 25, 2017 in Tbilisi. The Caucasus Foun- dation consists of three countries: Geor- gia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. The pres- ident of the Caucasus Foundation is Photo source: www.theedgesusu.co.uk famous musician and director Giga Agladze. The David Lynch foundation events are planned, such as meetings also planning to introduce Lynch to focuses on solving real mental problems with students, scientists and most impor- Georgian culture, food and history. with transcendental meditation, a special tantly, with the representatives of Geor- One of Lynch’s movies, Mulholland form of silent mantra meditation devel- gia’s government and parliament. Meet- Drive, will be shown in Amirani cinema oped by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. ings will focus on possible mutual projects on November 20 at 19:00. A public lec- Lynch will arrive in Georgia on Novem- that will involve collaboration with dif- ture is also planned about transcenden- ber 18 and stay for four days. His trip is ferent spheres such as culture, education tal meditation and its role in everyday already scheduled and many interesting and science. Agladze and Tsagareli are life. Tbilisi Baroque Festival Ongoing

he Tbilisi Baroque Festival conducting at the Salzburg “Mozarteum”, has regularly participated in various fes- is still ongoing, a grandiose Austria, at the Freiburg Music Academy/ tivals and competitions, both in Georgia concert to be held in the Germany and at the Accademia Musicale and internationally. In 2013, Ana became evening of November 16, Chigiana in Siena, Italy. a fi nalist of Hans Gabor Belvedere Inter- 19:30, in the small stage at She has won several awards, such as national Competition, and participated TRustaveli theater, where together with an “Honorary Award 1995/96” from the in the Neue Stimmen Opera Singers com- Georgian Sinfonietta, Georgian Choir Vienna Ministry of Culture/Austria, and petition in Germany. In 2016, Ana Tsart- –Baroque, Tbilisi State Conservatory the “Zonta Music Award 2004”/Germany. sidze received an Opernwerkstaff 2016 MA Chamber Choir, soloist, soprano Since 2004, she is the Chief Conductor scholarship in Switzerland, and the same Ana Tsartsidze will be performing. Cor- and Musical Director of the “Opernfes- year was invited to Badisches Staatstheater. nelia Von Kerssenbrock is to conduct tival Gut Immling” festival, where she Since 2016, she has collaborated with the the concert with masterpieces from performed Vivaldi, Händel, Mozart, Puc- Kawai Company and has performed con- Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, William cini and Wagner operas. certs in Germany and Austria. Herschell, George Frideric Handle, Jan Ana Tsartsidze graduated from Tbilisi Travel back in time to Europe as the Dismas Zelenka, and K.F. Bach. State Conservatory MA in 2013. She has Tbilisi Baroque Festival continues until Cornelia von Kerssenbrock studied performed concerts in Mantua, Italy, and December 7. GEORGIA TODAY 14 CULTURE NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017

WHAT’S ON IN TBILISI THEATER SHALIKASHVILI THEATER Momoa, Robin Wright, Connie MUSEUM MUSIC Address: 37 Rustaveli Ave. Nielsen, Amy Adams Telephone: 595 50 02 03 Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy TBILISI ZAKARIA GEORGIAN NATIONAL TBILISI STATE PALIASHVILI OPERA AND Language: English November 17 MUSEUM SIMON JANASHIA CONSERVATOIRE BALLET THEATER Start time: 19:15 KRIMANCHULI MUSEUM Address: 8 Griboedov St. Address: 25 Rustaveli Ave. Language: Russian Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili Address: 4 Rustaveli Ave. Telephone: 2 93 46 24 Telephone: 2 99 04 56 Start time: 16:30, 22:00 Telephone: 2 99 80 22, 2 93 48 21 Start time: 20:00 Ticket: 10-14 GEL www.museum.ge Ticket: 20 GEL November 18 November 18 TBILISI CHAMBER MUSIC XII * Premiere WONDER May 18 – November 18 November 18 FESTIVAL LA TRAVIATA Directed by Stephen Chbosky EXHIBITION GEORGIAN HOST AND GUEST Professors, students of the Tbilisi Giuseppe Verdi Cast: Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay, COSTUME AND WEAPONRY OF Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili State Conservatoire, Starring: Salome Jicia, Otar Jorjikia, Owen Wilson 18TH-20TH CENTURIES Start time: 20:00 Pupils of the Music Seminary, Sulkhan Gvelesiani, Nutsa Genre: Drama Ticket: 20 GEL Pupils of the Central Music School Zakaidze, Manana Iordanishvili, Language: Russian EXHIBITION for Gifted Children Tamaz Saginadze, Irakli Mujiri, Start time: 16:30, 21:30 NUMISMATIC TREASURY In program: Beethoven, George Chelidze, Levan Makaridze, November 23 SAINT GEORGE Ticket: 10-14 GEL Brahms, Sandro Nebieridze Paata Sukhitashvili, Temur November 25 – December 14 Directed by Amiran Shalikashvili Start time: 19:00 Akhobadze. SUBURBICON Exhibition Ticket: 5 GEL Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet Start time: 20:00 Directed by George Clooney FROM TRAVELLINGS Theater choir, Ballet dancers, Ticket: 15 GEL Cast: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, November 19 orchestra. MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS MOVEMENT THEATER Oscar Isaac TBILISI CHAMBER MUSIC XII Conductor- Zaza Azmaiparashvili Address: 1 Gudiashvili Str. Address: 182, Aghmashenebeli Ave., Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery FESTIVAL Director- Laurent Gerber Telephone: 2 99 99 09 (Switzerland/Italy) Mushthaid park Language: Russian Vocal Music Evening Telephone: 599 555 260 Start time: 29:00 Participants: Ketevan Kemoklidze Choreographer- Nina Ananiashvili March 6 – December 31 Ticket: 13-14 GEL (mezzo-soprano/Georgia/Spain) Start time: 20:00 EXHIBITION November 17 Tamar Licheli (piano) Ticket: 40-190 GEL MASTERPIECES FROM THE RECITATIVE IN THE CITY In program: Wagner, Rossini, THOR: RAGNAROK MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Kakha Bakuradze, Sandro Montsalvatge November 19 Directed by Taika Waititi COLLECTION * Premiere Nikoladze, Irakli Menagarishvili, Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Start time: 19:00 Ticket: 5-15 GEL LA TRAVIATA Simon Bitadze, Dato Kakulia, El Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett November 14 – December 9 Giuseppe Verdi banda del “მუდო” Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi EXHIBITION Starring: Marika Machitidze, Giorgi Start time: 21:30 Language: Russian TBILISI BAROQUE FESTIVAL CROSSROAD RELIGIOUS www.tbf.ge Davitadze, Vakhtang Jashiashvili, Ticket: 10 GEL Start time: 13:30 AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY OF Elene Janjalia, Mariam Kobaliani, Ticket: 9-10 GEL GEORGIA Aleksandre Tibelishvili, Giorgi November 18 November 20 Tsamalashvili, Levan Makaridze, GS, JEAN RONDEAU THE TEMPEST RUSTAVELI CINEMA ART PALACE George Chelidze, Paata (HARPSICHORD) Directed by Ioseb Bakuradze Address: 5 Rustaveli Ave. Address: 6 Kargareteli Str. Sukhitashvili, Temur Akhobadze. Scarlatti sonatas for harpsichord Start time: 20:00 Telephone: 2 55 50 00 Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet Ticket: 15 GEL Vivaldi Concerto for string in g Theater choir, orchestra and ballet www.kinoafi sha.ge THE FIRST TIME IN GEORGIA- minor, RV 156 dancers. SIMON (SIMONIKA) Alessandro Scarlatti Concerto November 19 DADIANI’S EXHIBITION Conductor- Walter Attanasi (Italy) PARADISO Every Wednesday ticket: 5 GEL Grosso No.3 in F major November 17-23 Director- Laurent Gerber Director: Irakli Khoshtaria GALLERY J.C. Bach harpsichord concert (Switzerland/Italy) Start time: 20:00 f-moll Choreographer- Nina Ananiashvili Ticket: 10 GEL JUSTICE LEAGUE Start time: 19:30 Start time: 20:00 (Info Above) THE NATIONAL GALLERY Ticket: 5-30 GEL Address: 11 Rustaveli Ave. Ticket: 20-170 GEL November 23 Language: Russian Venue: Rustaveli Theater Telephone: 2 15 73 00 DON JUAN Start time: 11:45, 13:50, 17:00, 19:45, 22:30 www.museum.ge November 23 Director: Kakha Bakuradze Ticket: 8-14 GEL RUSTAVELI THEATER LA TRAVIATA Start time: 20:00 Address: 17 Rustaveli Ave. October 5 – November 30 Starring: Marika Machitidze, Irakli Ticket: 15 GEL THOR: RAGNAROK Telephone: 2 72 68 68 Dimitri Shevardnadze National Murjikneli, Zaal Khelaia, Natalia (Info Above) www.rustavelitheatre.ge Gallery is to host two Italian Volchenko, Manana Iordanishvili, CINEMA Start time: 16:30, 22:20 exhibitions: Philipe Gachava, Giorgi November 19 Ticket: 10-14 GEL UNIVERSAL VALUES: Tsamalashvili, Tariel Chichinadze, Mikeladze Center and Nikoloz AMIRANI CINEMA BOTTICELLI, THE BEAUTY Levan Makaridze, Paata Rachveli Present Address: 36 Kostava Str. MURDER ON THE ORIENT AND CARAVAGGIO, THE LIGHT, Sukhitashvili, Temur Akhobadze. CONCERT OF THE GEORGIAN Telephone: 2 99 99 55 EXPRESS DISPLAYING MASTERPIECES OF Tbilisi State Opera and Ballet PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Theater chorus, orchestra and www.kinoafi sha.ge Directed by Kenneth Branagh ITALIAN PAINTING Directed by Joseph Jugashvili, ballet dancers. Cast: Daisy Ridley, Johnny Depp, Soloist- Giorgi Gigashvili, piano Conductor- Zaza Azmaiparashvili Every Wednesday ticket price: 5 GEL Michelle Pfeiffer, Penélope Cruz, GAMREKELI GALLERY Program: Wolfgang Amadeus Director- Laurent Gerber November 17-23 Judi Dench Address: 4 Chonkadze Str. (Switzerland/Italy) Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery Mozart– Piano Concerto N21 and Choreographer- Nina Ananiashvili JUSTICE LEAGUE Language: Russian November 5-18 Symphony N41. Start time: 20:00 Directed by Zack Snyder Start time: 22:00 OLEG TIMCHENKO’S EXHIBITION Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 10-170 GEL Cast: Ben Affl eck, Gal Gadot, Jason Ticket: 13-14 GEL TERRITORY OF LOVE Ticket: 15-35 GEL MTKVARZE Address: Nikoloz Baratashvili Left Bank

November 22 RHADOO FOR RESET One of The Godfather's of the underground scene With Pasha / Bero / ash / Se Is Start time: 23:00 Ticket: 15 GEL

OLD HIPPODROME PARK Address: Old Hippodrome Park

November 18 BETH HART Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 40-70 GEL

DJANSUG KAKHIDZE TBILISI CENTER FOR MUSIC AND CULTURE Address: 125 Aghmashenebeli ave. Telephone: 2 96 12 43

November 17 CONCERT OF YOUNG SINGERS Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra Conductor- David Mukeria The program consists of fragments from well-known classical operas Start time: 19:30 Ticket: 10-30 GEL

SPACEHALL Address: 2 A. Tsereteli Ave.

November 17 NINO KATAMADZE AND ‘INSIGHT’ Start time: 21:00 Ticket: 40 GEL GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 17 - 20, 2017 SPORTS 15 Rugby Six Nations: Georgia Wants to Join World’s Elite tunity one day, and I know the new CEO of the BY TOM DAY RFU [Steve Brown] has said they want to be open- minded, which is absolutely fantastic.” "I am not sure on the logistics, it depends on the rior to Georgia’s fi rst meeting with Wales six partners already involved, but you could imag- this Saturday, coach Milton Haig ine it would be part of an expansion to the Six expressed hope for gaining a victory Nations, rather than promotion and relegation.” that could mean a place in the Six Nations. Although Georgia and Wales have never played "The Six Nations is what we need," He each other, they are set to meet often in the next saidP at a conference this week in Tbilisi. two years. Saturday will see their fi rst clash on This idea would have been laughed at a few years Wales’ home turf, and they will also meet in the ago, but, now in 12th place in the World Rugby rank fi rst stage of the 2019 world cup. table, they are a place ahead of Italy. "To play Wales, an iconic team and an iconic sta- "We have talked about it for three years, it is what dium, we are pretty rapt," he said. we need to improve our game.” "Because of the World Cup draw, it adds more Photo source: kitbag.com After an impressive 54-22 victory over Canada in interest. We have always wanted these types of expansion of the competition. Haig is hopeful that our players can play in, that will improve our indi- their match last Saturday, Georgia hopes to earn a matches to help us improve, and we are very grate- Georgia will make it in. vidual play', for when we come together collectively place in the top of the table among teams like Eng- ful to Wales for giving us this opportunity. "In the long run, we want as many of our players as a national team. land and New Zealand. "The boys have been talking about it for a long as possible playing in the best competitions in the Rugby is currently Georgia’s most popular sport Haig believes Georgia are "going the right way" time.” world," he said. and it is inspiring the younger generation. to securing a place in the competition. "Wales are constantly in the top six in the world, "We don't mind which hemisphere that is, but "Interest levels in rugby continue to grow in "We would love the opportunity. But we under- so this is a great challenge for us. again, geographically, you would think being in a Georgia, and we want that to continue. It is the stand we need to keep putting runs on the board The head of Pro14 (annual rugby union competi- northern hemisphere competition would suit us most popular sport in the country now. to gain that credibility." tion involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, better, which it would. "Watching our 14, 15 and 16-year olds, it is scary, "But also, geographically, it is the place we natu- Scotland, South Africa and Wales), Martin Anayi, "That is all we are looking at. We are saying 'look, it is like watching the All Blacks coming through rally fi t. So we are just hoping we get that oppor- said that “discussions will continue” regarding the we are constantly searching for competitions that and we want more of that." Former British Rugby Players Rate Georgians 'The Sleeping Giants'

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE

ugby is our sport, Georgians say, and so far, the national team has done its best to prove this to be the case. With an important match against fi rst tier Wales scheduled on November 18, a RBBC Sport’s fi lming crew arrived in Tbilisi to make a documentary about Georgian Rugby. GEORGIA TODAY seized the opportunity to ask the two player-turned-presenters (at national level, no less), – just because someone has had a few bad years, David Flatman (England) and Tom Shanklin (Wales) it’s quite diffi cult to remove them, so it takes time to share their take on the sport that’s so beloved again. in Georgia YOU'VE ATTENDED THE TEAM’S WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR TRAININGS, SPOKEN WITH THE DOCUMENTARY AND WHEN WAS THE COACHING STUFF. WHAT’S YOUR FIRST TIME YOU ACTUALLY STARTED TAKE? HOW DO YOU RATE GEORGIAN TO TAKE NOTICE THAT GEORGIA’S RUGBY AND THE NATIONAL TEAM? GETTING QUITE GOOD AT RUGBY? DF: Truth be told, in Britain we look at Georgian David Flatman, former England Rugby player: players and we say: wow, that’s some pure genet- We know Georgia is a very good team so we’ve ics! Their genetics are maybe the best in the world, come here to dig below the surface and fi nd out defi nitely one of the best in the world. They’re very why they’re improving so much and so quickly. big, very strong, powerful and aggressive. But you Tom Shanklin, former Wales Rugby player: need more than that to be good at top level rugby. Georgian Rugby really caught my attention in 2015, TS: The more tier 1 teams Georgia plays, the bet- at the World Cup, when they played the All Blacks ter, because that’s invaluable experience. and even managed to get the fi rst try! That was a glorious fi rst half. It was 22 to 10 for the All Blacks IF YOU WERE TO PREDICT, and that's when we and I guess, the rest of the WHAT CHANCES HAVE WE world too, really stood up and took notice that this GOT AGAINST WALES? Georgian team was something special. TS: I think it will be a close game. As david cor- rectly noticed, Georgians are very big, very physi- SO, IF THE WORLD IS TAKING cal, so I don’t think it will have many problems NOTICE, HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS defensively. But then again, they need to score tries, OUR CHANCES OF GETTING INTO they have to be creative and that is the issue that THE PRESTIGIOUS SIX NATIONS Georgia have at the moment. You’ll have to give TOURNAMENT ANYTIME SOON? the players time to learn to be creative because ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING WE ARE that’s not something that comes as naturally as the AHEAD OF ITALY IN THE RANKINGS… power. But it will come, as you've now got some DF: First of all, lots of people think Georgia should of the top notch, world-acclaimed coaching staff be in the Six Nations already, but to be rather blunt, here. With their mentorship, and with the team as in the grand scheme of things, it's only been good tightly knit as Georgia's is, it will come. If I’d have for about fi ve minutes. So it takes time, and, for to characterize Georgian rugby in two words, it Georgia to be included, one of the top six nations would be sleeping giants. That’s what they really has to be removed. And that’s easier said than done are.

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