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Issue no: 1512

• AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025 • PUBLISHED WEEKLY

PRICE: GEL 2.50

In this week’s issue... Controversy Erupts as Russian Military-affiliated Fencers Compete at World Championships in Tbilisi NEWS PAGE 2

Ukraine Latest: 3 Soldiersin-Training Killed in Russian Strike, Trump Resets Moscow Ceasefire Deadline, Protests in Kyiv against Zelensky POLITICS PAGE 3

FOCUS ON NEXT

NEXT Is now officially operating across three continents

PAGE 7

OP-ED. The Apology Economy: On Pardons, Protest, and the Performance of Guilt in Georgia POLITICS PAGE 6

Skyline Flickers, Rooftop Fantasies: How a Pair of Australian Cinephiles Quietly Reimagined Cultural Life in Tbilisi

Christian Caryl on Ukraine and Georgia: A CULTURE PAGE 9 Between Brutalist Reality and War-Tested Democracy and a Vanishing Ally Radical Creativity - Berlin Fashion Week

INTERVIEW BY VAZHA TAVBERIDZE

CULTURE PAGE 10

Researcher Studies Georgian Wine Preferences Under EU’s Eco2Wine Project

rump wants the war to end, but not to safeguard Ukrainian democracy or help them join NATO or the EU. He wants the war to end so he can move on, repair relations with Putin, and focus on what he thinks matters—containing China, preferably with Russian help, - says Christian Caryl, veteran foreign correspondent, author, and columnist at Foreign Policy, in a wide-ranging interview with Radio Free Europe’s Georgian Service. From the resilience of Ukraine’s civil society and the warning signs in Zelensky’s leadership, to Trump’s erratic dealings with Russia and Europe, and the growing sense of American drift in the South Caucasus—Caryl draws an unsparing but nuanced portrait of a geopolitical landscape in flux. The war may still be Ukraine’s to win or lose, but Georgia, once Washington’s darling, is quietly vanishing from the map. Continued on page 4

CULTURE PAGE 11 Prepared for Georgia Today Business by

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NEWS

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025

Pardon-for-apology Offers Fuel Tensions as Georgian Protest Verdicts Stall BY TEAM GT

s pressure mounts on the Georgian Dream government both at home and abroad, reports have emerged that protesters detained during pro-European Union demonstrations are being offered pardons in exchange for public apologies — a move that critics view as an attempt to defuse growing dissent and avoid judicial scrutiny. The revelations come amid delays in verdict announcements in multiple protest-related trials. Judges in at least two prominent cases have postponed rulings, citing the need for further deliberation. Meanwhile, dozens of protesters have already been sentenced to jail time, and many more are awaiting verdicts. Public opinion is overwhelmingly in favor of their release. Actor Andro Chichinadze, one of eleven protesters detained on group violence charges, made a defiant statement during his July 29 court appearance, says Netgazeti’s live blog. “As time passes, I keep hearing that if I apologize, I’ll be released,” he said. “They should offer that pardon to the police officers who were chasing people on Rustaveli [Avenue]. I don’t need a pardon. These charges are fabricated.” Chichinadze did not name the source of the offer, but he claimed similar suggestions had been made to other detainees. His fellow defendants — Onise Tskhadadze, Jano Archaia, Giorgi Terishvili, Irakli Kerashvili, and Luka Jabua — echoed his stance, rejecting any sug-

The defendants charged with group violence in the courtroom. Photo: Mindia Gabadze

gestion of a deal tied to an apology. The implied pardons would likely come from President Mikheil Kavelashvili, a Georgian Dream appointee. This follows a controversial public offer from Kavelashvili earlier this year, when he proposed pardons for jailed opposition leaders — including Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, and others — if they agreed to participate in upcoming local elec-

tions scheduled for October 4. The opposition, fractured over whether to engage in the vote or boycott it, rejected the conditional offer outright. As the issue of political imprisonment intensifies, it has drawn increasing condemnation from international observers. European diplomats have repeatedly raised concerns over what they describe as arbitrary and politically motivated

detentions. Brussels has warned of potential consequences, including suspension of Georgia’s visa-free travel agreement with the EU, if democratic norms are not restored. Based on a July poll by the Institute of Social Studies and Analysis (ISSA), 73% of Georgians — including 40% of Georgian Dream supporters — believe the detained protesters should be released.

“The public doesn’t believe these young people or journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli are criminals, despite what government propaganda claims,” said ISSA Board Chairman Iago Kachkachishvili. Two high-profile cases — those of Dr. Giorgi Akhobadze and war veteran Anatoli Gigauri — have seen unexpected delays in verdicts. Akhobadze faces serious drug charges that he claims are politically driven, while Gigauri is charged with assaulting a police officer despite video evidence allegedly showing the officer striking first. Both plead not guilty. Judges have postponed decisions in both cases beyond the initially scheduled July 28 dates. In a notable shift, prosecutors recently downgraded charges against protester Saba Skhvitaridze from assaulting an officer to minor bodily harm. The move came after his defense argued he acted in self-defense and could not have known the man was a police officer. Courtrooms across Georgia are operating at full pace this summer, with group violence hearings being held multiple times a week. Lawyers say the urgency may reflect efforts to issue verdicts before the legal nine-month limit for pre-trial detention expires. While several protesters have already received prison sentences, recent judicial hesitations have sparked hope among opposition groups that even loyalist judges are starting to break ranks. “The judges have started rebelling against political orders en masse,” claimed jailed opposition figure Nika Gvaramia in a July 29 Facebook post. He claimed that judges are increasingly uncomfortable with their role in politically charged trials, facing growing public backlash and social isolation.

Controversy Erupts as Russian Military-affiliated Fencers Compete at World Championships in Tbilisi BY TEAM GT

TI Georgia: Ruling Party Figures Secure EU Ties While Jeopardizing VisaFree Access for Citizens BY TEAM GT

ransparency International Georgia has criticized members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, stating that while their policies are putting the country’s visa-free access to the European Union at risk, they themselves are deepening personal ties with Europe. “While Georgia risks losing its visafree access to the European Union because of the Georgian Dream’s authoritarian policies, current and former members of the ruling party, as well as affiliated officials, are purchasing property in Europe, setting up businesses, and secur-

ing EU citizenship for their children,” the organization said in a statement published Tuesday. The watchdog highlighted what it sees as a growing double standard—warning that while ordinary Georgians may face increasing barriers to travel, study, or work in Europe, elites are safeguarding their own European privileges through wealth and political connections. TI Georgia’s warning comes amid growing concerns from EU officials over Georgia’s democratic backsliding and recent legislation seen as undermining civil society and media freedom. The European Parliament has previously cautioned that Georgia’s visa-free regime could be suspended if democratic norms are further eroded.

or the first time in years, Russian fencers have been allowed to compete as a team at the World Fencing Championships, currently underway in Tbilisi from 22–30 July. The decision has sparked significant backlash due to the presence of several athletes with military ranks and close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In May, the International Fencing Federation (FIE) announced that Russian athletes could compete under a neutral status—without the Russian flag or anthem—enabling them to qualify for the European Championships in Genoa in June. At that time, the FIE explicitly barred the participation of athletes holding military ranks. However, in a controversial reversal in early July, the FIE lifted this restriction ahead of the Tbilisi competition. Though participants were still required to sign a sworn declaration of neutrality and support for the FIE’s “peace mission,” the presence of high-profile military-affiliated Russian athletes provoked outrage. Over 400 fencers, including Georgians, signed an open letter urging the FIE to reverse its decision and to resume thorough vetting of athletes applying for neutral status. Among the most prominent and controversial participants is Sofya Velikaya, 40, a multiple Olympic and world champion who holds the military rank of major. Decorated by Putin and actively involved in both the 2018 and 2024 presidential campaigns, Velikaya represents the Central Army Sports Club (CSKA), which is under Russia’s Ministry of Defense and sanctioned by Ukraine. Other Russian athletes under scrutiny include: • Yana Egoryan, 31, a CSKA member, lieutenant in the Russian Armed Forces,

and active participant in Putin’s election campaigns. • Kamil Ibragimov, 32, senior lieutenant and CSKA member, also sanctioned. • Olga Nikitina, 27, an ensign in the Russian Armed Forces and recipient of the Order of Aleksandr Nevsky from Putin. • Kirill and Anton Borodachev, CSKA members and ordinary soldiers decorated by former Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

GEORGIAN PROTEST AND POLITICAL FALLOUT On Sunday, a protest took place outside Tbilisi Sports Palace, where demonstrators condemned the participation of what they described as “Russian soldiers.” Protesters highlighted connections between the athletes and the Kremlin, referencing war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. The protest concluded with the burning of a Russian flag. The demonstration’s event page specifically invoked the memory of Giorgi

Antsukhelidze, a Georgian soldier tortured and killed during the 2008 war with Russia, now recognized as a national hero. The Russian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Georgia responded by labeling the protest a “Russophobic outburst” staged by politically motivated individuals. It accused the organizers of attempting to damage Tbilisi’s international standing and called on Georgian authorities to maintain a fair, non-politicized competition. Russian MP Dmitri Svishchev, Deputy Chair of the Duma’s sports committee, echoed those claims, calling the protest a “provocation” influenced by Ukraine. Meanwhile, Meab Bazadze, President of the Georgian Fencing Federation, attempted to distance the event from politics, stating that the decision to include Russian athletes lay with the FIE. “I know they hold military ranks, but I’ve known these athletes for many years,” Bazadze told Formula TV. “They are successful athletes, and I’ve never seen them holding a gun.”

A rally against the participation of Russian fencers in the World Fencing Championships in Tbilisi on 27 July 2025. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025

Ukraine Latest: 3 Soldiers-in-Training Killed in Russian Strike, Trump Resets Moscow Ceasefire Deadline, Protests in Kyiv against Zelensky who thinks he’s still President, to watch his words. He’s entering very dangerous territory!” The White House had previously warned India about its high average applied tariffs. "They have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia’s largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD!” Mr Trump said on July 30.

COMPILED BY ANA DUMBADZE

ussia launched a missile attack on a military training facility of Ukraine's Ground Forces on July 29, killing at least three soldiers and injuring another 18. "Despite the security measures taken, unfortunately, it was not possible to completely avoid casualties among the personnel," the Ground Forces said. An official investigation into the causes of the personnel losses has been launched. A commission led by the head of the Military Law Enforcement Service has also been set up to investigate the attack. "If it's found that the actions or inaction of officials led to the deaths and injuries of military personnel, those responsible will be held accountable," they said. Military leadership is also implementing "additional security measures" to safeguard the lives of soldiers during Russian strikes on training grounds and training centers. The attack follows a series of Russian strikes on Ukrainian military training facilities in May and June. "The entire territory of Ukraine is within range of enemy missiles and drones," Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said after a monthly meeting on troop preparedness. "The training process must be moved underground as much as possible." Syrskyi emphasized that improving troop training and safety remains a top priority for the Armed Forces. Under a revised training program, Ukraine has extended its basic combat course from 49 to 51 days and added new modules on drone warfare, trench survival, and engineering.

ZELENSKY BACKTRACKS ON ANTI-CORRUPTION AMENDMENTS AMID PROTESTS Residential house destroyed by a Russian missile attack in Kyiv. Source: Ukrainian FM's X account

MORE CIVILIANS KILLED IN RUSSIAN STRIKES THIS WEEK At least 22 people, including 16 inmates and a pregnant woman, were killed in Russian air attacks on southeastern Ukraine overnight on Tuesday. The hit came just a day after United States President Donald Trump set Russia a new deadline of “10 or 12 days” to reach a peace deal in its war on Ukraine or face tough new sanctions, shortening a 50-day deadline he had set earlier this month. On Thursday, a child was among six people killed and more than 50 injured in Kyiv after Russia unleashed a combined missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital. “There is extensive damage to residential infrastructure. In one of the residential districts, an entire section of an apartment block has been destroyed. As of now, six people are known to have been killed, including a six-year-old boy,” President Zelensky posted on X. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha wrote: “It's a horrible morning in Kyiv. The brutal Russian strikes

destroyed entire residential buildings and damaged schools and hospitals. Civilians are injured and killed. There are still people under the rubble.” He added, sharing a photo of the damage: “It is probably time to reduce to zero all of the timeframes that were given to Putin to demonstrate a constructive approach. President Trump has been very generous and very patient with Putin, trying to find a solution. [But] Putin…does not care about any attempts to put an end to the killing. He seeks only to destroy and kill. The entire existence of this war criminal is based on this senseless war, which he cannot win but refuses to end. He must face justice.”

KREMLIN UNCONCERNED BY TRUMP’S ULTIMATUM The attack came as a senior Kremlin official said, in response to President Trump’s 10-12-day ultimatum, that Russia had developed “immunity to sanctions” after living under them for years. “We have been living under a huge number of sanctions for quite a long time

- our economy operates under a huge number of restrictions,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on July 30. Trump previously warned Russia that Washington would start imposing punitive tariffs and other measures in 10-12 days if Moscow did not prepare to end the war in Ukraine. Trump has threatened to keep trade with Russia to a minimum amid an escalating war of words with the Kremlin over the ceasefire ultimatum. Hours after the US said it will impose a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from India starting on Friday, Trump posted the following on his Truth Social account, having slammed India’s trade with Russia despite the ongoing war with Ukraine: “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way, and tell Medvedev, the failed former President of Russia,

Ukrainian lawmakers are set to review a bill aimed at restoring the independence of the country’s two leading anticorruption agencies, following a political crisis that has tested public trust in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wartime leadership. Mass protests erupted in Kyiv and other cities after Zelensky’s ruling party rushed through controversial amendments last week that weakened the agencies. Facing growing backlash and pressure from top EU officials—who warned the move could jeopardize Ukraine’s EU membership bid—Zelensky reversed course and submitted a new bill to restore their autonomy. Despite the move, demonstrations have continued. Hundreds gathered near the presidential administration in Kyiv late yesterday, chanting “Shame!” and “The people are the power!” “I really want parliament to vote for the new measure just as quickly as it did last time,” said protester Kateryna Kononenko, 36. Activists are now calling for more demonstrations near parliament ahead of the upcoming vote to push lawmakers to approve the bill.

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025

Christian Caryl on Ukraine and Georgia: A War-Tested Democracy and a Vanishing Ally Continued from page 1

LET’S BEGIN WITH THE PROTESTS IN UKRAINE AND THE REASONING BEHIND THEM. WHAT HAPPENED, AND HOW DAMAGING HAS IT BEEN, BOTH FOR UKRAINE AND FOR PRESIDENT ZELENSKY PERSONALLY? What’s been happening in Ukraine has shown us the extraordinary resilience of civil society there. Ukrainian citizens feel a strong responsibility for their country—they don’t just leave it up to their leaders. Despite President Zelensky’s extraordinary leadership since the full-scale invasion, when he moved to suppress the anti-corruption infrastructure, Ukrainians said: “No, that’s a red line. You cannot do that. We’re not going to take that lying down.” And they went out into the streets in their tens of thousands. Zelensky has now backed off, but let’s see if he really sticks with his promise. As for the damage—I don’t think this has harmed Ukraine’s reputation in Europe or among most Americans. I think most people in the West have taken it the right way—they’ve seen it as a source of strength, as a demonstration of the vitality of Ukrainian democracy, which is what Ukraine has been fighting for. Ukraine has been fighting for the chance to not be Russia, which has no democracy whatsoever. Zelensky? I think it’s a more complicated picture. I know from my own visits to Ukraine over the past few years and from conversations with diplomats and leaders in various countries that there has been a lot of concern in the EU in particular about some of Zelensky’s more dubious moves. For example, he has put pressure on media outlets he views as critical—such as Ukrainska Pravda. Members of opposition parties will tell you that their leaders have faced questionable charges on a variety of issues, and all kinds of pressure. There is a broader pattern of concerning developments, many of which are attributed to Zelensky’s very powerful Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak—a rather tough and ruthless politician who has used his role as gatekeeper to Zelensky to concentrate a lot of power in his own hands.

FROM A GREY CARDINAL TO A CARDINAL OUT IN THE OPEN? Yes, he’s very much in your face, really. And he was quite unpopular with senior members of the Biden administration. But he couldn’t be doing these things without Zelensky’s approval, right? And now the attacks on the anti-corruption agency—what we’ve actually seen is that these agencies have uncovered real malfeasance by people at the highest levels of the Ukrainian government—people who’ve been getting rich off weapons deliveries or government support. Those who were exposed have gone to jail, lost their positions, or seen the end of their political careers. So, it’s a worrisome pattern, and I think these protests have allowed the Europeans to speak up and voice criticisms that they were probably too timid to express earlier—criticisms of the President and his administration.

CAN ZELENSKY RECOVER FROM THIS, AS HE DID, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM THE WHITE HOUSE DEBACLE EARLIER THIS YEAR? The Trump debacle cut two ways: it strengthened Zelensky’s standing among the Europeans, and I think it also made him more popular among a wide segment of the Ukrainian population, who saw him standing up to yet another bully. So, overall, that confrontation with Trump in the White House actually boosted Zelensky’s standing. His recovery from that incident was quite remarkable. But can he come back from this with-

Christian Caryl. Source: Washington Post

out his reputation being blemished? I have doubts. I think he has revealed something about himself to Ukrainian voters that won’t make him more popular. People have accepted him as a wartime leader—someone who rallies the troops, gets out front, and shows personal courage. I’m a great admirer of Zelensky on that front, but if you ask people who know him, including journalists who’ve interviewed him multiple times, they’ll all tell you: he’s not an administrator. He’s not someone who manages things well. He’s not a great manager of government.

chops or the desire? We don’t know yet.

SO WHEN UKRAINE EVENTUALLY NEEDS MORE OF AN ADMINISTRATOR THAN A WARTIME LEADER, THAT COULD SPELL TROUBLE FOR HIM?

I agree with that interpretation—it’s a 50-day green light. I found that deadline extremely odd. Why 50 days? Many people have accepted Trump’s deal very uncritically. Instead of the US directly supplying weapons to Ukraine, suddenly the Europeans are responsible for finding the money and providing them. And yes, it’s good that the Europeans are willing—but under the guise of halting shipments, Trump has actually reduced America’s direct involvement. We’re not paying for anything. The terms of the deal are murky. There’s a lot of wiggle room for Trump to do what he wants. It’s not like this was a Senateratified agreement. It’s more of a backslapping arrangement between Trump and the Europeans. As far as I can tell, nothing is set in stone. And we know Trump is great at making promises that sound big. Everyone moves on, and then nothing happens. So yes, I’m very skeptical.

Yes, and I drew what I think is a really intriguing parallel in an article I just wrote for Foreign Policy—between Zelensky and Winston Churchill. A lot of people in the West have compared Zelensky to Churchill: standing tall in the face of a dire threat. But Churchill did something Zelensky hasn’t—he formed a national unity government, including the opposition. Zelensky, most notably, has not done that. He’s marginalized the opposition and driven away many who might have been willing to cooperate in a unity government. And what happened to Churchill in 1945 when the war ended? Voters resoundingly voted him out of office. Not because they didn’t think he did a good job, but because they felt the post-war period required someone who could manage the immense challenges a bankrupt United Kingdom faced after the war with Germany and Japan. They overwhelmingly voted for the Labour Party. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see something similar happen in Ukraine— especially if the competing candidate were General Zaluzhnyi, who still enjoys enormous popularity. He does seem to be a good manager—certainly during wartime. Whether he has the political

LET’S TALK ABOUT TRUMP’S MUCH-DISCUSSED 50-DAY DEADLINE TO PUTIN—WASN’T IT MORE OF A GREEN LIGHT THAN A WARNING? PUTIN CALLS TRUMP, SAYS HE’LL ACHIEVE HIS GOALS IN 60 DAYS. THEN TRUMP GIVES HIM A 50-DAY DEADLINE TO COME BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. SO, FOR 49 DAYS, PUTIN CAN ACT FREELY, THEN SHOW UP ON DAY 50 PRETENDING HE WANTS PEACE?

HE HAS SINCE CUT THAT DEADLINE DOWN—FROM 50 DAYS TO 10–12. IS THAT A SIGN OF SERIOUS INTENT? Trump’s shift once again shows how unreliable his deadlines are. I doubt the Russians took the last one seriously, and they probably won’t take this one seriously either. I still don’t believe he’ll enforce any serious sanctions. What would impress

me is the US delivering large numbers of high-end weapons to help Ukraine win the war. That would hurt Russia and might actually bring them to the table. But nothing Trump is doing right now feels serious.

designs on Eurasia? Wouldn’t helping Ukraine win be a huge blow to China’s ambitions in the region? To me, the answer is obvious. But I don’t think Trump wants to see that.

ON THE MURKY SIDE—WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE UKRAINIANS GETTING, IN WHAT QUANTITIES, AND WHEN? TAKE THE PATRIOTS, FOR EXAMPLE. THE REPORTED NUMBERS VARY WILDLY—SOME SAY FIVE, OTHERS AS HIGH AS 17. WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY KNOW?

THE COUNTERARGUMENT IS THAT A DEFEATED RUSSIA BECOMES A FULL-FLEDGED VASSAL OF CHINA— THUS STRENGTHENING CHINA FURTHER.

Originally, reports said Ukraine would get 10 Patriot systems. Then, after Trump’s deal, the number seemed to shrink to 2–5. The Germans have said they want to provide, I believe, five systems. But the issue is this: having a Patriot battery is great, but how many missiles? Each missile is very expensive. Is Germany handing over its entire supply? We have no idea. And time matters—Ukrainians don’t need these in six months. They need them now. Hell, they need them during those 50 days. The whole thing is highly questionable. Now I’m reading reports that Trump’s new “stick” for Russia is tariffs. The billion-dollar question is: will he follow through? I have serious doubts. Our trade with Russia is minimal—but secondary sanctions on Russian oil buyers like China and India could be powerful. However, those would also affect global oil prices, including in the US. I’m almost certain those sanctions would complicate America’s relations with those countries. Does Trump want that? Take the bill sponsored by Senators Graham and Blumenthal—it has over 80 sponsors and so will sail through if they want to pass it. It would impose some really draconian secondary sanctions on those countries that are buying Russian oil. But Trump hasn't said if he approves of that bill or not, aside from ensuring it includes a clause giving the President the sole power to call it off. Once again, we see very clearly his unwillingness to cede any sort of power to Congress and to keep all the cards in his own hand. And if he wakes up one morning and his diet coke tastes wrong, he will walk it all back and decide he's not really in favor.

SO HIS STRATEGY ON UKRAINE IS… NO STRATEGY? For whatever reason, I think he genuinely wants the war to end. It’s an irritant for him. It complicates everything. One thing he really doesn’t like is that it keeps dragging him into Europe—and on a fundamental level, he doesn’t want anything to do with Europe. He thinks it’s old and tired. The war keeps him tethered to leaders like Macron and Scholz, which I’m sure bores him to death. So yes, he wants the war to end, but not to safeguard Ukrainian democracy or help them join NATO or the EU. He doesn’t care about that. He wants the war to end so he can move on, repair relations with Putin, and focus on what he thinks matters—containing China, preferably with Russian help. He still believes he can work with Putin against China, which I think is a nonsensical pipe dream.

SPEAKING OF CHINA—CHINESE FM WANG YI RECENTLY SAID CHINA CANNOT AFFORD RUSSIA TO LOSE IN UKRAINE. CAN THE US AFFORD UKRAINE TO LOSE? What a great question. I think that’s exactly the right question people should be asking. If Trump genuinely wants to contain China, that statement should’ve been a massive wake-up call. China clearly sees a strategic interest in Ukraine losing. So what does that say about its broader

I think Russia already is a vassal of China to a significant degree. But Trump believes he can split Russia off from China. It’s what we call the “reverse Nixon.” Remember, Nixon went to China to split them from the USSR. But the world today is different. Back then, Mao hated the Soviets and needed new allies. Now? China and Russia have built a comprehensive alliance—they’re joined at the hip. Russia can’t sell energy to Europe anymore, so it’s dependent on China. It’s dependent on Chinese tech. It’s a parasitic twin in that Siamese relationship.

AND A QUESTION ABOUT GEORGIA. YOU’VE VISITED RECENTLY AND REPORTED ON IT. WITH THINGS IN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA AS THEY ARE— BAKU’S RELATIONSHIP WITH MOSCOW AT A LOW POINT, AND PASHINYAN OPENLY REBELLING—HAS GEORGIA EFFECTIVELY BECOME RUSSIA’S LAST OUTPOST IN THE REGION? It’s sort of looking that way, isn’t it? That’s exactly how it felt during my last visit there, just last month. It’s a grim situation—I was really disheartened. The most depressing thing is the rhetoric coming from Georgian Dream. And their actions speak just as loudly—jailing opposition figures and protesters, slapping draconian fines on demonstrators. They seem to have this maximalist approach: “Wipe them all out now, clean the political field—and then the West will accept us.” No. They have a terrible image right now, and they’re doing nothing to fix it.

OR MAYBE THEY’RE RELISHING IT—HOPING THAT THE WORSE IT LOOKS, THE MORE GEORGIA IS SEEN AS A LOST CAUSE. HOW FAR DOWN IS GEORGIA ON THE CURRENT US ADMINISTRATION’S AGENDA? Georgia has really slipped off the list of American foreign policy priorities. I remember in the early 2000s, Georgia was high on that list. There was strong congressional support—people knew where Georgia was on the map and why it mattered. That’s no longer the case. It’s dropped off the radar.

YET, AT LEAST THEORETICALLY, THAT COULD CHANGE. THE MEGOBARI ACT COULD INTRODUCE DRASTIC SHIFTS— IF IT PASSES. WILL IT? My sense is that it’s currently stalled. It hasn’t garnered the support it needs, and I don’t see who’s going to champion it all the way through. A lot of people are working hard to get it through Congress, but it's stuck. I think Marco Rubio and others in the White House just have other fish to fry. I don’t think they fully understand what’s happening in Georgia. I genuinely believe that. They haven’t even decided which side to support yet. I’m not sure that Georgian Dream is entirely to Marco Rubio’s liking. I don’t see him rushing to call them friends of America. Right now, what I see is a stall—and stagnation—in U.S. policy toward Georgia.

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025

The Strategic Sidestep BY MATE KHVEDELIDZE, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT CAUCASUS UNIVERSITY

n geopolitical strategy, sometimes the most powerful move is not to advance, but to step aside. As America recalibrates its posture in the Russia Ukraine conflict, leaving Europe to bankroll military aid, a natural question has arisen: will China begin supplying Russia more openly and directly? So far, the Chinese are continuing to supply Russia, but covertly, not openly or officially. Nor is there much talk of a dramatic increase in volume. This restraint is not accidental; it is born of logic, and will, in turn, lead to logical outcomes. Both sides see the war in Ukraine as a proxy conflict—Russia as China’s proxy, and Ukraine as America’s. Understandably, Washington feared being drawn by Beijing into a spiral of escalation, a spiral in which any outcome, be it Russian victory, defeat or even a negotiated ceasefire, would leave China as the real winner. This fear partly explains why the Biden administration initially chose to arm Ukraine cautiously, in carefully measured doses (enough to avoid Ukrainian defeat), while Donald Trump attempted to push for a ceasefire outright. What was the Americans’ underlying concern? Put simply, if the war dragged on, and it has, it would transform completely into a proxy war, with China supplying Russia comprehensively. The US was wary of being entangled in such an escalation, especially one that would lock up its strategic resources in Europe, just when the true arena of American

Chinese soldiers. Source: AP

rivalry with China lies in the Indo-Pacific. Moreover, regardless of who wins the war, a prolonged conflict leaves China in a stronger position. Worse, if Russia loses and is severely weakened, it risks becoming a fully-fledged satellite of Beijing—a development Washington wants to avoid at all costs. Armed with Russia’s natural resources, China would gain a decisive industrial and commercial edge over the United States. Naturally, Washington would have preferred to strike profitable bargains with both Russia and Ukraine, using the war to significantly boost its own economy. But for reasons that are all too evident—including the fact that Putin has long since passed the point of being able to stop this war—Washington has

returned to the militarization path in Ukraine. In this environment, the Americans found a shrewd way to ensure China wouldn’t emerge as the sole victor: they simply took a step back. Not a full retreat, but a clever sidestep. Here’s what that looks like in practice: rather than letting China supply Russia openly and drawing America into an escalation spiral, Washington changed tack. It now provides arms to Ukraine, yes, but does so with European money. This sidesteps Trump’s electoral promises, keeps the MAGA camp quiet, and avoids direct confrontation with Beijing. Why is this partial retreat a smart move? Because from Washington’s point of view, the Indo-Pacific remains the top

priority in the China rivalry. The US is no longer spending its own resources in Europe—quite the opposite. It’s using European funds to boost its arms industry, while concentrating its real strategic focus (and money) on the Pacific theater. In essence, America preserves the status quo in Europe while profiting from it. If China now begins to arm Russia more openly, it would backfire. It would damage Beijing’s ties with Europe and push EU countries into Washington’s preferred anti-China coalition. And again, America pays nothing for this—it continues to earn from European wallets. Even more intriguingly, should the Chinese ramp up military support for Moscow, Russia’s growing military clout would increase US relevance in Eastern

Europe, especially in Poland. This would rule out any serious attempt to establish a unified, self-reliant European defense capability—something that would, in the long term, reduce NATO’s centrality and, with it, America’s strategic foothold on the continent. Again, Washington wins. So what are the Europeans doing in all this? Faced with a threat to their own continental security, they’ve begun stepping up criticism of China and demanding that Beijing halt its support for Russia. Further evidence that no peace deal is coming? Last month, the Council of Europe began laying the groundwork for a special tribunal targeting the Russian Federation. Clearly, one does not threaten a future negotiating partner with prosecution. The creation of a tribunal for Russian war crimes, and the ICC’s arrest warrant for Putin, are cut from the same cloth. In plain terms, Europe is signaling that it will not negotiate with Putin’s regime directly. Rather, it’s telling the Russian siloviki that once Putin’s head rolls, the conversation can begin anew. Other developments are worth noting. There’s a new UK-Germany military cooperation treaty. There’s renewed interest in easing visa requirements for Turkey. There’s even talk of Armenia integrating into the EU. The winds are shifting. To summarize: China cannot supply Russia openly or dramatically ramp up support without falling into the very trap it set for the Americans. Should Beijing take that route, Washington will deepen its Indo-Pacific focus while Beijing is left confronting Europe—and likely EU sanctions. China cannot withstand joint European-American pressure. Unlike the Russians, the Chinese are a pragmatic people. They will choose the smarter strategy.

POLITICS

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025

OP-ED. The Apology Economy: On Pardons, Protest, and the Performance of Guilt in Georgia OP-ED BY IVAN NECHAEV

omewhere between the solemn hush of a courtroom and the subterranean hum of the Tbilisi metro, a new kind of transaction is taking shape in Georgia. It isn’t written into the criminal code, nor does it belong to any known judicial ritual. It slips through ecclesiastical robes and whispered conversations in holding cells. It is, simply put, an offer: say you’re sorry, admit you were wrong, and maybe—just maybe— we’ll let you go. This is the reality facing a group of protesters detained during the antigovernment demonstrations that gripped Tbilisi last winter, after the Georgian government announced the suspension of the country’s EU integration process. Their names—Andro Chichinadze, Onise Tsxadadze, Giorgi Terishvili, and others—may not yet be canonized in the national memory, but the ethical conundrum they now embody ought to resonate far beyond the steps of Rustaveli Avenue. According to their own accounts, the detainees have been quietly approached, sometimes via clergy, sometimes through less identifiable intermediaries, with a conditional path to freedom. The formula is familiar to students of power: accept the charges, express contrition, and petition the president (or his surrogate) for a pardon. Perform guilt. Simulate remorse. Reenter society cleansed, if not of the actual crime, then of your civic disobedience. What’s being negotiated here is not guilt, but theater. And as anyone who has read Foucault, or lived under postauthoritarian regimes, can tell you, theater is never just theater.

THE SOUL AS A BUREAUCRATIC OBJECT In Discipline and Punish, Foucault writes that modern systems of justice are no longer content to punish the body. They seek instead to shape the soul. Georgia, a country still suspended between two gravitational pulls—the Western rule of law and the Eastern specter of performative justice—has become a kind of laboratory for the management of dissent. And in this instance, the soul becomes a bureaucratic object: its compliance is filed, stamped, and, if necessary, televised. But this isn’t new. The 1937 Soviet show trials were masterclasses in this logic: grim pageants in which writers and engineers confessed, wept, begged for forgiveness, and were shot anyway. Their confessions weren’t meant to inform the state, but to sanctify it. They transformed political violence into moral necessity. It’s not hard to hear echoes of this in the case of Georgian actor Andro Chichinadze, who said recently, “The same offer is being made to all of us. If I apologize, they say, I’ll be released.” His voice is weary, skeptical, but firm. “Let them offer pardon to the police who were running around Rustaveli.”

THE PARDON AS A CULTURAL ARTIFACT Let’s pause here and consider what a pardon really is. In American law, it’s a final act of mercy, ideally removed from politics. In Catholic doctrine, it’s a divine gift, a washing away of sin. But in Georgia, in 2025, it seems to have become something else: a state-sponsored performance of guilt, a page torn from the dramaturgy of post-Soviet shame. To be pardoned in this context is not to be released from wrongdoing: it is to enter a narrative in which your wrong-

doing is the axis around which legitimacy turns. And legitimacy, in a country suspended in geopolitical limbo, is precious. The state’s offer of pardon—informal, unofficial, unofficially denied—is less a legal mechanism than a test of loyalty. It functions not unlike the kompromat dossiers used by Soviet intelligence, where private transgressions were held like IOUs against the conscience. In this case, the transgression is public, but the reckoning is private. You kneel, we let you stand.

DIGNITY AS A REFUSAL That’s why the protesters’ refusal feels so radical. It’s also why it feels so Georgian. “This is a question of dignity,” said comedian and detainee Onise Tsxadadze. “I will not write to a man who decorated those who beat citizens in the streets.” It’s a line worthy of an ancient Greek tragedy—where moral clarity arrives precisely when the protagonist chooses suffering over dishonor. But this isn’t Sophocles; it’s post-2024 Georgia, where liberal aspirations coexist uneasily with the baroque rituals of post-Soviet governance. In many ways, Georgia is playing out its own variation on the script performed in Russia, Turkey, even Hungary: the slow reabsorption of dissent into a nationalist machine. But the difference lies in the protestors’ language—a blend of theatrical irony, bitter humor, and moral exactitude. “Let them pardon the police,” Chichinadze said. “We have nothing to be sorry for.”

WHO GETS TO FORGIVE? Pardon, after all, is a moral technology. But it depends on a tacit hierarchy: someone has the right to forgive, and someone

Family members of detained protesters make statements during a demonstration in April. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media

must ask for it. The current Georgian case reveals how unstable this structure becomes when the moral superiority of the state is openly contested. Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu called this symbolic violence: the quiet, near-invisible way in which power inscribes itself into what seems natural, even benevolent. The offer of pardon may feel like mercy, but in its context, it is coercion disguised as grace. To say “no” is to refuse not just the terms of the offer, but the entire edifice upon which it rests.

THE SILENT ROLE OF THE CHURCH And what of the Church? The Georgian Orthodox Church, long revered for its role in preserving national identity through imperial and Soviet rule, now finds itself entangled in the soft mechanisms of power. That the offer was reportedly relayed through clergy makes perfect sense—and perfect sense, too, is the protesters’ fury at this betrayal. “Let the so-called Fathers remember who they serve,” said one detainee. “God, or something else entirely?” It is a chilling question. It also points to the deeper crisis: not merely political, but metaphysical. When forgiveness

becomes a currency of political manipulation, the soul—once the last refuge of the individual—becomes one more arena of statecraft.

GEORGIA AT THE THRESHOLD The detained protesters are, of course, individuals with different histories, professions, temperaments. One is an actor. Another, a stand-up comic. One was studying literature; another, law. What unites them is a shared refusal to play the part assigned to them in the state’s morality play. And so they sit, in pre-trial detention, waiting. Not for forgiveness. For recognition. They are not heroes—at least not yet. But in their refusal to apologize, they remind us of something easily forgotten in times of institutional fatigue: that dignity, like sovereignty, is indivisible. Once you hand it over, it doesn’t come back. The real danger, in moments like these, is the temptation to normalize the moral transaction. “It’s just a formality,” we tell ourselves. “Everyone does it.” But the moment dissent becomes an offense that must be repented for, the republic becomes a cathedral. And the president, whether elected or not, becomes its god. Georgia has been here before. It should not go back.

Papuashvili: Khazaradze and Japaridze’s Failures Now Pose a Danger to the Country – Foreign Allies Backing them are Enabling a Deception against Georgia demands. This time, the Washington Arbitration has confirmed that the failure to implement the Anaklia Port project is entirely the responsibility of Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze and their partners, and there has been no interference in any way by the Georgian government," reads the statement.

BY TEAM GT

arliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has strongly criticized Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze following an international legal ruling over the failed Anaklia Port project. In a Facebook post, he alleged that the two entrepreneurs, after failing to deliver on a key national infrastructure promise, are now actively harming Georgia’s interests. He warned that any foreign official or diplomat who chooses to engage with them moving forward should be viewed as complicit in what he described as a scheme targeting the Georgian public. According to Papuashvili, the ruling from the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) — affiliated with the World Bank — found in favor of the Georgian government. The arbitration body reportedly concluded that the failure of the Anaklia Port initiative was due entirely to the actions of Khazaradze, Japaridze, and their associates, and not the result of any government interference. Papuashvili also referenced earlier court decisions, both domestic and international, that had gone against the two businessmen. He accused them of attempting to extract $1.5 billion from public resources, while ultimately being ordered to repay over $7 million. He also cited a past fraud case involving $17 million, for which both men were sentenced to seven years in prison, and the bank involved was penalized $3 million.

OPPOSITION FIRES BACK: ANAKLIA PORT PROJECT WAS SABOTAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT, NOT ENTREPRENEURS

Mamuka Khazaradze, founder of Anaklia Development Consortium, July 2024. Source: sakartvelosambebi

He further criticized the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) for granting them membership three years ago, implying that this raised serious ethical questions about the group’s values. Papuashvili questioned whether ALDE would reconsider its association with Khazaradze and Japaridze in light of the recent legal decisions, or if, as he put it, their membership was merely bought.

In closing, he reiterated his claim that any international figure who continues to support or meet with the two should be viewed as backing a deliberate betrayal of the Georgian public. The Ministry of Justice wrote: "The Washington Arbitration (World Bank's International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes - ICSID) has issued a decision on the Anaklia Port case and fully satisfied the Georgian government's

In response to the Ministry of Justice’s above announcement, the opposition party Lelo – Strong Georgia issued a sharp rebuttal, accusing the Georgian government of distorting the facts and acting under foreign influence. The party claims that the arbitration ruling, regardless of its content, does not absolve the government of its responsibility for derailing what was meant to be a strategic infrastructure project. According to Lelo, the project was deliberately halted six years ago, allegedly due to pressure from Moscow, and since then, no meaningful development has taken place. “The administration continues to mislead the public by falsely tying Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze to this arbitration process,” the party said in a statement. “In reality, this legal dispute was between a foreign investor, Bob Meyer, and the state. It had nothing to do with the two men the government keeps scapegoating.” The opposition also emphasized that Georgia was expected to begin operations at the Anaklia Port by 2020 — a

milestone that has long passed without any progress. They urged citizens and observers to read the Anaklia Development Consortium’s own statement on the matter, adding that international investors are expected to provide further clarification. Investor Bob Meyer and the Anaklia Development Consortium have also released formal comments in light of the arbitration ruling. While they acknowledged the outcome as unfavorable, they stressed that the tribunal focused only on a limited legal matter: whether the government’s contract termination conformed to a bilateral investment treaty with the Netherlands. Meyer emphasized that his decision to invest stemmed from a belief in Georgia’s economic potential and his trust in the consortium’s leadership. ADC, in its own response, accused the government of political sabotage and of abandoning its responsibilities after ending the contract in 2020 — pointing out that, five years later, there is still no active agreement or construction on the port. According to the consortium, if the original plan had been supported, the Anaklia Port would now be operating, employing thousands and transforming Georgia’s strategic position in international trade. Although the Ministry of Justice claims a complete legal victory with the ICSID ruling, Lelo – Strong Georgia insists that the root of the failure lies with the state itself, which, they allege, undermined the project for political reasons tied to regional power dynamics — leaving Georgia without a vital piece of infrastructure it was promised years ago.

BUSINESS

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025

NEXT Is Now Officially Operating across Three Continents

BY TEAM GT

demonstrates its ability to face challenges, rethink how people live, and set new standards in quality, design, and lifestyle.

NOT ALL PEARLS ARE FOUND IN THE SEA

EXT is a leading lifestyle developer, changing skylines in fast-growing countries like Georgia, vibrant cities like Dubai, and emerging markets throughout Africa. Now, NEXT is making a strong entry into the European market with its latest project: Villa Perla, a superior villa community in Spain. With a portfolio of innovative, designfocused residential projects on three continents, NEXT remains dedicated to creating lasting properties in the world’s most desirable locations. The launch of Villa Perla represents an important step in the company's plan for international growth. This experience across multiple continents shows one thing: NEXT doesn’t just follow trends, it's inspired by innovation. With each project, the company

Villa Perla is a striking example of architectural beauty, where design blends seamlessly with nature. Inspired by the movement of sea waves and the simple beauty of a pearl, the villas have smooth lines, soft textures, and natural colors that capture Andalusian coastal charm. Unlike many typical resort locations, Villa Perla has a one-of-a-kind setting in southern Spain, offering open views of the Gibraltar Strait, with the African continent visible on clear days. Each three-level residence features a panoramic rooftop terrace overlooking the Costa del Sol, a private green yard, two swimming pools, and spacious open-plan interiors. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of light. From family spaces to wellness areas, every detail is thoughtfully designed to create a lifestyle that

is both elegant and connected to the Mediterranean environment.

EUROPE’S MOST LIVABLE INVESTMENT Marbella is a luxury hotspot famous for its top-notch golf courses, upscale resort culture, and designer brands. Located in the well-known Costa del Sol “Golf Valley,” the area has over 30 world-class golf clubs. This attracts players and investors from all over Europe. Just a short drive from Villa Perla, the iconic Puerto Banús marina offers upscale shopping, fine dining, and a glamorous atmosphere by the sea. Marbella blends natural beauty with a cosmopolitan feel, featuring luxury beach clubs, Michelin-starred restaurants, and a charming Old Town rich in culture and history. With strong interest from international buyers, a booming tourism sector, and a property market supported by high-value cash investments, Marbella provides not only an exceptional lifestyle but also a solid investment opportunity for the future.

147 Construction Firms in Georgia Fined for Not Registering Workers BY MARIAM RAZMADZE

eorgia’s Revenue Service recently published a new audit revealing that 147 construction companies failed to comply with labor registration requirements, leaving 566 workers off the official employment register. The inspections were conducted in July 2025 by the agency’s Tax Monitoring Department and targeted 589 companies in the construction sector. The investigation aimed to verify whether businesses had properly submitted

A construction worker. Source: iStock.

employment data to the state-mandated Register of Employed Persons. The Revenue Service disclosed that companies found in violation were sanctioned under the Tax Code of Georgia. The agency warned that failing to register employees not only breaks labor laws, but also increases the risk of tax evasion and undermines market transparency. “Employers must register each employee immediately after signing a contract,” the agency emphasized, citing Article 12 of the Tax Code. Authorities reiterated their commitment to ongoing monitoring and enforcement to promote fair labor practices across the country.

Georgia Raises Foreign Currency Loan Cap to GEL 750,000 BY MARIAM RAZMADZE

tarting August 1, 2025, the National Bank of Georgia will increase the cap on unhedged foreign currency loans from GEL 500,000 to GEL 750,000. Under the new regulation, individuals earning in GEL will be prohibited from

Bank notes. Source: SmartAsset

taking out foreign currency loans exceeding this amount. As the Banking Association of Georgia reports, the change is expected to impact a relatively small segment of borrowers. Aleksandre Dzneladze, the association’s president, noted that the decision will mostly affect medium-sized businesses and applicants seeking larger mortgage loans. Dzneladze explained that this adjustment is part of the National Bank’s longer-term plan to slowly raise the threshold to GEL 1 million. He added that the pace of larization has slowed in recent months, likely influencing the timing of the decision. Despite potential complications for certain loan categories, the overall impact is expected to be limited in range.

SOCIETY

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025

Svaneti’s Two Biggest Days BLOG BY TONY HANMER

ot Christmas or Easter; not Lamproba either, though all three of these are important holidays here. First in Svaneti is July 28, followed by 29: Kvirikoba and Svanetoba. This time, uncommonly, my wife and I were able to attend both, due to a suitable gap in our guest schedule. We had both too few visitors not to travel long hours from, and two guests who are also friends with whom to share this amazing pair of days. Kvirikoba is named for Ivlite and Kvirike, apparently a Svan mother and young son martyred for their Christian faith in ancient times. (“-oba” indicates a special day, usually tied to a person or place: Giorgoba, Maryamoba, Mtskhetaoba, Tbilisoba, etc.). The other possibility for the day’s origin, or even a mixed-in factor much older than Christianity in Georgia, is the name of the old Svan god, Kviria. In any case, we’ve been to Kvirikoba several times over our 18-odd years in Svaneti. This time was by far the busiest we had seen, bolstered by growing popu-

larization and stunning weather. As we drove into K’ala, between Ipari and Ushguli, we met or passed hundreds of cars, and decided to park a little distance away from the footpath, so as not to get hemmed in. It’s about 1.1 km up to the thousandyear-old church complex, on a steep, winding, narrow path. This was indeed filled with many hundreds of the faithful, both ascending and descending, as the main proceedings had started some hours earlier. It was crowds the whole way, especially at a couple of choke points where the entry door into the complex at the top was only two people wide. But we made it in. No sacrificed animals’ skins were visible this time, although we were offered some meat from the bull; a few male sheep and goats were tethered in different places, waiting their turn. Someone at the main church door was receiving money from people in turn, which he put into a strongbox after praying for the donor family in a loud voice. Lali went into the church where the ancient gold icon of Christ, one of the whole Orthodox world’s most important, is out on display for this day of the year only. Elsewhere, there was a traditional test of strength for the men: to lift one of

Ancient gold icon of Christ. Photo by the author

three rocks of different sizes, put it on your shoulder, and carry it from the start to the door of the church. Both large and very heavy, they present a formidable challenge, at which I saw no one succeed this time. We all greeted each other and wished a good holiday, even to total strangers. And, of course, saw many familiar faces from near and far. The only notable absence, though he had graced us earlier, was Ushba, infamously

shy and cloud-wrapped. We descended. A brief trip into Ushguli, to which I try to go at least annually, but to which Lali hadn’t been for about four years; fond reunion with my former host family and others there. Then we drove back down and home, enjoying the newly cemented road: an hour and 10 minutes for the 42 km to Mestia. Svanetoba, on the 29th, is much less religious. Here, in Mestia’s central Seti

Square park, tables were set up from every village in Svaneti, with its unique notable foods and drinks to sampler free, as well as art, handicrafts and souvenirs to buy. Wood carving, colored felt art and much more. A stage had been set up, and after internationally renowned Riho opened with several songs and dances, traditional groups from across the country showed off their stage arts, young and mature. Raucous applause. Here, too, we greeted many old and current friends. As at Kvirikoba, I filmed rising blog star Lali talking us through some of the day, as well as capturing some of the music and movement. “A good time was had by all.” Our two guests had really chosen a fortuitous time to come up from Tbilisi, and we made the most of it with them. Next year: well, we’ll see. Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a weekly writer and photographer for GT since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook group, now with over 2000 members, at www.facebook.com/groups/ SvanetiRenaissance/ He and his wife also run their own guest house in Etseri: www.facebook.com/hanmer.house.svaneti

An Instant with Audrey Hepburn BLOG BY NUGZAR B. RUHADZE

T Improving connections. Source: 1TV

New Road and Bridge to Improve Traffic and Regional Connectivity BY MARIAM RAZMADZE

he Roads Department of Georgia’s Ministry of Infrastructure reported that a major transport infrastructure project is set to improve connection between Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Shida Kartli and Kvemo Kartli. The project includes the rehabilitation of a 2.9 km stretch of the Ksani–Saskhori road and the construction of a new 389meter bridge over the Mtkvari River.

Fully funded by the state at a cost of GEL 20 million, the initiative will create the shortest route linking the three regions via the Nichbisi–Didgori corridor. Officials say the new route will ease traffic flow on the congested East–West Highway segment near Tbilisi, offering a strategic bypass for regional transit. The upgraded route is also expected to stimulate economic activity in Ksani, a local industrial center. By providing an alternative to the current Kanda–Ksani road, the project is designed to improve logistics, mobility and access for small businesses operating in the area.

Universities to Launch Mandatory Georgian Language Courses Starting 2025 BY MARIAM RAZMADZE

he final meeting of a specially formed commission on restoring Georgian language instruction was held under the leadership of Zviad Gabisonia, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth. The initiative is part of a broader state effort to strengthen the role of the Georgian language in higher education. In the scope of the reforms, a new mandatory course in the Georgian state language will be introduced at the undergraduate level. The decision came after amendments to the Law on Higher Education were passed during the 2025 spring session. The course will also incorporate Abkhaz language instruction which

Gabisonia emphasized as a critical component of the program. Universities will have flexibility in implementation, with the option to begin the course as early as the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year or at a later time of their choice. Initiated by Minister Givi Mikanadze, the expert commission was tasked with outlining the course structure in within the new legal requirements. The proposed framework will next be submitted to the Rectors’ Council. After receiving input from universities, the final version of the course guidelines will be approved. The Ministry notes that upon successful completion of the course, students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in oral and written academic communication, analyze both general and professional content, and effectively use modern language-learning technologies.

hroughout my long life, I have come across so many celebrities, you just name them, including kings and queens, presidents and premiers, ministers and ambassadors, renowned astronauts and world-class scientists, movie and theater megastars. But I keep the photo of only one of them on the wall of my study at home, and that is the perennially shining and truly incomparable Audrey Hepburn. That memorable encounter with her took place several decades ago in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. As fate would have it, I worked for several years at one of the local television stations there, in the capacity of a TV reporter. That’s exactly when I won the well-known Regional Emmy Award and was nominated for the national one—a fact that truly surprised all of Georgia at the time. Imagine: just another Georgian young man, who grew up under a stark communist regime and couldn’t exactly boast of any extraordinary personal qualities, suddenly found himself in America and appeared full-size on American television, to be seen on screen by millions. It was a real miracle—no more, no less! It’s understandable that others didn’t quite believe what was happening, but I myself could hardly accept it as true. When the Soviet Union broke up, the United States and Georgia exchanged television journalists. Don’t be overly surprised: this was the time when the Soviet state security had loosened its ideological grip, and traveling abroad had become easier, and so an American TV journalist came to Georgia, and his Georgian counterpart went to America. The mission was to tell the respective Georgian and American audiences stories about each other’s countries through the eyes of those two journalists. The project was so interesting and timely that it even aimed for the Nobel Peace Prize. Jokes absolutely aside! It was truly difficult to imagine a regular Soviet ‘animal,’ dressed in the skin of a journalist, unabashedly opening his mouth to talk to Americans about anything that came to mind. Eventually, all went well. The Americans absolutely loved my journalistic work. I returned home peacefully. The local Georgian television broadcast all my American stories and turned me into a real celebrity overnight. Fans were so eager to talk to me in the

The author with Audrey Hepburn

street and take pictures with me that I even began avoiding my usual outdoor activities. Yes, I was the lucky one chosen by the Party Central Committee and the KGB to fulfill this great mission. And they surely had their reasons—I knew English better than most, and I had some experience in journalism to cope with this strange new opportunity. So, that lucky morning, when I arrived at the TV station in Atlanta, the head producer told me to get ready for a very interesting assignment. Soon, I learned that an interview with a famous Hollywood megastar was in store for me. I was going to meet the great Audrey Hepburn herself! I thought I would die of excitement before reaching the destination. And, finally, the cherished moment arrived. There she was, wasted away and fragile, wrinkles covering her beautiful face, but her faded eyes still carrying that killer spark. I thought I was in the 1953 Roman Holiday. Gregory Peck, move over—I thought— my time has come. And then, having returned to reality, we did the job we were supposed to do. The interview went very humanely, professionally, and attractively. We spent a couple of hours together. At that time, Audrey Hepburn was serving as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador-at-Large. She felt the blight and desperation of children throughout the world as deeply as she had once embraced the subtle

nuances of the roles she had played during her extremely meaningful life. The interview came out light and business-like. None of us said anything particularly profound or world-changing that would attract the attention of all humankind, but every word she spoke, both on and off camera, was full of love and kindness. Our entire conversation was marked by her genuine desire to serve mankind in her new capacity as a goodwill ambassador of the United Nations. I thought I shouldn’t torture her with the pronunciation of my full Georgian name, so I told her to call me Nug. I said that’s what everybody called me. And she repeated it. I was so happy and proud! Then, I softly touched her fragile hand, thinking her fingers might break in my palm, but I was spared. At that time, there were no cell phones with cameras, and one of my good acquaintances, an American photographer (the press was, of course, present at the interview), took our picture. He asked us to stand together, and we, for just a brief instant, leaned gently toward each other, posing for the snap. Then, just another twinkle of an eye, and we said farewell. “I will never see her again,” I thought. Some time passed, and my photo-artist friend brought me that now-famous photo of ours. With a slight grudge, he told me: “Nug, you don’t even know what this means.” Indeed!

CULTURE

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025

Skyline Flickers, Rooftop Fantasies: How a Pair of Australian Cinephiles Quietly Reimagined Cultural Life in Tbilisi And yes, the name matters. FOMO: Fear of Missing Out. In its ironic way, it gestures to a culture of chronic presence, a hunger for experience, for connection, for some fragment of enchantment in the boredom and repetition of postdigital life. But here, the fear dissolves into something softer. You’re already here. You’ve made it up the stairs. The screen is flickering. The city is yours, if only for the length of a film. Which, of course, is the whole point. Cinema has always trafficked in illusion. But the best illusions tell us something real. In this case, that culture doesn’t always have to scale, monetize, or centralize to matter. Sometimes it happens on rooftops. Sometimes it begins with a bookshelf. Sometimes it is exactly the size of the people who show up, and no bigger. And sometimes—though rarely, and only at dusk—the screen and the sky seem to blend. For a moment, you can’t tell which is showing you the story. But you watch anyway. That, too, is cinema.

At a time when There is something distinctly Georgian public space is from Sydney sometime in 2024, for rea- nation interesting, maybe even important, BY IVAN NECHAEV sons that were neither quite economic is the way it stakes a claim in the con- in the spatial improvisation—the way a nor quite romantic, although both terms tested terrain of urban belonging. At a roof becomes a stage, a market becomes either crumbling, hover, hazily, around every expat tale. time when public space is either crum- a lounge, a couple from elsewhere he cinema was never just In December, they took over a curious bling, privatized, or endlessly surveilled, becomes, for a while, part of the social privatized, or about the movie. At its best, little cinematic jewel-box: the original FOMO reintroduces the radical idea that fabric. This is a city that thrives on makeit was a kind of secular FOMO where FOod met MOvies and watching a film with other people in an shift elegance. You see it in the cracked endlessly chapel—a place to sit among viewers entered through a bar, slipped unpredictable environment can still feel facades, the hand-painted signage, the ancient balconies strung with laundry surveilled, FOMO strangers and share, without behind a bookshelf, and settled into a meaningful, even magical. It’s also a quiet study in the art of spa- and bougainvillea. FOMO fits right in, speech or touching, the same flickering private screening room that felt equal dreams. For most of the 20th century, parts speakeasy and time capsule. Films tial intelligence. To watch a film outdoors without pretending to belong. reintroduces the Indeed, the question of belonging hovthis was how we practiced collective were viewed through wireless head- in Tbilisi, a city as volatile in its climate attention: in the dark, together. Then phones. The space held fewer people as in its politics, is no small thing. Thun- ers around the project like smoke. What radical idea that came the multiplexes, the megaplexes, than a minibus. It was more séance than derstorms brew out of nowhere. The does it mean for two Australians to open power grid is a matter of faith. Even the a cinema in a city not their own? Is it watching a film and eventually the algorithms—each cinema. Then, in July, the project moved. Or architecture seems to lean toward entropy. gentrification with a sunset filter, or step a little brighter, a little lonelier. So what do we make of FOMO Skyline perhaps it unspooled. What had once And yet—there you are, surrounded by something gentler, more reciprocal? The with other people Cinema, which opened, with minimal been cloistered and hushed became open friends and strangers, a glass of wine in answer, perhaps, lies in the project’s scale fanfare but maximal charm, on the roof- and expansive. The rooftop at Bazari hand, the wind lifting your collar as the and temperament. FOMO doesn’t dom- in an top of Bazari Orbeliani in the simmering Orbeliani—formerly the domain of credits roll across the Caucasian dusk. inate; it invites. It doesn’t colonize; it The rooftop cinema is, of course, an adapts. There is no corporate sponsor- unpredictable heart of Tbilisi this July? An outdoor pigeons and the occasional artisan flea screening space launched by a couple market—now houses FOMO Skyline, a old idea. In Rome and Paris, outdoor ship, no neon, no English-only signage. of Australian transplants, the project large screen under an even larger sky. screenings are summer traditions. In David and Danika are not here to fran- environment can might have seemed, at first glance, like Screenings begin at dusk. The sound is Tehran, they are acts of flirtatious sub- chise a lifestyle. They’re just throwing another seasonal entertainment insert: crisp. The city glows, inattentively, around version. In Brooklyn, they are usually films at the sky and seeing who shows still feel accompanied by sustainably sourced up. In a city that has lately seen far more Instagrammable, perishable, pleasant. the edges. It is, quite plainly, lovely. But loveliness alone doesn’t explain popcorn and long lines. But here in Tbi- authoritarian crackdowns than cultural meaningful, even But that would be to miss the strangeness of its ambition—and the subtle the pull. Nor does the programming— lisi, FOMO Skyline doesn’t feel like a expansions, such gestures feel, if not although it is good, eclectic, and gener- reproduction: it feels like a local inven- revolutionary, then at least quietly repar- magical acuity of its context. ative. David and Danika arrived in Tbilisi ous. What makes FOMO’s rooftop incar- tion, using borrowed parts. FOMO Cinema. Source: FB

Georgia Starts Major Digital Marketing Campaign Targeting Primary Tourism Markets BY MARIAM RAZMADZE

n a bid to enhance its international visibility, Georgia has started a major digital marketing campaign targeting primary tourism markets — the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The campaign is a joint effort between the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA), global travel booking platform Expedia and the renowned travel media brand Beautiful Destinations.

Tbilisi. Source: Expedia

As part of the campaign, a dedicated guide to Georgia is now live on Expedia, featuring comprehensive information about the country’s natural landscapes, resorts, wine regions, and gastronomy. Travelers can not only explore what Georgia has to offer but also plan their trips and book accommodations directly through the platform. “Discover Georgia’s unique nature, rich culture, and delicious cuisine. Not many know about Georgia — but now, you do” reads one of the promotional messages by Expedia. The GNTA noted that the campaign aims to position Georgia as a must-visit

destination in competitive tourism markets. The digital travel guide also includes highlights such as UNESCO World Heritage sites, upcoming festivals, and insights into Georgia’s wine-making and culinary traditions. Banner ads across Expedia’s website direct users to special landing pages designed exclusively for promoting Georgia. As the GNTA declared, Expedia reaches over 46 million users, while Beautiful Destinations’ combined social media audience is more than 50 million, a strategic advantage for elevating Georgia’s global tourism.

CULTURE

GEORGIA TODAY

AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025

Between Brutalist Reality and Radical Creativity Berlin Fashion Week Spring/Summer 26 BY LILY FÜRSTENOW

erlin has never been known for refined elegance. Its street style often ventures beyond ugly into deliberately antifashion territory, with a local community that sees little to no value in dressing up. Yet, twice a year, the city transforms into an unexpected stage for global fashion players and underground tastemakers alike. The Berlin Fashion Week Spring/Summer 26 once again showcased its signature duality: edgy, unconventional, subculturedriven creativity intertwined with serious, internationally recognised design. From streetwear rebels to established Berlinbased labels catering to customers far beyond Germany’s borders, the official calendar presented a curated celebration of innovation and grit. A highlight this season was the PLATTE NEXT GEN Pop-up, a true hub for experimentation in garment construction and aesthetic storytelling. Situated in the iconic DDR-era architecture synonymous with uniformity, monotony, and mass accommodation – PLATTE turned into a true platform for diversity in fashion offering access to all. Today, it stands as a vibrant hub for diversity in fashion, welcoming those who seek fresh impulses in local design, craft, and beauty. The pop-up catered to a wide spectrum of fashion lovers, from Gen Z minimalists to best agers, all in search of something new, daring, and authentic. Curated by an international jury, Steigleder, DEAR DIARY, J.A.I.W, Carolin Dieler, and Autel among others presented their collections. Both clothing and jewelry were on display. The visitors were welcome to injoy the music by trendy DJs and most importantly see the new collections and buy the outfits on the spot. This season Georgian designer David Koma's new collection was a special highlight of the Berlin Fashion Week. His Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection, “I Love David,” is a witty yet profound exploration of ego, identity, and masculinity. Drawing inspiration from a playful triad of Davids – cultural icon David Beckham, Michelangelo’s sculptural masterpiece David, and Koma himself – the collection examines how persona and self-reflection shape modern manhood. Beckham’s early-2000s style is reinterpreted through light-rinse distressed denim, aged brown leather trench coats, and the tongue-in-cheek “I LOVE DAVID” appliqué T-shirt referencing his famous “I KISS FOOTBALL” jersey. Michelangelo’s David comes alive in graphic prints and lace crochet souvenir aprons, while sculptural romanticism is translated into elegantly draped T-shirts. From his own signature wardrobe, Koma brings garter details on tailored trousers

Kilian Kerner's runway looks. Source: Getty Images

and denim, statement outerwear, and intricately hand-embroidered hibiscus brooches inspired by his travels. While marking his brand’s 15th anniversary, “I Love David” is only his third menswear collection, refining the Koma man as a character of contrasts: bold yet sophisticated, ornate yet effortlessly wearable. Davit Komakhidze known as David Koma (stylized as DΛVID KOMΛ) is a Georgian fashion designer based in London, England. Koma established his eponymous luxury womenswear fashion brand in 2009 and has been showing his collections during London Fashion Week ever since. Internationally acclaimed celebrities often turn to the designer for red carpet looks, including Beyonce, Dua Lipa, Jennifer Lopez, Caea Delevinge, Blackpink and Adele to mention a few. From July 2013 to December 2017, he worked as the creative director of Mugler. He is currently the creative director of Blumarine.

Photos by Finnegan Koichi Godenschweger for BFW

TELL THE TRUTH’s new collection “CULT” channelled ecstatic, rebellious energy into Berlin’s fashion scene, presented within a historically charged WWII bunker in the city’s West, now refunctioned as an event space. Building upon the buzz of its last London showcase, the brand leaned fully into its cult status with unisex, layered silhouettes and its signature “three-layer cake” styling that flattered all bodies equally. Sustainability remained at the forefront with eco-conscious materials such as vegan leather, washed nylons, and oil-dyed cottons that absorbed light and reflected mood with subversive depth. A foundation of black anchored the palette, punctuated by red and grey tones. Standout looks included the “Midnight Set,” a full vegan leather ensemble with rich movement, the sharply tailored “Red Velvet Jacket,” and the unapologetically bold “Bee’s Knees.” Founded by self-taught designer Rainy Womack, TELL THE TRUTH has dressed star names such as Jay Shetty, Avril Lavigne, Dove Cameron, Jorge Masvidal with features in Vogue, GQ , and Netflix’s Selling Sunset. The cinematic bunker presentation underlined the brand’s philosophy: fashion without compromise – built by an outsider to disrupt. With his collection “DDR. The Stolen Children”, Kilian Kerner brought a longsuppressed chapter of German history to Berlin’s grandest stage – the Uber Arena, raising awareness about the inhuman practices of totalitarian regime separating children from parents and families some of whom are still searching for the siblings and kids. For the sixth season in a row, he presented as part of COLLECTIVEFOUR alongside Danny Reinke and Marcel Ostertag, this time merging emotional storytelling with highimpact glamour. His clear-cut silhouettes reinterpreted the spirit of the 80s with wide shoulders, shimmering gold looks, and transparent pieces that felt both sensual and strong. Belted trouser suits, embroidered floral motifs and voluminous coats added poetic softness to the outfits. Altogether, Kerner delivered a collection that was not only aesthetically command-

ing but also deeply rooted in collective memory, proving his unique ability to fuse fashion with cultural reflection on Berlin’s biggest runway. Danny Reinke continues to define his unique vision of bespoke elegance with “The Hunt,” his new collection that revives the poetic spirit of European miniatures and myths. Known for merging traditional artisanal techniques with a clear, modern aesthetic, Reinke crafts designs that cultivate personal style and refined body awareness. This season, delicate embroidery and intricate fabric treatments referenced the romance and craftsmanship of European costume history, infusing the runway with timeless storytelling. His signature approach seamlessly blends couture-level detail with contemporary silhouettes, creating looks that feel both fresh and anchored in cultural tradition. Sustainability remains central, as Reinke integrates eco-friendly materials and practices at every stage of his production process. The collection’s refined textures and mythical motifs offered a welcome reminder that in today’s fast-paced lifestyle romance and poetry never go out of style. Having showcased his work in Berlin, Paris, and Vancouver, Reinke continues to prove that innovative design and responsible fashion are not mutually exclusive. “The Hunt” felt like a quiet yet powerful statement: fashion can remain timeless while daring to dream. Marcel Ostertag’s new collection “Paradise” transported Berlin Fashion Week guests into a lush, floral reverie, true to the designer’s signature fusion of tradition and modernity. Drawing inspiration from blooming gardens, Ostertag embroidered and printed delicate motifs of flowers, plants, and leaves across his designs, weaving a rich tapestry of nature onto luxurious fabrics. Romantic pastel hues, bold reds and deep blacks, created a dynamic palette that balanced softness with confident sensuality. Ruffles cascaded down sleeves, trousers, and dresses, adding theatrical movement and romantic volume. Intricate lace looks accentuated the body’s natural lines, while ornamen-

tal patterns evoked a sense of elegance. Touches of shiny leather brought an unexpected edge to the collection, reinforcing Ostertag’s ability to balance classic femininity with Berlin’s urban cool. The silhouettes ranged from sweeping long dresses to body-fitted pieces and daring mini skirts, ensuring each look flattered the diverse forms it adorned. True to his ethos, every garment reflected high-quality craftsmanship and sustainable production – values Marcel Ostertag has upheld since founding his brand in 2006. MAXIMILIAN GEDRA's collection presented in an open studio met at best the spirit of Berlin with its bizarre attitude and references to nature that dominates the raw urban landscapes. Gedra's looks are a fearless confrontation with outworn gender norms transcending binaries. His open studio presentation revealed outfits inspired by spiky natural formations such as stalactites and cosmic stars, channeling their sharp, alien beauty into sculptural garments. Among them was a dramatic piece recently worn by Lady Gaga, cementing Gedra’s place among avant-garde innovators. Signature designs included full-body overalls and structured coats crafted in grey as well as shiny black leather. Metallic silver dresses with surfaces polished to an almost mirror-like gleam stole the show. Silhouettes were extreme and sculptural, extending the body into exaggerated, otherworldly shapes reminiscent of alien warriors or insect queens. Outfits in stark black and white were styled to evoke fantastic monsters, both menacing and mesmerizing, with their spiky extensions and sharply contoured lines. Edgy, polished finishes created a sense of futuristic armour, while bizarre organic shapes recalled predatory plants and poisonous flowers. Buttons, pins, and needle-like metallic elements protruded from garments, forming thornlike textures intended to protect the wearer or ward off danger. This collection was not merely fashion but a powerful manifesto, creating extreme classics that fused the past, present, and future into a single, provocative vision.

CULTURE

GEORGIA TODAY AUGUST 1 - 7, 2025

British-Georgian Archaeological Team Discovers 2,500-year-old Wine Jar in Nokalakevi

Photo: Napa Valley.

Researcher Studies Georgian Wine Preferences Under EU’s Eco2Wine Project BY MARIAM RAZMADZE

A BY TEAM GT

he British Ambassador to Georgia, Gareth Ward, announced on his official X account that after 25 years of excavation by the AngloGeorgian Archaeological Expedition to Nokalakevi, archaeologists unearthed fragments of a 2,500-year-old Colchis Qvevri wine jar—a pottery vessel used for traditional Georgian winemaking. His post celebrates the milestone in this long-standing archaeological collaboration and showcases traces of ancient viticulture found during the latest dig. The Anglo-Georgian expedition, established in 2000, has systematically explored Nokalakevi—also known historically as Archaeopolis or Tsikhegoji—a site that spans continuous occupation from the Hellenistic to Early Byzantine periods.

Located in western Georgia’s Samegrelo region, Nokalakevi played a prominent defensive and administrative role in antiquity, controlling access through the Colchian plain and featuring major fortifications built to resist Byzantine and Sasanian threats. This dig not only discovers artifacts but also serves as a training ground for Georgian and international archaeology students. Over two decades, the project has enrolled hundreds of participants, while contributing considerably to the archaeological record through ceramic analysis, palaeo-botanical studies, and community outreach. Qvevri—large earthenware amphora used for wine fermentation and aging— are central to Georgia’s identity as the world’s oldest wine-producing region. Often buried underground to regulate temperature naturally, these vessels date back at least to the 5th–6th centuries BC and are integral to Georgia’s UNESCO-

registered traditional winemaking heritage. Finding a 2,500-year-old Qvevri fragment in Nokalakevi is significant on multiple levels. It confirms that winemaking was practiced at this fortress site during the early periods of Colchian civilization. It reflects deeply-rooted brewing traditions and adds dimension to archaeological understanding of daily life, economy, and cross-cultural links in the Black Sea region. Ambassador Ward’s message underscores not only the historical importance of the discovery but also the enduring partnership between the UK and Georgia in heritage preservation. Since presenting his credentials in August 2024 and formally beginning his tenure, Ward has emphasized cultural cooperation alongside political and economic ties between the two nations. Nokalakevi’s layered history, with remains spanning from the Colchian Kingdom, Byzantine epochs, and medieval Georgian polities, continues to offer fresh archaeological revelations. Specialists leading the expedition include Georgian experts such as Professor David Lomitashvili and Dr Nikoloz Murgulia, who have guided AGEN since its relaunch in 2001. The recently unearthed Qvevri fragments testify to the rich viticultural legacy of ancient Colchis and contribute to the narrative of Georgian national heritage. Photos: British Embassy Tbilisi

s part of the EU’s Horizon Europe-funded Eco2Wine project, Georgia recently hosted Capucine Dentraygues, a doctoral researcher from Geisenheim University, for a field study on local wine consumer perceptions. During her visit, Dentraygues conducted research examining how Georgian consumers perceive natural, traditional, and microbiologically enhanced winemaking. The study also explored public attitudes toward wine authenticity, sustainability and healthiness. The results are currently being analyzed and will be

Tbilisi International Theater Festival Set for Return

Photo: BMG.

BY MARIAM RAZMADZE

ne of the capital’s biggest cultural events, the Tbilisi International Theater Festival, is to return this fall with a new lineup of performances from Georgia and abroad. Running since 2009, the festival marks its 17th edition, supported by TBC Concept and Visa, with a dual program showcasing both local and international productions. The event opens on September 16 with

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published in the coming months. Launched in 2023 with the involvement of Georgia’s National Wine Agency, Eco2Wine strengthens global innovation and communication in viticulture. The project focuses on developing future strategies based on scientific evidence. Coordinated by the University of Milan, the four-year project involves academic and industry partners from Georgia, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Slovenia and South Africa. Participating institutions include Georgian Technical University, the University of Burgundy, Geisenheim University, the University of Perugia, the University of Ljubljana, the University of Cádiz, Stellenbosch University and the Spanish National Research Council. The project’s total funding is estimated at €2.4 million.

a showcase of Georgian theater, while the international program launches on September 21. This year’s highlights include ‘Richard III’ by Itay Tiran (Gesher Theater, Israel), Ivan Blackstock’s ‘Traplord’ (UK), ‘The House’ by Dimitris Kananras (Onassis Stegi, Greece), and ‘The White Helicopter’ by Alvis Hermanis (New Riga Theater, Latvia). Performances will be staged across primary venues including Theater 42, Marjanishvili Theater and Griboedov Theater. In addition to performances, the festival will feature masterclasses and workshops running through December.

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