Georgia to see / Autumn Issue N2

autumn Issue

ELENA GLURJIDZE

“BEST FEMALE DANCER” Tbilisi International

Film Festival

WINE TOURS IN GEORGIA

ANITA RACHVELISHVILI LONG AND WINDING ROAD TO TEATRO

ALLA SCALA

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redaqcia N3

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Elene Akhvlediani House Museum ADDRESS: 12 L. Kiacheli St.; TEL: +995 (32) 299 74 12 WORKING HOURS: every day except Sunday and Monday - 10.00 - 18.00 TICKET PRICE: Free.

The house-museum of this famous Georgian painter of the XX century was established in 1976. Elene Akhvlediani studied in France and Italy for years and, after returning to Georgia, her house became a kind of art salon, often hosting poetry evenings and concerts. Eminent musicians such as S. Richter and H. Neihaus also played there. The artist collected more than 4000 paintings during her life, which are on display in the house-museum. One can also find a variety of photos and documentary information there.

Folk and Applied Arts Museum ADDRESS: 28 Sh. Dadiani St.; TEL: +995 (32) 299 97 22; +995 (32) 299 61 52.

WORKING HOURS: every day except Monday - 11.00 - 18.00 TICKET PRICE: Adults - 2.00-3.00 Gel, children - 1.00 Gel. You can view works of Georgian and Caucasian masters of gold and silver dating back to the XIX-XX centuries and a collection of Caucasian carpets, graphics, and paintings of primitive painters.

Tbilisi Open Air Museum of Ethnography ADDRESS: 1 Kus Tba Highway.; TEL: +995 (32) 272 90 46 WORKING HOURS: every day except Monday - 10:00 - 18:00 TICKET PRICE: Adults - 1.50 Gel (at temporary exhibitions - 3.00 Gel), children - 1.00 Gel, students 1.00 Gel. Guided tour - 10.00 Gel. The Open Air Museum is located in Tbilisi, Vake district, to the west of “Turtle Lake” and is spread out over 65 hectares of land. The Museum features objects of traditional art and architecture from different parts of Georgia. It was founded in 1966 by George Chitaia, a famous Georgian ethnographer and academician. This is one of the most unique museums in Georgia, where you can explore architecture and traditions of Georgian regions and also relax in a wonderful recreation zone.

Iakob Nikoladze House Museum ADDRESS: 6 Rodeni St. WORKING HOURS: every day except Monday - 10.00 - 17.00 TICKET PRICE: Free.

The house-museum of a prominent Georgian realistic sculptor and one of the co-founders of the Georgian art school.

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Lado Gudiashvili Exhibition Hall ADDRESS: 11 L. Gudiashvili St.; TEL: (+995 32) 293 23 05 WORKING HOURS: every day, except Mondays and official holidays 11:00 - 18:30.

TICKET PRICE: Adults - 5 GEL; Youth from 6-18 - 3 GEL; Students and pensioners (with ID) - 3 GEL; Admission is free for orphan groups (with proof of status) and for children under 6.

Upon the initiative of Lado Gudiashvilis family, a part of the former living space of the artist has been kept as an exhibition hall since 2011. The three-leveled, elegant exhibition space of the Lado Gudiashvili Exhibition Hall is officially open to the public. In addition to the artist’s permanent exhibitions, the Exhibition Hall also holds temporary showings, lectures and seminars covering all aspects of contemporary art. The main profile of the Exhibition Hall is to provide a permanent platform for visitors to view Gudiashvili’s works by providing temporary exhibitions of his affluent heritage. Lado Gudiashvili (1896-1980) was one of the most prominent Georgian artists of the 20th century. He graduated from the Tbilisi School of Fine Arts in 1914. In 1919 he moved to Paris to study at Ronson’s “Free Academy” (1919-1926). The painter was also an active member of Paris’ vibrant art scene.

Literature-Memorial Museum of Ilia Chavchavadze ADDRESS: 7 I. Javakhishvili St. WORKING HOURS: every day except Sunday and Monday - 10.00 - 17.00 TICKET PRICE: Free.

Ilia Chavchavadze (1837 – 1907) was a Georgian writer, poet, journalist and lawyer who spearheaded the revival of the Georgian National Movement in the late 19th century during the Russian rule of Georgia. Today, he is widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of modern Georgia. In 1987 he was canonized as Saint Ilia the Righteous by the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Mirza Fatali Akhundov Azerbaijani Culture Museum ADDRESS: 17 Gorgasali St.; Tel: +995 (32) 272 15 71 WORKING HOURS: every day except Sunday and Monday - 10.00 - 17.00 TICKET PRICE: Free.

Mirza Fatali Mammad Taghi oglu Akhundov was a celebrated Azerbaijani author, playwright, philosopher, and founder of modern literary criticism.

Money Museum ADDRESS: 3/5 Leonidze St.; TEL: +995 (32) 240 64 05 WORKING HOURS: every day except weekends - 10:00 - 16:00 TICKET PRICE: Adult - 0.50 Gel, children - 0.10 Gel, students - 0.20.

Guided tour - free.

The museum was established by the National Bank of Georgia and offers you an interesting journey into the centuries-old history of money circulation in Georgia, from the 6th century B.C. up to the present, and also shows samples of foreign currency from different countries of the world. The exhibition starts by introducing a high nominal value tetra drachma of the ancient Colchian money, the so-called Kolkhuri Tetri. It is also possible to purchase replicas of old historical Georgian coins, modern Georgian jubilee and collection coins, and banknotes, books, brochures and CDs in the lobby of the Museum.

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Tbilisi Theatre/ Concert Halls Royal District Theatre ADDRESS: 10 G. Abesadze St., TEL:+995 (32) 99 61 71

Tbilisi State Marionette Theatre ADDRESS: 26 Shavteli St.; TEL: +995 (32) 298 65 90

Tbilisi Z.Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Theatre ADDRESS: 25 Rustaveli Ave.; TEL: +995(32)214 32 03

Tbilisi Concert Hall ADDRESS: 1 Melikishvili St.; TEL: +995 (32) 299 05 99

V.Sarajishvili State Conservatoire ADDRESS: 8-10 Griboedov St.; TEL: +995 (32) 299 91 44

Sh. Rustaveli State Dramatic Theatre ADDRESS: 17 Rustaveli Ave.; TEL: +995 (32) 272 68 68

Fingers Theatre ADDRESS: 8 Marjanishvili St.; TEL: +995 (32) 295 35 82

Kakha Bakuradze Movement Theatre ADDRESS: 182 Agmashenebeli Ave.; TEL: +995 (599) 56 87 57

Kote Marjanishvili State Acedemic Theatre ADDRESS: 8 Marjanishvili St.; TEL: +995 (32) 295 40 01

Music And Drama State Theatre ADDRESS: 182 Aghmashenebeli Ave.; TEL: +995 (32) 234 80 90; +995 (32) 234 79 59

Nabadi - Georgian Folklore Theatre ADDRESS: 19 Rustaveli Ave.; TEL: +995 (32) 298 99 91

A. Griboedov Russian State Drama Theatre ADDRESS: 2 Rustaveli Ave.; TEL: +995 (32) 293 58 11; +995 (32) 293 18 40 8

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Mtkvarze ADDRESS: 2 Agladze St., TEL: +995 (599) 19 33 44 www.facebook.com/page.mtkvarze

The Night Club Mtkvarze – which means “on the river Mtkvari”, is located in the building of a former fish restaurant, quite famous in the town during the 1950s. Within two months after opening it won Best Venue at the Georgian electronic music awards. The best DJs in the city perform here every weekend.

HEAVEN

ADDRESS: 1 Vasil Petriashvili St., www.facebook.com/HEAVENSGATESAREOPEN DOORS OPEN: Thu-Sat: 8:00 pm-1:00 am Fantasy - place where everyone can find his/her own heaven, place where you can search for forbidden treasure of shiny underground.

Didi Gallery Club ADDRESS: 36 Kostava St., TEL: +995 (593) 16 70 57 www.facebook.com/pages/Didi-Gallery Tbilisi’s popular venue to chill out in a pleasant atmosphere.

Bassiani ADDRESS: 2 Akaki Tsereteli ave., TEL: +995 (557) 20 40 47 www.facebook.com/bassiani New space for sound and visual, musical events, installations, seminars, lectures, masterclasses.

More info & tickets at www.bassiani.com

Boogie Woogie ADDRESS: 13 Betlemi St., TEL: +995 (577) 94 01 17 A pre-club bar with tasty cocktails, pleasant music and cozy interior design. DJs play here on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Disco-oriented clubbers can visit the club on Fridays, while on Saturdays one can enjoy Electronic music.

Cafe-Gallery ADDRESS: 48, Rustaveli Ave., TEL: +995 (32) 299 57 47 Cafe-Gallery is multifunctional space. Offering day and night activities such as: daytime quiet cafe with delicious cuisine, the best pizza in Tbilisi, a cozy garden,free wi-fi,art exibitions. It works as a night club every weekend.

Underwheel Club-restaurant ADDRESS: Mtatsminda Park, under “Giant Wheel”, TEL: +995 (32) 249 23 23 www.facebook.com/Club.Underwheel Enjoy Tbilisi’s amazing view in an atmosphere of good music and delicious cuisine.

Night Office Club ADDRESS: Right Embankment of the River Mtkvari, Baratashvili Bridge, TEL: +995 (32) 292 30 17 A place where apart from music, one can catch a glimpse of city views from the river Mtkvari.

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O, moda, moda ADDRESS: 64 Barnov St., TEL: +995 (32) 243 00 41

Le Marais French Restaurant ADDRESS: 32 I. Abashidze St., TEL: +995 (32) 290 39 93 MOB: +995 (599) 15 39 04 WEBSITE: http://lemarais.info-tbilisi.com/

The Dining Room

Dining Room Restaurant ADDRESS: 38 Zakaria Paliashvili St.,

Cafe Kama ADDRESS: 80 Paliashvili St., MOB: +995 (593) 11 03 03, +995 (577) 37 62 16

Mukha tsakatukha Café ADDRESS: 15,G.Akhvlediani St. (15, Perovskaia), TEL: +995 (32) 292 00 53 MOB: +995 (592) 45 67 37

Café Leila Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant ADDRESS: 18 Erekle 2 St., TEL: +995 (555) 94 94 20

Shavi Lomi (Tbilisi Cuisine) Restaurant/Café ADDRESS: 23 Amaglebis St., TEL: +995 (32) 293 10 07

Cafe Gabriadze ADDRESS: 13 Shavteli St., TEL: +995 (32) 298 65 94

Cafe Littera / Café · Outdoors ADDRESS: 13 Machabeli St., TEL: +995 (595) 03 11 12, (598) 50 72 72

Citron Café ADDRESS: 7 Bambis Rigi, TEL: +995 (555) 53 01 26

Le Gateau ADDRESS: 42 Ir, Abashidze St., 24 Al. Kazbegi Avenue, TEL: +995 (32) 247 15 15, +995 (32) 247 00 07 12

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MIRACLES HAPPEN. IN 2009 AN UNKNOWN GEORGIAN SINGER MAKES HER OPERATIC DEBUT AT THE GRAND OPENING NIGHT OF THE TEATRO ALLA SCALA DI MILANO AND PERFORMS THE TITLE ROLE IN BIZET’S “CARMEN” STAGED BY EMMA DATE AND CONDUCTED BY DANIEL BARENBOIM. THE SINGER, WITH HER WONDERFUL VOICE AND STRONG PRESENCE ON STAGE, IS MET WITH STANDING OVATION. A COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE THIS EVENT AND YOUNG MEZZO-SOPRANO ANITA RACHVELISHVILI IS NOW REGARDED AS ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER CARMENS OF NOWADAYS. SHE HAS VARIOUS REMARKABLE CONCERTS TO HER CREDIT, INCLUDING METROPOLITAN OPERA DEBUT AND PERFORMANCES IN OTHER HIGH-RANKING OPERA HOUSES. YET THIS FAME DID NOT REALLY FALL FROM THE SKY AND THERE WAS A LONG AND WINDING ROAD TO REACH IT. •

YOUR WAY FROM TBILISI TO MILAN: HOW DO YOU REMEMBER THIS PERIOD?

It’s not an easy period to remember… While studying in the Tbilisi Conservatory, I won the Paata Burchuladze Prize in 2007, I was also receiving a stipend from the ex-president of Georgia and at the same time I got the chance to continue studying in Milan. It was a life chance, but with a financial problem - I had no money to get there. I tried my best, asked our officials, prominent people, businessmen to support, but - silence. It seemed that there was no way out, but my family is my strength: we are always together and cheer each other up; my parents and sister believed in me and it was our joint decision to take out a bank loan. We put our flat as a guarantee for the mortgage and we ran the risk of losing the only property we had… That’s how I ended up in Milan and afterwards, while studying, I sent half my earnings home to pay off the loan. The last share of the debt was covered with a fee which I received for my debut Carmen at the opening night of the Teatro alla Scala.

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YOU WERE ABSOLUTELY UNKNOWN AT THAT TIME AND SUDDENLY YOU WERE PERFORMING AT THE OPENING NIGHT OF THE TEATRO ALLA SCALA … HOW WERE YOU SELECTED FOR THE TITLE ROLE IN “CARMEN”?

It happened thanks to Daniel Barenboim, the general music director of La Scala. He is an absolutely fantastic person and a real revolutionary in the musical world- he even established an orchestra from Palestinian and Jewish young musicians. Barenboim was choosing musicians for a new production of Carmen and there were some secondary roles for women in the play and I thought, I might be selected to perform these little pieces but when Barenboim heard me, he invited me to star in this new production, also conducted by him. The opening night of Teatro alla Scala is the most important event in Millan ... Thus, it was unbelievable and a fabulous challenge for me, something which changed a lot in my life.

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CARMEN IS AN ICONIC CHARACTER. WHAT KIND OF ATTITUDE DO YOU HAVE TO THIS PERSONAGE AND HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A ROLE IN GENERAL?

I sing the role which suits me and I think that Carmen is close to my personality. Having performed this role numerous times, I have got a lot of experience and I know Carmen very well; I feel her. Sometimes, Carmen’s character is shown from a different perspective and it is up to a director to present her from different angles and these changes may change my interpretation of the role as well. I like to work with directors who are more open, creative and not only ‘dictate’ – turn here, bend there, etc. It was a very good challenge and experience for me to work with Richard Eyre; he made some changes in the production and added a couple of fight scenes. As a result, Carmen became more expressive than before. Emma Dante is also a very interesting person- she staged “Carmen” in 2009 for the Teatro alla Scala opening night.

As for preparing myself for a role, it is usually quite a lengthy activity and I have time to study it properly – from different perspectives and views. I am never nervous before going on stage and I always try to give all of my emotions and feelings to the audience. But after a performance, I feel emptiness and a kind of depression. When I first noticed my condition, I was a bit scared and didn’t know what was happening, then I found out that it is just a biological process - how the human body reacts while giving away too much adrenaline. Thus, after a performance, I need a day or two to restore myself and strike a balance.

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ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC?

I am one of the most optimistic people in the world. I always try to look at everything very positively. There are definitely “down” periods from time to time, but still… When you are oriented towards good, it happens that bright and colorful things begin to materialize in your life.

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WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE?

I am really very busy. A day usually begins with a rehearsal, then I try to go to a gym; physical trainings, live a healthy way of life. Natural and organic food is very important for me and my profession. You need to keep in shape. If I have some free time I am really fond of watching a film in the cinema alone or just reading a book.

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DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY.

I will do it in one word. I am a very EMOTIONAL person and throughout my life, I have been trying to learn how to control my emotions.

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PEOPLE WHO HAVE INFLUENCED YOU?

Definitely, there are people who have had a very positive influence on me, but I will highlight some of them: Manana Egadze, my lecturer at the Tbilisi Conservatory, who unfortunately has already passed away, also Emma Dante, Daniel Barenboim…

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HAPPINESS IS…

Being together with my favorite people.

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WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN GEORGIA?

I really miss the chaotic, bizarre and spontaneous rhythm of life which is so characteristic for Georgia. I simply miss being Georgian when I am far from here.

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A FEW WORDS ABOUT YOUR PLANS.

My calendar is scheduled up to 2022 already, but regarding my closest plans, I will perform Carmen in the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, London and also my first CD recording will see daylight by the end of the year.

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TEXT: IRMA KAKHURASHVILI

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• Take a walk and enjoy • Mtatsminda Park • Rides

• Good Food • Funicular

Funicular upper plateau (Mtatsminda Park) Tel: +995 32 2492323 E-mail: info@park.ge Facebook/Mtatsminda.Park

• Breathtaking Views • Plenty of Fresh Air • Sun Shine

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TEXT: IRMA KAKHURASHVILI

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ARMENIA, UKRAINE, RUSSIA, KAZAKHSTAN, UZBEKISTAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES OF CIS*

20 TETRI

EUROPE, ASIA

AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY AND IRAN

30 TETRI

USA, CANADA

30 TETRI 5

TETRI

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TEXT: NINO GVALIA

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“THE COLOR OF POMEGRANATES” 44

“THE LEGEND OF SURAMI FORTRESS”

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Telavi the heart of Kakheti

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“We invite you to our urban oasis, where mind, body and spirit can be restored, refreshed and revitalized�

300 Aragveli Str. 24, Tbilisi, Georgia Telephon: (+995 32) 215 77 15, Fax: (+995 32) 215 88 15 info@samraan.com www.samraan.com

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