Georgia Today Education #28 - January 2020

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Issue no: 028

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• JANUARY 2020

• PUBLISHED MONTHLY

PRICE: GEL 2

In this issue...

Noël en France PAGE 2

BBC Releases a ShortFilm: Europe’s Most Polluted Sea – The Black Sea PAGE 4

CENN to Set Up a Strawberry Greenhouse in Zendidi Village, Keda Municipality PAGE 5

FOCUS ON LIFE SKILLS

From cooking and hygiene to spending money wisely, looking after your environment and growing vegetables- these are skills you need to have!

Learning about Money Management PAGE 6

Shaumiani Enjoys PreNew Year Festival Unites Youth in the Regions PAGE 15

Georgian Street Dog Given a Home, a Star, and a Special Place in People’s Hearts

BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE

H

e has four names, four legs, a kind heart, and the streets as a home. This might sound like a riddle, but it’s the simple reality of a Georgian dog that recently became the country’s favorite, getting a star to his name and a feature in American media. So, who is this dog?

Beka Tsinadze, a Facebook user from Batumi, published a video on his page on January 20 showing a dog helping

kids to cross the street. The dog is seen barking at drivers who won’t stop at the zebra crossing, telling them to hit the brakes and let the children get to the other side. The dog, who looks like he was trained for a Disney movie in Hollywood, quickly got the public’s attention and hearts. His video reached a million viewers and he was shown in American media: USA Today, ABC News, and CBS News have spread the word about the Georgian canine “hero”.

Some call him Bimi, some Kursha, some Kupata, and some Tetra. Others have come up with other names.

He is a stray dog approximately fouryears-old who lives on Memed

Abashidze Street in Batumi.

“He loves kids so much. If he sees them wanting to cross [the road], he will immediately go to help them, and may even wait for them in the park,” Nona Zakareishvili told Radio Tavisupleba. Zakareishvili has been feeding him for four years now, and he always sleeps at her door.

The butcher shops in Batumi also feed the dog. Since he is so well-fed by the inhabitants of the street, one of the butchers named him Kupata, after the Georgian meat dish Kupati.

The Adjara Tourism Department was quick to honor the celebrity canine of Batumi. On January 22, the Department bought him a home: his

new shelter from the cold winter days has a star on it that reads his name and “People’s Choice”.

“The popular Kupata now has his own home. He wanted to help kids safely cross the streets, but it came to so much more. The employees of the Department bought him a home with the words: People’s Choice. That is something he really deserves,” reads the Facebook post of the Department of Tourism and Resorts of Adjara.

Kupata’s story is a real-life manifestation of the quote from Academy Awards nominated animated film Klaus: “a true selfless act always sparks another”.

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Noël en France

y célébrer Noël au soleil en dégustant des fruits exotiques, mangues, ananas, fruits de la passion ainsi que des plats locaux à base de riz, de poisson et de langouste. L’arbre de Noël aussi varie. Le traditionnel sapin fait place à une branche de filaos.

LES BREDELES, UNE SPÉCIALITÉ ALSACIENNE Ce sont des biscuits secs à la vanille, à la cannelle ou au citron, avec des formes variées inspirées de l’hiver (bonhomme de neige, Père Noël, flocon de neige). Ils sont préparés en famille puis mangés pendant tout l’hiver. Ils occupent une place de choix sur les merveilleux marchés de Noël alsaciens.

L

’hiver est là, les températures baissent, les gens se pressent dans la rue et la ville brille de mille feux. Une ambiance de fête se ressent et dans les airs flotte comme un parfum de joie et de féérie. L’hiver, c’est aussi la saison de Noël, célébration d’origine chrétienne mais qui, en France, a dépassé le cadre strictement religieux et s’est inscrite dans une pratique culturelle largement partagée.

Les Français attendent donc avec plaisir le 24 décembre, le Réveillon de Noël, et le 25 décembre, Noël, pour se réunir autour d’une table bien garnie, généralement en famille, pour partager un moment de convivialité et échanger des cadeaux.

Le cadre, vous le connaissez sûrement, une salle à manger chaleureuse, un sapin soigneusement décoré et illuminé, une dinde aux marrons, des fruits de mer, du vin ou du

champagne et le Père Noël qui vient se glisser dans la cheminée pendant la nuit pour gâter les enfants (et les adultes !) sages. Mais savezvous qu’il existe également des traditions propres aux différentes régions françaises? Partons à la découverte de certaines d’entre elles!

LES CRÈCHES DE PROVENCE Une crèche est une représentation de la scène de la Nativité. Elle se compose dans sa forme la plus basique de figurines, appelées santons, qui représentent Marie, Joseph et Jésus dans une étable.

Cette tradition s’est profondément ancrée dans la tradition populaire et autour d’elle s’est développé tout un artisanat du santon. Les villes et les habitants rivalisent de créativité pour créer la crèche la plus spectaculaire

Mots clés se presser - სიჩაქრე la féérie - ზღაპრული სამყარო un sapin - ნაძვი se glisser - ჩამოცურება gâter - გახარება, გათამამება s’ancrer - დამკვიდრება une bûche - ბუში (საშობაო ნამცხვარი) déguster - დაგემოვმება, გასინჯვა un flocon de neige - თოვლის ფიფქი

allant jusqu’à reconstituer tout un village miniature, d’inspiration locale, avec ses personnages emblématiques comme le boulanger, la lavandière ou encore le Ravi (Santon qui lève les bras au ciel en signe d’émerveillement devant le miracle de la nativité)

EN FRANCHE-COMTÉ, UNE ALTERNATIVE FÉMININE AU PÈRE NOËL Elle s’appelle Tante Arie, porte des vêtements traditionnels de la paysannerie et se promène dans les rues du pays de Montbéliard accompagnée de son âne, Marion. Les enfants sages guettent sa venue pour recevoir des cadeaux, alors que les enfants turbulents ne recevront que de simples brindilles déposées devant leur porte.

NOËL AU SOLEIL ? C’EST POSSIBLE À LA RÉUNION A la Réunion, île française située dans l’Océan Indien, Noël se fête dans une ambiance totalement différente. Oubliez le froid, les manteaux, les cheminées puisqu’ à la Réunion, c’est l’été. On peut donc

LA BÛCHE DE NOËL La bûche est le dessert incontournable d’un repas de Noël en France ! Il s’agit d’un biscuit génoise roulé, couvert de crème au beurre et fourré au chocolat, aux fruits ou aux marrons selon les goûts de chacun. Un délice qui ne vous laissera pas sur votre faim ! Son nom renvoie à sa forme ainsi qu’à son origine ; en effet, au Moyen-Age, il était coutume dans certaines régions européennes de brûler une bûche pendant la période de Noël afin d’obtenir la prospérité pour l’année à venir.

En Normandie, les restes calcinés de la bûche étaient conservés jusqu’au Noël suivant et servait de contenant pour les sucreries des enfants.

Vous l’aurez compris, Noël est un moment de l’année à part dans la vie des Français auquel ils se préparent et accordent une grande importance.

L’ensemble de ces traditions témoignent d’une volonté de faire une pause dans son quotidien, de prendre du temps pour ses proches, un temps consacré au partage, à la bonne humeur, au plaisir gustatif, et au bonheur d’être ensemble.

Matière à réflexion  En Géorgie, y a-t-il des variations régionales dans la célébration de Noël ?  Quelle tradition préfères-tu ? Et pourquoi ?  Quelles sont pour toi les valeurs que véhicule Noël ?

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A Georgian Performance Artist & the $120,000 Banana

BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE

M

aybe when you hear ‘banana’ and ‘art’ in one sentence, you think of Andy Warhol and Velvet Underground.

However, contemporary art is here to surprise you and in december a banana taped to a wall made perfect art sense.

The artwork, titled ‘Comedian,’ by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was on show at the international gallery Perrotin at Art Basel in Miami (USA) when, on December 7, Georgianborn and New York-based performance artist David Datuna took it off the wall and ate it. The Georgian artist reacted to people’s shock by shrugging his shoulders and saying he “was hungry.”

The artwork was originally described by Perrotin, a French contemporary art dealer and the gallery owner, as “a symbol of global trade, a double-entendre, as well as a classic device for humor.”

Maurizio Cattelan, known for his humor in the art world, likes testing limits: from a golden toilet called ‘America’ and waxworks of John F Kennedy, the Pope and Hitler, to large sculptures of hands showing the middle fingers. It was no surprise then when Cattelan this time taped a banana to a wall and said he had worked a year on the piece.

Three collectors had already paid between $120,000 – 150,000 to buy a certificate for the banana artwork when Georgian-born artist David

Image source: BBC News, Artnet News

Datuna came and ate it.

Luckily for the buyers, the certificates state they can replace the banana and it will still be “a Cattelan artwork”.  What, for you, is “art” and what is not art?

“Datuna did not destroy the art Why do some people pay a lot of money for an artwork? work. The banana is just an idea,”  Choose a famous modern artist and tell your friends Lucien Terras, the gallery director, said. about him.

A point proven when a fresh banana was stuck to the wall min- banana, he said: “I thought, ‘what how to do it with comedy?’ So I ate utes later. can I do with this banana? How can it. It is something deeper,” Datuna David Datuna was born in Tbilisi. I bring it to yet another level? And told the Guardian.

A performance artist and an artcollector, he currently lives in New York. In his interviews with the Guardian and CNN, Datuna talked about how much he likes the Italian artist and his artwork.

Cattelan was born on 21 September 1960 in Padua, Italy.

“I would love to meet him. I think He was raised there by his mother, a cleaning lady, and he is a genius. Art is about comedy, his father, a truck driver. He started his career in the early about fun, about tragedy, about emo1980s by designing and producing wooden furniture in tions. He played this very well. I love Andy Warhol’s banana, but I Forlì (Italy). Cattelan has no formal training in art. He has think Cattelan has put the banana said that in addition to reading art catalogues, “making on a different level.” shows has been my school.”

When asked why he had eaten the

What’s That? performance artist – a person who acts live (music, poetry, dance, etc), sometimes on the street reacted – answered shrugging his shoulders – lifting his shoulders to say “I don’t know” double-entendre – something with two meanings (two ways you can understand it) waxworks – famous people made of wax

Food for Thought

Info Box

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BBC Releases a Short-Film: Europe’s Most Polluted Sea – The Black Sea Info Box

BY BEKA ALEXISHVILI

T

he BBC released a short video documentary on the Black Sea and says it is “Europe’s most pol-

luted sea.”

“In Europe’s south-eastern corner, the Black Sea has become a ‘dustbin’ for the surrounding countries.

20 years ago, 40,000 square kilometers of the Sea was considered a ‘dead zone’,” reports the BBC. The documentary starts in Batumi, on a rubbish dump only 300 meters from the Sea. This is not only harmful to the surrounding environment, but for the animals looking for food on the rubbish. Most importantly, there is a waterway that goes directly from the dump to the sea. Rivers are the main source of pollution

in the Black Sea. Jaroslav Slobodnik, from the Emblas Project, said “we already have disturbing evidence that marine rubbish, which is the number of floating items per square kilometer, is almost double compared to the Mediterranean Sea, and it’s the worst situation from all European seas.”

The River Dnipro in Ukraine is one of the main contributors to the pollution in the Black Sea. Fertilizers and waste dumped into the river causes algae to grow which takes all the oxygen and means other sea animals can’t live there.

Three rivers contribute to most of the Black Sea’s pollution, all from Eastern Europe and ending in the Black Sea: the Danube, Dniester and Dnipro. In Odessa, Ukraine, people should not swim in the Sea, but many of them do in the summer.

“The high numbers of chemicals

What’s That? dustbin – a container for rubbish dump – a place where the trucks leave rubbish taken from your house harmful – bad for pollution – the bad impact from humans on the planet disturbing – it makes us feel worried/nervous floating – staying on the top of the water and not sinking, for example, empty plastic bottles float contributors – it adds to alarming – very worrying wastewater treatment plants – a place that cleans water before it is put into the sea potential – possible future reduce – put less recovering – getting better

The Black Sea is a sea between Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Western Asia. It is supplied by a number of major rivers, such as the Danube, Dnieper, Southern Bug, Dniester, Don, and the Rioni. Areas of many countries drain into the Black Sea, including Germany, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.

The Black Sea has an area of 436,400 km2 (not including the Sea of Azov), and a maximum depth of 2,212 m.

The Black Sea is bordered by Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, and Russia. The warm Mediterranean water flows into the Black Sea and the Black Sea drains into the Mediterranean Sea, via the Aegean Sea and various straits, and is navigable by boat all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

Watch the documentary https://www.bbc.co.uk/ search?q=black+sea

is alarming, such that you would not expect in the Sea 400km from the shore,” says Mr. Slobodnik. The samples these scientists take from the seafloor also contain microplastics, which means that this type of pollution “has already penetrated deep into the ecosystem.”

The biggest threat, the Emblas Project scientists say, is the pharmaceuticals, especially from antibiotics in the water.

There have been some serious attempts to find a solution to the Black Sea problem and the EU has spent billions of Euros on wastewater treatment plants, especially on the Danube River.

“New and potential EU members have had to reduce industrial and agricultural pollution into rivers”, says the BBC. The scientists also say that, slowly but surely, “the Black Sea is recovering.”

Food for Thought  What pollution goes into the river(s) near you?  How can we reduce the pollution that goes into the rivers and seas?

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CENN to Set Up a Strawberry Greenhouse in Zendidi Village, Keda Municipality Info Box

O

ptimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Developm e n t o f Ke d a Municipality, is the name of a project run by CENN, a non-governmental organization working to protect the environment by pushing for sustainable development. As part of that project, they have teamed up with Jumber Bezhanidze, who lives in Zendidi, to create a modern strawberry greenhouse which grows strawberries on shelves, not in the ground. Growing strawberries off the ground means there will be more (and better!) strawberries. Two men and one woman will be employed to run the greenhouse.

The project will cost a total of 18,000 GEL, and the European Union is giving the project 14,400 GEL of that!

The ‘Optimizing the Potential of Local Assets for Rural Development of Keda Municipality’ project aims to help the local people to create a variety of different projects that bring in investment and make the local agricultural and environmental practices in Keda Municipality stronger and better. By carefully planning rural development in the area, Keda Municipality will develop and better use its local resources.

CENN is working on the project with the Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Institute of Democracy (IOD) and Austrian Institute for Regional Studies and Spatial Planning (ÖIR).

They are being helped by the European Union, which supports agriculture and rural development in Georgia through its ENPARD pro-

What’s That?

Rural – in the countryside Development – making better Greenhouse – a room made of glass or plastic for growing vegetables and fruit inside Potential – what (it) can do Reduce – make less/smaller Poverty – being poor, not having enough money (or food) to live well Strengthening – making stronger

With so many people living in small spaces, vertical vegetable gardens are becoming very popular! When you plant a vertical vegetable garden, you are still getting the vegetables you love but in a smaller amount of space (they grow up instead of along the ground). You can also grow plants in bottles or in pots on shelves, or even in drainpipes, high up off the ground. If you do it right, you will get more and better vegetables from this method. Have a look on the internet for “vertical garden” ideas. The best plants for vertical gardening include tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, beans, strawberries and lettuce. gram. Running since 2013 with a total budget of EUR 179.5 million, ENPARD’s main goal is to reduce rural poverty in Georgia. The first phase of ENPARD in Georgia focused on developing the potential of agriculture. The second and third phases of ENPARD focus on creating economic opportunities for the rural population that go beyond agricultural activities.

The following are carried out within the project: • Creating and strengthening the Keda Local Action Group (LAG); • Informing more people about the EU’s rural development methods; • Putting the Keda LAG in contact with other Georgian LAGs so they can share experiences and ideas for development; • Making sure the Keda Rural Development Strategy (RDS) also involves young people and both

boys and girls; • Developing ways to check and evaluate how the Keda RDS is working; • Starting innovative projects (through sub-grants) that will give the local population the chance to grow economically and get investment in their rural projects, meaning they will have jobs and be able to live better; • Developing the Keda Marketing and Communication Strategy; • Telling more people about the Keda project; • Organizing the Keda Business Forum and Keda Rural Festivals; • Exchanging site visits to promote projects and attract investments; • Training and promoting opportunities for rural youth (for example, organizing youth camps and supporting young people’s ideas and projects).

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Learning about Money Management Info Box

BY ELENE JAPARIDZE

C

aring parents look after their children’s needs, help them to get a good education, and help them to develop their analytical and creative skills. But many forget about teaching them money-related skills.

Kids need to know how to count, how to save and how to spend money carefully. If they learn when they are young, they will be less likely to have money problems in future.

When a kid sees something they want, parents shouldn’t just buy it for them- they should help them understand the cost, whether they really need it, and whether it is really a productive thing to buy.

WHEN SHOULD WE START? Cambridge researchers say children between the ages of 3 and 5 can understand the idea of saving and spending money, even if they have not yet learned how to use it well (this comes after age 7).

Before getting pocket money, kids should learn the basic rule: going to a store does not mean you have to spend money!

BEFORE HAVING POCKET MONEY, KIDS SHOULD UNDERSTAND: • the difference between wanting something and really needing something; • that going to the store doesn’t always mean they will get what they want; • how to prioritize. There are important things, like hygiene products, for which we have a specific amount of money and which we need to buy before spending money on other things.

Parents should teach their kids how to choose good products and let them help with the shopping.

When kids are 5, parents can give them a little money for the store, e.g. 5 GEL, ask them to buy a few important things and let them pay the cashier themselves.

WHEN GIVING POCKET MONEY (AGE 5-6+), PARENTS SHOULD: • set a specific amount (eg. 5 GEL) and not change it too often; • not link pocket money to their kid’s right/wrong behavior; • give it with fixed regularity (eg. once a week), and stick to the regime no matter if the kid has spent their money ahead of time. This will teach them to be patient and careful with their money!

• ask their kid to remind them if they forget to give them their pocket money.

TIPS FOR PARENTS- MONEY MOTIVATION You can give money to kids in exchange for them doing something (such as small jobs around the home), but there are some things to think about first: 1. The amount you plan to give for the job should be agreed in advance and given as promised; 2. Set specific deadlines - when, how long, etc.; 3. Do not substitute rewards for their usual pocket money; 4. If your child does not / cannot do the task for which you promised to reward them, find out why (are they lazy or did they really have difficulties?) If they had problems, help them to complete the job (teach them not to give up!); 5. If you want to give your child a bonus for good work, explain why you are giving it to them.

Remember: Don’t give your child money for responsibilities you think they should consider natural, such as taking care of their room and belongings, going to school, reading a book, taking care of a younger sibling, etc.

WHAT TO DO WITH POCKET MONEY Money can be divided into three parts: to spend, to save, and to give to charity.

Spending - It is vital for a kid to decide how much to spend: parents should help them learn how to control their money and not spend it all at once!

Saving – If you want to buy something, you can put a small amount of money to one side each week until you have enough money to buy it. Parents can help children learn how to calculate how much time and money it will take to reach the goal.

Saving money should not be stressful and kids shouldn’t feel that something important is missing in their daily lives. Savings can go on for a long time or stop as soon as they have the amount they need to buy what they want. The most important thing is to learn priori-

ties and planning.

Charity - It is important to learn how to care for others. Parents should show kids how to be charitable by setting an example. Kids should decide how much they want to save to give to charity, decide which charity they want to give to, save systematically and be sure not to give more than they can: giving should be fun, not stressful!

LOANS Almost everyone has to take a loan at some point in their lives. Kids should learn how much they can afford to take and repay. They can practice: for example, parents could ask their kid to lend them a specific amount at a specific time and return it quickly- so the kid learns how important it is to pay back on time!

Kids should be taught not to borrow from their parents too often- it shouldn’t be a habit to run out of pocket money and have to ask for more! They also shouldn’t borrow more than they can pay back with their pocket money. When the kids pay the parents back, the pay-back should come from the daily expenses (spending money), NOT the savings or charity funds. Kids should understand that not paying back loans (or not paying back on time) is bad and can lead to many difficult situations.

Learn how to save and look after your money!

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Nona Gaprindashvili Earns World Chess Champion Title Again Info Box The 78-year-old female chessplayer from Georgia is a living legend in Georgia and not only. It would be reasonable to say that the unusually large number of young girls who take up chess as their choice of sport are following the example of Gaprindashvili. She’s a symbol of victory, talent, and dedication. Gaprindashvili is always active – her success at the World Senior Chess Championship that took place in Bucharest is evidence of it.

Image source: European-chessacademy.com

BY NINI DAKHUNDARIDZE

N

ona Gaprindashvili, a famous Georgian chess player who was the first woman to be awarded the FIDE title Grandmaster, has won another World Chess Championship, only this time in the seniors’ category. The lady, who won the

the age of 77, Gaprindashvili won dashvili Cup’ which is awarded for the World Senior Championships, the best total result of female and she became the winner of the 65+ men’s teams of a country.

World Senior Championship among In 2001, the Tbilisi Chess Palace women with 8.5/11. She won the was named after her.

World Seniors’ Championship for Grandmaster Gaprindashvili was awarded the Order of Excellence in the first time in 1995.

Gaprindashvili was born in 1941 in 2015 by then-President of Georgia Zugdidi, Soviet Georgia. She showed Giorgi Margvelashvili for “her outher excellence at chess when she standing contribution to the counwas little, and at 20, she made her try and nation” and for “representfirst breakthrough in the interna- ing Georgia at an international level.” tional chess community. Grandmas- On May 3rd, 2016, to honor the ter Gaprindashvili has won 11 chess legendary chess player’s 75th birthOlympiad tournaments and five day, her star was opened near the world championships (in 1962, 1965, Chess Palace.

1969, 1972). In 1978, Gaprindashvili In a 2018 interview, she was told was the first woman to be awarded that she doesn’t look her age. She gave an inspiring explanation: “That the Grandmaster title.

In 1997, the FIDE (Fédération Inter- is probably because I do what I love. nationale des Échecs), the governing That is why, despite my health issues, World Champion title five times body of international chess compe- I continue to take part in the World between 1962-1975, has now won the tition, created the ‘Nona Gaprin- Senior Chess Championship”.

World Senior Chess Championship in the 65+ age category in Bucharest.

The World Senior Chess Championship took place in Romania from November 8 to 23. Out of 11 matches,  Can you play chess? How can chess help you become Gaprindashvili ended the tournabetter at mathematics? ment with a total score of 8.5, mak What qualities does a person need to become a chaming her the World Senior Chess pion?

Champion, like last year. In 2018, at

What’s That? took place – happened breakthrough – innovation, enter a new stage then-President – ex, president at that time outstanding – extra special contribution – adding, helping to develop

Food for Thought

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Christmas & New Year in Georgia: What the Foreigners Think

E

veryone gets excited about Christmas and New Year. In Georgia, it is time for feasting, starting on December 31 and continuing until January 14 (including Bedoba [Day of Luck] on January 2 and Christmas on January 7).

Celebrating New Year over two weeks and Christmas on this day are strange ideas for expats and tourists. It’s not only the dates that are different; the Georgian traditions are too. People in the West spend a lot of money at Christmas, buying gifts for and sending cards by post to everyone they know. In Georgia, being with family is more important.

GEORGIA TODAY interviewed some tourists and expats to find out how they celebrate, and what they think about the Georgian Christmas and New Year traditions.

HAZEM ALHALABI, SYRIA My family and I usually celebrate the New Year on December 31. People put decorations on their balconies and windows and compete for the best decorated house because it shows the status of the family. In the streets, Christmas trees are everywhere.

Families buy gifts for children, or something for the house. We have a New Year dinner, or invite close family for sweets and cakes. Sometimes, families meet at a restaurant or café where they can celebrate with live music and fireworks.

I love the way Georgians celebrate it together; they enjoy the moment like they enjoy every moment when they meet at the Georgian table. I also love how the city gets brighter because of decorations and lights, and how people start wearing Christmas jumpers.

What I don’t like is the fireworks.

Fireworks are fired from almost every balcony and garden at any time. It can be dangerous.

KATIE SMITH, UK I find it strange that people work on ‘Christmas Day’ here. The children are still at school and the shops are open. If I’m not in back in the UK with my parents, I try to get the day off and keep my children at home- to open “Santa’s” gifts and play together. As my husband is Georgian, we have the big New Year feast on December 31st, then go out with friends. Georgian Christmas (January 7) is quieterwe’re not religious, so we don’t go to church, but we cook a roast dinner and invite family and friends.

Old New Year on the 14th is not much celebrated, but we meet up with friends and enjoy the last celebration before the long period of work before the next big holiday (Easter!).

Info Box

KENNETH MONETTE, USA The best thing is the Georgian tradition of ‘first footer’, the first person to enter the house on New Year’s Day, which brings the family good luck through the year.

The ‘supras’ are great; full of good food and wine and good times and conversation. Simple times with family and close friends is heartwarming and it’s good to see it is still a tradition here.

DARIA KHOLODILINA, UKRAINE I celebrated past New Years in Batumi, which was a nice experience with all the lights reflecting in the sea, beautiful evergreen plants and local omelette borano for a very, very late breakfast on January 1. If I’m in Tbilisi, I prefer to spend it with my friends.

This is what I like about the Georgian way: family spirit, and I’m in love with chichilaki instead of the dead fir tree.

The only thing I don’t like is the fireworks which scare kids and street

What’s That? expats – foreign people that live in another country compete – have a competition evergreen – plants that are green all year

animals, but most people think they watching the fireworks go off at midnight, and drinking cheap proare beautiful. secco.

One of the most memorable GeorNATALIE ANNE gian Christmas traditions for me TAYLOR, USA I celebrate Christmas on Decem- when I lived in Martkopi was ‘Alilo’, ber 25 with my close family in with a church service in the mornAmerica. On December 24, Christ- ing and afterwards people walk mas Eve, my family and I each around the village wearing tradichoose one gift to open before tional Georgian outfits and singing midnight. We leave a plate of cook- traditional Christmas songs. As one ies and a glass of milk for Santa. big group, we walked from door to We have a big Christmas feast on door singing songs. Every house Christmas Eve that includes dishes offered food and wine. It was a very like baked chicken, ham, mashed special day. potatoes, persimmon bread, and One thing I don’t like is the presmany types of pies. On Christmas sure to drink wine and cha-cha at Day, we open our presents then every feast. I feel that pressure visit family and have a small Christ- especially as a foreigner. mas dinner. New Year’s is usually From the GEORGIA TODAY team, spent with close friends in the we wish all our readers and friends nearest big city (San Francisco), a Happy and Successful New Year!

EDUCATION

GEORGIA TODAY JANUARY 2020

4 Young Pianists Play at Paris Christmas Gala Concert

T

he Christmas gala concert of the International Foundation ‘SOS Talents’ was held at the Marsel Dassault Palace in Paris, at the Champs-Élysées, on December 5, with eight laureates from different countries.

Four young pianists from Georgia: Barbare Tataradze, Ilia Lomtatidze, Barbare Chkhaidze and Liza Megrelishvili from Kutaisi, the latter the youngest performer at the concert at age 10, took part in the gala concert with the support of prominent Georgian pianist Eliso Bolkvadze.

All are laureates of the SOS Talents Foundation.

Every year, the 19th century Champs-Élysées palace and its owner, the Dassault family, hosts a gala concert of the talents of the ‘SOS Talents Foundation,’ which was founded in 2000 by internationally acclaimed French musician and methodologist Michel Sogny. The Fund supports young, talented musicians and presents them on the international stage.

GEORGIA TODAY talked to Michel Sogny about the gala concert and the work of the SOS Talents Foundation

It is a great privilege and opportunity for young pianists to attend such a prestigious concert, especially at their age. They are presented to important listeners, musicians, journalists and public figures.

It’s a great way to discover the musicians of the future.

Info Box The Élysée Palace is the official residence of the President of the French Republic. Completed in 1722, it was built for Louis Henri de La Tour d’Auvergne. It was used as the office of the French President for the first time in 1848. Today, the building contains the presidential office and residency, as well as the meeting place of the Council of Ministers. It is located near the Champs-Élysées in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, the name Élysée comes from Elysian Fields, “the place of the blessed dead” in Greek mythology.

FOUR GEORGIAN PARTICIPANTS TOOK PART IN THE GALA CONCERT THIS YEAR. TELL US ABOUT THEM. They are the third generation from Georgia for me, and are of the highest level. 16-year-old Ilia Lomtatidze and Barbara Tataradze, who have been mastering my innovative piano system since age 8, have achieved great results.

Liza, at 10, is already showing extraordinary potential. I would also like to emphasize the extraordinary progress and impressive performance of Barbara Chkhaidze.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS RELATED TO GEORGIA AND YOUNG GEORGIAN TALENT?

I visit Batumi International Festival every year and I am always happy to discover new talent there. My main criterion for selecting young HOW WAS THE musicians is their natural connec2019 CHRISTMAS tion to music and the potential for GALA CONCERT? future development that I can The gala concert was glorious and instantly feel when listening to them. exciting. It was dedicated to Nicole Dassault, who passed away this year TELL US ABOUT THE and who founded the gala concert GEORGIAN MUSIC 18 years ago.

TEACHERS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOUNG TALENT TO PARTICIPATE IN SUCH CONCERTS?

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I work with some Georgian teachers and they have adopted my methodology and are involved in the process and listen to my advice. It is important for the teacher to feel

Food for Thought  How can music and art help relations between different countries?

responsibility and try to understand YOUR FOUNDATION a new approach. We then get extraor- SUPPORTING dinary results.

GEORGIAN CHILDREN.

WHAT ROLE DOES THE BATUMI FESTIVAL OR GALA CONCERT IN BATUMI PLAY IN GEORGIAN-FRENCH CULTURAL RELATIONS? Cultural relations between different countries are always very interesting, because other cultures always bring benefits, whether it’s music, visual arts, sculpture, or dance.

France has long been a destination for artists. Chopin left Poland and came to Paris, Liszt left Hungary and moved to Paris, Mozart also visited Paris with his mother to give concerts. It used to be very fashionable. It is not the same today, but France is still a country where an artist can successfully launch a career. This is the creative trajectory of the famous Georgian pianist Eliso Bolkvadze.

ELISO BOLKVADZE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF GEORGIAN-FRENCH RELATIONS AND DOES A GREAT JOB WITH

WHEN DID YOU MEET AND HOW DID THIS COLLABORATION START? When I met her, she was 26 years old and was filled with Georgian culture. She soon adopted the European way of life, but never left her homeland. I am proud that Eliso is the first Georgian UNESCO Artist of Peace, which is very interesting for cultural relations between Georgia and Europe.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS ABOUT GEORGIA AND WHEN DO YOU PLAN TO GO THERE NEXT? I love Georgia very much; I love coming to Georgia. I am amazed by the warmth of the Georgian people.

I have seen Georgia in a very difficult time, when there was no electricity. When Eliso introduced me to this country, which was in such trouble, I told myself that I had to do something to help. I began to implement this idea through music and created the SOS Talents Foundation, which raised many Georgian successful stars and introduced them to the world.

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EDUCATION

GEORGIA TODAY JANUARY 2020

Keeping Clean tongue helps to keep your breath fresh so you don’t scare off your friends and family. Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed, but brushing after each meal is ideal.

Brush the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth and the front and back of your tongue. If you can’t find the time to brush, at least floss. Flossing removes decay-causing bacteria that is lodged between teeth and hiding from toothbrushes.

BEAT THE BO Body odor (BO) is caused by sweat, bacteria that lives on the skin, and unwashed clothes. Keep your body smelling sweet by taking showers every day. Use a mild cleanser to wash your face and ears. Chose a moisturizing body wash to clean your body, and thoroughly wash your genital area with a gentle, nonscented soap. Always scrub between your toes and under your feet, and use a nail brush to remove the dirt from under your toe nails. Wash your hair and scalp with shampoo at least twice a week.

IT’S IN YOUR HANDS

Source: healthfully.com/ Diane Lynn

P

ersonal hygiene is properly caring for your body by keeping it clean and healthy so you look and feel your best.

While personal hygiene helps you to stay looking good, it is also one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses and diseases such as head lice, pubic lice, body lice, ringworm, scabies, pinworms, Hepatitis A and athlete’s foot. Good personal hygiene also keeps bad breath and body odor away so your friends will want to stay.

CLEAN CLOTHES

pair of socks every day. Putting on during the day and don’t drink cafclean clothes can make you look feine for a minimum of four hours and feel good about yourself. before going to be bed. You will sleep better! Some people need less sleep, some people more- but 7 hours seems HAPPY HAIR Whether your hair is long or short, to be ideal for most people. keeping it clean makes it shine and helps you look healthy and well SMILE! groomed. Being outdoors in the If you don’t look after your teeth, wind, sun and rain damages your they will decay and you may get hair and causes it to dry out. Wash bleeding gums, diseases or lose your your hair with a shampoo designed teeth. Brushing your teeth and for your hair type, whether dry, fine, coarse or normal. Wash your hair every day if it is ususlly oily, and less if you have dry hair. Wet your hair thoroughly, pour a 20-Tetri sized dollop of shampoo in your palm and work the shampoo through your hair. Gently massage your scalp. Rinse thoroughly and put on a light conditioner.

Washing your feet at least once day is also important for good personal hygiene. Dry your feet well, especially between your toes. It’s easy for socks and underclothes to collect dead skin cells and sweat because DREAM TIME they sit against your skin. Change Try to have a fixed bedtime and wakyour underwear and put on a fresh ing up time. Don’t take long naps

Many infections, like colds and stomach flu, are the result of bringing germ-filled, unwashed hands into contact with your mouth. Other infections appear when you eat food that has been contaminated by other people’s dirty hands. Always wash your hands and wrists before making or eating food, after using the toilet, after touching animals and after coming into contact with someone who is sick, sneezing or coughing. Use hot water and rub soap over your palms, back of hands, wrists, fingers and under the fingernails for at least 20 seconds.

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GEORGIA TODAY JANUARY 2020

Gamarjoba! I’m the Editor-inChief of the Georgian edition of Entrepreneur magazine and I’m here to share the top Entrepreneurial news with you:

Ringo is a Tbilisi-born American Cocker Spaniel who can consider himself lucky that Nestan chose him out of the five puppies to take home and travel the world with. When they came back to Tbilisi three years ago, Ringo decided to make the Georgian capital a little cleaner and Nestan helped him, creating the ‘Ringo’ brand: leather and vegan bags, each with 20 biodegradable dog bags inside to help dog owners clean up after their pets. Ringo is Georgian, determined to protect the environment and makes people’s lives easier – this was enough to turn a social project into a profitable business.

Ginventor’s ‘Tene’ is the first Georgia-made USB cable. The prototype is ready, and will soon be the first green USB cable in the world made from recycled material. Income from initial Tene sales will be used to rid nature of polyethylene bags. Founder Sandro Liluashvili went to China with his team to explore USB production, and decided to use Georgian, recycled material to make their own version. The length of the USB 3.2 GEN Tene is 1.2 meters and it transfers up to 10 Gigabits/second. Ginventor aims to re-invest the income from Tene back to its production while also helping to reach environmental, sustainable goals.

Mari Bregadze, 24, suffered from insomnia for a long time and, not totally satisfied with any of the sleep masks she tried, she decided to create her own. Bubusi produces comfortable sleep eye masks that are as cute as the name. Bubusi also has bags, bracelets and pillows with thematic quotes; from infant-sized sleep eye masks to ones better suited for the elderly, Bubusi is made for every taste and size. In the near future, Bubusi promises to launch women’s pajamas, nighties and robes.

Founded by Mariam Markarovi, Georgian brand Pavone produces exclusive handmade glass jewelry and interior accessories. It is known for its colorful selection of intricately made and unique technology glassware. Mariam plans to open a Pavone studio-salon which will host masterclasses.

On the market for over a year, Wely is a high-technology innovative company that creates systems to support business operations. The team’s mission is to enhance business building and homes with modern digital capabilities via smart equipment, sensors, etc. Wely can access the operating system from anywhere in the world, check the current status, optimize costs and more. Cofounder Aleksandre Kviciani says that the company aims big: their plans include joining foreign markets.

Profy is a digital platform uniting everyday life services in one space and facilitating the connection between craftspeople and customers. The website/ application enables users to choose a service and browse a list of all the craftspeople in that direction, their ratings, reviews, and prices. Profy saves people energy and time, all while receiving a high-quality service.

Creator Irakli Zantaraia says that he aims to change the specifics of the industry, make it easier, more reachable and comfortable for every party.

Marimo was founded by Mariam Chagelishvili, driven by a from-childhood love of creating. It specializes in organizing events, including weddings, with beautiful, outstanding décor and design and is fast-growing in popularity. Marimo has a number of plans for the future, giving brides moments of unforgettable excitement and the freedom and variety of choice.

Kaleisi is a Georgian brand of silver jewelry, creating high-quality accessories for ladies and gentlemen. The brand entered the market in 2018, the founders being childhood friends Tata Kapanadze and Mariam Khukhunaishvili. Offering unique production in style, packaging, price and character, it is already popular among jewelry lovers. Tata and Mariam plan to offer their clients a comfortable web-order service from 2020. The upcoming website will enable customers to take a look at the brand’s old and new collections and choose items of their liking.

Follow the Entrepreneur Georgia Instagram page to get the latest updates from Georgian Entrepreneurs.

For doing business with Georgian Entrepreneurs, write us on business@entrepreneur.ge

GEORGIA TODAY JANUARY 2020

EDUCATION

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Is Tourism in Georgia a Threat to Rural Life?

BY AMY JONES

H

igh mountains and unique cave towns, endless green valleys and ancient watchtowers. Georgia’s unique rural life and scenery are attracting more and more international visitors by the year. The Georgian National Tourism Administration announced that more than 8 million people visited Georgia between January and November 2018, an increase of 10.6% compared to the same period in 2017. With many of the visitors flocking to Georgia’s rural areas, could this increase in numbers threaten rural life?

My driver pulls sharply on the steering wheel as the contents of his car, myself included, are thrown

to the left. Darkness makes it impossible to see why he has swerved.

Probably a cow, I think to myself.

“Sorry, the road is so bad, better to go on the field,” he assures me, flocking – many [people] going quickly to noticing my concern. swerved – moved fast to avoid Those who have visited the far nail-biting – a situation that makes you very nervous corners of Georgia will be acquainted with nail-biting journeys on naronce – in the past, not now row roads in terrible condition. The tarnishing – damaging, affecting negatively need for improved infrastructure rapidly – quickly is obvious and progress has been unregulated – [design] not controlled by law slow. But investment is being made in the infrastructure of rural areas, blend into – match, look right with thanks mostly to more visitors, graze – eat which makes local movement easharnessing – using for benefit ier. boost – increase Yet it seems little attention is paid to the potential destruction of the hardship – difficulties, challenges wild landscapes as new roads are built. Works on a road leading from Stepandtsminda to Gergeti Trinity by car. During the works, the once- dents who are harnessing the monChurch were recently completed, green foothills of Kazbegi were etary potential of incoming tourists. enabling tourists to reach the church turned into a mud-bath of tracks Rural areas in Georgia have strugand dirt, tarnishing the view at the gled with climate change and povtop. Some question the necessity of erty in recent years. After the colthe road at all, as the church was lapse of the Soviet Union, many already easily accessible after a countryside residents moved to short hike, and an old cable car, bigger towns in search of a better already built, could have been way of life. Tourism is helping to support the economy in rural areas, restored.

An increase in tourism to natural boost the income of farmers, and areas can always threaten its natu- offer new forms of employment. ral beauty. Hotels and guest houses However, many neighbors are now are rapidly being built in villages not only the family who live next where, a few years ago, there was door, but business competitors. very little. As is typical in Georgia, While earlier struggles helped make many of these buildings are unreg- a sense of community, responsibilulated. Juta, a small village at the ity for each other, and a shared start of the Chauki Pass, had very identity, competition is beginning few visitors a few years ago. Now, to challenge this community spirit. guests are greeted with the stark Neighbors compete to offer tourists signs of ‘Sauna”, ‘Guesthouse’, and the lowest prices, most ‘authentic’ ‘beer, vodka, wine.’ Although these taste of Georgian life, standards of are wanted in the village, it cannot comfort, and food. be said that the new constructions If tourism in Georgia’s rural areas blend into the surrounding coun- is correctly managed and developed, it offers a huge opportunity for locals tryside.

Walking from Juta towards the to improve their quality of life. The Chauki Pass, a campsite set up at modernization of roads and ecothe base of the jagged peaks caters nomic potential will greatly ease the to tourists in summer. Plastic bags hardship of traditional life. Noneand rubbish can be seen all across theless, it remains unclear whether the grass whilst horses graze in the these projects will be done with the most important factor in mind: the makeshift shelters.

These businesses represent the preservation of the beauty of Georentrepreneurship of the local resi- gia’s wilderness and traditions.

What’s That?

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GEORGIA TODAY JANUARY 2020

Misha Avsajanishvili Judges the First Bocuse D’Or National Competition EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

M

isha Avsajanishvili is a Georgian chef working in Ukraine and the brand chef in 12 restaurants, a member of the Ukrainian Chefs Association, Associate Referee of the Culinary Championships, and a jury member of the culinary competition Kitchen Wars.

Misha was also a jury member of the First National Contest of Bocuse d’Or Georgia that took place in ExpoGeorgia in October. GEORGIA TODAY spoke to him about it.

“I was so surprised with the quality we saw on the first day of Bocuse d’Or Georgia that when they served the first composition and I took a bite, I even had tears in my eyes! I couldn’t believe this was happening in Georgia. I have been following the Bocuse d’Or competition since I was little: it is like the Oscars for the people working in gastronomy.”

HOW WOULD YOU EVALUATE THE QUALITY OF THE DISHES PRESENTED AT BOCUSE D’OR GEORGIA? The quality was very satisfying.

How the contestants met the world standards of Bocuse d’Or was not the biggest problem this year. Nothing is perfect on a first try. The most important factor for this year’s competition is that Georgia has made the first steps, and in a few years, Georgia will be on the world market of gastronomy. Our chefs will travel abroad and learn new techniques and in very little time we’ll reach a very high quality.

I went to the last (international) Bocuse d’Or. The contestants there have six months to prepare for the contest. During this time, the teams prepare the same meal every day.

Our Georgian contestants had only two weeks, some even one, to get ready for the competition, but I saw a lot of potential and even some difficult preparation techniques that I hadn’t seen in Georgia before.

WAS IT HARD TO CHOOSE A WINNER? The contestants were equal in their capacities and potential. It was hard to score their works. All the jury members took time to evaluate the food. We didn’t tell each other what marks we gave, so we didn’t know if our favorites were general favorites.

But I can tell you that my favorite from the first day of the contest came second in the competition!

TELL US ABOUT THE CHEFS’ MENTORS. Chef’s mentors need to have some Bocuse d’Or experience but, of course, it costs a lot of money. If the country wants to develop, and develop the field of gastronomy, it should be ready to fund this mentoring process.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE GEORGIAN STATE?

Info Box The Bocuse d’Or (the Concours mondial de la cuisine, World Cooking Contest) is a prestigious world chef championship named after chef Paul Bocuse who created it in 1987.

Each team has two chefs, one lead chef, and an assistant chef who must be under 22 years old. The team has 5 hours and 35 minutes to prepare two elaborate presentations, a meat dish and a fish dish. Taking place in an open “culinary theater”, fully equipped kitchens are lined up side by side, facing an area for the jury, media and audience.

The chef with the highest overall score is awarded the Bocuse d’Or trophy, a golden statuette of Paul Bocuse in his chef’s outfit, and the grand prize of €20,000. The Silver Bocuse medalist receives €15,000, and the Bronze Bocuse medalist receives €10,000. Additional prizes are awarded for the best fish and meat dishes, best national culinary identity, best apprentice and best posters.

GEORGIAN FOOD?

THE FUTURE?

Overall, there’s still some clichés and stereotypes in the field of gastronomy in Georgia, not only from the public but from those who work in the sector: that Georgia is a country of khinkali and fast food. This contest proved that Georgia is so much more than that – we have the potential to be on the world market.

Our future is completely dependent on the sponsors. Where we go from here depends on the funding.

I would like to call on our government and representatives of the private sector to invest in this field as we have great potential, and Bocuse d’Or is proof of that. Our chefs need experienced mentors so they can study new techniques and represent Georgia at its best in Tallinn in May 2020.

WHAT ARE THE We partly have their support, which EXPECTATIONS FOR is important, but not enough if we want to develop in this field. The Ministry of Agriculture supported us to make the first National Competition of Bocuse d’Or happen. In the countries that have competed at the Bocuse d’Or for years, the State organizes their national competitions- Spain, for example. This culture has to improve in Georgia.

HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE GEORGIAN CONTESTANTS TO THEIR WHAT DOES THE INTERNATIONAL PEERS? WORLD THINK OF

Food for Thought  How does Georgian food help Georgian tourism?  Which is your favorite and least favorite Georgian dish?

Why? Can you cook it?

What’s That? served – brought the food to the table satisfying – makes you feel happy a broad – to other countries rivals – competitors, people also trying to win the competition prepare – get ready capacities – abilities, what they could do develop – improve, be better, be more competitive fund – give money for clichés and stereotypes – ways that people think something usually is proved – showed, demonstrated call on – demand, ask for someone to do something

EDUCATION

GEORGIA TODAY JANUARY 2020

15

Shaumiani Pre-New Year Festival Unites Youth in the Regions their municipalities, benefiting the regions and the local cultural-educational centers.

The partners and supporters of the festival in Shaumiani were DVV

International, Georgian Bus and GeoVoice.

The festival was co-funded by the Caucasian House and the ‘Horizon Europe’ foundation.

What’s That? entertainment – fun folklore – traditional music or dance promote – show how good it is benefiting – doing good for co-funded – funded by both

Info Box DVV International has worked in Georgia through its country office since 2002.

DVVI supports the institutional development of the education sector, implements projects that address issues of poverty and sustainable environment, and promotes adult education and development, enabling citizens to pursue opportunities for themselves, their communities and the whole country.

DVV International Georgia implements projects with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ); the German Federal Foreign Office (AA office); the European Union and the UN agencies.

C

ivic Hall and Shaumiani Community Education Center organized a Pre-New Year festival on December 8 in the southern Georgian town of Shaumiani.

The Shaumiani Festival had stands for children’s entertainment, local agricultural products and handmade crafts. There were also information stands for the Civic Hall and DVV

International.

Shaumiani Festival hosted singersongwriter Bacho Jickidze, poet Mate Saralishvili, illusionist Avtandil Gogeshvili and the folklore groups from Koda, Khikhani and Shaumiani.

Civic Hall representatives said that such events will be also be held in other regions of Georgia to promote the active participation of local young people in the life of

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GEORGIA TODAY

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Food for Thought  Imagine you are organizing a festival for young people (under 18 years old) in your community. What entertainment would you have (think music, games, competitions)?

What information would you give? How could it be educational? How could it be used to bring the community together? Work in pairs or small groups. Make a plan and present it to other friends.

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