Bakhmaro – Unique resort with healing properties
Bakhmaro located in Guria (western Georgia) is one of the healthiest resorts of the country. It lies on the Bakhvistsqali River. Bakhmaro is distinguished by the combination of alpine and marine climate. It is situated 1950-2050 meters above sea level. This is the highest alpine climate resort in Georgia. The resort abounds with spruce, pine and fir trees.
All the mentioned features make Bakhmaro a magical place for many people with health problems especially those with lymph, respiratory diseases and anemia. Besides its heavenly landscape, beautiful pine forests, alpine meadows and amazing views the area are notable for its small cute cottages that are scattered throughout the green valleys with a river flowing through them.
It is believed that visiting Bakhmaro will make your immune system stronger. Its clean and transparent air speeds recovery from illness. Two centuries ago a shepherd diagnosed with tuberculosis visited the area (before the resort was discovered and named) and recovered from the disease. At that time, people thought it was a miracle but later the unique properties of the area were discovered and it was named the resort Bakhmaro.
Source: www.Georgianjournal.ge
3rd International Qvevri Competition to Be Held in Georgia
On June 21-22, Georgia is to offer yet another unforgettable journey in the world of wine by holding the 3rd International Qvevri Competition. The two-day event is to host local, as well as foreign, Qvevri producers from and present their wines, which will be tasted and evaluated by a special jury comprising Georgian and international experts.
The major aim of the project is introduce the best Qvevri wines to wider audiences, and to increase their popularity and frequency of consumption globally.
The competition is organized by the Association ‘Georgian Wine’, National Wine Agency and the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. The participants have an opportunity to apply to present their products by June 14.
The 1st Qvevri Wine Competition took place in 2017 in Georgia, much contributing to the augmentation of interest in Qvevri wine.
The Georgian traditional method of winemaking, using the large clay pots “Qvevri” was granted the status of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2013.
source: www.Georgianjournal.ge; By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya
Photo: Wikipedia
Davit Gareja depicted on Guillaume Delisle’s map back in 1723
Giorgi Lobzhanidze, an expert on old maps and a member of the international map society has talked about the oldest map that shows Davit-Gareja monasteries (Mont Gouredgia) and the Karaia Valley, Mount Gareja, the outfalls of the Mtkvari and Iori Rivers within the boundaries of Georgia.
It was compiled by the French cartographer Guillaume Delisle and the Georgian writer and diplomat Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani. The map, published in Paris, France in 1723, reveals the borders of Georgia with then neighboring countries: Shirvani and Ganja.
The Guillaume Delisle’s map is based on the cartographical material provided by Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani and three French ambassadors to the shah of Persia. Then the cartographer himself added North Caucasia and the Caspian region to the map. One of the copies of the printed map is preserved at the National Centre of Manuscripts.
Georgia sent Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani, to France and Italy on an urgent diplomatic mission in 1713-1716. Orbeliani handed the letter sent by the Georgian King Vakhtang VI to Louis XIV of France. It was probably during that time when he provided Guillaume Delisle with the cartographical materials.
source: www.Georgianjournal.ge
Photo: www.Georgianjournal.ge
Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti Protected Areas to Be Expanded
The Government of Georgia to expand the Protected Areas in Samtskhe-Javakheti region in southern Georgia, which includes the historical Georgian provinces of Meskheti, Javakheti and Tori.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze stated during the briefing before Thursday’s government meeting, that the unique Samtskhe-Javakheti ecosystem will develop, and far-reaching activities will be implemented.
“We have been working on this issue for a long time. At some point, this unique reserve was on the verge of destruction, so it required protection and concrete steps. I am talking about the unique ecosystem of Samtskhe-Javakheti. Everyone who has been to this most beautiful region will agree that it has immense untapped tourism potential. We have made a decision to expand the area of these protected territories,” Bakhtadze said.
Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture Levan Davitashvili said protection of the unique ecosystems of Samtskhe-Javakheti requires a unified approach of environmental protection and sustainable development of the region, which is possible through the expansion of the Protected Areas.
The draft law on the creation and management of Javakheti Protected Areas reads the expansion of the protected territories is planned by 5152 hectares. The expanded part is located within the Ninotsminda municipality and includes the lakes of Abuli, Sagamo, Paravani and their surrounding areas.
Source: www.Georgianjournal.ge, By Thea Morrison
World sights illuminated in the colors of the Georgian flag
Georgia celebrated the Independence Day on the 26th of May. The annual public holiday commemorates the 26 May 1918 adoption of the Act of Independence.26 May had been celebrated as a public holiday until Georgia became part of the Soviet Union in 1922.
Celebrations of regional public holidays were suppressed across the Soviet Union and it wasn’t until 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet regime that this day regained its public holiday status.
The government of Georgia organizes military parades, concerts, fairs, and various public events celebrating the history and culture of Georgia annually on Georgia’s Independence Day.
The famous landmarks around the world were illuminated in the color of the Georgian flag in order to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the country’s independence. The famous statue of Jesus on Mount Corcovado in Brazil, a historical bridge in Vilnius and the Christ’s Resurrection Church in Kaunas were illuminated on the 26th of May. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the event will contribute to Georgia’s popularization across the world.
Besides, a concert and international cultural day took place in Stuttgart, Germany dedicated to the Independence Day of Georgia. The Georgian ensemble `Fesbebi` from New-York, Georgian Cultural center `Lazi` from Paris and the Georgian dancing ensemble `Medea’ from Antwerp along with various Georgian artists and musicians participated in the event.
The Georgian flag was festively raised, the anthems of Georgia and the USA and Georgian dances and songs were performed in Philadelphia in the commemoration of the Independence Day. The convention center was illuminated and the Georgian flags were showcased in the central part of Dublin, Ireland.
The Czech Republic hosted the performance of the Georgian ensembles and the exhibition of the Georgian national clothes. The festive events dedicated to the day took place in Denmark and Iceland as well.
source: Georgianjournal.ge; Photo: Georgianjournal.ge
Tour guides or foreign agents – what is happening in Georgia?
Nino Burchuladze and Nino Tsipuria, the journalists of Kviris Palitra, headed for the touristic centers of Tbilisi (the capital of Georgia) in order to find out more about the positive and negative sides of tourism in Georgia. They met tourists, local workers, vendors and listen to their views about the touristic situation in Tbilisi.
The first respondents were a group of Chinese tourists. They told the journalists that they liked Tbilisi and Batumi, a seaside city in south-western Georgia the most. According to them, Georgia is a well-known country in China. The only things they don’t like in Georgia are salty dishes and the lack of speedy trains. They hope Georgia and China will more deepen their relationship in the future.
Going up the Narikala fortress in Tbilisi, the journalists decided to have a conversation with local workers. They said that there are guides who fabricate stories about Georgia or provide wrong information to the tourists. They believe guides should be well-educated local people who have a good knowledge of Georgian history. There are various foreign touristic companies that don’t bring any financial profit to locals. They hope the government will impose certain regulations in this regard.
The next destination was the outdoor markets. The local vendors are impressed with the high number of tourists in Georgia. They hope it will increase in the summer. However, they are also concerned about the lack of Georgians’ involvement in local tourism. According to them, there are Arabian and Iranian guides who lie about Georgia saying that it is part of Iran or Saudi Arabia. As for tourists, they observed that Russian tourists have a very negative attitude and tend to look down on the vendors. The most positive and warm tourists are Ukrainians, Europeans, Arabians, and Americans.
Source: Georgianjournal.ge
New Museum to Be Launched in Oni
At the briefing, held prior to the Government meeting on May 23, the Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze stated that a new local museum is to be built in the town of Oni, Racha.
The Head of the Government focused on the importance of the development of the rural areas across the country and noted that providing appropriate infrastructure is vital in this case.
“Regional development is a major priority for us. It is the only way to achieve inclusive growth in Georgia. To ensure equal development in the regions of the country, it is important to put in place relevant infrastructure in each of them,” stated Bakhtadze.
The PM also accentuated the significance of the tourism industry for the general progress of Georgia.
“Tourism is the best sector for inclusive growth. We are developing relevant infrastructure in our mountain areas. This very goal is served by the Georgian Government’s decision to build a local museum in Oni,” he said.
The new multifunctional museum in Oni is planned to integrate a conference hall, an archive, a library, a multimedia library, as well as an educational space for minors.
source: www.Georgiatoday.ge; By Ketevan Kvaratskheliya
Image source: droa.ge
Art & Innovation Hub Opens in Tbilisi
This week, the Center of Contemporary Art – Tbilisi announced the creation of the first Art and Innovation Hub in Georgia.
At a press conference at Rooms Hotel on Monday, May 13, the Center of Contemporary Art – Tbilisi explained that the new Hub is being established in large part thanks to a new cooperation agreement with Adjara Group Hospitality, who agreed to a long-term transfer of property to CCA-Tbilisi to serve as the Center’s new home base. The press conference featured several presenters: Vato Tsereteli, founder of the Center of Contemporary Art – Tbilisi, Valeria Chekheria – CEO of Adjara Group Hospitality, Ana Riaboshenko – Director of Creative Georgia, and Levan Kharatishvili – Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia. The speakers discussed the importance of supporting the development of creativity and the arts in Georgia.
The Center of Contemporary Art – Tbilisi is an independent, non-profit, community-based institution that serves as a station for people working in international, regional and local art scenes to connect and collaborate. The center aims to promote sharing and knowledge production among diverse populations, including art curators, artists, students and people simply interested in art. While the center emphasizes that education remains at the core of its work, they are also active in other realms: exhibition practice, research, residence programs and consulting.
2019 marks 10 years of the Center of Contemporary Art – Tbilisi, which implements public projects related to arts, culture, and education. During the press conference, the center took the opportunity to summarize their key projects from the last decade, and presented their plan for the future of the institution, including a reshaped strategy.
The creation of the Hub is financed in part with funds disbursed from a competition held by Creative Georgia titled “Developing Creative Industries.” The competition was run under the purview of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport. The funds will support the long-term development of the Art and Innovation Hub, which includes the creation of several clusters which will promote the sustainable development of creative industries, and innovative ideas and projects in the long-term. The Hub’s physical space, donated by Adjara Group, is a 650 m2 building on Dodo Abashidze St., near Marjanishvili metro station. The interdisciplinary project brings together leading innovators and bright young startups from various creative industries: fine arts, digital technologies, architecture, design, handicraft, gastronomy, and others.
Creative Georgia is a legal entity of public law within the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport, tasked with creating an appropriate environment for creative industries to develop, via relevant programs, projects and grants. Their work is predicated on the concept that creative industries create jobs, and generate economic growth and social well-being. Creative Georgia works to raise awareness of creative industries; build the capacity of creative entrepreneurs though training programs, seminars and other activities; establish networking platforms; create funding opportunities and spread information about existing funding opportunities; support the export of creative goods and the internationalization of the sector; support the development of research activities in the creative industries sector.
Source: Georgiatoday.ge, By Samantha Guthrie
Image: Center of Contemporary Art – Tbilisi
30 Seconds to Mars to perform in Georgia
Thirty Seconds to Mars will visit Georgia this summer. Thirty Seconds to Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band was created in 1998 and consists of brothers Jared Leto and Shannon Leto. The concert will take place at Black Sea Arena in Shekvetili, Guria (located on the eastern Black Sea coast) on the 13th of August. The event is supported by Check in Georgia.
Thirty Seconds to Mars is not the only band who’s performing at Black Sea Arena this summer. Black Eyed Peas, an American musical group and Jessie J, an English singer, and songwriter will also visit Georgia. The Black Eyed Peas will perform on the 16th of June. As for Jessie J, her concert will take place on the 6th of August.
Source: Georgianjournal.ge, Photo: Georgianjournal.ge
Why Georgian-Danish couple prefers living in Georgia to the USA?
Eka Chvritidze and his Danish husband Olaf Malver own their wine company “Danieli Winery”. Eka had to pass a long way before launching a wine company.
Eka comes from Tusheti, Georgia’s mountain resort. She started to study at a Georgian school and then moved to the US. After finishing up the school in America, she managed to gain a 50% scholarship for a University. However, Eka knew she wanted to settle down in Georgia and came back. In Georgia, she graduated from the faculty of International Business and Foreign Trade at a local university and started working at one of the NGOs. This stage of life was a breaking point for her – she realized she’d better take care of cows and produce cheese in Tusheti than do tasks given by the boss.
Because of her Danish husband Olaf Malver, the couple had to live in California for 7 years. Olaf’s parents were collectors of French and Italian wines and he was also interested in wine production. Eka decided to make his dream come true and bought land in Georgia for a vineyard. In 2012, they returned to Georgia and a year later, they already started to produce wine. “Danieli Winery” produces Rkatsiteli, Kisi, Saperavi and qvevri wine.
The couple exports their wine to America, Ukraine, and Scandinavia. They do not plan to involve more countries but to focus more on quality.
Source: Georgianjournal.ge, Photo: Georgianjournal.ge