My Sweet Georgia - local tourist portal

New Student Campus to Be Built in Tbilisi
A new student campus will be built in Didi Digomi district in Tbilisi as part of education reforms. The new campus on David Agmasheneveli Alley, will include science laboratories, a library, art school, indoor recreational space, outdoor stadiums, conference rooms, sports halls, a kindergarten and residential campus. The 129,778 square meters of land will also house a science museum, technopark and natural science laboratories. Announcing the new project, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said, “all this is being done for the future generation, to have as many educated young people as possible so they can use their knowledge for the country’s well-being. The new education reforms hope to improve educational infrastructure, national exams, security, innovation and technology, financial support, and ensure better quality in institutions of higher learning.

Mountains Go Up and Down: Etseri, Svaneti
BLOG Dear readers, who can help me escape the terrible paradox I’ve got myself into? You see, I resolved not to make any New Year’s resolutions this year… 2019 has had that kind of strange start. There was January 1, which had been preceded by Christmas, and then came Christmas again, followed by a second New Year on the 14th. My birthday (52) was the 13th, but my wife had been in Tbilisi, and when we received the news that school holidays would be extended for a week while the flu makes its rounds, I urged her to stay there in our flat to get some rest and have some needed work done on her teeth. Guests of mine, seven young self-catering friends here to serve in the village (on which more will be written in future): should I even tell them it was my birthday, or simply let Facebook do the telling? In the end, it did, but also some neighbor girls let the cat out of the bag. Coming to the shop, they congratulated me publicly on my birthday but also invited me to their little brother’s big day, my “twin minus 47 years”! So, we did have a small celebration here, as well as me going to the 5-year-old’s one and being asked to play tamada (toastmaster) at the feast there. Fortunately, I’ve had some training in this important ritual role and was able to pull it off. Some fireworks were part of the fun, and I was able to get a few good tripod-mounted shots of these too, from the house. The next day, the 14th, was not only Old New Year’s day but also when a dear old neighbor lady died, of a lung thrombosis, suddenly, in her late 70s. So, sorrow mixed in with the festivities; a funeral to follow on the 19th. The good part of dying here in winter is that your open coffin need not be cooled during the days of the wake. This is offset by: having to dig a grave in the frozen ground; and having to make benches, tables, a tarpaulin marquee and vast amounts of cold and hot food for an outdoor funeral feast for several hundred guests, I’ll write it again, OUTDOORS. My meqvle (first visitor on New Year’s Day) came in the morning, with his little girl of nearly 1½ years, who is now walking and talking up quite a storm. We had a small feast together and renewed our deep friendship; he is the most devoted dad to his three children of any I’ve seen for miles around, but despairs for the world they seem to have to inherit. His life has straddled the relatively happy and prosperous years of Georgia’s communist period as well as the utter chaos and collapse of society which followed the fall of that time. He also describes the local and regional government as the most corrupt, mafia-ridden one in the whole country. Not a lot of optimism there. But at least he thinks and talks honestly, which I really do appreciate. We are glad to see such a mild winter temperature-wise, but the snowfall is definitely working on being as full as last year’s record-breaker. At least the water pipes show no signs of freezing! I have a new way this year of keeping the water flowing, which is definitely helping. But I look forward to renovating the whole water system before next winter, with something considerably more foolproof, needing less fuss and bother to cope with the freeze. We’re trying to run a guest house here, potentially year-round, after all! Dear readers, I wish you more ups than downs as this year starts, and all the help you need in coping with whatever life’s caprices throw at you. Tony Hanmer has lived in Georgia since 1999, in Svaneti since 2007, and been a weekly writer for GT since early 2011. He runs the “Svaneti Renaissance” Facebook group, now with nearly 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

Georgian Photographer David Tabagari s Alternative Tbilisi
Exclusive Interview New talents are emerging in various fields of art in Georgia, and photography is no exception. Photography has always been popular in Georgia, since the very introduction of the field, and the latest technological advancements and diverse opportunities are now enabling these photographers to create amazing works that go viral on social media and tell stories about people, events, and more. In this regard, the most distinguished and aspiring self-made Georgian photographer is 22-year-old David Tabagari, who has already earned fame through his impressive works on social media. The young photographer is known for telling real stories through portraits of ordinary people of different professions, such as fireman, sailors, police, miners, etc. Yet, he has also become famous for his images of night-time Tbilisi. The photographer lately held a public meeting, where he gave insight into his work and shared his experience with the audience. GEORGIA TODAY has had the pleasure of watching his career develop over the last few years, and in this interview, we explore how David started on his journey as a photographer.   How did you start your career in photography? When I was 5-6 years old and playing with other kids, I saw everything as a scene to be captured. At the age of 12, I started taking photos with my mobile, and gradually my interest towards photography evolved. Then I bought a small digital Sybershot camera and started out on my first steps into proper photography. This camera served me two years and in this period I took my first photos in my hometown Chiatura. This is well-known town notable for its soviet architecture, cable cars and mines. Later, my parents gave me a camera with which I embarked on a photographic career more seriously and actively. Through practice and travelling a lot, I developed quick pace photography, walking the streets and capturing everything I met on my way. I can say with pride that I’m a self-made photographer and I have not attended any training or classes in this direction. I think learning through one’s practice and mistakes is the best way to perfect your skills and shape yourself as a professional in a particular field.   You regularly go out into Tbilisi and capture alternative Tbilisi at night. You managed to depict winter Tbilisi from an absolutely different perspective and elevate the New Year’s mood among the citizens. Tell us more about your night journey. I started capturing night Tbilisi around a year ago. The work process at night is really interesting and unusual since I try to depict what is not visible to people as a rule. During the daytime, the city is familiar, yet the night city is totally different with its illuminations and buildings. I try to work almost every night, heading out at around 11-12 o’clock and getting home at 5-6 in the morning. To be honest, it is really exhausting to work at night in such circumstances, especially in winter when its freezing. The conditions for taking photos are bad and there is a high chance camera’s objective to be spoiled due to the cold; yet the riskier the process is, the more interesting and adventurous it is for me. I think the key to my success lies in thorough work and great commitment to my job.   What are you working on right now? Currently, I work for Tbilisi City Hall, which saw my photos on social media, liked them and made me an offer to work for them. I have been employed for two months now and I’m honored to work with the team. Name some key moments in your career to date. My portfolio includes several projects for National Geographic, namely a reportage about the Borjomi forest fire, how firemen worked to extinguish it, the results, its present state and what is planned for the future. Additionally, I won the National Geographic project named ‘Nature around us’ – my photo was published in the magazine. My image depicted an abandoned factory in the city of Kutaisi occupied by moss and plants, demonstrating that nothing can withstand the power of nature. Right now, I’m trying to focus on discovering and depicting alternative Tbilisi at night by photographing buildings and people.   What interests you most about photography? Although I’m working towards a Bachelor’s in Law at the Technical University, photography will remain my primary occupation. I’m particularly interested in working in hot spots, and I like urban and street photography, since you can capture and transfer real emotions into an image. It is very emotional to work with ordinary people: I try to photograph real faces and retain the authenticity of their emotions. For me, photography is not solely a field of art, but part of my life and the best way to reflect reality and communicate with people. What I like most about photography is how my camera has allowed me access to places, people and situations I would never otherwise be around. I remember the photo I took on December 28, 2015, that received a massive outcry among the public. I captured an old lady freezing in the street and selling herbs, she was covered in snow and you could barely see her face. As I said, I always try to catch and picture real human emotions, and this poor saleswoman is a clear example of it. When I woke up in the morning, I had a feeling I’d take an important picture that day. The photo went viral on social media and was published by many media publications. The image received positive feedback among the public, and some people even started searching for that woman to help her.

CNN Features Abandoned Tskaltubo Spa
CNN has reported on the abandoned Tskaltubo Spa complex and how the spas have become home for a community of refugees.  Titled ‘the abandoned Soviet-era spas a community of refugees calls home’, the article covers the work of Dutch-Canadian photographer Ryan Koopmans who has spent 5 years photographing the decaying sanatoriums.  Tskaltubo used to be one of the most luxurious and popular spas along the Black Sea. However, as the Soviet Union crumbed, so did the sanatorium, as nature was left to run its course. However, life remained in Tskaltubo. After the fall of the Soviet Union and the outbreak of war for the independence of Abkhazia, refugees fled from their homes in Abkahzia and discovered the abandoned corridors of Tskaltubo. To this day, refugees and the children and grandchildren of the original settlers, still live amongst its decaying rooms. Despite no light, heating or running water the spa’s residents “have had to adapt and create their own makeshift means of survival,” said Koopmans. They even tend animals and vegetables on the spa grounds. Today, the spas are slowly coming to the attention of investors who are beginning to buy back land and renovate dilapidated buildings. As a result, the Georgian government has finally begun re-homing refugees as developers draw up plans to relaunch the spa as a luxury tourist destination. 

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