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A Privy in Paradise
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Author: By Tony Hanmer
I have just made a 1000-km round trip to add one extra room, a very important room, to my house in Etseri, Svaneti, a whole separate building without which it couldn’t function: an outhouse, or privy. This was the first thing on the list of needs as my wife and I prepare to move to the village this summer or fall.
My brother in law and I drove there for a few days to build this vital structure. He has a car, has never seen Svaneti, and also is knowledgeable in the arts of building in general.
The thing went through several design modifications in the process of its construction, being scaled down from the original fortress-like plan with a floor of concrete and rebar, and welded cross-bars for stability, to one chiefly of wood, though with corrugated metal walls and roof. As we built it it became obvious that this was more than sufficient to make it sold in all conditions, including the long winter of deep snow. We were aided by our Svan host, an old friend, who did much extra work. I, not knowing enough of the language’s technical side to follow everything - and perhaps constrained by the Georgians’ ongoing perception of me as a guest - did what I could to help, which wasn’t enough for my satisfaction.
As the locals had expected, after about 1/2 metre of digging, we reached rocks, and the final volume of rock was about 1/3 of the total removed material. One of these, heavier than I am, might make a good foundation stone for the watchtower which, in my distant dreams, I will build on my land. (The village’s lone complete tower belongs to the Dadeshkeliani family and is reputed to be the tallest in all of Svaneti. Mine will keep it company.)
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Doing Good Instead of Fighting Bad
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Author: By Jeff Morski
“There are people living in very difficult conditions. But if we come together, those of us who are not faced with the same kinds of challenges and, especially, if there is a lot of us, then there’s a chance to make a difference.”
I am sitting across the table from Levan Ghambashidze, one of the founders of Borani, a new charitable organisation in Tbilisi, as he tells me the story behind this initiative and how community outreach and community action are coming together to change lives.
“We wanted individuals to be involved. Not foundations or other donors. This is where the name comes from. Borani means ‘ferryboat’ in Georgian with the idea that it connects people in need of help with those who can provide it,” he continues as he opens the organisation’s website and shows me its activity and engagement up close.
Borani was established in 2011 by Ghambashidze and his colleagues Simon Janashia, Mariam Dalikishvili and Natia Jibladze. Others have joined including Nino Tsagareishvili and her son Misho Davitashvili who also donate their time and talents to make the organisation run. Shako Kakauridze, an IT specialist who designed, built and keeps the website updated, is the most recent member to join the Borani team.
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First French Week in the Caucasus gets underway
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Author: By Nino Gelashvili
The first French week in the Caucasus kicked off on June 21 and will last for 4 days at the Georgian National Museum in Tbilisi. The program includes three aspects that include French culture, business and cuisine.
Renaud Salins, Ambassador of France in Georgia, noted that the event is about both the tradition and the future. “Tourism is speedily developing in Georgia and France believes that it has a role to play in the development.”
Following the grand opening on June 21, all days of the week will be fully loaded with various events. Seminars about gastronomy and tourism development will take place on June 22. Every day a French-Caucasus company exhibition has been scheduled.
Chairwoman of the National Tourism Agency, Maia Sidamonidze; Chairman of the Georgian Trade and Industry Chamber, Kakha Baindurashvili; famous French Chef, Gerard Cagna, as well as representatives of Georgian companies and foreign experts will participate in the seminars.
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