While the ideologically overcharged Sakartvelo is infatuated with extremely confrontational political bouts; while, on a daily basis, streets are full of ardently protesting demonstrators; while our opposition chiefs and pro-governmental influencers are engaged in endless hostility, inadvertently doing harm to this nation’s future, there are some patriotically poised, dignified men and women around who are not giving in and continue doing their share of summum bonum for their beloved motherland, stating that they will never lay down arms to keep benefiting the land they love to death. A couple of weeks ago, the premises of the Georgian Federation of Journalists witnessed something truly outstanding. Under the aegis of the Federation, a newspaper was created, the title of which sounds like a real heart-and-mind opener – Meskhi & Messi. The late Mikheil Meskhi was a Georgian footballer, nicknamed the Georgian Garrincha, one of the most creative players, representing the Soviet Union in the international arena; Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional soccer player, reputed as one of the best in the world. The 50-year difference in age between the two great athletes of our time was no obstacle to putting their universally cherished names in one editorial team.
Newspaper Meskhi & Messi is a Georgian-Argentine journalistic project, which is going to dwell upon various walks of life, such as culture, science, history, sports, tourism, agriculture, and business. It will be published in Sakartvelo in the Georgian language and in Argentina in Spanish. The project is meant to promote friendship and cooperation between Sakartvelo and Argentina in various spheres of activity, one of them being the development of football in this country. The planned scope of the project envisages the creation of enterprises of many different profiles, as well as the opening of the international Valley of Fame, dedicated to friendship and peace between the peoples of the world, specifically expressed in the real images of internationally renowned football stars.
The Argentine side expressed the desire to hold the presentation of the project in Argentina as well, where the supporters of the project and the representatives of Georgian authorities will be invited to participate in the future event. Notably, all the local expenditures of the Georgian guests, incurred by them in Argentina, will be provided for by the Argentine side. The great get-together will take place in March of the current year.
Concerning the Valley of Fame, it will accommodate the Argentine, Brazilian, and Uruguayan football academies and the school of soccer coaches, named after the late César Luis Menotti, known as El Flaco (Slim), who was an Argentine former football manager and player, the winner of the 1978 FIFA World Cup as the head coach of Argentina. In the future school campus, proudly will stand the sculptural composition of the figures of legendary football players like Giorgi Sichinava, Slava Metreveli, Pele, Mikheil Meskhi, and Anzor Kavazashvili, based on the photo taken in 1965. The composition will also reflect the most compelling moments of plays by these soccer stars.
The famous stars, mostly the world champions from Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, will lay the foundation of the future Valley of Fame by planting trees there. Together with them, well-known members of society and representatives of the governments of those countries will participate. According to the plan, the Valley will be turned into a park for the Georgian citizenry as well as the guests of the capital city and visiting tourists to spend time and have fun.
The thorough consideration of the project by the government of the country started as early as the beginning of September 2024. By the end of the month, the relevant services of the administration began taking care of its details. Now, the prevalent issue is to find the plot of land where the Valley of Fame will be built and developed, and to register it as the property of the pertinent organization. The best location for this purpose could be the territory in the vicinity of the Tbilisi Airport, all meant to promote Georgia’s popularity in the world.
Incidentally, the project was presented to Ilia II, Patriarch of Georgia, who blessed it and wished God’s Grace upon it. The author and organizer of this grandiose international project is Nikoloz Makharadze-Patarklishvili, Chairman of the House of Argentina in Georgia – Cultural and Business Cooperation International Organization, Chairman of the UNO Sports Arts International Council, and the Ambassador of the Dance International Council in Georgia. The man has a huge burden of responsibility, and let’s wish him well!
Blog by Nugzar B. Ruhadze
