THE NATIONAL TRUST OF GEORGIA

April 2018

by Alix Hughes

A public talk by Peter Nasmyth. Peter's writings and photographs about the Caucasus region have been published in most major UK magazines and newspapers. He has also written for several American publications, including the Washington Post. Since his first visit to Georgia in 1987 he has also developed several broadcast projects in the region and been nominated for the UN Media Prize by the BBC.

He has been involved in initiatives to preserve Georgia's heritage buildings especially in the old city area of Tbilisi.

In October 2016 a group of Georgian citizens and one Englishman, established a new National Trust style of organisation in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. Under the title of the National Trust of Georgia it was set up in association with the National Trust of Great Britain’s international branch INTO and follows the successful British model.

In October 2017 the Trust took over a unique, unusually unmolested 18th -19th century property in the Metekhi cliffs area of the city, adjoining Avlabari. The property is large enough to act as the Trust’s headquarters on a permanent basis, as well as contain space for exhibitions and events. Like so many properties in Georgia this three story building is in a poor stage of repair, but it will slowly be restored and used as an example for locals as to how building repair can be done cheaply, effectively and with historic sensitivity, on their own homes. There will be an exhibition inside the building illustrating how this is achieved.

http://www.nationaltrustofgeorgia.org.ge/

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Talk by Tony Anderson: An Edwardian Lady in the Mountains of Georgia

March 2018

by Derek Pickup

In the spring of 1911, Margaret Chambers, intrepid explorer and traveller, decided to mount and expedition to the High Caucasus. One of the first women to be admitted as a fellow to the Royal Geographical Society, she spent many months in Georgia, most of them in the mountains of Svaneti, walking or riding across remote passes with local guides and friends, observing, noting, drawing and painting as shetraveled.All her writing and painting has lain undisturbed and unpublished in the library of the Royal Geographical Society since her death.Tony Anderson and Georgian colleagues are at present working to rectify this. Tony talked about all this. A glass of wine and some nibbles were offerred by BTA at the event 

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Tbilisi-based British author Katie Ruth Davies's Talk

March 2018

by Esther Keller-Pickup

Venue: The City Hall, Lord Mayor's reception Room

 

 

 

 

 

In celebration of 30 years of the Bristol-Tbilisi Twinning Agreement, Tbilisi-based British author Katie Ruth Davies made a special visit to Bristol to talk about what life is like in Bristol's Twin City, Tbilisi. 

Katie, who has lived in Tbilisi for 11 years, talked about her life in Georgia and explored the magic and unique wonders that keep her there. She talked about how the capital city and its people have changed in her time there and gave her outlook for the future. She also was touching briefly on her young adult urban fantasy books and her growing following of fans, introducing to attendees her latest saga set in Tbilisi: Dark Wings. 

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2018 GEORGIAN SUPRA in BRISTOL

February 2018

by Nina Bendukidze

Saturday, 17th February 2018, Georgian Banquet (Supra) in Bristol, UK. The first big event celebrating 30th Anniversary of the Bristol Tbilisi Association this year. More than 130 people attended. Dr. Razvan Constantinescu, the Honorary Consul of Romania in Bristol, Her Majesty’s Lieutenant in the County of Bristol Mrs Peaches Golding OBE, HE The Georgian Ambassador to the UK Mrs Tamar Beruchashvili, and The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Bristol Cllr Lesley Alexander also attended the supra. The Supra was accompanied by the Bristol Georgian Choir's amazing performance. This year we've had a very diversified menu thanks to BTA executive committee members Esther Keller-Pickup and Nina Bendukidze.  Georgian white and red wine was donated by BTA chairman Derek Pickup. It was absolutely fabulous evening with a lot of toasts, jokes and mind-blowing music. 

ქართული სუფრა შაბათს, 17 თებერვალს ქალაქ ბრისტოლში. 130 სტუმარი დაესწრო. 2018 წელს ჩვენ ზეიმობთ ბრისტოლ-თბილისის ასოციაციის შექმნის და ჩვენი ქალაქების ძმობის 30-წლისთავს.

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2018 - The Honorary Consulate of Georgia opened in Bristol

February 2018 

by Nina Bendukidze

The Honorary Consulate of Georgia in Bristol was officially opened on 18th February 2018 by HE the Georgian Ambassador in UK Tamar Beruchashvili and the The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of Bristol Councillor Lesley Alexander. 

Congratulations to the first Honorary Consul of Georgia in UK

Alderman Derek Pickup! 

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CARDIFF 18th November - Rugby: Wales v Georgia

November 2017

Wales beat a dogged Georgia 13-6 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in the very first meeting of the two sides. Hallam Amos scored the only try of the match in the first half for Wales. Georgia threatened to score a late try, but a nervous Wales held on for victory. Date: Saturday 18th November 2017. Attendance: 55,310.

Well done Derek and Esther!!!

http://www.autumn-internationals.co.uk/2017/wales-v-georgia.html

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/nov/18/wales-georgia-autumn-international-match-report

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/full-story-what-happened-chaotic-13921838

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2017/11/18/wales-vs-georgia-autumn-international-live-score-updates/ 

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Dr. Love returns to Bristol

July 2017

by Nina Bendukidze and Alix Hughes

Europe’s largest & FREE street art and graffiti festival, Upfest, has announced its return to Bristol on 29th – 31st July 2017, bringing Europe’s largest live arts festival to the streets for a ninth year. The 2016 edition saw a record-breaking 300 artists from over 40 countries attend, painting super-sized street murals, shop front shutters and boards in more than 30 venues and locations all over Bedminster, Bristol.

Georgian street art artist Bacha whose artistic name is Dr. Love took part in the festival last year. He was very successful and was invited to take part in the UPFest 2017 as well. Dr Love on his second visit to UPFest produced an amazing and intricate stencilled mural which is behind the Tobacco Factory. Hundreds took photos of his piece and were fascinated by the detail. Dr Love has been invited by the Mayor of Tbilisi to paint a second version of this piece in Tbilisi in the autumn. The other Georgian highlight of the festival was the appearance of Tbilisi band Moku Moku on the Tobacco Factory stage. Despite initial technical problems and the longest sound check on record, the band hit their groove early into the one hour set with the crowd moving to a familiar sound of trip hop Georgian style. The festival attracted 330 invited artists and over 30,000 people attended the event in Bedminster over the three days 29-31 July.

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BTA TAKES PART IN GEORGIAN STUDY DAY 2016

November 2016

by Alix Hughes and Nina Bendukidze

Delegates from the BTA attended the annual conference on Georgia (Georgian Study Day) in London on 3rd of November 2016. For programme, click here

Ambassador Beruchashvili outlined how the country's Universal Healthcare system now covers 90% of the population with a basic health package.

 

  

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