Georgian Patriarchate Calls Upon Gov’t to Regulate Street Vending Near Churches
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Thursday, January 17
Georgian Patriarchate has called upon the government to settle the problem of street vending near churches and monasteries as “unsanitary disorder” near the sites must not take place in the 21st century.
The patriarchate made the statement in the wake of the decision of the head of the Jvari Monastery in the town of Mtskheta to close the site for hundreds of tourists and visitors due to the “problem of street vending.”
The church clerics stated that they had tried to settle the issue through the cooperation with the local municipality but in vain.
“The closure of the monastery was a radical step to attract the public attention and settle the vending problem with joint efforts,” the Jvari monastery clerics said.
Vendors say that sale of products and items near the monastery is the only source of income for many of them and claim that they will request the Georgian Patriarchate to send the current head of the Monastery Konstantine Jincharauli to some other monastery.
However, the Patriarchate says that they share Jincharauli’s position.
"As it is known, the current situation regarding the Jvari Monastery is a step to regulate the activities of street vendors. Unfortunately, there is an unenviable situation nearby other monuments of the cultural and spiritual importance.
“We understand that people live in poverty and use various ways to earn money, but when there are so many tourists and pilgrims, the existing disorder and unsanitary near the monuments of the world importance is uncomfortable,” the Patriarchate says.
Mtskheta Mayor Giorgi Kapanadze states that it is the wish of the monastery head that street vending be totally banned near the monastery.
“However, considering the socio-economic condition of the people, I cannot tell anyone not to sell products,” Kapanadze said.
He claims that “vendors are not on the parking area and do not create problems for anyone”.
“We have designed special vending kiosks for them. However, as the clerics are against vending, we still have not managed to install the desks,” Kapanadze says.
The monastery reopened on Wednesday. According to the mayor, he had discussed the issue with the patriarchate and said they reached the agreement about opening the historic site.
The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia stated that together with local municipality they will allocate the place where street traders will be able to work.
