UK Season in Georgia 2019 launches

By Levan Abramishvili

Monday, September 16

“Over the next three months across Georgia, we will celebrate the special friendship that exists between Britain and Georgia and we will put in place the building blocks for future friendship,” H.E. Mr. Justin McKenzie Smith

For the first time in Georgia, a coin from the time of King David the Builder will be displayed at the Georgian National Museum, on loan from the British Museum. Photo: Georgian National Museum

UK Season in Georgia 2019 has officially launched. For the next three months, a specially curated programme of more than 60 events will be jointly presented by the British Council in Georgia and the British Embassy in Tbilisi, highlighting the rich history and heritage of both UK and Georgia.

UK/Georgia 2019 will run from September to December 2019, featuring events in Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi and other locations across Georgia and will showcase the best that modern, diverse and global Britain has to offer in culture, sport, education, and business. The special focus of the programme will be on diversity and inclusion.

The Season will support the development of Museum links between the UK and Georgia, including the British Museum and Georgian National Museum.

For the first time in Georgia, a coin from the time of King David the Builder will be displayed at the Georgian National Museum, on loan from the British Museum.

“The copper coin preserved at the British Museum is the most important among the coins minted by King David IV of Georgia and will be displayed to the public for the first time. The coin is of enormous importance for the history of Georgia. It represents a priceless historical record. There is no doubt that the inscription on the coin reflects the major line of Georgia's foreign policy at the time - obverse shows Kind David IV dressed in Byzantine imperial attire, wearing stemma, and holding a Globus cruciger. The accompanying inscription in Georgian refers to him simply as King David.

The exhibition of the remarkable coin with the image of King David the Builder is supported by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia, Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia and Georgian Airways.

To celebrate the Season, a temporary installation was also opened near the metro station ‘Rustaveli’ by the British Ambassador H.E. Mr. Justin McKenzie Smith and the Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze on September 13. The Mayor and Ambassador also visited the station, where they viewed an exhibition dedicated to the UK Season in Georgia.

As the Mayor of Tbilisi stated, holding the UK Season in Georgia will help to inform the public about the British culture and the friendly relations that the two countries enjoy.

“I am very pleased that our capital is hosting the UK season. It is noteworthy that relations between our countries have deepened and become more friendly in recent years. I would like to thank the British Ambassador. It is very important and appreciated that he speaks Georgian fluently. This is yet another proof that he has the greatest respect for our country and our culture. I am very glad that these days are being held in Tbilisi. We have several locations, where similar stands will be placed, which will inform the interested people about British news, culture, education, etc. A Pop Up Embassy will also operate and travel to regions other than the capital city, introducing our population to the British culture and providing information on the relations that exist between our countries and peoples,” said the Mayor Kaladze.

The British Ambassador thanked the Tbilisi Mayor for cooperation and Support of the UK Season.

“First of all, I would like to thank the Tbilisi City Hall and personally the Mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze for his support. Everyone knows that Rustaveli metro station is especially beautiful. That is why we installed a British gallery here for three months, which will add a British flair to this station. There will also be banners displaying British landscapes on the buses. This is the perfect start to the 2019 British Season in Georgia,” said H.E. Mr. Justin McKenzie Smith.

Later on September 13, the British Embassy welcomed guests at Stamba Hotel for the launch of the British Season.

Ambassador Smith warmly welcomed the guests and spoke about the planned events.

“Over the next three months across Georgia, we will celebrate the special friendship that exists between Britain and Georgia and we will put in place the building blocks for future friendship. From the 12th century amazing coin of David the Builder to the very best of 21st-century music and dance from Britain, we hope that UK Season in Georgia will find a place in everyone’s hearts,” noted the Ambassador.

Mikheil Batiashvili, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of Georgia also addressed the crowd.

“Unique days are starting in Georgia and I want to thank the British government, people and the British Council. These days will be unforgettable because it encompasses all spheres,” said the Minister.

Zaza Purtseladze, the Director of British Council in Georgia noted that the focus of the Season will be on the common values of the two countries.

“The teams of the British Embassy and the British Council have worked together for several months on the programme, which includes activities in different cities of Georgia. The main aim of the programme is to showcase modern, diverse, global British culture, education, sports, and business. Our focus will be on the common values, with a particular emphasis on diversity and inclusion,” said Purtseladze.

The UK/Georgia 2019 is funded by the British Council and the British Embassy working closely with a small group of sponsors including Georgia Capital, Bank of Georgia, BP Adjara Group and Wissol.