Guria. A web page of the Regional Civil Society Network publishes problems identified in the eyes of the Network’s member organizations. The Ozurgeti-based "Union of Young Teachers” posted the photo-material and information on the ancient baths that "specialists date to approximately 5-6 Century B.C.”, the post says.The baths are located in the city center, under the Public Service Hall and the Ozurgeti Theatre. According to the provided information, "ancient baths were damaged during the construction of the Public Service Hall in Ozurgeti ... Currently they are confined within a concrete wall and no measures are taken for its conservation.” Source: cso.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian National Platform released an announcement about the Sakdrissi-Kachaghiani mine. In the announcement there are stressed the mine’s discovery, archaeological excavations, and its general importance. The participants of the National Platform appeal to the Minister of Culture and Monument Protection, and international organizations. „Sakdrissi-Kachaghiani gold mine is a cultural heritage of international importance. Therefore, we appeal to the Minister of Culture and Monument Protection, to declare sharply and publicly the position of the Ministry immediately, accept the recommendation of the Council, take into account high public interest, and recommendations of national and international scientific community on granting again the status of immovable monument of cultural heritage to Sakdrissi-Kachaghiani and support continuation of International scientific research of the site" – is said in the announcement. The members of the National Platform also appeal: "…to the international organizations and representative bodies in Georgia and abroad to consider today's extremely dangerous condition for the object of the worldwide importance - Sakdrissi-Kachagiani and to respond for its survival.” For the full text: Source: osgf.ge

Tbilisi. Green Alternative has sent a letter to the Minister of Culture and Monument Protection on January 27, in which the organization requested information on the Khudoni hydroelectric plant project construction and exploitation. The organization was asking for materials studying the impact of the Khudonhesi project on the possibilities of identifying, protecting and preserving material and immaterial cultural heritage, movable and immovable cultural monuments, and cultural values. On February 17 the organization has published the response of the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection. For the full text (geo) Source: greenalt.org

Kakheti. In Telavi’s media café Rati Amaghlobeli introduced the literature project "My Book” to the representatives of the social clubs and public in general. "The new project is a marathon of the best books. The marathon, which will make you read all your favorite books. The marathon, which will make you discover new literature. The marathon, which will make you choose one book and say: This is my favorite one. Though it is impossible to stop arguing which book is the best one. Everyone thinks his/her favorite book is the best”, said Rati Amaghlobeli.The project is supported by BBC.  

Adjara. Batumi will host the screening of movies of the EU Cinema Festival on February 7-16. Movies celebrated by the EU member states are presented at the Festival.Apart from Batumi, important European movies will be shown with support of the accredited embassies of the EU member states in Georgia in other cities as well: Tbilisi, Gori, Kutaisi and Zugdidi. Feature films presented at the Festival express key European values in creative ways.The EU Cinema Festival is organized by the EU Delegation to Georgia with support of the embassies of the EU member states.

Tbilisi. Youth CSO "Green Fist” has organized an initiative-concert on February 3 in the yard of the State University. The participants demand reinstatement of the status of monument for the Sakdrisi mine. Source: page of "Green Alternative" in the social network.

Tbilisi. The first EU Cinema Festival in Georgia will be held from 7 to 16 February. The screening of important European movies will be organized with support of embassies of the EU-member states accredited in Georgia in five cities of Georgia: Tbilisi, Gori, Kutaisi, Zugdidi and Batumi. Feature films presented at the Festival express key European values in a creative way. Screenings will take place every day from 7 to 16 February at 2-9 p.m. The Festival will open up in every city at the same time.Attendance is free. List of program

Tbilisi. The Georgia Office of the German Association of Public Universities (dvv international) and the Goethe Institute of Tbilisi have jointly introduced the Givi Margvelashvili Prize, awarded annually to the Georgian cultural figures for their contributions in broadening the Georgian-German cultural relations. The award-winner in 2014 became the Georgian historian, specialist in German studies, publicist, artist and the Director of the Literature Museum Lasha Bakradze.The award ceremony will be held on February 14, at 19:00 in the Georgian Writers' House. Source: the Goethe Institute.

Tbilisi. CSO "Tiflis Hamkari" has released a recommendatory document "Issues of funding architectural heritage - observation and recommendations". The document was developed as part of the project "Funding of Architectural Heritage" implemented with support of the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection. Document Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The School of Liberalism has released another edition of "Libtime". Topic of the edition is a "Modern Georgian Theatre". How does the Georgian theatre reflect problems among the society, does it meet contemporary standards and what are the challenges it faces - are the topics discussed by the host together with guests, theatre specialist LashaChkhartishvili and playwright BachoKvirtia. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Adjara. The inclusive group students have staged a performance on December 19 in Batumi with support of the Red Cross on the life of the Georgian painter NikoPirosmani, transposing his life and work on the stage.Children have personified Georgian writers, performed Georgian dances and songs. In parallel, the exhibition of the students' works was organized. Similar events facilitate the integration of youngsters with disabilities into the society. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. On December 19, students of the Georgian University have painted a wall of the "Doctors' House" cafe located in the territory of the Iashvili Children's Hospital. The event was held as part of the project "Students for Supporting Social Entrepreneurship". Source: page of the Center of Social Entrepreneurship in the social network.

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers' Association applied to the UNESCO concerning the pending amendments to the law on "Cultural Heritage”. "As it is known to public, the government of Georgia submitted to the Parliament the draft which introduces amendment to the law on Cultural Heritage and changes significantly applied regulation on cancelation of the status to the monument. According to the legislative initiative, Paragraph 2 will be added to Article 17, according to which –  in exceptional cases, in case of state necessities, removal of the status to the monument (save for those having national category or/and being in the list of the world heritage)is possible upon agreement with the Ministry, on the basis of the government resolution, by submission of the entity authorized to initiate the draft of the legal act before the government. Initiation of the draft to the Parliament caused negative reaction among the significant part of the society. Although number of meetings were held on different levels in terms of the  risks associated with the draft, regretfully the draft remains in the Parliament for examination". For the full text Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. As part of the joint event of the Tbilisi Toy Theatre and "Identity", a toy performance will be delivered on December 17 for children living in the homeless' tents. The Giorgi Mikeladze Toy Theatre will visit the temporary shelter of the homeless at 7 p.m. They will be accompanied by staff members of "Identity", who will distribute items donated in recent days by the citizens to the coordinators of the tents. Source: identoba.com

Adjara. The "Fund for Assisting the Artists" was presented on November27 in the Batumi Civic Engagement Center. Representatives of local CSOs and media, artists working in Adjara and the students of the Arts University have attended the meeting. The Fund's representatives have informed the audience about their goals and tasks. In addition, they have presented the new project "Catch the Chance", in implementation of which the Fund will partner with the youth organization "Art Way" and "Borjghali".

Adjara. The project "Vision Beyond Obstacles", organized by the Press Cafe and the "Independent Journalists' House" has ended on November 30 with the sale-exhibition. The works of 7 photograph artists were exhibited as part of the project. Raised money will be spent on charity.

Kakheti. The Community Development Center has finished collecting money for the Sighnaghi museum development. The initiative aimed to put a fence around the SandroAkhmeteli House-Museum and perform other required works. Next week the donated 695 GEL will be provided based on a contract to the Sighnaghi Museum Union, which will perform necessary works. Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Adjara. CSO "Micro-Phone" implements the project "Mobi-Vali", as part of which children performances will be organized in 10 public schools of regions of high mountainous Adjara. The play "Strange Painter", staged according to the tale by GuramPetriashvili, is using the specifics of the shadow theatre. In addition, the event provides an interactive format: students will hold a discussion together with children around the themes of the play. Plays will be performed on December 3-15. The project is implemented as part of the "Free Projects" program of the Adjarian Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. The Batumi Arts Learning University is a partner of the project.

Adjara. Press Cafe and "Independent Journalists' House" has organized a photo exhibition of ShotaGujabidze on November 26. A video portrait of the photographer produced as part of the project was presented during the photo exhibition. In addition, the film selected by the photographer - "Three Days of Hot Summer" directed by MerabKokochashvili - was shown. This photo exhibition has completed the first part of the project "Vision beyond Obstacles", which aimed at presenting the works of photographers directly to the public.

Tbilisi. "ICOMOS Georgia" has released a statement concerning the draft legislative amendments initiated by the Government of Georgia in the Parliament of Georgia. The statement of the Georgian National Committee of International Council on Monuments and Sites says: "This amendment contradicts international principles of protection of cultural heritage, the Constitution of Georgia and endangers the future of Georgia's cultural heritage. The offered mechanism provides for a removal of a monument status by the Government through simplified procedures, thus leaving the cultural heritage without any protection and creating the threat of aggressive interference by the Government. As a result, we will witness another destruction of cultural heritage in the name of economic development." For the full text. Source: netgazeti.ge

Tbilisi. CSO "Identity” has organized a charity evening in the Writers’ House. Donations raised from the event with participation of young poets and musicians will be spent on the construction of a shelter. Source: the organization’s page in the social network.

Imereti. The Children and Youth Development Fund and the Kutaisi "Art Center” have organized a cultural event "Extraordinary Day” on November 18 in Kutaisi. As part of the event, the paintings, illustrations and sculptures of patients of the "Khoni Mental Health National Center” and young artists from Imereti were exhibited, while young actors have read on the small stage the poems and prosaic works of patients of the National Center of Mental Health. Source: the organization’s page in the social network.