1 An interagency state commission was formed by a Decree#14 of 3 July consisting of staff of the Office of the State Minister for Reintegration, as well as representatives of the relevant governmental institu-tions, ministries, agencies and organizainstitu-tions, and Tbilisi Council, three regional Administration of the areas densely populated by minorities. http://www.smr.gov.ge/docs/doc42.pdf
6.1. – 6.6. (In total 4 activities) 6.2. – 6.6. (In total 11 activities)
Therefore, to reveal a complete picture, we will combine the analysis of implementation of the Objectives 1, 2 and 6 in the monitoring of the Action Plan 2011.
Objectives:
Promotion of civic consciousness.
Preservation of the cultural identity of national minorities;
Cognition and promotion of cultures, history, language and religion of minorities as cultural values of the country.
As stipulated by the Constitution of Georgia and Law “On Culture”, each person has a right to preserve cultural identity and to a free choice of artistic and esthetic orientation despite their ethnic and religious belonging (Article 10).
In 2011 the National Library of the Parliament of Georgia held 10 events aiming at pro-motion of civic consciousness, preservation of the cultural identity of national minorities and cognition and promotion of cultures, history, language and religion of minorities as cultural values of the country2.
6.2-6.6 activities under the Action Plan envisage participation of minority representatives into the state festivities (Tbilisoba, New Year Fest, etc.).
In 2011 Tbilisoba was celebrated by ethnic minorities with a folk concert. Georgian crafts exhibition was also held.
Besides, throughout 2011 educational-cultural project “Library on the Wheels- Tbilisi Eve-nings” was continuing. Writers, musicians, singers, artists, composers and actors held edu-cational evenings in different neighborhood of Tbilisi for Assyrian, Armenian and Azeri pupils, students, people with limited abilities.3
One of the important components of the Action Plan is “Program to Support the National Minority Cultures of Georgia”4, being implemented by the Ministry of Culture and Monu-ment Protection of Georgia (Activities 6.1-6.6).
2 See the Implementation Report of the National Concept and Action Plan for Tolerance and Civic Integration, 2011
3 See the Implementation Report of the National Concept and Action Plan for Tolerance and Civic Integration, 2011
4 At present the following minority institutions - LEPLs are under the Ministry of Culture and Monument Pro-tection of Georgia:
• Tbilisi Heidar Aliev State Azerbaijani Theatre;
• Tbilisi Petros Adamiani State Armenian Drama Theatre;
• Tbilisi Al. Griboedov State Russian Drama Theatre;
• Tbilisi Mirza Patali Akhundov State Azerbaijani Culture Museum;
• Tbilisi David Baazov Jewish Hystoric Museum of Georgia.
Each of the abovementioned organizations execute the activities according to their mandate, reflected in their statutes, and the annual agreements between the ministry and the organizations. The basis for the agreements are annual action plans, implementation schedule, budgets of the subsidies and income expen-ditures, personnel structure annually submitted by the organizations.
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In 2011 100 000 GEL was allocated for “the Program to Support National Minority Cul-tures of Georgia”, as this was the case in 2010.
The Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection financed or co-financed the follow-ing projects in Tbilisi and Regions:
Festival “In the Open Air” (Marneuli) was held. Multi-ethnic cohort of art-school stu-dents participated;
Children’s Ensemble “Sarvani” existing at the Marneuli Azerbaijani Culture Center re-ceived a special present _ Georgian dancing costumes and accessories;
Mirza Fatali Akhundov Azerbaijani Culture Museum organized an exhibition of Azer-baijani carpets;
Mirza Fatali Akhundov Museum of Azerbaijani Culture was equipped with computer technologies;
The Caucasus Jazz Festival “ was held. The participants included: Tbilisi Big-Band, Dini Virsaladze Trio, Armenian Band “Kross Roze”, an Azeri Artist Ulvia Rakhimova and
“Jazz Factory”. The festival was held at Marjanishvili State Drama Theatre.
Petros Adamiani Anniversary Theatre held a performance “Pepo” to celebrate Day of Independence of Armenia in Alexander Griboyedov Theatre.
Nahapet Khuchak’s “One Hundred and One Hereni” (Translation by Givi shakhnazari) was published in Georgian and Armenian languages Also, “Woman’s Fate” and “Price of Honor” by Igor Obolenski was published in Russian, French and English Languages.
At the end of 2011 LEPL Circassian (Adyghe) Culture Center was established.
Action Plan 2011 envisaged purchase of computers for the libraries in regions compactly settled by Azeris and Armenians. The Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection took decision to reschedule it for 2012.
It is recommended that the most successful projects, and the activities in which minor-ity representatives are interested should be identified and planned for the nest year.
The projects that failed to be implemented during two consecutive years should be analyzed (e.g. libraries and youth centers). Additional projects and resources should be secured if there is a demand for them.
Museums
In 2011 with the view of promoting ethnic minority cultural heritage collections of the museums:
An event was held in LEPL Mirza Fatali Akhundov museum: exhibition and sale of Azer-baijani handmade carpets. The Ministry also financed a yearlong project, within which those interested have a chance to learn carpet weaving. Consequently, the initiative has a component of sustainability for the retention of the cultural identity. A literary evening dedicated to Akhundov was held in the Museum; 17 events on various topics were also held;
LEPL David Baazovi Historical and Ethnographic Museum of the Jews of Georgia pub-lished Eldar Mamistashvili book “Georgian Jews” in Russian.
Despite the fact that the museum publishes scientific works, in some cases they are not accessible to public at large _ regarded as one of the major functions of the library. The museum has not been properly functioning for more than twenty years. Its rich and unique collection, temporarily housed in other museums, has not been returned to the museum since no reconstruction works has been undertaken.
Operation of the museum will facilitate popularization and transmission to the next gen-erations of the history and harmonious co-existence of the Georgian Jews and the Geor-gians since with the emigration of Jews from Georgia this is being forgotten.
In Autumn, 2011 a historic and ethnographic museum was opened in the Village Duis, in Pankisi Gorge. The museum exhibits – items typical of Georgian and Kist everyday life – were collected by the director, Khaso Khangoshvili. The office of the State Minister for Reintegration donated a computer, Xerox Machine and stationary to the museum.
In 2011, an excursion to the museum by student historians, ethnographers and archaeolo-gists was planned, but was not implemented because of the lack of the appropriate funds for the event.
Cultural Events, Folk Holidays in Different Regions
During the last few years public holidays have been celebrated by large scale events in Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti and also in other cities of Georgia. Cultural events are also held with the participation of ethnic minorities.
It should be noted that mostly the events are local, not going beyond one geographic area.
Consequently Georgian and non Georgian population get less acquainted with each oth-er’s cultures.
Within the framework of “Multiethnic Confidence Building Network” project a quantita-tive research was undertaken by Civil Development Agency (CiDA) in Kvemo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti in 2011. The survey shows that protection and preservation of ethnic minority cultures is less of a priority as compared to other directions.
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