November
The 23rd Annual Georgian Studies Day was held on the 3rd November at the Caerleon campus site of University of Wales, Newport. The day’s theme was ‘Building Bridges’ with the key speaker being Mr. Temuri Yakobashvili, Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia.
October
A visit to Kutaisi by Chair Sonia Fisher, Rosemary & Derek Butler to celebrate the twenty years of twinning between Kutaisi & Newport.
Carolyn Murphy, representative of University of Wales, Newport on NKTA committee announced her leaving the area and would be stepping down from her position as liaison officer. NKTA thanked her for her help with the Association and wished her well for the future.
Arranged by Kevin Barry of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, 250 fire protection kits were shipped by Coyne Airways to Tbilisi together with 2 boxes of football kit from Peter Landers of Newport’s YMCA. The Mayor of Kutaisi arranged transportation to Kutaisi.
September
From the 6 – 12 September a visit to Newport by the Governor of the Imereti Region, Grigol Shushania, the Mayor of Kutaisi, Giorgi Tevdoradze, Professor Madonna Megrelishvili, Chair of Kutaisi-Newport International Association with Giorgi Tsurtsumia as interpreter.
On the 8 September, in celebration of twenty years of the twinning agreement between the two cities, the Mayor of Kutaisi Giorgi Tevdoradze & the Mayor of Newport, Cllr. Bill Langsford opened KUTAISI WALK, a pedestrian path along side the River Usk in Newport.
BA graduate Ana Chankvetadze from Kutaisi arrived on the 16 September to take up a place at University of Wales, Newport on the MA Course- Educational Leadership and Management. It will involve:
Teaching, learning and assessment.
Strategic management and accountability.
Research methodology.
Developing people in organizations.
July
Meeting between NKTA executive members and Antonella Valmorbida, Director of the Association of Local Democracy Agencies.
Catherine Philpott attended a meeting of CATBIG (Central Asia Trade and Business Investment Group) in London.
June
AGM of NKTA held at the Civic Centre Newport
Executive committee elected:
Chair: Sonia Fisher
Vice Chair: Catherine Philpott
Secretary: Vera Brown
Treasurer: Colin Mason
Membership: Sylvia Mason
Social Events: Derek Butler
Web Editor: Catherine Philpott
Russell Trevenen-Jones
H.E Denis O’Keefe UK Ambassador to Georgia moves from Tbilisi to a new post in Moscow.
May
Greetings sent to the Mayor of Kutaisi and to members of the Kutaisi Newport International Association on Kutaisi Day.
Sonia Fisher attended the Georgian Independence Day reception in London on 26 May.
Derek Butler made an honorary citizen of Kutaisi.
Vera Brown and Caroline McLachlan made honorary members of Kutaisi Newport International Association.
April
Social Event: Twenty members & friends of NKTA made a visit to the Hippodrome Theatre, Bristol to see Riverdance, the Celtic based dance production.
February
Kevin Barry of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the intention of the Service to keep up support for the Kutaisi Fire Service, following the initial training given to Kutaisi Firemen and the willingness of South Wales Service to donate 250 kits (tunic, helmet and leggings) from the London Fire and Rescue Service.
January
Social Event: A trip to Oxford to hear Professor Michael Vickers give a presentation with slides on his work on the excavations in Kutaisi & Vani. This event resulted in several new members joining NKTA
November
The 22nd Annual Georgian Studies Day was held on 4 November at the University of Westminster entitled ‘Georgia Carries On’. The event was attended by six members of NKTA.
Social Event
Peter Landers of the YMCA gave a talk on his visit to Kutaisi in the summer. He outlined his ideas for an exchange scheme between the youth of Newport & Kutaisi planned for the coming year.
October
ALDA Partnership meeting held at Newport Civic Centre. Sonia Fisher and David Mayer attended as NKTA delegates. A reception was held at the Riverfront in the evening for members to meet GLDA’s manager Ioseb Khakhaleishvili and other members of the delegation from Kutaisi.
September
Georgian Poetry at Cardiff University on 25th September 2009.
NKTA member, Russell Travenen-Jones, attended
August
Unique find of gold treasure in Kutaisi.
Archaeologists find a tomb filled with gold artefacts whilst excavating in Kutaisi’s Bagrati Cathedral.
June
AGM of Newport Kutaisi Twinning Association.
Elected:
Chair Sonia Fisher
Vice Chair Catherine Philpott
Secretary Vera Brown
Treasurer Colin Mason
Revised constitution dated 8 June 2009 approved and adopted at the AGM.
Social Event
A talk given by Tim Hartley on the football tour made by GOL to Kutaisi and Baku. It was held in the Belle Vue Park conservatory. Attended by NKTA members and friends.
May
• Five doctors from Kutaisi arrived to attend a medical symposium at the Post Graduate Medical Centre in Newport as guests of Dr. John Davies of the Gwent Health Trust. They were surgeon, Dr. Mirian Cheishvili, cardiologist, Dr. Zaza Lominadze, oculist, Dr. Shalva Jikia, Gynecologist, Dr. Mamuka Mikadzea and surgeon, Dr. Zurab Abuladze,
They attended also post-graduate activities and contributed to continuing education projects at the Royal Gwent Hospital Newport.
A post-graduate conference was organised to highlight particular interesting aspects of each individual specialty and to share of activities between post-graduate medicine in Georgia and Wales.
• The Wales football supporters’ charity, Gôl make an epic trek to Azerbaijan.
On the way they stopped off in Kutaisi to give kit and presents including books donated by the Amber Army and the Newport Kutaisi Twinning Association. The County shirts were donated to schools and children’s homes and the supporters also left their cars to charities in the city. The twinning committee in Kutaisi and the youth section of the local ‘Torpedo’ football team both received cars.
Social event
Members of the NKTA were invited to a lunch organised by Dr John Davies and his medical team to give an opportunity to meet the visiting medical delegation from Kutaisi.
April
• Dr Nana Dzidziguri arrived in Newport with interpreter Ekaterina Archvadze. They attended a medical conference at Exeter College, Oxford organised by Dr. John Davies of the Gwent Health Trust.
• Dr. Nick Clark of Southampton University visited Newport to look at Association records and meet members informally as part of his research into twinning in Britain since 1945.
March
A visit by the British Ambassador to Georgia, Denis Keefe to honour the achievements of Newport City Council and the Newport Kutaisi Twinning Association.
See February for photographic exhibition.
February
• Exhibition of Onnik Krikorian’s photographs held in the foyer of Newport Civic Centre from 23 February to 6 March. Transferred to Central Library until 20 March. Afterwards transferred to University of Wales, Newport for a further two weeks.
• Irakli Machitadze, manager of an independent Kutaisi radio station, came to Newport to gather material for series of programmes on overseas contacts.
January
Closure of Action for Kutaisi Appeal Fund. NKTA raised £1,444.28 and together with a further 1000 euros added by ALDA. The total sum of 2,652 Euros was transferred to GLDA in Kutaisi to purchase 117 domestic heaters for Internally Displaced Persons in Kutaisi.
December
Newport Kutaisi Association held a Christmas social gathering of members at the home of
Sonia Fisher. Members had the first opportunity to meet Rusa Murusidze from Kutaisi, a postgraduate
student in the Education Department of University of Wales, Newport. She was welcomed
to Wales, to Newport and everyone wished her well for the coming year. A toast to Georgia and its future was made with fine Georgian wine.
November 
Rosemary Butler AM made a short two-day visit to Kutaisi after attending a British Council conference in Tbilisi. She met with the Mayor of Kutaisi, University Rector,
Professor Madonna Megrelishvili, Kutaisi YMCA, the Local Democracy Agency delegate,
Ioseb Khakhaleishvili (Soso), two trustees and the new Youth Infopoint Coordinator Maka
Tsertsvadze.
The 21st Annual Georgian Studies Day took place in Bristol, in the prestigious
surroundings of the Wills Memorial Building of Bristol University as part of the Bristol
Tbilisi Association's celebration of 20 years of twinning. The day was varied and
informative and particularly poignant in view of the catastrophic events that occurred in
Georgia during August. Go to report
 NKA received an Invitation to chair the Annual General Meeting of Association of Local
Democracy Agencies held in Malfacone, Italy.
David Mayer, representing Newport Kutaisi Association, was nominated to attend and he
agreed to chair the meeting.
Visit by Eka Topuria, Head of Department and Zinaida Chachanidze, teachers from the
English Studies Department of Akaki Tsereteli State University. They were hosted by
University of Wales, Newport’s Education Department. Whilst in Newport they travelled
to Liverpool with Education staff to present a joint paper at a conference held at
Liverpool University.
A reception to meet with members of NKA and University staff was held in the Board
Room of the University’s Caerleon Campus.
September - October
Koba Lomidze stayed in Newport following the fire fighters’ visit to again act as
interpreter but for Levan, representative of the Orthodox Church of Kutaisi. He was
invited to Newport as the guest of St Woolos, Newport Cathedral. This followed from the
visit made by the Newport Cathedral delegation earlier in the year.
Fund raising ACTION FOR KUTAISI 
The Mayor of Newport, Cllr. Noel Trigg, joint President of the Newport Kutaisi Twinning
Association, headed a fundraising* initiative to provide aid for the Internally Displace
Persons (IDPs) that fled to Kutaisi after the Russian incursion in August.
Go to webpage
NKA would like to thank all donors for their generosity in contributing to the fund.
*By January 2009 a sum of £1,444.28 was eventually raised and contributed to the cost of installing heaters in the new accommodation established for the homeless refugees still remaining in Kutaisi. The Association of Local Democracy Agency added a further sum of 1,000 Euros to NKA’s final total.
August
• NKA received this report from Ioseb Khakhaleishvili - Local Democracy Agency Kutaisi
‘In the last couple of weeks the situation in Georgia has dramatically changed. Currently Georgia is in state of war.
In violation of the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, the Russian Federation has used force against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia, forcing Georgia to act in self-defence in accordance with requirements given in article 51 of the UN Charter’.
• By the end of August events were calmer. The improved situation allowed 5 fight fighters from Kutaisi, Gia Razhadze; Zurab Tsertsvadze; Kakhaber Mumladze; Grogoli Bregadze; Besiki Nebrieridze with Koba Lomidze, acting as interpreter, to come to Newport to undertake an intensive training programme organised by the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service headed by Deputy Chief Fire Officer Kevin Barry.
June
• Three consultant doctors from Gwent Health Trust, Dr. John Davies, Dr. Brian Stephenson, and Dr. Stephen Hunter travelled to Kutaisi under the auspices of the Newport Kutaisi Association. They met staff of city hospitals & clinics and were interested to see how future medical links could be established between Newport & Kutaisi. They and NKA members were indebted to KNIA and their members for the support given in organising a wide and challenging programme. Go to story
Social Event
• A very successful wine tasting evening was held at the Conservatory, Belle Vue Park, Newport. A talk was given and wine offered for tasting by Leicester wine merchant, Simon March.
Go to story
May
• Drs Shirley Egley, Lynne Foulston and Caroline McLachlan, Education Department staff from University of Wales, Newport visited Akaki Tsereteli State University, Kutaisi to deliver seminars & lectures on developing language skills & confidence of both teachers & students in the learning of English as a foreign language. Later in the year it is planned for staff from Kutaisi to visit Newport.
April
• Visit by Professor Giorgi Oniani, Rector and Professor David Gegechkori, Head of International Affairs both of Kutaisi State University to University Of Newport, Wales to sign a Memorandum of Understanding confirming the long established links that have existed between the two Universities of Kutaisi Newport. They had the opportunity to see the facilities and speak to staff of the University.
• A visit to Kutaisi was made by a delegation from St Woolos Cathedral, Newport that included:
Rev. Fr. Mark Soady – Minor Canon
Catherine Hayman – Cathedral Warden
Brian Cox – Cathedral Administrator
As guests of KNIA they enjoyed a wide and varied programme making a visit to Bagrati, Gelati and other places of great interest as well as meeting with members of the religious orthodox group of Kutaisi.
Social Event
• Another interesting talk this time given by Tony Anderson called ‘A Cultural Journey through Georgia’ took place in the Conservatory, Belle Vue Park, Newport and was well attended.
March
• Vika Pochkura successfully gained a M.Sc. in English & IT at University of Wales, Newport, under the agreement drawn up under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Universities of Kutaisi & Newport
February
Social Event
• Walking in Georgia: an interesting talk given by Peter Naysmith, well known as a photographer, a walker, Tbilisi bookshop owner & author. The event took place at the University of Wales Newport. Members travelled later in the week to view an exhibition of his own photographs showing in Bristol’s Grant Bradley gallery called, ‘Different City – 20 Years of Tbilisi’.
December
 A presentation & dedication of the icon of St Luke in St Woolos Cathedral Newport took place. Service conducted by Dr & Fr Mark Soady and attended by members of Newport Kutaisi Association, the congregation and friends.
Issue of Arielonline
November
 14 November - Georgian Studies Day held at the University of Westminster on. See report NKA represented by Catherine Philpott, Claire Watkins, Cllr. David Mayer & Veronika Pochkhua. Report on NKA activities given by Catherine Philpott and supported by Antonella Valdmorbida Director Association of Local Democracy Agencies.
Issue of Arielonline
Carolyn Murphy joins NKA committee as representative of University Wales Newport
September
4 September - Presentation to Mayor of Newport Cllr. Alan Morris of civic exchange gifts from the Mayor of Kutaisi following NKA visit to Kutaisi in May.
David Megrelishvili gained his Masters Degree in BMA from University Wales Newport
Social events:
Informal visit to Newport by Kutaisi Newport International Association member Dr. Maggie Mandaria.
NKA members invited to Gwerinwyr Gwent buffet and social evening with Heindenheim Schwazbische Trachtengruppe:
NKA members attended a Georgian Evening organised by Bristol Tbilisi Association.
July
Catherine Philpott Chair and Penny Lloyd Evans NCC Social Services Training Manager attended reception at Georgian Embassy as guests of HM Ambassador to meet members of Georgian government and representatives of EveryChild NGO.
June
3 June - NKA members attended ‘Feast’ at the Millennium Centre Cardiff. This was a community project led by the Welsh National Opera where the public had previously been invited to join members of the WNO in forming a choir to learn and perform Georgian songs.
May
2 May - Wine and Cheese evening for NKA at the Mansion House hosted by the Mayor of Newport Cllr. Miqdad Al-nuaimi and his wife Lindsay. This event raised funds for the photographic project covering Child Welfare in Kutaisi.
Visit to Kutaisi by members of Newport Kutaisi Association.
Derek Butler, Sylvia & Colin Mason and Liz Luck.
April
Association of Local Democracy Agencies meeting in Strasbourg with the partners of Georgia LDA. Cllr.David Mayer attended on behalf of Newport City Council. Newport accepted the position of lead partner.
March
Visit to Kutaisi by Photojournalist Onnik Krikorian to cover the work being done by the Child Welfare team in Kutaisi Social Services.
February
28 Feb - Talk by Dr. Manana Vickers on Christian Images in Georgian art attended by NKA members & friends. This event raised funds for the photographic project covering Child Welfare in Kutaisi.
January
3rd January - Members of NKA attended the funeral of Dorothy Summers, widow of Reverend Cyril Summers, one of the founding members of NKA. (NKA
Founded August 1989)
Talk givenbyArchimandrite Father Deiniol, of the Wales Orthodox Mission at St Woolos Cathedral on the spiritual and liturgical significance of icons in the Christian Orthodox tradition.
December
 Georgian
Studies Day held at the University of Westminster on December 4th.
NKA represented
by Catherine Philpott, Vera Brown, Sylvia Mason & Veronika
Pochkhua). Report on NKA activities delivered.
November
Launch of NKA’s first newsletter ARIELonline
An evening talk given on the 9th November by the leading Georgian archaeologist
Dr. Darejan Kacharava on her work in VANI Georgia at The National Roman Legionary
Museum, Caerleon.
October
 LDA
Meeting held in the Newport Civic Centre on the 6th October & opened
by the Mayor of Newport Cllr. Miqdad Al-nuaimi
Representatives attending:
ALDA:
Antonella Valmorbida (Director of ALDA)
Joseph (Soso) Khakhaleishvili the newly appointed delegate of Kutaisi’s
Local Democracy Agency
Chiara Valdesolo (Monfalcone Italy)
Drago Djekovic (LGIB)
NCC: Cllr David Mayer
Clare Evans NCC European Affairs Officer
Sarah Armstrong NCC Dept. European Affairs
NKA: Catherine Philpott and Bernard Tyson
September
 Opening
of the first Local Democracy Agency in the Caucasus, Kutaisi, 8th
September
Arrival of postgraduate student Veronika Pochkhua from Kutaisi State University
to study for an MSc. in the IT Management at University of Wales, Newport under
the Memorandum of Understanding.
June
 Arrival in Newport on the 2nd June of five key social workers in Child Welfare
from the city of Kutaisi to take part in a 9 day training programme organised
by Newport City Social Services Training Team.
Newport Kutaisi Association. AGM.
Launch of NKA Website.
May
Lecture at Jesus College, Oxford on the 13th May given for Association members
and friends by Professor Michael Vickers on excavations at Pichvnari in Georgia.
He also received a copy of a Georgian English dictionary on behalf of the Bodleian
Library
April
A Georgian-English Dictionary was presented to Geoff Edge, the Pro
Vice Chancellor of University
of Wales Newport for the University’s library by Bernard
Tyson on behalf of Professor M. Megrelishvili KNITA. Another
copy was presented
to the British
Library.
.
February
Local Democracy Agency in Georgia – LDA
Bernard Tyson, representing NKA, attended meeting in Bristol to start negotiations
for the establishment in Kutaisi of the first LDA office in Georgia.
December
Social Evening & illustrated talk on Georgian Music by Michael Bloom
held at Fwrrwm in Caerleon, Newport.
November
Representatives of NKA attend Georgian Studies Day at the Commonwealth Institute
in London. Bernard Tyson NKA Chair gave an update on the twinning affairs in
Newport.
October
Honorary Degree from KSU conferred by the Mayor of Newport on Geoff
Edge, Vice Pro Chancellor of University of Wales Newport, in recognition
of his personal
support for the development of Higher Education in Kutaisi.
September
Presentation made by EveryChild Aid Agency at a public meeting held in
University Of Wales Newport by NKA & attended by the Mayor of Newport,
representatives of Newport Social Services and members of Newport International
Soroptimists.
This followed from the initial visit to Kutaisi by members in April
Arrival of Georgian postgraduate student Vitali Simsiv to study at University
of Wales Newport under the Memorandum of Understanding with KSU an MA in
Information Technology & English.
April
Visit by three representatives of NKA to Kutaisi.
Aims:
Catherine Philpott and Sonia Fisher to establish links with EveryChild
Aid Agency staff & to hear of their work in Kutaisi on a pilot project
concerning children in care.
Sonia Fisher to establish a link with the Soroptimists International
group in Kutaisi in order to form a partnership plan with them & Newport & District
International Soroptimists organisation
Michael Singleton visited to teach in the English Studies Dept of Kutaisi
State University.
January
Issue of the journal Ariel 9 published. CD sent to Kutaisi to allow
for local printing
November
Georgian Studies Day held for the first time in Newport
October
NKA Chair Bernard Tyson as delegate to meeting in Georgia with Association
of Local Democracy Agencies/Council of Europe to discus possibility
of opening the
first Georgian LDA office in Kutaisi.
September
Establishment of Young Writers’ award sponsored by NKA
.
 Mariam
Melkadze awarded MA degree from University of Wales Newport
in Information Technology & Media.
July
Welsh National Eisteddfod opened in Newport and attended by representatives
of Kutaisi local & regional government together with members
of Kutaisi Newport International Association
Issue of Ariel 8 published
January - March
Hospital Equipment
Equipment delivered to Kutaisi hospital
December
Ariel 7 published
September
David Megrelishvili commenced his MBA studies. Maka Melkadze continues
her studies till February 2004. She has successfully gained
employment in the offices
of
a large Newport firm of architects. This will continue throughout
the duration of her studies.
May
University of Wales College Newport
Memorandum of Understanding on the Kutaisi Scholarship Programme
was set out in collaboration with University of Wales College
Newport,
the Association
and KNITA. This is to provide a framework for a three–year
programme. It sets down the different roles of the three collaborating
organisations
in an open
method for the selection and support of students from Kutaisi
studying at University of Wales College Newport.
.
Hospital Equipment
Royal Gwent agreed to help a Kutaisi clinic by supplying
them with equipment they no longer needed. The Association,
through Bernard
Tyson, supported
this offer of help by arranging and co-ordinating the packing & transportation.
April
Ariel 6 published
October
Ariel 5 published
University of Wales College Newport
Maka Melkadze commenced an MA course in Information Technology & Media.
Newport Soroptimists
A joint meeting with dinner to listen to the experiences
of the work of Dr Kay Richmond with the Red Cross in Georgia.
NKA join the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations
The Museum display of Georgian artefacts continues to be
updated
June
A civic delegation led by Kutaisi’s Mayor Mr. Ramaz Mkheidze and Professor
Madonna Megrelishvili together with other members of KNITA came to celebrate
the Twinning Association’s ten-year span. The visit coincided with that
of Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Newport as part of her
Golden Jubilee celebrations. Her Majesty conferred city status
on Newport,
thus giving
equal status to that of Kutaisi.
David Mindiashevili ended his course of studies at University
of Wales College Newport.
April
Ariel 5 published
Two editions of the sister journal Land of Colchi published
in Kutaisi were circulated here.
Contributions made in each other’s journals by supporters
of the twinning programme. Each publication sets out to give
an overview,
personal
comment
and observations on the culture, life and times of each country.
December
Ariel 3 published
Professor Kenneth Overshott, longstanding friend and supporter
of the NKTA retired from his position as Principal at University
of Wales
College Newport.
The new
principal, Professor James Lusty expressed his interest in
NKTA and has stated his wish to continue the support given
by his predecessors
November
Georgian Studies Day Guildhall London
NKA Chair, Bernard Tyson spoke on the work of NKA in recent
years. These occasions provide a good opportunity to make
contact with other
organisations
that are
associated with Georgian affairs.
September
A ceremony celebrating the 10 years Rosemary Butler gave
as Chair of the Association took place attended by the Association’s
president, the Mayor Cllr Graham Daly.
The Newport Council decision to invite a civic delegation
from Kutaisi to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the twinning
resulted in an invitation
being sent in
May to the Governor of the Imereti Region and the Mayor of
Kutaisi. The Association sent a similar invitation to KNITA.
The establishment of a permanent museum display case of Georgian
artefacts and other material promoting the work of the Association.
David Mindiashvili commenced a year of study at University
of Wales College Newport
Visit by Maka Melkadze to spend 8 weeks shadowing staff in
the Urban Development & Planning
Departments in the Civic Centre in Newport. She attended an interview
for a place at University of Wales College Newport for a postgraduate
course
to start
next
year.
April
Ariel 4 published
March
University of Wales College Newport
Visit to Kutaisi for the final Dissemination Conference of
the TEMPIS TACIS project with Kutaisi State University
attended by staff John
Roberts -
project co-ordinator
and Paul Relf - European Officer.
October
First publication of the NKA journal Ariel 1. To celebrate
the twinning of Newport and Kutaisi edited by Catherine
Philpott & Mike
Singleton.
July
The Rector of Kutaisi State University, Adtandil Nikoleishvili
made a visit to University of Wales College Newport.
The TACIS project between University of Wales College Newport
and Kutaisi State University continued. A programme of
visits to Georgia
by UWCN
staff took place
during the year one coinciding with KSU’s first Awards
Convocation ceremony held for English graduates
June
Georgian Studies Day – Lloyds Building London –
Brian Adcock Director of Development & Transport for NBC addressed
the meeting outlining the TACIS project
April
Association Visit to Kutaisi -
Nine members of the Association visited Kutaisi to celebrate
the 10th Anniversary of the twinning agreement. The Mayor
of Newport,
Fred Sweeting and a council
officer, Alf Ropke also visited at the same time. The Mayor
formally opened ‘Newport
Street’ in Kutaisi in honour of the occasion.
University of Wales College Newport
Honorary Professorship awarded to Dr Ken Overshott Principal
of UWCN in recognition of his personal support for the
development of Higher
Education
in Kutaisi.
Final instalment of grant money was made to Georgian music
student Patti Jinjikhadze.1999
July
Nikolas Okreshidze successfully completed his MSc degree
and returned to Kutaisi to take up an appointment with
the Rioni Hydro-Power Station.
April-May
Three Kutaisi students stayed in Newport for 2-3 months
studying on an intensive language course at the Charles
Street Education
Centre.
1998
This year saw further developments:
•
Links were established between the Kutaisi State Museum of History and Culture
and Newport Museum & Art Gallery. Exchange visits
were made and a four-year development project set up
to further cultural
understanding.
• Visit by NKTA member Catherine Philpott to the English Studies Department
to deliver lectures to staff and students. She, together
with Derek Butler ARCA, was honoured by being elected Honorary Professors of
the Kutaisi
State
University.
• Kutaisi rugby coaches visited Newport for one month to study training
techniques with the Newport Rugby Club.
• Ties between the Universities of Newport and Kutaisi were further strengthened
by the establishment, of the TEMPUS project with European
aid of 200,000 Euros. This is a scheme to help reorganise and enhance the management
of
the K.S.U.
Media & Communication
Both Associations in Kutaisi and Newport regularly produce newsletters
that cover in detail the events that have taken place.
Within the British press, articles are written covering Georgian
affairs and are collected and distributed among Newport’s Association members. Newport
Museum staff member, Dr. Kate Hunter had her report of her visit to the Kutaisi
State Museum published in an issue of the international magazine “The Museum
Journal”.
The Newport Kutaisi Association provides books, audio
and video-cassettes for the schools, lycées and Universities of Kutaisi. Through the Association
both universities receive the “International Guardian” newspaper.
The English Studies Department has a variety of journals
e.g. Reading; Journal Research in Reading; Past Times;
Lasting Memories and Transitions
delivered
to them.
An accredited language course suitable for young students
from Kutaisi at Newport Community Education Centre was
been established providing
students from Georgia
with an opportunity to improve language skills and gain
first hand experience of life in Britain.
On the initiative of the Newport Council an area has
been set aside for a large mosaic pavement depicting
a map showing
the
sites of
Newport’s twinned
cities. Kutaisi is shown here, represented by the Association’s logo, designed
by Derek Butler. One of the main streets in the centre of Kutaisi is now named ‘Newport
Street’ and Newport in turn is looking for a suitable
major area that will commemorate Kutaisi.
The Ambassador of Great Britain in Georgia, Mr Stephen
Nash and each of his successors, has become aware of the
links
with Newport during
their
visits
to Kutaisi. Each
have expressed great interest in the work being done and
have always been ready to offer their support.
The members of the Newport Association have received the
Georgian Ambassador in London Mr Teimuraz Mamatsashvili
and his staff. He, too, was greatly
impressed by the links that had been forged and the cordial
relations that exist between
the Georgian Embassy and the Association when meetings
have taken place on Georgian Study Days that take place
annually
in London.
Mr James Beadle, an officer of the Local Government International
Bureau in London and Director of the ‘Know How Fund’ Technical Links scheme, was so
impressed by the NKA activities that he observed that the friendship between
Kutaisi and Newport should become an “…international model of twinning
from which others could learn…….”.
A new style and tradition was established with the help
of Catherine Philpott during her period working in Kutaisi.
In discussion
with the lecturer in
Fashion from the Arts Lycée, Maka Kakhidze, she
advised on a new style of gown to be worn at graduation
ceremonies. The
English
Department
was the
first to
hold a degree ceremony wearing the new gowns.
Rosemary Butler, by now Assembly Member of Wales and
Minister responsible for Children’s Education in
Wales, was made an Honorary Citizen of Kutaisi for her
work in establishing the
strong cultural, educational
and
business
links between Newport and Kutaisi over the past ten years.
Her letter thanking the
Mayor and the Association was published in the newspapers
and broadcast on Georgian TV.
1997
Young pianists from Kutaisi had previously participated
in the Newport International Competition for Young Pianists
Nos. V,
VI & VII
for which they were awarded a diploma in each of these years.
They also gave
concerts
in Tredegar House.
Patti Jinjikhadze was awarded $1000 by the Newport-Kutaisi
Twinning Association to further her music studies in
Tbilisi.
A second project, that of an energy and development programme
supervised by the University of Wales College Newport,
developed from an initial
exchange of technical
and scientific staff of the universities.
Nikolas Okreshidze came to UWCN to study for a MSc in
Electrical Engineering.
1996
An exhibition of Georgian handcrafts and jewellery was organised in Newport
Museum & Art Gallery.
Poetry readings and lectures on Georgian literature were a great success.
Over the ten years there has been an ever-growing collaboration between
Newport and Kutaisi in the economic sphere. A number of agencies from
both the public and private sectors based in Newport and Cardiff came
together under the Newport Borough Council to prepare and implement a
technical assistance programme for small business initiatives. The European
Community provided 1.5 million Euros for this purpose and a TACIS office
was set up in Kutaisi. With this assistance 19 heads of Kutaisi enterprises
were sent on study visits to South Wales.
Gia Xhenti came to take a one-year’s course in Business Studies
and Computers.
New and successful initiatives were established which involved visits
being made to Newport by:
• Sportsmen
• Kutaisi teachers of English
• Staff from Kutaisi Police Force
•
Representatives of Tourism & Hotel Management
• Doctors
• Students on Business Management Course
Return visits to Kutaisi were made by representatives from:
• University of Wales College Newport
• Gwent Health Service
• Newport Transport Department
• Welsh Tourist Board
• Education
As well as harpist & singer Moira Lewis
1995
 Members of the Newport Council and the Newport-Kutaisi Twinning Association
with Harry Jones, the Council Leader, attended the celebration of the
1000th Anniversary of the establishment of the State of Georgia and the
proclamation of Kutaisi as its capital.
The Newport-Kutaisi Twinning Association donated $1000 to the Bagrati
Cathedral Foundation after the cathedral and its environs were designated
as a World Heritage site.
Video equipment was presented to the English Studies Dept of Kutaisi
State University and the Newport Council presented fax and computer equipment
to the Mayor’s office. The Royal Gwent Hospital supplied new medical
supplies and equipment to Kutaisi Clinical Hospital.
1994
January - December initiative completed.
March The European Action Plan for Georgia under the TACIS programme
was ratified by the Council of Ministers. The Action Plan contained proposals
for:
• Establishment of an SME Development Agency for Kutaisi in
co-operation with the locally based association of new entrepreneurs.
• Establishment of a business Communication Centre involving the setting
up of computerised database facilities and communication links with Western
European and other foreign markets.
The approved project cost was 1.8 million Euros (£1.4 million)
over a 2-year period.
Following invitation of tenders by the European TACIS Managers, the delivery
of the project was awarded to a partnership between Cardiff and Vale
Enterprise International and NICO of Northern Ireland. Newport Borough
Council participated as technical advisors in the implementation process.
NB The project was delivered during the 2-year period April 1995 to April
1997, extended to July 1997.1993
TACIS Project for support in Kutaisi
Newport Borough Council prepared a Technical Assistance Programme for
Kutaisi for submission to Brussels and Georgia. It contained three components:
• Business and Enterprise Support
• Agriculture production and distribution
• Human and democratic resources
December
The TACIS Manager for the Enterprise Support arranged for a
consultancy study (selected from Greece) to draw up a detailed specification
for an SME Development Agency.
September Brian Adcock visited TACIS Managers in Brussels together with
technical experts from South Wales to present the proposals and establish
how best to take them forward.
1992
The children’s folklore troupe “Imedi” took part in
the Ebbw Vale Garden Festival and performed in Newport before a large
audience.
The paintings left in Newport by the artists from the previous year were
shown at the Newport Museum and Art Gallery.
1991
Visit to Kutaisi by Cllr. Rosemary and Derek Butler.
Organised by Caroline McLachlan, a party of children from Kutaisi made
a first time visit to Newport staying with host families. This initiative
led to the very first links that were made over the following years between
the people of Kutaisi and Newport.
Three of Kutaisi’s most prestigious artists visited Newport. Their
paintings were shown in the Gwent College of Higher Education where they
gave a lecture to the students and visited galleries in London and South
Wales.
Dimitri Kopaliani came to the Gwent College of Higher Education to take
a course in Business Studies & Computers.
1990
The Principal of the Gwent College of Higher Education, together with
a group of artists from its Faculty of Art and a representative from
the South East Wales Arts Association, visited Kutaisi to take part in
an International Plenary Session.
A month later a group representing Newport’s church leaders and
journalists, together with Newport’s Director of Housing, a representative
of the Townswomen’s Guild, a specialist in teaching adult literacy
and the President of the Newport branch of the Women’s League for
Peace and Freedom were hosted in Kutaisi.
1989
October
A return visit was made in to Newport of a civic party led by the
Mayor of Kutaisi, Mr. Teimuraz Shashiashvili, in order to confirm
the Agreement.
The party included Professor Madonna Megrelishvili and other distinguished
dignitaries.
 August 1989
The inaugural visit to Kutaisi of a civic party led by the Mayor of
Newport, Rosemary Butler that included the Leader and the Deputy Leader
of Newport
Borough Council and the Chief Executive. A formal signing of a Twinning
Agreement between the City of Kutaisi and the town of Newport in South
Wales took place.Catherine
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