GT Future Journalists Interview First Lady Maka Chichua
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
The Future Journalist competition gives Georgian youth throughout the country the chance to showcase their journalistic skills in three stages, with the ultimate prize a two-week English and Journalism course in the UK this summer. Organized by Georgia Today Education and supported by UK Bridge, the competition aims to discover the best future journalists in Georgia.
The last of three interviews saw the jury-selected under-17s from Telavi and Tbilisi, meeting Georgia’s First Lady, who kindly let them ask her about her thoughts and ideas on a variety of topics.
After the interview, the students wrote up their interviews in their own styles and a jury made up of English language experts and professional journalists and marketers chose one winner, Kakha Davitashvili, who will go through to the final round. See Kakha’s interview below.
Maka Chichua, 47, has been in the center of attention since the day she became the First Lady of Georgia. She graduated from the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, after which she became involved in a range of fields and activities, including music, television and cinema. President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Maka Chichua lived together for five years and once Mr Margvelashvili became the President, the couple decided to marry. They have two young sons together and older children from previous marriages.
What is the personal characteristic you value in yourself and the trait you value in others?
If you like something in yourself, it means that you like something in others, too. And if you like something in others, somehow, you want to find it in yourself too. There are negative and positive sides in every person. I like people who are honest and brave; people who can fight for anything. You must have these traits and skills to take your place in this world. As far as I’m concerned, if you fight for the truth, for your family or country, you must have these traits to succeed.
How did your life change after you became the First Lady?
Actually, my children changed my life more than the change in rank did!
You like acting, painting and music. Will you go back to the arts in future?
I never gave them up! I’ve taken short breaks because of children and work obligations but I’m always involved somehow and have been actively involved in these kinds of activities my whole life long.
Do you share your thoughts about political issues with your husband?
Of course! I’m an active person and I always want to be involved in the things happening in Georgia. I always share my thoughts with Giorgi.
What is the best and worst thing about being the First Lady?
Other people can share their problems with me and I have a chance to help them. That is a good side of my rank. When people present new projects, I like to get involved. I support disabled people and like this theme in particular, as it is still an issue that needs addressing in Georgia. I’m very happy to have so many opportunities to help other people.
As for the worst thing about being First Lady, it’s that everyone is always watching you, analyzing what you wear, how high your heels are, what you say and do. The compliments are good but there are still criticisms!
How do you cope with being a mother and the First Lady?
No idea! Somehow, I manage both together. It can be hard at times because I have three children and I don’t get much time to spend with my daughter. But I know people who have more children and manage! Sometimes I have to divide my responsibilities, but it is still hard.
Did you lose friends once you became so busy with the responsibility of being First Lady?
I don’t have the kind of friends that I would lose by my changing position in life. Nothing has changed about me that would affect them. But the people who have been my friends for years still interact well with me, as they did before I became First Lady.
Why do you think young Georgians choose to go abroad to study rather than stay?
Because they can get a good education abroad. We’re not yet at the Western level here in Georgia. I’d personally like our schools to be like the Finnish ones, and it would be great to have an American education system. I congratulate people who can afford to study abroad. But the truth is that no matter where you are, if you want to learn and succeed, you will. You just have to be determined.
QUESTION FROM RUNNER-UP ANAMARIA LOBJANIDZE
Gender issues are a hot topic in society these days. What message do you have for Georgian women?
I would advise them not to limit themselves. Biologically, women are stronger than men: they are born strong. They should not be scared to cope with life’s difficulties. There are no problems which you can’t solve if you want to. Life may be hard, but you should always walk the right path: for your children and for your country.
By Kakha Davitashvili