30 Years of Bristol-Tbilisi Cultural, Business & Tourism Ties Celebrated in the UK
On September 26-28, a joint delegation of the Embassy of Georgia to the UK and Tbilisi City Hall paid a visit to Bristol, UK, to take part in bilateral meetings and events in the frames of the 30th Anniversary of the Bristol-Tbilisi Twinning celebrations. The main aim of the visit was to further strengthen existing cooperation between the cities in culture, business, tourism, education and innovation and share new experience and best practices in these spheres. The program was organized by Derek Pickup, Georgia’s Honorary Consul in South West England and Chair of the Bristol Tbilisi Association, and Alix Hughes, Bristol Council representative.
Ambassador Tamar Beruchashvili and Senior Counselor of the Embassy Neli Shiolashvili along with the Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi, Sopio Khuntsaria, the Head of Night Economy Development Project Sergi Gvarjaladze, Head of the Department of Economic Development Andria Basilaia and representative of the International Relations Department Nino Beglarishvili participated in the visit.
On September 26, the Georgian delegation was greeted by Jane Oakland and the Guild of Guardians at Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayer of Bristol. Ambassador Beruchashvili and Deputy Mayor Khuntsaria addressed the audience, followed by Georgian wine testing which was presented by Danilo Di Salvo, co-founder of the Georgian wine company ‘Gvino’. A presentation on Georgia was given by Derek Pickup, Georgia’s Honorary Consul.
The Georgian Delegation held intensive three-day meetings with the heads of the following creative industry organizations: 'Destination Bristol' (a Bristol tourism and recreation management company), 'Station/Young Men’s Christian Association' (an organization promoting creative activities among youth), 'Watershed' (a media center), the British Chamber of Commerce, Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery, the Bristol museum 'M Shed', the art center 'Spike Island', the museum 'SS Great Britain Ship', the UK's hub for puppetry and animation 'Puppet Place', Bristol Central Library and the Arts Society South West Area.
In the same period, on 26-30 September, the International Short Film and Animation Festival (‘Encounters Film Festival’) took place in Bristol, where Georgia participated for the first time with 11 short films and animations, presented by the joint delegation of young Georgian directors and the Georgian National Film Center. Georgia held the status of Honorary Guest at this year’s Festival and its films were met with high regard and appreciation from the audience. The Director of the Festival welcomed the Georgian delegation at a special reception at Watershed where exquisite nature of Georgian films was highlighted.
The series of events celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Bristol-Tbilisi Twinning will be continued with a Business Conference to be hosted by Tbilisi City Hall and TBC Bank in Tbilisi on 12 October.
By Katie Ruth Davies