The grant competitions announced within the framework of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ programs “Be Your Country’s Young Ambassador,” “Support for Diaspora Initiatives,” and “Support for Georgian Dance and Song Ensembles Abroad” have been successfully concluded.
The competition commission—composed of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Administration of the President of Georgia, the Parliament’s Committee on Diaspora and Caucasus Issues, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia, the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, the Youth Agency (a legal entity of public law), and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD)—evaluated the action plans, program descriptions, and budget documentation submitted by applicants. In selecting the winners, the commission paid particular attention to candidates’ motivation, their prior experience in diaspora activities, and their knowledge of the MFA’s programs, Georgia, and the host country.
Support for Diaspora Initiatives
Out of 56 applications submitted, the competition commission selected 20 winners:
United States of America
Irma Gvilia — “Georgian Days in Southern California”
Manuchar Pirveli — “Four Interviews for the History of the Country”
Sofiko Jajanashvili — “Diaspora Diplomacy” and “Masterclasses by Georgian Doctors Abroad”
Paata Tskhvaradze — “Georgian Music in New York”
Federal Republic of Germany
Manana Tandashvili — “My Knight in the Panther’s Skin”
Nino Khalvashi-Wirth — “Georgian Cultural Days in Frankfurt”
Lela Svanadze — “Abkhazeuli – Abkhazian”
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Natia Mikava — “Georgian Film Beyond Borders”
Kingdom of Spain
Nino Mskhiladze — “Georgian Cultural Days in Barcelona”
State of Israel
David Alon — “DIASPORA-TV”
Italian Republic
Dodo Bratulich — “Informing the Georgian Diaspora in Italy on Migration Legislation through a Guidebook and Information Bulletins”
Salome Bregvadze — “The Georgian Alphabet, Calligraphy, and Historical Inscriptions”
Malta
Maka Lashkhi — “Georgian Library in Malta: A Cultural Record of the Past and Present”
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Tinatin Svanidze — “Georgia Days in the Netherlands”
Baia Akhvlediani — “Atinati” Georgian Amateur Theatre in the Netherlands – A New Performance
Hellenic Republic
Giorgi Janelidze — “Bilingual (Georgian–Greek) Information Brochure with Maps: Georgia’s Tourism Potential”
Khatuna Kharsaulidze — “Sunny Heart” – Week Dedicated to Nodar Dumbadze
Ketevan Gongladze — “Georgian–Greek Friendship Alley in Thessaloniki”
French Republic
Salome Berekashvili — “Georgian Treasures in France”
Republic of Uzbekistan
Tamar Gigashvili — “Friendship”
Be Your Country’s Young Ambassador
Out of 44 applications submitted, 17 winners were selected:
Davit Shatakishvili — USA
Aleksandre Kizikurashvili — Kingdom of Belgium
Tamar Chomakhidze — Federal Republic of Germany
Shota Mikautadze — Kingdom of Spain
Giorgi Khoridze — Republic of Estonia
Sofiko Bzarashvili — Republic of Türkiye
Mariam Gedevanishvili — Japan
Tamar Meskhishvili — Republic of Ireland
Bela Ugrekhelidze — Italian Republic
Nikoloz Imnadze — Canada
Ana Mamaladze — Republic of Latvia
Tamta Pantsulaia — Republic of Lithuania
Mariam Mikiashvili — Kingdom of the Netherlands
Tornike Tsirekidze — Republic of Poland
Mariam Kebadze — Hungary
Sofiko Topuria — Czech Republic
Tamar Kvivilidze — People’s Republic of China
Support for Georgian Dance and Song Ensembles Abroad
Out of 19 applications submitted, 16 winners were selected:
Republic of Azerbaijan
Aluda Janashvili — Children’s Folklore Ensemble “Kurmukhi”
Lasha Aslamazashvili — Ensemble “Fesvebi / Roots”
United States of America
Salome Bibineishvili — Children’s Choreographic Ensemble “Khandzteli”
Federal Republic of Germany
Giorgi Nozadze — Dance and Song Ensemble “Golden Fleece”
Kingdom of Spain
Marine Zhizhishvili — Folklore Song and Dance Ensemble “Iberia”
Marika Kurasbediani — Ensemble “Guride”
Veriko Gergedava — Georgian Dance Ensemble “Zekari”
Republic of Türkiye
Yavuz Zekeria — Ensemble “Kafder”
Republic of Ireland
Lasha Sabashvili — Georgian Folk Dance Ensemble “National Rhythms of Georgia”
State of Israel
Mikheil Baramashvili — Georgian Folk Song and Dance Ensemble “Fesvebi / Roots”
Italian Republic
Khatuna Kaptselashvili — Georgian Folk Choreographic Ensemble “Georgia”
Russian Federation
Sofiko Liparteliani — Georgian Dance Ensemble “Sikharuli / Joy” named after Jano Liparteliani
Kristine Veshapidze — Choreographic Ensemble “Kavkasia”
French Republic
Tsira Kiria — Georgian Dance Ensemble “Lazi”
Lela Frangishvili — Georgian Folk Dance and Song Ensemble “Iberni”
Kingdom of Sweden
Beka Tamazashvili — Georgian Folk Song and Chant Ensemble “Alilo”
It is noteworthy that these programs aim to strengthen the ties of the Georgian diaspora with their homeland, promote Georgia and Georgian culture abroad, support activities aligned with the country’s national interests and European integration, preserve national identity and cultural heritage among compatriots abroad, and expand the circle of Georgia’s young foreign friends. To this end, the winners will, over the course of the year, implement a wide variety of cultural, creative, sports, educational, and other initiatives in their respective host countries.