Maestro Usui TOSHIKI: "I am absorbing the beautiful sounds from Georgia like oxygen"

19.03.2025 (Caucasian Journal). The Caucasian Journal is honored to welcome Maestro Usui TOSHIKI, an internationally acclaimed Japanese pianist often described as a "cultural bridge" between Japan and Georgia. Beyond his virtuosic performances, Usui serves as general manager of the Yokohama and Omi Sinfoniettas.

Alexander KAFFKA, editor-in-chief of Caucasian Journal:  Dear Usui-san, welcome to Caucasian Journal. First of all, I must say that I attended your performance in Tbilisi last year and became your fan. Thank you for your art! I was intrigued, however, to learn you are an honorary citizen of Sighnaghi, a small but extremely picturesque town in Eastern Georgia. Can you share the story behind this connection, to start our conversation?

Usui TOSHIKI: Thank you very much. It has been almost 10 years since I first visited Georgia. During my second visit, I went to the city of Sighnaghi. My first impression of it was that it was a perfect city, with traditional architecture, rich nature, and wonderful wine and food. Since then, every time I visit Georgia, I have had wonderful times visiting many wineries in Sighnaghi and holding concerts. 

Video: Watch our international Nordic Talk on education

26.02.2025 (Caucasian Journal). Last month, the Caucasian Journal hosted our third Nordic Talk, engaging participants from Armenia, Georgia, and the Nordic countries. You can learn more about the event here. We are now pleased to share the final video, available in English with Georgian and Armenian subtitles. 

The video is divided into two parts: Part 1 focuses on inclusive primary education, and Part 2 covers higher and professional education.

▶ ქართულად: Videos subtitled in Georgian are here.

▶ Հայերեն: Videos subtitled in Armenian are here.

What is a Nordic Talk? It is a series of live talks and podcasts addressing the biggest global challenges, organized internationally with the support of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

This Nordic Talk discussed how to benefit from the experience of Nordic partners in the field of education, focusing on the highly successful Nordic education model. As Georgia and Armenia take steps towards closer European integration, the importance of Western education models continues to grow. Georgia and Armenia have cooperated with Nordic countries, including in education. We examined the cooperation projects involving the Nordic countries, Georgia, and Armenia as case studies.

The discussion is now available in original (see below) and with subtitles in Armenian and Georgian.

To be the first to view all our exclusive video interviews, please subscribe here to our YouTube Channel.

Toyota: Weaving the Future from Mount Fuji to the Caucasus

30.01.2025 (Caucasian Journal). In the summer of 2019, the Caucasian Journal was excited to publish a detailed article about a groundbreaking plan to start producing the first electric cars in the Caucasus region. The first Georgia-made electric vehicles (EVs) were expected to roll out of the plant in Kutaisi in December 2019, but unfortunately, this did not happen. Since then, environmental challenges in our region and potential "green" solutions have remained a priority for us.

Meanwhile, the environmental situation in the region has continued to deteriorate, primarily due to the growing automotive fleet. The transport sector is the largest source of CO2 emissions, accounting for 40 percent of total energy-related CO2 emissions, according to a recent report of the International Energy Agency. 

Toyota Woven City. Image: Toyota

The Georgia Alliance for Safe Roads, a non-governmental organization, has emphasized that the issue extends beyond fuel distribution and poses risks to human health. It seems vital to shift to less carbon-intensive modes of transport, particularly electric and other alternatively powered vehicles.

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

Can Technology Help?

What alternatives do Georgia—and the South Caucasus in general—have in the near future to improve the environment and ensure healthier conditions for its people? 

Inger ENKVIST: “We have for a long time lived on the results of our past very high educational standards” (watch video or read)

27.01.2025 (Caucasian Journal). Is it possible to "import" the Nordic education model? What are the strengths and weaknesses of European education? How does EU membership affect national education policies? 

These are some of the questions that we are discussing today with Inger ENKVIST, Professor Emerita from the Lund University in Sweden. Professor Enkvist is a distinguished Swedish educator and writer, one of the most renowned commentators on education policies, and an expert in Spanish literature. 

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

To be the first to view exclusive interviews, please subscribe here to our YouTube Channel

The full text version of the interview is below:

Nordic Education Cooperation with Georgia & Armenia: A new Nordic Talk by Caucasian Journal

15.01.2025 (Caucasian Journal). Since its inception in 2019, our journal has placed a strong emphasis on the education sector. As Georgia and Armenia take steps towards closer European integration, the importance of Western education models continues to grow. This time, we aim to explore Nordic education by examining cooperation projects involving the Nordic countries, Georgia, and Armenia as case studies. This is the focus of our upcoming Nordic Talk—a free online discussion scheduled for January 23 and 24. 

You are welcome to join our two Zoom sessions (invite links are provided below).

Previously, our journal successfully organized the first Georgia-Norway Nordic Talk in 2021, focusing on university education in clean energy, and another in 2022 involving Georgia, Armenia, Norway, and Sweden on waste management. 

Our new Nordic Talk will consist of two Zoom sessions with open attendance:

How to Make Maximum of Nordic Experience in Education? Case of Nordic Cooperation with Georgia and Armenia

Talk I: Primary education, with a focus on inclusivity.

January 23, 13:30 Tbilisi and Yerevan time /  10:30 Oslo and Stockholm time

How to attend:   Zoom link; Facebook event link

Luigi FASSI: "The Georgian art is gaining visibility at a European level"

❄ Wishing our readers a joyous holiday season ❄ 

25.12.2024. (Caucasian Journal)  From time to time the Caucasian Journal highlights the contemporary art scene, particularly visual arts. Our focus is consistently tied to the South Caucasus region and its connections to the global art community. How well-known are Georgian artists in Europe? Are Georgians finding it easier to connect with European audiences?

Today, we are pleased to welcome a very special guest who can offer insights from the perspective of European curators: Luigi FASSI, Director of Artissima, Italy’s largest international contemporary art fair, which has been held in Turin since 1994. The most recent Artissima, which took place last month, featured participation from Georgia.

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

▶ Հայերեն: The Armenian version is here.

Alexander KAFFKA, editor-in-chief of Caucasian Journal: Welcome to Caucasian Journal! Can you provide us with some examples of contemporary Georgian art you are familiar with?

Jens-Hinrich BINDER: “New European member states accede to a state-of-the-art set of financial regulations” (watch video or read)

17.12.2024 (Caucasian Journal). It's a pleasure for us today to welcome Jens-Hinrich BINDER, Professor of Law at Eberhard Karls University in Tübingen (Germany), where he holds a chair in Private, Commercial and Corporate Law. 

It's a rare opportunity to discuss European financial regulation and its relevance to the general public in EU candidate countries.

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

▶ Հայերեն: The Armenian version is here.

To be the first to view exclusive interviews, please subscribe here to our YouTube Channel

The full text version of the interview is below:

A Wave of Dissent by Georgia's Elite May Trigger a Domino Effect

01.12.2024 (Caucasian Journal). Georgia's political landscape is witnessing a significant transformation as key institutions and businesses increasingly distance themselves from the ruling regime. Several major organizations, including banks and telecommunications providers, have condemned the government's recent decision to postpone EU accession talks until 2028. President Salome Zourabichvili deemed the parliament illegitimate and proclaimed herself the country’s only legitimate authority. 

Experts warn that this situation could trigger a domino effect that may weaken the regime's foundation.

Key institutions and companies that have expressed dissent include: 

Banking Sector: The Bank of Georgia and TBC Bank, the two largest banks in the country, have publicly expressed their opposition to the government's decision. The statement from the Bank of Georgia emphasizes "For the Bank of Georgia, whose name bears a special weight, there is no alternative to the country’s road towards Eurointegration. On the way to Europe — don’t stop!"

Telecommunications: Magti and Silknet, the leading internet providers, have condemned the government's actions and reaffirmed their commitment to European integration. Silknet condemned the "violence against peaceful protesters," stating, "We believe that Georgia should maintain its constitutional order and remain in the European space. Refusing this path equates to rejecting freedom, progress, and the future." The other major telecom company, Magti, issued a similar statement earlier. 

Ambassador Per EKLUND: "The political culture needs to be developed"

30.10.2024 (Caucasian Journal). Today we are honored to welcome a very special guest: Ambassador Per EKLUND, former EU Ambassador to Georgia, and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Stockholm. 

Ambassador Eklund recently led an international observer delegation to monitor the 2024 Georgian parliamentary elections.

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

▶ Հայերեն: The Armenian version is here.

Alexander KAFFKA, editor-in-chief of Caucasian Journal: Dear Mr. Ambassador, thank you for finding time for this interview. Unlike many international observers, your firsthand experience as a former EU ambassador, coupled with your continued engagement in regional affairs, provides you with a unique perspective on Georgia. How would you summarize your impression of the election and other recent developments?

Per EKLUND: Georgia, now an EU candidate country, did not meet the high expectations the international community had regarding the 2024 elections. Particularly concerning was the pre-election period, which failed to meet fundamental standards for democratic elections. Election observers were discredited, legislation passed was not in line with European standards, and reports of harassment and threats against voters were frequent. With the ruling party dominating the media landscape, having access to administrative resources, and controlling the administration, it was not a level playing field.

Professor Jan KOMÁREK: "Joining the EU does not end the struggle for justice – it only takes different forms"

28.10.2024 (Caucasian Journal). Our guest today is Jan KOMÁREK (Czechia), Professor of EU Law at the University of Copenhagen and Visiting Professor at the Charles University in Prague. 

▶ ქართულად: The Georgian version is here.

Alexander KAFFKA, editor-in-chief of Caucasian Journal: Dear Jan, welcome. We have been looking forward to this interview in particular because of the crucial importance of the legal aspects in the EU integration process.  And, on the other hand, the legal side of things has the most direct impact on the public.

Let's begin with some fundamental questions: What happens to an individual's rights when their country joins the EU? Do people become better protected? What options are available if there is a conflict between national laws and EU laws?

Jan KOMÁREK: Thank you for having me for this interview. But let me correct one premise of your question first: Law does not have such an immediate effect as you suggest. The change is slow and gradual and depends very much on who the people in charge of applying and enforcing the law are. And if a new country joins the EU, these are the same officials as before, responsible for its daily application, whether in the public administration or in courts.