FrontLine Georgia

The “Iron Wall” of Namakhvani

Nino Museridze — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 21:40:24 +0000

On 13 April, protesters clashed with the police in village Gumati. They were demanding lifting the restriction to the freedom of movement in the area. 10 people were detained.
The next day, the police erected an iron wall on the road in Gumati
The photos of the wall were posted on social media, prompting backlash from the public.
Popular singer and author Erekle Deisadze wrote on Facebook that this is a “creeping occupation” by our own government.
The phrase “creeping occupation” is used to characterize Russia’s recent expansionist strategy towards Georgia.
Vakhushti Menabde, a professor of constitutional law at Ilia State University, wrote on Facebook that the wall symbolizes a deep divide in our country. “It symbolically separates those people who are defending the public interest from those who are only motivated by private interests,” said Mr. Menabde.

On 14 April, the activists gathered near the wall, demanding its removal. They started banging on the wall as a sign of protest.
“There is no law that prohibits the act of banging on the wall and generating noise. We call this a people’s noise,” said Varlam Goletiani, one of the leaders of the anti-Namakhvani protest movement.
Writer Naira Gelashvili addressed the public on Wednesday, decrying the actions of the Georgian government. “The Georgian Dream should know that they now exist without any popular support… What they did is treason,” stated Ms. Gelashvili.
On Saturday, Varlam Goletiani said that the police removed the iron wall, but the other barriers are still in place

“Reflections” with Nika Gvaramia – “Media and Ideological Values”

Esma Berikishvili — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 12:03:10 +0000

What changes for the audience and journalists, when the ideological values cross the threshold of the editorial policy of the media? Are such solutions consistent with professional standards?

Discussion with Nika Gvaramia – Chef Executive Officer of Rustavi 2, Former dean of “GIPA” Journalism School – Professor Maia Mikashavidze and BBC journalist Natalia Antelava.

The host of the series of interviews- Nino Japiashvili.

“Reflections” is a part of the Frontline Georgia Club’s project “Open Platform” supported by the US Embassy’s Democracy Commission Small Grants Program.

You can attend the interview on September 21, 19:00.

Lado Asatiani 62.

Documentaries at Frontline Georgia – “Everyday Rebellion” (2014)

Esma Berikishvili — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 10:27:43 +0000

On September 18, Frontline Georgia Club invites you to the screening of 2013 documentary – “Everyday Rebellion”.

Everyday Rebellion is a cross-media documentary about creative forms of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience worldwide.
What does the movement in New York have in common with the Spanish Indignados protests or the Arab Spring? Is there a connection between the struggle of the Iranian democracy movement and the nonviolent uprising in Syria, and what is the link between the Ukrainian topless activists of Femen and an Islamic society like Egypt? And to top it off, what do Serbia and Turkey have to do with all of this?

The reasons for the various people’s uprisings in these countries may be diverse, but the creative nonviolent tactics they use in their struggles are strongly connected. So are the dedicated activists who share these strategies, new ideas and established methods. Everyday Rebellion is a story about the richness of peaceful protest, acted out everyday by passionate people from Spain, Iran, Syria, Ukraine, the USA, the UK and Serbia.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A sessions with the director via skype and discussion.
Moderator of Q&A and discussion: Shota Kincha

The screening / discussion is held with support of London Frontline Club’s International Partner’s Project.

September 18, 17:00
Lado Asatiani 62
Entrance free

The Age of (Dis)information: How Media is Changing

Esma Berikishvili — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 12:34:58 +0000

The internet is rapidly changing our information environment. Media outlets are refocusing efforts on online engagement. As likes, comments and shares attract what advertising dollars remain, media organizations are seeking to involve their audiences in new ways – which in turn has an impact on the news. What’s more, media organizations with political agendas are proving to be talented at encouraging such engagement.

Drawing from original research and examples, this talk reviews how news outlets are adapting distribution methods, manipulating audiences into engagement, and reviews what can and cannot be done to counter disinformation.

Alicia Wanless studies influence and propaganda in a digital age, applying her research to strategic communications campaigns. Alicia’s 15 years of professional experience cover a broad scope of skills that uniquely position her as a propagandist, including work as a security analyst and strategic communications architect. In addition to applied research, Alicia has created and delivered training on managing information in a digital age, including on monitoring, investigating and verifying user generated content and what spreads online. Alicia is currently the Director of Communications with The SecDev Foundation in Ottawa, Canada, and shares her research on influence and propaganda at La Generalista.

The talk is held with support of London Frontline Club’s International Partner’s Project.

September, 17 19:00
Asatiani 62,

Entrance is free

Workshop – Brave New Journalism: User Generated Content in the News & What Spreads Online

Esma Berikishvili — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 10:28:56 +0000

“Brave New Journalism: User Generated Content in the News & What Spreads Online” – the workshop conducted by Alicia Wanless within the frames of Frontline Club’s International Partners Project.

This two-day series of workshops delivers 5 modules from The SecDev Foundation training program, A Brave New Journalism, with the aim of introducing participants to investigative and verification techniques for using user-generated content in media as well as what content spreads online.
Through activity-based instruction, participants engage with course material, applying knowledge shared through “teach-talk” directly in the workshop via hands-on activities.

The workshop is designed for the representatives of media organizations.

For registration, please, contact us:
Email: frontlinegeorgiaclub@gmail.com
Tel: 577464207
Address: Lado Asatiani 62

Documentaries at Frontline Georgia – “Warriors from the North” (2014)

Esma Berikishvili — Mon, 25 May 2015 11:19:18 +0000

On May 29, Frontline Georgia Club invites you to the screening of 2014 documentary “Warriors from the North”.

Young Muslims are travelling from Europe to fight in countries such as Syria and Somalia, lured by groups like Al-Shabaab and the Islamic State (IS). Warriors From the North follows a cohort of young Al-Shabaab sympathisers in Denmark and Sweden.

The film focuses on a Danish-Somalian boy who gradually gained contact with the group and joined them in Somalia. With his back turned to the camera as he looks out over a nondescript housing development in Copenhagen, his friend “The Shadow” describes how the young man fell victim to recruiters and left his family behind to fight for Al-Shabaab.

In-depth discussions with former members of the Danish Al-Shabaab group break stereotypes about the profile of young men and women who join – many had supportive families, attended school and led seemingly normal lives until members of the community introduced them to a previously unknown network of Al-Shabaab devotees, and along with it a new sense of belonging.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A sessions with the director Søren Steen Jespersen via skype and discussion.

Moderator of the discussion: Shota Khinchagashvili.

Video:

The screening / discussion is held with support of London Frontline Club’s International Partner’s Project.

May 29, 18:00
Entrance free

History of Tiflis and Hybrid Culture – Public Lecture by Shota Papava

Esma Berikishvili — Sat, 23 May 2015 11:50:17 +0000

During nineteenth century Tiflis had particularly heterogeneous ethnic population. Therefore, on the one hand, it is easy to understand that hybrid forms of art such as a Mukhambazi or Avqsenti Tsagareli’s plays originated in this space.
What kind of relationship this hybrid cultural forms had with nineteenth-century Georgian nationalism? How they existed in one space and was the city and its representation the field of ideological or aesthetic battle?

Shota Papava – Slavist and PhD candidate at Berkeley University talked about these issues at Frontline Georgia Club.

Video:

The lecture is held in frames of the Frontline Georgia Club’s project “Open Platform”. The project is being implemented with the support of the US Embassy’s Democracy Commission Small Grants Program.

May 25, 19:00
Entrance Free

The way of from May 17, 2013 to May 17, 2015 – Activist’s View – Public Lecture by Ana Rekhviashvili

Esma Berikishvili — Wed, 20 May 2015 11:28:21 +0000

In 2013, the unprecedented level of violence mobilized against LGBT people forced the activists to rethink Georgian context, LGBT activism strategies and abilities. In 2014, none of the activist organizations has planned a formal activity and in 2015 three different protest actions were held, however, they were not announced in advance.

Anna Rekhviashvili – LGBT activist and one of the organizers of the events of May 17, employee of “Identoba” – talked about the path of LGBT activist from May 17, 2013 to May 17, 2015.

– How protest actions, failed protest actions and silence of May 17 was planned?
– What activist learned from these years?
– What is the social and political context in Georgia, where and against whom we are fighting?
– Where is the edge between homophobia in society and politically motivated, oriented towards mobilization of the masses homophobia?
– What has changed from 2013 to 2015 for us, as activists and how we imagine the future of fighting for gay rights?

Video:

The lecture was held in frames of the Frontline Georgia Club’s project “Open Platform”. The project is being implemented with the support of the US Embassy’s Democracy Commission Small Grants Program.

May 22, 17:00
Attendance Free

“Reflections” with Tamar Kintsurashvili – “Traces of anti-Western Propaganda in Georgian Media”

Esma Berikishvili — Tue, 05 May 2015 11:49:14 +0000

Messages, message boxes, sources, scale – how the anti-Western propaganda is created and how it works in Georgia – the results of one-year media monitoring.

The guest of Frontline Club is Chair of the Board of Media Development Foundation Tamar Kintsurashvili.

The host of the series of interviews- Nino Japiashvili.

“Reflections” is a part of the Frontline Georgia Club’s project “Open Platform” supported by the US Embassy’s Democracy Commission Small Grants Program.

You can attend the interview on May 6, 16:00

Video:

Lado Asatiani 62.

Documentaries at Frontline Georgia – “Casablanca Calling” (2014)

Esma Berikishvili — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 11:35:48 +0000

On Aprli 30, Frontline Georgia Club invites you to the screening of 2014 documentary “Casablanca Calling”.
In Morocco, the world’s first female Muslim leaders are setting out to change their country: empowering women through the teachings of Islam and challenging the attitudes which breed extremism. Casablanca Calling takes us into the heart of this quiet social revolution through the lives of the women at its forefront.
In a country where 60% of women have never been to school, a new generation have started work as Morchidat. Working within some of the country’s poorest communities and separating the true teachings of Islam from some of the prejudices emanating from a largely conservative culture, they work to support education for girls, and campaign against early marriages. They also encourage young people to build a more progressive Morocco, as opposed to pursuing the agenda that many young people in the country do, which is aspiring to a life in the West.
Through personal stories, family dramas and everyday lives, Casablanca Calling gives a unique perspective on women’s lives in contemporary Morocco. It tells the story of committed people, social change and a sacred mission.

The screening will be followed by a discussion, during which the film director – Rosa Rogers will join us via Skype.
Moderator of the discussion: Tamar Gurchiani

The screening / discussion is held with support of London Frontline Club’s International Partner’s Project.

The Film will be screened with English Subtitles.

April 30, 18:00
Entrance free