Georgia is no stranger for Ukraine, and its experience in conducting reforms is an example for any country of the post-Soviet space. The organizers of the exhibit “Georgia 2000 vs. Georgia 2010” want to show this very experience, and the colossal difference between the two Georgian realities, separated from one another by only a decade. “Georgia 2000 vs. Georgia 2010” photo exhibit has opened on November 22. The event will be held on the initiative of the Institute of World Policy, with the support of the Embassy of Georgia and in media-partnership with The Day. Valdas Adamkus, the president of Lithuania (1998-2003, 2004-2009) will be the guest of honor. Famous Georgian photographers have been involved in the project’s work, which shows many photos of the same places in Georgia at different dates.
“We can speak about the success of the reforms conducted in Georgia at round tables as much as we want, but this won’t be indicative and expressive enough. Instead, the ‘Georgia 2000 vs. Georgia 2010’ exhibit gives the visitors the ability to see with their own eyes the changes that had happened in Georgia,” said the deputy director of the Institute of World Policy Serhii Solodky, “The Day knows about the importance of visualizing the times in which we live — on The Day’s initiative a photo exhibit is held every year, which goes to show the dynamics of changes in Ukrainian realities.”
The opening of “Georgia 2000 vs. Georgia 2010” will start in the Khlibnia exhibition hall in the National Reserve St. Sophia of Kyiv at 19:00. The stand of The Day’s Library, which includes books that are in line with the organizers’ initiatives, will be working in the exhibition hall on the opening day. The photo exhibit will be open for visitors until December 25.
COMMENTARY
Viktor SHLINCHAK, chairman of the supervisory board of the Institute of World Policy:
“Last time I was in Georgia in 2006, and since then, recently, in 2010. The changes that have happened in the country are impressive. The fact that Georgia managed to make the colossal leap in its development is proof of the political will of the state’s elite. Whether Ukraine is able to realize the necessary reforms depends on the political will of our leaders. But in any case Georgia’s experience is extremely valuable and has to be shared. That is why the Institute of World Policy had the idea of organizing an exhibit that would visually present the changes in Georgia’s development that took place thanks to smart reforms. The Embassy of Georgia actively supported our idea, and November is a prominent month in Georgian history. We have invited many Ukrainian politicians to visit the opening of the exhibit: representatives of the presidential administration, ministers, and MPs.”
