AGP Executive Report

Sports & Youth: Batumi hosted Georgia’s first Youth Olympic Festival opening on June 3, with about 1,200 athletes from across the country competing in 17 sports, as Adjara officials and the PM backed the event’s role in youth development. Infrastructure & Economy: The World Bank approved $372 million for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor upgrade (TC-GATE), aiming to modernize rail and key road segments, cut logistics costs, and strengthen Georgia’s Middle Corridor role, with benefits expected for 900,000 people. International Wrestling: RAF announced its first international event outside North America—RAF 9 in Tbilisi on July 11—featuring Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo at Tbilisi Arena, plus other major matchups. Digital Policy: Tether says it will invest in Georgia and launch GEL₮, a lari-pegged token, as the government embraces the “digital world” push amid transparency concerns. Culture & Lifestyle: Georgia marked National Wine Day with events culminating in a gala celebrating 8,000 years of winemaking, while Tbilisi also saw new wine-focused openings.

Georgian Wine Culture: National Wine Day wrapped with a gala at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre, celebrating the 8,000-year story of Georgian winemaking and the “Birth of Wine” performance. Heritage Restoration: Rehabilitation has started at Tbilisi’s Sioni Cathedral, with scaffolding going up as the roof, bell tower, walls, and frescoes face further risk from damage and rainfall. International Arts & Education: British International School Tbilisi says it has invested 2.3 million GEL in scholarships since 2023, supporting 26 students. City Life & Lifestyle: Archi and NEXT announced the Swissôtel Kobuleti Beach Resort project, with pre-sales and an on-site presentation set for June 3. Community & Faith: Tbilisi City Hall reports restoration works are underway at Sioni Cathedral, while a U.S. State Department delegation continues meetings in Georgia with political and religious leaders. Global Spotlight: A major international investigation alleges medical neglect in U.S. ICE detention, with detainees describing untreated conditions and denied medications.

Georgian Wine Culture: National Wine Day wrapped up in Tbilisi with an international conference and a gala at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre celebrating 8,000 years of winemaking, underlining wine as a core part of Georgian identity. Heritage in Focus: Restoration has begun at Tbilisi’s Sioni Cathedral, with scaffolding installed as the roof, bell tower, walls, and frescoes face renewed risk after rainfall; the Tbilisi Development Fund will rehabilitate the affected parts by October. Arts & Lifestyle: Archi and NEXT announced a premium Swissôtel Kobuleti Beach Resort project in Kobuleti, mixing hotel, residences, wellness, dining, and children’s entertainment for a new Black Sea lifestyle destination. Local Community: Archi also hosted a Children’s Day event for its “little Archi” residents, with games, face painting, and interactive activities. Culture Meets Science: An international conference in Tbilisi discussed the “Scientific Research of Georgian Vine and Wine Culture” program and Georgia’s long-running wine research legacy.

Stalin’s Wine Vault Unsealed in Tbilisi: Georgia has opened Josef Stalin’s 40,000-bottle collection for the first time, with plans to auction rare French and Georgian wines and fund a wine education school. Art & Identity in Tbilisi: TBC Concept Gallery is hosting Natela Grigalashvili’s solo show “Whither Are You Flying, O Cloud? The Fereydani Trace: Four Centuries Later,” tracing the Fereydani Georgians’ language and longing across centuries. AI Policy Training in Tbilisi: Associate Professor Christian Turner trained faculty and staff at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs on AI use and helped shape an AI governance framework for the university. Music Festival Across Borders: Armenia’s “Sail of Hope” bard festival returns for its 12th edition near Lake Sevan, featuring singer-songwriters from Georgia and neighboring countries. Regional Spotlight: Azerbaijan and Georgia defense ministers met in Georgia, discussing deeper military cooperation and educational ties.

Tbilisi Art & Identity: TBC Concept Gallery opens Natela Grigalashvili’s solo show “Whither Are You Flying, O Cloud? The Fereydani Trace: Four Centuries Later” (June 6–Sept 15), tracing the Fereydani Georgians’ centuries-long memory through language and exile. Wine Heritage, With a Twist: Georgia has unsealed Stalin’s hidden 40,000-bottle wine vault in Tbilisi, with plans to auction the collection and fund a wine education school. Sports Spotlight (Georgia in Europe): The FIBA Women’s European Championship for Small Countries 2026 is set for June 23–28 in Kosovo, with Georgia in Group A alongside Albania and Malta. Black Sea Lifestyle & Real Estate: A Swiss-inspired Kobuleti resort-hotel-residential complex is slated for presentation and pre-sales on June 3, promising sea-view apartments and lifestyle amenities. Culture Calendar: Tbilisi’s Independence Day festivities and citywide public events are highlighted, alongside a growing run of arts programming.

Stalin’s Secret Wine Vault: Georgia has opened a long-hidden underground cellar tied to Josef Stalin, revealing about 40,000 rare French and Georgian bottles after decades out of public view. Church & Diplomacy: Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III marked Pentecost with a sermon on the Holy Spirit, while the U.S. Embassy in Georgia shared details of a State Department meeting with him focused on faith and reconciliation. Culture & Design: Prix Versailles named 16 standout restaurants for 2026, spotlighting how architecture and atmosphere shape dining experiences. Travel & Business: Visa opened its first business lounge powered by Visa at Kutaisi International Airport, adding a premium travel stop with local cultural design touches. Arts & Film: Georgian director Giorgi Kharebava says cinema is “above all emotion,” speaking ahead of the Golden Linden festival jury role. Security & Society: Georgia’s State Security Service announced arrests of a Georgian citizen on espionage charges, raising fresh questions about foreign influence networks.

Pentecost in Tbilisi: Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III marked the feast with a sermon on the Holy Spirit, urging believers to preserve its “light” and become a “temple of God.” Church diplomacy: The U.S. Embassy in Georgia shared that a State Department delegation met Shio III on May 27, stressing shared Christian values and the Church’s role in reconciliation and national unity. Cultural life & travel: Visa opened its first “Business Lounge Powered by Visa” at Kutaisi International Airport, blending modern design with local heritage and offering free access for eligible Visa Premium cardholders. Arts & film: Georgian director Giorgi Kharebava said cinema is “above all emotion,” reflecting on his early start in Tbilisi and what makes a film memorable long after viewing. Local culture spotlight: Tbilisi hosted a show celebrating sculptor Rusudan Gachechiladze’s life, adding to the city’s ongoing arts calendar. Community reading: Georgia’s library scene keeps summer learning going, with events themed around dinosaurs, paleontology, and archaeology. Sports & youth: Batumi’s European Women’s Championship saw 15-year-old WFM Anastasiia Hnatyshyn extend a perfect 5/5 start to take sole first place. Security & rights: Georgia’s State Security Service announced arrests on espionage charges, naming journalist Irakli Chikhladze and pro-Russian activist Gulbaat Rtskhiladze.

Business & Tourism: Visa opened its first “Business Lounge Powered by Visa” at Kutaisi International Airport, with 270 sqm of spaces for relaxation, work, kids and dining, welcoming Visa Premium cardholders from May 29. Film & Culture: Georgian director Giorgi Kharebava says cinema is “above all emotion,” sharing how he learned discipline in filmmaking and what he’s currently developing. Azerbaijan/Regional Culture: The Golden Linden festival in Bulgaria is set to spotlight new European cinema, with Kharebava on the international jury. Food & Hospitality: Tbilisi Gastro Week 2026 (May 31–June 7) returns in partnership with Studio Liberty, featuring international chefs, wine culture events and Kakheti tours. Wine Heritage: A new enoteca opened at “Wine Factory No. 1” in Tbilisi, preserving up to 20,000 bottles aged over 200 years, including historic collections. Sports & Youth: Batumi’s European Women’s Championship sees 15-year-old Anastasiia Hnatyshyn surge to sole first with a perfect 5/5 start. Community & Lifestyle: Georgia’s Independence Day festivities and city events continue to shape the weekend cultural calendar.

Tbilisi Gastro Week 2026 Partnership: Studio Liberty has teamed up with Tbilisi Gastro Week for its 5th anniversary, running May 31–June 7, spotlighting Georgian gastronomy, wine culture, and sustainable tourism with international chefs and sommeliers, including Ritz Paris’ Florian Guilloteau and Michelin stars Jacques Pourcel, Stéphane Gortina, and Takahiko Kondo. Wine Heritage Spotlight: Georgia has unsealed Josef Stalin’s famed 40,000-bottle wine vault in Tbilisi, with plans to auction rare French and Georgian bottles and fund a new wine education school. New Wine Destination: A new enoteca opened at historic Wine Factory No. 1, housing up to 20,000 collectible bottles aged for over two centuries, with bottles tied to figures like Napoleon and Stalin. Art & Culture: ATINATI’s Cultural Center in Tbilisi is hosting an exhibition on sculptor Rusudan Gachechiladze, while photographer Natela Grigalashvili’s Fereydani Georgians project opens June 6 at TBC Concept Gallery. Sports in Batumi: 15-year-old WFM Anastasiia Hnatyshyn leads the European Women’s Championship after extending a perfect 5/5 start in Batumi.

Film & TV Industry: Georgia signed the Council of Europe Convention on the Co-Production of Audiovisual Works in the Form of Series, a move meant to make it easier for local independent producers to collaborate with European partners and access foreign investment. Wine Culture: A new enoteca opened in Tbilisi at “Wine Factory No. 1,” with up to 20,000 rare bottles aged over 200 years, including items linked to Joseph Stalin, Napoleon and other historical figures. Stalin’s Cellar Goes Public: Georgia unsealed Stalin’s 40,000-bottle wine collection and plans an auction, with proceeds aimed at creating a wine education school. Art & Identity: Photographer Natela Grigalashvili will open “Whither Are You Flying, O Cloud? The Fereydani Trace: Four Centuries Later” at TBC Concept Gallery, exploring the deported Fereydani Georgians’ four-century cultural memory. Sports & Pride: Armenia’s women’s boxing team won five medals at an international tournament in Georgia. Local Life: Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze inspected the renovated Zurab Begiashvili Square in Isani, featuring new recreation areas, bike paths, lighting and children’s attractions.

Election Season Politics: Georgia’s officials kick off a statewide risk-limiting audit ahead of certification, using a random ballot sample to “verify, then trust,” while a separate op-ed argues the real election debate is being distorted into fake choices like “Putin vs Trump” or “EAEU vs EU.” Independence Day in Tbilisi: On May 26, Independence Day protests filled central streets with EU and Georgian flags, with opposition leaders and Salome Zurabishvili framing independence as continuity beyond the Soviet period. Arts & Culture: Tbilisi Art Fair 2026 at Expo Georgia leaned into memory and materiality, reading post-Soviet creativity as more “diagnostic scan” than simple exportable narratives. Money & Education: The National Bank of Georgia and Caucasus International University launched a documentary series on the history of Georgian money, set for distribution to 50 schools via FinEdu Corner library spaces. Sports (Local Spotlight): In Batumi, European Women’s Chess Championship action saw Estonian Mai Narva climb into the top three after a third straight win. Sports (Rugby): World Rugby confirmed match officials for the Junior World Championship 2026 in Tbilisi and Kutaisi, with Georgian referee Saba Makharadze among the panel.

Independence Day & civic life: Thousands rallied in Tbilisi as Georgia marked Independence Day with pro-EU protests, while opposition leaders vowed a new phase of nationwide mobilization and “direct communication with the public.” Heritage restoration: Tbilisi Development Fund says it has launched rehabilitation work for Sioni Cathedral and a historical building on Agmashenebeli Avenue, with restoration planned to finish by October. Sports & youth culture: Chess in Batumi is heating up—Estonian Mai Narva climbed into the European Women’s Championship top three after a third straight win. Arts & events: Beldocs Industry Days in Belgrade awarded the Georgian documentary project “Ip Dip Sky Blue” two prizes, highlighting Georgia’s growing presence in regional documentary circles. Health & safety: A beverage recall linked to possible Salmonella contamination expanded across 25 U.S. states, including Georgia. Community & care: Adjara’s health minister attended a nurses recognition event in Batumi, awarding continuing education credits to dozens of nurses.

Tbilisi Heritage Restoration: The Tbilisi Development Fund has signed a contract to rehabilitate Sioni Cathedral and its bell tower, with works due to finish by the end of October, after roof and tower damage let precipitation threaten frescoes. Independence Day Protests: On Georgia’s Independence Day, thousands gathered near Parliament and along Tbilisi avenues for pro-EU rallies, with opposition figures calling for renewed mobilization amid criticism of Georgian Dream’s civil-liberties record. UNESCO Creative Cities: Tbilisi hosted the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Media Arts subgroup meeting (27–29 May), bringing together representatives from 20+ cities to discuss media art, digital creativity, and cultural cooperation. Abkhazia Cultural Memory: A mural honoring Nobel laureate Andrei Sakharov appeared in Sukhum, reflecting ongoing debate over street naming and public recognition of human-rights figures. Health & Lifestyle: GM PHARMA joined World Hypertension Day with free consultations and diagnostics for residents across Georgia, promoting regular blood-pressure monitoring. Christian State Anniversary: Georgia will fund 1,700th anniversary events of Christianity as a state religion with 5.3 mln GEL, spanning cultural, educational, and religious programs from June 1 to October 14.

Independence Day Protests: Thousands rallied in Tbilisi near Parliament and along main avenues to mark Georgia’s Independence Day, chanting “Freedom” and calling for renewed pro-EU protests amid renewed pressure on critical media and civil society. UNESCO Creative Cities: Tbilisi hosted the UNESCO Creative Cities Network Media Arts subgroup meeting (27–29 May), bringing together artists, curators, and city leaders to discuss media art, digital creativity, and international cultural cooperation. Heritage Restoration: Mayor Kakha Kaladze announced 1.2 mln GEL for urgent rehabilitation at Tbilisi’s Sioni Assumption Cathedral, targeting roof and bell tower damage to protect at-risk frescoes. Christianity Anniversary Funding: The government approved 5.3 mln GEL for events marking 1,700 years since Christianity was declared the state religion, running June 1–Oct 14 with cultural, educational, scientific, and religious programs. Health & Lifestyle: GM PHARMA joined World Hypertension Day with free consultations and diagnostics, including cardiology check-ups and ECGs, as part of the “Controlling Hypertension Together!” campaign. Cultural Diplomacy: Independence Day messages from Bulgaria’s Iliana Iotova, Morocco’s Mohammed VI, and Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted long-standing historical and cultural ties and cooperation with Georgia.

UK Sanctions Push: The UK hit 18 crypto platforms, banks, and networks tied to Russia’s sanctions evasion, including a payment system London says can move over $1.5B in flows, with assets frozen. Georgia in the Crosshairs: The same sanctions package names three Georgian companies, underlining how Tbilisi’s business links can get pulled into wider geopolitical pressure. Independence Day Spotlight: Georgia marked Independence Day with major ceremonies at Freedom Square and a wave of international congratulations, while opposition voices used the date to renew calls against annexation. Domestic Tension: Protesters gathered near Tbilisi State University and planned to march to Parliament, as the Opposition Alliance also collected signatures for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Culture & Arts: IARTES in Venezuela is set to open the collective exhibition “Dialogues, Transits, Miradas,” featuring seven Georgian-linked artists’ international dialogue themes. Health Court Ruling: A federal appeals decision says Georgia’s Medicaid rules shortchanged a medically fragile 3-year-old, ordering far more in-home nursing care.

Street Politics: Protesters are gathering near Tbilisi State University and plan to march to Parliament, while organizers collect signatures for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy; earlier, the Opposition Alliance tried to bring stage equipment onto Rustaveli Avenue but police turned back a minibus. Civic Calendar: Georgia’s Independence Day festivities are in full swing at Freedom Square, with conscripts taking the military oath and military equipment displayed across multiple cities. Foreign Influence Watch: Pro-Russian NGOs have launched a “Russophobia Monitoring Council” in Georgia, aiming to track what they call anti-Russian rhetoric and discrimination. Diplomacy: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met a US State Department delegation to discuss resetting USA–Georgia relations and a “roadmap” for a strategic partnership. Culture & Reading: A new Georgian-themed spy thriller, The Cormorant Hunt, is getting attention in book reviews, adding to the week’s mix of politics and culture.