The visit by the Mayor of Kutaisi to KNIA office was not just a mere formality. The impression from the presentation on a short history of the 25 – year friendship given by the Chair of the Association reminded all those present of the need for further meetings to discuss the jubilee projects and personal activities of the Mayor himself.

Friendship with Newport is particularly valuable to Kutaisi the oldest city on Georgia. The city’s most recent membership in the European family was renewed through its friendship with the city of Newport in Wales. With our joint efforts and dedication our journey on this road will continue for a long time. It was for this very reason as well as the 25 distinguished years of association in Kutaisi’s international relations, that Mr. Shota Murghulia, who is also the president of the association, promised his support in a number of serious projects. One of the most important projects is the establishment of the Association’s English-speaking theatre which will preserve and pass on the love and popularity of the Association to future generations. This is the major value which KNIA has been cherishing for a quarter of a century.

Other KNIA projects include organizing common photo plenary sessions, exhibitions, master classes, charity and green actions, preparing a jubilee film and album including TV broadcasting programme which will involve active participation of association members, architects, historians, financiers and doctors. This programme will remind the community about the members of the KNIA, showing what distinguished and interesting professionals they are and how important it is to stay together for the European past and future of Kutaisi. It will also show what standards and goals KNIA sets and the importance of this organization for all generations of Kutaisi.

On the initiative of the Mayor of Kutaisi, the theatre at the KNIA office will host public lectures for students, including from the mayor himself. In addition, KNIA will hold a contest for interesting initiatives, the winner receiving a Mayoral prize as well as the city’s goodwill.

The discussion with Kutaisi Mayor, Shota Murghulia about projects during the 25th years of the Association, followed the presentation of a brief history of the 25-year-old relationship between Kutaisi and Newport! The presentation, which took place in the KNIA office on 25 February, 2015, was brilliantly given by the Chair and founder of the Association, Professor Madonna Megrelishvili.

It was under this impression that the Mayor of Kutaisi took up his post as President of the Association and got actively involved in its work. All members of KNIA are sincerely thankful for his commitment and hope for future success with his partnership!

A lot of forthcoming projects have not been mentioned in this letter as we would not like to spoil the surprise! We are sure that our friendship with Newport will add many more beautiful and successful days to its history. But what has been done up to now, over these 25 years, is now a great legacy thanks to which Kutaisi has found its way into the international arena. With the help of our Newport friends this development has undoubtedly proved and will continue to be successful.

Zeko Khachidze

Committee Chair of PR and Creative Projects

KNIA

ნიუპორტი

Newport

The first Official International Document of the City of Kutaisi The Agreement on Twinning between the cities of Kutaisi (Georgia) and Newport (Great Britain)

▪ 4 October, the Twinning Association is set up in Newport

▪ 5 December, International Twinning Association is set up in Kutaisi

Chairpersons:

Rosemary Butler

Madonna Megrelishvili

▪ Kutaisi Women Council in Newport;
▪ A visit by Newport Church leaders, journalists, architects, doctors and representatives of Women League to Kutaisi;
▪ A Group of pupils from Kutaisi in Wales;
▪ The Principal of Newport University and a group of artists from its Faculty of Art at Kutaisi International Plenary Session;
▪ The exhibition of British painters’ works at Kutaisi Art Gallery.

▪ Kutaisi Technical University Senior academics and city industrialists in Newport;
▪ A business visit by Newport scientists to Kutaisi;
▪ A young Georgian is enrolled on MSc course in Electrical Technology Management at the UWN.

▪ Scientists;
▪ Representatives of Saint Peter and Paul Cathedral and Motsameta Church;
▪ Sportsmen;
▪ English Teachers;
▪ Law Enforcement Officers;
▪ Transport Officers;
▪ Tourism Specialists;
▪ Doctors;
▪ Business and Management Students for Specialization Purposes.

▪ Representatives of Newport University;
▪ Leading Specialists of Newport Transport Company;
▪ Doctors of Glan Hafren NHS Trust;
▪ Experts of Newport Museum;
▪ The Tourist Board of Wales;
▪ International Education Experts;
▪ Writer and Traveller Peter Nasmyth.

▪ The Participation of the Young pianists from Kutaisi in V, VI, VII International Competitions in London and concerts in Tredegar House, Newport;
▪ International exhibitions and plenaries for Kutaisi painters in London, Cardiff and Newport;
▪ The folk company Imedi at the traditional Flower Festival of Great Britain;
▪ Georgian film show in Newport;
▪ The evening of Georgian poetry in Newport;
▪ The exhibition of Georgian art and jewelry in Newport;
▪ Series of lectures on the cultural and historical past of Georgia;
▪ The Georgian Studies day in Newport.

▪ The European Community 1.5 million ECU project for implementing technical assistance for small business initiatives in Kutaisi;
▪ Establishment of a TACIS office in Kutaisi;
▪ 19 heads of enterprises study visits to South Wales (Cardiff, Newport, Swansea).

▪ The 1000th Anniversary celebration of the proclamation Kutaisi as the capital city of the State of Georgia;
▪ $1000 to the Bagrati Cathedral Foundation by the Newport Delegation.

▪ The Kutaisi City Hall;
▪ The Department of English Studies of Akaki Tsereteli State University;
▪ The Clinical Hospital;
▪ The KNIA set up the English learning Language Courses for adult learners specialists ( businessmen, economists, doctors, etc.);
▪ The groups of IDP from Apkhazia were taught tuition free.

In Paris the Friendship between Kutaisi and Newport was recognized as an international model of twinning by the Assembly of World Sister Cities.

▪ An initial Memorandum of Agreement between the two Institution – University of Wales, Newport and Kutaisi State University;
▪ Talented Kutaisi students can take a postgraduate course at the University of Wales, Newport free from any course fees since 1991.

▪ Derek Butler sets a library of Georgian books in Newport;
▪ 3 rugby players from Kutaisi in Newport ;
▪ Journalist Steve Hoselitz’ master classes for journalists in Kutaisi;
▪ KNIA starts issuing its first monthly newspaper.

▪ Master classes on the latest methods of teaching English;
▪ English newspapers, magazines, books, audio and video materials for Kutaisi universities, colleges and schools from NKTA;
▪ An accredited English Language Centre at Charles Street Community Education Centre in Newport for Kutaisi students;
▪ The English Studies Department KSU prepares a manual with a tape recording covering the basics of Georgian language.
▪ Youth exchange visits;

▪ Analysis of the existing resources and creation of the electronic database;
▪ Arrangement of expositions in Great Britain;
▪ Professional Development Course for the Staff in Great Britain.

▪ 200 thousand-dollar Grant for Kutaisi State University through TEMPUS TACIS project;
▪ To reorganize and enhance the management of the University;
▪ To establish the ALUMNI Association.

▪ The 10th anniversary celebration of Kutaisi Newport friendship;
▪ The festive Unveiling of Newport Street in the centre of the city of Kutaisi.

▪ The Annual Georgian Studies Day in London;
▪ Implementing a module system of teaching in the English Studies Department (ATSU);
▪ The first international conference organized by the English Studies Department (ATSU);
▪ The international conference “British, American and Georgian Cultural Studies”, the twelve best papers are peer- reviewed at the University of Newport.

▪ Business and Study visits by Kutaisi and Imereti self-government officials to Great Britain.

▪ $ 10000 worth medical equipment is donated to the oldest church hospital in Kutaisi by the Gwent Royal Health Centre;
▪ The visit by the BBC leading journalist David Seville to KNIA to prepare a documentary film on Kutaisi for BBC;
▪ Information about Georgia and Kutaisi appears on the covers and in leading articles of international magazines on BBC Welsh Radio and TV programs.

▪ The booklet “Billingual” comes out;
▪ Kutaisi Young essayists participate in Newport Young Writers Award competition;
▪ The journal KNIA is issued;
▪ AILA’s seminars on 'The participation of Civil Society in the Decision Making Process' in Kutaisi;
▪ The project of Georgian ''Piggy Box'';
▪ Georgian Studies Day in Newport (a delegation from Kutaisi).

Social projects with governmental and non-governmental sectors:
▪ The Study of the life of socially unprotected children in Kutaisi;
▪ The study visit of Kutaisi social workers in the City Council department in Newport;
▪ Material support and presents from Newport to socially unprotected children.

▪ A visit to Strasbourg;
▪ A meeting of potential partners of the new Local Democracy Agency in the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

The Signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between Kutaisi and Newport Universities:
▪ Joint scientific projects
▪ Financing of Master’s Degree;
▪ Study visits for specialists;
▪ Three Senior members of the teaching staff at UWN in Kutaisi;
▪ The Delegation of Royal Gwent Hospital Doctors in Kutaisi;
▪ The Delegation of Anglican Church Leaders from Newport St. Woolos Cathedral in Kutaisi.

▪ Doctors from Kutaisi participate in an International Conference in Oxford;
▪ Doctors from Kutaisi participate in Newport International Symposium;
▪ The Kutaisi Newport Doctors Association is founded.

Mrs. Rosemary Butler, Deputy Presiding Officer of the National Assembly of Wales initiated a 26-football-fan group’s visit to Kutaisi. The guest generously presented:
▪ Six cars to Kutaisi Civic Centre;
▪ Books on fiction to the English language Centre of KNIA;
▪ A special library of Georgian books for socially unprotected children;
▪ Sports equipment to the Kutaisi football Sport school Martve 91.

▪ A visit by Kutaisi delegation to Newport to study the City’s planning and consultation procedures and management of contracts;
▪ Newport guests in Kutaisi University;
▪ An exchange study visit by the representatives of Scientific Libraries of Kutaisi and Newport Universities;
▪ A visit by representatives of the organization ‘Women for Regional Development’ to Newport.

▪ First in Georgia on the initiative of Newport YMCA and financial support of the European Union a 16-day Students' Exchange programme - "Youth in Action" has been implemented..

▪ The newsletter Friends-მეგობრები-Megobrebi edited by Derek Butler comes out;
▪ Under the aegis of KNIA 55 members of the Department of English Philology visited Newport;
▪ On the initiative of KNIA the festival devoted to the 450th anniversary of William Shakespeare took place in Akaki Tsereteli State University.

▪ The exchange programme between the universities still continues
▪ Rosemary Butler is invested with the order of Dame Commander for her public services by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

▪ All British Ambassadors to independent Georgia: Sir Stephen Nash, Mr. Richard Jenkins, Ms. Deborah Barnes-Jones, Mr. Donald MacLaren, Mr. Denis Keefe, Ms. Judith Gough and Ms. Alexsandra Hall Hall were soon made aware of the links with Newport during their visits to Kutaisi. Each one expressed great interest and appreciation of the work done and offered strong support.

▪ The British and Georgian media, including the BBC World Service, have given full coverage of important events in the two sister cities.

▪25 წლის მეგობრობის მანძილზე ნიუპორტიდან ქუთაისს სულ 775 ბრიტანელი, ხოლო ნიუპორტს – 1277 ქართველი ეწვია!
▪25 წლიანმა ნამდვილმა მეგობრობამ ,,გვაიძულა“, ქუთაისში პირველები ვყოფილიყავით ტრენინგების ორგანიზებაში, პირველებს გვქონოდა ინტერნეტი, საიტი და იმეილი;
▪პირველებმა საქართველოში ჩვენ შევძელით ქუჩების საზეიმო გახსნა; დიპლომების გადაცემის ცერემონიალი მანტიებში და გამორჩეული სტუდენტების სასწავლებლად გაგზავნა სწავლის ქირის გარეშე. ინგლისური ენის სართაშორისო სახელმძღვანელოებით სწავლება; კურიკულუმების, სილაბუსების და CV-ის მომზადება;
▪პირველებმა საქართველოს მასშტაბით, ჩავატარეთ ტესტირება.