Who could have thought that the 2021 July newsletter of the KNIA will be devoted to our farewell to Madonna, our Mado as some of her closest friends called her.

It's difficult to believe and find proper words to express our deep grief in this recent loss. All sorts of thoughts run through our minds these days. A good deal has been said and written about Madonna as a scholar, public figure, teacher, mentor and friend. A workaholic perfectionist, successful at whatever she did Madonna demanded impossibly high levels of herself and people she worked with. She was the driving force behind a wide variety of projects and passed on her knowledge and enthusiasm to all. In spite of her illness she was full of new ideas hopes, and always tried to be cheerful keeping in touch with us.

As she was always successful at what she did we hoped that she as well successfully would overcome her ailments, recover strength and return to us to apply her intellectual brilliance and professionalism to vital work for our country. But regretfully it didn't happen. Her death on July 5 is a very sad blow to us.

Most of all we will remember Madonna as a unique and dear friend many would dream to have. She was always available when every one of us needed her advice, support or encouragement. She never refused to help and did her utmost to make people happy. All this is now held dear to our hearts. Madonna will never be forgotten. She will always be in our hearts and minds.

Through this newsletter we want to thank all who were deeply saddened by Madonna's death and expressed their condolences and sympathy for our loss.

Kutaisi Newport International Association

English Philology Department is bidding farewell to Professor Madonna Megrelishvili, a well-known Georgian scientist and public figure, Doctor of Philological Sciences, one of the founders of Kutaisi Newport International Association.

Ms. Madonna's contribution is greatest to Akaki Tsereteli State University, to the city and to the country. This is not surprising if we look at her biography. After graduating from Kutaisi public school N1 and University with distiction, she continued her studies at Maurice Torres Institute of Foreign Languages in Moscow and was awarded the title of Doctor of Philological Sciences in 1984.

In 1995-2006 and 2006-2014 Professor Megrelishvili was the Head of the English Studies Department at Akaki Tsereteli State University. As a result of her great efforts, the department has achieved tremendous success not only in Georgia but outside the country as well.

Ms. Madonna Megrelishvili has been an Academician of the Georgian Academy of Education Sciences since 2001 and a member of the Research Academy of the Cambridge International Monograph Center. All her deeds are inspired by the dedication to her duties and love of her country.

In 2005 Ms. Madonna Megrelishvili founded the English Language Center (ELC) under the umbrella of Kutaisi Newport International Organization. The aim of the center is to equip the students with the competences allowing them use English in many different situations and bring up competitive young generation equipped with all necessary skills and values for the civilized world. Her name is still associated with high standards and success. As an eminent researcher, Madonna Megrelishvili held an honorary place among the leading linguists of the country. She has published more than 110 works in Georgian and foreign languages (Russian and English), including monographs, textbooks and dictionaries. She received professional training from various universities in Georgia, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. She was the scientific head of 27 successfully defended doctoral dissertations; an editor of 27 textbooks and monographs, and a reviewer of 21.

Professor Madonna Megrelishvili ran 4 academic programmes and was the coordinator of 9 international educational and social projects. Since 2001, she was an Academician at the Georgian Academy of Educational Sciences, a member of the Research Academy of the Cambridge International Monograph Center, and a member of the International Organization of Professional and Business Women (Women Who Set Standards) (USA).

In 1991-2020 Madonna Megrelishvili was the Chair of Kutaisi- Newport International Organization. It was with her direct effort and support that the cultural-educational and economic ties between the two cities were established and strengthened, which made this relationship a model for all other twinned cities in the world. On September 8, 2010, an unprecedented event in the history of our country took place - Kutaisi Walk was opened in Newport on the 20th anniversary of the Twinning.

In 2019 Professor Madonna Megrelishvili gave another gift to the Georgian scientific community. Under her initiation and leadership, the book was published "Respecting our Past, Celebrating our Future". It describes the structure of successful teaching and the European model of work in the Department of English Philology, which depicts that the secret of the success of the English Philology Department is not only high academic standards but also knowledge, skills and abilities they offer to their students.

One of the last recognitions of the merits of Professor Madonna Megrelishvili was the honorary diploma for scientific achievements in the field of philology by Georgian National Academy of Sciences on World Science Day established by UNESCO. This honorary award is another confirmation of the great contribution that this distinguished scientist, teacher, leader and selfless person made to the development of Georgian science and the upbringing of many young generations.

English Philology Department expresses its deep sorrow over the death of Professor Madonna Megrelishvili and extends its condolences to her family, relatives, colleagues, students, Kutaisi and the whole of Georgia.

Maia Alavidze

I was so sorry to learn that Professor Madonna Megrelishvili, your aunt, has passed away. I wanted to send my heartfelt condolences to you and, through you, to all of your family and also to everyone associated with the enduring, inspiring bond of friendship between the cities of Kutaisi and Newport.

I will not forget my first visit to Kutaisi as British Ambassador and the exceptional warmth of Professor Madonna’s welcome. Over my years in Georgia, I saw for myself that this special friendship, which Professor Madonna did so much to create and sustain, is truly carried in people’s hearts and has the power to change lives. It was energising and humbling to see what can be achieved through a shared, long-term commitment between friends, driven by the passion and energy of individuals such as your aunt. These are the kinds of connections that last much longer than the term of a single Ambassador. They make a vital contribution to how our two societies view each other, shaping a relationship between our countries that will last, through thick and thin, for many years to come.

I feel very fortunate to have had the honour of meeting Professor Madonna. I know that she leaves a huge legacy in Kutaisi and in Georgia more widely. I am sure this will serve to maintain and strengthen this special friendship still further among future generations.

ვიზიარებთ

With my best regards
Justin McKenzie Smith
(British Ambassador to Georgia, 2016-2020)

As the Mayor of Newport, Kutaisi's twin city, I wish to offer my sincere condolences on behalf of the people of Newport to you and also the Chair and members of the Kutaisi Newport International Association on the sad death of our dear friend Professor Madonna Megrelishvili, one of the leading founders of the twinning of Kutaisi and Newport and Chair of the Kutaisi Newport International Association from its inception in 1989 until her retirement last year.

I would also like to send my condolences to the people of Kutaisi and, indeed, all Georgia on the loss of one of its most respected, admired and beloved citizens.

Professor Megrelishvili was a leading member of the Kutaisi Civic Group invited by Newport Council to visit our City over thirty years ago to sign the Twinning Agreement and she has visited Newport many times since then, including the memorable visit she made in 2000 at the Council's invitation to celebrate with us the granting of city status.

We in Newport knew that the Twinning was important to Madonna. Due in large part to Madonna's determination to form lasting and worthwhile bonds between the two cities links were formed between Newport and Kutaisi people working in a range of activities including higher, secondary and primary education and education administration, youth work, police, sport, tourism, civic and museum administration, art and music and many others.

As a result, over one thousand Newport residents have visited Kutaisi since 1989 and it is probable that Madonna met and welcomed every single one. All remember her kindness and the warm feelings she had for Newport, Wales and the UK.

We in Newport have lost a dear friend and we share your deep sense of loss. However I assure you that Newport Council values the twinning and is confident the bonds of friendship between our cities, to which Professor Madonna Megrelishvili devoted much of her life, will continue to develop well into the future.

The Mayor of the City of Newport
David Williams

As Mayor of Newport I was a member of the delegation that went to Kutaisi in 1989 for exploratory talks about a possible twinning and I saw then how highly respected Madonna was in Kutaisi. Our friendship really began later when Madonna came to Newport for the signing of the Twinning Agreement and we began to plan how to make the Twinning a significant contribution to the life of our two cities.

Perhaps fortunately, we didn’t realise the difficulties we would face in order to maintain the link in those early pioneering days. Telephone and postal links were virtually non-existent and this was long before the introduction of emails. But through perseverance and our joint determination to form bonds between our cities we became ever-closer friends and the friendship has lasted for over thirty years.

Early visits to Kutaisi by individuals eventually grew into larger group visits and Madonna was always there to welcome each member of the group with her wonderful smile. Since 1990 many Newport individuals and delegations have visited Kutaisi. They include civic leaders & council officers, university, college & school teachers, administrators & students, police, fire & rescue personnel, doctors & health administrative staff, social workers, artists & musicians, sportspeople, youth groups and many others. In turn, many Kutaisi citizens have visited Newport. All made the long journey, now eased by direct flights, in order to gain an understanding of each other’s city and in some cases provide guidance and practical assistance.

None of this would have happened without Madonna. We are indeed in her debt. For me, though, it is the personal friendship that I will treasure most.

Dame Rosemary Butler DBE
NKTA Chair 1990 - 2000

Rosemary and I first met Madonna in 1989 when she came to Newport as part of the first Kutaisi civic delegation to visit the city and we took a liking to her immediately. Although not the official Head of the delegation, Madonna seemed to be in charge and we even suspected she was KGB. We liked her sense of purpose, her inquisitiveness, her knowledge of the UK, her mastery of the English language and, above all, her mischievous sense of humour.

As Rosemary and Madonna discussed how they would build a truly purposeful partnership between their two very different cities they found that they enjoyed each other’s company and our friendship, like the Twinning itself, grew stronger over the years Madonna became a true friend and a constant factor in our lives. She was often one of the people we first turned to when we had some important family news or when we were infuriated or delighted by national and international events and I feel honored to suggest that Madonna, in turn, felt free to share her concerns and aspirations with us.

Over the years Rosemary and I got to know how passionately Madonna cared about her family and friends, the well-being of Georgia and her beloved home city of Kutaisi, the Akaki Tsereteli State University (particularly the English Department) and the Twinning of Kutaisi and Newport. The Honorary Citizenship conferred on her by the city of Kutaisi was well merited.

The cities of Newport and Kutaisi, at the furthest ends of the European continent, would probably never have found each other without the initiatives taken by Madonna in the late 1980s. The Twinning exists, and continues to flourish, only because of Madonna’s vision, determination, diplomacy and drive. Because of Madonna, thousands of Newport people from all walks of life have experienced the joy of visiting Kutaisi, getting to know Georgian people and experiencing the wonders of Georgia’s unique culture. Equally, thanks again to Madonna, many Kutaisi people have learnt about Newport and know about the small nation of Wales. Everyone who has participated in the many exchange visits have had their horizons widened and will remember Madonna with feelings of warmth and gratitude.

We are all in debt to Madonna. Dear Madonna! We will miss her greatly.

Derek Butler
Proud friend of Madonna
Proud Honorary Citizen of Kutaisi
Proud Honorary Professor at the Akaki Tsereteli State University
Secretary of the Newport Kutaisi Twinning Association

Professor Madonna Megrelishvili, a woman of power, courage and hugely resourceful, a woman who will remain in our hearts and minds forever. Her ability to develop and sustain the strongest of cultural and professional links and projects both within the English Philology Department and as Chair of KNIA will always be remembered. She expected the highest of standards from those around her, especially her staff and students, and was tireless in her endeavours to ensure that her department was the very best. She drove from behind but also led from the front, working tirelessly to support positive developments at both national and local level and cross culturally with NKTA here in Wales.

On a personal note, Professor Madonna Megrelishvili was (and still is) the matriarch of my Georgian family and has enriched my life through the many opportunities and experiences she has created for me.

Thirty-one years ago, she opened the door to a wonderful secret garden, the Republic of Georgia, and for this I cannot thank her enough.

Rest in peace, Madonna
With love.
Chair of Newport Kutaisi Twinning Association
Caroline McLachlan

Madonna is gone and the department feels lost. She was the one who laid the foundation for everything the English Philology Department has achieved over the years and that we will accomplish in the future. Some day we will be able to say more precisely, more accurately what needs to be said about her. However, now I won’t talk about her as a scholar although a lot can be said about the original thrust and quality of her research. I won’t talk about her as a patriot although even within English studies she managed to conduct research that benefitted the study of Georgian language and culture. I won’t say much about her as a public figure because her role in the life of our city and her contribution to promoting it on the international arena is widely known. I won’t talk about her as an educator. It is sufficient to take a quick look at look at the many hundreds of posts and comments by her former students on social media, who all try to thank her in their own way.

What definitely needs to be said is that Madonna Megrelishvili was reformer and leader who saw far and very precisely, who looked at the big picture, thought in an ambitious and more innovative way than any young person and then went towards her goal with single-minded determination taking precisely calculated steps. So what if no one before had taught with these methods and applied these approaches in Georgia; who cared if this administrative unit or department had never existed in the university; so what is someone would be upset, there would be no funds, the job would take several years to accomplish? If it needed to be done for the young people i.e. for the university and the city, it would be done and it would be done perfectly, faultlessly.

It is with this determination and selflessness that she managed to create the English Philology Department as we know it now, bring together so many wonderful people and outstanding professionals and unite them with love for the common cause.

We feel the loss deeply today but it will take time to appreciate its magnitude fully.

Nino Nijaradze
Head of the English Studies Department

A well-known scholar, Academician of the Georgian Academy of Educational Sciences, Doctor of Philology, Professor Madonna Megrelishvili left the ranks of Georgian scientists and teachers.

Madonna Megrelishvili lived an interesting life. She always held an honorable place among the leading linguists of the country as an important scholar.

Professor Madonna Megrelishvili loved her city immensely. That is why her name always made the greatest impression on Kutaisians of any generation: for those who love learning she was a dedicated lecturer, for those who love truth - a model of objectivity, for the supporters of reform - the founder and expert of everything new, for citizens of Kutaisi - the daughter of a good mother and a good father. The most experienced, the most comprehensive, the most uncompromising, the most organized manager.

The merits and work of Professor Madonna Megrelishvili, a noble person, a conscientious scientist, an honorary citizen, a faithful mentor of the youth, will leave an indelible mark in the memory of her students, friends, colleagues and relatives.

Presidium of the Georgian Academy of Educational Sciences

My senior friend and colleague, a distinguished linguist, scientist and teacher, Professor of Akaki Tsereteli State University, Madonna Megrelishvili left us. Those who have had contact with the English Philology in Georgia, cannot but know what an immeasurably great contribution Madonna made to the development of this field. If today Kutaisi Akaki Tsereteli State University can be proud of the strong English department and its high-level specialists, this is also the result of our Madonna's selfless work and dedication! This is through them and her other students that the memory of Professor Madonna Megrelishvili will live on for generations!

Farewell my friend!
Professor Nino Kirvalidze
Ilia State University

In love with Kutaisi and the university with all her life and boundless energy; uncompromising and dedicated! The most European and most national with her true values.

She was ahead of her time, environment, borders and did the most important thing for the development of the country - created an art of new self-awareness, new culture and management, new relationships for generations, which is, without exaggeration - a new way of life. It was the quality of knowledge, the firmness of the decision and the commitment to the idea.

Madonna Megrelishvili - the epoch “brazenly” fallen out of the common social fabric with many brilliant events, which she gave to the biography of her hometown, and we have not yet listed all these good things from beginning to end. Infinitely kind, infinitely strict, both romantic and rational as idealists usually are; the one endlessly talked about and remembered; the personality - as important and dazzling as her merits.

This woman from the future is my sweet friend, ageless in all judgments, my only example and authority.

I love you, Mado!

I love you and always feel you with a huge scale of your desires, deeds and abilities. I love you and feel you for being the only one and relied on by thousands of people. You – an invincible spirit fighting to the end not for your own, but for the public justice! You – the creator of a new epoch not only for the university, but for Kutaisi!

How we all need your incomparably heroic spirit!

I owe it to you - I must constantly write and say that this city had, has and will have Madonna Megrelishvili for a long time, who started counting a great time within these walls!

I love you forever!

Zeko Khachidze

I’ve never believed that something would be able to defeat Mrs. Madonna. I have always considered her as the strongest mountain ever that is never defeated. During those days you were ill, I missed your calls on my phone, I was eager to hear your voice but I couldn’t dare to call not to bother you in hospital. You physically passed away but your epochal work for public good is invaluable. You have created history, great people, generations, significant and unprecedented moments, strong relations between the countries, the greatest and the most innovative changes.

We lost You and, indeed, it will be the greatest loss as for our country, as our city and university. All of us and each of us lost the greatest supporter ever. In my letters of congratulations I always sent You my wish to live and work with us for a long time as you were the greatest treasure of our lives, but unfortunately my wish didn' t come true.

You always called me to write an article for the most important events. I did it with the great commitment as I knew after checking it you would call me with the words “You are the number one girl in the world”. Now, as always, I am writing this text about You with the greatest enthusiasm, but in tears, as I know You will never call me again ...

You taught me all the details that defined the progress of my life. You were the source of all my success and today, if I have my own place in society, indeed, it’s to your credit. I would like to say a lot of thanks to You, RIP - My precious teacher Madonna.

Irina Kobakhidze
Administrator of the English Language Center

• Madonna Megrelishvili played an instrumental role in shaping the whole new era at Kutaisi University and during those 1990s, she was a symbol of progress, intelligence, western values, professionalism and human standards.

• You have done all your duty before death, as your merit was huge indeed… Speaking for myself as a student, whose successful career is connected with you, I would like to express thanks and gratitude towards you publicly… It is all due to you, that with the education that I have gained at your temple of knowledge, I am an accomplished teacher now. May God give your soul eternal peace and a safe resting place with him… I am so sorry …

• I can say with great pride that I was her student.

• Great innovator, organizer, the person who could make a difference. The person, who was always ready for innovations. The person, who knew how to run the system. The person, from whom I have learned a great deal.

• I am proud of having been her student.

• An eminent figure of my city and my lecturer, my teacher. She shaped an era. This is a great loss for Akaki Tsereteli State University. I am happy to have a change of having been a student of teacher Madonna.

• Not only Kutaisi, but whole Georgia lost a great, brilliant person. I am happy to have been her student. She taught me the most important things such as diligence, patience and walking towards the path of success with decisive steps.

• “I don’t need any thank you from you. You just do for your students the same things in return for what I have done for you”.