▲You can buy a bust of Stalin for ₾40 ($14) on the Samgori second-hand market. Photo: Sofi Mdivnishvili/OC Media.
The open-air bazaars of Tbilisi began with the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, as newly-independent Georgia experienced political and economic turmoil. Having lost their jobs and homes, newly-destitute citizens began selling their possessions as hyperinflation decimated pensions and savings.
It’s possible to find almost anything you can imagine in the market. Photo: Sofi Mdivnishvili/OC Media.The old walls of the market with graffiti. Photo: Sofi Mdivnishvili/OC Media.
At the Navtlughi Bazaar in Samgori, different nationalities congregate with the same objectives. Georgians, Russians, Armenians and Azeris work side by side without regard for ethnic origin. Many vendors have been here for 20 years.
About a year ago, there were only a few sellers selling in the open-air market on Mevele Street. But since the management of the established market doubled the rent on a stall, many sellers decided to set up shop in the open air on the other side of the street. When the weather is bad, they are unable to work, but at least pay a rate of only ₾1 ($0.34) a day.
In spite of the low prices, people still haggle. Photo: Sofi Mdivnishvili/OC Media.There are loud colours everywhere in this faded surrounding. Photo: Sofi Mdivnishvili/OC Media.
The oldest member of the bazaar is Nikolai Abazov, a Russian. Despite his 94 years, his memory is sharp.
‘I worked in a military aeroplane factory for 67 years, but my pension today is only ₾200 ($67). It is not enough to live on. I have four children and somehow I still help them because I am a grandfather of 11.’
It was hard for Nikolai to stand up without help to take a photo. Photo: Sofi Mdivnishvili/OC Media.
It was hard for Nikolai to stand up without help to take a photo. Photo: Sofi Mdivnishvili/OC Media.
It was hard for Nikolai to stand up without help to take a photo. Photo: Sofi Mdivnishvili/OC Media.
‘My oldest child didn’t manage to get a job because she knows only Russian. My grandchildren are always checking my pockets when I return home. There are some days when I don’t sell anything and I just pay for my daily rent.’
‘Anything you can find here costs a maximum ₾5 ($1.70) and sometimes I don’t have many things to sell. So the most I can make in a month from this place is ₾200 ($67).’
Abkhazia’s Foreign Minister has confirmed that Russia has cut financial support to Abkhazia for failing to enact pro-Russian reforms.
Sergei Shamba told reporters on Tuesday that Russia had suspended the Socio-Economic Development Programme for Abkhazia two days earlier, on Sunday.
Russian financial aid makes up a large proportion of Abkhazia’s government budget.
The move comes amidst a growing rift between Abkhazia and Russia, with widespread public backlash over a number of measures push
Russian media have reported that a large amount of Armenian brandy, as well as a batch of Armenian strawberries, have failed to meet Russian standards. Armenian authorities have stated they have not received any official documentation from Russian authorities regarding these claims.
On Wednesday, the Russian Mash Telegram channel reported that the ‘dangerous pesticide tebuconazole’ was found in a four-ton batch of strawberries exported from Armenia to Russia.
The batch was selected for test
The Georgian Government has increasingly moved to strengthen relations with China, hailing the economic potential of the partnership including high-profile infrastructure projects. But despite the optimism, the relationship has so far remained almost entirely one-sided, and in fact, opens the country up to substantial new risks.
Georgia’s foreign strategic alignment has been profoundly influenced by its geopolitical location, historical context, and aspirations for closer integration with West
Bank of Georgia has reached an agreement to acquire Ameriabank, one of the largest banks in Armenia, for $303.6 million.
Bank of Georgia Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, announced its proposed acquisition of 90% of the Armenian bank on Monday. The agreement would allow the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to retain its 10% share in the bank.
The acquisition still requires approval by regulators, including the Central Bank of Armenia.
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