Rustavi

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Feature Stories

The coexistence of the ‘old’ and the ‘new’: a Soviet monotown in Georgia

by Volodymyr Soboliev

•7 min read

The concept of industrial monotowns popular in the Soviet Union proved ineffective in the context of the market economy. Many city-forming enterprises have become completely uncompetitive — but cities continue to live. ‘The plant was powerful! And this power was visible, at least throughout Georgia. Everyone would envy Rustavi!’ — says Givi Zurashvili, a resident of Rustavi who worked at a metallurgical plant for 40 years. ‘I entered the factory right after school — in 1970’, he says,

A factory in Rustavi. Photo: Tamuna Chkareuli/OC Media.

air pollution

In pictures | Rustavi: The city of factories

by Tamuna Chkareuli

•4 min read

The former Soviet industrial centre of Rustavi has long been perceived as a city of factories. Spewing toxic fumes into their surroundings, the factories have led to ‘alarming’ levels of air pollution in the city — and local activists, backed by the city council, are getting fed up. In the past, Rustavi’s numerous factories played an active role in the city’s development — they financed a stadium, organised cultural events, and sponsored various youth programmes. Today, around 22 factories a

Armenia

Voice | ‘Our families are as holy as yours’ — stories of acceptance

by OC Media

•10 min read

Despite widespread homophobic attitudes throughout the Caucasus, there are some queer people who find acceptance for who they are — from their co-workers, their friends, and their families. Below are the stories of three queer people, from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Drago — a stage pseudonym — is a 17-year-old boy from Rustavi, Georgia. He is a make-up artist, a fashion model, and a drag performer. Everywhere he walks, he gets unapologetic looks — openly wearing women’s attire, with

constitution

Georgia’s new constitution keeps real change in check [Opinion]

by Volodymyr Soboliev

•6 min read

By reinforcing libertarian principles in Georgia’s constitution, the ruling party aims to keep government small — and the space for egalitarian politics even smaller. Today, 5 May 2017, public hearings begin across Georgia on constitutional amendments proposed by the ruling coalition. Ever since receiving a constitutional majority in parliament last year, Georgian Dream has prepared to change the country’s constitution. Georgian Dream’s first step was to set up a Constitutional Reform

car market

Georgia no longer a regional hub for re-exporting used cars

by Volodymyr Soboliev

•5 min read

Georgia used to be a regional hub for importing and then re-exporting used cars across the Caucasus and Central Asia. Import tariffs from the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union as well as regulations on older and right-hand drive cars have stripped the car markets of Rustavi of this valuable trade. The car market in Rustavi, a city 25 km south-east of the capital Tbilisi, is the biggest of its kind in Georgia. People from around the country and from other former Soviet republics come here

Georgia

When the state invests in labour exploitation [Opinion]

by Volodymyr Soboliev

•5 min read

At the beginning of the month, the Georgian Public Broadcaster announced a plan to reorganise itself; the plan was consumer-oriented and would mean cuts in the broadcaster’s staff. Job cuts have also been announced in a number of other public sector institutions. On top of this, the government is displaying complete apathy towards ill-treatment and forceful dismissals of employees in the private sector. To present itself at the vanguard of creating a ‘business-friendly environment’, t

Auditorium 115

Are Georgia’s disparate left-wing protesters consolidating into a coherent political force?

by Volodymyr Soboliev

•7 min read

A wave of protests unusually widespread for Georgian leftist groups hit the capital Tbilisi this winter, after revelations of dreadful labour conditions in the country emerged. The question is, whether the protests can be transformed into a genuine, grassroots left-wing movement. After several unsuccessful trials, the grassroot workers’ movements from Tbilisi and beyond have found the power to stand together against harsh working conditions and exploitation, activists argue. Left-wing gr