Privatized theatre celebrates new life
By Keti Sikharulidze

The Messenger, Georgia
Aug 17 2005

Batumi’s coastline: President
Saakashvili hopes revitalization
will bring more tourists from both
Georgia and abroad

President Mikheil Saakashvili attended the grand opening of the newly
remodeled “Cinema Tbilisi” in Batumi on August 15, highlighting
the revitalization of a property sold through the government’s
privatization program.

The theater was privatized by the Adjaran Ministry of Finance and
Economy at an auction this January, where it sold for USD 600,000.

The new, unnamed owner of the theater made extensive renovations prior
to the ceremony, installing modern Italian and American equipment,
local television stations report.

Local residents praised the new cinema, along with several other
changes made in Batumi recently. “I worked as cashier in the theater
a long time ago. I hope it will fill up often, as it did then,”
said Batumi native Nazi Lastakanidze to The Messenger.

The Batumi municipality also installed a jumbo-tron screen on the
city’s central boulevard, next to the statue of Memed Abashidze,
that is intended to provide locals and guests with information on
upcoming cultural events.

The arrival of President Saakashvili served to draw special attention
to the event, which government representatives hope will prove to be
a successful example of a state-owned enterprise becoming a viable
private business. The grand opening also provided an opportunity to
highlight recent development initiatives in the Autonomous Republic
of Adjara, one of Georgia’s prime tourist destinations.

“The more people that arrive in Adjara, the more cafes and bars will
open there. The main boulevard will become more attractive, as we
are installing one of the most beautifully colored fountains in the
world, which was specially ordered from France,” the president told
journalists on Monday.

Speaking with Armenian journalists, President Saakashvili said he
expects 100,000 Armenians to vacation in Georgia and encouraged
Armenian investors to work in Adjara. Officials also talked of the
possibility to increase flights between Batumi and Armenia.

Saakashvili said he was very satisfied with the event and urged
people to visit Batumi, promising many other exciting and entertaining
developments in the future.

“I like the changes made in Batumi recently. I have a daughter and
we both attended the opening ceremony of the new boulevard. I liked
the fireworks, though these fireworks scared the children, including
my daughter,” Batumi resident Tamuna Tsereteli told The Messenger.

Talking to the paper via phone, Batumi resident Maka Tsuladze stated
the government has done much for the Adjaran region and makes every
effort to improve the situation and create as many “good and beautiful
places for youth as possible.”

“I am so happy that the boulevard and cinema were renovated. We
had no places for entertainment here except bars and restaurants.
Sometimes we really wanted to go to the cinema to watch a film but
could not. However, now I hope that everything will be in order and
that the people will be satisfied with everything that is being done
for all of Georgia, including Adjara,” she said.