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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Patrick W. Ryan
Tennessee World Affairs Council
Tel: 1-615-523-9600
Email: PatRyan@TNwac.org
Web: http://www.TNwac.org
International
Student Briefing Program Georgia
- Mr. Davit Antadze - March 7, 2009 - 6:30pm
TN WAC Office, Cookeville
International briefing program for students, public set for Saturday
 Cookeville, TN, March 1, 2009 – Georgia will be on the minds of the Tennessee World Affairs Council members and the public who attend the first session of the International Student Briefing series on Saturday, March 7 at 6:30 pm. That’s Georgia, the country that is wedged between Turkey and Russia, not the Peach State.
The reception and briefing at the Council’s office in Cookeville will feature Mr. Davit Antadze, an international exchange student from Georgia who is studying in Tennessee Tech’s World Cultures in Business program this year.
The Tennessee World Affairs Council provides internship opportunities for college students and this semester several international exchange students interning there became interested in sharing information about their homelands with the community according to Council President Patrick Ryan. “We are fortunate to have students from Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Georgia -- all former Soviet republics -- working with us at the Council and it seemed a great opportunity to host a community outreach program for people to learn more about their countries.” He added, “A foreign destination can come alive in your mind when you talk directly with someone from that place rather than just reading about it or watching news on television.”
The March 7 briefing, the first in what will be an ongoing Council program, will cover history, geography, art, culture, society and cuisine of Georgia according to Antadze who is anxious for Americans to learn about his home. “I would like Americans to know that there is a country of Georgia, not just the state. Some know about it from the war with Russia, but there is so much more about my country they should know.” Antadze referred to last summer’s invasion of Georgia by the Russian Federation, which caused extensive damage to the country and delayed his departure for his studies in Cookeville. “Americans should know more about Georgia than the war which is why I will provide information about the people and traditions -- to connect to something else.” He continued, “I would like people here to know that Georgia and the United States have very good relations and that they would be very welcomed in my country. I hope they will want to visit Georgia.”
As to the confusion between his country and the American state of the same name, Antadze smiles when he says, “I tell Americans I come from Georgia and they ask me why I have an accent.” But he adds, “I’m sure they will know the difference after my presentation; I will be happy to tell Americans about Georgia -- my Georgia, not the other one.”
The reception will include a sampling of food prepared by Antadze such as Georgian cheese bread, a sweet rice dish and a desert specialty made from honey and hazelnuts. The briefing and reception are open to the public and there is no charge, but a small donation will be suggested to cover costs. It will be hosted at the Tennessee World Affairs Council office at 31 West First Street in Cookeville. It is recommended you reserve a spot as space is limited and the reception is expected to be popular, according to the Council. Call (615)523-9600 or email: info@TNWAC.org.
Future briefings in the series include Maryna Shevchenko on Ukraine, March 28 and Nargiz Alekberli on Azerbaijan, April 11. “We hear about all of these places in the news, especially as they emerge from the shadow of the Soviet Union and the Cold War and now deal with a resurgent, powerful Russia,” said Ryan. “It’s important to know what’s behind the headlines and this is a special opportunity to hear first hand about these places. It is especially so for younger students in Cookeville; but everyone who comes will learn something.” Details about these and other events for the community are posted on the Council’s web site.
The programs are hosted by the Cookeville-based Tennessee World Affairs Council, a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization that seeks to promote global awareness in the community and especially in the schools. Among the Council’s efforts since it was founded in 2007 have been distinguished visiting speakers programs, academic competitions for high school students, teacher workshops, teacher study abroad programs, current affairs briefings and small group discussion programs. The Council which receives no public funding is operated by a small group of volunteers and it invites the public to support its work through memberships, sponsorships and volunteerism. More information is available online at: www.TNWAC.org.
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PHOTO CAPTION: File alekberli-antadze-shevchenko.jpg
International exchange program students from Tennessee Tech who have volunteered to present briefings and food samplings of their countries at the Tennessee World Affairs Council in Cookeville are (L-R) Nargiz Alekberli of Azerbaijan, Davit Antadze of Georgia and Maryna Shevchenko of Ukraine.
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