Georgian Association of Transplantologists

12 EODD and Tbilisoba

Welcome

On behalf of Georgian Association of Transplantologists (GAT), we invite you to attend 12^th European Organ Donation Day (12^th EODD) scheduled to take place in October 23, 2010 in Tbilisi, Georgia under the patronage of the Council of Europe and hosted by the Ministry of Health of Georgia, Tbilisi State Medical University and Georgian Association of Transplantologists. The European Organ Donation Day (EODD) is an important initiative of the Council of Europe, hosted every year by a different member state. The idea of EODD is to encourage debate on these social problem and support progress of organ donation and transplantation.

1st EODD was organized in Geneva, Switzerland (Prof. Philippe Morel) in September 14, 1996. 12th EODD will be held in conjunction with the meeting of Expert Committee in Organ Transplantation of EDQM of CoE (October 21-12, 2010) as well as with 3rd National Day of Organ Donation and Transplantation).

Tbilisi is one of the most attractive cities in Caucasus Tbilisi (Georgian: თბილისი, [tbiliːsi]), literally "Warm Spring") is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari (Kura) River.

The city was founded in the 5th century AD, covers an area of 726 km² (280.3 square miles) and has 1,480,000 inhabitants.

The city is located strategically at the crossroads between Europe and Asia and lying along the historic Silk Road routes, Tbilisi has often been the point of contention between various rivaling powers and empires.

The demographics of the city is diverse and historically it has been home to peoples from different cultures, religions and ethnicities. Despite being overwhelmingly Orthodox Christian, Tbilisi is one of the few places in the world where a synagogue and a mosque are located next to each other, in the ancient Bath district several hundred meters from the Metecki Church.

Notable tourist destinations include Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral, Freedom Square, Sioni Cathedral, Metekhi, Narikala, Parliament of Georgia, Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre, Anchiskhati Basilica, Mtatsminda (Holy Mountain), Kashveti Church along with the National and Historic Museums of Georgia and numbers of art galleries. Tbilisi is the home of famous artists.

For the photos of Tbilisi, please see the “Gallery” of our webpage.

So, let’s meet at the crossroad between Europe and Asia. We look forward to welcoming you to the capital of Georgia to celebrate 12th EODD.

Sincerely,

Prof. Gia Tomadze, MD, PhD, FICS
GAT President

Inviation and Draft Programm is attached. /admin/editor/uploads/files/12th%20EODD%20Ivitation%20and%20Draf%20Program.pdf

Table of Events

October 21 (Thu)	October 22 (Fri)	October 23 (Sat)	October 24 (Sun)
CD-P-TO 8.00-18.00	CD-P-TO 8.00-16.00	12th EODD	TBILISOBA Outdoor 9.00-24.00
Social events	Social events	TBILISOBA Outdoor, 9.00-24.00	TBILISOBA Outdoor 9.00-24.00

The main venue of the event is:

Hotel "Sheraton Metechi Palace",Tbilisi,Georgia

http://www.sheraton.com/tbilisi

Conference hall: "Kala & Dasi" 9.30-13.30: Indoor activity

13.30-20.00: Outdoor activity and Social Events

TBILISI - OFFICIAL INFORMATION

Tbilisi--One of the Oldest Cities in the World

Tbilisi-Capital of Georgia
Location-Eastern Georgia
Height-380-600 m
Total area- 500 square kilometers.
Population- about 1.5 million
Calling code-32

Climate-moderately warm and humid The coldest month is January, the hottest month is July. The most rainy month is May Average annual temperature is 12,7 °C

National Currency - Georgian Lari

To see Tbilisi map,

please visit: http://www.info-tbilisi.com/tbilisi/map/

Tbilisi and celebration of “Tbilisoba”

Tbilisi is one of the ancient cities in the world. The first settlements here emerged in IV-III centuries B.C. Tbilisi is the Capital of Georgia since the second half of the V century...

“Tbilisoba” - Day of Tbilisi as a celebration was first marked on October 28, 1979 and since than it has became the tradition. At the weekend the meeting of the present and past occurs in the city and the old Tbilisi is livened up once again.

The first established Tbilisoba was held in the renovated districts of the city in the form of the fancy dress carnival: Tbilisi noblemen and Kneinas dressed in the Georgian traditional dresses were looking out from the balconies on the rafts drifting on the Mtkvari.

In Tbilisoba not only Tbilisi residents but also the population of the whole Georgia take part.

People from the different regions of Georgia try to represent their part and arrange the fair of the harvest. That’s why the second name for Tbilisoba is “Autumn celebration.”

Annually as soon as Tbilisoba celebration comes closer lots of cultural and sport events are planned, that go further than the exhibition and concert halls , stadiums and come out in the streets. The celebration is always interesting, the famous people from different spheres are granted the title of honorary citizens.

Tbilisoba 2010 - festivities dedicated to the date of Georgian capital continues. Different events have been scheduled - sailing raft across Mtkvari River, Fruit Festival in Shardeni Street, mass winemaking on the Europe Square, fashion Show in Abanotubani (District of Baths).

Preparations for the Autumn festival will be started since morning on Saturday. Special scenes will be installed. There will be a winepress as well. The Tbilisi Mayor`s Office will buy tons of grapes in Kakheti Region especially for the day. Tbilisi Mayor and other representatives of the city government, the chair and other members of the City Hall are expected to arrive at the Europe Square. They will start making the wine and then anyone will be able to get involved in the process.

Traditional Fruit Festival opens in Shardeni Street. Restaurants in Shardeni and Bamba Streets are preparing for the festival. The restaurants are being decorated with fruits, they are competing with one another in decoration of their interior as well as exterior. They will be voting for one another and reveal the winner, which will be awarded with a challenge knife.

Different music bands - jazz bands and rock musicians - will be playing at the Fruit Festival all day long. A cart loaded with different kinds of fruits is standing at the crossing of Shardeni and Bamba Streets. The fruits are free for all guests.

For more info about Tbilisoba, grapes crashing process in a gigantic grapes crashing device, Rafts on the Mtkvari etc see: http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=3515

Want to find out more about Tbilisi history, major attractions, shopping, walking tours, nightlife? Please visit: http://www.tbilisi.gov.ge/index.php?lang_id=ENG&sec_id=4

If you have questions:

- Upon arrival in Tbilisi;

- How Can I survive if I don't speak Georgian?

- What about currency? Do I need to have Soviet rubles in my wallet?

- What about hotels and accommodation?

- Well, I've settled myself...How shall I spend my leisure time?

- What are MUST SEE places in Tbilisi?

- Oh, I left my car at home, how can travel around the city?

- What about nightlife?

- Am I safe traveling by myself?

- Cultural Hints etc.

Please visit: http://www.info-tbilisi.com/tbilisi/

For LIVE WEBCAMS IN TBILISI AND GEORGIA please visit:

http://www.info-tbilisi.com/tbilisi/live/

If you want to study Georgian in one day :)

please visit http://www.info-tbilisi.com/usefulinfos/dictionary/

Please feel free to contact us about any interesting for you issue by e-mail: giatomadze@global-erty.net