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Kutaisi to Spend 250 000 GEL on New Year Celebration

December 26, 2016
 
Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi

Kutaisi has started preparation of the New Year celebration for several days already. The streets were decorated, New Year lights were installed, and central New Year tree was set up. Regardless celebration mood, the society has different opinions. They argue about the funds allocated from the local budget for the New Year celebration.

150 000 GEL was allocated for the decoration and illumination of the city, 20 000 GEL for the decoration of the New Year tree, 79 000 GEL – for the restoration-repair of old, last year and older decorations, 49 000 GEL for the purchase of new accessories. As the representatives of the Kutaisi City Hall said they do not spend huge funds for the creation of New Year mood for the city population.

“Illuminated streets, New Year tree and entertainment are very good but our government shall not forget the main issue. The people need minimum viable product and illuminated home. Illumination of only the city is not enough for the people. Everything is expensive, electricity is often cut off, many people do not have shelter – to tell the truth, Kutaisi and maybe the entire Georgia is greeting the New Year with similar situation. It is good to have illumination and entertainment when you are not hungry and do not have to look for the money to buy food for kids everyday; we have many more problems,” local Natalia Japaridze said.

Many people think the same in Kutaisi. They complain about current social conditions, fallen national currency rate and increased prices on food and medicines.

“As exchange rate on USD has increased, the prices also increased but we cannot cancel new year celebrations. Neither we can leave the city in darkness and disappoint the people, who meet the new year with new hopes. Regardless all difficulties, we try and will try always to create celebration mood in the city and allow people to forget daily problems at least for a while,” representatives of the Kutaisi City Hall said.

Local self-government plans several events for the New Year – they have announced competition of the best, most creative New Year tree for the public and private schools and other organizations in the city.

Exhibition of Georgian, traditional products will be organized in the old historical district of Kutaisi; mask theatre, illumination of the central new year tree and new year show-concert will also be organized in the city. The Kutaisi city budget of 51 million GEL will spend total 250 000 GEL on all abovementioned events for the New Year. 

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