Our Tuesday lunch became dinner on 12 April.
Gilbert made his report about Rotaract and presented the banner of his visit to the Rotary Club of Carmel (Indiana).
(thanks to Celine for her pics!)
Speaker was Dr. David Aptsiauri, Ambassador of Georgia, presenting his country.
Georgia is in the Caucasus, a region named after the range of mountains that traces a spectacular diagonal spine from Russia’s Black Sea coast in the northwest, to Baku in the southwest, on the Caspian Sea. This range (higher than the Alps) is considered by many to represent the border between Europe and Asia. Georgia is bordered by Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan to the south and Russia to the north. Georgia covers a territory of 69,700 sq Km, and its 2015 population is about 3.75 million. Its favored location has given Georgia a culture partly European, partly Asiatic, but all its own. The climate is diverse, but generally warm and benign. Topography ranges from fertile river valleys to snow-topped peaks and Alpine meadows. Fruit, vines and tea grow in profusion. Georgian wines are a matter of culture.
Georgia also has 500 varieties of grapes and 500 different wines. As it happens, I have at home some wine from Georgia!
Georgians have a story about how their country came to be. God was distributing land among the peoples of the world. The Georgians turned up late and there was no land left. God was annoyed but the Georgians explained that they had been entertaining guests and had got caught up in feasting and thanking God for their blessings with lavish toasts. God was pleased and decide to reward them with the very last spot: “I will give you the land I have been saving for myself.” And so it was that Georgia was born.
This myth holds a lot of truths, as they usually do. It reflects the stunning beauty of the country,and the productive climate.
It also tells of the warmth and hospitality of wine. Georgians still toast, and sing, warmly and without inhibition during their supras.
Georgia is one of the best countries in Europe for investments due to its tax policies. Many companies are looking into moving to Georgia, setting up joint ventures. Georgia has good relations with neighboring countries and China.
Rotarian Eli hosted the auction of Georgian wines donated by the National Wine Agency of Georgia. 13 bottles of wines were all sold and raised RMB 3,950. Together with the happy money, a total of RMB 6,100 was donated to Chunmiao Little Flower.
Special thanks to the Georgian Ambassador Dr. David Aptsiauri and the National Wine Agency of Georgia!
