Page 9 - Code de Vino, #13/19, a/w 2016

6 Wine Club Code de Vino #13 Code de Vino #13 Bidzina Ivanishvili: Living by Law of Grapevine 7

I will bury a grapeseed in warm soil,
And I will kiss the grapevine,
and pluck off the ripe bunches,
And I will invite my friends,
and open my heart to love —
What else is there worth living
for on this sinful earth?
Bulat Okudzhava

Bidzina

Ivanishvili

Living by Law of Grapevine

Interview by Oleg Cherne

The conversation with Bidzina Ivanishvili about wine, vines and Georgia felt rather
like grape planting. We agreed in advance not to touch upon political issues, which
was in fact not necessary, as a comprehensive presentation of the Georgian
identity was well embodied by my interviewee. It is an impression of life as
a vivid, vibrant and highly organized process, based on respect for the people
and space of Georgia.

Each question created associations as if it were not an interview but a journey
through the fabric of time, through the fabric of Georgia, and each answer of my
interlocutor was imbued with love for his homeland. Georgia and love! An amazing
example of well-cared-for principles of human existence and curiosity about
human nature have created hidden horizons of exploration and knowledge
in Mr Ivanishvili.