Ave atque Vale*

History says, don't hope. On this side of the grave. But then, once in a lifetime. The longed-for tidal wave. Of justice can rise up, And hope and history rhyme.

SEAMUS HEANEY (1939-2013)

Batumi beach

How many of you have been to Batumi? At Batumi, beyond the stony shore, is the sea; and in the sea or rather, constituting the sea are waves. Near the shore they are small, but a kilometer away they are very big and can be dangerous.

Hokusai: Great Wave off Kanagawa

A famous Japanese picture shows a huge wave, and under it three ships. But from the top of the wave you can see Mount Fuji, the Japanese national mountain (like Georgias Kazbegi) andyou can see the sun

Mount Kazbegi

Your time with me has been time in the sun. Misha before and Ivanishvili now are steering Georgia through the sea and Georgia is important because it needs both America and English, and Russia and Russian. Both Russia and America (with Europe) are waiting anxiously for a peaceful and truly democratic Georgia: it should be the first successful post-Soviet state: maybe not a lion; but at least a Knight in the Panthers Skin. Your work in the school is important, because Bolnisi neither country nor town is a real test case for Georgia. If good things happen here and I am sure they will you can be confident that, by being good and studious and kind, you are contributing in a small way to the progress of a small country which is also important to a big world. My door remains open to you. Thank you!

*Address delivered to Bolnisi III School on the first day of the Autumn Term 2013