Maradia Tsaava

Tbilisi-based journalist & documentary filmmaker

Georgian freelance journalist and documentary filmmaker based in Tbilisi.

Stories by the Author

A view of Tbilisi, the capital and largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura River with around 1.2 million inhabitants.

A view of Tbilisi, the capital and largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Kura River with around 1.2 million inhabitants. © Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Georgia: Political Choices Fuel Economic Fears

Amid rising rates of labour migration, some warn that a pivot away from Europe could gravely impact country’s economy.

23 Oct 24

An evening view of Tsalenjikha, a village in Georgia's western region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. Magda Kharchilava, 24, left the village of nearly 4,000 people to study in the capital Tbilisi but decided to return to pursue her photography and art passion. She is an exception: young Georgians are leaving rural areas in droves due to lack of education and job opportunities in the regions.

An evening view of Tsalenjikha, a village in Georgia's western region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti. Magda Kharchilava, 24, left the village of nearly 4,000 people to study in the capital Tbilisi but decided to return to pursue her photography and art passion. She is an exception: young Georgians are leaving rural areas in droves due to lack of education and job opportunities in the regions. © Magda Kharchilava

Young Georgians Abandon Rural Life for the Capital

As Tbilisi swells, towns and villages lose the very force that could keep them alive.

28 Mar 23

Hundreds of mourners gather for the funeral of a Georgian volunteer fighter who was killed in Ukraine, on March 26, 2022 in Tbilisi. Davit Ratiani, 53 years old, died under artillery fire on March 18th at the Irpin front, northwest of Kyiv.

Hundreds of mourners gather for the funeral of a Georgian volunteer fighter who was killed in Ukraine, on March 26, 2022 in Tbilisi. Davit Ratiani, 53 years old, died under artillery fire on March 18th at the Irpin front, northwest of Kyiv. © Daro Sulakauri/Getty Images

The Georgians Killed Fighting in Ukraine

The conflict has deep resonance in Georgia - but Tbilisi’s attitude remains ambiguous.

9 Jan 23

Workers of the Borjomi water's two bottling factories in Georgia have been on strike for weeks over wages and uncertainty after the iconic Georgian brand was caught into the sanctions against Russia in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. © Maradia Tsaava

Georgia Nationalises Iconic Mineral Water Due to Russian Sanctions

The instantly-recognisable brand has become a collateral victim of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

14 Jun 22

Nikoloz who turned 18 a few months ago has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which impacts his communication skills and is often expressed in limited and repetitive patterns of behaviour.

Nikoloz who turned 18 a few months ago has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which impacts his communication skills and is often expressed in limited and repetitive patterns of behaviour. © IWPR

Georgia: Autistic Adults Left Behind

While children have access to free therapy, treatment centres are not equipped to support adults.

28 Mar 22

Hasan has been living and studying in Georgia since 2013. After marrying a local, he decided to stay and apply for a residency permit in 2019 only to be denied. Since then, he has been involved in a three year long appeal process to overturn the decision.

Hasan has been living and studying in Georgia since 2013. After marrying a local, he decided to stay and apply for a residency permit in 2019 only to be denied. Since then, he has been involved in a three year long appeal process to overturn the decision. © Hasan

Georgia: Are Migrants a Threat to Society?

Citizens from the Middle East, Africa and Asia say that they are being routinely discriminated against when applying for residency.

18 Jan 22

The The Bokeria Tbilisi Referral Hospital where the mental health ward was closed down. where the mental health ward was closed down.

The Bokeria Tbilisi Referral Hospital where the mental health ward was closed down. © Bokeria Tbilisi Referral Hospital

Georgia: Mental Health Care Under Strain

Scarcity of in-patient care means that many struggle to access help.

4 Oct 21

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