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New Developments in the United States' Georgian Community

Written by Vasili Rukhadze
Sunday, 29 July 2007
There are some new developments in the Georgian immigrant community of the United States of America. These developments are linked to the arrival of Mr. Hayati Kucuk to the US in July of the current year. Mr. Kucuk is a citizen of Turkey, but an ethnic Georgian who was born and raised in Turkey. He is a successful businessman in Turkey and internationally. Since early 1990’s he became very active in Georgia, searching for the ways to develop Georgian-Turkish cultural-political relationships and help Georgia on its way in nation-building process and towards independence. In mid 1990’s Mr. Kucuk founded the International Black Sea University and Private Demirel College in Tbilisi, both of them well-known for holding up the high quality education standards in Georgia and in the entire South Caucasus region. It has to be noted that many acting Georgian diplomats were educated at these institutions back in 1990’s. Mr. Kucuk continued very productive community work in Georgia and in Turkey that resulted in the creation of the Georgian Foundation in Turkey, made up of influential Georgian businessmen living in the country. Besides, Mr. Kucuk designed multiple community outreach programs and has a rich experience of working in Ajara and Kvemo Kartli regions of Georgia. For his contributions to the country President Mikheil Saakshvili granted second (dual) citizenship of Georgia to Mr. Hayati Kucuk. The primary goal of Mr. Kucuk's visit in the United States was to explore the opportunities in the United States’ Georgian community to form strong diaspora organization that would serve as a bridge for cultural exchanges for thousands of Georgians integrating into mainstream American life. He made contacts with Jew Jersey based EBRU TV and raised their interest in the Georgian community. The TV channel already started several programs about the history, characteristics and the prospects of the Georgians in America. Mr. Kucuk met with various representatives of the Georgian community in the country: with businessmen, doctors, intellectuals, community leaders and ordinary people from all spheres of social life. He is till designing the blueprint of the future organization that will reach cultural, educational and economic aspects of life of America’s Georgian immigrants. Further meetings with the Georgian community activists and leaders are scheduled for September, upon the return of Mr. Kucuk to the United States. !
Last Updated ( Monday, 30 July 2007 )