Louisa Vinton, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Georgia, about Tea Masters Cup Georgia and Tea Festival in Ozurgeti.
This is a fantastic day and a fantastic event! I think what’s happening here is the developing of an identity for region and Georgia as a producer of tea, but a producer of fine tea that has distinctions by region, by area, by where the water is produced and what mountain it’s grown on.
For us, for UNDP, it’s all part of creating an image that will not only help with the production and consumption of tea in Georgia and its export to other countries, but also with developing touristic offering in Georgia that is very specific and very authentic, that will encourage domestic and international tourist to come to Guria and see what tea is all about. And to really experience how it’s grown and harvested and served — which was a big part of this competition today.
So, I am really full of very positive impressions.
I think that the competition adds a lot to the identity; and I was thinking even that it would be great to turn it into a television programme, which puts all the drama on top: with comments from judges and backstage guests.
It’s a great opportunity to promote tea and promote Georgia. Not many people are aware of the fact that tea is a lot more than just a beverage for drinking. It’s a great centrepiece for something that is much, much more than that: it is about the ceremony, the presentation, the accompanying sweets and savoury dishes. I don’t normally have days when I feel like I’ve seen a whole new world! So, I’m really pleased to be here; and I am really, really proud that UNDP has had something to do with organising the festival hosting the competition.
