BBC Learning English
Words in the News
27

th

September 2010

Campaigners object to rural ski resort

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2010

Page 1 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Campaigners in Georgia have spoken out against a multi-million dollar ski resort which they

say threatens the tranquillity of one of the country's most remote areas. The government says

fifty million dollars will be spent on revamping the Svaneti region. Tom Esslemont reports:

Over the last 12 months, President Saakashvili has overseen some stark changes to the

appearance of Georgian towns and cities. In Tbilisi, he presides over a new presidential palace

with a large glass dome. In the seaside resort of Batumi, he has ensured that glitzy casinos

line the coast. To those who admire them, they are shimmering symbols of gradual economic

growth. And now, the wave of construction, has even reached one of the more isolated

regions in the Caucasus mountains.

In the pine-brushed valleys of Svaneti, President Saakashvili recently announced that he

wants a ski-resort built there. Builders are already hard at work, under orders to get it ready in

time for the winter season.

It is one of the poorest regions in the country and many locals anticipate positive economic

change. But to its opponents, this is sacrilege. Three separate families told the BBC that their

land is being used without their permission to build the resort. The authorities deny seizing

land and blame ancient, unwritten ownership laws. There is no way of knowing who owns

what, they say.

The huge project may continue to split the community, but the president appears hell-bent

on attracting investment to the region - no matter how controversial - as he seeks to repair his

reputation, so tainted by his country's war with Russia two years ago.

Tom Esslemont, BBC News, Svaneti

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2010

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

stark

significant or somewhat unpleasant

glitzy

elaborate and extravagant

shimmering symbols

impressive signs or indicators

wave of construction

sudden large increase in building projects

pine-brushed

area with many pine trees

anticipate

expect or predict

sacrilege

highly disrespectful

split the community

divide opinion among people who live in the area

hell-bent

recklessly determined or focussed

tainted

spoiled

More on this story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11417913

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2010/09/100927_witn_georgia_tourism_page.shtml