Gallery – 2026 – Louisiana Consular Corps

On April 30^th, the Consul-General of the Republic of Georgia, Maia Bartaia, was our guest speaker. Consul-General Bartaia was accompanied by Georgian Counsellor Tengo Kvashilava posted to the Georgian Consulate-General in New York City.

For the past three years, Consul-General Bartaia has been posted to the Georgian Consulate General in New York City, and she also serves as President of the New York Consular Corps. In addition, we also welcomed two visiting Japanese diplomats, Deputy Consul-General Matsutaro YAMASAKI, and his Chief of Staff, Yuri MATSUTARO. Mr. Sean Coppinger, Special Agent-in-Charge in New Orleans of the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, also attended our lunch meeting.

Consul-General Bartaia spoke eloquently about how Georgia’s ports are essential for international trade offering direct connections to European and Asian markets. Also, the Consul-General surprised the audience with the ancient history of wine making in Georgia, where, according to Consul-General Bartaia, wine was first made. Wine and other alcoholic beverages are significant exports of Georgia. The country is famous for its ancient Qvevri* method, which is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

*Underground aging: Being buried keeps the wine at a naturally cool, stable temperature throughout the months of aging.

On April 7th, the Honorary Consul, Walter F. Wolf, III, of the Republic of Latvia in New Orleans, held a reception in honor of the historic visit to Louisiana by the Ambassador of Latvia, H.E. Elita Kuzma.

Earlier in the day, the World Trade Center New Orleans also met the Latvian Ambassador for a dialogue focused on energy security and defense innovation.

The economic partnership between Louisiana and Latvia continues to deepen, underscored by the fact that 80% of Latvian LNG is currently sourced from our state.

On February 16, 2026, Lundi Gras ceremonies were led by New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, marking the beginning of Mardi Gras. The Louisiana Consular Corps and Deirdre McGlinchey, Vice Dean, greeted Rex, the King of Carnival, on stage at the Mississippi Riverfront in New Orleans.