Ministry of Education to restore ‘Writers’ House of Georgia’, month after closing
By Levan Abramishvili
Wednesday, August 7
As per the Ministry of Education’s decision, two of the legal entities under public law in the field of literature, ‘Writers’ House of Georgia’ and ‘Georgian National Book Center’ will be restored, just after a month of the announcement that they would be closed.
According to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, the two entities will be merged under the name of the ‘Writers’ House.’ It will still be headed by Nata Lomouri.
The decision comes as a part of a complex reform of the cultural sphere, based on the recommendations of the European Union and the needs of Georgia. The reform also envisages the creation of ‘National Foundation for Culture,’ which will be responsible for implementing the policies developed by the Ministry.
“The work of the Foundation will be based on the principles of equal funding opportunities and protection of creative freedom. Its main purpose will be to promote the development, promotion and internationalization of the culture,” reads the statement published by the Ministry.
The Foundation will ensure strategic financial management and spending, as well as equal access to all members of the society, especially those living in the disadvantaged communities, in high-mountainous regions and occupied territories, those with disabilities and special needs, minorities and the Georgian diaspora living abroad.
The Foundation will also support the development of creative industries, cultural tourism, and routes. One of its primary functions will be to promote culture days, exhibitions, concerts, festivals, etc. both in the country and outside of it.
The minister will appoint the director for a period of 4 years. A Supervisory Board will also be set up, which will determine the strategic direction of the activities. According to the Ministry, representatives of public agencies, as well as local and international experts, will be on the board. Besides, competition committees will be set up for thematic competitions announced following the priorities set by the ministry.
The Foundation will start functioning on January 1, 2020. Its budget is set at GEL 50 million. It will be headed by a specialist in literature, Irma Ratiani.
The ministry made the decision to abolish ‘Writers’ House’ and ‘National Book Center’ at the end of June 2019, and a new organization, ‘National Foundation of Literature’ was formed in exchange for them. The writers viewed the decision as a retaliation for their support of Zviad Ratiani.
Zviad Ratiani, a Georgian poet, was beaten by several policemen in December 2017, after which he verbally abused them. However, the Interior Ministry stated that Ratiani was drunk and insulted police officers when stopped for a simple police check. Tbilisi City Court ordered him to pay GEL 2,000 fine for disobedience and verbal abuse of the police. Many of the Georgian writers and representatives of the scene showed clear support of Ratiani, blaming the government for his mistreatment and demanded to hold the involved policemen accountable for their actions.
In protest to the decision, a stencil art appeared at the entrance of the building where the ‘Writers’ House’ was located, showing Davit Sarajishvili, a famous philanthropist, founder of Georgian brandy production and the builder of the mansion, leaving the place with a bag.
As the writers said at the time, the decision was made without the involvement of those involved in the field; thus, the writers, translators, and publishers were planning to boycott the newly established Foundation.
Lasha Bughadze, a famous Georgian writer, positively assessed the situation.
“It was important for us to understand that even though in a changed form, ‘Writers’ House’ and ‘National Book Center’ will be restored. They had a truly functional impact on Georgian literature, culture, and therefore on Georgia’s image outside the country. So it’s good that this status quo is restored,” said Bughadze.
He also mentioned that the decision for Nata Lomouri to remain as the head was vital because she “enjoys the trust of publishers and writers. I am confident that the new manager will also staff the new board accordingly and restore the oppressed professionals to their positions,” added Bugadze.
According to the writer, the decision to close down both of the institutions was wrongful. He thinks the head of the ‘National Foundation for Culture,’ Irma Ratiani also had a fault in this.
“There have been many injustices before, including those committed by someone who is now represented as the director this some kind of fund. She kicked out professionals form the He divorced professionals directly from the ‘Writers’ House’ and ‘National Book Center,’” Bugadze said.
The ‘Writers’ House’ mansion has a rich history. Built by Sarajishvili, it was granted to the writers and different art circles of Georgia after the Sovietization. From 1923 up until 2007, the building was a place of the ‘Writers’ Union of Georgia.’ Famous Georgian poets, such as Paolo Iashvili, Titsian Tabidze, Mikheil Javakhishvii, Galaktion Tabidze, Konstantine Gamsakhurdia, and many others frequented the house. This is also where Paolo Iashvili committed suicide in 1937. In various years, chairmen of Writers’ Union were Kote Makashvili, Giorgi Leonidze, Mukhran Machavariani, Shota Nishnianidze, and others.
Since October 2008 the building was passed onto the ‘Writers’ House,’ which, according to its concept is an open institution, a place the writers and artists to share their works.
