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Friday,
August 17,
2007, #157 (1424)
By Ana Datiashvili The Georgian Union of Writers is the latest evictee in the Ministry of Economic Development's privatization drive. On August 16, the organization was informed by letter that they have two days to vacate their offices at 8 Machabeli Street. The writers, employing familiar means, wrote back with their own letter telling the ministry it has no right to their offices. Just who owns the building is in dispute. At the beginning of the 20th century, renowned Georgian tycoon Davit Sarajishvili bestowed the building as a gift to Georgian writers. Eight months ago, the organization claims, they won a lawsuit over the building's ownership, which should have put a stop to the ministry's plans to sell the building. Apparently, it hasn't. The building is still slated for privatization, the Union says. "This letter of theirs was sent by their privatization department, and we've heard independently that the building is for sale," announced Makvala Gonashvili, head of the Union of Writers on August 16. But, Gonashvili added, they're not going anywhere. The building is the organization's property, he insists, and threatened to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Union leaders say they'll keep six writers garrisoned in the building day and night to forestall the eviction. "If our nation lets this come to pass without protest, then I am ready to change my nationality," declared Revaz Amashukeli, a well-known writer and member of the group. Minister of Economic Development Giorgi Arveladze, commenting the same day, was circumspect in his remarks. "This building is Soviet-made. This is the community which was created by the Soviet regime to control what writers did. They punished some and encouraged some. This is your typical Soviet relic," Arveladze said. He did not clarify whether or not the central Tbilisi building had been sold off, or even if it was indeed destined for privatization. He did, however, confirm that the writers have until August 18 to get out. He also suggested
that given their profession, they're making much ado about nothing.
Iconic 12th century Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli didn't have an office,
Arveladze remarked, but still managed to craft his epic poem, "The
Knight in the Panther's Skin." |
A
mighty test for the pen as the Union of Writers faces eviction
