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Tuesday, October 23, 2007, #202 (1469)
On Monday, the Georgian Writers’ Union gathered to demand back the building they were evicted from in August as part of the government’s privatization drive. The protestors claim the Ministry of Economic Development illegally seized the historic Old Tbilisi building which housed the Writers’ Union for over a century, and have filed suit to win back the property. A court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. Writers’ Union leader Makvala Gonashvili told journalists the group has worldwide support in its campaign for redress. “With these actions,” she continued, “the Georgian government abrogated not only the rights of the Writers’ Union but also international agreements.” Writers’ Union secretary Vaja Otarashvili claimed that Georgia signed a UNESCO convention in 2005 which obliged the government to protect the building. “The [Economic Development Ministry] took this historic building illegally. This government did not build it and it is unclear why it is making claims to the building,” Otarashvili told news media. Renowned Georgian tycoon Davit Sarajishvili bestowed the building as a gift to Georgian writers in the early 20th century. The government evicted the Writers’ Union from the office early on the morning of August 21. Minister of Economic Development Giorgi Arveladze, commenting in August after an eviction notice was sent, sought to downplay the significance of the group while making it clear the building is considered state property. “I don’t think that the Writers’ Union existing at the expense of the state is the only way to develop Georgian literature,” Arveladze said. 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.” |
The pen’s might is tested as writers contest eviction