Tbilisi takes part in Citybooks Project

On March 22 Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands HE Pieter Langenberg and Mrs. Mieke Langenberg held a reception dedicated to the visit of photographer Filip Berthe in the framework of City Books Project.

A digital chain of literary portraits of European cities will focus on Tbilisi this spring involving nine European cities - Utrecht, Oostende, Sheffield, Charleroi, Bucharest, Chartres, Graz, Skopje and Tbilisi.

The Dutch, Flemish and Georgian authors of the digital portrait of Tbilisi will share impressions of the capital of Georgia in prose or poetry. The digital portrait of Tbilisi will be published in Georgian, Dutch, English and French as a downloadable podcast read by the author or actors or as an e-book. The EU-funded project aims at encouraging the artists to generate attention for their works in Tbilisi and Europe as a whole. The project includes literary programs and photo exhibitions in Tbilisi and later in Brussels. To complete the digital portrait, both a Georgian photographer and a Flemish visual artist will make 24 images each.

From April 8 until May 4, Tbilisi will host various events in the frames of the project supported by the Embassy of Netherlands, City Hall Tbilisi, National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, Europe House, G. Leonidze State Museum, Tskheli Shokoladi (Hot Chocolate) magazine, Gosselin Georgia, Radio Muza and International Film Festival in Georgia.

On the first day of the event, Filip Berte and Kakha Kakhiani will introduce their Opening Photography Exhibition at Europe House. On April 15 you will have a wonderful opportunity to debate with Frank Westerman and Ana Kordzaia moderated by Lasha Bakradze at the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia. On the following day, Frank Westerman will read and talk about Ararat - his non-fiction book about science and religion at the State Museum of Georgian Literature in English.

May 3 is also scheduled to host literature debates with Stefan Hertmans, Lasha Bughadze and Shota Iatashvili wondering whether a thing like “European literature” exists… and if so, what are its distinguished features? If you are anxious to find out the answer, visit the National Parliamentary Library. While on May 4, Stefan Hertmans will read his Medea at the State Museum of Georgian Literature again.