CULTURE WEEK TBILISI 2024: FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
Culture Week Tbilisi 2024
Tbilisi greets us once more. It’s been nearly a year since our last visit to Georgia’s capital, during which time much has changed. Our previous visit was for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, but our inaugural trip was for Culture Week in 2022. Now, in 2024, we are here again, and just like last time, a significant struggle coincides with the event. The first edition focused on Ukraine’s fight for freedom, a theme that remains central to Georgia. Now, the country is also grappling with its own quest for liberation. During the day, art prevailed, while at night, the power of the people was evident on the streets. Culture Week 2024 showcased the Georgian desire for freedom, a European future, and peace.
The creative industry is often influenced by a nation’s political and social circumstances. Culture Week Tbilisi aims to counteract this trend by harnessing the power of art to combat forces that threaten freedom of expression and the human right to peace. In 2022, we witnessed the talent and resilience of Ukrainian artists amid a war that continues today. Their work provided a deeper understanding of the loss they experienced. This year, the strong bond between Georgians and Ukrainians persists. However, Georgians are also facing their own battles.
The proposed Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, also known as the Russian law, which requires media and NGOs receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as “agents of foreign influence,” threatens freedom of expression. This concern has led to persistent demonstrations in Tbilisi. The tense social climate magnified the meaning of each artist’s showcase, turning their work into a form of protest for the right to express and create freely.
For this edition, art and fashion shared the spotlight, blending elements from the previous events held in Georgia’s capital. Sofia Tchkonia, the mastermind behind this, brought this vision to life. With a well-organized schedule featuring exhibits, fashion shows, concerts, and film screenings over four days, the event offered a rich and varied program. Most activities took place at Factory Tbilisi, which had undergone renovations to accommodate different artistic disciplines. Other locations around the city also hosted various events, showcasing the best of Georgian food and wine.
The Factory exhibition featured diverse art forms, including photography, installations, sculptures, and paintings. Ukrainian artist Roman Mikhalov returned with a focus on shadows, reflecting the lasting impact of memories. Georgian artist Levan Mindiashvili pondered time with his work, featuring the quote, “Past is just a story we tell ourselves,” and a striking violet neon sign reading “reevolution.” Azerbaijani artist Faig Ahmed’s deconstructed traditional stereotypes through his iconic melting carpets, while the exhibition Curtain Georgian Theatre 1937, curated by Nikoloz Tsulukidze, depicted Georgia’s tumultuous history during the 20th century.
The exhibition also included a fashion curation by Diane Pernet, featuring local designers like Supernatural Superstars by Davit Zhorzholiani, Kvarti by Tinatin Pantskhava, and Uta Bekaia, as well as international talents like Ukrainian Mira Matchina and Chilean-born Paris-based Sebastian A. de Ruffray with Sevali. This collection showcased avant-garde styles and the visionary talent that defines Pernet’s influence in the fashion industry.
Fashion shows across various locations reflected the state of the country and the creative industry’s response to the challenging situation. Berhasm presented a collection titled Chaos and New Order, with models representing the reality of protesters facing tear gas and pepper spray. Young designers like Dzhaba Kurtishvili and Lashao Gabunia displayed their talents, while Aka Prodiashvili’s theatrical looks culminated in a European flag-turned dress, symbolizing the desire for a European future.
Documentary film screenings, a new addition to the event, were a major success. Renowned director Reiner Holzemer presented two films: Juergen Teller, about the legendary photographer, and Martin Margiela: In His Own Words, where Margiela narrates his life. Holzemer’s insights into the creation of these films provided a memorable experience.
Music and dance were integral to the week’s events, with the Georgian National Ballet and Orchestra Sukhishvili welcoming us with their intricate choreographies. The closing act featured an emotional opera concert by singer Anita Rachvelishvili, director Nikoloz Rachveli, and the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra. Rachvelishvili also performed the Georgian national anthem during a surprise visit to President Salome Zourabichvili’s residence. In a powerful speech, President Zourabichvili emphasized Georgia’s commitment to freedom of speech and the role of art and culture in achieving liberation.
