Rebel Georgian publishers: “We represent freedom to publish”

Following the Frankfurt Book Fair, Georgian publishers promptly returned home to cast their votes in the Oct. 26 elections. Not one member of the Georgian delegation expressed sympathy for the ruling Georgian Dream party, and they continue to reject state support, effectively boycotting the government’s growing pressure on culture. Chytomo met with the Georgian delegation at the FBF, where they spoke about being “blacklisted” by the government, their independent presence at the Book Fair, and the role of culture in the face of authoritarianism.

“This is the second year of our rebel stand,” explained Gvantsa Jobava, the head of international affairs at publishing house Intelekti, who was appointed president of the International Publishers Association on Sept. 26.

In 2018, Georgia was the Guest of Honour at Frankfurt, showcasing its literature with a large stand and an exceptional pavilion. Since then, publishers have reported a surge in global interest in Georgian literature. According to the Writers’ House report, before the boycott 550 translations from Georgian were done within the Guest of Honour project and over the next five years, which amounts to almost 100 translations per year, an impressive achievement for a country with 3.7 million people. Almost half of these translations are into German, followed by French and English. However, Georgian publishers fear that the momentum from being Guest of Honour may be lost due to the Georgian government’s oppressive cultural policy, repeatedly criticized by the Georgian cultural community over the past few years.

The scandalous “foreign agents” law, purportedly aimed at “limiting propaganda in Georgia,” actually reveals the authoritarian approach of Georgian Dream, according to Nuka Gambashidze, publisher and rights manager at Sulakauri. Firstly, according to Gambashidze, the undemocratic policy of appointing loyalists to key positions has “killed” cultural institutions. Moreover, the law serves not to limit propaganda but to control culture, restrict freedom of speech, and transform culture itself into propaganda.

Gvantsa Jobava at the Georgian stand, Frankfyrt Book Fair, 2024

The Georgian publishers who came to Frankfurt reject the notion that culture is outside of politics: “We represent the freedom to publish on our stand,” Jobava stated.

That’s why the Georgian presence at the Frankfurt Book Fair was a joint effort by four of the country’s largest and most-renowned publishers: Intelekti Publishing House, Sulakauri Publishing House, Artanuji Publishing, and Palitra L Publishing House. The stand’s name echoed the 2018 theme of Georgian presence, “Georgia – Made by Characters,” which returned this year with the motto “Different Characters – Same Goals.”

Meanwhile, Georgian publishers face challenges in achieving wider impact. According to 2020 statistics, the market volume is approximately €5.4 million, with a capacity of 1,542 titles per year, including 860 new titles. The average print run is up to 1,000 copies. Updated statistics are expected later this year.

Natasha Lomouri at the Georgian stand, Frankfurt Book Fair 2024

To stay afloat, publishers often diversify by combining trade publishing with textbook production or bookselling, establishing their own book chains or individual stores. “Booksellers have more power than any other cultural institution,” Natasha Lomouri, head of PEN Georgia, explained.

Many experienced managers and professionals in the cultural sector, working within government-affiliated institutions, have been forced to resign under pressure from the ruling party, significantly weakening these institutions. Conversely, this exodus has strengthened non-governmental institutions such as PEN Georgia, now led by Natasha Lomouri, former head of Writer’s House.

Following the enactment of the “foreign agents” law, some non-governmental organizations, including the Georgian Publishers Association, have registered as “foreign agents.” Others, despite receiving over 20 percent of their funding from foreign grants, have chosen to boycott the law.

Georgian publishers who don’t support the leading party’s politics face exclusion from public spaces like libraries and other government-funded institutions. Participants of the Georgian stand said they have been blacklisted, preventing collaboration or event hosting in public buildings or even with the Georgian Embassy abroad.

However, the government doesn’t block non-supportive publishers from applying for Georgian grant programs. Yet, the majority of publishers choose not to apply. As Gvantsa Jobava puts it, “We refuse to get any money from the Ministry of Culture because we don’t want to legitimize their actions against independent Georgian culture through any possible collaboration with them. Instead, we decided to show that we are free and stronger together.”

One week before the elections, Sulakauri bookstores decorated all their vitrines with a single title: “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. This public display didn’t achieve its intended goal, but unlike their Russian counterparts, Georgian publishers aren’t complaining. Instead, they’re embracing Gvantsa Jobava’s notion that “every government is a reflection of society’s failures.”

Photo: Sulakauri Publishing

Now, the publishing and literary community, eager to see Georgia join the European Union, are protesting on the streets against the disputed Oct. 26 election results, which they believe were falsified.

Photos: Yevhenia Perutska