The Bulgarian city of Burgas will host the Black Sea Literary Festival, ‘Freedom Speaks,’ between 5-8 June, bringing together writers, publishers, translators, agents, and literary figures from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, and Romania.
Georgia will be represented by a diverse delegation, including authors, publishers and translators alike: Iva Pezuashvili, Archil Kikodze, Natia Mikeladze, Nana Abuladze, Zviad Kvaratskhelia, Gvantsa Jobava, Mariam Kvitsiani, Tea Topuria, Rati Mujiri, Irakli Kakabadze (aka Yaki Kabe), and Paata Shamugia.
Longtime partner of the festival, Georgian publishing house ‘Intelekti’, has supported the initiative since its founding. For this year’s edition, selected works by Georgian authors will be translated into Bulgarian and presented in bilingual readings. The festival will also feature panel discussions on literary and publishing trends in the region.
Notably, last year’s festival led to the Bulgarian publication of Iva Pezuashvili’s ‘Bunker’, and a translation of Yaki Kabe’s ‘The Book of Exit’ is currently in the process.