A forum titled “A New Social Contract – For the Sake of Georgia” was held in Tbilisi on February 8, organized by Freedom Square.
The large-scale forum focused on a central question: “What kind of Georgia do I want to live in?” — a theme around which the speakers shared their views and reflections.
“It is very rare that we manage to reach agreement in the present moment. That is why, for me as a researcher and as the head of an institution, participation in civic forums where society tries to find points of consensus is always extremely important,” said Nino Doborjginidze, Professor and Rector of Ilia State University.
Actress Nino Kasradze, one of the forum’s speakers, criticized recent developments in the cultural sphere during her address:
“Just a few days ago, Batumi State Theatre canceled a performance because the director expressed his subjective political views, claiming that theatre is not a place for such expression. This is no longer the beginning of the end — this is the end of the end,” she said.
Teacher Datia Badalashvili also spoke at the forum, which was held at Expo Georgia, expressing concerns about fear and repression:
“What kind of Georgia do I want to live in? I don’t want to leave this meeting and receive a message from a relative telling me that after the library, I might lose my job at a school as well. I don’t want a friend to tell me that someone might be waiting for them on the street to beat them.”
The forum was organized by Freedom Square, and one of its leaders, Levan Tsutskiridze, also addressed the participants.
Image source: Netgazeti
