Georgian writers, translators, publishers and people employed in the literary field have issued a joint statement regarding the appointment of “Georgian Dream” MP Ketevan Dumbadze as the head of the House of Writers.
The signatories of the statement declare disobedience to the policy of the Ministry of Culture and refuse to recognize the new head.
The statement, which has more than 80 signatories, states that the Ministry of Culture has an undemocratic, Soviet, anti-state character.
They demand that a commission be formed with a working group appointed by the writers, which will select a candidate for the director of the House of Writers and develop a new governing-board document.
“The House of Writers is the central institution of the Georgian literary process, which promotes the destruction of the isolation wall created by Russia around Georgia, and ensures Georgia’s cultural involvement and participation on various important international platforms.
“This most important institution for Georgian literature, from the day of its establishment, was headed by Natalia Lomouri, who during all these years, together with the team of the House of Writers, created and implemented the most important projects for Georgian literature and Georgian culture in general.
“There can be a different opinion on the activities of every person, the head of every institution can be changed, but for the sustainable development of the state, it is important that the work done by a person in the public service is always properly appreciated and recognized. It is also important that areas of common national interest, such as culture, education and national security, are always free from narrow political and party-official interference and decisions. Therefore, the dismissal of the head of such an important institution and the appointment of a new head without consultation with the people working in the field, with a narrow party vision and behind closed doors, is completely incompatible, unacceptable and incredibly insulting to any sane person.
“When the Minister of Culture is unable to talk to the representatives of the literary field, has no desire to come to the House of Writers, to appreciate and recognize the enormous work done by his employees for ten years, he loses his legitimacy.
“The decision taken by the minister to select the head of an institution such as the House of Writers behind closed doors on the basis of party affiliation is categorically unacceptable. It is a disgusting expression of the Soviet totalitarian tradition and is damaging to the international relations vital to Georgian culture.
“We, Georgian writers, translators, publishers and people employed in the literary field declare our disobedience to the policy of the Ministry of Culture, which has an undemocratic, Soviet, anti-state character. Accordingly, we do not accept a new director who voted in favor of the “Russian law” against the Georgian society. We do not accept interference in literary life and processes by Soviet methods.
“We demand the creation of a commission together with a working group appointed by the writers, which will select a candidate for the director of the House of Writers and develop a new management-board document, in order to avoid interference in the work of the House of Writers with individual and party decisions in the future,” the statement said.
More than 80 individuals and organizations have signed the statement so far.
Signing of the statement continues.
From September 4, 2023, Ketevan Dumbadze, MP and daughter of the late children’s writer Nodar Dumbadze, is set to head the Georgian House of Writers. The order of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia has already been issued.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, in the autumn session of 2023, the authority of Ketevan Dumbadze will be terminated as a Member of the Parliament of Georgia, according to the law.
