Wednesday, October 5
12:00 – 14:00
Location: Batumi State University, Hall 32, Rustaveli/Ninoshvili str.32/35
»LOST AND FOUND IN TRANSLATION« – TRANSLATION MASTERCLASS
Katja Wolters [ Georgia / Germany] online
Georgian Katja Wolters, a Freiburg resident who has translated works by Luka Bakanidze, Aleko Shugladze, Nato Ingorokva, Dato Turashvili, and others into German, is multilingual and fascinated by the process of consciously dealing with the sound and rhythm of a language and transferring an original text into another language with the necessary sensitivity. She has translated books by Gabriel García Márquez and Jorge Luis Borges into Georgian. This workshop is designed to give students of philology the opportunity to produce their first literary translations.
Moderator: Mariam Korinteli
Language: Georgian
(closed event for students )
13.00. – 14.00.
Online event
»The promise«
Set against the backdrop of South Africa’s political transition, this novel relishes in bitter satire as it tells the story of the white Swart family, who once promised their longtime servant, a black woman, a house and land of her own. Awarded the 2021 Booker Prize, »It’s all in here: fate, death, loss, right down to a kind of catharsis at the end that leaves a spark of hope« [DLF Kultur].
Moderator: Art Antonyan
Language: English
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
16.30. – 17.30.
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
Film «VOICES ON WAR»
The peaceful life in Europe stopped on February 24, 2022, when Russia started unprovoked aggression again Ukraine and invaded its territory. During the following months the world experienced not only the moments of shock and despair but at the same time the moments of solidarity and unity against the aggression. The film «Voices on war» presents outstanding writers of the worldwho speak about the war in Ukraine. With their strong political and personal statements, they condemn aggression and show support to the Ukrainian people. Among the speakers are Margaret Atwood, Karl Schlögel, and many others.
Language: English
16:30 – 18:00
Online event
»TÜK«
Art Antonyan [ Ukraine ] online
The story takes place in a country called Ümpire. Here, heart palpitations are not only considered a terrible disease, but also a crime. The protagonist, David, who works for the television center, is swept into a vortex of events that not only challenges the perfection of the imperial order, but also threatens the whole of humanity.
Moderator: Yulia Suschenko
Language: Ukrainian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
19:00 – 19:30
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL – GREETING WORDS»
Languages: Georgian, English, Ukrainian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
19:30 – 20:30
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«KEYNOTE SPEECH AND DISCUSSION»
Anne Applebaum [USA] online
Award-winning historian Anne Applebaum, recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and other honors, specializes in Russia and Eastern Europe. Her works include »Red Famine«, an analysis of the Holodomor – the famine that killed several million people in Ukraine during the 1930s. In 2022, she frequently provided commentary for international media on Russia’s war against Ukraine. She opens the international literature festival odesa in Batumi with her speech, followed by a discussion.
Moderator: Maia Panjikidze
Languages: English, Georgian, Ukrainian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
20:45 – 22:30
Location: Батумській літній театр, Центральний Бульвар
«GEORGIAN – UKRAINIAN POETRY NIGHT»
PART I
Paata Shamugia [ Georgia ] – Ostap Slyvynsky [ Ukraine ]
Giorgi Lobzhanidze [ Georgia ] – Halyna Kruk [ Ukraine ]
PART II
Dmytro Lazutkin [ Ukraine] online – Nika Jorjaneli [ Georgia ]
Raul Сhilachawa [ Georgia / Ukraine ]– Iya Kiva [ Ukraine ]
Modern poetry from Ukraine and Georgia is diverse. In both countries, in addition to classical themes, other central themes focus on the search for identity, the war, and Russia’s occupation of parts of the country. The processing of traumatic events often takes place with emotional intonation and intense urgency. Authors from Georgia and Ukraine read their poems together.
Moderator: Eka Kevanishvili
Languages: Georgian, Ukrainian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
Thursday, October 6
11:00 – 12:00 Children and youth program
Location: Batumi Center of Civil Engagement, 29 May Str., 31
»36 AND 6 CATS«
Halyna Vdovychenko [ Ukraine ]
The first part of the tetralogy about the adventures of stray cats, which entered the school curricula of primary and secondary education in Ukraine, was published in 2015. It starts by telling how 36 adult cats and six kittens find shelter with Mrs. Krepova and even help her nephew to start a business. Later, the cats become detectives, soccer players, and theater actors, and eventually they create a cat rescue service. The author will meet with Ukrainian refugee children in Batumi.
Language: Ukrainian
12:00 – 13:00 Children and youth program
Location: 1st Public School of Batumi
»TINA IS BRAVE«
Tatia Nadareishvili [ Georgia ]
Tina loves to go exploring with her father. The only place she doesn’t know is the dense bamboo forest behind the house. While her father is away, she goes through the gate that leads into the dark forest with her dog, Poppy. There, she hears a whistle and finds notes and signs. With Poppy by her side, Tina follows the tracks until they come to a treehouse. A surprise awaits them there… Georgian artist Tatia Nadareishvili tells a mysterious story about courage, curiosity, and friendship.
Language: Georgian
(closed event for students)
13:15 – 14:30 Children and youth program
Location: 1st Public School of Batumi
WORKSHOP: »WRITE A LETTER TO UKRAINE«
Tatia Nadareishvili [ Georgia ]
Solidarity can be shown in many ways. Even a letter from a friend can inspire new courage. During the workshops the writer and illustrator TatiaNadareishvili will write or paint letters with children in two schools in Batumi.At the end of the festival, the organizers will forward the letters to children in Ukraine.
Language: Georgian
(closed event for students)
14. 00. – 15. 00.
Online event
«DISCUSSION: IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH UNDER THREAT ?»
Burhan Sönmez [Türkiye]
Freedom of the press and freedom of opinion are among the fundamental values of a democracy. Kurdish-Turkish author and human rights lawyer Burhan Sönmez, who was elected president of the writers’ association PEN-International in 2021, talks about the threats to freedom of speech.
Moderation: Art Antonyan
Language: English
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
16:00 – 17:00
Location: Batumi State University, Assembly Hall, Rustaveli/Ninoshvili str. 32/35
«THE ART OF WRITING»
Halyna Kruk [ Ukraine ]
For the poet, prose writer and literary scholar Halyna Kruk, who has been considered a very important voice in Ukrainian literature since her twenties, poetry emerges from living material. One cannot “write about stars in the sky when there is something more important, timely and topical.” The festival presents a selection of her poems in Raul Chilachava’s translation into Georgian.
Moderator: Paata Shamugia
Languages: Ukrainian, Georgian
18:00 – 19:00
Online event
»THREE TENCHES FOR MARY«
Serhiy Osoka [ Ukraine ]
Each text by Serhiy Osoka tells the story of ordinary people and phenomena that might have gone unnoticed without his masterful descriptions. With only a few strokes, he outlines his observations and creates sensuous narrative images: One hears the reeds rustling, fish splashing in the pond, apples falling, old doors creaking, and especially human sighs, muffled laughter or sobs, and grasps the depths of the human soul.
Moderator: Svitlana Bondar
Language: Ukrainian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
19:00 – 20:30
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«WOMEN’S VOICES: DIARIES OF WAR»
Ekaterine Togonidze [ Georgia ], Halyna Kruk [ Ukraine ],
Tamta Melashvili [ Georgia ], Iya Kiva [ Ukraine ]
Women often reflect upon the unheroic side of war that is hidden in the general political narrative. Female poets from Georgia and Ukraine who have recently been shaped by the experience of war present their texts and describe their experiences and perspectives in the face of military violence.
Moderator: Maia Panjikidze
Languages: Ukrainian, Georgian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
20:30 – 21:30
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«THE UNREFLECTED PACIFISM OF THE WEST»
Szczepan Twardoch [ Poland ] online, Lasha Bugadze [ Georgia ]
Silesia and the Silesian language often play a special role in the works of Szczepan Twardoch, who was born into a family of Polish Silesians. The multi-award-winning novelist presents fragments from his works. Lasha Bugadzereads from his novel »Small Country«, which is based on a true story and tells of the beginnings of autonomous Georgia, when the former foreign minister of the USSR, Eduard Shevardnadze, was president of the country.
Moderator: Lasha Bakradze
Languages: English, Georgian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
21:30 – 22:30
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«THE ART OF WRITING»
Filip Florian [ Romania ], Jakub Małecki [ Poland ]
Filip Florian is an outstanding voice in Romanian literature and has written several award-winning novels. He will read from his new and still unpublished novel »The Arithmetic Means«. Jakub Małecki’s novel »Saturnin« vividly depicts the long-lasting effects of war and the intergenerational traumatization caused by violence, repression, and revenge.
Moderator: Giorgi Masalkin
Languages: English, Georgian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
Friday, October 7
12:00 – 13:00 Children and youth program
Location: Euro – 2000 school
»TINA IS BRAVE«
Tatia Nadareishvili [ Georgia ]
Tina loves to go exploring with her father. The only place she doesn’t know is the dense bamboo forest behind the house. While her father is away, she goes through the gate that leads into the dark forest with her dog, Poppy. There, she hears a whistle and finds notes and signs. With Poppy by her side, Tina follows the tracks until they come to a treehouse. A surprise awaits them there… Georgian artist Tatia Nadareishvili tells a mysterious story about courage, curiosity, and friendship.
Language: Georgian
(closed event for students)
13:15 – 14:30 Children and youth program
Location: Euro – 2000 school
WORKSHOP: »WRITE A LETTER TO UKRAINE«
Tatia Nadareishvili [ Georgia ]
Solidarity can be shown in many ways. Even a letter from a friend can inspire new courage. During the workshops the writer and illustrator TatiaNadareishvili will write or paint letters with children in two schools in Batumi.At the end of the festival, the organizers will forward the letters to children in Ukraine.
Language: Georgian
(closed event for students)
17:00 – 18:00
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«LIVING IN TIMES OF DESTRUCTION»
Yuri Andrukhovych [ Ukraine ] online, Zaza Burchuladze [ Georgia ] online
Zaza Burchuladze reads from his latest novel, »The Scent of the Rose«, a breathtaking, labyrinthine novel that walks a fine line between the real and the imaginary. Yuri Andrukhovych reads from »The Moscoviad«, a novel of unbroken topicality. In a carnivalesque spectacle, neo-authoritarian Russia, nationalism, chauvinism, and ideologies are sent packing amid panicked laughter.
Moderator: Medea Metreveli
Languages: Ukrainian, Georgian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
18:00 – 19:00
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«THE ART OF WRITING»
Muriel Pic [ Switzerland ] online, Lukas Bärfuss [ Switzerland ] online
The playwright, novelist, and essayist Lukas Bärfuss, who has been awarded all the major literary prizes in the German-speaking world, will read his poem »A Thousand Years«. The writer, visual artist, translator, and literary critic Muriel Pic, who has edited and translated Walter Benjamin, among others, will present excerpts from her documentary-essayistic short texts.
Moderator: Paata Shamugia
Languages: German, Georgian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
19:00 – 20:00
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«NEW POEMS»
Serhiy Zhadan [ Ukraine ] online
What can literature do in times of war? Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Serhiy Zhadan has encouraged Ukrainians with countless performances and engaged in social projects. With his unique, strong poetic voice, he captures the supposedly unspeakable in song-like lyrical texts of enigmatic beauty. His latest poems also speak about death, mourning, and the pain of love.
Moderator: Rati Amaglobeli
Language: Ukrainian, Georgian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
20:00 – 21:00
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«NTERPRETATION OF TRUTH – DISCUSSION OF THE NOVEL “THE TRUTH, MAYBE”«
Karl Rühmann [ Switzerland ]
In his latest novel, Karl Rühmann tells the story of an interrogator who works for a European secret service and for whom the search for truth has become a passion. In the process, the description of his psychological past, which shaped him as a child, intertwines with the narrative of his later adult life. A novel about the »desperate search for the one, unambiguous truth that can be hidden behind false plausibility.« (»Deutschlandfunk«)
Moderator: Lasha Bakradze
Languages: German, Georgian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
21:00 – 22:30
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«BLACK SEA CONNECTIONS – MODERN EUROPEAN POETRY»
PART I
Norbert Hummelt [ Germany ], Nika Jorjaneli [ Georgia ], Eka Kevanishvili [ Georgia ]
PART II
Giorgi Lobzhanidze [ Georgia ], Ernest Wichner [ Germany ], Rati Amaglobeli [ Georgia ]
Poet and translator Nobert Hummelt’s poetry explores poetic traditions and experiments with new forms. Ernest Wichner is the author of poetry collections and short stories, as well as an editor and translator, primarily from Romanian. His poems are characterized by clear statements, terse cuts, and abrupt endings, where a meaning can be surprisingly reinforced by an anticlimax. Poet, translator, and orientalist Giorgi Lobzhanidze has been awarded numerous national and international prizes for his poetry. In his poetic texts, Rati Amaglobeli draws on Eastern lyrical forms while playing with alliteration, linguistic ornamentation, and repetition of words and sounds. Nika Jorjaneli’sverses are often reflections on the history of humanity and a search for a way out of inner emptiness through creative thinking. Eka Kevanishvili’scontemporary poetry is mainly devoted to social issues, gender issues, the modern world, and global and private wars.
Languages: German, Georgian
Moderator: Paata Shamugia
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
Saturday, October 8
14. 00. – 15. 00.
Location: Batumi summer theater, Central Boulevard
Francesca Melandri [ Italy ]
At the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic, the Italian writer was locked in her apartment in Rome for three weeks. She wrote down her emotions and thoughts and from them wrote a “Letter from the Future” to all other Europeans who were about to experience this in the foreseeable future. She will be presenting this historically extremely valuable text at the festival.
Moderator: Mariam Korinteli
Langauges: Georgian, English
15:00 –16:00
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
»DICTIONARY OF WAR«
Ostap Slyvynsky [ Ukraine ]
Whether at the train station in Lviv, through which people fleeing from east to west during the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, whether in emergency shelters or on the street – Ostap Slyvynsky has captured fragments of monologues everywhere and processed them along the lines of CzesławMiłosz’s »The World. A Naïve Poem« as a »Dictionary of War«, which he presents.
Moderator: Eka Kevanishvili
Languages: Ukrainian, Georgian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
16.00 – 17.00
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
»BUCHA: VISITING HOME«
Oleh Kotsarev [ Ukraine ] online
Poet, writer, translator, critic, and journalist Oleh Kotsarev is currently the contact person for the Czech Charon Foundation, which is helping Ukrainian artists during the war. In his essayistic text, he describes his return to Buchaafter its liberation from the occupiers. He meticulously records the smallest, but profound changes that will prevent this place from ever returning to the way it was before the war.
Moderator: Eka Kevanishvili
Languages: Ukrainian, Georgian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
17:00 – 18:30
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
Lasha Bugadze [ Georgia ], Paata Shamugia [ Georgia ], Halyna Kruk [ Ukraine ], Rati Amaglobeli [ Georgia ], Yuri Andrukhovych [ Ukraine ] online, Iya Kiva [ Ukraine ]
«PANEL DISCUSSION: THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD AFTER THE WAR IN UKRAINE»
After many months of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the debate about how to bring the conflict to an end is just as alive as it was at the beginning – through peace negotiations or exclusively through a Ukrainian victory with the help of Western partners. The participants will discuss the possible scenarios of the future for the world.
Moderator: Lasha Bakradze
Languages: Georgian, Ukrainian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa
19:00 – 22:30
Location: Batumi Summer Theater, Central Boulevard
«NEXT GENERATION – YOUNG POETS OF BATUMI »
Genri Dolidze [ Georgia ], Roin Abuselidze [ Georgia ], Diana Nakaidze[ Georgia ]
The 8th international literature festival odesa will conclude with the presentation of texts by young Georgian authors in Batumi, a city on the Black Sea coast, a thousand kilometers away from the embattled Ukrainian metropolis of Оdesa.
Moderator: Mariam Korinteli
Language: Georgian
Streaming: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalesLiteraturfestivalOdesa