PEN, one of the world’s oldest non-profit organizations, initially referred to “Poets, Essayists, and Novelists” and broadened further to Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists, is an organization that advocates free expression through the advancement of literature and human rights. More than 100 PEN centers worldwide compose PEN International. Georgia joined the PEN family in 1991 and realized dozens of projects funded by national and international donors, campaigning for freedom of artistic expression throughout the country.
The challenges that Georgian cultural organizations have been experiencing in recent years make PEN particularly important and valuable as a new platform to campaign for the freedom of artistic expression in Georgia. During last years, PEN Georgia has implemented several important projects towards developing literary and cultural processes, while also educating local population and youth.
Today, in the growing efforts of taming the culture from the governmental structure of Georgia, the importance of strong, independent organization such as PEN Center becomes vital. As recent report of PEN America has stated „While government interference in and increased control over state institutions regularly raises concerns, threats to the Georgian cultural sector, an essential component of Georgian civil society, and the rights to free expression, access to information, and participation in cultural life have received comparatively little attention. Over the last two years, government intimidation, harassment, and interference in the work of critical voices in the cultural sphere have increased significantly, suggesting that the government feels threatened by a vibrant and independent cultural sector“.
Structure
The Georgian PEN Center is a non-profit (non-commercial) legal entity that operates in accordance with the Constitution of Georgia, legislation and these Statutes.
1.2. The PEN Center was established for an indefinite period and is considered established from the moment of registration in the Register of Entrepreneurs and
Non-profit (non-commercial) Legal Entities.
1.3. The PEN Center operates throughout the territory of Georgia, as well as abroad, in accordance with its goals.
Khatuna Tskhadadze
President of the PEN Georgia
Khatuna Tskhadadze, translator, has been elected President of the PEN Georgia for the 2023–2026 term.
She worked at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University from 1998 to 2020, teaching the Italian language first and modern Italian literature later. She’s been teaching at the Guivy Zaldastanishvili American Academy of Tbilisi since 2020.
Khatuna Tskhadadze has translated the works of Italo Calvino, Umberto Eco, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Antonio Tabucchi, and other Italian authors.
Natasha Lomouri
The Executive Director of PEN Georgia
Natasha has extensive experience working as a cultural manager, whereas her academic background includes a PhD in history and a Master’s in international relations. From 2011 to 2023, she was the director of the Writers’ House of Georgia, where, together with her team, she initiated and implemented several important literary and educational projects: Tbilisi International Festival of Literature, a Writers’ Residency, David Sarajishvili Memorial Museum, Museum of Repressed Writers. She also supervised Georgian national stands at international book fairs worldwide and the program of translating Georgian literature abroad.
In 2023, Natasha Lomouri was awarded a special Saba prize “for supporting the development of contemporary Georgian literary processes.”
Nino Bekishvili
Project Manager
Nino Bekishvili is a philologist and translator with experience as a journalist and editor. From 2014 to 2023, she worked as the manager of literary and civic projects at the Writers’ House.
