Tbilisi, Georgia: Samtske-Javakheti State University hosted the third edition of the prestigious ‘Austrian Literary Weekend‘, ‘ marking a significant cultural event in the region.
During the event, Austria’s Plenipotentiary and Emergency Ambassador Thomas Muulman visited Akhaltsikhe in Georgia with the Embassy’s representatives.
The event saw a diverse participation, including students, Mayor of Akhaltsikhe Municipality Irakli Lazarashvili, First Deputy State Envoy of Samtskhe-Javakheti David Vardiashvili, academic staff of Samtske-Javakhei State University, representatives of State Envoy Administration, and local self-government, all coming together to celebrate Austrian literature.
In the conference hall of the II building of Samtskhe-Javakheti State University, the documentary ‘Karl Jeras – My Life’ was shown. Ambassador of Austria, Thomas Mulman and Rector of Samtshe-Javakheti State University, Maka Beridze welcomed the public before the movie and talked about the importance of the project. They emphasized the relevance and significance of this year’s theme, ‘Jewish heritage in Austrian literature’, sparking a sense of curiosity and engagement among the audience.
An exhibition about Austrian writer Ingeborg Bachman was opened at the university. Mzia Galdavadze, Director of the Austrian Library of Tbilisi, spoke about the writer’s biography and work. Those who want to see the exhibition can be seen for a few days.
The event was a testament to the strong collaboration between the Austrian Embassy, the Austrian Library of Tbilisi, and the State University of Samtshe-Javakheti. This joint effort, now in its third year, aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Austrian culture, art, and literature in Georgia, instilling a sense of shared achievement and community among the audience.
Samtske-Javakheti State University
Akhaltsikhe Branch of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, the first higher educational institution in the Samtskhe-Javakheti Region, was founded in 1990. In 1991, the “Independent University of Akhaltsikhe” was established on the base of the existing branch, which joined the Akhaltsikhe Branch of Tbilisi State University as a paid teaching department in 1995.
