Georgia/ 3.4 International cultural co-operation  

3.4.5 Cross-border intercultural dialogue and co-operation

A project to set up a Caucasian network of Cultural Policies in Tbilisi (Georgia), Baku (Azerbaijan) and Yerevan (Armenia) was started in 2004. It aims at analysing the main problems and determinants for cultural policy in the region and at developing joint approaches in the development of cultural policies. Round tables on the exchange of experience in the development of strategic plans took place and possible functions of cultural observatories at Tbilisi, Baku and Yerevan are under discussion.

The project "Caucasian Network of Cultural Observatories" has revealed the problems of a regional scale connected with the consolidation of the non-governmental sector and municipal structures for development of the open civil society in the Caucasus; problems related to supporting the coexistence of various cultures in the Caucasian states (these problems are typical in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia to a variable extent).

Partners from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Russian Federation, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan work together in the field of cultural industries, with special emphasis on the museum sector and traditional crafts. Round table meetings took place, and the participant co-operate in the production of case studies in the countries involved. (http://www.gaccgeorgia.org/FrCultIndustries.htm).

The contemporary art project "OUTLAW" took place in Tbilisi in 2005 and was organised by the Arts Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory (http://www.airl.ge) (2005). The project was supported by IFA Stuttgart, Germany and included a workshop and exhibition. Participating artists came from Georgia, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and Holland).

A long-term international project in contemporary art started in 2004 and curated by Daniel Bauman from Switzerland. Exhibitions included "Tuesday is Gone" (2004), Tbilisi2; "Wednesday Calls the Future" (2005); "Let us live till Monday" Tbilisi3 (2006); and Tbilisi4 (2007) (exhibition, talks, films) (http://www.tbilisi2.com).

For more information, see our Intercultural Dialogue section. 

Your Comments on this Chapter?