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There is a tradition of active public debates in Georgia, especially in the context of a polarized political environment. Culture often becomes a victim of political mainstreaming. At the same time, the importance of the social aspects of culture is largely understood and voiced by the professional community and the non-governmental sector. The potential for significant social impact of culture is manifested in the development of cultural tourism and urban planning, creating a new habitat, especially in the historic part of cities. The heavy interventionist urban policy in Georgia since the 2000s has become an important topic of public debates.... read more →

Freedom of expression, freedom of the media and information is safeguarded by the law and the Constitution of Georgia (Chapters 19 and 24) as well as a separate normative act on media freedom.  Georgia is ranking 60th in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index. Adoption of the Laws on Broadcasting and on Telecommunications has initiated a new stage of development of mass media and relations within Georgia. The Law on Broadcasting, adopted in 2004, was developed in association with the EU and Georgia acceded to the EU Directive "TV without Frontiers". It specifies three kinds of radio and TV companies: Public: The Public Broadcaster... read more →

The official language of Georgia is Georgian. In the territory of Abkhazia there are two official languages – Georgian and Abkhazian. Abkhazia is populated by two indigenous groups – Georgians and Abkhazs - whose linguistic difference is confirmed by the Constitution. The significant factor in Georgian national identity is that the Georgian original written language is one of the oldest written languages worldwide (it was created no later than III-IV centuries A.D.). But the oldest literary monument is dated V c. A.D. The Georgian alphabet is used in all dialects of the Georgian language. Only in Abkhazia the modified Cyrillic... read more →

During the past 30 years, as a result of conflicts with the separatist authorities of the Abkhazian Autonomous Republic and former South-Ossetian Autonomous District (the Inner Kartli), a new group has been formed in the population - IDP (internally displaced persons). Currently, there are 286 643 IDPs officially registered, of which 275 096 (95.97%) are from Abkhazia and 11 546 (4.0%) from the former South Ossetian Autonomous District (the Inner Kartli). Following the Russian - Georgian conflict in August, 2008, a new stream of IDP has emerged from so-called South Ossetia, the historical Shida (Internal) Kartli, the region Samachablo and from Kodori (a... read more →

The Culture Strategy 2025 adopted in 2016 defines the cultural and creative industries as follows:: “Cultural and creative industries - The industries producing and distributing goods or services which embody or convey cultural expression, irrespective of the commercial value they may have; also industries in which the product or service contains a substantial element of artistic or creative endeavor. Besides the traditional arts sectors, creative industries encompass the audiovisual sector, advertising, media and broadcasting and etc.” The Culture Strategy 2025 Task  1.1 refers to the development of mechanisms promoting the so called startup businesses of the creative industries, and “creative... read more →

Cultural heritage has always been of great importance and pride in Georgia. The main body responsible for the protection of cultural heritage is the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Youth in particular the General Inspection for Cultural Heritage and Cultural Property Protection (new Department) and the National Agency for Cultural Heritage of Georgia. Some responsibilities are also allocated to the National Committee of UNESCO under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The National Agency for Cultural Heritage of Georgia (established in 2008) has been constituted on the basis of the existing complex monuments of national and global significance. It represents their... read more →

The main objective of cultural policy (before 2004) was the maintenance and support of a centralized system. The creation of a decentralized model and the redistribution of powers were supported only on a declarative level. In the post-revolutionary period (since 2004), experiments with entrepreneurism and total privatization of the cultural industries began. However, against the background of modified legislation and the institutional model of centralization, the cultural policy pursued did not provide a systematic capital inflow, but was focused on the "blind" application of market logic to the cultural sphere. This strategy failed, both in terms of investor interest and... read more →

Georgia is rich in the diversity of ethnic, religious and cultural groups, which has given the country a unique and centuries-old experience of intercultural dialogue. According to the 2014 census, ethnic minorities make up about 14% of the population. According to the data of UNESCO CULTURE FOR DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS, Georgia’s Analytical and Technical Report, 2017, tolerance towards other cultures is indicated at 66.23%. This indicator determines the level of readiness for intercultural dialogue as well as the level of interaction within the community. A similar figure reflects respect for cultural diversity in state policy-making, which is converted into Georgian legislation... read more →

The government of Georgia actively cooperates with civil society within the framework of the Eastern Partnership and in the process of development and implementation of the Culture Strategy 2025.  Accordingly, it considers the nongovernmental sector as a permanent partner in ongoing activities. One of the objectives (3.2.) of Strategic Goal 3. "Culture and Other Key Areas" of the Culture Strategy 2025 is Regular cooperation among cultural professionals, public, civil and private sectors, which is reflected in the following: Promoting  public-private partnerships, creative approaches and interdisciplinary cooperation in the cultural sector to solve problems in various fields;Developing flexible and attractive funding... read more →

There are agreements in place between Georgia and international organizations such as UNESCO (since 1995), ICROM, ICOM and ICOMOS. Georgia is included in HEREIN, the Participation Programme and the Creative Cities Network (UNESCO). Georgia is also a member of the BSEC (Black Sea Economic Cooperation) working group on culture and European Heritage Days (since 1999). Regarding the transnational organizations, Georgia has executed cultural agreements with the CIS, GUAM and BSEC countries. Since 2001, Georgia has cooperated with the project STAGE (since 2005-2006, this project has been transformed into the Kyiv Initiative) and since 2005 has participated in the CoE /... read more →