Press
Interview with Giorgi Kekelidze, poet, writer from Georgia
Bio: Giorgi Kekelidze
1. What have you been busy with lately?
Routine Business
2. As a library director and founder of the digital library lib.ge. how do you envision the future of libraries?
I think libraries have many functions today; Multifunctionality is the key to modern librarianship. Public libraries have many different readers, and we have to offer services according to their interests.
We are implementing digitalization projects on one side and many cultural activities on the other in the library: we opened book museum, a Folklore museum, Vine Library, Print Museum, etc.
3. Can you tell us a little bit about your own work as an author? What kind of subject matters do you deal with in your novels and your poetry, where do you find your inspiration?
My poetry is based on folklore and mythology. My prose tells the story of common people.
4. How is the Georgian book market doing at the moment?
There are about 100 publishing houses in Georgia, the publishing industry is a very fast developing field in the country and its cultural life. We are glad, that Georgia is a leader in the region.
5. Which authors or events would you like to recommend us to watch out for when Georgia is guest of honor at Frankfurt Book Fair this year, at which events would we be most likely to meet you?
I am going to present my poetry, «Gurian Diaries» and «Thoma's Fairy Tales» at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The event gives us the best possibility to show our historical culture to the world.
Every Georgian writer is interesting with his/her worldview; I wouldn't distinguish them from each other.
6. Have you read any works of Chinese authors before?
You have famous literary traditions. I know the old Chinese writing, philosophy and poetry well. I have more or less knowledge of Mo Yan and his epoch, but the contemporary Chinese literature is not my strongest point. It might be interesting for You, that I was involved in the translation process of the contemporary Chinese poetry.
6a. What do you expect from your participation at this year’s StoryDrive conference and your visit to Beijing?
The platform is a big opportunity to open the window and share our cultures. I am waiting to get familiar with my colleagues with the greatest interest. I hope, it will be enriching meetings for all participants of the event.
Thank You!
