“Take a Book, Leave a Book” - initiative launches reading space in downtown Tbilisi

Book lovers will probably agree that the desire to read a book and enough free time will always be enough to help one find a suitable spot for the activity.

If you live in downtown Tbilisi and have a wish to spend the weekend on air, the new Book Garden at 9, Kazbegi Street will host you with dozens of books of different genres. 

Photo: from Goga Chanadiri's Facebook page

Readers are only required to display their sense of responsibility so that if they are tempted to take one of the books found at the spot home, they will have to leave another one in return.

Photo: from Goga Chanadiri's Facebook page

The idea of the Book Garden came from Gizo Vasadze, the Saburtalo District Municipal Head, and photographer and activist Goga Chanadiri.

In an interview with agenda.ge, Chanadiri said the Library was seen not simply as a reading space, but also a “beautiful green environment” where locals would be able to share ideas and knowledge with each other.

Photo: from Goga Chanadiri's Facebook page

Our city needs many Book Gardens, and I will be happy if many more such spaces are added to all cities and villages throughout the country,” Chanadiri noted in his comments.

The activist and co-initiator of the Library also said free book libraries in open spaces would contribute to an “awakening of the love for books” in the public, particularly among the youth.