Cultural policies platform Compendium lauds Georgia's culture industry efforts during lockdown
Georgian-based theatre troupes have been releasing recordings of some of their most notable shows online during the COVID-19 lockdown. Photo via Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre.
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Georgian state cultural agencies' efforts in keeping up cultural projects and activities during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown have drawn praise from the cultural policies platform Compendium.
In their report on the rearrangement of events, institutions and competitions in the country in the realm of restrictions, the platform reviewed a variety of measures taken by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia.
This involves efforts ranging from social media campaign #stayathome, created to encourage citizens to take advantage of digital exhibitions, shows and events and safeguard themselves from the pandemic, to continuation of open calls by the ministry.
Despite the current situation, the Ministry has maintained and prolonged deadlines for up to 16 open call competitions aimed at supporting cultural organisations and individual artists" - Compendium
We have published a #COVID19 report on the initiatives in Georgia and updated our information regarding the Netherlands and France: https://t.co/zKTrzRkSFr
— Compendium of Cultural Policies and Trends (@compendiumcpt) April 16, 2020
Recordings of past shows were uploaded to media platforms by theatre troupes, while the Georgian National Film Centre led efforts to make many works by Georgian filmmakers viewable online for free, the report also notes.
It is noteworthy that one of the folklore concerts aired in the beginning of the campaign was viewed by 50 000 people. Online performances [...] have been received with great interest both in Georgia as well as among Georgian diasporas abroad" - Compendium
The report also reserves note for a continuation of works on cultural heritage monuments, including restoration, conservation and reconstruction of sites across the country.
Efforts on the cultural front also involve a programme of televised lessons including fine and applied arts as well as music, it is mentioned in the Compendium review.
Cultural policy profiles for Compendium reviews are drawn up by experts wo track national cultural development and programmes. The experts and supporters of the platform also hold annual assemblies.