The Georgian International Festival of Arts (GIFT) in Tbilisi was conceptualized in Edinburgh 27 years ago. It has remained strong through years of change, offering a platform to Georgian artists and countless international performers.
Keti Dolidze, the artistic director of GIFT is also a theater and movie director and an occasional actor. She tells GEORGIA NOW that during the 1980s-90s, the Tumanishvili Film Actors Theater had a lot of popularity for performances. However, because it was Soviet times, she and others could not travel to theaters outside the country without Moscow’s permission. Peter Brook, founder of GIFT decided to hold a festival in Tbilisi so that others could come to them instead of Georgians travelling.
Peter Brook attended the 1988 Edinburgh Festival where the Tumanishvili Film Actors Theater performed Don Juan, a play based on Lord Byron. Dolidze says that Brook was deeply moved by the production, and he spoke to others about it. This marked the beginnings of a growing interest by Brook and other prominent figures, such as British actress and activist Vanessa Redgrave in Georgian art.
The first festival was held in 1997 without any honoraria or fees. The only organized aspect was the flight to Georgia, and the transportation during the festival. Both were provided by an Iranian taxi service that offered a 24-hour service.
Dolidze tells me that Georgian Airways organized a plane in 1997, which was an old Georgian plane. “I’m still very grateful to them and also sorry,” Dolidze adds, with a smile. “Around 220 individuals from 18 different countries gathered at Stansted Airport, and flew directly to Tbilisi. They spent two weeks in a city with electricity shortages and no gas or heating.
Tbilisi only had one hotel at the time, the Sheraton. However, due to cost, the organizers were unable to accommodate all guests. As a result of this, almost all visitors stayed in the homes of local families. Dolidze recalls also the festival’s first year, when all festival participants, as well as locals, joined in a large march from Freedom Square to Philharmonic Hall.
She says that the festival was a first in the region, and that it brought together so many people. It was the catalyst for similar festivals in Azerbaijan, and Armenia.
Dolidze: “It was a fantastic celebration.” “And this happened because of the uniqueness Georgian culture. Georgian cinema, Georgian theatre: they are proofs of the excellence in Georgian art. “That’s how it started and how it continues.”
The festival is named after Georgian director Mikheil Tumanishvili. Dolidze calls him one of the greatest reformers and directors of Georgian theatre. Tumanishvili, who was born in 1935, became famous during the 1950s-60s while working at Rustaveli Theater. He directed several productions which were recognized at international festivals, including his adaptations of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Bakula’s Pigs – a classic Georgian play.
Dolidze joined Tumanishvili in 1968 and they became inseparable. He was her mentor and teacher. The Film Actors Theater took Tumanishvili’s name when he left the Rustaveli Theater. The festival was named in honor of Tumanishvili later, because of his influence and close relationship with Dolidze.
The festival is spread over several days. This year, it runs from November 3-15. The festival features performances in multiple Tbilisi theaters, featuring both international and Georgian versions. The 2024 festival will include performances such as Oedipus by Declan Donnellan who won this year’s Mikheil Tumanisvili Prize for Art Excellence, Phaedra by the Shota Rustaveli State University of Theater and Film and Lapis Lazuli, by Euripides Laskaridis.
This year, the festival will also welcome a partnership with the Venice Biennale College as well as the Italian Embassy. Biennale College is a two-year program aimed at young artists. A competition will be held for this program. Emerging creatives can present 10-minute previews in any form they choose. The selected group will then develop and showcase their project at GIFT in Venice. Dolidze believes that this initiative will continue in future festivals if it is successful.
Dolidze says that the budget of the festival has shrunk in recent years. She says that only a few sponsors are able to contribute towards its sustainability. “Unfortunately, this means we’re still dependent on government funding.” To ensure the success of the festival, she works closely with Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in order to secure the necessary funds each year. Dolidze hopes that the new Minister for Culture will support the 27-year old festival.
Mikheil Tumanishvili said once: “The language of theater has become more complicated.” We need new means, solutions, forms, and techniques. Everyone, but especially the young, must be given the chance to bravely experiment. Stanislavski said that “eternal art is an unending road, which requires renovation every 15 years or so.”
The festival was only halted for three years under President Mikheil Sakaashvili. Dolidze claims that her political views were different from his and, as a result, GIFT had to be shut down. However, when Georgian Dream took power, the festival reopened. William Burdett Coutts is another notable figure associated with the festival. He was a key figure in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the father of GIFT. Burdett-Coutts is joined by Peter Brook, Vanessa Redgrave and Sasha Waltz – a German choreographer – on the festival board of directors.
By Shelbi R. Ankiewicz
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