35 Years of Georgian Independence: Conversation with President Salome Zourabichvili
Welcome to a conversation with the fifth president of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, and a panel discussion about Georgia’s political and civic landscape amid the country’s current oppressive climate.
May 26 marks the 35th anniversary of Georgia’s independence and the beginning of the country’s democratic transformation. Since 1991, Georgia has endured many trials and tribulations. Yet its path toward Europe remained unquestionable — until two years ago, when the Georgian Dream government adopted the so-called Russian Law, officially titled the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence.”
Since then, increasingly restrictive laws have been adopted, primarily targeting civil society, NGOs, independent media organizations, and the opposition. Political parties face growing difficulties operating freely, while many political leaders and activists have been imprisoned. Yet despite the growing repression, authoritarian rule has not fully prevailed, as people continue fighting for the country’s future.
📍 Kronesalen at Sentralen, Øvre Slottsgate 3, 0157 Oslo
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Guests
Salome Zourabichvili — the country’s first female president and the last to be elected by popular vote. In recent years, Zourabichvili has been one of the leading politicians opposing the Georgian Dream government’s anti-EU shift.
President Zourabichvili will be in conversation with Jørgen Watne Frydnes, Secretary General of PEN Norway.
Panel discussion
Irma Dimitradze — communications manager and journalist at Gazeti Batumelebi, an independent Georgian media organization that operates Batumelebi.ge and Netgazeti.ge, outlets co-founded by the imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli.
Gunnar Ekeløve-Slydal — Deputy Secretary General at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.
Ane Tusvik Bonde — Human Rights Expert and Senior Adviser at Amnesty International Norge.
The panel will be hosted by Tormod Malvin Sæther and Lasha Kavtaradze. The conversation will be recorded by Nettavisen as a special episode of the Ukrainapodden podcast.
At 7:00 p.m., following the public event, members of the Georgian diaspora will have the opportunity to meet President Zourabichvili.
Grafikk: PEN International
