In September 2011, International Alert published in Russian the first edition of the South Caucasus Literary Almanac as part of its initiative to promote dialogue through culture, ”Cultural Dialogue”. The almanac brings together well known authors from all regions of the South Caucasus, writing about the traditions, culture and life of their community, and such values that unite people. The purpose of the Almanac is to utilise the unused potential of cultural figures and intellectuals in promoting tolerance and peace in the South Caucasus, and to stimulate a virtual dialogue between peoples of the South Caucasus through literature and culture.
Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, the conflicts in the Caucasus and the resulting closed borders and lack of regional structures have meant that literature from different parts of the South Caucasus has been barely visible. The status of the regional literature reflects day-to-day life, in which people across the region are unable to interact normally, and there is very little information available in the media about how real people live in other parts of the Caucasus. This is one of the main obstacles to peacebuilding in the region, where a whole generation has grown up not knowing their neighbours (or the ”enemy”), living in closed information spaces and having no normal reference points for building a common future.
At the very least, the Almanac will assist in establishing cultural ties between the peoples. At best, it can begin to bridge the psychological and emotional divide between peoples, address stereotypes and build tolerance as people rediscover the ”human” face of their ”enemies”.
This first edition includes literary pieces which had been published previously, but only locally, or in local languages. The second edition, which will be published in March 2012, will have three sections: poetry, prose and essays. One essay from each part of the South Caucasus region will be commissioned especially for the Almanac and will be focused on a theme of contemporary urban life, reflecting on how the author’s city has changed over the years. Subsequent editions will continue to each have a loose thematic focus.
Future developments of the Almanac volumes could include publications in national languages or into an anthology, allowing the Literary Almanac to become an important platform for dialogue between people of the South Caucasus.
Presentations of the first edition have already been held in Tbilisi, Sukhum/i, Tskhinval/i and Baku, and more are planned for Yerevan and Stepanakert. These events revealed the interest that such publication evokes towards the “other side” and provided the opportunity to open a discussion with critics on more substantial issues – though it was notable that most of the critique was of a literary nature rather than political. During the presentation in Tskhinval/i, in commending the Almanac, one person commented: ’in the political twists and turns, we've forgotten how to communicate with each other and, in a sense, even become alienated from each other’. In situations of political and social dissonance, culture can begin to heal traumatised societies. It’s an important first step without which it is impossible to imagine reconciliation between conflicting sides.
Future plans within the cultural dialogue strand of Alert’s work include a face-to-face dialogue meeting of cultural and public figures from across the region, to begin to get their input on how culture can contribute to peace in a more strategic manner. This meeting could produce further ideas for cultural initiatives in the future and provide the opportunity to establish regular cultural dialogue meetings which go beyond ”virtual” dialogue.
You can read the first edition of the South Caucasus Literary Almanac in Russian on the publications page.
International Alert would like to pass on our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Rafiq Tagi, who tragically passed away on 23rd November after a violent knife attack 19th November. Two of Rafiq Tagi's short stories, 'Opera-Ballet' and 'Michelangelo’s mistakes' are included in this first edition of the South Caucasus Literary Almanac. May he rest in peace.
Anyone interested to get a copy of the Almanac (available in Russian only) should contact Juliet Schofield on jschofield@international-alert.org
This initiative is made possible thanks to the generous support of the European Union and the UK Conflict Pool.
