“This year the festival is fully returning to the traditional format and scale. Accordingly, the 11th pavilion will feature the main stands of both Georgian and foreign publishers and book-related organizations, while the 6th pavilion will house children's books and accessories.

A friend of the festival is TBC, which will arrange a food space for the Start-upper program in front of the 6th pavilion, where the festival guests will be able to relax and taste different types of cuisine.

The main stage for literary events will be organized within the festival, as well as a children's cognitive and entertaining space for the minor spectators of the festival. The Tbilisi International Book Festival with the slogan #GeorgiaStandsWithUkraine (Georgia supports Ukraine) will fully support Ukraine and, in partnership with the Ukrainian Book Arsenal Literary Festival, will hold an exhibition of will hold an exhibition of illustrations created by Ukrainian illustrators on the theme of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Up to 10 Turkish publishers will be featured as part of the focus programme, while over 15 authors from the country will be hosted to join their Georgian counterparts and speak about Georgian-Turkish literary and cultural relations.

Within the Focus Country Programme, the authors from the two countries will discuss subjects including migration, Turkish literature, popular books in the country and a city-centered talk about Istanbul and Tbilisi. Turkey's representation at the fair will hand over the Focus Country status to Poland at the conclusion of the 2022 Festival edition.

Discussions will also be hosted in the general programme, with authors, translators and publishing house representatives raising subjects as diverse as the 20th century Georgian history, new publications of the National Centre of Manuscripts and the Ukraine war.

In the #StandWithUkraine programme for supporting the country defending itself from the Russian invasion, works by Ukrainian illustrators will be bring to the stands a reflection on terrible times and hope and peace.

The event will also involve the project Actors for Literature, where Georgian stage professionals will speak about their favourite books for the audience. Organizers also said they had ensured a hybrid format for the event, with an online book sale held in parallel to the in-person occasion.

The 2022 edition of the Festival will run between Thursday and Sunday at the fairgrounds located at 118, Tsereteli Avenue in the Georgian capital.

The festival is supported by the Tbilisi City Hall and the online platform Veli,” – the statement reads.