The winners of the “Free” Award were announced during the ongoing demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue. This award is meant to encourage free creativity and thinkers and to support the work of independent theater organizations/artists. Since the Foundation had always been on the side of free people, a supporter of everything Georgian, we awarded the performance “Nino, My Aphrodite” (The Theatre on Atoneli), which won the nomination for “The Best Performance,” GEL 10,000.
It is noteworthy that the winners of the award—the best performance, actors, and scenography—were revealed precisely in the place where Georgian society is currently fighting for the country’s freedom and our European future. Moreover, it is the representatives of the sphere of culture, theaters, and other artistic associations, whom we have seen with outstanding brilliance in recent days on this avenue and who, with enviable civic zeal and courage, stand as a shield for those patriotic people whose protest must, without a doubt, bring about the liberation of our country.
It’s the second year that the “Free” Award unites independent, non-state-funded theaters and artists who, despite tough political and economic challenges, still manage to create a valuable stage product. The award is a reaction in its way to the restriction on free creative and civic thinking, as well as freedom of expression that we have observed in recent years. The award is intended to encourage a process that involves the search for novelty, rethinking the traditional theatrical experience, and supporting independent artists.
The “Free” Award in “The Best Scenography” nomination went to Mikheil Charkviani for the performance “Love and Information,” which he staged at the Theatre on Atoneli. In “The Best Actress” nomination, the “Free” Award went to Natalia Gabisonia for her play in “Pathetic Monologues” / Theatre Company “Haraki,” and in “The Best Actor” nomination, to Beka Khachidze for his play in “Berserkers II. Sunny Side” / Performing Arts Laboratory.
