Traditional Tbilisi City Fest 2015 was marked at the “Hayartun” Cultural, Educational and Youth Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia with launching of the trilingual (Armenian-Georgian-Russian) book of poems and quatrains “Let’s Be Honest and kind” by Aghasi Gevorkyan, the Tbilisi-born Armenian, famous intellectual, distinguished teacher, active public man and devoted son of the nation. Georgian and Armenian writers, artists, intellectuals, the Armenian community representatives in Tbilisi were in attendance of the event in the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall on October 17.

In his opening speech, the Head of the Cultural Department at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia and Director of the “Hayartun” Center, Levon Chidilyan mentioned the celebration of Tbilisi City Fest and congratulated poet and translator Givi Shakhnazari on being named an Honored Citizen of Tbilisi.

Aghasi Gevorkyan, well known to Armenian readers of Georgia as a teacher, lecturer and historian, launched his first encouraging book of poems “Let’s Be Kind and Honest”. The author shared his thoughts with readers, the people around him, his relatives and family members.

Candidate of Philological Sciences, Professor Emma Akhtyan gave her opinion on Aghasi Gevorkyan to start a writing career.

Karine Manukyan, the Coordinator of National School Projects at the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, Doctor of Philology, Professor Irina Kobakhidze, the translator of the book into Russian, poetess Marina Kirakosyan, the translator of the book into Georgian, Gary Kalamkarov et al expressed their opinion on, how the author used poetic expressions to describe his emotions, considerations and approach. Professor Sergo Vardosanidze, the Rector of the St. Andrew University at the Georgian Patriarchate, noted that the verses about the development of Armenian-Georgian relations, commitment to faith and preservation of human values are Aghasi Gevorkyan’s life credo and the meaning of his life.

“I am neither a writer nor a poet, however one year ago, one fine day something coming from within made me write my thoughts down,”- the author of the book began his speech. Aghasi Gevorkyan, who has expressed himself in many walks of life, appreciated the support of attendees, translators, publishers and his family members in the creation of the book.

At the end of the event the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan blessed the audience and gave his opinion. He urged to educate the new generation in the spirit of Biblical kindness and honesty, relying on a chronicle of Armenian-Georgian relations and friendship, what poet Aghasi Gevorkyan focused on in his book of poems.

The grandchildren of Gevorkyan family were dancing and reciting poems at the event. Some excerpts from the multilingual book were read.

The autographed copies of the book “Let’s Be Honest and Kind” were distributed among the audience.