ISSA Open Call: Rustavi symposiums of Georgia 2025

The Rustavi Sculpture Symposium 2025 will open on June 2 and will be ceremoniously closed on June 29. 

The deadline for applications to the symposiums is March 31 .

History of the city of Rustavi 

Rustavi is a self-governing city. It is distinquished by its strategic location. It is 27 kilometers from the center of the capital, and 20 kilometers from Tbilisi International Airport. Rustavi is 45 kilometers from the border of the Republic of Armenia and 30 kilometers from the border with Azerbaijan. The city ranks third in the country in terms of population. 

The foundation for the construction of the new city was laid in 1944 in the Soviet era, in parallel with the construction of the largest metallurgical plant in Transcaucasia. The new industrial district received city status in 1948. In the first days of the construction of Rustavi, it became clear that the city was being built on the ancient, medieval settlement of Bia, which was confirmed by earthworks and small archaeological excavations. 

The exploitation of the Rustavi territory began in the Middle Bronze Age. In the Late Bronze Age, these territories were more intensively occupied. Settements were also found on the hill of "Rustavi Castle". 

In the 4th-8th centuries, Rustavi was also called "Bostan-city", because from that time it became the residence of princes and a princely city. 

History of Rustavi symposiums 

The Rustavi Sculpture Symposium was first held in 1990 and featured artists from around the world. From 1990 to 2018, the symposium was held five times, with an international character. The works are displayed both in the symposium area in Rustavi's Central Park and in various recreational spaces of the city. 

After a long break, the International Sculpture Symposium was held in 2024.9 Georgian and 5 foreign sculptors participated in it. The sculptures created within the framework of the symposium were placed in various spaces of the city.

Dates and schedule 

The Rustavi Sculpture Symposium 2025 will open on June 2 and will be ceremoniously closed on June 29. 

Participants will work on their compositions and sculptures in a specially arranged open space in Rustavi's Central Park. Sculptors will learn about the city's old and new history within the framework of the symposium. 

June 2-Opening of the Rustavi International Symposium June 3- Start of the symposium work 

June 8- Free day 

June 15- Excursion to the Kakheti region for symposium participants June 22 -Free day 

June 28 - Last day of the symposium

June 29 - Closing of the symposium 

Conditions and obligations of participation 

a) The theme of the symposium is free. 

b) Participants can work on the Limestone (Maximum stone dimensions: 250x150x150. c) sculptors must have experience (at least 5 years) 

d) The participant must give his consent to moving his work and placing it in another area after the end of the symposium. 

e) The artist must give his consent, after the end of the symposium, for the transfer of his work to the ownership of the city. 

f)The sculpture presented by the artist must be exclusively for the Rustavi International Symposium. (The sculpture should not be similar to an existing one and should not be repeated in the future) 

Terms of selection 

The participants will be selected by a special commission, which will be staffed by specialists in the field, representatives of local authorities and members of civil society. 

Participants' travel, accommodation and honorarium conditions 

a) Each participant's fee is the equivalent of 3,000 euros in GEL (without taxes) b) Accommodation and food in the hotel of the artists will be provided by the symposium c) The flight of foreign participants will be provided by the symposium 

d) The symposium will provide the necessary tools and materials for the participants 

Documents required for participation 

a) personal information of the participants (name, surname, citizenship, place of residence, address, contact information, bank details, allergies and dietary restrictions) 

b) professional information (biography, photo portrait, photos of 5 old works)

c) 3 photos of the competition work Sketch 

d) size and description of the competition work 

e) material and inventory required for the competition work (a detailed description of the material and 

inventory is necessary) 

f) At the opening of the symposium, the participants must present a mock-up of the competition work 

(the mock-up remains with the organizer 

f) Written consent of the participants to the terms of the symposium 

Contact Information 

Participants should send the documents to the following email: 

Rustaviinternationalsymposium@gmail.com 

For more information 

+995 579 07 33 77-Mariam gachechiladze (Only Whatsapp

SYMPOSIUM.pdf

Contributor:  Mariam Gachechiladze , ISSA Georgia member: Valerian Jikia

Editor: Liu Qin, Song Mingcheng

Translator: Sun Ya’nan, Sun Shuang

Legal advisor: Tao Ranting