The Tbilisi State University Student Literary Competition titled “Legend” is being held for the sixteenth time. TSU extends an invitation to students at all three levels of higher education in Georgia to participate in the competition. The literary competition is designed for students who have a passion for literature, wish to challenge themselves as writers, or seek to enhance their abilities in this regard.

Following the initial submission phase, which saw approximately 250 prosaic works from students at various universities in Georgia, the internal jury selected the 10 most meritorious entries for the final round. In the improvisation round, the finalists were tasked with creating new prosaic works in an informal setting over the course of 12 hours on two topics proposed by the jury: “Please, Pass Verification” and “No One Should Believe that the Garden is Dying.” The works created in the improvisation round will be published in the form of an annual collection, as has been the tradition in previous years.

The competition, which was commonly referred to as the “Autumn Legend” by the public, was held this year under the name “Legend.” The members of the Legend 2024 jury are writers: Giorgi Lobzhanidze, Dato Turashvili, Teona Dolenjashvili, Maka Ldokonen and the winner of the 2023 competition, Tornike Lelashvili.

“The finalists have demonstrated considerable talent, as evidenced by their selection as one of the top ten from a pool of over 200 participants. The proposed topics are of such interest that I would be pleased to contribute to them in my own capacity. Conversely, it is unclear how one might compose written work in such an environment, where the atmosphere is so convivial. Upon inquiry, the participants indicated that they would not be impeded. It is crucial that the jury of the competition comprises both renowned authors and the previous year's victorious student,” stated Erekle Astakhishvili, Deputy Rector of Tbilisi State University.

“From the very beginning, the formation of future writers is of great importance. If Georgia has a future, it must also be determined by the future of our literature. Therefore, it is very important to know what kind of generation is coming. I do not know what the results will be, but today I met the children, and I was left with an extraordinary impression. They are very different from my generation, and I am very interested in what they think, what interests them and what worries them. The fact is that they are talented,” said the jury member and writer, TSU professor Giorgi Lobzhanidze.

The prize fund of the competition has been increased this year. The first-place winner will receive GEL 1,500 and a competition symbol, the second-place winner will receive GEL 1,000, and the third-place winner will receive GEL 700. In addition, the winner of this year’s competition will be a member of the jury for next year.  

Irma Kikadze, a student of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at TSU, had previously participated in the competition, but had not proceeded to the final stage: “This year, fortune smiled upon me, or my work was better - I don’t know, but ultimately, I proceeded to the final round of the Legend. I have concluded that you should do your best and overcome barriers. In the future, when I hear about a similar competition or project, I will not hesitate to apply.”

Along with TSU students, students from Ilia State University, Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA), and Akaki Tsereteli State University participated in the final round of the literary competition. The Legend 2024 winners will be announced at the end of November.