Bringing together four women cultural leaders from Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova, this

conversation will explore how European integration and participation in European cultural programmes,

membership at international organizations have influenced the development of literary ecosystems,

publishing markets, and international cooperation in countries with soviet historical and institutional

memories.

Representing key cultural organizations from the region, the speakers will share their experiences of

building sustainable cultural institutions, expanding translation flows, participating in EU-funded

programmes, and creating new opportunities for writers, publishers, translators, and readers. The

discussion will focus on how European cooperation has contributed not only to stronger international

visibility but also to the growth of domestic literary markets and professional networks.

Through the perspective of women leaders working in culture, the event will highlight the role of crossborder

collaboration, knowledge exchange, and European values in shaping more open, diverse, and

resilient cultural sectors.

The conversation will demonstrate how literature and publishing can serve as bridges between societies

and how cultural integration contributes to the broader European journey of countries across the region.

Moderator: Yana Genova, Bulgaria

Speakers: Arevik Ashkharoyan, Armenia, Gvantsa Jobava, Georgia, Paula Erizanu, Moldova, Yulia

Kozlovets, Ukraine