| Ana Tsikhelashvili |
In a world increasingly fractured by soundbites and fleeting headlines, there remains a space where the power of the human narrative still resonates. That space is ZEG, the Storytelling Festival. Having just returned from its 2025 edition as a journalist for The Diary, I can say with confidence: there is no other storytelling festival on Earth that matches its scale, its precision of curation, or its emotional impact.
Founded by a collective of visionary women, including journalists with extensive international reporting experience, marketing specialists, and award-winning professionals from various fields, ZEG embodies a simple yet profound message: stories connect us. This remarkable group, together with the tireless ZEG team, embarks on a global quest to bring to Tbilisi individuals with stories, invaluable lessons, and a deep desire to share. For three days, attendees are immersed in a vibrant tapestry of ideas, inspiration, and most importantly, the hope we so urgently need in today’s tumultuous world.
ZEG 2025, true to its tradition, delivered a multi-dimensional experience: a kaleidoscope of narratives unfolding across distinct spaces including the commanding Main Stage, the intimate Coda Stage, the thought-provoking Art Space, the dynamic Crossroads Space, the contemplative Museum Space, and the raw immediacy of the Open Mic Space. It’s the kind of festival that makes you wish for an army of selves, each able to attend every compelling panel at once. Perhaps that is the essence of ZEG. It leaves you wanting more, a quiet testament to the endless reservoir of stories that deserve to be told and heard.
As a journalist for The Diary and a student of Social Sciences, I can hardly express the exhilaration of discovering that one of the speakers at ZEG was none other than Timothy Snyder. I’ll admit, I had a quiet fan moment and even gathered the nerve to ask him a question. Snyder, whose works such as On Tyranny provide essential tools for resisting authoritarianism and whose The Road to Unfreedom offers a piercing analysis of Russia’s anti-democratic narratives, confronts today’s dangers by drawing vital lessons from the past. His presence at ZEG affirmed the festival’s dedication to engaging with the most urgent issues of our time.
A pervasive theme at ZEG 2025 was the growing threat to journalism, truth, language, and memory in the face of rising autocratic regimes around the world. The story of political prisoner and journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, among others, offered a sobering reminder of the challenges faced by free journalism not only in Georgia, but across the globe.
Another truly impactful voice was Maksym Eristavi, a journalist from Kyiv and the author of "Russian Colonialism 101". His concise yet powerful guide laid bare Russia’s historical and contemporary actions as part of a broader pattern of imperialism and colonial domination, particularly over its neighbors like Ukraine, Georgia, and other nations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Then came the moments that moved me to tears. One such instance was the profound conversation between Khalid Abdalla and Ghaith Abdul-Ahad . Khalid Abdalla, an extraordinary actor known for The Kite Runner, The Crown, and In the Last Days of the City, as well as a committed activist, expressed a truth that resonated deeply. He said, "People stop doing what they're doing and go running in the streets because they are free. This freedom is the most extraordinary drug, the biggest high you can be addicted to, and I will always be addicted to it." His words were a powerful affirmation of the human spirit's unwavering desire for liberty.
The tears returned as Masho Lomashvili spoke about the efforts by Russia and the current Georgian government to rewrite the history of the 2008 war, distort collective memory, and promote blatant falsehoods. Her story served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle to preserve historical truth and defend national identity.
The festival concluded on an unexpectedly uplifting note with a heartwarming Elvis Presley tribute concert performed by the father of Seema Jilani. Dr. Seema Jilani, an American-Pakistani pediatrician and humanitarian aid worker, is widely respected for her tireless frontline medical work in conflict zones and disaster areas around the world. This intimate performance added a deeply personal dimension to the closing moments, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and hidden talents of those who take the ZEG stage.
My experience at ZEG 2025 was more than a journalistic assignment. It was a profound journey of learning, empathy, and renewed hope. In a world starved for authentic connection, ZEG offers a powerful reminder that stories in all their forms are not merely entertainment. They are the threads that bind us, offering inspiration and reaffirming the belief that even in the darkest times, truth and human connection can endure. I am already counting down the days until ZEG 2026.
Photos: ZEG
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