Dato Koridze
Dato Koridze is a documentary photographer from Tbilisi. His work captures underground queer culture in Tbilisi. Through his photography, Dato sensitively explores themes of social inequality, minority rights and communities’ resilience in the face of oppression.
Renowned for his thought-provoking photo projects, Dato is a recipient of numerous awards at international festivals and widely recognised worldwide, with his work featured in influential publications. Currently, he is part of the team at Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty’s Tbilisi office, while also continuing his personal projects. Dato Koridze won the EU Prize for Journalism for the Best Documentary Photo Reflecting EU Values twice, in 2019/2024.
About His Documentary Photo
In Tbilisi, at the Vake cemetery, people are saying farewell to Kesaria Abramidze
Women from the regions, politicians, queers, and members of the show business community—all stand together. Kesaria managed to bring together people who, in some ways, seemed to be at odds with each other. Transgender women carried Kesaria’s casket.
I can’t recall a more heartbreaking, more tragic scene.
All were crying, sobbing!!!
I was crying too!
Zurab Tsertsvadze
Professional photojournalist, Zurab worked at the Georgian National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation, the National Botanical Garden of Georgia and news agency Newposts. Zurab extensively collaborated with the Georgian Red Cross Society a currently is a photojournalist for the Associated Press (AP). In 2024, he was officially selected at the International Photography Awards (IPA) in the Editorial/Press, General News category. That same year, he won the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Special Prize for his project “No to Russian Law”. Zura is also the co-author of the book “Values of Georgia”.
Zura won the EU Prize for Journalism for Best Documentary Photo Reflecting EU Values in 2023.
About His Documentary Photo
Stay strong, stay inspired. Yes to Europe.
Photographer Zurab captured this breathtaking moment during the protests in Georgia against the so-called “Russian law.” In 2023 and 2024, a wave of demonstrations swept across the country in opposition to the proposed “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence.” Protesters argue that the legislation – widely referred to as the “Russia law”- poses a threat to fundamental values.
In Spring 2024 over 200,000 people gathered in Tbilisi under the slogan: “Yes to Europe, no to the Russian law!” The atmosphere was electric, charged with an unyielding call for freedom and justice. The flags waving in the crowd were more than just symbols; they represented defiance, identity, and hope for a European future.
For many, this movement is not just about opposing a law, it is about safeguarding the future of the next generation. The determination in their eyes speaks volumes, a silent yet powerful vow to protect democratic values. This protest is being called the largest in Georgia’s history.
Protesters have faced tear gas and water cannons, yet their resolve remains unwavering: “this is my home, where my son will grow up. I do not want Georgia in the hands of our enemy. I want it to be free for all,” one protester declared.
For Georgians, unity is their greatest strength, and it remains unbreakable. These images remind us about the power of solidarity and the enduring fight for freedom!
Dina Oganova
Dina Oganova, a documentary photographer, curator, and lecturer, was born and raised in Tbilisi, where she continues to live and work on long-term personal projects. Her photography primarily explores social and political issues, with a strong focus on women’s and girls’ rights in Georgia and other post-Soviet countries.
Dina was chosen as one of the world’s 12 best young photographers, earning a spot at the prestigious World Press Photo Joop Swart Masterclass—the first Georgian photographer ever selected in the program’s history. In 2015 Photo District News included Dina in its 30 Best Young Photographers list.
Her works are being displayed in various international galleries and exhibitions worlwide.
Dina won EU Prize for Journalism for the Best Documentary Photo Reflecting EU Values twice, in 2017 and 2022.
About Her Documentary Photo
I have always had a special relationship with Ukraine.
For a long time, it was my second home, and I always referred to it as “nenka” meaning mother.
Ukraine holds a special place in my heart, with many special people dear to me, I have countless magical memories tied to places that no longer exist on the map due to Russian bombings.
February 24, 2022, was the morning I woke up in hell.
While I was in the beautiful, snow-covered mountains of Svaneti, I received a message that my beloved Kyiv had been bombed.
The shock and despair left me paralysed—I didn’t know what to do…
I had felt this way before, and I was terrified of experiencing it again.
More than anything, I fear war in life, and even more so, war in my own country.
In 1991, when I was still a little girl, Russia took my home away for the first time—the home called Abkhazia. Crimea always reminded me of Abkhazia.
In August 2008, Russia took my home away once again. And since 2022, Russia has been taking my home for the third time—this time, in Ukraine.
According to official data, 20% of Georgia’s territory is occupied by Russia. We share a common enemy, and Ukraine’s occupied territories also make up 20% of its land.
I know very well what it means to be a refugee, a refugee in your own country.
Through my works, you will meet brave Ukrainian women who, like me, are now displaced.
In the foreground, you will see their expressive faces, and in the background, the bombed houses and cities destroyed by Russia.
These women are currently living in Georgia until Ukraine wins and they can return home.
I believe it will happen—soon!
Giorgi Shengelia
Together with his family, Giorgi moved to Florence, Italy in 2006. Italy became an inspiration for his passion – photography. After professional studies in the field, Giorgi presented his first personal project “Four Rooms,” which explored the lives of Georgian women migrants in Italy. Currently Giorgi works as a freelance photographer in Georgia and explores experimental and artistic photography.
In 2021, he won the EU Prize for Journalism for the Best Documentary Photo Reflecting EU Values.
About His Documentary Photo
The historical discourse on Tbilisi includes the story of the city’s religious diversity.
Even today, representatives of various religious denominations conduct worship and engage in religious life in Tbilisi. From 2013 to 2017, Giorgi Shengelia actively documented gatherings, ceremonies, and rituals of different religious communities.
His work on the project led him to a Baptist baptism ceremony, a Protestant service in Vake, an Egyptian Coptic gathering in Didube; he witnessed an Orthodox ritual at the Church of St. John the Theologian and attended the visit of the Pope at the Lokomotivi Stadium.
For four years, Giorgi Shengelia captured Tbilisi’s religious life through his camera.
Sopho Aptsiauri
Journalist and photographer Sopho Aptsiauri has worked with several media outlets throughout her career. Her journalistic work is focused on human rights, especially on labor rights. She is particularly interested in exploring and documenting the conditions in industrial cities such as Chiatura and Tkibuli.
Her articles on these topics have received several awards, including the EU Prize for Journalism for the Best Documentary Photo Reflecting EU Values, received in 2020.
About Her Documentary Photo
Namokhvani Protest
The protest of the defenders of the Rioni Valley was one of the longest and, arguably, the largest-scale events in Georgia’s recent history. For approximately 20 months, the local population persistently demanded the suspension of the project agreement, which envisioned the construction of a cascade of hydroelectric power plants in Namokhvani. This was a large-scale project planned without consulting the local population.
Therefore, it was not surprising that, once it became known that the Georgian government had signed an agreement with the Turkish company ENKA Renewables for the construction of the Namokhvani HPP, residents and eco-activists immediately started organizing. The locals believed that this hydroelectric project would threaten their living environment, destroy the local ecosystem, and, consequently, eliminate vital resources for the village.
The project, which began in 2020, gained a massive scale in the spring of 2021. Activists set up camps in Namokhvani and, daily, tried to halt the construction work.
The photos attached were taken on one of the protest days when locals decided to place a cross at the construction site as a form of resistance. However, even on that day, the local government deployed police forces, and the cross was soon removed.
In the photo, which later won the EU prize for Journalism, is Maka Suladze, a local woman who was one of the most outstanding and devoted figures of this protest.
Ultimately, the protest of the defenders of the Rioni Valley yielded results, and in November 2021, ENKA officially announced the suspension of the project.
Nina Baidauri
Psychologist by profession, Nina Baidauri is a journalist and photographer at “Netgazeti” online platform. Her work focuses on human rights, social issues, and cultural diversity. Nina actively collaborates with human rights activists and media organizations, primarily focusing on women, people with disabilities, and ethnic, religious and sexual minorities.
Her work has been featured in multiple exhibitions and online publications in Georgia and internationally.
In 2018, Nina won the EU Prize for Journalism for the Best Documentary Photo Reflecting EU Values.
About Her Documentary Photo
“Mommy, what does ‘negro’ mean?”
Zacheus came to Georgia from Nigeria in 2012 for his studies. Soon, he got acquainted with Julieta, a Georgian girl. In 2013, they got married. They have a daughter, Natalie. The family lives in Tbilisi.
Julieta: “Sometimes my baby is asking me, what does “Zangi” [Negro] mean? It appears children are calling her this word. She is very cheerful; she speaks Georgian, English, and even Russian a little. She goes to ballet dances and her teacher adores her.
My parents love Zacheus. They never opposed our marriage. However, I have heard many nasty, horrible things from others around. For example, I remember, when I was pregnant, I was in the metro with my husband, a stranger lady looked at us and exclaimed in Georgian: “She is with that monkey, she will give birth to a monkey!” I did not tell her anything, it left me speechless. There were cases, when passers-by would spit out while looking at us, calling “Hey, look at that Zangi [Negro in Georgian]!”
My husband understands Georgian pretty well. We were in a taxi. The driver asked me: “Are you married?” When I said, “yes”, he was astonished and asked me again: “What happened to you? Some misfortune?“ I was with my baby, but she was too tiny and hopefully, she could not understand that.”
Zacheus: “As a black person, if you are walking with a Georgian lady, you do have a problem. Mostly, men have aggressive reactions.
Some Georgians have stereotypes about Africans. People ask me weird questions like, “Do you know what TV is?” Of course, there are nice people around as well. I have many Georgian friends, and they always protect me.
Since I have a family in Georgia, I need documents to live here legally. However, I have been denied to get a permanent residence permit. The only basis for the rejection was the confidential information of the State Security Service as if I represent some sort of threat to the national security of Georgia. I appealed the decision to the court. The claim was approved. So I hope that at least now, after three years of struggle, I will receive the permit finally. I have heard that a lot of Nigerians have similar problems in Georgia.
Meanwhile, my dad passed away in Nigeria and I could not attend the funeral. Since my issue with the residence was not decided, I was afraid that in case of leaving the country, I might not be allowed to return to Georgia. It was a very hard time for the whole family. Despite all of this, I love Georgia for its rich culture, traditions, food, and friends and I want to stay here, first of all, because of my family. A lot of unpleasant things happened to us, but it makes us even stronger.”
Giorgi Londaridze
An IT specialist by profession, Giorgi has been working as a photo correspondent for the news portal Sknews.ge since 2013. Sknews.ge is regional web platform covering news for the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, including minority issues.
In 2016, Giorgi won the European Union Prize for Journalism in the Best Documentary Photo category.
About His Documentary Photo
Mokhe village, prayer under the open sky
After law enforcement taped the disputed building in the village of Mokhe with police tape, local Muslims held their prayers outside. They firmly proclaim, that they will continue open-air prayers until the government builds them a place of worship.
Today, on October 15, the Muslim prayer in front of the police-taped building lasted for about 15 minutes. They did not attempt to enter the building, prayed outside, and dispersed peacefully. Law enforcement officers were present at the scene, and police remained in the village of Mokhe.
The dispute over the building in the center of Mokhe began in October when the Adigeni municipality decided to turn it into a cultural center and announced a tender for its renovations.
Local Muslims insist that the building is a mosque and demand its transfer, while orthodox Christians claim that it was built using church stones.