On Sunday, April 21st, at Red Bar in Tbilisi, the first ReasonFest took place, organized by the Ayn Rand Center Europe in partnership with Students for Liberty, as part of the LibertyCon conference. ReasonFest, as a one-day event, brought together prominent speakers in the field of Objectivist philosophy and political theory, all through the prism of art, providing participants with inspirational insights and perspectives. Tbilisi was chosen as the conference location due to its symbolic significance in the struggle for freedom and democracy. The decision to hold the conference in Tbilisi reflects support and solidarity with the citizens of Georgia in their efforts to combat the adoption of the “foreign agents” law, which is authoritarian.

Each lecture at ReasonFest contributed to the depth and diversity of the topics covered. Robert Begley, the founder of Speaking With Purpose LLC, opened the program with his insights on dramatizing egoism in art. His presentation laid the groundwork for further reflection on the role of egoism, with examples from Ayn Rand’s literary works. Djorjde Mancev continued with the theme of capitalism and art, exploring how these two elements interact and shape societal norms. His presentation added a perspective on economic freedom and creativity.

Public speaking coach Leopold Ajami spoke about reflective intelligence, discussing how small visual stories can create a huge impact. Isidora Kolar, CEO of the New Intellectual Network, talked about identity politics in the seventh art, highlighting problematic “woke” trends in movies and TV series.

Sci-fi writer Lana Lagvilava gave a lecture on the impact of art on shaping the world around us, highlighting the power of art in creating change and evoking deep emotions. Matias Svenson closed ReasonFest with a talk on In Defense of Luxury – How Freedom, Prosperity, and Art Succeed Together, emphasizing the importance of freedom for creativity and prosperity in art.

During the event, panels with an inviting quote – “Express yourself artistically” – were displayed on one of the walls. Visitors had the opportunity to express themselves through writing quotes, poems, or simply drawing, creating a unique and inspirational atmosphere throughout all sessions. This interactive part of the event allowed participants to showcase their creativity and share their thoughts and emotions. In addition to this “open” art section, where different ideas and expressions were welcome, painter Tamara Magalashvili painted Atlas and the symbol of the Georgian capital – the TV tower – during ReasonFest.

As noted, ReasonFest took place within the framework of the largest European libertarian conference – LibertyCon. ReasonFest was attended by more than 500 people. LibertyCon lasted from April 19th to 21st and included a series of lectures, workshops, as well as a full festival day (April 21st) dedicated to freedom, which was attended by more than 1000 visitors. The program featured international speakers such as economist David D. Friedman, comedian Remi, Denis Porter, activist Evgenija Kara-Murza, and many others.