The inaugural TEDxTbilisi event will be held on the 11th of February, 2012 at Tbilisi State University.   The independently organized event, licensed by TED, is a one-day event of inspiration and ideas.

The theme for TEDxTbilisi is "The Long View", reminding us that despite the frantic pace of day to day life, humanity, economics, and culture all follow an extended arch of development and growth.  The overall program strives to illuminate that which is unique, innovative and inspiring from - and about - Georgia's past and present.    

In the TED tradition, each speaker is challenged to give "the talk of his or her life" in 18 minutes or less.  Professor David Lordkipanidze, Director General of the Georgian National Museum and Her Excellency, Diana Janse, Swedish Ambassador to Georgia, are just two of the illustrious people presenting that day.  

The speakers for TEDxTbilisi were chosen for a variety of reasons - some for the passion they have for their topics, some for their inspired thinking, while others were asked to speak because of their widely acclaimed accomplishments. Topics will range from science to music and from art to diplomacy

"The opportunity to introduce TEDx to Tbilisi, and Tbilisi to TED and TEDx is a remarkable occasion.  We are honored and excited by the quality of speakers who are partaking in this dynamic event and the diversity of topics to be presented.  Georgia continues to undergo rapid transformation across cultural, social, economic and political norms and remains a compelling and exciting space. A TEDx event is the perfect way to celebrate this, to be inspired, and to be reminded there are commitments beyond the immediacy of daily life." said Deborah Fairlamb, a co-organizer of TEDxTbilisi. 

Attendance at TEDxTbilisi is by application, starting on 21 January via the event's website at www.tedxtbilisi.com.  This will be an exclusive event, as space is limited to 100 guests.  Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis. The event will also be broadcast on the day of the event via streaming video for free on the site.

TEDxTbilisi is locally and independently organized and was made possible only with the help of leading Georgian organizations including Bank of Georgia, ITnovations and Tbilisi State University. 

 About TEDx, x = independently organized event

TEDxTbilisi is part of the global TEDx family of events.  In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.  At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, like TEDxTbilisi, are self-organized.

 About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 26 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. At TED, the world's leading thinkers and doers are asked to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Benoit Mandelbrot, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Two major TED events are held each year: The TED Conference takes place every spring in Long Beach, California (along with a parallel conference, TEDActive, in Palm Springs), and TEDGlobal is held each summer in Edinburgh, Scotland.

TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily; the new TED Conversations, enabling broad conversations among TED fans; and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide.

TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to host local, self-organized events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

For information about TED's upcoming conferences, visit http://www.ted.com/registration

Follow TED on Twitter at http://twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TED