22 January, 2025
The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH) opened its flagship programme, the 2025 Book at Lunchtime, with the presentation of the Lailashi Codex by Dr Thea Gomelauri, Director of the Oxford Interfaith Forum.
Dr Thea Gomelauri said: It was an enormous privilege to present the extraordinary Lailashi Codex to the Oxford scholarly community, and discuss it with the world-renowned academics, Prof Sebastian Brock, FBA, Prof Theo van Lint, and Prof Anna Abulafia. I was delighted to show the breathtaking calligraphy and micrography of manuscripts’ real-size images to the Oxford students, academics, and the general public. Our warmest gratitude goes to John Kennedy BSc FIDM PG Dip DigM, TORCH Communications Officer, for investing so much time, and energy in organising the event.
Dr Nunu Mosiashvili, Senior Counsellor in Cultural Affiars, attended the book launch on behalf of the Georgian Embassy in the UK. She expressed great enthusiasm about supporting educational events, showcasing the rich Georgian Jewish historical, cultural, and literary heritage. She presented the Georgian wines to the organisers and panel members.
The Georgian Embassy report, highlighting the event, is available here.
The Panel Members, Prof Sebastian Brock and Prof Theo van Lint, discussed the Codex in the context of a shared material culture. Dr Gomelauri presented new materials she’s been working on since the publication of the book.
The audience enjoyed a rich photo collage of Lailashi village, emphasising its remote and exotic location. At the end of panel discussion, Dr Gomelauri took questions from the audience.
A Recording of the Presentation
Photo Gallery
