On April 27, a presentation of a book for children “Luna and the Planet of Fireflies” was held in # 3 kindergarten and day nursery in Marneuli Municipal, at the joint initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office and Marneuli Municipality Assembly. 

The event was opened by Lela Bakradze, Head of the UNFPA Georgia Country Office, Amiran Giorgadze, Chairman of the Marneuli Municipality Assembly, and Kenan Omarov, Mayor of Marneuli Municipality. 

The author of the translation of the book “Luna and the Planet of Fireflies” into Azerbaijani language - Oktay Kazumov - presented the book to fathers and children attending the presentation. The children together with their fathers also took part in a drawing workshop, which was conducted by illustrator Tatia Nadareishvili. 

Within the framework of the same event, for the purpose of facilitating distribution and availability of books, the UNFPA Georgia Country Office presented to the Gender Equality Council of Marneuli Municipality Assembly the books - “Luna and the Planet of Fireflies” and “Lullaby for Lilly” - published in Georgian and Azerbaijani languages. The books will be distributed to pre-school institutions throughout Marneuli Municipality. 

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office, with the support of the European Union and in cooperation with the Marneuli Culture Center, is also preparing a puppet show “Luna and the Planet of Fireflies”. 

In addition, on April 27, the Marneuli Public Library hosted representatives of the UNFPA Georgia Country Office and the Marneuli Culture Center to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the UNFPA Georgia Country Office and the Marneuli Culture Center, which aims to support development of the culturally sensitive and age-appropriate mobile Puppet Show on Gender Equality and holding performances in schools and kindergartens located both within and outside Marneuli Municipality. 

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Lela Bakradze, Head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office, and Nato Shavishvili, Director of the Marneuli Culture Center. 

Both events were organized as part of the programme “Ending Violence against Women and Girls in Georgia” (EVAWGG) jointly implemented by the United Nations Population Fund nd UN Women with the support of the European Union.  

The books for children - “Luna and the Planet of Fireflies” and “Lullaby for Lilly” - prepared as part of the “MenCare” campaign, was translated into Azerbaijani language at the initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Country Office and with the support of the EU, and was published by Palitra L Publishing. 

The author of the text for the book “Luna and the Planet of Fireflies” is Davit Gorgiladze and the illustrations presented in the book belong to Ms Tatia Nadareishvili. The book “Lullaby for Lilly” is written by Mr Alexandre Lortkipanidze and illustrated by Sopho Kirtadze. The books were translated into Azerbaijani language by Mr Oktay Kazumova. 

Both books tell the stories of families and magic unfolding around them, with family members caring for one another wholeheartedly, while mothers and fathers equally share childcare and household responsibilities. Caring for loved ones on a daily basis and understanding common challenges is the foundation of happiness and harmony in these families. The books for children were prepared as part of the MenCare Campaign, which promotes the involvement of men as active fathers, caring and non-violent partners in building an equal, harmonious and sustainable society.