Georgian fiction / Novel
Lekso Paikidze
A small publisher. A vast literary world.
Bendesi —
Books and more.
Bringing old books back to life and discovering new writers — Bendesi’s two paths to its readers.
A place for those
for whom reading is part of life.
One book. One new world.
01 / Bendesi’s bookshelfRead. Return. Discover.
Saba 2026FinalistBest novel of the year
Litera 2026FinalistBest novel of the year
A book in the spotlight
GUATE Guate
What if the Aztecs had crossed the ocean and discovered the Old World? An alternate-history novel about dreams, journeys and another possible course of familiar history.
Selected editions
Your next book
Contemporary voices.
A past rediscovered.
A selection of our editions.
Books are shown as three-dimensional studio mockups.
The next pages
Coming from Bendesi
Lekso Paikidze · Historical novel
Mstovari
Lekso Paikidze
Imereli
A new publishing project
Georgian Psychoanalytic Journal
The Forgotten Bookshelf · ReprintJerome K. Jerome · Three Men in a Boat
Good books never disappear
The Forgotten
Bookshelf
Some books disappear from shelves but remain in readers’ memories. This Bendesi series is an invitation to rediscover them.
Through reprints of older editions, we introduce new readers to texts with a history of their own. Jerome K. Jerome’s Three Men in a Boat belongs on this shelf.
Behind the publishing house
Publisher.
Reader.
Makine.
Makine Shalamberidze
For me, publishing a book
begins with a choice.
Bendesi is a small independent publishing house — a place to discover new Georgian writers and bring old books back to readers. Literary depth, the quality of the text and the beauty of an edition are at its heart.
I’m Makine, Bendesi’s founder — a French translator by training, a financial manager by occupation and a lover of literature at heart. Bendesi’s address is my heart and my shoulders. I run the publishing house’s daily work myself: working with authors and their texts, editing, design, printers, bookshops and meeting readers. In effect, I’m a one-woman show.
As a child, I dreamed of having my own publishing house. One day I met someone whose writing was wonderfully compelling, and life gave me the chance to fulfil my dream by bringing his manuscripts to life — to create a publishing house. Kind people helped me make that dream come true. When you want something with all your heart, your perspective changes, and the people you need to fulfil your wish gather around you.
The girl in our logo is Sesili, Lekso’s daughter and mine. Beside her is the teddy bear her father gave her in the year I first imagined the publishing house. Bendesi’s name comes from a word Sesili invented for her bear.
Behind my working alone are so many people and helping hands. Their experience, friendship and support are part of every Bendesi book’s story. I am deeply grateful to God for all this richness in my little world.
Bendesi is now beginning a new chapter — with the same love of good literature and its readers.
Let’s start a conversationBendesi supports new authors
Vartsikhe
Literary Prize 2026
Short-story festival · Third edition
A new voice needs to be heard. A new story needs a reader.
Discovering new authors is one of Bendesi’s central aims. That is why the house sponsors the Vartsikhe literary competition, supporting a space where new texts and their authors can meet readers.
The competition grew from a shared idea of Lekso Paikidze and Davit Tsertsvadze, owner of Chateau Vartsikhe. In Vartsikhe, a village in the municipality of Baghdati, they aim to create a new cultural and educational centre — a place where literature brings people together and nurtures a new creative life.
Two stages. Two chances for a new story.
Send a short story or novella
The first stage accepts work of no more than five pages. Submissions are now open and close on 31 December 2026.
24 hours to write a new story
Ten finalists selected by the jury will meet at Chateau Vartsikhe. They will learn the theme just before the competition starts, then have 24 hours to write a new story of no more than five pages.
Three winners will receive cash prizes.
The jury
Aka Morchiladze · Dato Turashvili · Lana Kalandia · Gvantsa Jobava · Aleksandre Paikidze
Official competition announcement“I set aside savings from my salary specifically to sponsor the competition. Discovering new authors is, for me, directly connected to Bendesi’s reason for being.”
Makine · Bendesi’s publisher
A little closer to the book
Reading room
Makine’s blog and short guides
for a more attentive reading.
For readers · For authors · For partners
Every good story
begins with a conversation.
Want to buy a book, learn about Bendesi’s editions,
or discuss working together? Contact us on our official page.
Bendesi on Facebook News, books and a direct conversation