BLACK SEA REGION AT THE CROSSROADS OF CIVILIZATIONS
The Black Sea region, with the important political, economic and cultural processes taking place here, has always been a subject of special attention. This vast region has been a significant region of convergence of different civilizations since ancient times. The peculiarities of the North and the South, the East and the West converged here and continuously interacted with each other and the local world. Such circumstances gave rise to comprehensive and permanent processes caused by important political, economic and cultural factors. The same events determined the modern character of the wide area of the Black Sea shore, the political, religious and cultural features that are particularly characteristic of the region. Such diversity and the growing geostrategic importance of the region naturally put on the agenda the issue of establishing a wide-ranging international scientific journal, which will be a means for researchers from various fields working on the issues of the region to present their research and exchange ideas. Journal DOI: https://doi.org/10.52340/bsrcc
Niko Berdzenishvili Institute of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University
Terms of Kinship in Historical and Modern Meskheti (Comparative Analysis of Our Collected Materials)
The article investigates the linguistic structure of kinship terminology in the historical and geographical region of Meskheti, based on empirical data from the Adjarian and Imerkhevi dialects. The research aims to reveal linguistic, sociocultural, and semantic transformations within the kinship lexicon that reflect the ethnolinguistic dynamics of the region. The study employs descriptive, historical-comparative, and ethnolinguistic methodologies, relying on field materials collected during expeditions conducted between 1992 and 2024. The analysis demonstrates that Meskhetian kinship terminology represents a synthesis of archaic Georgian lexical layers and external (primarily Turkish) influences. Borrowed terms such as kardashi, bibi, gelin, dede, hala, and kirve have been assimilated into the local linguistic system, frequently undergoing semantic adaptation. Particular attention is devoted to terms denoting clan and genealogical structures (gobegi, ch’ipi, motchdoma), which illustrate the continuity and resilience of the traditional Georgian family model. The findings confirm that, despite external linguistic interference, the Meskhetian dialectal environment has preserved the essential semantic and cultural codes of the Georgian language. Consequently, kinship terminology functions not only as a linguistic category but also as a key marker of cultural memory and ethnolinguistic identity.
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Figurative Speech-According to Two Valleys (Dandalo, Merisi)
Figurative expressions convey a certain condensed meaning and often carry allegorical or metaphorical significance. They are frequently used in literature; however, it should be noted that figurative expressions also occupy a prominent place in everyday speech. Every language has its own characteristic figurative expressions, used to better express thoughts, emotions, and intentions. The study of such expressions is a complex task, as it is closely connected to the history, culture, and identity of the people who created them. Georgian dialects are rich in figurative expressions, including the Ajarian dialect, which has been the subject of numerous studies, works, articles, and monographs. Noteworthy are the investigations by M. Khubua, Al. Glonti, Sh. Nijaradze, Sh. Dzidziguri, A. Takaishvili, J. Noghaideli, and others (Futkaradze, 2010: 71). Nevertheless, the number of figurative expressions is so vast that a complete study has not yet been achieved. This is because „traditional linguistics pays little attention to the study of dialectal phraseology… there are no separate lexicons for individual dialects” (Tsetskhladze, 2018: 9). It is therefore necessary to collect, analyze, synthesize, and publish figurative expressions and idioms according to specific dialects. „The study of folk figurative expressions is accompanied by certain difficulties. This type of vocabulary requires long-term and systematic observation of living speech. Such material can be abundantly obtained through direct interaction with people, when conversation unfolds freely and naturally, touching on everyday matters” (Noghaideli, 2007: 6). The present article introduces figurative expressions identified through observation of the living speech in two mountain valleys of Upper Adjara – Merisi and Dandalo.
The Udi Language in Georgia (The sociolinguistic analysis)
The Udis, Udins – their own name „Udi, Uti” – are one of the autochthonous peoples of the Caucasus. They are considered to be descendants of the Caucasian Albanians. The Udis living in Georgia migrated from the Azerbaijani village of Vartasheni to the village of Zinobiani in the Kvareli district.The Udi language is included in the UNESCO World Atlas of Endangered Languages. According to the results of the 2014 general census, 203 Udis lived in Georgia, and the absolute majority of them lived in the village of Kvareli district. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it was believed that the Udis (Utis) were the only remaining descendants of the ancient Albanians. According to the majority of scholars, the only direct descendants of the ancient Albanians are the Udis, who have preserved the Albanian (Udi) language to this day. The Albanian language belongs to the group of dead languages. The Udi language belongs to the Ibero-Caucasian family of languages. At present, the Udi language area is limited to three villages: Zinobiani village (Georgia, Kvareli municipality), Oghuzi village (Vartashen district) (Azerbaijan, Gabal (Kutkashen) district), Nidzh village (Gabal district, Azerbaijan). The Udi language is mainly used at home. Since 2015, the Udi language has been taught in the village, in the primary classes of the Zinobiani public school. In October 2023, I conducted a sociolinguistic study in the village of Zinobiani, Kvareli municipality, Kakheti, where the Udi people live compactly. In order to analyse the results of the study, I used the main factors of sociolinguistic research: structured and unstructured interviews; linguistic observation, questionnaires... During the sociolinguistic analysis of the language, I identified several important factors: • Demographic indicators and their impact on the functioning and vitality of the Udi language; • Proportionality of Udi speakers to the total population; • Bilingualism in the Udi community; • Mixed marriages and their impact on the functioning of the language; • Migration processes and their impact on the vitality of the language. The combination of these methods allowed me to study language in a social context and to analyse linguistic changes in different social groups. Based on the analysis of the available data, I tried to imagine the level of vitality/viability of the Udi language in Georgia, to identify the causes of the problems and the existence of programmes supporting the functioning of the language.
Some Lexical Features of the Speech of the Ghorjomi Gorge
Ajarian holds a prominent position among the Georgian dialects. It is distinguished by significant dialectal differentiation and is notably rich in subdialects. Like all living linguistic systems, the Ajarian dialect is subject to constant change, with lexical shifts being particularly pronounced, given that vocabulary is the most dynamic component of language. The study of the dialect’s lexicon remains a consistently valuable endeavor, providing both scholarly interest and new linguistic insights. The detailed study of dialects assigns particular significance to localized research, as it elucidates specific speech forms and features, thereby contributing to the comprehensive and nuanced portrayal of a given dialect. The present study, „Some Lexical Features of the Speech of the Ghorjomi Valley,” focuses on the lexical characteristics of the speech of the inhabitants of the Ghorjomi Valley – a distinct and emblematic subregion of Upper Ajara. To date, the speech of the Ghorjomi Valley has remained relatively underexplored within Georgian dialectology. This research is grounded in empirical data collected through fieldwork conducted by the author in the valley. A localized, discourse-level investigation of the Ghorjomi speech reveals numerous noteworthy lexical strata. In many instances, elements that appear to have faded from the standard literary language persist in the dialectal forms, thereby enriching our understanding of linguistic continuity and variation. The lexical material of the Ghorjomi Valley is distinguished by the presence of archaic words and lexical dialectisms, alongside traces of a Zan (Megrelian-Laz) substratum. Foreign lexical elements are also frequent, reflecting the historical and cultural processes that have unfolded in the region over time.
For Some Forms of Linguistic Etiquette according to the Letters of „Georgian Monastery of Istanbul”
The archive of the Georgian Savane in Istanbul preserves interesting materials reflecting the cultural and good-neighborly relations between Turkey and Georgia. The letters and correspondence cards preserved in the Savane are valuable materials from both linguistic and cultural perspectives. The presentation focuses on forms expressing greetings, apologies, and gratitude. It analyzes private letters of well-known public figures and clergy, correspondence cards of Georgian emigrants, and anonymous and pseudonymous publicist letters, which clearly show forms of linguistic etiquette. These letters are excellent examples of speech culture, which instill in the reader a sense of pride, trust, and respect for the past.
For the formation of the Perfect in the Taoian dialect
Series III in Georgian is characterized by a number of morphological and syntactic peculiarities. It is mentioned in the special literature that the forms of the III group of tenses-mood are of later origin: they are based on the present tense forms of the static verb (Arn. Chikobava, 1948; A. Shanidze, 1953...). This is the case both in literary Georgian and dialects. The research aims to study the cases of the formation of the perfect forms in the Taoian dialect and the presentation of similar or different facts in relation to the Georgian literary language and other dialects. In our research, we rely on new dialect texts, which were recorded in Tao by the employees of the Tariel Putkaradze Scientific Research Center of Kartvelology of Akaki Tsereteli State University, including us, in 2007-2024. Also, we have processed published Taoian texts (Putkaradze 1993; Faghava... 2007; Tao 2020). Transitive and intransitive verbs produce the perfect in different ways: I. Among the transitive verbs, the forms with -av, -am theme marks represent some peculiarities. For these types of verbs, the roots of the present and future verb forms are of significant importance in the perfect screeve. In this regard, the diversity of verb forms in the Tao dialect can be observed. The production marked with -av and -am suffixes is confirmed, but forms ending in -ia predominate: duudgams, diminakhavs, dimitesia, diminaqia, shimisvia, chimitsmia, uskvian „urtqams” (“hits”). There are often cases when verbs without a theme marker and flexible roots are formed with the suffix -am, also, the alteration of the theme markers is not uncommon. In the research dialect, verbs ending in -i-a rarely include nari in the perfect: davitsqnia, gamaqidnia , gamaqrevnia. II. In Taoian, the perfect forms of intransitive two-argument verbs are rare, they are produced like literary Georgian. The following cases are confirmed: mkonia (I had had), hkonia (he/she had had), konebia, qokia, hqolia, hqolian. One-person verbs, similar to the Georgian literary language and other dialects, are used descriptively: davtsolilvar (I have laid down), davtsvenilvar, danakhul var (I have seen), gagonili makva (I have heard). We also find verbs ending in -ia suffix: mitiria (I have cried), miarenia (I have walked). It can be said that the Tao dialect, in the conditions of many centuries of existence in the Turkish language environment, still maintains the common Georgian line of linguistic development, and this can be seen in the formation of verb forms.
Egyptian Image-Symbols in Georgian Literature and Art
The presented study discusses the image-symbol of the tiger in Georgian literature and art. Egyptian elements have long been widely used in Georgian art, reflecting various aspects of cultural history. According to research, the image-symbol of the tiger appears in Egyptian, Greek, Sumerian, and other literary and artistic traditions. In Georgia, this symbol has held special significance since ancient times – both in pagan and Christian religious contexts. Numerous intriguing details further emphasize the existence of ancient connections between Georgians and Egyptians, connections that have found expression in Georgian culture. It is also noteworthy that the symbolic meaning of the tiger had roots in ancient Georgian beliefs and folk traditions. Thus, Georgian epic literature abounds in parallels with monuments of world culture. Hieroglyphs, pyramids, deities, pharaohs, sarcophagi, and the scenes depicted on them once again draw us closer to the uniqueness of Egyptian civilization. All of this attests to the enduring existence of Georgian–Egyptian cultural realities.
The aim of the paper is to compile and conduct a comparative study of the composites known in the scientific literature and the composites discovered by us among the Laz population over the years, based on the field-specific collection and study of vocabulary. The Laz dialect of the Zan language presents interesting and characteristic empirical material in terms of producing compound words. Producing composites, Lazian follows Georgian, although it exhibits some peculiarities. The research revealed that we do not find any base-doubled composites with “and” connection in Lazian. There are also few compound words with vowel, consonant, or syllable alternations. Lexical items of Lazian, hybrid-Lazian-foreign language, or borrowed lexical units are confirmed as components of the composites recorded in Lazian. The presented research is interesting from both linguistic and ethnographic perspective.
Biblical topoi, as markers, in the context of the „Book” of the first Christian King of Kartli
Biblical topoi occupy a position of particular significance in medieval literature. Owing to their inherent recognizability, they function allusively, pointing to symbolic connections with universal spiritual, moral, and eschatological paradigms. As a result, the authorial narrative within a text that purports to convey historical realities assumes the character of a dialogic engagement with the biblical tradition. A narrative conceived within such a framework generates a distinctive chronotope, which, through the re-enactment of the past, integrates it with the present and the future and, by situating it within a chronotope of cosmic significance, deepens the hermeneutic interpretation of the narrative. Consequently, biblical topoi, as textual markers, are frequently employed by authors to articulate cultural and national identity as well. At the same time, it should be noted that the structural, stylistic, and lexical configuration of biblical topoi—their clarity and congruence with the broader textual context—constitutes an important criterion for identifying the earliest and most authentic readings among the various redactional versions of a given medieval text and, accordingly, for determining the cultural-historical period in which works transmitted through later manuscripts were originally composed. From this perspective, our attention has been drawn to the “Book” attributed to Mirian, the first Christian king of Kartli, incorporated into the early redactions of The Life of Saint Nino, which presents the spiritual confession of a man who, having overcome paganism, partakes of the light of Christ. Recent scholarship increasingly substantiates the view that The Life of Saint Nino, included within The Conversion of Kartli alongside the historical chronicle, must have been composed in the fourth century. However, the text as preserved in later manuscript copies (tenth–fourteenth centuries) is, for various reasons, more or less corrupted and transformed. From the most ancient strata of the work, the manuscripts have preserved the “Book” of King Mirian, composed at the threshold of death. Through the lexical and stylistic characteristics of its biblical topoi as textual markers, this section points not only to the cultural-historical epoch of the text’s composition but also, within the framework of its redactional variants, to readings that are earlier and closer to a proto-redaction. A study of the “Book” of the first Christian king of Kartli from this perspective—an aspect that has hitherto not been the object of focused scholarly attention—has made it clear that the text in its original form has not been preserved in any single manuscript. Nevertheless, our observations suggest that the Shatberd redaction derives from a more authentic source.
Existential Concepts – Absurd and Suicide – in Guram Rcheulishvili’s Stories
In European literature, the existential tendencies of the closed soviet cultural space started to emerge in the 1970s, although certain earlier precursors had been noticeable in Guram Rcheulishvili’s prose. The article analyses suicide as an escape from an absurd way of life on the examples of two stories – „From the mountains to the city“ and „Batareka Tchintcharauli“. The literary image of Salamura (the Piper) vividly reflects a person fighting against the world and against its harsh laws. This person tries to protect himself and his existence in the time and space, in which he feels happy. But the confronting world tries to subdue him and manages to do so. Through this story, Guram Rcheulishvili creates a literary image of a person, rebelling against the irrational, absurd world, who finally turns into Sisyphus. Mzia Batareka’s daughter lives in the harsh social surroundings. For that reason, she creates her own beautiful world, where freedom and romanticism dominate. Her thoughts are far away from the worldly, mundane human existence and pain. However, she suddenly encounters the stark reality of life, that destroys her imaginary world. She eventually becomes estranged to the surroundings, and feels insurmountable obstacle between her desires and the created circumstances. These factors are sufficient reasons for committing suicide. The estranged world leaves only one way out and leads her to the act of suicide. As Albert Camus puts it, in such a case, the world is neither rational nor irrational. It is merely senseless. According to existential philosophy, suicide is the way of escape from this absurd world. This is how this concept is perceived in the discussed stories by Guram Rcheulishvili.
Analysing Intercultural Space in Georgian Lyrics of the Last Decade of the Twentieth Century
Artistic text is a mirror of global processes: it reflects migration, transnationalism and intercultural exchange taking place in the world, it participates in the representation and formation of new themes. Postmodernism, which emerged in the middle of the 20th century, is a complex and multi-layered cultural, philosophical and artistic phenomenon. It is characterised by a sceptical attitude towards universal truths and ideas, an emphasis on subjectivism, and the play of artistic style and forms. Postmodernism has had a radical impact on traditional ideas about the genre and structure of the text, as well as on the transformation of language and thinking. A lyric poem is an expression of reality, human existence and spiritual condition. It serves to generalise feelings. The main purpose of a lyric poem is to transform the author’s emotional mood into a universal statement. Through it, poetic visions are transformed into artistic texts and empirical data becomes an auxiliary means of expressing feelings. The difficulties caused by ethno-political conflicts and economic challenges of the last decade of the 20th century in Georgia were directly reflected in the perspective of thinking of the new poetic generation. The poets of the 1990s are called the ‘post-war’ and ‘post-Soviet’ generations. Postmodernist tendencies and socio-cultural issues have gained relevance in their work. The study of lyric poems by four representatives of the 1990s – Natia Giorgadze, Zaza Tvaradze, Andro Buachidze and Rati Amaglobeli – creates a favourable ground for analysing the intercultural space of the last decade of the twentieth century. During the period under study, Georgian literature was strongly influenced by postmodernism: playing with quotations, allusion, subjectivism and intertextual abstraction are characteristic features of lyrical works of the ‘post-Soviet’ generation.
One aspect of Rustaveli’s worldview (The connection between the knight in The Knight in the Panther’s Skin and the tragedy of Prince Demna)
The reality of the 12th century and the severe political crisis of the same era are carefully hidden in the allegorical stories created by Rustaveli. On the creative canvas, the poet’s contemporary historical processes take the form of allegories, metaphors and symbols. In our opinion, the poet envisions King George III [1156-1184] as the focus of Farsadan’s attention, while the character preceding Tariel represents Prince Demna (Demetre), the son of David V. In Georgian scholarly literature, the vices of the Indian king in The Knight in the Panther’s Skin have been repeatedly noted, but in this regard, research in this direction still remains relevant. We believe that the reference to the beginning of the tale of India is especially important to confirm the proposed assumption. Farsadan, saddened by not having a son, views Tariel as the future ruler of all of India. He considers him the Lord of the country and army [“The King said: ‘I will raise him as my own son, he is of my own lineage’ (84, 313)], but after the birth of Nestan-Darejan, it seems that he changes his political decision and clearly states his position during the council about bringing a Khwarazmian groom. It is precisely at this point that it becomes clear that King Farsadan creates an insurmountable barrier for his ‘adopted son’ on the path to the Royal Throne. The historical source of Stephanus Orbeliani, which provides a fertile ground for drawing parallels between the poem’s context and historical reality, seems quite valuable. A direct parallel can be made between the hero of the epos and the orphaning of Prince Demna, as well as the decision to raise him as a future king. According to the historical source, it is revealed that King George III convinced the nobles and Ioane Orbeli to support the idea of crowning his nephew as king. The same source also indicates that later, George III deceitfully went back on his promise to his brother. In this part, we find the historian’s distortion of the facts groundless, as in the poem, indirectly, though fictionally, a similar situation occurs. The coincidence between historical reality and the development of the poem’s plot is unlikely to be accidental. The historical and literary facts are that George-Farsadan is an autocratic king, while Demna-Tariel, raised in the family of an Amirspasalari, is a young man deceived by the King (his uncle), who does not realize the King’s deceit for a long time. The poet’s commentary on his contemporary era or tragedy, in our view, is covered by fiction context and the destruction of Demna (Demetre) Prince’s ability to inherit the male line of succession is depicted in the image of the crying lad with the black horse.
For many centuries, both in Georgia and around the world, the only arena for women’s fulfillment has been the family and has been limited to reproduction, child-rearing and family and kinship relations. At the same time, there are reports of women stepping out of this traditional female role and in some cases making significant contributions to society through their work and skills. After all, it is believed that our country experienced its best period during the reign of a woman, Queen Tamar. In order to increase the role of women in the public arena in society, to bring about changes in terms of gender equality, and to form a civil society, it is necessary to study more widely the role of women in Georgian culture, history, and sources. We are interested in the extent to which literary sources, Georgian manuscripts, have preserved traces of women’s work in non-family spheres, what these traces testify to: whether they realized their potential and talents in any way, or they had the opportunity to influence historical and social events, and in what form. It is manuscripts that have brought us information that Georgian women have been active patrons of the development of Georgian literacy, cultural and educational activities for centuries. We have female poets, scribe calligraphers, buyers (commissioners) of manuscripts, renovator-decorators, manuscript rescuers, patrons, bibliophiles-collectors. There were many hard times in the history of Georgia and many manuscripts were destroyed, so it was very important to reproduce, restore and protect the manuscripts. Interestingly and pleasantly, women were also actively involved in these activities. Information about scribe activities of Georgian women can be found in manuscripts, for example, there are more than a hundred scribes, the number of authors, of course, is much less, but all of them are outstanding. For example, Mariam-Makrina Bagrationi, whom Korneli Kekelidze still considers akin to the outstanding Byzantine hymnographer Kassia.
Simonika Berezhiani’s failed „Date on Mtatsminda”
One of the outstanding representatives of Georgian émigré writing is Simon (Simonika) Berezhiani, whose versatile creative work is almost unknown in Georgia. His poetry is truly an integral part of Georgian poetic vocabulary and a characteristic émigré voice of Georgian poetry. The main theme of S. Berezhiani’s work is the pain of his homeland. The poet, distant from his homeland, is a devoted watchman and watcher of the pain of his homeland in thought, deed, and everyday life. He grieves over the pain and suffering of Georgia. This is also the subject of his thoughts and restlessness. Accordingly, the present and future of his creations are about his homeland. „The self-forgotten beloved to homeland” unhesitatingly sacrifices the precious reward given to humans by God – life – for the country. A country that has lost its freedom, biting cold of February is a bitter reality for the poet. His writings leave us with no other words. His work is a reflection of the nation’s misfortune, which is further exacerbated by the poet’s daily pain, feelings caused by the departing his motherland, immense love for his homeland, boundless longing, and thirst to see his native yard and dwelling. This emotion is contagious to the reader as well. You read his artistic thought and you feel the pain of the nation, you feel the pain of the poet, his anguish brings tears to your eyes. You hear the beating of the poet’s heart as he ponders the fate of his homeland, and all this fills you with great emotion. Yes, pain resonates through his work, and the artistic clothing of what he says is still pain for the poet. This is precisely what is presented in Simon Berezhiani’s poem „A Date on Mtatsminda.” The aim of this work is to show the idea and purpose of this poem and to evaluate it from our point of view. At the same time, it is emphasized that S. Berezhiani’s work is an integral part of twentieth-century Georgian writing and, with its creative handwriting, deserves a proper place in the history of Georgian literature.
On the Issue of Semantics of One Type of Paronomastic Expression in Georgian and Turkish (Comparative Analysis)
In the languages, structurally different from each other, various grammatical phenomena may have analogues. Although Turkish and Georgian belong to different language groups, there are observed a certain kind of syntactic similarities. Paronomasia is a natural phenomenon for Georgian. Esprecially often it is used in Old Georgian, though it is not unknown to modern Georgian either. This kind expressions are wide spread also in Turkish. Paronomastic expressions have many times become the subject of linguists’ attention in both Georgian and Turkish. However, no one has been interested in the comparative analysis of similar forms in the two languages until now. The subject of our research is paronomastic expressions of the type „naħvit naħa“ „görmesine gördü” „as for seeing, he saw”; „ċasvlit ċaval“ „gitmeye giderim” „as for going, I’ll go”. This article discusses paronomastic expressions in Georgian and Turkish. The similarities that emerged when comparing the studied forms are shown. The introductory part of the study discusses the essence of paronomasia. There is presented a brief review of the Georgian and Turkish scientific literature related to the issue. The central part is dedicated to the discussion of the structure and semantics of one type of paronomasia in Georgian and Turkish. Its syntactic qualification and functions are discussed. In the final part are given the results of the study. During the study were revealed similarities between Georgian and Turkish paronomastic expressions, which indicates that such expressions may be considered linguistic universals.
Cult of Bull and the Aspects of Its Manifestation in Interdisciplinary Research
The subject of our research is the interdisciplinary aspects of the cult of the bull, supported by various fields of humanities. Until now, researchers have examined the topic of the bull cult from specific perspectives, but in this case, we aim to address the issue from the viewpoint of interdisciplinary boundaries between different sciences. This article highlights the fascinating manifestations of the bull cult in folklore, myths, and legends, as well as in ethnography, archaeology, and toponymy. To fully portray its existence, we broadly explore diverse artifacts from different periods found in the material culture of the expansive regions of the Caucasus and the Near East.
Proverbs of the descendants of the Georgian Muhajirs
The first generation of Georgian emigrants experienced profound sadness and worry from their separation from their motherland. They bequeathed to their descendants a precious legacy: one of the most unmistakable expressions of their identity – oral traditions, including proverbs, which have been shaped and refined by the harsh lessons of life over the centuries. This article presents research based on a scientific expedition that reveals how the Muhajirs have created something new, adapting their cultural expressions to the social environment of their new home. Philanthropic by nature, they are deeply committed to brotherhood and friendship. They live fully in their communities, speak their native language, and express genuine concern that the new generation may struggle to do the same for various reasons.
Formation of hagiographic (martyrdom genre) literature in Georgian and Byzantine history is dictated by different contexts: in the I-IV centuries it was the persecution of Christians in pagan Rome, in Georgian reality there is only one composition with this content – „The Martyrdom of the Children of Kola”, and „The Martyrdom of the Holy Queen Shushanik” describes the story of queen who was martyred by her spouse (a man who was the political ally of Persia). At the same time, there are no fighters against heresy in Georgian literature; the context of Georgian hagiography is different. The martyr tortured by the conqueror enemy is typical for Georgian hagiographic literature (for example, Abo, Michael-Gobron, Eustathius of Mtskheta, David and Tarechan...) This creates the opposing pair: the hero-saint and anti-hero, a non-Christian and non-Georgian invader enemy. Therefore, the hero of Georgian hagiography has acquired another content and idea: except protecting a religion the protagonist was associated with the defender of national ideas (e.g. Abo, despite of Arab origin, is being called Tbileli or former Ismaelite, due to his martyrdom place and the ideological meaning by hymnographers and hagiographers as well) this detail distinguishes Georgian hagiographic matters from Byzantine not only by its content but functionally as well.
Is facial expression a different kind of thinking, or a different kind of speech? (For Plato’s Apology)
According to ancient teaching, idea are the basis of all knowledge. All the work of Plato, can be reduced to one word – Eidos – eternal meanings. Empiricism based positivism brought them to the thing mysticism of Plato’s philosophical metaphysics. But one thing is to ban another to overcome. When in the 20th century M.Heidegger best works of art is considered a message from an unknown to us being, he thereby acknowledges the existence of meaning in eternity. M.Heidegger concept arises from Plato’s metaphysical assumption. How is aesthetic creation related to universal concepts that are inaccessible to everyone? In the 20th century, semiotics, shaped by the work of F. Saussure and C. Peirce, aroused scientific interest in signs. The work discusses the representation of a literary text as a semiotic system. According to Platin and later Heidegger, the human soul connects physical reality with invisible eternity. The semiotic system of artistic forms, subconsciously formed during the creation of art, introduces us to universal concepts.The semiotic system of artistic forms, subconsciously formed during the creation of art, introduces us to universal concepts. Artistic and scientific depictions of the world are directed towards universal truths; the former shows it to us by creating an artistic image, and the latter explains it to us by establishing regularities. The same meaning can be contained in different texts, including texts of different genres. The essence of J. Lacan’s psychological-philosophical concept: „Life is an inexplicable game of symbols”, is shown through faces in J. Karchkhadze’s novel „Zebulon”. The same content is conveyed by the figure of speech in Galaktioni’s poem „The Night of Mtatsminda”.
The Time-Space Paradigm in the Film Adaptation of a Literary Work
The present study sets out to analyze the temporal-spatial paradigm in literary film adaptations. The objective is to illuminate the process by which the narrative structures of literary texts are transferred into a visual medium and the subsequent impact on the perception of time and space. In the context of film adaptations of literary works, temporal perspectives and spatial arrangements play pivotal roles in character development as well as thematic progression within the narrative. The literary work is characterized by complex, non-linear narrative structures, including retrospective (flashbacks), analepses, prolepses and parallel storylines, which enable the reader to understand character and plot progression. This study therefore investigates how the temporal and spatial perspectives of a literary work change in the process of film adaptation. The analysis revealed that time cannot exist without space and vice versa. However, it is commonplace for film adaptations to diverge from the temporal and spatial perceptions of the literary work, due to the unique technical demands of the cinematic medium.
For the Issue of the Terminology of Georgian Rhetoric
The subject of this study is the examination of terminology related to Georgian rhetoric. The analysis identifies two groups of terminology: vocabulary consisting of original Georgian terms, and vocabulary borrowed from various languages. The study of both groups is crucial for exploring Georgian word formation as well as linguistic contact with foreign languages. Furthermore, the terms examined in this research can also be classified according to the fields and genres in rhetoric. Special attention is devoted to the terminology used to denote rhetorical tropes in Georgian rhetorical tradition. Thus, the terminology under investigation is divided into three thematic groups: terminology related to rhetorical fields, genres, and tropes. The novelty and relevance of the research lie in the fact that it presents a corpus-based approach to studying the subject, which enables a continuation and renewal of scholarly research using modern methodology. In particular, it allows us to verify already identified lexical and phraseological terms using more extensive linguistic resources and frequency data on term usage. The empirical material consists of Old Georgian literature, spoken language, folklore, and oral traditions – most of which are included in the Georgian National Corpus (henceforth GNC), although not all. In addition to corpus resources, the research also utilizes terminology found in the first Georgian-language textbooks on rhetoric and Georgian academic literature, adding greater depth and completeness to the study. In quoting attested terms, preference is given to examples derived directly from oratorical texts. Based on the examination of early Georgian textbooks and academic literature, it is deemed necessary to clarify issues related to key rhetorical terminology.
Scientific Activity of Andrei Krasnov in Batumi
One of the outstanding researchers of the Black Sea region is geographer, botanist, traveler Andrei Nikolayevich Krasnov. He was born in 1862 in St. Petersburg. His teachers were such scientists as V.V. Dokuchaev, A.N. Beketov, I.V. Muskets. After graduating from university, Andrei Nikolayevich took up science. Friendship with Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky played a great role in his life. In 1889 A.N. Krasnov was elected extraordinary professor at the Department of Physical Geography and Anthropogeography at Kharkov University. Working in Kharkov, A.N. Krasnov dreamed of creating a landscape park. However, his plans were not supported by the local administration. Then in the early 1910s A.N. Krasnov moved to Batumi. Not far from the city, on the shores of the Black Sea in the nearby highlands, he founded a botanical garden. Its design was based on one of the seven wonders of the world – the Gardens of Babylon, i.e. the plants were planted in tiers, descending from the mountain forest to the sea. A.N. Krasnov wanted to turn swampy Colchis into a flourishing subtropical region, to create a small Japan here. At the same time, the scientist took into account the characteristics of the local climate, landscape, and soil quality. In 1914, Andrei Nikolayevich Krasnov died. According to his will, he was buried in the Batumi Botanical Garden in a place chosen by him.
“Middle Corridor” Transit Route and Black Sea Security
The geopolitical changes of the 21st century, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war that began in 2022, have significantly altered Eurasian transit routes. The growing political, economic, and security risks surrounding traditional transport channels have made the search for alternative corridors essential. One such alternative route is the „Middle Corridor” (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route – TITR), which gains particular importance in the context of new geopolitical realities. This article explores Georgia’s role in the development of the „Middle Corridor” and the potential it holds for establishing strategic advantages in international transit competition. Although the volume of cargo transported via the Middle Corridor increased by 86% in 2023, several challenges still remain, such as the harmonization of regulations, simplification of customs procedures, and increased political coordination. The article also emphasizes that the development of the Middle Corridor depends not only on physical infrastructure but also on political synchronization, economic vision, and regional cooperation, where Georgia plays a significant role. Georgia’s strategic location between Asia and Europe, along with infrastructure projects such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and port development, particularly the Anaklia deep-water port, supports Georgia’s role as a transit hub. In the political context, it is important for Georgia to maintain diplomatic balance between the European Union, China, Turkey, and Central Asia in managing security and diplomatic challenges. Georgia must strengthen three strategic areas: infrastructure development, regional and global political integration, and internal political balance. Additionally, ensuring stability in the Black Sea region is crucial for the long-term success of the „Middle Corridor.”
The Influence of Anglo-American Law on the Process of Civil Law Reform in Georgia
Establishment of market economy in Georgia has facilitated the development of production and trade, as well as economic convergence of the country with other states, among them, with the United States of America. At the formation stage of the mentioned above relationship, it was already discussed that knowledge of the legal norms, regulating the trade and business in these two countries, should have been given greater importance. In Georgia, in 1990-s, as compared with the law of continental Europe, one of the main reasons for lower level of study of common law was the fact that Georgia, during the decades, belonged to the socialistic legal system and there was no interest towards the common law. And then, the situation has completely changed. In the process of reformation of the Georgian law, the norms were being introduced from the continental Europe, as well as from common law, raising the issue of study and research of very interesting, but less known for Georgia by that time, common law system. The Commission, working on the drafting of the Civil Code of Georgia, has not demonstrated particular interest towards the Anglo-American law. Probably, the reason for the above attitude was the fact that societies of transition period of post-soviet space were not offered to take the Anglo-Saxon model, as far as the precision and compactness of expression of obligations was considered as necessary for them, in accordance with the traditions of continental Europe. Nevertheless, at the initial stage of reform, there was some discussion about compatibility of Georgian law to the common law. For example, in general part of the Civil Code, the footprints of common law are less observed, however, certain influence on the transactions is still noticeable, as the Commission, in the process of working, was also getting familiar with the provisions effective in the common law. The aim of the paper is to discuss the influence of Anglo-American law on Georgian civil law. This should be a novelty in the sense that in Georgian sources this topic is mainly covered against the backdrop of European, and specifically German law, which makes it interesting to study the experience of a legal system different from that of Continental Europe.
Religious Policy of Konstantin Chernenko (1984-1985)
The article examines the religious policy of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Konstantin Chernenko, its main goals, characteristic features and the results. The influence of the Soviet system of the first half of the 80s on the lives of religious organizations and believers. The attitude of the authorities towards religious organizations that did not obey the atheistic policy and the measures taken against them. Based on the materials of the Council for Religious Affairs under the Council of Ministers of the USSR, Samizdat Archive, press materials and other historical sources and scientific literature, the repressive nature of the Soviet leader’s shortest reign, the forms of relations with the Christian Church and the methods of implementing religious policy have been studied.
Black Sea Coast – Civilization Theory and Sustainable Development
As it is known, civilization is the highest level of cultural development of society. It is characterized by well-organized socio-economic and political structures, the main driving force of which are the elements of spirituality and education. They were formed in the process of long-term, creative disconnection between the „intelligent person” and the surrounding world. It includes not only the principles of state, democratic management, the system of beliefs and beliefs, but also moral norms, everyday regulations. Based on them, the relationship between people and individual social groups was formed, first in the family and then between the clan, community, tribe and tribal connections, which became the basis for the origin of the state, mainly city-states. The further development of city-states, their economy and culture were directly determined by the origin of writing, without which the process of civilization formation is unthinkable. The goal of civilization is the well-being of mankind, raising the cultural level of human life, ensuring security. In modern culturology, the greatest attention is paid to the theory of civilizations and the history of culture, to understanding their future fate, in special scientific literature, they talk about the peculiarity of the contemporary local civilizations of the so-called „fifth generation” of the XXI century, the future of civilization, the outlook of its development is still unclear. Currently, „civilization wars” are still going on in the country. The confrontation between Western (European) and Eastern (Asian) cultures, Christians and Muslims, which makes it less possible to make optimistic conclusions about the future of our planet. In the 21st century, sustainable development has been considered as an alternative way of development of any country. For Georgia, Black Sea ecotourism is a mechanism of conservation of natural and socio-cultural resources, as well as a means of sustainable development. Ecotourism has four main cornerstones: sustainability of development, economic usefulness, preservation of traditions and lifestyle specific to the place, and educational competences, on the basis of which it is possible to develop Georgia’s progressive development.
The Security of the Black Sea Region in the Current Geopolitical Context of Georgia
The Black Sea forms a sort of natural bridge between Europe and Central Asia and the Middle East. From a security perspective, the Black Sea has always been of strategic importance. It is a major geopolitical and economic crossroads. The Black Sea region has acquired significant importance over the decades, particularly following the Russian Federation’s occupation of the Ukrainian Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and the subsequent full – scale military campaign in Ukraine in 2022, which the Russian side designated as a special military operation. The article’s objective is to analyse the effectiveness of security mechanisms in the Black Sea region. To this end, the theories of „securitization” and „balance of power” were utilised and desk research and analysis methods were employed as research tools. A comprehensive analysis of relevant Georgian and foreign – language scientific literature, along with other documents pertaining to Black Sea security policy, was conducted. This analysis informed the formulation of two research questions: what factors determine the security of the Black Sea region ? what are the factors that determine Georgia’s security policy in the context of Black Sea security ? The research revealed that the Black Sea issue is relevant in the Georgian political space and that active attention is paid to the ongoing events in the region. Furthermore, it is imperative to acknowledge the geostrategic significance of the region. The research indicates a direct correlation between the international interest in the Black Sea and the significance of events in the Black Sea for Georgia’s security.
2022-2024 Russia-Ukraine War and the International Security Environment Against the Background of the Threat of the Use of Nuclear Weapons: SWOT Analysis
The 21st century has transformed the global arena with its new threats, challenges and complexities. International security faces more and more new threats and challenges. All this requires a timely response and taking effective measures by states, regional and international organizations. The stability of international security is weakened by ongoing wars, armed conflicts, pandemics, international terrorism, economic conflicts, asymmetric threats, non-state aggressive actors, and the climate change process. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is a significant challenge for global security. Because, in case of critical damage as a result of the use of nuclear weapons or nuclear power plants, there will be a spread of radiation that has no borders. Open statements by Russian officials and nuclear threats are becoming more realistic as Russia’s nuclear doctrine changes. The change of the nuclear doctrine by Russia is an important message for the West and especially for Ukraine, because the target of the nuclear weapon strike will be the territory of Ukraine, which has to carry out certain military actions on the territory of Russia for the purpose of self-defense. As a result of the new doctrine, Russia can use nuclear weapons if an adversary against it or its ally Belarus, using conventional weapons, poses a critical threat to Russian sovereignty. Based on this, it is important to better study and analyze the issue. The aim of the paper is to present the impact of the current Russia-Ukraine war on international security policy, as well as to assess how plausible it is for Russia to use nuclear weapons. The research process used the method of policy analysis, content analysis, and SWOT analysis in the format of the common Russian-Ukrainian war processes. The theory of the balance of power, the theory of securitization, the theory of geostrategic balance, the theory of nuclear power, the theory of cooperative security are used in the research process.
The Black Sea region is a priority region, where six countries are involved – Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Georgia. Of course, of these countries, Russia has the greatest influence on the Black Sea region, followed by Turkey. Accordingly, the Russian-Ukrainian war poses great political, economic and social risks both in the South Caucasus and in the entire Black Sea region. Especially when the world is in such a phase of technological achievements, when there is active talk of replacing soldiers with robots. To some extent, this is already working, experts call this war a technological war, and this also has a certain impact on its duration. The Black Sea states need new technological protection. The use of modern technologies has contributed significantly to the colossal losses of the Russian-Ukrainian war – many people have died and infrastructure has been destroyed. This conflict includes a large amount of cyberattacks, disinformation, economic pressure, and components of hybrid warfare. This is not new, Ukraine receives modern equipment from the United States, NATO, the European Union, Great Britain, Germany, France, Poland, and other European countries. The use of new technologies, such as cyber warfare, the use of artificial intelligence, can be said to already affect geopolitics and military operations with potential benefits, on the one hand, by reducing losses in the defensive direction, and on the other hand, by increasing losses in the event of an attack, providing detailed target information, and assisting in logistical issues. AI is also used in information and psychological warfare. Artificial intelligence technologies are actively used in cyberattacks, which creates a very dangerous reality.
Russian geopolitics in the Caucasus in the second half of the 19th century and Georgia
The Caucasus, as a region of significant geostrategic importance, has consistently attracted the attention of major powers seeking to exert influence in Eurasia. From the eighteenth century onward, alongside the Ottoman Empire and Iran, an increasingly powerful Russian state also became involved in the struggle for hegemony over the Caucasus. Russia skillfully exploited, on the one hand, the socio-economic and political challenges of the Caucasian peoples themselves, and, on the other hand, the favorable international circumstances. As a result, by annexing the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti in the early nineteenth century, it gained a decisive advantage in the contest for dominance in the Caucasus. Gradually, Russia expanded and consolidated its influence both in the Caucasus and along the Black Sea coast. Although Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War (1853–1856) temporarily weakened its position in the Black Sea basin, by the 1870s it had restored its influence. Its victory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 further strengthened Russia’s position not only in the Caucasus but also in the Balkans. According to the Treaty of Berlin, the regions of Batumi, Kars, and Ardahan were ceded to Russia. While Batumi was initially transferred to the Russian Empire under the status of a porto-franco (a free port) – a status unilaterally abolished by Russia in 1886 – the acquisition of one of the most important Black Sea ports provided the empire with vast opportunities to expand its influence in the Near East. Alongside this territorial expansion, Russia pursued a systematic policy aimed at the comprehensive economic, political, and demographic integration of the Caucasus, in accordance with its colonial interests. The most severe consequence of this policy in the second half of the nineteenth century was the mass, forced displacement and exile – known as muhajirism – of the indigenous Caucasian peoples, including the Adyghe, Abkhazians, and and of the Muslim Georgians (Ajarians, Klarjs).
Forced Migration/Emigration of Abkhazians to Turkey: History, Adaptation, and Problems of Identity Preservation
The article discusses and analyzes the causes of the forced migration (muhajirism) of Abkhazians, the historical and political contexts that led to their choice of the receiving country as the object of migration. In addition, attention is focused on cultural, social, and economic reasons that had a special impact on various aspects of the life of the emigrants. The colonial interests of the Russian Empire in the Caucasus in the nineteenth century are discussed in detail, the goal of which was to make the Caucasus an organic and inseparable part of it. For this, a large-scale colonization of the Caucasus was necessary, which could not be implemented without a free land fund (without „unreliable and undesirable” settlers). This was one of the reasons for the expulsion of a number of ethnic groups in the Caucasus, including the Abkhazians, from their native places and their deportation to the Ottoman Empire. Along with the historical context, the migration processes that were reflected in the processes of adaptation and identity preservation of migrants are analyzed. As a result of the research (fieldwork, analysis of scientific literature), it was determined that despite the strict and consistent assimilation policy of the Turkish government over the years, the Abkhazians, through conservation in a foreign socio-political and cultural environment, have preserved not only their history, identity, moral and ethical code, language and its dialects, folklore, but also that part of traditional culture that has been forgotten in their historical homeland.
The Black Sea Security Dimension and Contemporary Military Threats
The paper „The Security Dimension of the Black Sea Basin and Modern Military Threats” discusses the military, military-political and economic interests of regional and non-regional actors, which have a significant impact on the security environment and stability of the Black Sea Basin countries. The region in question, due to its geographical location, provides opportunities for the implementation of large-scale economic projects, as well as the projection of forces in various directions, creating additional challenges in the context of possible negative impacts on the above-mentioned domains. The topic clearly outlines all the needs that should contribute to peaceful coexistence of the countries of the region and implement a full range of security measures to ensure the maintenance of this status quo. Attention is focused on the turbulent situation in the region (the Russia-Ukraine war, the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process, conflicts in the Middle East), which is gaining critical importance for the West in terms of the rearrangement of the &quot;middle corridor&quot; of stable and reliable transport and communication lines from Central Asia to Europe, through the Caucasus region, in which Georgia plays an important role and performs the function of a conduit for energy resources and cargo. The paper also discusses the trends in strategic support and capacity growth as a result of the above-mentioned processes, both in terms of political, military, and economic-financial benefits, creating unprecedented security guarantees for specific states of the Black Sea Basin. At the same time, the paper pays special attention to the interests of the United States and China in the Black Sea Basin, due to its geopolitical location of the region and its economic potential, as well as the associated risks that hinder the implementation of large-scale economic projects and ensure security from those actors (Russia, Iran) that are planned to bypass in the implementation of the future megaprojects. Significant attention is paid to the formation of an unstable environment in the states included in the communication chain by malicious actors, including the conduct of hybrid actions, sabotage acts and cyber attacks, as well as attempts or the acts of disruption of territorial integrity or partial or full occupation of the countries. Significant part of the present paper is devoted to the issues of ensuring the security of megaprojects to be implemented in the countries along the chain and the necessity for close cooperation between partner countries interested in the implementation of these megaprojects. This will significantly increase the coordinated activities of the interested parties, forces and means involved in the security sector, for the implementation of prophylactic/preventive measures. The research question of this paper is the following: what impact do asymmetric military challenges have on regional security processes, taking the Black Sea region as an example? The theoretical framework will be selected from the theories of „regional security” and „securitization”. Key terms: security, Black Sea basin, threats, stability, strategic, geopolitical, economic.
Major Problems of Turkey’s Internal Policy in the 21st Century
The beginning of the 21st century is one of the most interesting periods in the history of modern Turkey as it is characterized by confrontation between Secular and Islamic circles. At the beginning of the 21st century, the success of the Justice and Development Party of the Islamist orientation was undoubtful. The ground for it had been prepared by the 90s of the 20th century, when the Welfare Party of the Islamic orientation took the leading position and won the majority in the parliament for the first time in the history of Turkey. At the beginning of the 21st century, such a development of events had a shocking effect both on the secular authorities of Republican Turkey and on Western politicians. Turkey, as a member of NATO and a candidate country for joining the European Union, faced a historic choice: would it turn into a state based on Islamic truth and values or would it remain a secular state. In 2000-2024, the secular authorities (both military and civil) ignore the true causes of the socio-political situation created in the country and do not reveal the reality. However, many of them are artificially created by them. The purpose of the presented scientific paper is to depict the current issues of Turkey’s internal policy in 2000-2024, namely, to study the role of the Islamic Justice and Development Party and its leader – Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the life of the country. The chronological framework of the paper covers the years 2000-2024. This was mainly due to the fact that at that time a new era started in the political life of Turkey. This period was characterized by the subsequent rise of political Islam in the socio-political life of the country, which brought great success to the Islamic Justice and Development Party and its leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Thus, the study of the issues mentioned in the presented work will clarify some of the problematic issues of Turkey’s internal policy in 21st century.
Regional Analysis of State Policy on Ecomigration: The Case of Ajara
The paper presents a regional-level analysis of the state policy on ecomigration using the example of Adjara. Both the historical context of the state policy on ecomigration and the goals and strategy of the state policy on ecomigration in the modern period are examined.The research results indicate that, using the example of the Adjara region, the institutional development of the state policy on ecomigration has gone through different stages. At the modern stage, the government has developed relevant policies in the direction of ecomigration processes; however, the research showed that it is necessary for the state to form a systematic strategy towards ecomigration and resettlement. The research showed that the interests of families displaced from the Adjara region as a result of natural disasters were either poorly considered or not considered at all when selecting the place of residence. They were mainly settled in local communities in mixed settlements, where there were different cultural, economic, and living conditions for them. From the point of view of integration and adaptation, it was further complicated by the fact that the ecomigrants displaced from the Adjara region had a different historical religious heritage. Considering this reality, adapting and integrating with the local environment was hindered. Migration processes that disregard the cultural, every day, and economic characteristics of a particular group are difficult to manage in terms of intercultural relations. To this was added the fact that the state did not conduct appropriate preliminary communication activities with the families to be resettled, as a result of which they had a serious information deficit about the situation in the settlement areas and were unable to realize what kind of new reality they would have to live in. This significantly hindered the adaptation process after resettlement, which in turn became a stimulating factor for remigration processes and conflict situations with local communities – and there are many examples of this even today.
Educational problems in the Black Sea correspondences printed in the Georgian press of the beginning of the XX century
Issues related to education were actively discussed in the Georgian press since the second half of the 19th century, and they did not lose their relevance even at the beginning of the 20th century. If we follow the publications published in the Georgian press during this period, we will see how the public’s interest in the processes taking place in the world in the field of education was growing. From this point of view, the subject of our interest are the publications that are sent from abroad and analyze the current situation in the field of education, and share their experience with the Georgian readers. In this regard, the subject of our interest are those publications that analyze the education policies and educational models existing in the Black Sea countries and, by sharing their experiences, convince Georgian society of the lack of alternative to creating a national school model, which was to become the cornerstone of the struggle for freedom. Our goal is to understand, with the help of discourse analysis, to what extent these journalistic narratives resonated with the concept of Ilia and what impact the sharing of international experience could have on raising Georgian public awareness. We think that our research will attract the attention of people who are interested in both educational issues and documentary prose and journalism.
From the history of the Georgian Maritime Fleet (based on archival documentary materials preserved in the archive administration)
In Georgia, navigation has a long history. Numerous works of Georgian and foreign scientists were dedicated to this issue. After Russia’s conquest of the Georgian coast of the Black Sea, the foundation for the development of long-distance navigation was laid, a Russian maritime-commercial fleet was created, and the restoration and expansion of the maritime routes connecting Europe and Asia began. From 1921, the Batumi port was militarized. At the Batumi port, there existed a Special Administration of the Seas of Transcaucasia, which carried out ship registration and document inspection. Internationally significant conventions ensured the peaceful movement of ships on the Black Sea and the safety of sailors’ lives. Technical requirements were established for all types of maritime transport. Ships were equipped with high-standard radios and warning acoustic signaling systems. All types of hazards, including fire, ship collisions, etc., were considered in the existing convention. The commercial department of the Black Sea coastal fleet had a schedule, calculated in hours and minutes, for incoming and outgoing ships at the Batumi port. Between 1967 and 1974, ships visited ports in 75 foreign countries. Georgia’s maritime navigation was being established from scratch; it had no fleet, lacked necessary material-technical bases, transport management, and personnel. In 1969, 386 ships entered the Batumi port under foreign flags (Bulgaria, Italy, Greece, India, Poland, Finland, Norway, Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Romania, Mexico, etc.). Petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, and metals were imported. By 1973, Georgia’s maritime navigation had 40 tankers with a total tonnage of 395. In 1977, foreign currency earnings amounted to 155 thousand manats. On January 8, 1973, Batumi port was recognized as the best among the ports of the Black Sea.
One Historical-Documentary American Novel about Georgia
Different interesting people have visited Georgia at different times. Among various honorary guests, a well-known American writer Robert David Kaplan visited our country in the 90s of the last centuries. Except Georgia he also traveled in Balkan Countries, the Near East and Caucasus and the experienced impressions from this journey were interestingly described in the novel – „Eastward to Tartary”. With the description of the situation in the above-mentioned countries, the novel also provides us with the significant information about the history of Georgia and the situation of the 90s. Even though, a historical state and the actual reality are basically accurately described in the American writer’s novel, it is also worth noting that the author describes certain points on one side. During the imagination of the situation in Georgia, such kind of omissions should be considered, as some non-Georgian readers might receive information according to which they’ll have an incorrect idea about the past and modern life of our country.
Georgia’s Place in the Black Sea Straits Convention and Georgian Political Emigration (1920s-1930s)
This work sheds light on the activity of Georgian politicians in exile, based on a scientific analysis of archival documents and materials from the émigré press. They actively defended the interests of forcibly Sovietized Georgia at the international conferences in Lausanne and Montreux. The Black Sea, as well as the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, have had special commercial, economic and military significance for both bordering and non-bordering countries since ancient times. Behind the Iron Curtain, Georgian politicians in Europe, fully understanding the strategic importance of the Black Sea, actively fought at the international level for Georgia’s place in the International Convention on the Straits. With the exception of a few scholarly articles, this issue has not been properly studied in Georgian historiography, while Soviet historiography assesses the struggle of Georgian politicians in exile as the actions of the Mensheviks and significantly downplays their contribution. Of the international agreements concluded regarding the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits, the leading role belonged to the Turks. After the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, the Treaty of Mudros, signed on October 30, 1918, provided for the capitulation of the Ottoman Empire to the Entente countries. The Ottoman government was forced to allow the victorious powers of World War I to enter the Black Sea and occupy Constantinople and the Straits. By 1920, the Entente troops occupied Constantinople and the Black Sea straits. From 1918 to July 1920, the British army was stationed in Batumi. On July 7, 1920, the British government returned Batumi to its rightful owner, the government of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. On August 10, 1920, a treaty was signed in Sèvres, near Paris, according to which the Ottoman Empire lost 3/4 of its territory, and control over the straits was entrusted to a special commission. In February-March 1921, after the occupation and annexation of the Democratic Republic of Georgia by the Russian Red Army, the legitimate government of Georgia was forced into exile and continued the struggle to restore its lost freedom from abroad. By the decree of the Georgian government in exile of November 13, 1922, Akaki Chkhenkeli and Khariton Shavishvili were sent as delegates to the Lausanne Conference. Thanks to the efforts of an unofficial delegation sent by the Georgian national government, Georgia as a Black Sea state was included in the protocols of the Lausanne Conference. The conference also reserved the place for Georgia in Article XII of the Straits Convention. The article mentions an international commission tasked with overseeing the implementation of new rules in the straits. Point III of the same article, nicknamed the „Georgian point,” stated that the states bordering the Black Sea – Georgia and Ukraine, which did not officially participate in the Lausanne Conference – had the right to send a representative to the commission to study the issue of international straits. Despite great efforts, Georgian politicians working in exile were subsequently unable to maintain this position. On July 20, 1936, a new Montreux Convention was signed in the Swiss city of Montreux, by virtue of which the decision of the Lausanne Conference was annulled and Turkey’s full sovereignty over the Black Sea Straits was restored. By this time, Georgian emigration had weakened. In July 1933, the Georgian embassy in Paris was officially closed, which was preceded by the Russian-French non-aggression pact (November 29, 1932). The Montreux Convention was put to serious use during the Russo-Georgian War in August 2008, when the US government intended to send warships to the Black Sea and the Turkish government refused to allow US ships to pass through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits and activated the Montreux Convention. Despite the efforts of Georgian politicians in exile, Georgia proved powerless to defend the country’s rights under the Straits Convention, something the Soviet Russian government at the time actively opposed.
The Influence of Religious Factors on Contemporary Political Processes in Georgia
This article examines the complex interrelationship between religion and politics in contemporary Georgia. Situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Georgia’s political landscape has been significantly shaped by religious factors, particularly the Georgian Orthodox Church. This paper analyzes how religious institutions influence policy formation, electoral politics, and social cohesion in Georgia, while also examining the challenges that arise from the intersection of religious tradition and democratic governance. Through an exploration of church-state relations, religious minority rights, and the impact of religious identity on foreign policy, this study demonstrates the multifaceted nature of religion’s role in Georgian politics and society.
The Georgian Question in the Minutes of the Closed Session of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (1920–1921)
It is known that the Ottoman Empire suffered defeat in the First World War and signed the Armistice of Mudros on October 30, 1918. The victorious Entente powers took control of the Arab states that were part of the Ottoman Empire and began to divide the Ottoman territory itself. On April 23, 1920, a new parliament was convened in Ankara, which was called the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Mustafa Kemal Pasha was elected chairman. The Grand National Assembly declared itself the sole legitimate government of Turkey. On May 3 of the same year, a government was formed under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal. Thus, a dual system of government was established in Turkey. The Sultan in Istanbul, and Mustafa Kemal in Ankara. The government of the Democratic Republic of Georgia still had its own diplomatic representation with the Sultan’s government in accordance with the Batumi Treaty of June 4, 1918. As for the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Ankara government and the recognition of the Democratic Government of Georgia by the Ankara government, it took place on February 8, 1920, when the Georgian diplomatic representative Simon Mdivani presented his credentials to Mustafa Kemal Pasha in Ankara. Earlier, Colonel Kyazim (Dirik), an official representative of the Ankara government, arrived in Tbilisi and presented his credentials to the Georgian government. Relations between Ankara and Tbilisi were more or less cooperative, although the border issue remained unresolved. During the Bolshevik expansion in Georgia, the Ankara government’s approaches to Georgia changed somewhat. Ankara demanded that Tbilisi withdraw its troops from the Artvin and Artaani regions, and expressed different approaches regarding the Batumi issue. This was expressed, on the one hand, in the condition of the annexation of the Batumi region to Turkey, and on the other hand, in the condition of holding a plebiscite in the same region. The aim of the article is to study the relationship between the democratic governments of Ankara and Georgia according to the closed sessions of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Based on their analysis and comparison, to present the political events taking place in the South-West Caucasus and the results obtained. This will allow readers interested in the history of the region to critically assess what happened.
Black Sea Coast - The Settlement Area of Proto-Georgian Tribes
Ancient (Greco-Roman) texts and epigraphic materials represent an extremely important source for studying the history of ancient Colchis, Lazica, and Iberia, as the Caucasus region was first identified precisely in these Ancient sources. We intend to reconstruct the historical-geographical space of the present-day Autonomous Republic of Adjara based on information provided by Greco-Roman sources. Our study will focus on the distribution and interrelation of parallel toponyms and ethnonyms, their identification, and onomastic analysis. Additionally, we aim to develop normative recommendations for certain toponyms, determine their Georgian equivalents, and explore the motivation behind the naming of geographical locations. Furthermore, we will illustrate how borders have changed over time, particularly the boundary that, according to Ancient sources, also represented the division between Europe and Asia. Regarding the chronological boundaries, the earliest period we consider is that of Homer’s poems (Iliad, Odyssey – 1st millennium BC), while the later boundary is the Late Antique period, approximately the first half of the 6th century AD. The innovative aspect of this research lies in the fact that the Adjara region has not previously been studied from this perspective as an independent subject. Based on the analysis of data from individual ancient authors, we also plan to create hypothetical reconstructions of conditional maps and supplement the collected information with corresponding cartographic materials. The study and systematization of Adjara region toponyms in this form inherently suggest perspectives for further research and expansion of the study area. In the future, we intend to continue working in this direction and conduct research on toponymy across the entire territory of Georgia using the aforementioned methodology.
Georgian and Emigrant Press on the Results of the August Uprising of 1924 (Articles, Letters and Memoirs)
In February 1921, Soviet Russia managed to occupy the Democratic Republic of Georgia by force. In the same year, the Georgian national movement began, the goal of which was to restore Georgia’s independence. The national movement, which began in 1921, ended with the August Uprising of 1924. The uprising did not bring Georgia victory, it was defeated, the Russian army defeated the Georgians who were driven by unity, the enemy managed to punish the best sons of the Georgian nation as an example, trying to break the spirituality of the Georgian people with terror in all corners of Georgia. The failure of the 1924 uprising and its consequences outraged Europe, but no one extended a helping hand to Georgia. After the occupation of Georgia, a part of Georgians scattered in different countries of the world conveyed this difficult situation of Georgia and their assessment of those years in their memoirs and letters. Many books have been written about these events, although the article uses only documents preserved in the Georgian emigrant funds preserved in the National Archives of Georgia, information published in the pages of the Georgian official press and the emigrant press. The issue of the uprising has always been relevant, it has been happening for years and is still being assessed today. In 1924, a century has passed since the August uprising. Therefore, I considered it necessary to bring to you the history of the turbulent years from the history of Georgia with these notes. Chronological framework of the topic: 1921-1925.
Traditional Healing in Ajara (Based on the Practice of Aishe Mjavandze)
Traditional Georgian folk medical culture has a rich and ancient history. Over the centuries, it has evolved and changed, and to this day, various healing methods and remedies have been preserved, which have played a significant role in the daily lives of different communities. Georgian folk medical culture is diverse, shaped by geographical conditions, as well as historical and socio-economic particularities. In the modern world, the study of ancient folk medicine is becoming increasingly relevant, as numerous studies confirm that folk medicine was capable of addressing various complex diseases – most importantly, primarily through organic means and by adapting closely to nature. In addition to natural healing methods, magical-religious healing practices have been widespread among different peoples since ancient times. The use of such methods required specific esoteric knowledge, which was passed down from generation to generation, thus maintaining the continuity of healing traditions. The Georgian people were no exception, as religion has held a significant place in their lives since ancient times. Due to historical processes, various religious layers have accumulated in Georgian everyday life, which can be observed precisely in magical-religious practices. This article, based on ethnographic material, aims to present the everyday medical practices of a female folk healer active in Adjara in the first half of the 20th century and to explain the role of magical-religious beliefs used by healers within that specific community.
Events from the past reflected in the memory of the Artaanians according to the records of Konstantine Odisharia (from Martvili)
The work presents an attempt to reflect the historical past of the Artaani region based on materials recorded by K. Odisharia during stationary research in 1913-1920, only a small part of which has been approved in Georgian historiography. Currently, Artaani is within the borders of the present-day Republic of Turkey, which further increases the importance of its study. The work presents in detail the real history of the Artaani region, as researched by K. Odisharia, and rich statistical data – up to 600 toponyms, aspects of ethnic situation and traditional life, meticulously described, often at great risk, historical and cultural heritage monuments or their remains, including up to 500 churches preserved with up to 40 Georgian historical inscriptions, More than a hundred fortresses, more than 8 canals and pipes (including a milk transit pipe), 5 bridges and many others add further credence to the fact that Artaani’s cultural heritage is based on the roots of traditional Georgian culture. The work discusses several historical facts and events based on the comparison of information received from the Georgian population of the historical region, legends and traditions. For example, an interesting interpretation of Queen Tamar’s will to her son – Lasha-Giorgi – is revealed. The similarity of the date of the main characters’ homage to the memory of Queen Tamar in the folk version of „The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin” – the prayer at night on April 30 until dawn on May 1, and the date of Queen Tamar’s death, set on May 15 of the church calendar, is clarified. Information is also provided about Otar-Beg about the ancient manuscript of „The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin” dated 1435, copied on parchment in the Shervashidze family relic. The chronicle of the history of Artaani is supplemented by various toponyms recorded by K. Odisharia. The name of the village of Sinodi is considered as a religious oikonym, which may be associated with the presence of a temporary residence of the Catholicos in Javakheti. Also, the village of Sinodi is assumed to be the place where the „Javakheti Council” was held. The Artaan records describe the story of the campaign of his successor, Lasha-Giorgi, against the apostate Atabag of Gandze after the death of Queen Tamar, which was not coordinated with the commanders of his successor, Lasha-Giorgi, which caused their indignation. It is precisely this fact that is related to the story of Lasha-Giorgi calling the village „Urchi” (disobedient) in response to the protest of the nobles. It is convincing that K. Odisharia imagines all the keys to the mythopoetic world of „The Rider in the Tiger’s Skin” in the Artaani region, which is based on individual places that actually exist in the imagination of local Georgians at the level of historical geography (Kajeti Fortress, Palace, Palakatsio Lake Tunnel, etc.). The issue of the localization of Kajeti Fortress, which is not uniformly defined in Georgian historiography, and the consideration of the Kajeti Fortress in „The Knight in the Tiger’s Skin” as a prototype, is further supported by K. Odisharia’s extensive description of the fortress. In addition, other names for Childiri Fortress – Mze-Kala Fortress and others have also been identified. Thus, K. Odisharia’s notes provide Georgian chroniclers with a real opportunity to study some unknown toponyms, many monuments of cultural heritage, and solve a number of problems of Kartvelology, which makes the inevitability of using Artaani materials as primary sources and including them in scientific circulation undeniable.
“Majuni” – an infrequent culinary dish from Kobuleti (Historical-ethnological aspects)
„Majuni” is a festive dessert with sweet and bitter tastes, preserved only by the Kobuleti population. Traditionally, it was a crucial component of a wedding feast. At first, it was served for a groom and bride, and then – other guests. According to some sources, „Majuni” was prepared on souls’ days after a funeral. The word „Majuni” has an Arabic origin and is spread in the Persian language – with the meaning of a medical solution for strength and excitation; in the Turkish language – with the meaning of an ointment, all kinds of sweets. This word also appears in the Ottoman sources, and is borrowed from the Arabic language. In the Adjarian dialect, „Majuni” is a rice dish with honey or sugar. It is supposed that this medical term has entered into the Georgian language since the X-XI centuries. Among the Georgian historical sources, the word „Majuni” is mainly fixed in medical books, with the meaning of a medical remedy, complex solution. „Majuni” also had a meaning of a solution for strength and excitation. Nowadays, the Kobuleti population has various recipes for „Majuni”. According to the elderly, „Majuni” was prepared with round-grain rice and sugar syrup or honey. The main culinary secret of „Majuni” is its taste, namely, a balance of sweetness and bitterness. Today, all housewives try to keep that balance principle too.
Baby’s Bed – Cradle (Based on Ethnographic Materials from Abkhazia)
According to individually collected ethnographic materials from Abkhazia, noteworthy data have been recorded reflecting traditional customs related to the baby’s bed – the cradle – and its associated practices, which remain significant in contemporary life. In recent years, attitudes towards child-rearing among the population of the studied region have been undergoing notable changes. The family and representatives of the older generation continue to play a key role in shaping a distinct Georgian national worldview. The paper discusses certain aspects of national consciousness in Abkhazia. It is true that today, this region, once rich in history, has been lost, yet the Georgian spirit and genetic heritage have not been eradicated. Echoes of Georgian customs and traditions still resonate in the consciousness of its inhabitants, and their memory preserves numerous historical realities. What is traditional and historical holds deep meaning for them. The cradle remains in their historical memory -it is cherished and treated with reverence. Although cradles are preserved in many households, their daily use is gradually disappearing, which has become a source of regret for the elders.
Issues of adaptation of the population migrating from Ajara at the present stage
Internal migration processes in Georgia have persisted for centuries and are driven by various complex factors. Studying the resettlement of the Adjarian population across different regions of Georgia and their integration-adaptation presents a significant challenge. Specific reasons, predominantly ecological disasters, propelled internal migration processes from Adjara. This study examines the causes of Adjarian population displacement, investigating the ground-level challenges migrants encountered in their interactions with local communities and national minorities. The research presents the reasons for re-migration and critically analyzes the government’s role and importance in successfully managing the resettlement process.
Cuisine as an Ethnomental Marker in the Everyday Life of Georgians in Turkey (An Ethnolinguistic Analysis)
Traditional cuisine, which encompasses multiple layers, equally attracts the interest of anthropologists, psychologists, sociologists, and medical researchers, and numerous studies have been dedicated to it. The present paper attempts to analyze the results of long-term fieldwork conducted among ethnic Georgians living in Turkey and is based on the meanings provided by respondents and the context they themselves have presented. The article analyzes discourses related to cuisine based on these inputs and highlights its role as an ethnomarker in the preservation of Georgian identity.
Challenges and Development Prospects of Small and Family Hotel Business in the Regions of Georgia
The number of family hotels in the Georgian tourism and hospitality sector is increasing year by year. A family hotel is a small-scale enterprise, but just as important and necessary as a large hotel. A family hotel is a means of accommodation with a small number of rooms and limited services. Small family businesses play a major role in the development of the peripheries of many countries. The depopulation of villages remains a major problem in rural areas of Georgia. Family business is a unique opportunity for the sustainable development of local communities. Small entrepreneurial activity in family tourism reduces unemployment, increases the quality of life, promotes the sale of local ecological products, attracts the recreational market, develops the local economy, protects the environment, and many other positive factors characterize the family hotel business. A family hotel tells the history of the region with its authenticity, cultural value, and traditions. The paper analyzes the trends in the development of the guest house market in the tourism market and its relationship with tourism development. The research identified challenges related to tax problems, service quality, practical skills, green entrepreneurship, pricing policy, ecological accommodation facilities, and digital marketing opportunities in the guest house business, etc.
Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and Georgia
1. Creation of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe as a Result of European Integration The architect of the European integration project, Robert Schuman (1886-1963), in collaboration with Jean Monnet, developed the internationally known „Schuman Declaration,” which was published on May 9, 1950. This marks the birthdate of the European Union. His work aimed at increasing cooperation within the Western alliance and uniting Europe. The Council of Europe, established in 1949, determines the policy for implementing programs. It is the oldest international organization in Europe and encompasses the entire continent. 47 member states collaborate to „defend the ideals and principles that are their shared heritage and promote economic and social progress” (1949 Statute). The Cultural Routes program of the Council of Europe, a result of the development of this idea that has played a significant role in the development of tourism in Europe, began in 1987. The Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) on Cultural Routes, signed in 2010, is based on the guiding principles of the Council of Europe’s policies, defining the program’s strategy, and issuing the „Council of Europe Cultural Route” certificate. 2. Georgia’s Joining the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe as a Significant Event on the Path of European Integration Georgia became a member of the Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) on the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in 2016 and is particularly active in promoting the program. The country established its own board for the strategic development and certification of Georgian cultural routes, an advisory body under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth to support the development of local cultural routes. In 2021, the 10th annual consultative forum dedicated to the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe was held online in the country. It was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth of Georgia, along with the Kutaisi Municipality. 3. Seeking New Routes and Georgia’s Prospects for Closer Relations with the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe In 1984, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Recommendation 987 (1984) on European pilgrimage routes and called on the Committee of Ministers to revive these routes, beginning with the European paths leading to Santiago de Compostela. The Santiago de Compostela Declaration of October 1987 made this route a model for future projects. Cultural routes are created based on various criteria in countries that share a common heritage or where historical routes once passed. The report proposes a new initiative: considering the Santiago de Compostela Declaration, to create a land and sea cultural pilgrimage route: „The Route of Anthim the Iberian,” who was a religious and political figure, educator, printer, and writer in Romania. Under his leadership, more than 20 churches and monasteries were built in Wallachia. In 1992, the Romanian Church canonized Anthim the Iberian, and his commemoration day was established as September 14 (27), the day of his passing.
Current Condition and Bioecological Features of Widespread Alien Plants in Seaside Ajara (Georgia, Sakartvelo)
Seaside Ajara, as a region with unique climatic and geographical conditions, is a favorable environment for the spread of alien plants. In recent decades, the spread of alien species has been observed in the region. Some species were not characterized by mass distribution in the past, but are now widespread. Based on the conducted studies, 75 species of 27 families, 57 genera, are distinguished, which are widely spread in Seaside Ajara. The families separated by the abundance of species are Compositae and Poaceae with 14 species each. The majority of the described species are perennials. Annual monocarps are represented by 24 species, biennial monocarps by 2 species, and polycarps by 28 species. Trees, shrubs, and plants with woody stems are represented by 21 species. More than half (54%) of the studied species are of East Asian origin. Some of the widespread species described in coastal Ajara are typical invasive species. Some were present in very few specimens in the past, but have recently become widespread. Some have recently invaded and established themselves, e.g., Bur cucumber (Sicyos angulatus L.), Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.), and Brazilian verbena (Verbena brasiliensis Vell.). Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) and Brazilian verbena (Verbena brasiliensis Vell.) were first recorded on the Colchis Plain in the 30s-40s of the 20th century. They appeared in the Ajara floristic region at the end of the last century, and their mass spread occurred in the previous 2 decades, which must result from anthropogenic impact and global climate change.
Black Sea Resources and Prospects for their Further Use
The climate of the Black Sea, which creates favorable conditions for the development of various sectors of the national economy (resort and recreation, fishing, transport, etc.), has significant resource potential. However, global warming affects the marine climate and its hydrological regime. Over the past 14 years (2000-2014), the processing and analysis of materials on the thermal regime of surface waters in the Adjarian coastal zone of the Black Sea have shown that the annual course and distribution of the temperature of surface waters in the sea by year are subject to patterns. As a result, the lowest temperatures were recorded in February-March (within +7⁰С), and the highest – in July-August (+28, +29⁰С). The deviation of the sea water surface temperature from the long-term regime was first observed in August 2010 and reached a peak of +33⁰C (database of the Georgian Hydrometeorological Institute), which was mainly due to the influence of global warming and was reflected in the thermal regime of the sea surface waters. Similar temperature trends were observed in 2011-2014.
Transport-geographic Location of Batumi: Challenges and Perspectives of Use
The transport-geographical location significantly determines the socio-economic development of a country or region. In this regard, the city of Batumi has an excellent transport-geographical location, which has not yet been fully utilized. Therefore, studying the current situation and conducting research on solving the problems is quite relevant. This paper, using traditional and modern research methods, evaluates the main characteristics of Batumi’s transport-geographical location. The role of transport-geographical location in the functioning of individual types of transport is discussed, and priority transport directions are identified. The challenges faced by the transport-geographical location and their negative impact on the efficient functioning of transport communications are determined. The main characteristics of transport economic activities are analyzed, and existing problems are identified. A comprehensive approach establishes the priorities of individual types of transport and their role in the harmonious functioning of the city’s internal territorial systems. Accordingly, the perspectives of further use of the transport-geographical location are substantiated, and measures to be taken in the logistics direction are outlined.
Historical-geographical and climatic factors of the tourism resources of the Kakheti region
Historical-geographical and climatic factors significantly affect the tourism resources of the Kakheti region in Georgia. Located in the eastern part of the country, Kakheti is distinguished by its unique and diverse landscape, shaped by the Greater Caucasus Mountains to the north and the Alazani Valley running through its heart. This geographical configuration has historically facilitated the development of diverse cultural practices, especially viticulture, and provided a strategic location for settlements and fortified structures. The region’s churches, monasteries, fortresses, and other archaeological sites are cultural relics from various eras, including early Christianity, the Golden Age of Georgia, and periods of foreign rule, and constitute a significant part of Kakheti’s cultural tourism offering. Climatically, Kakheti is characterized by a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The Alazani Valley creates a favorable microclimate for grape growing, which underpins the region’s wine industry. Seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation directly affect tourism activities. Summer is the peak season for visiting vineyards, outdoor recreation, and festivals, while autumn is the time for grape harvest and winemaking. Spring offers pleasant temperatures for visiting historical sites and enjoying lush landscapes. Winter, although less popular for general tourism, attracts visitors interested in winter sports in mountainous areas and provides a more favorable opportunity to explore or experience cultural heritage. The interaction of Kakheti’s distinctive historical-geographical environment and its favorable climate has created a diverse and attractive set of tourism resources. First of all, it is the region’s unique history, which is reflected in numerous cultural heritage sites. Also, the climate ideally suited for viticulture, along with the offer of distinctive seasonal experiences, forms the basis of its tourist appeal, starting from cultural and historical research and ending with agrotourism and outdoor activities.
New Data of Obsidian Procurement and Mobility of Ancient Humans
The issue of the origin and supply of obsidian in prehistoric archaeological sites of the southeastern Black Sea region has been the focus of active study by Georgian and foreign researchers in recent times. The inventory of obsidian discovered in Mesolithic and Neolithic settlements along the Black Sea coast of Adjara has been the subject of scientific study and has been published, and its origin and distribution area have been determined. Conclusions that are pertinent to the subject have been deduced, providing unique information about the movement and mobility of ancient humans. Interesting data was published in 2022 about the obsidian of the village of Kobuleti (G. M. Chkhatarashvili G.). However, for some reason, it impossible to identify a third source of obsidian. The presented work incorporates the most recent data, which was conducted Archaeometry Laboratory at the University of Missouri Reactor Research (MURR) using the XRF method. A geochemical analysis of obsidian has yielded insights into the mobility and movement patterns of ancient humans inhabiting the village of Kobuleti. This analysis, supported by newly determined absolute dates, has constrained the temporal framework of these activities to the 10th-9th millennia BC.
The study provides a detailed discussion of the identity of Ashot the Great, also known as Ashot I Kuropalates, as well as issues related to the investigation of the location of his burial site. Ashot the Great, considered the founder of the Georgian Bagratid Dynasty, came under the protection of Byzantium against Muslim Arab expansion in the historical lands of Tao-Klarjeti and was awarded the title of Kuropalat. „He has been canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church, as he was a defender of the preservation and strengthening of the Christian faith, as well as a protector and supporter of the Church. It is known that Ashot the Great took possession of the fortress of Artanugi (Ardanutsik/Gevhernik), located in the present-day Artanuji district of Artvin Province, along with the surrounding territory, and made it an administrative center. At the beginning of the 9th century, in order to save central Iberia (Inner Kartli) from the Muslim Arabs, he had to relocate and settle in what is now the Artvin region, where the natural conditions offered greater defensive advantages. He tried to maintain his kingdom from here by repairing the Ardanuç Castle, which was built by the Iberian King Vakhtang Gorgasali in the 5th century, and establishing the area at its foot (Adakale) as a city. During the reign of Ashot the Great, under the leadership of Grigol Handzeli (759-861), great importance was given to the preservation of Georgian culture by building various monasteries in the region in line with Orthodox Christianity. However, one day, when Great Ashot went to the Nigala Valley (Seyitler Village) within the borders of the central district of Artvin to obtain military support from the local notables, he was probably assassinated in the Sveti Church (826/830). It is stated in historical sources that his body was taken by his soldiers and buried in the church building in Ardanuç Castle. Within the scope of this declaration, the archaeological findings regarding the tomb of Ashot the Great obtained during the 2025 excavation season of the „Ardanuç-Gevhernik Castle Excavation”, which is being carried out by us on behalf of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University with the permission and support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, are being shared with the scientific community.
Some Aspects of Urban Development of Batumi
The remains of the most ancient settlement on Batumi’s territory have been preserved by the ruins of „Batumi Fortress” located north of the modern city. The origin of Batumi’s new, urban-type development is connected to the process of relocating the seaport northwest – toward the bay – beginning in the 19th century. From this same period, Batumi’s urban development, taking into account its geographical location, proceeded according to the principle of regular planning. Batumi’s development was not based on pre-prepared plans; it was determined not by a unified, comprehensive artistic-architectural development idea, but rather by the regulations and norms characteristic of the empire’s cities in general. Batumi’s old neighborhoods were formed as urban fabric developed on a perimeter zone with an organized block structure. The city’s planned reconstruction and development processes are connected to the Soviet period. The plan projects compiled in 1927, 1933, 1956, and 1986 represented the main guiding documents for the city’s development and improvement. From 2008, Batumi has been developing rapidly, with architecture becoming part of tourism policy, though the „concept” of cultural heritage rehabilitation and new development came into conflict with Batumi’s traditional principles of regulated planning, order, moderate scale, intimate space, and harmony with the environment. In recent years, the main directions of Batumi’s economic development have emerged – port-transit function and the tourism sector, in which the city’s historical part maintains the significance of a tourist attraction center and requires special attention in terms of rehabilitation and maintenance. For contemporary modernized development, it is important to introduce regulations limiting local plans, scales, heights, and density. The city still faces the most complex task of proposing a strategic vision for spatial development, preserving the historical core, protecting regular planning, and creating a balanced, artistically expressive contemporary architectural environment.
Attitudes of Batumi Population to Gambling business (Analysis of sociological research)
The relevance of the research topic is mainly due to the fact that gambling has recently taken a very important place in the lives of many of our fellow citizens. The attitude of the population of Batumi towards the gaming industry is mixed. Based on such a situation, the main goal of our empirical sociological research was to make conclusions based on the questions asked in the applicable questionnaire and the answers given by the respondents, the implementation of which would clarify the current situation in this field and to some extent solve the problem of the pressing issue of gambling addiction. Regarding the gaming business, the government’s approach to the business is largely distinct, and the opinion of the population towards the gaming business is almost always ignored. In order to find ways out of the failing, we complexly studied and presented various aspects of the attitudes of Batumi residents to gaming as such. In the mentioned sociological research, attention was focused on the following specific issues: Intensity of participation in gambling; Determination of priority types of gambling by the respondents; The main purpose (goals) of participation in gambling; Starting age of participation in gambling business; The first recommender who lead a participant to take part in gambling (his/her social status); The assumption of the interviewees regarding the number of people involved in gambling in Batumi; Frequency of participation in gambling during a week; How much time is devoted hourly to gambling; when participating in gambling, what is the profit and loss balance; Does gambling addiction (ludomania) lead to a change in lifestyle of those involved; Main sources of information for persons involved in gambling; Probable owners of gambling business (foreigners, citizens of Georgia, share owners of the business, etc.); The possibility of presence of an illegal gaming business; Is there noteworthy amount of money influx in Georgia budget from gaming business; What are the prospects for the development of gaming business in Georgia.
The Manifestation of Biblical Truth from the History of Kobuleti
Based on the works of Zakaria Chichinadze, Dimitri Bakradze, Sergo Vardosanidze, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, and the Niko Berdzenishvili Institute, the state of Christianity during the Ottoman occupation and the post-Ottoman period has been studied in the administrative unit of Kobuleti. The research revealed that despite severe pressure and hardships, Christianity did not disappear. Christian beliefs, though dimmed, continued to exist among the local population like smoldering embers. Their revival was greatly supported by the dedicated efforts and active actions of patriotic individuals.
Saint Queen Ketevan and the Theological Concept of the Soul’s Victory over the Body
The conference report explores the tumultuous political and religious landscape of 18th -19th-century Georgia. This period is marked by the country’s struggles for survival amidst the crossfire between Iran, the Ottoman Empire, and Russia. Queen Ketevan spent ten years as a hostage of Shah Abbas. When King Teimuraz resolved to seek assistance from Russia to free his mother, Shah Abbas in response, commanded Undiladze to force Queen Ketevan to convert to Islam. Undiladze, terrified by the terrible order, pleaded with the queen to outwardly convert to Islam while remaining Christian in her heart, however, the queen’s response was firmly motivated: ’Georgians can’t see into hearts, but they will accept the verbal confession of Islam, and because of the queen is a mirror of the nation, therefore nation will become Muslim.’ Consequently, St. Ketevan remained unwavering. Before her torture, she only asked for the right to pray. „The queen was steadfast,” wrote the French Catholic missionaries at the Iranian court afterward. Her unyielding spirit left a profound impression on the people. The body of the queen, who had been tortured with unprecedented cruelty, was considered a priceless treasure by those who witnessed it. French missionaries found the holy relic, which had been specially hidden by the enemy. They wrapped it in a cloth soaked in precious ointment and took it to France, from where it was sent to King Teimuraz. However, the sacred relic, buried in the Alaverdi Monastery, was lost in 1723. The holy relics of the queen, renowned for their healing power, were taken to India (Goa Church), Rome (St. Peter’s Basilica), and Belgium (Namur Church). The heroic sacrifice of Saint Ketevan resulted in Georgia’s awakening and a significant arousal of the spirit of freedom. This is evidenced by the battles of Martkopi and Marabda, during which the Safavid Iranian army struggled and was nearly defeated by the bravery of Georgians, inspired by the saint. The torture of the queen saved Georgia and disrupted Shah Abbas’s plan to completely Islimize „Gx urjistan”, which meant stripping the country of its ontological foundation, represented by Christianity. In the conference presentation, we discuss the theological factors that guided the saint to endure unspeakable suffering, so that the soul might ultimately triumph over the body.