Georgia 101

Georgia is a small country straddling the caucasus mountains, named after the mythical Saint George; the country possesses a rich cultural heritage, and distinctiveness, from its history to its language. Georgia borders Russia to the north, the Black Sea to the west, Armenia and Azerbaijan to the east, and Turkey to south. Georgia's natural landscapes, from productive vineyards to towering mountains, enchant the viewer. 

A Brief History of Georgia 

The first evidence of human activity in what is now Georgia dates to about 200,000 years ago, with evidence of archaic human populations. The first evidence of agriculture was found around 5000 years ago, including some of the earliest cultivation of grapes among human populations. The collapse of the Hittite empire led to increased influence for the tribes from the region, notably the Proto-Kavartelian Colchian culture. Notably Colchia was the mythicized location of the “golden fleece” from Greek mythology.

Georgia was first unified as the Kingdom of Georgia in the early 11th century, under King Bagrat III of the Bagrationi dynasty. Prior to unification various smaller tribes and kingdoms existed, with significant interaction with Persian, Greek, and Romans throughout the classical era. The most prominent of these tribes were the Colchians and Iberians. The Georgian nation flourished in the 11th and 12th centuries under David IV “The Builder” and Queen Tamara. These monarchs expanded and consolidated power over the territory of modern Georgia, earning fame as the “founders” of the Georgian nation.  

During the Mongol invasion of Europe, Georgia was occupied by the Mongol, sparking the decline of the Kingdom of Georgia. The region was taken over in the late 15th century by turkic-mongol invaders, placing the country under Ottoman rule. The country remained under Turkish control, although the region was contested by countless Persian and Russian invasions. The Russian succeeded in taking control of Georgia in the late 1700s. The region  was fought over in several wars, facing several Persian invasions and Turkish attempts to regain the region. 

Georgia remained under the Russian empire until 1917 after the Russian revolution. Georgia was independent from 1917-1922, before a Soviet invasion. The region remained under Soviet control until 1991, gaining independence upon the fall of the Soviet Union. 

Georgia Culture 

Georgia has a  rich culture and is known for  its food, wine, dance, and cultural works produced throughout history. Georgian wine is world renown, being named as a UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage list in its traditional Kvartali production style, involving the fermentation of grapes in a buried clay pot.  Georgian cuisine is also prominent, with many regions across Georgia having variations of Khachapuri, a stuffed bread dish typically filled with cheese and Khinkali, a soup dumpling filled with meat and spices. 

The Georgian language is linguistically distinctive from Indo-european, making it a primary language family. Georgia converted to Christianity in the 4th century, with the Georgian Orthodox church inspiring artistic and cultural development. 

Georgian art was primarily ecclesiastical (art depicting religious themes) until the mid-16th century, where Persian, Turkish and later European influences began to shift artistic styles.  Georgian folk dance is also well renowned, with many regional variations existing throughout the country, with many of the dances holding symbolic value. Georgian theater and music also played important roles in developing the culture of the country 

During Soviet rule from 1921-1991, Georgian culture was suppressed, and the country underwent a period of Russification, with Soviet officials suppressing native Georgian customs, and language, by attempting to forcefully convert native populations. Soviet occupation also worsened tensions between ethnic minorities in Georgia, particularly the Ossetians and Abkhazians who later started breakaway conflicts. 

Famous Georgians:

George Balanchine - Famous Georgian-American Ballet composer choreographer who is known as the “Father of American Ballet.” He co-founded the New York Ballet, using experience from his study at the Imperial Ballet School  in St Petersburg. His style and influence is felt throughout ballet today, with the Balanchine style one of the preeminent styles. 

Shota Rustaveli - Prominent Georgian medieval poet, known to be the predominant poet of the Georgian Golden Age. He is the author of The Knight in the Panther's Skin, a Georgian national epic. Many monuments, streets, and buildings across from Georgia are named after Rustaveli, gaining status as a national hero. 

Niko Pirosmani - Georgian painter active in the late 19th century. Typically portrayed Georgian life, from the perspective of a relatively poor member of society. Focused on oil cloth painting, primarily monochrome, and reflecting a slice of life of society. His paintings typically have sharp consideration of placement, and relatively emotionless expressions. 

Ilia Chavchavadze - Georgian author and poet who led the revival of 18th century Georgian nationalism. He helped to develop a school for the revival of the Georgian language and cultural identity during the Russian imperial occupation.  He was eventually assassinated by Russian assassins after serving in the Imperial Duma (parliament) for several years. 

Ioseb Dzhugashvili AKA Joseph Stalin - leader of the soviet union 1922-1952, earned a reputation for being an incredibly brutal leader, and helped to shape the policy of the Soviet Union. Stalin was born in Gori, Georgia, and played a significant role in the development of communism and the Bolshevik movement in the Caucasus. 

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Georgian soccer player who plays for Italian team Napoli,  considered one of the biggest stars of Georgian national team. In Italy he is known as Kvaradona”, a comparison to Argentine great Maradona, due to his elaborate style of dribbling. 

Resources Used: 

 “About Culture – Georgian Dance (Part 1),” Georgia About, January 22, 2013, 

https://georgiaabout.com/2012/09/03/about-culture-georgian-dance-part-1/.

“Georgia.” Encyclopædia Britannica, October 15, 2024. 

https://www.britannica.com/place/Georgia 

“Discover the Secret Birthplace of Wine,” Travel, May 3, 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20231202151005/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/sponsor-content-secret-birthplace-of-wine. 

“In Search of Myths &Amp Heroes . Jason & the Argonauts.” PBS. Accessed October 18, 2024.   https://www.pbs.org/mythsandheroes/myths_four_jason.html#:~:text=The%20task%20is%20for%20Jason,ram%20to%20Jason’s%20ancestor%20Phrixus. 

Sartania, Katie. “Struggle and Sacrifice: Narratives of Georgia’s Modern History.” Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Accessed October 18, 2024. 

https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2021/04/struggle-and-sacrifice-narratives-of-georgias-modern-history?lang=en&center=europe. 

“Georgia: Abkhazia and South Ossetia | The Princeton Encyclopedia of Self-Determination.” Princeton University. Accessed October 18, 2024. 

https://pesd.princeton.edu/node/706. 

Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed October 18, 2024. 

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/georgia/. 

“Report for Selected Countries and Subjects.” IMF, October 5, 2023. 

https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=915%2C&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC%2C&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1.