🍇 Georgian

Who Are the Georgians?

The Georgians (Kartvelebi) are a Caucasian people numbering approximately 4-5 million—3.7 million in Georgia, with diaspora in Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Western countries. They speak Georgian, a South Caucasian (Kartvelian) language unrelated to Indo-European or Turkic families, with a unique alphabet dating to the 5th century CE. Georgia is one of Christianity's oldest strongholds (converting 327 CE), and the Georgian Orthodox Church anchors national identity. Located between greater powers, Georgians maintained distinctive civilization despite repeated invasions. Their wine culture—8,000 years old, the world's oldest—symbolizes Georgian tradition.

Ancient Civilization

Georgian civilization emerged from ancient kingdoms of Colchis (western) and Iberia (eastern)—Greek mythology placed the Golden Fleece in Colchis. Christianity became state religion (327 CE, shortly after Armenia). A unified Georgian kingdom peaked under Queen Tamar (1184-1213)—a golden age of territorial expansion, literary flourishing, and architectural achievement. Mongol invasion (13th century) began centuries of fragmentation and foreign domination by Persians and Ottomans. The Georgian script (unique among world writing systems), polyphonic singing (UNESCO heritage), and architectural traditions survived through repeated destructions.

Russian/Soviet Era

Russian annexation (1801) ended Persian-Ottoman competition but brought cultural suppression. Brief independence (1918-1921) was crushed by Soviet invasion. Soviet Georgia produced Stalin (born Ioseb Jughashvili in Gori), creating complex legacy. Georgia experienced relative prosperity but also russification pressures. Independence (1991) brought civil war, economic collapse, and separatist conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The 2008 Russo-Georgian War resulted in Russian occupation of both territories (20% of Georgian territory). Russia maintains military presence; Georgia seeks Western integration.

Culture and Traditions

Georgian culture is remarkably distinctive. Wine-making in qvevri (clay vessels, buried underground) is UNESCO heritage—Georgia claims 8,000 years of viticulture. The supra (feast) with elaborate toasts led by tamada (toastmaster) epitomizes hospitality. Polyphonic singing (three-voice harmony) is ancient tradition. Cuisine—khachapuri (cheese bread), khinkali (dumplings), diverse regional dishes—is beloved. Georgian Orthodox churches feature unique architecture. The rugged Caucasus mountains host ancient communities like Svaneti with defensive towers. This cultural richness, combined with stunning landscapes, drives growing tourism.

Contemporary Georgia

Modern Georgia pursues European integration—EU candidate status (2023) and NATO aspirations define foreign policy. The Rose Revolution (2003) brought reformist government; political polarization has increased since. Relations with Russia remain hostile; occupied territories' status is frozen conflict. Economic development, anti-corruption efforts, and democratic consolidation show progress despite challenges. The Georgian diaspora maintains connections. How Georgia navigates between Russian pressure and Western aspirations, develops economically, and addresses territorial issues shapes this ancient Caucasian civilization's future at Europe's contested eastern edge.

References

• Suny, R. G. (1994). The Making of the Georgian Nation
• Rayfield, D. (2012). Edge of Empires: A History of Georgia
• Manning, P. (2012). Strangers in a Strange Land: Occidentalist Publics and Orientalist Geographies in Nineteenth-Century Georgian Imaginaries