Kurdology: Successes and Challenges on the Example of Georgia

Abstract

Kurdology, as an independent scientific discipline, has a long history, which is confirmed by a large number of scientific workscreated by various scientists and researchers in different periods. Georgian Kurdology, which also has its’ own long-standing tradition, originates from the period of the Soviet Union. It was during this period that many important works were created by different authors. It is noteworthy that the works of Albert Menteshashvili, who took Kurdology to a new level, have a special place in this regard. The monographic studies and separate scientific articles created by him still occupy a prominent place in Kurdish studies.On the one hand, the present article is an attempt to present the knowledge accumulated in the field of Kurdology during SovietGeorgia, while on the other hand, it aims to provide information about researchers working on Kurdish issues and the results of their scientific works, as well as challenges and problems facing Kurdology in Georgia, to persons interested in the topic. Within the scope of this research, it was outlined that modern Kurdish research in Georgia covers issues beyond the topics of the history of Kurdish people, culture, language or religion. This is also proven by the dissertations from 2020 and 2023, where the authors of corresponding research analyze the Kurdish issue in the prism of political and legal aspects. This indicates that Kurdish studies in Georgia have started to master a new scientific area and thus further expanded the scope of the interdisciplinary approach that existed before.