Social-Economic and Political Contexts of Georgian Romanticism

Abstract

The given article explains Georgian Romanticism, its period of origin, and its influence not only on various directions of art (painting, music, architecture, etc.) but also on the socio-economic and political situation of the country. The article discusses the forms of Romanticism's manifestation in Georgia, which were conditioned by several processes, including geopolitical occasions and socio-economic determinants. Specific preconditions that influenced the formation of Georgian Romanticism are analyzed. In particular, the abolition of Georgia's statehood in 1801; the 1804 rebellion in Mtiuleti; the 1812 peasant uprising in Kakheti; the 1819 uprising in Imereti; the abolition of the autocephaly of the Georgian Church and others The article discusses the socio-economic and political situation of Georgia in the first half of the XIX century when the Georgian society was composed of the nobility, urban population, merchants, small entrepreneurs, and peasants. Their unbearable economic situation and the desire to fight for the country's freedom somewhat determined the emergence of outstanding representatives of Georgian Romantics, who used their creativity as a weapon against the governance of the Russian Empire, which served to restore Georgia's political independence and improve the socio-economic situation of the country. Keywords: Romanticism, statehood, rebellion, independence, social life,nobility, small entrepreneurs, economic condition, taxes.