Georgian National Research Articles

Azeris and Muslim Ajarians in Georgia: The Swing between Tolerance and Alienation

AbstractThis article focuses on two Muslim groups, Azeris and Muslim Ajarians, who are differently perceived and treated in post-Soviet Georgia. Georgian ethno-religious nationalism bases Georgianness on an ethnic affiliation to Kartvelian roots and religious adherence to Georgian Orthodoxy, and determines one’s level of inclusion in the nation accordingly; those who do not fulfill these criteria, such as Azeris, are excluded from the nation. Muslim Ajarians, despite being Georgians, also face exclusion from Georgian identity. Based on the concept of ethnodoxy, which is defined as linking of “a group’s ethnic identity to its dominant religion,” this article argues that Muslim Ajarians, who are Georgian Muslims, an unaccepted category in Georgia, receive differential treatment by their Christian fellows, whereas recognition of the religion and ethnicity of Azeris is a factor that comparatively diminishes the pressure on the community. This research demonstrates that the visibility of Muslim Ajarians’ religious practices in the public space and the construction of places of worship is less tolerated than in the case of Azeris, who have no means of becoming “proper Georgians.” The findings of fieldwork in Georgia manifested that, although minorities have various problems in Georgia, Muslim Ajarians are subjected to more differential treatment than Azeris.

Georgia v. Russia (Eur. Ct. H.R.)

In a January 31, 2019 decision, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR, or Court) held that Russia, the respondent state, should pay Georgia, the applicant state, 10 million euros as just satisfaction for violations committed by Russia against Georgian nationals; these violations had previously been established in the Court's main judgment in 2014 (Georgia v. Russia). The Court also held that Georgia should distribute this amount to approximately fifteen hundred Georgian victims, which had been identified in the Court's main judgment in 2014. In this important decision, the ECtHR continued to build on its recent case law, in holding that just satisfaction, in the form of monetary compensation, was appropriate and available in an interstate dispute.

Abkhazian crisis: from the Concept of Awareness of Common Threats to the Building of an "Abkhazian Security Community"

Abkhazian crisis: from the Concept of Awareness of Common Threats to the Building of an "Abkhazian Security Community"

Foreign Terrorist Fighters from the South Caucasus

Russian Federation remains concerned about the foreign terrorist fighter issue, especially about the cases of South Caucasian states of Georgia and Azerbaijan — countries of the post-soviet space. Georgian and Azerbaijani nationals joined Syrian jihadist armed groups and struggled in Syria and in Ukraine on both sides of the conflicts. The article identifies similarities and differences between foreign fighters of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The goal of the article is to identify reasons associated with the involvement of Georgian and Azerbaijani citizens in Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts. The article concludes that Georgian and Azerbaijani radicalized nationals are vulnerable to IS propaganda in part due to their own religious cleavages and societal grievances at home which the authorities prove incapable of mitigating. Under the influence of Chechen refugees it was Salafism that spread in Georgia. The role of pre-existing networks of terrorists on the territories of Georgia and Azerbaijan is also important. Alienation is a central theme, portraying the position of Muslims in Georgia. Besides, Muslims of both countries consider that their values and identity are at risk. The author makes the effort to highlight factors that distinguish the waves of terrorist-fighters going to the zones of conflicts from each other and addresses the problem of returnees.

Dve bronzovye kadil'nicy iz Nacional'nogo muzeja Gruzii

The present paper examines two bronze censers with Christological relief compositions from the Georgian National Museum. The analyses of their stylistic and iconographic features shed more light on the dissemination of the bronze censers produced in the East Christian artistic centers. The paper attempts to determine the time and place of creation of these liturgical objects. I will also offer some observations concerning the relationship between metal incense burners of Syro-Palestinian origin and those made in different places throughout Christendom.

Supplementary comparison COOMET.M.P-S4 of gas absolute pressure standards up to 7 MPa, and gauge up to 2 MPa

This report describes the results of a successful two-phase interlaboratory comparison between Georgian National Agency for Standards and Metrology (GeoSTM), Czech Metrology Institute (CMI) and Slovak Metrology Institute (SMU) denoted as COOMET.M.P-S4. The ranges of the absolute pressure from 0 MPa to 7 MPa and gauge pressure from 0 MPa to 2 MPa were chosen as the most suitable for a mutual comparison. A digital pressure gauge, DHI RPM4 served as a transfer standard in both phases. Firstly, bilateral interlaboratory comparison (BILC) between two participants, CMI (pilot and reference laboratory) and GeoSTM, started in March 2017 and finished in April 2017. Secondly, interlaboratory comparison (ILC) between three participants, CMI (pilot and reference laboratory), SMU (co-reference laboratory) and GeoSTM, started in October 2018 and finished in February 2019. SMU took part only in the absolute pressure comparison.Main textTo reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Archaeological materials from caves in the south Caucasus recovered by Stefan Krukowski during his stay in Georgia 1916–1918

The Polish archaeologist Stefan Krukowski stayed in Georgia from 1916 to 1918. During that time, apart from carrying out a comprehensive excavation in Gvarjilas Klde Cave, he also performed test digs in other Caucasian cave sites, the materials from which are still stored in the Georgian National Museum in Tbilisi but have never been published. In this paper these inventories are analysed and presented as a side note to a recently published book on the results of Krukowski’s field research in Gvarjilas Klde.

COOMET.T-S3: supplementary comparison on relative humidity (RH) from 30 % rh to 90 % rh at 23 °C

This report describes the results of supplementary comparison COOMET.T-S3 (also known as supplementary comparison COOMET 768/GE/18) on relative humidity (RH) from 30 % rh to 90 % rh at 23 °C. The comparison was organised between the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) United Kingdom (Laboratory-coordinator) and Georgian National Agency for Standards and Metrology (GEOSTM), Georgia. The comparison started in July 2018 and finished in September 2019The majority of the bilateral degree of equivalence values, DGEOSTM/NPL , for the two participants are low compared to the uncertainty in the DoE, UGEOSTM/NPL . With this comparison, the participant GEOSTM has demonstrated their technical competence for realization of relative humidity in the range 30 %rh to 90 %rh at 23 °CMain textTo reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCT, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

The narratives about home and family among Georgian labour migrant women in Italy

The paper investigates the narratives about family and home among the first generation Georgian labour migrant women in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna province. It examines the narratives by low-skilled Georgian migrant women that work as domestic workers. The fieldwork, carried out in November 2018 and May 2019 in the city of Reggio-Emilia shows that Georgian migrants do often feel alienated from their families that they leave back in Georgia. They feel largely alienated from their Georgian neighbours, relatives, society and nation as well. Georgian migrant women’s narratives show contradictory emotional discourses of attachment and alienation to their families. Based on in-depth interviews with 12 women between 43 to 69 and participant observation, the paper highlights importance of the families. Despite experiencing “lost place” in Georgia, migrant women still aim at returning to their families and “homes” there. They feel to “return” and to perform their roles as wives, daughters, mothers, grandmas, aunts, etc. in Georgia. Considering economic hardships of their families in Georgia, however, they prolong staying in Italy for indefinite amount of time.

Zwizualizowany imperializm i narodowa identyfikacja. Kilka przykładów kościelnego malarstwa w Gruzji od 1801 do 1918 roku

W różnych okresach chrześcijańskie malarstwo naścienne wizualizowało różnoraki stosunek do programów, obrazów, ikonografii i było blisko połączone z religijną identyfikacją społeczeństwa. Pod wpływem rozwoju nacjonalizmu w Gruzji w połowie XIX w. malarstwo naścienne również zaczęło odpowiadać potrzebom identyfikacji narodowej. Ramy czasowe artykułu zakreślają najważniejsze wydarzenia z historii tego kraju, takie jak podbój Wschodniej Gruzji przez Imperium Rosyjskie w 1801 r. i proklamowanie niepodległości przez Demokratyczną Republikę Gruzji w 1918 r. Pomiędzy tymi dwoma wydarzeniami w Gruzji powstało wiele malowideł sakralnych. Niektóre z nich miały na celu promowanie poczucia przynależności do Rosji i służyły konsolidacji władzy imperium nad podbitym krajem. Inne odzwierciedlały idee i aspiracje gruzińskiego nacjonalizmu. Różniły się one od średniowiecznych realizacji, ukazując wzrastające zainteresowanie narodowymi świętymi i wydarzeniami z historii gruzińskiego chrześcijaństwa. W artykule omówiono najbardziej znaczące ich przykłady.

On the Identification of So-Called “Meskhetian Turks”

Introduction. The problem of repatriation of the Muslim population, so-called “Meskhetian Turks” exiled in 1944 from Samtskhe-Javakheti and acceptance of their national identity has long worried Georgian people. The opinions on this subject vary drastically. Depending on the political situation, this issue periodically emerges (possibly deliberately) as a controversy. Comparison and analysis of currently available written sources, special and general literature, documents, recently studied ethnographic materials finally provide an opportunity to define who the “Meskhetian Turks” are. In addition, they reveal who is benefiting from using this artificially created term and for what purpose. Methods and materials. The materials concerning these problems and their classification are based on the methods developed by Ac.G. Chitaia, the founder of Georgian Ethnographic School. They contain different methods of complex-intensive as well as generalization and historical characters. Analysis. Muslimized population (Tarakams, Kurds, Turks, and later Georgian Muslims) mostly lived in Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe provinces before the exile. Prior to 1940, the religious and ethnic composition of the population was rather diverse. This area was inhabited by indigenous Christians and partly Islamized Georgians. They were later joined by sheltered Kurds, Turks, Armenians and Karapapakhs. Calling them “Meskhetian Turks” has a specific purpose and the term is artificially spread in Georgian society. This type of action does not happen in any other country. One may wonder if various governmental, non-governmental and international agencies that have appeared in Georgia like mushrooms after the rain, know about this fact. Or, maybe they know it but under the influence of the governing forces of “the new order” and wholesome funding they deliberately destroy the national identity and integrity of the centuries-old history of the Georgian nation. One should use the term “Muslimized Meskhetians” but never “Meskhetian Turks” (the diverse tribal muslim population exiled from Samtskhe-Javakheti) to refer to the population of several million indigenous muslimized Georgians who are living on their historic territory (Tao-Klarjeti, Kola- Artaani, Shavsheti, Lazistan, etc.), currently Turkey. Results. The research process highlights the following: according to the results of the study, it becomes possible to develop a number of recommendations which will help the multiethnic population of Samtskhe-Javakhethi live in a peaceful way and accelerate the adaptation and integration processes.

Restoration, archiving, and digitalization of the Museum collections (The case of Zoological Collections, Georgian National Museum)

The paper presents a pilot case of scientific revision and inventory process in the zoological collection of the Georgian National Museum (Tbilisi). By the special decree of the President of Georgia, the Georgian National Museum was established in 2004. Unifying fifteen museums, the National Gallery and two scientific centers it is the largest museum complex in the country. Its zoological collection is one of the oldest in Caucasia. Among them are endemic, relict, and other rare species protected by international conventions, and many are listed as endangered or deleted species in Georgia. Considering their importance, age and overall condition of the objects and documentation the reorganization of zoological collections was started as a pilot case in rehabilitation and cataloguing of GNM collections. Complete collections of Arachnidae (Opiliones) were studied and organized; Species of the family of Trogulidae, Nemastomatidae, Sclerosomatidae, Phalangiidae, order Harvestmen (Opiliones) from the class Arachnida, have been identified. There were in total 31 Harvestmen species from 4 families (Trogulidae, Nemastomatidae, Sclerosomatidae, and Phalangiidae) identified. One species of which - Odiellus zacariensis Mkheidze, 1952, is new for Azerbaijan fauna and four species: Trogulus rossicus Silhavy, 1968, Opilio sylvestris Snegovaya 2010, Opilio caucasicus Snegovaya 2010, Opilio nabozhenkoi Snegovaya 2010 are new for the fauna of Georgia. Also two new species: Rilaena kelbajarica Snegovaya et Pkhakadze, 2014 and Phalangium mcheidzeae, Snegovaya, 2014 [5-6] have been described. Museums today aim to become a platform for developing and spreading scientific knowledge. Based on different collections: art, anthropology, archaeology, natural history etc. � they become unique catalysers for interdisciplinary studies. Object-based scientific collections can open new areas of research across different disciplines. In this regard management of museum collections, information about them and making it accessible for scholars of different research fields and countries is a main task for a modern museum. Therefore, it is crucial to systematize the objects and collections, create new knowledge in collaboration with the academia and museum professionals internationally and promote the scientific knowledge for broader audience. The outcomes of the study will enhance the process of integration of GNM collections in international museum system and academia.

Case of Georgia v. Russia (I) (Just Satisfaction)

In Georgia v. Russia (I) (Just Satisfaction), the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR or Court) ordered the Russian Federation to pay Georgia EUR 10 million as reparation for Russia's “coordinated policy of arresting, detaining and expelling Georgian nationals” in the autumn of 2006 (paras. 51, 80). In so doing, the Court reaffirmed its position from Cyprus v. Turkey (IV) (Just Satisfaction) that financial compensation for non-pecuniary damage can be awarded in interstate cases. Although Georgia v. Russia (I) (Just Satisfaction) marks the development of a new line of ECtHR jurisprudence, it is unlikely that the decision will effectively prevent further mass violations of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR or Convention) by the states parties or offer fair compensation to the victims of such violations.

Georgian Foreign Fighters in the Conflict in Eastern Ukraine, 2014–2017

ABSTRACTThe aim of this article is to explain the presence of Georgian foreign fighters on both sides of the conflict in Ukraine and, using open sources, to map in the greatest possible detail their involvement in this conflict. Since this involvement has taken various forms and continues to do so, the author decided to split the main part of the article into three sections, in which he successively analyses the Georgian National Legion fighting on Ukraine’s side, the engagement of other Georgians on the Ukrainian side but outside the Legion, and the activities of Georgian foreign fighters who have sided with the pro-Russian separatists.

The bilateral comparison of length standards for measuring end measures in the range up from 0.5 mm to 100 mm (COOMET.L-S22)

The COOMET Project No 765/UA/18 (The bilateral comparison of length standards for measuring end measures in the range up from 0.5 mm to 100 mm), was organized by TC 1.5 (Length and Angle) of COOMET. This comparison started in December 2018 and finished in February 2019. Participants of the comparisons: the NSC "Institute of Metrology", Kharkov, Ukraine (pilot), and Department of Geometric Measurements Institute of Metrology GEOSTM, Tbilisi, Georgia.These comparisons are supplementary bilateral. The purpose of the comparisons is to determine the equivalence of the measurement standards being compared.Comparison participants should have the possibility to measure the end measures of lengths from steel with a nominal size of 1.28 mm; 70 mm; 100 mm by the mechanical method. Whatever measuring instruments are used by the participants of comparisons, they should be traceable to the measurement standard of meter.For bilateral comparisons it is sufficient to establish a pairwise degree of equivalence, i.e. the difference in results between measurements and the corresponding expanded uncertainty with a coverage factor of 2 and a confidence level of 0.95. Calculations approve that discrepancies between the measurement results of deviations are significantly less than the expanded uncertainty, which confirms a good degree of equivalence of the measuring installations of NSC "Institute of Metrology" of Ukraine and YuLOP "Georgian National Agency for Standards and Metrology" (GEOSTM) Institute of Metrology.KEY WORDS FOR SEARCHlength, end measures of length, mechanical method, deviationMain textTo reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCL, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Far right political stances: the same trend in Georgia?

Abstract This article deals with the emerging far right movements in Georgia, where the growing Europeanization process is taking place. Therefore, it aims to determine how relevant the European-experienced understanding of the far right with the similar movement political positions is. The article presents the stances of the members of far right movements (Georgian March, Anti-liberals, Georgian National Unity and Edelweiss) on foreign and identity policy and different socio-ethical issues, also assessed the neo-populist manner and belief in supremacy of the law. The conclusion summarizes the major characteristics of these far right movements in comparative way.

For Beauty, Nation and God The Creation of the Georgian National Treasure

The following paper traces the origins and increased interest in the cultural heritage of Georgia on behalf of the local intelligentsia in the 19th century. After describing the circumstances that may have led the new generation of Georgian scholars to a systematic exploration of ancient remains in the Caucasus and medieval ecclesiastical monuments and treasuries, the paper will focus on the main archaeologists of Christian antiquity in Georgia, Dimitri Bakradze and Ekvtime Taqaishvili. Finally, the study outlines the creation of what has been called the Georgian National Treasure. The treasure items, collected from monasteries and settlements all over Georgia and protected from robberies and impetuous art collectors, were sent into exile in 1921, shortly before the short-lived Georgian Democratic Republic’s annexation to the Soviet Union. The thirty-nine boxes, containing manuscripts, icons, precious liturgical vessels and other priceless items, were sent from Batumi to Marseille, via Istanbul, and stored in France until 1945, when Ekvtime Taqaishvili, who had taken care of and protected them over those 24 years, accompanied them back to Tbilisi.

For Beauty, Nation and God The Creation of the Georgian National Treasure

The following paper traces the origins and increased interest in the cultural heritage of Georgia on behalf of the local intelligentsia in the 19th century. After describing the circumstances that may have led the new generation of Georgian scholars to a systematic exploration of ancient remains in the Caucasus and medieval ecclesiastical monuments and treasuries, the paper will focus on the main archaeologists of Christian antiquity in Georgia, Dimitri Bakradze and Ekvtime Taqaishvili. Finally, the study outlines the creation of what has been called the Georgian National Treasure. The treasure items, collected from monasteries and settlements all over Georgia and protected from robberies and impetuous art collectors, were sent into exile in 1921, shortly before the short-lived Georgian Democratic Republic’s annexation to the Soviet Union. The thirty-nine boxes, containing manuscripts, icons, precious liturgical vessels and other priceless items, were sent from Batumi to Marseille, via Istanbul, and stored in France until 1945, when Ekvtime Taqaishvili, who had taken care of and protected them over those 24 years, accompanied them back to Tbilisi.

A survey of the tuberculosis physician workforce in the country of Georgia.

A well-trained and sufficient tuberculosis (TB) workforce is essential for disease control, especially in an era of newly implemented diagnostics and medications. However, there are few reports on the status of the TB workforce in many endemic countries. To evaluate the demographics, salary, career satisfaction, and attitudes towards the field of TB among the physician TB workforce in the country of Georgia. A cross-sectional study of physicians in the current Georgian National TB Programme (NTP) using an anonymous 31-item questionnaire. Among 184 NTP physicians countrywide, 142 (77%) were contacted and 138 (75%) completed questionnaires. The median age was 56 years (interquartile range 50-64); most (81%) were female. The monthly salary from TB work was USD205 for 50% of respondents. Nearly half (47%) received an additional salary from another source. Many physicians (65%) indicated that they were satisfied with their work, but over half (55%) were unsatisfied with reimbursement. While most physicians (78%) were concerned about the lack of interest in TB, only 36% would recommend a career in TB care. While the current TB workforce in Georgia finds their work fulfilling, an ageing workforce, low salaries and perceived lack of interest in the field are a matter of concern for future TB control.

TOURIST RESOURCES AS A REGIONAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT FACTOR

The work refers to the opportunities of Georgia in turning into the one of the leading players of the world’s tourism market. The development of tourism in Georgia is of great importance both to the socio–economic point of view, and promotion in the world of centuries-old indigenous of Georgian nation, its history and cultural heritage. However,tourism can become a major source of replenishment of the Georgian budget and monetary resources.