By Vestnik Kavkaza
Normalization of Russian-Georgian relations through the humanitarian sphere becomes more and more acute, considering intensification of expert meetings on the problem. Recently a group of Georgian experts has visited Moscow. They met Russian experts, politicians, human rights organizations, journalists, and political scientists. One of the most interesting meetings took place in MSU.
“It is with great sadness that we observe the process of desintegration going on in the CIS space. But we would like to say that the friendship remains as it was,” Sergei Karpov, Head of the History Department of Moscow State University, stated. “It is institutional, personal or academic friendship. We also try to keep contacts with Georgian scholars and consider this important. I am absolutely sure that academic connections, as with political ones, will develop. Many things unite our countries. And what brings us together is stronger than what pulls us apart. Yes, there are problems created today: they are connected to Abkhazia, partly with Adjaria or some other parts. They exist and we all know about it. But our countries are united by the same cultural tradition, the tradition of Orthodoxy, the tradition of belonging to the same state and the same cultural construction. And all these are bigger than what separates us. We understand all the problems and do not want to hide it. When we write some joint projects, the only correct way is to honestly state your opinion, what we believe to be true and necessary, but we have to listen attentively to the other part, because no person or political organization has a monopoly on truth. There is no monopoly on truth. Therefore, what we need to learn is to listen to each other. Unfortunately, politicians have considerably lost this skill. They cannot hear each other. The mass media also think that there are only two points of view - either their one or the wrong one. I think we should move away from this. In our joint projects, we should respect any position, although it might not coincide with ours. We are ready to give a place to publications to express different opinions.”
Karpon noted: “We are very happy that the process of democratization in Georgia is developing. It is moving in a constructive direction. I care about Georgia, I love this country very much, I have been there many times and I am convinced that the Georgian people, wise people with a long cultural tradition, will overcome these difficulties. But I want that way to rational, civilized and cultural fulfilment to be shorter and more fruitful.
Our common task now is to take a step towards each other, because the break, the secession that took place is perceived with pain on both sides. It is as painful here in Russia. Often Georgians in Russia and Russians in Georgia are not the best representatives of either peoples. People should know each other better. They have to see the face of their partner, it should be decent and honest.”
Speaking about work of MSU historians, Karpov stated: “Our department has a strategy. We want to prepare analysts, therefore the development of analytical skills is the most important part of the educational process. To prepare analysts we have to be based on fundamental education. What is the difference between our education and that in American universities? I taught there and I can say. For instance, the history of Byzantium is taught there and a person takes this course. He knows the history of Byzantium, but when I ask him: “Could you tell me please what was going on in England?” And he does not know. When I ask him - what was going in Russia? He does not know. I would not even mention Georgia, he of course does not know. Maybe he will remember David and queen Tamara, but I doubt it. I think Tamara is the only Georgian queen known abroad. Nobody knows anything else. We do not want it that way. We want those who study history to have studied it without lacunas, in a row.
Now the History Department is planning to carry out a very big project - writing a new, multi-volume "History of Russia." “Now we have started working on a new "History of Russia." But as for the best encyclopedia published in this country, do you know what it is? There is a wonderful article about Georgia and Georgian spirituality. This is the "Orthodox Encyclopedia". A lot of its volumes have already been published. Both we and our Georgian colleagues were attracted to cooperate. This encyclopedia is very serious and very good, and there are also a lot of things that can be interesting for you,” Karpov told Georgian experts.
Meanwhile, Yulia Adelkhanova, expert at the Institute for Information Freedom Development, notes that “very often ignorance of the Russian language does not mean a bad attitude to those who speak Russian, to Russians. In fact, immigrants from Russia really arouse the interest of Georgian youth, a desire to communicate. There are, of course, cases when the language barrier prevents it, but nonetheless, it is bridgeable, if people want to communicate. Friendship can be started even not speaking the language well. In this case, there is a desire to learn Russian in Georgia among Georgian youth, it is increasing, the percentage of parents who want their children to know Russian is also increasing. It is not a big increase, but it is growing.”
Speaking about contacts between Russian and Georgian scientists and experts, Alexei Vlasov, editor in chief of Vestnik Kavkaza, stated: “Not so long ago, Istanbul hosted a meeting of Georgian and Russian experts in the framework of the so-called "Istanbul Process", launched with the participation of the NGO of Mr. Khutsishvili, where leading Russian and Georgian experts exchanged proposals on our new communication. There is almost no information, or not enough, or the information comes too late. And the first thing we should think about is building a normal channel, which gives complete information about the reciprocal processes in the human socio-cultural sphere. Academic Karpov, of course, is not enough at all, but in the age of information technology it is not such a big task to create a joint resource where we, historians, political scientists, journalists, can share information about events, or, conversely, form any new proposals on new common points of mutual growth through conferences and summer schools.”
Vlasov invited guests to the summer school here at the History Department. “There is a request for another school in Tbilisi. We also need to work together and to think - why should we develop only journalistic skills? Why do not we try to hold summer schools for young political scientists? Or - here practice questions arise - why do not we hold a meeting of the young ... you have correctly asked about the fact that there are pleasant and unpleasant topics in our common history. But there is one tragic day common to all - June 22, I think no one will not deny that this is an event that this is painful and tragic for Georgian and Russian families. Why don't we hold a meeting of Russian and Georgian young historians "June 22 in Minsk?"
There must be some significant events that would have shown that the ice was broken. Because, if we talk endlessly about politics, exchanging, like diplomats, letters of intent, then we will not move forward. But communications between NGOs, communication through civil society and professional communication - these are three points of growth in which we will be able to work effectively. This is my point of view, I certainly understand that there are other positions and approaches, but I think that at MSU, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations and Russian education centers there is scope for joint activities.”
“Do you not think that all the post-Soviet countries, and Russia and Georgia in particular, face a very powerful challenge - namely, a generational conflict? Is there in Georgia a problem of a mental gap between the older and middle generations and the younger generation, which is not a "Soviet" one from the point of view in which the middle and older generations exist, which forms its ideological position based on completely different principles than people of our age - 35-45, that have caught some part of the common cultural, humanitarian, educational environment? This theme is not a political issue. But it would be very interesting to discuss it, because it is a challenge and risk, in my view, that is not associated with the geopolitical orientations of Georgia, Russia and every other country in the former Soviet space. We have to start a discussion on common challenges and solutions of general risks that exist between us. They are not necessarily related to Russian-Georgian relations - they are just common, because both we and you feel this pressure.”
