Interview by Dzhamilya Alekperova exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza
St. Petersburg has marked the 175th birthday of Ilya Chavchavadze who used to study in St. Petersburg State University. One of participants of Chavchavadze Days Pr. Irma Ratiani, the head of Shota Rustaveli Georgian Literature Institute of the Georgian Academy of Sciences, told Vestnik Kavkaza about her impressions.
- Due to well-known reasons Georgian scientific and cultural delegations haven't visited Russia for several years, as the bilateral relations were broken up. And only on November 25, for the first time in a long period the cultural-scientific forum Ilya Chavchavadze Days took place in St. Petersburg. Representatives of the Georgian scientific and cultural intelligentsia participated in all arrangements of the forum. A conference took place on first two days; it was devoted to life and works by Ilya Chavchavadze. Georgian and Russia historians, philologists, literature sciences, linguists, professors, and students took floor at the conference. Moreover, an open lesson was conducted in one of St. Petersburg schools, which was dedicated to Chavchavadze. We had meetings with cultural activists, the exhibition of a young Georgian artist Georgy Kukhalashvili. The atmosphere of the forum was very warm, but rather business. I was impressed by hospitability of the Russian side.
- What is a practical aim of such events?
- The Georgian delegation had an opportunity to tell our Russian colleagues that our country attach great importance to life of Ilya Chavchavadze, territorial and intellectual integrity of Georgia. I think we could explain this to the Russian intellectual community. We were pleased that Russian colleagues view the situation in the same way.
- Was there tension at meetings?
- The language of science and culture is a meta language. It is spoken not only by countries which dynamically cooperate and develop relations, but also those which have faced serious problems. For example, Russia and Georgia. That is why this forum is so important. The Georgian delegation had to explain its attitude to the Russian colleagues, listen to their position and analyze it. As far as I understand the positions of Georgian and St. Petersburg intellectual communities are common: Ilya Chavchavadze is a main example which the Georgian people should follow.
- Does political tension disturb development of cultural and scientific Georgian-Russian projects?
- It is true that many Georgian circles had lost intention to develop communications with Russia after the military conflict. However, I would like to repeat that in such a tense situation Georgians have to explain their view to Russians that Georgian culture and science stands for integrity of Georgia and warm relations with neighbors.
- Do you think after the Georgian power has changed the Russian-Georgian dialogue will develop?
- I am far from politics, and I don't know what the role of the power in this issue is. Today Georgia has new authorities and is building new priorities. Changes are important for development of the country. However, it is too difficult to give certain predictions today. I am happy to take part in joint cultural and scientific arrangements. I believe revival of the scientific and cultural dialogue will bring positive results. It gives an opportunity to express positions to both sides. The intellectual part of the society defines the political course of the country.
