Presentation of Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918-1921)

On June 5, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) hosted a presentation of the Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918-1921) as part of events marking the 100th anniversary of declaration of independence of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. The encyclopedic dictionary contains materials about the Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918-1921, previously unknown to the broad public and academic circles.

Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze, descendants of the members of government of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, professors and students attended the event.

Rector Giorgi Sharvashidze said that the encyclopedia breaks up the clichés of Soviet historiography. “It is a very interesting work performed by our historians. A lot of young scientists were actively involved in the work and I can only welcome this fact,” Sharvashidze said, noting that in September, TSU will receive the archives from France, which will re-estimate many scientific facts of that period.

Zurab Gaiparashvili, head of the TSU Library and editor-in-chief of the publication, said that over 30 authors were involved in preparing the encyclopedia. “It should be noted that the publication is the result of two-year work. Mainly the TSU academic personnel participated in its creation. The encyclopedia fills a vacuum existing in Georgian historiography about the Republic of Georgia in 1918-1921.”

TSU Associate Professor Dimitri Shvelidze said that “Georgian historiography took a great step ahead recently – a new school of historiography was established; based on scientific literature, it became possible to study the history of the Democratic Republic of Georgia. A very important publication – Encyclopedic Dictionary – was created.”

The publication contains about 940 encyclopedic articles about the members of Georgia’s legislative, executive and judicial authorities, diplomats, servicemen, foreign politicians affiliated with Georgia, representatives of educational and cultural spheres, the Republic’s laws, reforms and developments.

TSU professors, PhD students, library and museum staff, researchers of the Institute of History and Ethnology, external researchers took part in creating the encyclopedic dictionary.