«AND ALL OF THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A PERSON WHO DID NOT KNOW A SINGLE WORD IN GEORGIAN AND HAS NEVER SEEN GEORGIA IN HIS LIFE» (ABOUT THE BOOK OF METROPOLITAN EVGENY BOLKHOVITINOV)

Abstract

The article examines the book by Metropolitan Evgeny Bolkhovitinov (1767 - 1837) – “Historical depiction of Georgia in its political, ecclesiastical and educational state”. It was compiled at the Alexander Nevsky Academy and published in 1802. The Metropolitan published this work anonymously. The book is dedicated to Emperor Alexander I. In the foreword to the reader, he denies the reliability of the information of Western European authors about Georgia and promises to provide objective information. He was interested in the information not only about Georgian music, literature, poetry, but also political events of the past. The book by the Russian author also examines the work of the great Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli.

It is an interesting fact - why a representative of the Russian clergy tried to write a book about a country where he had not been, and the only base of his work were the stories of others and several various historical sources? Was it his own desire or was he fulfilling the order of the Russian government or synod?

The work focuses on the importance of this book in the state and political life of Russia. It should be noted that this book, after being published in Russia, in 1804, was translated and published in Germany and was reviewed in the Western periodicals. The article uses Georgian and foreign sources, as well as scientific literature about the work of E. Bolkhovitinov.

Key words: Metropolitan Evgeny Bolkhovitinov, Georgia, Russia, historical literature, XIX century.