THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RUSSIA IN GEORGIA AND GEORGIAN SOCIETY

Abstract

In 1901 Georgia completed a century of incorporation in the Russian Empire. The local gentry and the Russian administration celebrated this event with a number of ceremonial activities.

There was nothing to celebrate concerning the introduction of colonial yoke in Georgia. The article emphasizes that, Anniversary “served only the purposes of the Empire, which is why progressive Georgian society distanced itself from it and generally, Georgian people did not participate in the celebration.

Aristocracy hoped that the imperial government in Georgia would introduce local government and jury trials, as well, also it would authorize the establishment of the University in Tbilisi, but the expectations did not come true.

Georgian newspapers and magazines did not show a great interest in this event and confined mostly to official information.

Ilya Chavchavadze was critical of the "celebration". Akaki Tsereteli called the, “Anniversary" a farce and expressed his protest against it by a poem and an article.

An illegal Social-Democratic newspaper, “Brdzola“ strongly criticized the nobility and condemned it for this shameful “celebration”.

A group of National-Liberal publication, “Tsnobis Purtseli”, issued a proclamation and pilloried the imperial power together with the nobility to the shameful stake for ridiculing and oppressing of the Georgian people.

 Keywords: Georgia, Russian Empire, Jubilee, Nobility, Rescript, Periodical Press.