GEORGIA’S GREATEST MODERNIST POET UNDER THE SOVIET TOTALITARIAN REGIME

Abstract

The article studies the influence of the Soviet Union totalitarian regime on the famous Georgian poet – Galaktion Tabidze’s (1891-1959) life and works. The first two chapters refer to the legitimacy of using the terms “Totalitarianism” and “modernism” in this context and give a short survey of the general views about the tasks. Chapter three discusses the reasons why the Soviet leaders condemned Modernism and oppressed modernist authors. Next three chapters refer to one particular poet – Galaktion Tabidze and his efforts to survive and keep publishing his poetry. The detailed analysis of the changes made by him in his old (pre-Soviet) poems vividly reflect the directives of the Communist leaders. His failed attempt to publish a poem about the brutality of the totalitarian regime against Georgian rebellions demonstrates the strength of censorship. Galaktion Tabidze was not executed but was led to suicide step by step. We consider that literary works of other writers should also be studied from this point of view to make a full picture how the totalitarian regime oppressed writers and artists, controlled and influenced literature and art.

Key words: Galaktion Tabidze (1891-1959), Georgian poetry, totalitarianism, ideology, censorship