Georgia — The Path to Independence

The late 1980s and early 1990s became a decisive turning point for Georgia: from the Georgian SSR to the independent Republic of Georgia.

How did the features of Soviet Georgia reflect in independent Georgia? The dissident movement and national awakening, the tragedy of April 9, 1989, the overthrow of the communist regime, “Zviadism” — an idea and a movement, the breakthrough and the drama of Georgian society...

Many of Georgia’s current challenges were shaped in those difficult years. But the most important thing happened then: the break with the empire and the establishment of independence. National liberation came at a heavy price — and forever.

Next Monday, our space will host a meeting with historian Vadim Lifshits, journalist Yulia Kuznetsova, and Vitaly Skoibeda — a former Russian deputy and a citizen of Georgia for more than twenty years — where we will discuss this period. All of them took part in solidarity actions with the Georgian people in 1989.