How Georgians Developed Their Understanding of Georgian Identity

💡 On November 10, Thinking Academy will host a session from its “Salon Conversations” series with historian Beka Kobakhidze, exploring “How Georgians Developed Their Understanding of What It Means to Be Georgian.”

➡ “We often look at a Georgian from the time of King Pharnavaz and a Georgian of the 21st century through the same lens, as though both ate khinkali and danced to the Sukhishvili ensemble’s ‘Daisi’ at weddings.

But who, for example, was a person from Racha ten centuries ago who couldn't eat lobiani because beans had not yet been introduced from the Americas? Or why was Bagrat III, the first king of a unified Georgia, titled ‘King of the Abkhazians, Kartvelians, Ranians, and Kakhetians’ rather than ‘King of Georgia’?

➡ These questions lead us to the distinction between the Georgian nation and the Georgian ethnic group.

The ethnic group has existed for several millennia, while the modern nation emerged only in the 19th century and has undergone a long journey in defining what it means to be Georgian.

This understanding has never been static and remains part of an ongoing, dynamic process. In a broader sense, this debate was also reflected in the streets of Tbilisi during 2024–2025.

During the lecture, we will explore this continuing process and discuss where we stand today.”

🍰 Guests will enjoy a buffet reception and a welcoming atmosphere.

⏳ Duration: 2–3 hours.