Unique exhibits from Georgia’s recent past on first public display

Georgia has a long, dynamic history and those interested in learning more about the country's more recent past have the opportunity to attend an exhibition featuring unique materials from the country’s near past.

The large-scale and diverse exhibition concerning the First Republic of Georgia will open at the Georgian National Museum Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery on October 13, where some of the exhibits will be on public display for the first time.

Some of the archival materials, depicting the history of 1918-1921, will be presented to society for the first time. Among them will be the archive of Khariton Shavishvili, Georgia’s representative to the League of Nations.

The exhibition was initiated by Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani and will cover the paper and photographic materials preserved at the National Archives of the three-year period of the first Republic of Georgia and will be divided into the following subjects:

• The Act of Independence of Georgia and national attributes;
• First elections, Constituent Assembly of Georgia and legislative work;
• The state and the church; foreign relations;
• Armed forces;
• Public life;
• Loss of independence; and
• Khariton Shavishvili.

About 140 photos and photo reproductions of the written documents, as well as five original documents will be exhibited.

This short period of Georgian history was remarkable because the country’s independence, lost 117 years ago, was restored and the government of independent Georgia was formed.

National Council meeting, May 26, 1918.

Furthermore, the elections of the supreme legislative body - the Constituent Assembly - was held in 1919 where electors of both gender participated, whilst from 20 women candidates five women were elected to the Constituent Assembly; The Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Georgia was adopted, which even from today’s point of view was regarded as a very progressive legal instrument.

The three years of independence ended in occupation of Georgia by Russia and democracy was temporarily defeated in Georgia. The government of Georgia and majority of the Constituent Assembly left for exile in France in 1921.

Guests of the exhibition will be able to see documents reflecting these significant events of Georgia's history. 

The documents from the personal archives of Shavishvili will be for the first time open to the public. These personal archives of Shavishvili were digitalised at the library of the United Nations Geneva office and brought to Georgia in 2015 thanks to the efforts of Georgia's Justice Ministry.

The event will be dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the National Archives of Georgia.

The exhibition will run until November 1.