The Georgian Settlement in Berlin
The Georgian Settlement in Berlin was an important center for Georgian culture and science in Germany and one of the hubs for the fighters for Georgia's liberation in Europe.
In the 19th century, the establishment of a German settlement in the Caucasus and the development of relations with the Middle East led to the opening of the Prussian consulate in Tbilisi in 1863. German companies showed interest in the Caucasian market and its natural resources. In Tbilisi, the newspaper "Kaukazishe Post" was founded.
During World War I, a group of Georgian political figures moved from Geneva to Berlin (P. Surguladze, M. Tsereteli, G. Machabeli, G. Kereselidze, P. Kalandadze, and others) and formed the Committee of Independent Georgia. Between 1916 and 1918, these political figures and businessmen were active contributors to the Georgian newspaper (established in Berlin). They helped Georgian prisoners of war in European countries and founded the National Relief Fund for Georgia. Later, the representative of independent Transcaucasia, S. Kedia (28 May 1918), and a delegation from the Democratic Republic of Georgia (3 June), led by A. Chkhenkeli, arrived in Berlin.
Georgian activists in Germany sought to achieve "de facto" recognition of Georgia’s independence. The Georgian Embassy gathered fellow compatriots from all over Germany. They met with prominent Reichstag members such as E. Bernstein, K. Kautsky, and others. Ambassadors (I. Bakradze, V. Akhmeteli) and embassy chancellors (K. Gamsakhurdia, M. Kaukchishvili, G. Gachechiladze, M. and L. Khundadze) helped Georgian expatriates, students, and prisoners of war to return to Georgia. Through the Georgian settlement in Berlin, German companies established ties with Georgia. The Georgian community in Berlin sent machinery for factories, diverse scientific literature, laboratory equipment for Tbilisi University and the Georgian National Museum, and other equipment to Georgia. After the establishment of the Soviet regime in Georgia in 1921, the Georgian Embassy in Berlin continued to function.
In the 1920s, the Georgian Settlement in Berlin became a center for Georgian immigrants fighting for Georgia’s liberation. After the embassy was closed in 1924, V. Akhmeteli became the leader of the community. He had good relations with Reichstag President Lobe, deputies, and the former German representative in Georgia, Count W. von Schülenburg.
In the 1920s, as a result of the development of cultural and political relations between Soviet Georgia and Germany, prominent Georgians such as N. Mari, A. Razmadze, A. Svanidze, A. Shanidze, G. Chubinashvili, and others visited Berlin. They informed the Georgian community about the achievements in Caucasiology and Georgian Studies and cooperation with German scholars. During this period, the Rustaveli Society was established.
In April 1933, V. Akhmeteli formed the National Committee of Georgians in Berlin. Professor A. Nikuradze along with M. Tsereteli, created the organization White Giorgi with G. Magalashvili as the "Mouravi" of this organization.
Before World War II (1939–1945), S. and M. Kedia formed the “Tamar I” military unit in Germany. After the declaration of war against the Soviet Union, M. Kedia initiated the creation of another such unite. In 1942, Sh. Maghlakelidze organized Georgian Legionnaire units.
The Georgian Settlement in Berlin played an important role in cultural and scientific activities. In cooperation with S. Vadakuri and Professor R. Mekelein, Georgians published a "Short Self-Studying Book of the German Language" (1917), a Georgian language textbook for Germans, and a dictionary. Professor R. Mekelein introduced courses in Georgian and Caucasian languages at the University of Berlin. With the help of the Rustaveli Society, several works were published in German, including “An Introduction to the German Language for Georgians” and “History of Georgia”.
In the Georgian Settlement in Berlin, they helped publish “The Knight in the Panther's Skin” and distributed it in Georgia. In 1933, A. Metreveli published S. Orbelians’s "The Book of Wisdom and Lies" (translated into German by M. Tsereteli, with an introduction by Z. Avalishvili). In 1944, an anthology of "Poets of Georgia" was published in Berlin. In the 1920s and 1930s, Georgians contributed to the publication of German and Georgian newspapers and scientific journals (such as Klde, Caucasia, and others). T. Margvelashvili, V. Nozadze, B. Abuladze, and I. Kuchukhidze directed Georgian radio broadcasts. In 1942, the journal "The Georgian Nation" was established (chief editor G. Froneli, editor V. Nozadze, secretary I. Durujeli), and in 1943, the newspaper "Georgia" was founded in Berlin.
At the end of World War II, Georgians in Berlin continued their activities in West Germany and other countries.
In the 1960s, the Georgian community (leaders: N. Nakashidze, A. Kordzaia, K. Kirkitadze) was established, and in 1985, the Georgian Club was founded in Berlin, which transformed into the Georgian Society in 1989.
F. Sikharulidze
