In a candid and detailed interview, Tamar Chkheidze, a Georgian historian and politician, sits down with Iago Khvichia for the program “The Birth of Georgia.” Chkheidze shares her personal history and offers an insider’s perspective on the turbulent formation of post-Soviet Georgia. She recounts her first steps toward independence and a firsthand look at the Soviet past. She details her meeting with Zviad Gamsakhurdia and the methods used to distribute proclamations. Chkheidze provides a chronological account of the era's critical events, including the 1978 demonstration for the Georgian language, the conflicts within the national movement, Gamsakhurdia's political ideas, and the "Court of Honor." The interview also explores Merab Kostava's role in Gamsakhurdia's ideology, the political ideas of Ilia Chavchavadze's society, and the gathering in Lykhny before the April 9 tragedy. Chkheidze offers her viewpoint on the tragedy, the political climate that followed, and the roles of political figures like Zurab Chavchavadze. She also discusses the events leading to and following Georgia's declaration of independence, Gamsakhurdia's victory, and Eduard Shevardnadze's return to Georgia and his role in the Abkhazian conflict. The interview concludes with a discussion about the role of the KGB, the mistakes made by the national movement, and the development of the Georgian state after April 9. It is unfortunate that she does not discuss her alleged involvement in Merab Kostava's death, and she seems to be forgetting many details, which is surprising for a historian. Many thanks to https://girchi.com/ for organizing such insightful and thought-provoking interviews—they provide a valuable platform for understanding Georgia’s history and present challenges. https://www.youtube.com/@dabadeba.
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