Another scandal is erupting in Georgia in connection with the restoration of the monument to Stalin. It seemed that after the release of the film Repentance, made before the beginning of perestroika in the Soviet Union, that took place in January 1987, the Georgians got rid of the disease of worshiping Stalin. However, the most recent events in this country showed that the past does not go away and that this is a kind of infection, imposed by one big country so that their neighbors would not live normally.
As we already know, two other monuments have been installed in Georgia: in one village and a raion center. This time, a large six-meter high monument to the leader of the Soviet peoples has been installed in his hometown. This monument was first installed in front of the mayor’s office in 1952 and was dismantled in June 2010. Remarkably, like in the previous cases the local authorities initiated the installment of the monument. The Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia quickly responded to the decision of the municipality of Gori and agreed to the installation of the monument in front of the house-museum of Joseph Stalin.
Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili reacted very strongly to this news. “These are anti-national, anti-state actions that push Georgia towards international isolation. Restoration of the monument to Stalin in Gori is like spitting in the souls of the Georgian heroes who died during the war,” said Saakashvili. The president also urged the Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili to prohibit the installment of the monument to the Soviet tyrant.
During his last visit to Ukraine in November 2012, Saakashvili, commenting on the reports about restoration of the monument to Stalin in one of the raion centers of Georgia, said that he was fine about it. “It is unlikely that Stalin dominates the minds of Georgians. It is rather a reaction to the events happening presently in the country… Restoration of the monument is kind of freedom expression,” stated the president back then.
So far there was no public reaction of the current head of the Georgian parliament, which, with the introduction of amendments to the Constitution, now has much more power than the president. However, the head of the presidential administration Adnro Barnov happily took the news. “Congratulations. Monument to Stalin is being restored in Gori. Dignity is restored!” What can be said about dignity here?
The Day asked the Georgian political scientist David BERITASHVILI to comment on the government’s decision to restore the monument to Stalin in Gori.
“Many residents of Gori have some piety [concerning the Stalin monument] and it was them who raised the question about restoring the monument. Not to irritate the Gori people, the new government made a Solomonic decision: to place it closer to the Stalin Museum. There is also an opinion that it will attract more tourists. However, erecting this monument can help the government win the small Gori electorate. But in a normal international aspect, this is sabotage against Georgia. Who may like this? Even the minister of culture said the wise phrase: ‘Nero burnt down Rome, but there is a monument to him in Rome.’ The Nero monument was erected during his lifetime and actually 2,000 years have passed since then. But a restoration of a monument in the 21st century is quite bizarre.
“Everyone who visits the Stalin House Museum is surprised at extreme narrowness of the exposition with 100 percent domination of the apologetics of the ‘great chief.’ But Joseph Vissarionovich was not only a member of the anti-Hitler coalition. He also created the GULAG, a world-scale phenomenon, where millions of people were driven into inhuman conditions. Mass executions took place when Stalin was in power.”
What role should Prime Minister Ivanishvili play in this situation?
“The prime minister’s electorate includes many marginal groups who hate the previous regime. Those are Stalin’s adherents, people who were released from prison, and employees of State Motor Vehicle Inspectorate who were fired in a matter of one day. However, I doubt that Ivanishvili is Stalin’s adherent. Ivanishvili did not intrude in all this. At least, he has not spoken in this concern.”
Can the fact that the monument and the museum dedicated to Stalin will attract more tourists, hence yield more revenue into the city’s budget, serve as a justification for Gori authorities and townspeople?
“The monument to Stalin is still a political symbol of sorts. For example, the museum has Stalin’s armor-clad railway coach on display. It has a conference room, a security room, etc. The coach cannot be called a symbol. On the other hand, Stalin is a historic figure. He ruled a huge country for 30 years. The authorities and Gori residents must have heard about the repressions. But when there is a faith, what arguments can influence it? For example, I have been witness to incidents when groups of Orthodox believers were carrying icons which depicted a Stalin’s portrait with a nimbus. The Gori authorities need to take this step to gain popularity among the voters.”
What can you say about the role of Georgian intelligentsia in the enlightenment of people, in particular, in what concerns the role of Stalin and Stalin’s regime?
“Something bad is going on in the milieu of Georgian intelligentsia. As it turned out, there has been much apologetics. Before coming to power, the prime minister unfolded a huge charity program. There is a list of 3,500 persons who have received assistance for several years. Naturally, that was hardly a good time for scientists and artistes, because the country was very poor. Those people included all members of the Academy of Science, all artistes who had titles higher than ‘merited.’ Therefore they were given necessary [financial] ‘aid.’ But if you are paid 3,000 dollars a month, this is hardly an allowance, this is much more. When people got to know that the person who gave this money aspired to become the top person of the country, everyone eagerly agreed and accepted the ‘aid.’ Thus he achieved two goals at a time. First, those who supported him became firmer about their choice. Second, those who could reject his ‘accession’ and his regime were hushed.
“You know, when America holds the elections, both parties try to gain support of the Hollywood figures. This brings many votes. Georgian intelligentsia is playing the role of a puppet.”
