Georgia looks towards Europe, but there is still a long way to go before becoming a full-fledged member of the European family, both politically and in terms of public welfare. Writer Archil Kikodze discusses what Georgia can offer to attract Europe and what integration into the European family can bring us.
Let’s start with the success of the Georgian national team. You also used to be an old alpinist, so you had a connection with sports. You probably agree that for Georgia and small countries, it’s not just about sports…
It’s not just about sports for anyone, and not for big countries either. I have never seen so many happy people on the street. There was sincere joy and gratitude to the footballers, coaches, and everyone. In short, it was a great day.
Approaching Europe is not just about politics. It’s the same with culture, sports, or other fields. We should also prove ourselves in this aspect to Europe.
Sport is our happiness, but it’s not the door through which we should enter Europe. Culture, on the other hand, is one of the doors. More precisely, how do you know? Europe consists of many things. It is very diverse. For some, it’s a shelter for a persecuted intellectual; for others, it is a place of entertainment. For me, first and foremost, it is about thinking and critical thinking, and that’s what attracts me to Europe.
We have two misfortunes: poverty and ignorance. If we overcome both, then we have a chance. I don’t mean making everyone rich, but in terms of poverty, that’s impossible. There is almost no middle class with us, and it is this class that makes democracy.
As for education, as long as we are not educated, we will not only fail to appreciate and integrate other cultures, but we will no longer be consumers of our own culture in reality. Because we don’t read “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin,” Ilia, Aka Morchiladze… Every recipe for a better society is also in our culture. We just don’t read or can’t express our thoughts.
Something else bothers us: we love our country very much and have no respect for our state. The state and the government are the same, but we can’t connect.
And what do we need Europe for?
What do we need? We need…
Yes, but Europe is also taking steps towards us, right?
Yes, because we are a very attractive people, especially for those who can go on some cultural expeditions. Georgians are not worse than anyone; we just turned ourselves into a corner. It tells us that my door is open; just do this and that.
Usually, I have yet to see much political interest from Europe before, but from the USA, yes. Unfortunately, this is not happening with us.
What caused the breakthrough in your life, or was it by some event or when? Was it not the Soviet Union but rather the West?
I never liked the Soviet Union. We always knew in my family that everything was built on lies. I’m not insulting anyone, but I would never have come out of that profession living in the Soviet Union. I would have found another job. Absolutely everything was a lie, which no one here believed in. There were no ideological communists with us; they were in Russia. Everyone knew that it was for the sake of a career, and they were playing this game.
If you want a specific example, the first thing that comes to mind is the European Union. When I sat at the restaurant in Amsterdam and entered Berlin, I crossed the border without being frisked. It was a big novelty.
First of all, people’s work is valued there. Europe still means economic, which we are rightfully excited about, huge bank interest rates. You will enter that family, which will be 1 percent, not 18.
It is awkward for me to talk about the economy, but there are many benefits.
It is understandable to have such questions, but what does Europe bring to us?
God willing, we will end up in that family. The person who is not averse to work lives well and is a professional in his field, not someone who wallows in corruption. Is there a country in Europe that you particularly love?
I love Scandinavian countries. I think they are the most democratic and tolerant countries. I was in Sweden at a literary festival. The festival director was of Iraqi origin, and the assistant was a Syrian girl. This is indicative of the tolerance of those societies.
Of course, we also have high-level musicians, writers, artists, etc. But still, what can Georgia interest Europe in? What should be attractive?
With that authenticity that we create with our own hands, there is another hellish picture—globalization: everyone will resemble everyone. Will a Portuguese resemble a Norwegian, or an Italian a Frenchman? Nothing like that has ever happened to me.
From every angle, we are a fascinating nation—ethnographically, another region is the Caucasus. We have authenticity and cultural diversity. It’s beautiful to let everything be as it is, and our people are hospitable. Our country is very safe for visitors.
