Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia
Abstract
Only society, equipped with civic consciousness will retain identity and take a stand in the
modern global world. The research aims at revealing distinctive characters of Georgian way of
thinking based on the examples from scientific works and fiction.
Interesting explanation regarding the essence of citizenship is given by a great Georgian
scientist Saint Grigol Peradze in his series of letters “Content of real citizenship” (interpretation
of The Lord’s Prayer – Our Father). He postulates:” Aim of citizen’s life and of citizenship itself
should be God”. Civic Consciousness in the history of Georgian literature originates from
hagiography and immediately comprises double service. Hagiography hero serves for conversion
of physical and spiritual “desert” into “city”.
The poetry of great Georgian poet Vazha-Pshavela possesses all characteristics of highly
developed civic consciousness. Vazha-Pshavela is considered to be “a poet of future” (critic
Tamaz Chkhenkeli), also “a poet of soul” (Grigol Kiknadze), because his creative work is directed
towards spiritual forces of a human and serve for spiritual prosperity.
Keywords
Civic consciousness, citizenship, Grigol Peradze, literature, Vazha
