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A Unified History Textbook
The President of the country has issued a directive to quickly create a standardized history textbook for schools. The idea is to teach the history of the country based solely on historical documents and facts, rather than allowing individual interpretations. This decision by the President is correct, though somewhat delayed. Creating such a textbook, which would present the country's past from a single perspective, is no easy task. Over the past 20 years, some misguided patriots and so-called scholars have already managed to distort and desecrate the history of the country and its historical figures. Some have even suggested that the period from 1917 to 1991 should be completely erased from Russian history. However, I can’t imagine how they plan to do that. I lived through 61 years of Soviet rule, so I know firsthand what that period was like.
In this brief work, I don’t aim to either praise or criticize the Soviet period. I can only say that it is the history of my homeland. The good things make me proud, while the bad things cause me pain. As a historian by education, my long life gives me the basis to say that there has never been a socio-political system that satisfied all layers of society, and I believe it is impossible to create such a system. The Soviet system had many flaws, as has been widely discussed. There was both the dark side, such as mass repression, and the bright side, such as the industrialization that was crucial for the victory in the Great Patriotic War. There was also the space breakthrough and the creation of the nuclear shield, which protected and continues to protect the country from potential aggression.
Questions on Soviet History
I don’t intend to either vilify or glorify the Soviet system. But as a historian, I have questions that remain unanswered by modern scholars and political scientists. For instance, after the fall of Tsarism, was there any other political force that could have preserved Russia within the borders of the Russian Empire, other than the Bolsheviks? If there was, why didn’t they succeed? If we hadn’t built a powerful industrial base, how would we have defended our country’s freedom and independence? All this was achieved relying solely on internal resources, without foreign investment.
The Role of Leaders in History
Another question: If leaders like Bukharin, Zinoviev, Trotsky, Kamenev, Yeltsin, Khrushchev, Gorbachev, or Brezhnev had been in charge during the Great Patriotic War, would we have won? I believe that answers to these questions should guide the evaluation of Stalin’s actions. It's important to remember that Stalin did not wield great power before the 1930s. His policies, such as industrialization and collectivization, faced significant opposition from influential party members. The cult of personality around Stalin only developed later. My generation remembers well how he was glorified, and it’s true that speaking out of line could result in severe punishment. But does that mean everyone who was repressed was an innocent victim? Not necessarily. The country was surrounded by deadly enemies, and even today, some of our neighbors are not very friendly towards us.
Reflecting on the Past and Present
When some people today label Stalin as a criminal and compare him to Hitler, I want to ask them: how do they reconcile this with the pride millions of Soviet citizens feel for their medals won in battles for their homeland? These are complex issues that deserve careful thought. It’s also worth noting that Stalin returned the Kuril Islands, Port Arthur, and Kaliningrad to Russia—facts that are often overlooked by our historians. Finally, I would like to point out the stark difference between what Stalin left behind for his children and what Yeltsin left for his heirs. Stalin didn’t even own a personal apartment, while today we see the luxurious lifestyles of Russia’s modern rulers.
The Challenges of Writing History
Creating a history textbook that satisfies everyone in our society is incredibly challenging. Perhaps our historians, political scientists, and journalists should express their views on this matter more openly, aiming to find a more acceptable version of the textbook. It’s important to remember that history isn’t just about highlighting the dark sides. We should respect and take pride in the achievements of our ancestors. At the same time, we should also focus on the present, addressing the issues that arose in the tumultuous 1990s. Unfortunately, capitalism has not yet delivered the desired results for our country and its people.
The Complexity of Evaluating Historical Figures
In conclusion, it's essential to approach evaluations of any historical figure with objectivity. For example, I agree with historian Roy Medvedev’s assessment of Stalin, which is based on thorough and serious research. In the planned history textbook, it will be difficult to cover Stalin's activities, including the events of 1937, relations with Germany, and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. I clearly remember the criticism and uproar over this pact. But I would ask those critics one question: what would have happened if we hadn’t moved the border 150 kilometers westward before Germany’s sudden advance?
The moral character of the Romanov dynasty is also worth discussing. Where people live well, there are no revolutions or mass killings. The current trend in political literature to idealize the Romanovs overlooks their flaws. Let’s not present Tsarism in an overly positive light, and let’s recognize the role it played in leaving Russia trailing behind Europe today.
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The Distorted Mirror
When I think about the term "distorted mirror," it often comes to mind as I read international press reports or watch foreign television, including some of our own. The portrayal of Russia as an occupier, aggressor, or enemy leaves me perplexed about what's happening in the world. I want to tell these critics that Russia deserves prayers, not condemnation. We should wish Russia well, hope for its prosperity, success, and strength. However, to truly understand this, one must study the history of the Russian people and Russia seriously—not through the lens of Solzhenitsyn and others like him. Unfortunately, there are far too many so-called historians whose main goal is to tarnish and vilify Russia and the Russian people to please Russia's true enemies. And yes, Russia does have many enemies, diverse and numerous.
Russia's Role in History
What's particularly strange is that those whom Russia has saved from complete destruction often turn out to be its fiercest adversaries. I won't delve into the depths of history to prove this point. Instead, I'll highlight some surface-level historical facts.
The peoples of Europe should be eternally grateful to Russia because it was the Russian people who bore the brunt of the brutal and relentless Mongol-Tatar invasion, absorbing their full military might. One can only imagine what would have happened to a flourishing Europe if the Russian people hadn't been able to stop them. Russia saved Europe from Napoleon's domination. What would have happened to Europe if the Russian people hadn't defeated Napoleon? And he was still relatively young—who knows what more he might have done to Europe? Russia provided military assistance to several Balkan countries in their liberation from Turkish rule. Russia pulled the peoples of Central Asia out of the medieval era and introduced them to Russian and European culture. Russia saved the peoples of the Caucasus from Turkish and Persian domination. If it weren't for Russian soldiers, they would now be northern provinces of Iran and Turkey, with no high culture in Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Georgia.
Misunderstanding Russia's Intentions
Today, when various types of Russophobes raise their voices in these so-called independent republics, they should read the history of their peoples. Without Russia and the Russian people, they would have no statehood at all. Hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers and officers died defending the peoples of the Caucasus from Persians and Turks, and their sacrifices are now unjustly forgotten. If I had the power, I would erect a monument to them in Georgievsk. Historians know why Georgievsk is significant.
The accusations that Russia is an occupier are both absurd and offensive. I'm in my nineties, having lived 69 years among Russians, and served 31 years in the Soviet, or rather, Russian army. I am a historian who graduated from a Georgian university with honors. Based on my extensive life experience with the Russian people, I can confidently say that Russians don't know how to be occupiers. It's not in their nature. I spent a year as a soldier in Tbilisi and then two years as an officer in Batumi. I've served in other Soviet republics as well. The Soviet armed forces always behaved with utmost restraint, so what occupation are we talking about?
The Reality of Soviet Georgia
I was born and raised in Georgia, a Soviet republic. I studied in a Georgian school where there was no forced Russification. We studied Georgian culture, Georgian history, and the history of the USSR, with a focus on Georgian literature. Russian language classes were just one hour, twice a week. So, despite graduating with honors, I could barely speak Russian. That was the extent of Russification in Georgia. Later, I studied part-time at Tbilisi State University, where 35 of my classmates were Georgians holding official positions. And yet, none of these officials could understand textbooks written in Russian—they always asked me to translate for them, which I did. What kind of occupation or Russification is this when the so-called occupier's language is not even known by the local officials?
Western Hypocrisy
In Georgia, all key positions—factory directors, school principals, university heads, administrative and party roles—were held by Georgians. Even the regular policemen were mostly Ossetians, while officers were exclusively Georgian. Georgian was the dominant language in all public and administrative interactions. Georgian youth studied in Russian universities as equal citizens of the Soviet Union. Georgian artists regularly performed and showcased their high-level artistry in Moscow and other Soviet republics. So what colonial policy are they talking about? These people are clearly confusing Russians with Anglo-Saxons, who, during their rule, exterminated up to 40 million indigenous people in India alone. On the American continent, they killed up to 15 million indigenous people and forced the survivors into reservations. I won't even mention what they did to African slaves, whom they treated as mere commodities. Read at least Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Russophobia and Historical Revisionism
Those who now tempt us with slogans of democracy and human rights are descendants of those who mercilessly exterminated entire nations. I fully agree with the well-known historian Spitsyn E.Y., who writes about the status of peoples who became part of the Russian Empire: "In all these territories, the Russian government did not pursue a conscious policy of violent Russification. It preserved the traditional way of life, customs, and beliefs of the numerous peoples and ethnic groups" (The Russian Empire in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries, Book 2, p. 212). So, there's no need to attribute all sorts of slanders to the Russian people.
The Ukrainians have particularly distinguished themselves in spreading falsehoods, such as the term "Holodomor." This is beyond any fantasy and shows a complete misunderstanding of communist ideology. The foundation of communist ideology is internationalism, which opposes fascist nationalism. Internationalism is about friendship among peoples, not hostility. The country was building socialism, and every person was valuable. The friendship of peoples was the foundation of socialist society, not the so-called Holodomor. Yes, there was indeed a famine in the early 1930s. My mother told me that bread ration cards in Tbilisi were only canceled in 1934. The causes of the famine are many, and I don't have the space to detail them all here. But the famine was not deliberately created by the Russian people against the Ukrainian people. Many regions of Russia and Kazakhstan also suffered from famine, and blaming the Russian people for this is absolute nonsense and a malicious fabrication against them.
I had never heard of the term "Holodomor" until the relationship between Ukraine and Russia began to deteriorate. The Ukrainian elite needed a reason to justify their leaning toward the West. They needed to find a point of contention to alienate the Ukrainian people from Russia, and they found it by exploiting this tragic event in Soviet history against the Russian people. The baseness of this act is hard to describe. It is particularly shameful that the person who initiated this slander against the Russian people should have been working to strengthen relations with the great Russian nation that gave statehood to the Ukrainian people.
Concluding Thoughts on International Relations
As a military man, I am deeply dissatisfied with Russia's soft policy toward the "Former" Soviet republics. The Ukrainian president calls us aggressors from the UN podium, yet we continue to supply them with gas and even pay for their pipelines. We are accused of being aggressors and occupiers, while the Ukrainian president asks for more sanctions against Russia and weapons to kill more Russians. Weapons are not asked for to grill kebabs. Despite all this, we continue to maintain some sort of relationship with them. If I were president, I would have severed all relations and diplomatic ties with Ukraine until they issued a full apology to my country.
Yes, we would have suffered economically due to the pipeline, but I am confident that, in time, Europe would have forced Ukraine to apologize to Russia. The costs of American gas would have significantly increased the price of European goods, making them less competitive. We are also too lenient with Georgia. If they want to join NATO, let them. If we are aggressors, cut off all ties with the aggressor and see who suffers more. Unfortunately, Russophobia in Georgia has deep roots, going back almost to the time of its annexation by Russia.
The works of the prominent Georgian writer Kazbegi (Chopikashvili) are very popular in Georgia. He writes with great talent, but his works are filled with Russophobia and anti-Ossetian sentiment. As an Ossetian, I was forced to study this writer in school and even admire his work. Russia became an aggressor in the Georgian mind because it did not allow Georgian fascists to annihilate a small nation. Enlightened Europe, by supporting Georgia, considers saving peoples to be aggression.
The political situation in Europe today is somewhat reminiscent of the 1930s. Fascist ideology began to take root in a humiliated Germany, and Europe watched calmly, even encouraging Hitler's expansionist policies. The Munich Agreement was a clear example. The main goal of European countries was to direct Hitler's military power against the USSR. So, it’s not entirely accurate to say that Germany attacked us. What is happening now? There is NATO, a military-political organization created in 1949 to destroy the USSR. At that time, NATO had 14 member states. Today, NATO has about 30 states, with several more candidates, all of whom direct their policies against Russia, the successor to the USSR.
In the countries liberated by the Red Army at great cost, monuments are being taken down, and the graves of those who gave their lives to free these nations from the fascist plague are desecrated. I was 14-15 years old when newsreels showed the real scenes of how the people of the countries
liberated from fascism greeted the Red Army soldiers with widespread joy, flowers, tears of happiness, and hugs. It was impossible to watch without tears. So what happened? Where did that joy go? How did the Red Army soldier, who gave everything he had for Bulgaria, Estonia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and all those who dreamed of liberation from fascism, turn into an occupier whose defenseless grave is now insulted?
A Call to Action
I have a question for my government: Why aren’t demands made to these countries' governments to stop this attitude toward the monuments and graves of our soldiers, who were forced by our government to liberate the accomplices of fascism and whose remains are now forever abroad, where their families cannot always visit to shed tears on their graves? The problem of the resurgence of fascism in these countries should be brought up for discussion at the UN. It's time for us to demand reimbursement for the expenses the USSR incurred in liberating them from fascism. We should also demand that the former Soviet republics repay the USSR's investments in their industry, agriculture, city construction, roads, and more. I personally saw the city of Sumgait, a major industrial center near Baku. The city of Rustavi near Tbilisi is another example. Similar cities were built in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and during the Virgin Lands Campaign. The USSR did a lot for these former republics. Let them repay their debts, especially since they have declared the successor of the USSR their enemy.
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How Will We Live Together?
I am a colonel, an Ossetian born in 1930. I want to address the sensible part of the Georgian people. I specifically mentioned my year of birth because during my childhood, youth, and even maturity, it never occurred to me that we, the Ossetians, were enemies of Georgia. Nor did I ever think that Georgia was an enemy of Ossetia. I am a historian. I graduated from the history faculty of Tbilisi University with honors, and in all my studies of Georgian history, I never came across any mention of Ossetians and Georgians being hostile towards each other. On the contrary, I read that Ossetians repeatedly joined forces with Georgians to defend Georgia from numerous enemies.
Shared History and Culture
The famous Georgian Queen Tamar was married to the Ossetian David Soslan, under whose rule Georgia reached the peak of its power in the Caucasus. Every summer, I would travel to my native Ossetian village in South Ossetia, which was surrounded by Georgian villages. I vividly remember how Georgian peasants would come to help us harvest grain in the mountains because it had to be done before the frost, which arrived much earlier in the mountains than in the lowlands where the Georgians lived.
I grew up on Georgian literature and culture. My first language was Georgian, and to this day, I consider it my native language. I fondly remember my Georgian teachers who not only gave me knowledge but also instilled in me high moral values. If I have any good qualities, they were instilled in me by the Georgian people, for which I am deeply grateful.
A Confusing Enmity
I cannot understand why my former classmates—Ushangi Lomidze, Otari Gotsiridze, Otari Maisuradze, and Gurami Bilanishvili—are now considered my enemies. Is it simply because they are Georgian and I am Ossetian? Does this mean that my many Georgian relatives are also my enemies because of their nationality? Something doesn't add up here. The entire history of the Georgian and Ossetian peoples proves that the enemies of Georgia were also the enemies of the Ossetians, and the friends of the Georgians were the friends of the Ossetians.
Close Ties and Interwoven Lives
There are more mixed marriages between Georgians and Ossetians than between Georgians and any other people in the Caucasus. There are more villages where Georgians and Ossetians live together than there are Georgian villages mixed with other nationalities. There is no other people with such close, familial, neighborly, and friendly relations with the Georgian people as the Ossetians. At least, this was the case until, in a time of social and political chaos, leaders driven by the ancient Roman principle of "divide and conquer" successfully implemented and continue to implement this strategy.
The Future: A Question of Coexistence
Today, history has posed a serious question to both the Georgian and Ossetian peoples: How will we live together in the future? We will have to live side by side, separated by barbed wire. I am more than certain that this barbed wire is not acceptable to either the Georgian or Ossetian peoples. I believe that thousands of Georgian refugees dream of returning to their native lands in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. I emphasize South Ossetia, not "Shida Kartli" or "Samachablo." They will return, but how? Will South Ossetia or Abkhazia willingly return to the embrace of the Georgian government? The answer, after all the bloodshed, especially after August 8, 2008, is a definite NO.
The Only Path Forward
The only option left is to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, establish good economic and cultural relations, and create a visa-free regime between our peoples. We must stop digging into who owes whom and how much, and then the idea expressed in the play at the Marjanishvili Theater, "I Will Return," might come true. The alternative is to continue looking at each other through barbed wire, feeling mutual hostility, forgetting the good and noble deeds our ancestors did for each other, and living in a constant state of danger.
A Call to the Georgian People
The choice is yours, my dear Georgians. The choice is yours because it was not Ossetia that attacked Georgia, but the rulers of Georgia who incited their people against the Ossetians. We must once and for all forget the myth that Ossetians are guests in Georgia and should return to their historical homeland in the North Caucasus. The question of where someone's historical homeland lies is a contentious one. No one can prove that the Georgians themselves did not come from somewhere else, and that their historical homeland is not somewhere in the Near East. A people who have lived on this land for several centuries, cultivating it, shedding sweat and blood on it, defending it together with the Georgians from external enemies, are no longer guests but rightful owners.
A Historical Perspective
This is an unpleasant truth for some ultra-patriots of Georgia, but it must be accepted. Otherwise, according to the "guest" theory, today’s Americans should have been expelled from America long ago. European colonization of that continent began in the 17th century, while the Ossetians have been in the South Caucasus for several centuries longer, even with the help of the Georgian king David the Builder.
I love Georgia no less than any Georgian because I grew up there, and I became a man there. In terms of culture and upbringing, I am more Georgian than Ossetian. My wife is Georgian. I love and respect my people. I sincerely want only good for both Georgia and Ossetia. The decisive word in this matter belongs to the Georgian people, not the Georgian government. Unfortunately, for the Georgian government and ultra-patriots, South Ossetia as a country or republic does not exist. For them, South Ossetia is "Samachablo," the domain of the bloodthirsty enemy of the Ossetians, Prince Machabeli, who aimed to destroy the Ossetians as a people, as an ethnic group.
A Call for Wisdom
But still, I believe in the wisdom of the Georgian people. In a Georgian folk song, there are words: "What is destroyed by enmity is restored by love." Isn't it time to restore what has been destroyed? The Georgian people themselves must solve this very difficult problem for Georgia. A great politician once said, "Better a bad peace than a good war." We simply need to foresee the future. And the question arises: How will we live? What will we leave for our descendants? Barbed wire? Guns aimed at each other? A constant threat of war? Hatred and enmity between our peoples? And all this, for the sake of satisfying political ambitions and pleasing a so-called overseas "friend"?
A Warning About Foreign Influences
In 1962-63, I had to serve in Cuba. I saw with my own eyes the results of this "friendship." God forbid anyone to have such a friend. Georgians need to think carefully. Why has America suddenly developed such a strong affection for this small people hidden in the Caucasus mountains? If they are so kind-hearted, why do they treat their own indigenous people so cruelly? Do some research into what the "democratic and humane" Americans did to the native inhabitants of that continent! Tens of millions were destroyed, and the survivors were driven into reservations. What makes Georgians so precious to America? The answer is simple: Russophobia. Once the need for Russophobia disappears, they will forget you forever. Although it seems you have already fulfilled your purpose. Think about it. Americans do not love anyone for free.
Reflecting on Georgian-Russian Relations
As for Georgia’s relations with Russia, I will not try to prove what Russia has meant for Georgia. Instead, I will refer to the testament of the king of Western Georgia, Solomon, to his son Alexander in the second half of the 18th century: "Here is my testament to you: Whatever happens, however wounded or offended you may be, do not turn away from Russia, for we have no other path. Only in unity with Russia is the salvation of our homeland, our people, and truly, the one who will lead Georgia and the Christian faith to ruin is the king who, driven by petty greed, deviates from this path."
Let me remind those Georgians who do not know the history of Georgia that such a united Georgia was created by the Russians in the 19th century. Before that, all of Georgia was fragmented into small kingdoms and principalities, whose rulers’ favorite pastime was weaving intrigues and betrayals against each other with the help of the Persian shah or the Turkish sultan, before whom they groveled like prayer rugs.
And one more thing: we must not forget that the entire southern part of Georgia, including Adjara, was returned to Georgia by Russian soldiers. Russian soldiers shielded Georgia from fascist invaders with their chests when they came close to Georgia's borders in the summer of 1942, of course, together with the sons of Georgia. History must be read carefully. Meanwhile, our beloved friend America has not shed a single drop of blood for the freedom of the Georgian people.
A Question of Identity
I would like to say a few words off-topic. As I mentioned, I am a historian. I graduated from the history faculty at Tbilisi University. While reading historical literature and documents, I never encountered any records where Georgia was called "Georgia" (as in "Georgia" in English). Everywhere I read "Sakartvelo," "Kakheti," "Kartli," "Imereti," and so on. Where
this "Georgia" came from, I do not understand. And if Georgia is now "Georgia," then what do we call individual Georgians? It seems this label was introduced to please our overseas friend.
Here, I can recall a wise Georgian proverb: "No matter how much you wash a crow, it won't become white." And another important piece of wisdom: "Don't lose the old road, or the old friend."
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I am a Сomrade Сolonel, born in 1930, and I grew up in Tbilisi. I graduated from the 20th Men’s School with honors and later from Tbilisi State University in 1966 with a degree in history, earning a red diploma. I mention this not to boast but because it relates directly to the relationships between Ossetians and Georgians. It’s worth noting that I was nominated for a gold medal by Nelli Kuparadze, a wonderful person whose brother commanded the Georgian division in Batumi. The red diploma was awarded after the university rector reviewed my thesis on the relationships between Ossetia and Russia in the second half of the 18th century.
The Example of My Life
Through my life, I want to show how these almost related peoples can live together peacefully and respectfully. My first teacher, Lena Ugrekhelidze, loved me like her own child. I was christened by the Karumidze family from Khashmi. The Georgian people have done much good for the Ossetians. Despite its flaws, the Soviet government did not allow hostility between nations. I never paid attention to the fact that I was Ossetian, and all my friends in school were Georgians. Of course, not everything was perfect under Soviet rule, but it was not hostile. There was unofficial discrimination, for example, with most ordinary police officers being Ossetians while only Georgians could be officers. It was impossible to advance in your career with an Ossetian surname. Many Ossetians changed their surnames to sound more Georgian, as did Greeks, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, and others.
Observations on the Dialogue Between an Ossetian and a Georgian
On November 24, I listened to a dialogue between an Ossetian and a Georgian. I hadn’t heard such a calm, almost friendly conversation between them in a long time. I liked much of what Kuparadze and his companion said, but I disagree with some points, particularly their assessment of U.S. policy. The U.S. may not be seizing foreign lands now, but they have a history of wars in Latin America and horrific crimes in Japan. I served in Cuba in 1962-63 and saw the results of American "care" for the Cubans—poverty and humiliation. And what about Guantanamo? Isn’t it Cuban territory? Why doesn’t America return Guantanamo to Cuba? There’s no need to seize a country when you can simply buy off its loudest leaders.
The Influence of the U.S. on Georgia and Ukraine
Isn’t Georgia under U.S. influence? The U.S. armed Georgia for its war against South Ossetia, encouraging them to kill each other, offering more weapons. Isn’t Ukraine under U.S. control? Why conquer what willingly falls under their boot? Georgia has been under Western and U.S. influence for 30 years. Has the Georgian people’s quality of life improved compared to their time with Russia? I know well how life was in Soviet Georgia. Today’s modern patriots shout about 200 years of occupation, but these false patriots never experienced the occupation that Russia saved Georgia from.
Reflection on Georgia's History and Current Situation
In "occupied" Georgia, there was a highly developed industry, agriculture, healthcare, culture, and education. Compare today’s Georgia with the Soviet era. Is Russia the enemy, as the slogans of the so-called patriots claim? About a million Georgians live, work, and hold respectable positions in Russia, and no one calls them enemies. Compare this with the situation of Russians in Georgia. Before 1991, there were 460,000 Russians in Georgia; now, perhaps around 50,000 remain.
In Soviet Georgia, all leadership positions, from village council chairpersons to large enterprises, from party committee secretaries to the first secretary of the Central Committee, were held by Georgians or those with Georgian surnames. Georgians even held leadership roles in the Soviet Union. So, who occupied you? You were occupied by your own corrupt leaders who became secret millionaires.
The Challenge of Georgian-Ossetian Relations
The relationship with Ossetians is complex. I recommend starting by reading the works of historian Dr. Max (Mark) Bliyev on Georgian-Ossetian relations, including figures like Machabeli, Amilakhvari, and Nugzar Eristavi. These Georgian princes, whom Russia preserved with all their privileges, used the Russian army to conquer Ossetia, resettling part of the population from South Ossetia to other regions to make it easier to destroy those left behind. Georgian nobles like Valiko Jugeli also committed atrocities against Ossetians, including the brutal killing of pregnant women. Georgians should at least apologize to the Ossetian people for the genocide they perpetrated over the centuries.
On NATO Membership and Georgia's Future
Regarding your potential NATO membership, of course, it’s your decision to join whatever you choose. But beware of cutting off your nose to spite your face. As a military man who served 30 years in air defense forces, including three years in Georgia, I can tell you that Georgia’s missile defense system won’t protect the country from an attack. However, no attack will occur unless NATO military facilities are stationed there. And if NATO defends you and destroys Russia with nuclear weapons, what will happen to Georgia when a nuclear-devastated Russia is your neighbor? Think about this before joining any alliance.
The best solution for preserving the people is military neutrality. But ultimately, the choice is yours. I’m just expressing my opinion as someone with certain knowledge about Russia’s missile and nuclear weapons.
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"How wonderful it is for those who give grand names to their trivial activities and even their petty passions, presenting them to humanity as grand feats in the name of its benefit and prosperity." — Goethe, The Sorrows of Young Werther
The Proposal for a New National Idea
WE NEED TO REVIVE THE RUSSIAN IDEA A proposal to create such an idea comes from Igor Chubais, Doctor of Philosophy, author of many scholarly and journalistic works, and initiator of the introduction of a new subject, "Russia Studies," into the Russian education system. This was reported in "World of News," pages 20-21, at the end of December. It’s undeniably a great idea. As far as I understand, this subject will cover everything about Russia: history, linguistics, landscape, geography, culture, and more. I believe introducing such a subject into the education system is a good idea. People should know the history of their country. The only question is how truthful and objective the textbooks for "Russia Studies" will be.
The Challenge of Objectivity in History
It seems to me that for the next 30-40 years, it will be impossible to create a textbook where the history of the country is presented impartially, without the influence of "Reds," "Whites," and other perspectives. For now, some historians cannot free themselves from Marxism-Leninism, while others see the Soviet period only in dark colors. I’ve heard that, at the request of Solzhenitsyn’s widow, his novel One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich was introduced into the educational system as a history textbook of our recent past. It's an interesting novel. For us Soviet people of the 1950s, it was intriguing because many of us didn't know what was happening in the camps and prisons of the country. I read it in 1964, and it certainly made an impression on us. During those years, many stories and novellas on this topic appeared. Personally, I was more struck by a novella—I can't remember which magazine—called The Bas-Relief on the Cliff. In Siberia, on a huge cliff near Baikal, a bas-relief of Stalin had to be carved so that passengers on passing trains could see the "father of the people" from the train windows. A sculptor, who was a prisoner, did this work and froze to death on that cliff while carving the bas-relief. After reading that story, I couldn’t shake it for a long time. Khrushchev proposed that One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich should be nominated for the Lenin Prize, but public opposition was strong, and Khrushchev's proposal failed.
Balancing the Narrative of Soviet History
Of course, all this happened, and the next generation needs to know the dark sides of our life. I grew up in that era and know all the "delights" of the "dictatorship of the proletariat" period firsthand. But who said the country's past should only be shown in a negative light? Was there nothing bright? Yes, there was Ivan Denisovich, but there was also engineer Krivonosov, the girl from Uzbekistan, Mamlatkat, who set a record for picking cotton. There was Chkalov, Stakhanov, the Papanin expedition, and heroic polar aviators. The Soviet people, in unbelievably difficult social and living conditions, in the hungry years of the first five-year plans, built the industrial base of our state, which enabled the country to produce enough weapons for the front during the tough years of the Great Patriotic War. In the end, there was also the mass heroism of Soviet people on the battlefield, without which victory would have been impossible.
Critique of Igor Chubais’ Proposal
However, Mr. Chubais suggests removing the Soviet years from Russia's history. An interesting idea, but first of all, you cannot erase anything from history because it's simply impossible. There was such an attempt in Egyptian history, but it was unsuccessful. It's also a bit strange to hear such proposals from a 15-year veteran of the Communist Party. After all, he graduated from a Soviet educational institution with a degree in philosophy, a component of Marxism-Leninism theory. And he received his academic degrees in this field. So by rejecting Soviet power, he would have to renounce his higher education and degrees! Yet he claims to be a Doctor of Philosophy. There seems to be a contradiction. He even received a scholarship from the Soviet government he now despises. As a historian, I sometimes don’t understand why some scholars believe Tsarist Russia was a paradise for our people. I won't argue whether that was entirely true, but I would advise these ultra-patriots to read the classic literature of the 19th century more carefully. Everything they wrote was about real life. None of them were communists like Chubais. By reading Gogol, Chekhov, Kuprin, and Leskov, among others, one can see that life wasn't that sweet for many, especially for serfs who were freed without land and fell into bondage again. By the way, lieutenant or cornet Obolensky was not a serf; such titles were not given to serfs in blessed Tsarist Russia.
Historical Context and Lessons
I would remind these defenders of the Tsarist regime of Lermontov's words: "Farewell, unwashed Russia, the land of lords, the land of slaves. And you, blue uniforms, and you, obedient people." I believe no further comment is needed. The simplest truth is this: a well-fed, clothed, and satisfied people will not revolt. This is a fact. In 1991, Soviet power collapsed because it couldn’t provide food, clothes, shoes, and appliances to the people. Everything boils down to one question: how am I living? If I live well, I love the government; if I live poorly, I hate it. Therefore, instead of erasing the Soviet period from history, we should study it thoroughly. During those times, we lived, worked, defended our homeland, and made breakthroughs in space, and our country was not considered a third-world country like it is now. Therefore, we should not just present Ivan Denisovich to our children but also the positive, patriotic, and progressive achievements of the Soviet years, so the next generation can be proud of their people's past. They should be proud of their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers and not call them "sovoks" (a derogatory term for Soviet people). This is the basis of patriotic education. We should speak of them in such a way that descendants can be proud of their forebears who built an industrial nation. Ivan Denisovich’s story should not overshadow the heroic labor of our ancestors. As for Ivan Denisovich, if Mr. Solzhenitsyn were serving his sentence today in our detention centers and colonies, the conditions Ivan Denisovich faced would seem like a holiday home.
On Patriotism and National Identity
Mr. Chubais asserts that you cannot be a patriot of both North and South Korea, even though as a people, they are united. Using this logic, he concludes that you cannot be a patriot of both Russia and the USSR. Perhaps Mr. Chubais doesn't understand that one cannot be born and raised in both North and South Korea simultaneously. This is a common tactic of those skilled in sophistry. I can say that I have loved my homeland since childhood and still love it today. I love my homeland, not the political system. And if needed, I am ready to serve my homeland just as faithfully as I did during the Soviet era. I repeat, especially for those who don’t quite get it: I serve my homeland, not the political system. Love for one’s people and country should be the guiding principle of all our actions and our national idea.
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Culture and National Identity: Lessons from the Soviet Legacy and Paths to Reconciliation
(lemmy.ml)
Reflections on Culture and National Identity
Recently, I happened to hear a respected lady, a State Duma deputy from the Communist Party (KPRF), who seems to be an actress, discussing the topic of culture on TV. She claimed that nowadays, there is culture for the rich and culture for the poor. I believe that when we discuss cultural issues, we need to be more attentive.
The Soviet Approach to National Identity and Culture
In Soviet times, we agreed that nationality did not matter in the Soviet Union; we were all Soviet. Our culture was socialist in content. The moral, ethical norms, language, religion, and spiritual world that each nation had developed over centuries were considered irrelevant to the Soviet system. This disregard for national cultures brought about severe consequences after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
I was born and grew up under Soviet rule, and it really seemed to us that nationality, customs, and traditions were relics of the past. We were all one Soviet people. The Communist Party, at its 22nd Congress, set the task of educating a new generation of people who would live in communism, free from national traits, culture, and traditions, with a communist culture and Marxist-Leninist ideology.
Lessons from the 1990s
The 1990s opened my eyes to many things. Our dismissive attitude towards the national cultures of the Soviet Union’s peoples, our lack of understanding of the spiritual world of Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, Balts, Caucasians, and others, resulted in significant strife and animosity among the nations. The turmoil of the 1990s saw many Russians in the Soviet republics and even autonomous regions of the RSFSR forced to leave Russia. This was due to the fact that many Russians, having lived in these republics for decades, did not know the local languages. Soviet rule did not emphasize learning local languages or cultures, as Russian was the state language across all republics.
Consider Soviet history textbooks. They are called "History of the USSR," yet they barely cover the history of the union republics, sometimes only a few lines in small print. We lived together, fought together in WWII, and built grand communist projects, yet we knew little about each other. Central television and radio broadcasts rarely featured content about the national cultures of the Soviet republics. Only during cultural weeks dedicated to these republics did such content appear, and in the later years, even that practice ceased.
The Current Media Landscape
Today, television is dominated by figures like Pugacheva and her family, and a few others who claim to be stars, though their light is rather dim. If only Yeltsin had studied the history and culture of the Chechens before making his disastrous decision to send tanks to Grozny, he might not have taken such a reckless step that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and severe hardship for millions. I recommend that those dealing with the North Caucasus study the works of the Russian military historian Potto V.A., as they offer many answers to today’s questions.
The current terrorist attacks in our metro are a continuation of the same war that began in 1994. The responsibility for these inhumane attacks lies with those buried with great honors in Novodevichy Cemetery. I understand the anxiety of Moscow residents and others about what the future holds. Can one safely take the metro to work or school tomorrow? The way out is to respect other people's cultures. Instead of always showcasing celebrities like Galikin, central television could feature the lives and cultures of people from the Caucasus. We should highlight their culture, including their writers, musicians, and artists, and present their way of life and ethnography. The Caucasians have made many positive contributions to Russia, yet we hear only negativity.
Bridging Cultural Gaps
We should show performances from dancers in Chechnya, Kabardino-Balkaria, Dagestan, and Ossetia on central television. By showcasing their culture to all of Russia, perhaps even those who resort to extremism might reconsider their actions. While it is true that Caucasians sometimes act inappropriately, this often stems from a defensive reaction due to feeling unappreciated and disrespected. They should also learn the language and culture of the people they live among. Mass media plays a significant role here. Xenophobia leads to bloodshed and destruction; it is an axiom.
Personal Reflection
I am also a Highlander, an Ossetian. I have lived among Russians for over 60 years and have never felt that I was treated unfairly. I converse with Russians as equals because I know Russian culture as well as any Russian. Russian writers have greatly expanded my worldview and improved my understanding of the environment. I have always admired Russian classical and folk music, and nothing compares to Russian painting. But what is most important is that the Russian people, by protecting my people, saved them from complete annihilation. To understand how deeply connected we are, one must know the history of Russia and their own people. The best way to get to know each other is through increased cultural exchange. This is the key to overcoming hostile relations.
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Yes, I am a veteran of the Soviet Army. I'm in my ninety-fourth year, a retired colonel. In 1966, I graduated with a red diploma in history from Tbilisi University by correspondence. I mention this not to boast, but so that those reading my work know who is writing. Having lived through the Great Patriotic War as a child and teenager, and having served throughout the Cold War in uniform, I believe I have the right to assess the current political situation of the country I defended—not from an office, but on the front lines. I was an air defense officer and a participant in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962-63. Readers of my work can likely imagine the moral, political, ethical, psychological, and economic challenges I've faced over my long life.
Reflections on Leadership and Democracy
I have outlived all the leaders of the Soviet Union and Russia except for Lenin and the current leader of Russia, who clings to power like a tick and refuses to give it up. I probably won't outlive him. He is an interesting personality, born in 1952, and grew up during the flourishing of Khrushchev's era. I remember this period well—a decade when the country was led by an utterly illiterate and uncultured person, who was later replaced by a land surveyor by profession. And then, who hasn't led the Soviet Union and Russia? Even a person heavily afflicted by alcoholism was elected by Russians—quite democratically!
I envy Americans when I watch their elections unfold, a real contest among candidates for the presidency. They try to speak in every state, persuading voters that their program is better than their competitor's. As for this one, I never once heard his campaign speeches. He's elected by decree from above. The State Duma is a puppet organization for him. The presidential term was extended to six years, and the constitution was changed so he could remain president for life. This begs the question: Is it a coincidence that such an element became the head of the state? Would someone else be better? No! It could have been even worse. And it's not just about him personally.
Education and Upbringing in the Soviet Era
In the Soviet Union, people's upbringing was conducted within the framework of Marxist-Leninist theory. I'm not saying whether this theory was good or bad—any theory has its flaws. But there was some foundation for an educational theory. The Great Patriotic War proved the effectiveness of such upbringing. It's no coincidence they said that our tenth graders won the war. I remember well the love for the Motherland among Soviet people. I myself wanted to go to the front. I was 11 years old when the war began.
However, from the late fifties, this once powerful educational tool began to fade. Attempts to introduce something fresh, new, and wise from the world's great minds were suppressed as anti-Soviet and bourgeois. This work doesn't allow for a detailed exposition of all that negatively impacted the upbringing of the youth. I can only say that, overall, the upbringing of youth from the fifties onwards got worse and worse, as we clearly saw from the late eighties. This is clear evidence of how our youth were raised in the latter half of the twentieth century.
Reflections on the Past
We all went through the tumultuous nineties—youth nurtured since the fifties. When the CPSU at congresses solemnly declared the complete victory of socialism, Khrushchev was already starting to build communism in our country. Meanwhile, people asked, "Why do we, the victors over fascism, live worse than the former fascists?" There was no answer. This led to the tragic collapse of such a vast state, in which our Soviet youth, born in the latter half of the past century, played a decisive role. I remember the second half of the last century well, having served in the Soviet army from 1950 to 1981.
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