Two Neighboring Countries and Their Shared Eternal Values (Tamar Parchukıdze’s Poem Double Prayer)

Abstract

Turkey and Georgia are neighboring countries with a long history and ongoing interaction. This interaction has not been limited to political and commercial relations; it has also left deep traces in cultural fields such as art, literature, music, and religion. Especially from the late 19th century onward, Georgia—positioned as a border region between the Ottoman and Russian Empires—served as an important cultural bridge and frontier zone for Turkey.

This article analyzes the cultural, historical, and religious interactions between Turkey and Georgia within a literary framework, focusing on the Georgian poet Tamar Parchukidze’s poem “ორგვარი ლოცვა” (Double Prayer). While the poem portrays peaceful coexistence through shared prayer rituals in a world where Christianity and Islam meet, it also emphasizes the intertwining of collective historical memory, shared spaces, and religious symbols. The use of important places such as Narikala, Tbilisi, Mecca, and Jerusalem as symbols with poetic meaning demonstrates how geography and intercultural dialogue are transformed into a lyrical narrative.

In the poem, the religious symbolism of Christianity and Islam—and the relationship between the two faiths—take on a distinct poetic form. By juxtaposing Christian and Muslim rituals, and blending the imagery of a mosque, a church, and the sounds of prayer and adhan, the poem becomes a cultural mosaic.

Tamar Parchukidze’s poem Double Prayer goes beyond a mere individual prayer or religious text, becoming a poetic reflection of the cultural ties that have existed for centuries between Turkey and Georgia. The poem demonstrates that different faith systems, such as Christianity and Islam, can peacefully coexist. Tamar Parchukidze’s poetry clearly exemplifies the power of literature to transcend political boundaries and create emotional bridges between people.