article Georgians in Turkey in the book of articles, letters and essays by Prof. Tariel Putkaradze "lots of Things Together"

Abstract

The article presents the position of Prof. Tariel Putkaradze on problematic issues related to the indigenous population of historical Tao-Klarjeti and the descendants of Muhajir Georgians who fled to Turkey as a result of the Russian-Ottoman wars in the 2nd half of the 19th century, based on the materials collected in his book of articles, letters and essays (“Many Things Together”). Author of the letters:

1. He considers it possible to “save Georgians from inevitable assimilation” in the sphere of Turkish influence by knowing their mother tongue, which implies both the study of the Georgian literary language and the “preservation of the dialects” of the Georgians in Turkey; this was precisely the goal of the dialectological expeditions carried out in the historical Tao-Klarjeti region under the leadership of Prof. Tariel Putkaradze.
2. Holds both the Georgian and Turkish states equally responsible for preserving the identity of the ethnic Georgian population of Turkey; In this regard, the Turkish government's law on permitting the study of the Georgian language was important, as well as the concern for the restoration of the Georgian monuments of Tao-Klarjeti, which was determined by both "activated tourist interests" and the interest of Georgians and scientific circles in these monuments in Turkey;
3. He sees the basis for the survival of the linguistic-ethnic identity of autochthonous minorities in the availability of proper education and objective research results, and that Turkish and Georgian colleagues should "jointly create a shared vessel" for the survival of Georgian culture and identity;
4. Focusing on what we, Christian and Muslim Georgians, have in common: blood, historical memory, land, traditions, mother tongue, and literary culture.
5. The issue of Turkish Georgians is discussed in direct connection with the relationship between Georgia and Turkey, which should be based on the geopolitical interests of sides, good neighborliness, and the reality established by academic research.

The Georgians in Turkey, featured in Prof. Tariel Putkaradze's book of articles, letters, and essays, "Many Things Together," are well-oriented citizens; they constitute a reliable force that should give impetus to the development of healthy relations between Georgia and Turkey.