Public Lecture by Historian Valeri Vashakidze at GTU

A public lecture by Doctor of Historical Sciences Valeri Vashakidze – “Perception of State Territory in Medieval Georgian Society” – was held for students at the Georgian Technical University, within the framework of the cultural-educational program “Georgian Identity”.

The event was organized by the Scientific Research Center of Theology and the Laboratory for Research on Christian Culture of the Georgian Technical University, with the “Logos – International Center for Christian Research”.

The public lecture, moderated by an Academician of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, Editor-in-Chief of the “Explanatory Dictionary of the Georgian Language”, linguist Avtandil Arabuli, was attended by students of various faculties of GTU, professors, Dean of the Faculty of Law and International Relations, Associate Professor Ivane (Mamuka) Giorgadze and other invited persons.

As Dr. Valeri Vashakidze noted, the territory of any state is not an indefinite geographical environment, and the process of its formation continues over a long period.

According to him, a specific state territory is the property of a particular ethnic group. The researcher reviewed the history of the Georgian state territory formation, spoke about the importance of statehood and the perception of the state territory by Georgian society in different centuries, and in this context, focused on the peculiarities of the perception of the state territory by Georgian society in the Middle Ages, the consciousness of social groups, about the state territory as an icon of memory, and reviewed the key and turning points of public life at that time.

The scientist shared several interesting facts and events from the history of medieval Georgia with the audience, which are particularly important in shaping the national identity of the Georgian people, and also answered the students’ questions. 

As the Dean of the Faculty of Law and International Relations of the Georgian State University noted at the end of the public lecture, the joint project of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences and the Patriarchate of Georgia – “Georgian Identity” aims to provide young people with knowledge and analysis of the history of Georgia.

According to him, the public lecture series, dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of Christianity’s declaration as the state religion, provides great assistance to young people in understanding the history and cultural heritage of Georgia. Lectures raise national self-awareness in the formation and development of national values and a state vision and provide comprehensive information about Georgia’s achievements over the centuries, the most important historical facts and events, and relations established within and outside the country.

For information, in 2026 Georgia will celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the declaration of Christianity as the state religion. In connection with this date, under the leadership of scientists and cultural figures, with the support of the Patriarchate of Georgia and the Georgian National Academy of Sciences, a three-year cultural and educational program – “Georgian Identity” was launched in May 2024. The goal of the program, with the involvement of the public, is to analyze the most important stages of history that have defined the unique culture and values of Georgia.

Video recordings of the public lectures can be viewed on the YouTube channel.