“A healthy society is one that is aware of what’s going on” – Interview

Georgia is facing serious political tensions, dealing with an undermined democracy and finding itself in the crosshairs of Russian propaganda. That was accompanied by large-scale protests, where especially the youth is an increasingly important voice. They are faced with the decision of whether to emigrate for better prospects or to try to work within their own homeland to combat long-established broken systems and Russian propaganda.

We talked to Tamar, a young student from Georgia. After a rather quiet time during her school years, university changed her life completely. She became politically active and started to take an interest in the issues facing her country. Then she was accepted onto the Erasmus programme, which broadened her horizons even further.

Meggie: Where did you go for Erasmus?

Tamar: I was in Kaunas, Lithuania. I met a lot of nice people and was in a debate club there. The reason why my life became so active was that I started learning German as well. Georgia and Germany have really close ties in terms of education. Germany offers us many possibilities, master’s and bachelor’s programs, long and short-term exchanges, sometimes with scholarships. I took part one-month-long exchange in Germany. There was a summer school where we had non-formal activities along with formal activities. Also, we can go to Germany for student jobs for three full months. I did it two times. After I finished my first year at university, I went to Germany – that was my first experience abroad. Along with working, I explored the European country and its culture. It was the first time I had been on my own.

Meggie: What differences did you experience when you were abroad?

Tamar: The quality of life is… different.

Meggie: Which aspects?

Tamar: The economic aspect is very important. One of the main reasons why Georgian students often go to Germany for three-month programs is because of the difference in currency. You do not have much responsibility or do a lot, but as a student, you can earn the amount that can be enough to last a whole year. This aspect is really tangible.

Secondly, you have these European values and more freedom in some aspects. Not only that, but you find yourself in a completely different environment. I can bring up one thing that was really new for me — I mean, I already knew about this, but I was not used to this. In Europe, there are no stray dogs. It was something I was really pleased with.

Meggie: Was there a special event that sparked your interest?

Tamar: Georgia received the EU candidate status more than one year ago, and everything was going pretty normally until one day, our government adopted the so-called “Russian law.” What matters is that the prerequisites and some of the aspects of this law don’t correspond with EU legislation. But if you want to integrate into the big family of the EU, you have to fulfil some parts of the main law. So all of a sudden, everything changed, and a lot of protests began.

At the beginning, I understood really little about it. There was a lot of information coming in, saying that Russian propaganda is getting stronger in Georgia, we somehow distorted our way to the EU, and a lot of things will change for the worse. It was all accompanied by sanctions from EU countries.

To this day, our government is called pro-Russian, and it’s showing some tendencies of autocracy. There are also talks about that our government might ban opposition political parties — I don’t know if it’s real — but if it does, it will mean that democracy is dead. Our government has been in power for more than 12 years right now, which I think is absolutely not normal for a democratic country. The more power you have and the longer you stay in government, the more you want and accumulate power.

Meggie: Were you participating in the protests?

Tamar: Yes. I remember, my family was really intimidated for me to go protesting because of the raids — policemen were coming in front and pulling them [protestors] down. It was kind of dangerous. There were police everywhere; sometimes violent acts occurred as well, from both sides. I cannot blame only one side; it was huge, chaotic.

So, they didn’t want me to go there, but I could feel that something was really wrong. No one is really able to explain the whole situation, because there is so much propaganda and misinformation. But something told me that something was really, really wrong, so I had to be there with my peers, with fellow students, with fellow Georgians, who were standing there, protesting in a cold winter. I managed to sneak out twice. These raids wouldn’t start until late at night, so I was standing there until then.

Meggie: What is the hardest thing, and what’s the most beautiful thing about living here in Georgia? It does not necessarily have to be about politics.

Tamar: I will start with the hardest. You said it’s not necessary to be about politics, but it is intertwined. The complicated neighborhood of Georgia, living under the constant threat of the big, powerful country that’s called Russia, the territorial disputes, economic crisis… Georgia is a small country, and every little change that occurs in the international arena directly affects us in economic, political, and social ways. Also, the governmental autocratic tendencies and decreasing living quality.

Talking about beauty… I mean, I am really subjective, because I grew up here. I have a sense of identity as a Georgian. The people we grow around share the same values and mentality, and we share the history of the things we went through together. We have the same collective experience. Other cultural elements, like your culture and traditions, are really valuable; they make being Georgian beautiful for me too.

Meggie: Do you think there might be a solution?

Tamar: So, the solution is actually not in your hands, because Russia occupied the territory. And it’s unimaginable to talk about this to Russia; there is no diplomacy. But also the huge gap between the people – they hate us, we clearly don’t hate them. It is a big pain for Georgians, because those were the people with whom we lived along the centuries. And now they hate us to the point that they refuse to even have a diplomatic contact. The tragic day we commemorate the loss of this territory and received so many refugees, when the whole historic episode of bloodshed ended – this day, they celebrate as a day of independence. There are completely different narratives.

Meggie: What is the hardest thing to understand for people who do not experience living under an autocratic regime?

Tamar: I have to start with that, I think the success of the country is not dependent on the size. You are evaluated, and you’re cherished with policy and values that you embrace. But when you are a small country, you have to put in more effort to be seen and obtain some kind of importance in the international arena. To be cherished and respected by other big countries. But in our situation, these relationships deteriorate to the point that other big countries look at us skeptically. And then the country loses these minimal possibilities that it has of education, development, partnership, etc. That is the real tragedy.

Meggie: Do you plan to stay in Georgia, or do you want to leave one time because of the regime?

Tamar: Well, I am a really positive person, and I always try to think optimistically. And I really want to stay in my country. It is the place where I grew up, where my heart is. I want to contribute my part to the growth and progress of this country. I will obtain experience abroad, particularly in my field, International Relations and Diplomacy. If I am successful and gain enough power and possibilities, I can change something positive on my own. I would rather put effort and contribute positively to this country than run away and think only about my own well-being. I want everyone to live in peace and everyone to have hope for a better future.

Meggie: And what gives you hope?

Tamar: The hope is the youth. We can change the situation for the better. I truly believe that they are the people who embrace this democratic, tolerant culture, which could develop the country and take it out of the swamp. I don’t want to refer like this to my country, but I mean it symbolically. The hope is, that the youth is aware of the power of education and the integration of friendship diplomacy. And in the end, it is also myself. The hope emerges from my capability to conduct positive changes.

Meggie: Thank you so much. That was great.