Perspectives on the development of Georgian-Ossetian relations in cultural and scientific context were discussed during a three-day international conference held at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) on October 13-15.
Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze; Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Lia Gigauri; State Minister for Reconciliation, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili; Georgian President’s advisor on religious and ethnic minorities issues, Sophio Shamanidi; Georgian and foreign scientists, students, representatives of governmental, non-governmental and international organizations, as well as experts on conflict issues attended the opening of the 2nd international conference.
The main purpose of the conference titled “Perspectives on the Development of Georgian-Ossetian Relations: Principles and Methodology of Researching the Narth Epos” was to help Georgian-Ossetian relations move to a new stage, as well as to facilitate modern interdisciplinary research. The participants of the conference discussed a wide range of issues, among them folklore, literature, linguistics, economics, conflictology, gender research, human rights, history of Georgian-Ossetian relations and modern problems, migration, etc.
Six sections worked at the conference, including student section and roundtable for young scientists.
The conference was organized by the Scientific Research Center for Georgian-Ossetian Relations at TSU.
Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze said that “the conference has a very interesting format. The university has a great tradition of learning Ossetian language and literature. It was Giorgi Akhvlediani, who began to learn the Ossetian language upon Ivane Javakhishvili’s initiative. The TSU Center for Georgian-Ossetian Relations is working in many directions. Georgian-Ossetian and Ossetian-Georgian phrasebooks and Ossetian fairy tales have been released. This is the sphere, where we can and want to restore relations in order to conduct joint scientific work, to establish and deepen contacts between young scientists. Similar measures are the best means for public diplomacy.”
“This is a very important event as it discusses the perspectives of Georgian-Ossetian relations in cultural context. The issue of researching the Narth Epos is related to such values which unite Georgian and Ossetian peoples. Today, when a part of our territory is occupied, when the Tskhinvali Region is separated by barbed wires and a grave conflict-related experience distances us from each other, it is very important to speak and do more in respect of those factors, which unite us,” State Minister for Reconciliation, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said.
Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Lia Gigauri focused on the opportunities of getting education in the Ossetian language. She said: “Education has a huge importance for restoration of Georgian-Ossetian relations. A number of steps have already been taken in this direction. Our state policy is oriented to providing universal access to education and integration of ethnic minorities.”
The Scientific Research Center for Georgian-Ossetian Relations has been functioning at TSU for already two years with the support of the President of Georgia. “We understand very well how important this center is and we will do our best to support its activities. I think that nowadays it is the most important and result-oriented field, where it is possible to talk about Georgian-Ossetian relations,” Georgian President’s advisor on religious and ethnic minorities issues, Sophio Shamanidi said.
Naira Bepiev, head of the Center for Georgian-Ossetian Relations, said: “The conference actually restores the cultural tradition, which always existed between Georgian and Ossetian peoples. TSU will again become the cultural-educational center throughout the Caucasus and will again perform the role it used to play over the past years.”
