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[THE FIRST GEORGIAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC - CALENDAR] demok’rat’iuli k’alendari. 1919 [i.e. Democratic Calendar. 1919]

Item #2195

[Tbilisi]: amkh. "globusis" gamotsema, [1919]. 124, [4] pp.: portraits. 17,8x11,2 cm.

In original publisher’s illustrated wrappers. Light soiling of the wrappers, tears of the spine, but otherwise in a very good condition. Extremely rare Georgian imprint. With 15 black-and-white portraits produced by the printshop of S. Sogomonyan and A. Sutchiyan. Text in Georgian.

Historically important “Democratic Calendar” issued by the Globus partnership in Tbilisi in 1919, during Georgia's brief period of independence. In 1918, the first Democratic Republic in the South Caucasus, under Socialist rule, was established in Georgia. Although it lasted less than three years, it set a remarkable precedent in the region.
The calendar, designed to raise awareness of recent developments in Georgian politics, was primarily sold in local markets and was actively destroyed after the establishment of Bolshevik rule.
The book is divided into three sections: the calendar, useful data, and literary content. The calendar highlights important Orthodox dates and includes two key socialist events: the proclamation of Georgia's independence and International Workers' Day.
The second section provides practical information on postal and telegraph fees, railway stations and prices, measurements of size, weight, and volume, as well as judicial procedures, deadlines, and costs.
The third section contains nine articles about recent advancements in Georgia, written by local Mensheviks Irakli Gomarteli, David Oniashvili, L. Asatiani, Evgeny Vatsadze, and S. Timofeev. The texts discuss the essence of democracy, self-governance, and recently enacted reforms, including land and judicial changes. An important article by Menshevik D. Oniashvili addresses the Russian Civil War and offers a scathing critique of Russian Bolsheviks: "Russia has been utterly destroyed by the Bolsheviks, to the point where even a dog would not recognize its owner. Their rule has led to the disintegration and complete destruction of the country, where anarchy now reigns." Another recurring theme is the nationalist tensions between Armenians and Georgians. In a notable commentary, Oniashvili refers to the recent Armeno-Georgian War of 1918, stating, "Armenian chauvinists initiated a national struggle." Additionally, an interesting text on labor legislation explains workers' basic rights, including regulations on workday length and conditions for dismissal. The article includes a curious note: "Such good workers' legislation might only be found in New Zealand."
The calendar features a black-and-white portrait of Noe Zhordania, the second Prime Minister of Georgia, and 12 photographs of the ministerial cabinet (Akaki Chkhenkeli, Irakli Tsereteli, Karlo Chkheidze, Noe Ramishvili, Noe Khomeriki, Giorgi Eradze, Valiko Jugheli, Grigol Giorgadze, Shalva Meskhishvili, Ivane Gomarteli, Evgeni Gegechkori, Silibistro Jibladze). All these politicians either went into exile or were executed following the Red Army's invasion of Georgia. There are also two photos of Vladimir Goguadze, the commander of the armored trains of the Georgian People's Guard, and Arsen Mamulaishvili, a noted Georgian pedagogue.
Overall, historically important and extremely rare survival from Georgia's brief period of independence.

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