Bookvica

[THE FIRST AND ONLY ISSUE OF A CONTROVERSIAL GEORGIAN MAGAZINE] akhali k’avk’asioni: organo sruliad sakartvelos mts’eralta k’avshirisa [i.e. New Caucasus Mountain Range: An Organ of All-Georgian Union of Writers]

Item #2212

Tbilisi: S. M. U. S. p’oligrapt’rest’is me-2 st’amba, 1925. #1-2 [and all published]. 264, 138, [2] pp. 25,2x17 cm.
In original publisher’s printed wrappers. Soiling of the wrappers, the upper right corner of the rear wrapper neatly rebacked, but otherwise in a very good condition.
Very rare. 1 of 1,500 copies. Text in Georgian. Edited by the Georgian historian and philologist Pavle Ingorokva (1893-1983).

The only issue of the Georgian literary magazine “New Caucasus,” published by the Union of Writers of the Georgian SSR in 1925. The magazine served as a continuation of the 1924 “Caucasus” periodical, which was shut down by the government the previous year on charges of chauvinism. “New Caucasus” met a similar fate, likely discontinued due to its subtle critiques of the Soviet regime and the publication of works by anti-Soviet authors.
The issue is divided into six sections: Georgian Fiction, Foreign Fiction, Letters on Literature and Art, Science and Philosophy, Memoirs and Documents, and Bibliography. In the introductory article, the editorial board outlines its political stance, emphasizing a commitment to collaborate with the Soviet government to advance Georgian language and literature. The board proceeds to criticize the Soviet regime’s decision to shut down its predecessor, “Caucasus,” remarking: “The fear that the expansive Russian culture would overshadow the Georgian one was natural and devoid of any chauvinistic tendencies.” The article further addresses the Soviet government's shortcomings, acknowledging: “We wouldn’t be sincere if we didn’t recognize that, alongside significant achievements, there are also serious flaws—something the government itself does not deny.”
The “Georgian Fiction” section showcases works by prominent figures of 1920s Georgian literature, including Grigol Tsetskhladze, Ioseb Grishashvili, Konstantine Mayashvili, Sandro Abasheli, Shalva Dadiani, Niko Lortqipanidze, Sandro Shanshiashvili, Solomon Tavadze, Ivane Yipiani, and Iona Vakeli. Provocatively, it includes an excerpt from Konstantine Gamsakhurdia’s newly-issued controversial novel “The Smile of Dionysus.” At the time, Gamsakhurdia was under intense Soviet surveillance after being arrested a year earlier for his anti-Communist views. Hostile to the Soviet rule, he was, nevertheless, one of the few Georgian writers to have survived the Stalin-era repressions, despite exile to a White Sea island and several arrests.
The “Letters on Literature and Art” section includes interesting texts on Ilia Chavchavadze, Akaki Tsereteli and the Georgian theatre. Especially important is Vakhtang Kotetishvili’s article on the 1925 exhibition of Georgian artists. Kotetishvili observes the limited presence of Georgian Leftist movements, noting: “The avoidance of this childish sentiment should be considered a positive sign.” He also delivers a pointed evaluation of Irakli Gamrekeli, a key figure in the Georgian avant-garde movement, remarking: “His style is inconsistent. The conflict between a realistic self-portrait and a cubist approach is evident. While the artist is talented, greater attention to coherence is needed.”
The “Bibliography” section offers a detailed review of recent Georgian publications, singling out Mikheil Javakhishvili’s “Short Stories” for high praise. Javakhishvili, who had been imprisoned and sentenced to death a year earlier for his role in a patriotic rebellion, narrowly avoided execution thanks to the intervention of his close friend and editor of this magazine, Pavle Ingorokva. Despite this narrow escape, Javakhishvili was ultimately executed in 1937, and his works were suppressed for nearly two decades.
The issue also includes a notable review of David Kakabadze’s modernist edition “Paris. 1920-1923.” The author, “V. K.” harshly criticizes the work, stating: “The book is excellently published. According to its appearance, you might expect the content to match, but unfortunately, you are left with a poverty of thought wrapped in a precious jewel.”
The other sections feature Georgian translations of foreign works (Goethe, Valery Brusov, Vsevolod Ivanov), scientific articles by Dimiti Uznadze and Ivane Chavakhishvili, memoirs by Iakob Nikoladze, etc.
Overall, the only issue of the Georgian literary magazine “New Caucasus.”
No copies found in Worldcat.

Price: $1,250.00