Since 2009 the South Caucasus Regional Office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation, together with its international and local partners, has been implementing projects on coming to terms with the Soviet legacy in Georgia. Although Georgia is making great efforts, such as opening Soviet archives, there is still a long way to go. Many Georgians, especially the young, lack reliable knowledge about their country’s past.
On April 15th the Heinrich Boell Foundation organized a presentation at the National Library of the Parliament of Georgia to mark the donation of a collection of publications and academic papers on Soviet history (download list of books) to the National Parliamentary Library. Mr. Boris Belenkin, representing “Memorial,” attended the presentation and talked about the importance of such publications. Wide access to the publications telling about Soviet history, the victims of Stalin’s terror, acts of repression and fear will support young Georgian researchers, scholars and general public in shaping perceptions about undemocratic and totalitarian regimes. Remembering this past will contribute to Georgia’s democratic development.