Georgian-Russian relations: the role of discourses and narratives

On December 17th, the Heinrich Boell Foundation Tbilisi Office – South Caucasus Region organized an online presentation of a publication and discussion on Georgian-Russian relations.

The focus of the event was on the role of discourses and narratives in the Georgian debate about Russia and Russian discussion on Georgia.

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banner of the event

We discussed following questions:

What are the main narratives about Russia in Georgia under the United National Movement (2003-2012) and Georgian Dream (since 2012)? When does the Russian factor resurface in Georgia’s political discourse, and why do Georgian political actors use and abuse pro-Russian labelling against their opponents?

Otar Kobakhidze, Editor-In-Chief, Civil.ge

What are the main narratives about Russia in Georgia? - Heinrich Boell Foundation South Caucasus

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How consistent are the discourses about Georgia in Russia? What aim do they have, and what political effects do they produce? What it means to be “pro-Russian” or “anti-Russian” in Georgia, given the variety of discourses coming from Russia and differently instrumentalized in the Georgian context?

Andrey Makarychev, University Professor of Tartu

Andrey Makarychev: How consistent are the discourses about Georgia in Russia? - Heinrich Boell Foundation South Caucasus

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What were the key narratives regarding Russian-Georgian relations as produced by the Russian state media in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic?

Alexandra Yatsyk, Tartu University, Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies/ Lille University, IRHIS

Key narratives on Russian-Georgian relations, produced by the Russian state media - Heinrich Boell Foundation South Caucasus

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Moderator: Dr. Stefan Meister, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)

Opening remarks: Dr. Sonja Schiffers, Director, Heinrich Boell Foundation Tbilisi Office – South Caucasus Region