“We named our association the Georgian-European Society to make our position clear, both within Georgia and beyond its borders. We have communicated our stance through all channels to everyone – that we choose the European path and will always remain on this path, because salvation lies in Europe, not in Russia which remains stuck in previous centuries, with its form of governance. That’s why we gathered – it turned out to be a large meeting for a small city, with more than 50 people attending, despite the holidays,” says Jimsher Bedianashvili, head of the Georgian-European Society and the Georgian diaspora in Bielefeld, who has been living in this small German city for years.
Despite the small number of Georgians living in Bielefeld, the local diaspora joined the protests against the Russian law, and recently – also in response to the violation of vote secrecy in Georgia, violence, and other widely circulated video footage.
“I’ve been living in Germany for 27 years – I haven’t seen what they accuse it of. On the contrary, Europe represents democracy, freedom – everything that’s important for us and our homeland. It’s important that everyone goes to vote, choose anyone – except for pro-Russian parties. Forget personal grievances and goals, think about the future, children, grandchildren – and what will happen tomorrow, everyone should go vote.
I observe the events – the intimidation through war threats is unacceptable. A new conflict would be more problematic for Europe – why else would they send so much aid to Georgia? War in Georgia would be their concern, their worry, and additional expense – there’s no way Europe wants more war here. There are pro-Russian forces saying that they supposedly want new hotbeds of war. It’s nonsense to even think about it – it doesn’t fit into any rational thinking. How could they want another war zone alongside Ukraine? Europe needs a peaceful, democratic, calm Georgia.
From what I see and carefully listen to their discussions – for Europe, Georgia has always been a guarantor of stability in the Caucasus. A lot depends on Georgia. You know what has been happening in the Caucasus during these years – naturally, Europe prefers a stable Georgia rather than a chaotic and uncertain one. A free, stable, and independent Georgia is the guarantee of stability in the region.
Now, the prospect of EU membership has moved backward – the government did everything for this to happen. As soon as this stops and Georgia continues on the democratic path, the EU will gladly return to that support. How can you push back everything that’s important for us like this?
Regarding the number of polling stations, there are very few, and for those who have come and lived here for years – it’s difficult to travel long distances, but we and others – we organized transportation – we arranged cars, for those who want to participate in elections – minibuses, buses – anyone can contact us and we’ll take them. It would have been good if many polling stations had opened, but it wasn’t fulfilled, it wasn’t done. People are motivated and we’ll do everything so that whoever wants to vote – we’ll do everything so they can participate.
If someone contacts us, we help each other and ask around – some have three seats, some two, some more – we gather those who want to come. Personally, I have four free seats to take someone along.
So, I hope that the government will change. Most importantly, we need to change this widespread distrust and contempt – this is the most important thing, we want trust and love. Every person should contribute to this – regardless of whether they can do a lot or little, whatever they can.
Finally, I wish for Georgia to regain the dignity it has always had.”
The organization was founded in 2003 and its goals are to preserve national-cultural identity and native language in the Georgian diaspora, support expats, promote Georgian culture abroad, and deepen German-Georgian relations. The society runs a Sunday school where Georgian language and literature, and Georgian history are taught. The diaspora also periodically publishes the newspaper “Iveria,” in honor of the newspaper “Iveria” first published by Ilia Chavchavadze in 1877.
