Will Anthroposophy still be possible in Georgia in the future?
An interview conducted by the Anthroposophical Society in Germany (AGiD).
Government elections were held in Georgia a few weeks ago. This confirmed a government course that has taken a much more Russia-friendly course for the country. One of the most controversial political initiatives is a Russian-style law that requires foreign-funded organizations to register and fear increasing repression. This has partly existential effects on the anthroposophical institutions in Georgia, which maintain contacts with Germany and Europe, among other things, and are thus also financially supported by the "West." Nikoloz Kanchaveli, who, together with many like-minded people and with the support of members of the AGiD in Georgia, has set up the anthroposophical youth initiative "Youth Society Parzival", reports on the current state of the country and the effects on his initiative.
Sebastian Knust: Georgia is currently experiencing a strong political upheaval. Can you describe what is happening right now?
Nikoloz Kanchaveli: I started answering these questions two weeks ago. I probably thought that not so much would change, but today is December 9, 2024, and so far, the political situation in Georgia is deteriorating day by day. That's why I had to correct a lot of things and almost rewrite them.
First of all, I would like to describe the sequence of events: after the ruling Georgian Dream party introduced the law on "foreign influence" in the spring, the political situation became tense, as it is a law that can be used to gain control over all organizations financed from abroad. If you receive more than 20% of your income from abroad, organizations – mainly NGOs – are declared as "foreign agents" who would act in the interests of non-Georgian actor parties.
We hoped for a change in government in the form of the elections, which took place on October 26, 2024, but the old government was confirmed. The opposition speaks of election fraud, and international observers also doubt the outcome of the election. Complete frustration and nihilism then spread among us. We thought that nothing new would happen, but soon, our de facto Prime Minister announced that he would stop negotiations with the European Union until 2028. In addition, the new government decided to remove from the education system all literary works related to uprisings or conflicts between Georgia and Russia.
The prime minister's statement was met with great indignation. Since November 28, large demonstrations have been taking place daily in various cities, especially in Tbilisi. Up to 200,000 citizens take to the streets every day and demand new elections to get rid of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the informal oligarch ruler of the "Georgian Dream.” The people are fighting to be a part of the EU. The majority of the population of Georgia sees itself as part of Europe since the history and spiritual background of Georgia are closely linked to Europe.
The demonstrations, which have been going on for the twelfth day, are dispersed almost daily by violent police with gas and water cannons. We are now so used to tear gas that we no longer show any reaction. At the same time, the authorities have arrested about 500 demonstrators, mostly young people. To be arrested means to be forcibly dragged into cars and beaten by special forces. In addition, informal, probably hired groups formed in the streets of Tbilisi, which physically attacked the active participants of the demonstrations.
Now, the situation seems that the Georgian authorities are in a hurry to quickly bring Georgia under the full influence of Russia. There is very strong propaganda that is trying to blame the demonstrators for the violence and thus establish increasingly authoritarian measures. Georgia is currently facing a really big test! I don't want to make any radical assessments, but it seems obvious to me that Russia has begun a (so far) non-physical conquest of Georgia through the "Georgian Dream."
SK: What influence do the political developments have on the Youth Society Parzival and the entire anthroposophical movement in Georgia?
NK: During the legislative periods of the "Georgian Dream," they managed, step by step, to bring all the essential areas of the state (economic sector, church, state, etc.) under their control. Only those civil, public companies that are not directly dependent on state funding and have predominantly funds from abroad are disobedient to them. That's why they legalized the "Agent of Foreign Influence" law back in August. As a result, they will be able to subjugate all of these organizations. Almost all anthroposophical initiatives in Georgia are united in this area.
The situation of all free-thinking organizations will be much more difficult under this government. Especially if you express a different opinion publicly, we fear that the existence and work of this organization can be stopped very easily by various mechanisms. I do not rule out that one day, the term "anthroposophy" will simply become a problem and that, for this reason, people will begin to fight against anthroposophical initiatives. Even now, under the increasingly authoritarian conditions, it is difficult to maintain and develop a work that, by its very nature, implies freedom.
Currently, many anthroposophical initiatives have not been registered within the framework of the existing law, including us. This means that we can then expect fines and a subsequent registration obligation.
SK: You are also politically active. How do you go about it, what experiences do you have?
NK: Despite this politically critical situation, the activities in the Youth Society Parzival are going well. It is difficult to act in this situation because we invest a lot of energy in political issues and activities. Regardless of this, we do our best not to stop our work so that we can maintain our inner balance despite the difficult times and move forward with the work we have started. This, in turn, is of great importance for the future.
This is also an experience: we have to face the real danger of the future and overcome fear. We think and act as far as possible with the awareness of various consequences so that this crisis does not cause great damage to our initiative. In general, the crisis has also developed many healthy social forms in society. Especially among young people, there is a different kind of empathy and mutual support that seems to be becoming the basis of future social life.
Against this background, we are becoming increasingly aware of how important the existence of anthroposophical youth initiatives is not only in Georgia but worldwide. It helps to overcome such remnants of the past – in this case, the Bolshevik past. If we look at the process with a spiritual eye, we must physically fight at that moment against the forces that do not want the person to stay in the present and go into the future. These are forces whose presence directly threatens the development of a healthy form of society in the future and spares no effort.
SK: How can we in Germany support the challenges in Georgia and especially at the Youth Society Parzival in a positive way?
NK: It is important to first give ourselves the chance to make our current situation clear to other people. So thank you for the opportunity to write this article. The coming days will reveal more about what the further development of our situation and the next steps will look like.
What we need at this moment, and what is always important for organizations like ours, is that we do not forget the human and business connection to Europe and the people there. We need constant cooperation with people who are our soulmates. It is important that we, the "Parzival Youth Society," always have a lively relationship and communication with you, even if our government is closing its relationship with this world more and more. That's what we really need!
On a physical level, we need your support when we are faced with certain financial sanctions (fines).
The problem that manifests itself today in political form is not only the problem of our country or just the problem of "Parzival" it is the current epochal question, and it feels as if the whole world is in crisis. That is why it is important at this time to find ways together and cooperatively so that the raw, radical forces do not completely get out of hand and maintain the necessary momentum for the future.
SK: Thank you very much for the interview and a lot of strength for the coming time!
If you would like to support the work of the Youth Society Parzival, you can donate to the Anthroposophical Society in Germany. We will then forward them to Georgia:
Donation account:
IBAN: DE51 4306 0967 0010 0845 05
Bank: GLS-Bank
Donation goal: Youth Society Parzival
Photo: Tbel Abuselidze