Project title: Overcoming disinformation and nostalgia surrounding Stalin: A new identity for the city of Gori - Stage 2

Supported by: Georgian Information Integrity Program(GIIP) / USAID

Budget: GEL 47,310

Duration: 02.05.2022 -  26.07.2022

Disinformation narratives that are primarily based on the sentiments and nostalgia towards Stalin in Shida Kartli have been passed down from generation to generation and continue to play a key role in the region's identity and self-identification. Due to the constant instrumentalization of Stalin's legacy, the region is still nurtured by the myths surrounding Stalin.

Considering the above-mentioned issue,  it is important to contribute to the de-escalation of the deepening nostalgia towards Stalin and Soviet times and to intervene in passing on these views to future generations without any critical approach. The identity of Gori being this intertwined with Stalin’s figure (both internal and external perceptions) does not allow the citizens to imagine a different positioning of their region or alternative means of developing its tourism potential. The project’s approach is to not only deliver the idea to the local population but more importantly, to incorporate them, as the main audience of the project, in creating and upholding this renewed narrative.

As an outcome, an alternative visual platform will be created. Hence, the project will highlight hitherto unknown people, locations, places of memory of trauma and triumph, and important moments in the (pre-Soviet or independent to Soviet regime) history of the city. While creating and promoting the materials, the local youth and vulnerable groups (e.g.IDP people) will be engaged and informed on the development of the project making their city’s historical identity relevant for them. As a result, the local stories, merits, narratives of trauma, and victories become important driving forces and the central element of social identity in the center of Shida Kartli.

In the second stage of the project, the short stories will be created based on the research materials collected by now. Moreover, the visual materials will be incorporated into the short infographic videos based on the stories and archival research. The second stage of the project will provide the materials that will then be printed and located around the city, marked with QR codes. The online and physical spaces are meant to popularise the alternative and at times forgotten history of the city/region among the local population and the guests of the city.

The project will also contribute to the generational dialogue, engaging the teachers and students in discussing their city, its unique history, and alternative identity. The “identity map” and corresponding informational banners/items displayed across the town will serve as a starting point for kicking off the dialogue.

The product of the project will be sustainable insofar as the physical map will be disseminated in public and so will be the digital map. The product  ( in a physical form across the city and online format) will be available for the tourist groups, local teachers and interested part of the society at any given moment.

Project Objectives

- Contribute to the greater knowledge of and awareness about the alternative history of Gori / Shida Kartli and replacing the figure of Stalin as an element of pride;

- new identity map and narratives have a long-standing impact on the stories that are told about the region and the locations and items throughout the city become to serve as a starting point for the dialogue about the city’s alternative (from that where Stalin is the central figure)  history;

- Create a new (online and physical) “identity map” based on the city’s history, superseding the figure of Stalin as the most important source of pride;

- Engage locals in re-discovering city’s new identity;

- Highlight hitherto unknown people, locations, places of memory of trauma and triumph, and important moments in the (pre-Soviet or independent to Soviet regime) history of the city.

Project activities:

- Researching the history of Shida Kartli and its inhabitants, important historical events, and places;

- Compose short stories based on historical and sociological research;

- Record the local respondents to be incorporated in the short videos (2 videos);  Production of the Videos and infographics (5 videos);

- Hold meetings/discussions with the local community about the identified stories/places; 

- Create an online host platform (entry on the website);

-  Identifying the relevant locations in the city with the local representatives and researchers;