The Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) presents the third Memorial Album dedicated to the distinguished political figure of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France, Akaki Tchkhenkeli (1874-1959).
On the wall to the left of the entrance door in the great hall of the Chateau in the Leuville estate, you willsee a photograph depicting an important state event dated February 25, 1921. The Head of the GeorgianLegation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Akaki Tchkhenkeli, together with the Chief ofState Protocol, goes to present the credentials to the Chairman of the French National Council, AlexandreMillerand, in a protocol ritual. The photo evokes a strong symbolic emotion because, on the same day,the Bolshevik army invaded our homeland and managed to occupy our country despite several months ofbrave resistance. - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of France, Gotcha Javakhishvili.
Akaki Tchkhenkeli is visiting the Elysee Palace. February 25, 1921
Photo from a French newspaper
Akaki Chkhenkeli's political career spanned six decades, and, for him, interests of Georgia were always of the utmost importance. Back in the Russian Deliberative Duma, Akaki Chkhenkeli was the first to voice the idea of "cultural autonomy". Akaki Chkhenkeli was a politician who in May 1918 insisted on declaring independence of Georgia. He left the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs of independent Georgia to avoid interference of his pro-German orientation with the country. Since 1921, for 12 years, he was the official representative of occupied Georgia in European countries, which was the main obstacle to the de jure recognition of our country as part of the Soviet Union. Learn about these stories in detail in the memorial album.
Giorgi Nakashidze's letter of condolence regarding the death of Akaki Tchkhenkeli, dated: January 12, 1959:To the pantheon of the foundersof Georgia's independence, builtabroad, one of the greatestGeorgians has been added. AkakiTchkhenkeli - he was a livingsymbol of the turbulent history ofGeorgia in the twentieth century! Akaki Tchkhenkeli's name isforever associated with one ofthe most beautiful eras of theGeorgian nation.
The documents included in the album were searched and described by the head of Memory and Disinformation Studies direction at IDFI, Anton Vatcharadze and the head of the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Center of Tbilisi State University, Salome Tchanturidze.
IDFI thanks for their contribution to this memorial album the following people and organizations:The National Parliamentary Library of Georgia and the Tbilisi State University for the publication of the Memorial Album. Special thanks to the heads of the Library – Giorgi Kekelidze and Mirian Khositashvili.
The National Archives of Georgia, to the Information-Analytical Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the National Centre of Manuscripts for providing us with documents and photos.
Descendant of Akaki Tchkhenkeli, Ms. Tamara Tchkhenkeli for helpful advices. Ms. Esma Mania, for perfecting Georgian texts.
Ms. Dodo Tchumburidze and Mr. Gotcha Javakhishvili, for the authorship of the foreword.
Researchers of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia and all those interested in history.
This material has been financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida. Responsibility for the content rests entirely with the creator. Sida does not necessarily share the expressed views and interpretations.
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