Georgian Civilization

For the past 3,000 years Georgia has had its own delightful and distinctive civilisation. With an inspiring and varied landscape, ranging from the Alpine to the sub-tropical, the country has nurtured artists, sculptors, musicians, architects and writers in every generation of its history. Because of its location on the ancient silk road and at the cross-roads of competing empires, Georgia has absorbed and transformed the traditions of many other lands, while producing a vibrant and unique culture of its own. The nation's literary tradition, ranging from epic poetry to modern drama, is among the world's finest; and the architecture of Georgia's great churches and cathedrals as well as its mountain-top churches, and their icons and frescoes, many dating from Georgia’s golden age in the 12th century, are among the supreme achievements of Christian art.

Beleaguered

Within a few months of gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia was transformed from one of the more prosperous countries in the region to one of the poorest.

In an atmosphere of violence and chaos, the old economic system disintegrated, and with it the administration and care of Georgia's cultural heritage. Many of the country's leading scholars were forced to emigrate, or else work for tiny salaries, Many of them have left academic work for good or taken second jobs to eke out their wages.

However deep their commitment to Georgia and its civilisation, the nation's scholars faced a desperate struggle to keep themselves and their families above the poverty line. As a result, the preservation and study of Georgia's priceless frescoes, icons and paintings have been badly neglected. In many places, the nation's heritage was literally crumbling away.

The hostilities between Georgia and Russia which broke out in August 2008 constituted another major setback. FaRiG has however pledged to continue its work, which has become even more necessary.

FaRiG's Work

FaRiG is a British charity which gives grants to Georgian scholars to support their research in the humanities and helps publish the results outside Georgia. See Research Reports on the menu to get an idea of the diversity of research topics.

Ready to help?

For the funds which individual and charities have entrusted to FaRiG we are extremely grateful. Grants have been made by Polonsky Foundation, Zazadze family, British East-West Centre and New Generation Europe Foundation, as well as by the charity’s founder and other Trustees and Members.

At agreed intervals and/or at the end of the project, the scholars are required to give a detailed account of the expenditure of the grant. English charity regulations require FaRiG to provide a full annual account.

The many projects funded up to 2025 have cost FaRiG around £60 000 (not including the Essay Prizes and the Small Grants awarded) but these relatively small amounts of money are well received by the Georgian scholars, who see the presentation of their culture as tantamount to the preservation of their own national identity.

As friends of Georgia we would like to encourage their work in preserving one of the threatened civilisations of the world. Please see Donate on the menu and/or contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.