Georgia in the Works of Polish Scientists

Abstract

Georgian-Polish relations are reflected in archival materials, travelers’ notes, memoirs, and fiction. In the works of Polish scholars, Georgia is presented in various aspects: historical, literary, cultural, ethnographic, and linguistic. The renowned orientalist stands out among among Polish scholars. His works were related to the issues of the Caucasus. Jan Reychman himself was a friend of the Georgians, and in his writing, he presented the relations between Poles and Georgians in his literary creativity. Georgia is portrayed from a historical perspective in the works of the Polish scholar Bogdan Baranowski. In his research, he explored both Georgian-Polish literary connections and the history of Georgia. Other Polish researchers have also made Georgia the subject of scientific study. Among them, Andrzej Furer deserves special mention. During his internship in the 1980s, he familiarized himself with historical sources in the archives and museums of Tbilisi. Petre Borawski should be mentioned among the Polish scholars interested in Georgia. He is well acquainted with the history of Georgia and was a direct participant in political processes. In 1991, he was a member of the delegation that signed the treaty of friendship and cooperation between Georgia and Poland. The Polish patriot Aleksander Chodźko, who immigrated to Georgia in the 1830s, spent two years in Tbilisi studying the Georgian language. He published a book in Polish in London in 1833, in which one of the essays was dedicated to Shota Rustaveli. When we talk about the works of Polish scholars on Georgia, we cannot overlook Jan Braun, a great friend of Georgia. He was a Polish linguist, Kartvelologist, and Basque scholar. His doctoral dissertation was on the topic: “Multiplicity of the Georgian verb” (1955). He also described Georgian manuscripts kept in Krakow (1958). He translated several poems by N. Baratashvili, A. Tsereteli, G. Leonidze, and some samples of Georgian folklore into Polish. Georgian-Polish relations are characterized by political, economic, cultural, and military ties. In the works of Polish scholars, Georgia is presented as a country with an ancient history, diverse cultural experiences, rich literary traditions, and a language remarkable for its structure and linguistic features.