Why Georgia is Europe: a geographical, historical and cultural perspective
Following the European Union’s (EU) decision to grant Georgia a European perspective (June 2022) and candidate status (December 2023), as well as the consistent determination manifested by the Georgian nation, fewer doubts should remain whether Georgia belongs to Europe.
However, one might sometimes hear discussions about whether Georgia is European in a “geographical” sense. This article explores what geography denotes, and presents historical and cultural arguments why Georgia is an integral part of Europe, which, in turn, shapes the EU membership quest.
The debate over whether the overall Caucasus region belongs in Europe or in Asia persists, and different classifications place the countries within one or another, or divide them in between. It depends on where the boundary is set: horizontally on the Greater Caucasus range, vertically in the middle of the Caucasus region, or on the Aras River in the very south. With the logic of the latter two, either part or the whole territory of Georgia falls in Europe.
Crucially, in a purely geographical sense, considering the absence of a sizable water border, Europe is not a separate continent but rather a subcontinent of Eurasia. Therefore, defining where Europe starts and ends has always been conditional and subjective, motivated by geopolitical factors and dependent upon historical and cultural interpretations.
Politically (or geopolitically) speaking, Georgia has already demonstrated its European belonging well before receiving a formal European perspective, for example by joining the Council of Europe (CoE) in 1999, the very name of which denotes the organisation of European countries. Symbolically, in the renowned speech made at the CoE Parliamentary Assembly, the then Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania captured the essence of Georgia’s European identity in a simple, yet solid formula: “I am Georgian and therefore I am European.”
While the historical and cultural aspects are to be elaborated below, being recognised as part of a European organisation based on European values, is already a strong indication of Georgia’s place.
Map of Council of Europe (CoE) 46 Member States, 2024. Source: CoE
Moving into the historical and cultural perspective, the “father of history” Herodotus (5th century BC) emphasised that the commonly accepted borders for dividing Europe from Asia and Africa were the Phasis River in Colchis and the Nile in Egypt. The Phasis River corresponds to the modern-day Rioni river in western Georgia, meaning that one of the first Georgian kingdoms, Colchis was deemed as part of Europe.
While different definitions of Europe were developed over the centuries, one of the denominators among many was the existence of a wine culture. In this context, Georgia is considered as a birthplace of wine, with its 8000-year-long tradition of viticulture. What is more, from ancient times until today, Georgian winemaking has almost never been detached from European wine culture.
Most importantly, with its over three millennia-long history, Georgia, either unified or divided into several pieces, has maintained close ties with the rest of Europe. These ties transcended the sole scope of cooperation and were much more intense in human-to-human relations. This has been reflected in similar or identical myths and legends between, for example, the ancient Greek and Georgian people with Amirani/Prometheus and the Argonauts to name a few, as well as, in the links with Rome and later with the Byzantine Empire.
Officially adopting Christianity in 326, Georgians became not only one of the first Christian nations but aligned closely with Byzantine culture, itself a blend of major European cultures. Despite conflicts with the latter and frequent Asian invasions, Georgian kingdoms maintained close links with the Byzantines and the rest of Europe.
Apart from that since the early Middle Ages, Georgian monks have often served in monasteries across Europe, and Georgia was long portrayed as an eastern bastion of Christianity in Europe.
It is interesting that during the Golden Age (11th–13th centuries) and beyond, Georgian kings were seen as an important support for the crusades, and European leaders and popes were in contact with Georgians either to coordinate efforts or seek help.
Moreover, it is recorded that the crusaders fought alongside Georgian kings. For example, at least 100 crusaders (referred to as “Franks”) took part in the Battle of Didgori in 1121 backing David IV the Builder in the “Miraculous Victory”.
In fact, written during the Golden Age, The Knight in the Panther’s Skin, the most important literary work of a Georgian author Shota Rustaveli, reflects respect for human beings, solidarity and freedom, which are the cornerstones of European values.
It is also important to outline that in the Middle Ages, especially between the 10th and 13th centuries, the Georgian feudal system with its social norms was inherently Western European in essence.
Portolan Map of the World by Genoese cartographer Pietro Vesconte, 1311: Considered as one of the first available modern world maps. The term Georgia is used to depict the Caucasus region. N.B. The original map has east at the top. Source: Raremaps
Following Mongol invasions and the ultimate collapse of the unified Georgian kingdom (15th century), Georgia came under Persian and Ottoman influence, and was cut off from Western Europe during the Renaissance (14th–17th centuries) and Enlightenment (17th–19th centuries). As a result, the cultural and philosophical effects of these periods set foot in Georgia belatedly.
In spite of this, it is symbolic that the first printed book in the Georgian language, containing the alphabet and prayers, was published in Rome in 1629, followed by a Georgian-Italian dictionary. A century later, Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani’s visit to Rome and Paris also highlighted where Georgians saw their natural allies against common adversaries.
Moreover, while Georgians were seen with hopeful eyes by many European leaders during the Middle Ages, one of the last powerful kings of the divided country, Erekle II was making headlines in the European press of the 18th century. Friedrich the Great is said to have acknowledged “that the world had two rulers – him in the West and Prince Erekle in the East”.
In the same period, while a newly emerged power in the region, the Russian Empire was seen as a path to restore the bridge with Europe that had been broken by the fall of Constantinople, the reality turned out to be different.
The Russian Empire annexed Georgia in the 19th century, abolished the monarchy and set its own ruler in the region. Despite repressions, Georgian national ideals, in line with European norms, were born in this period.
Built on these ideals, the short-lived Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918-1921) was seen among the first social democratic countries in Europe, which adopted an advanced constitution (1921) guaranteeing liberties and rights much earlier than in many other parts of Europe and the world.
Moreover, the Democratic Republic of Georgia was one of the first European countries where women were granted both active and passive suffrage. As a result, in 1919, five women became deputies in the newly elected parliament (Constituent Assembly). Interestingly, Georgia was the first country in the world to elect a Muslim woman to the local government in 1918.
While the Democratic Republic of Georgia was building a liberal democracy centred on human rights, four days after the adoption of the constitution, the Soviet invasion halted these aspirations for at least 70 years. Being forcefully drawn into the Soviet experiment, Georgia not only lost invaluable time, but is still suffering from its legacy. In spite of this, since 1991, the Georgian nation is rightfully trying to strive towards closer alignment with Europe.
Taking into account all these historical and cultural elements, there is a strong case for emphasising Georgia’s European belonging. While the above-mentioned milestones are not comprehensive, there are many more nuances that echo Europe in Georgia and vice versa, such as culture, legislation (stemming from the German legal system), education, and democratic ideals which are reflected in existing norms and aspirations that are largely European.
Moreover, members of the Georgian diaspora in different European countries have made important contributions to cultural, scientific and many other domains over centuries up to the present day. Apart from that, Georgia’s participation in various EU- and NATO-led missions, in turn has helped to shape Euro-Atlantic security.
For over a decade, the EU has been considered as the most desirable organisation to join by the majority of Georgia’s population. The membership, in turn, is seen as a path to be a full-fledged member of the European family.
The Georgian nation has demonstrated a determined and unbroken European quest, and the ultimate EU membership would be a crowning achievement to set a firm and long-sought bridge to shared identity, security and prosperity.
Nika Kratsashvili has been a Young European Ambassador (YEA) since 2022. He holds an MA in Policies and Governance in Europe from Luiss University in Rome and an MA in European Studies and a BA in International Relations from Tbilisi State University.
