Abstract:
The paper is dedicated to “The Bibliography of Georgian Periodicals” issued
in 1947 by the State Book Chamber of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. The
book is of great significance not only for the history of Georgian journalism, but
also for the study of the 126 years’ history (1819-1945) of Georgian discourse from
the linguo-cultural viewpoint. Apart from the systematically issued newspapers and
magazines, the bibliography embraces the publications issued from time to time, for
instance, the scientific journals (“papers”, “heralds”, “reports”, “bulletins” etc.) of
universities and other scientific institutions. The devotion and professionalism of the
author-compiler can be proved by the indexes and appendices created by hand prior
to the digital epoch. It is well known that one of the peculiarities of the totalitarian regime was the
deletion of undesirable information from the collective memory. With this aim, numerous
films, theatrical performances and paintings were banned... even people disappeared.
“The Bibliography of Georgian Periodicals” was also prohibited. However,
as it seems, they only noticed the hostility in it later, only after its publication,
otherwise they would have not published a positive review of P. Gugushvili in the
fifth issue of “Mnatobi” journal, 1948.
According to one opinion, the censor’s decision regarding the prohibition of the
book must have been due to the statistical information contained in the bibliography,
according to which the Bolshevik press comprised of only 20% of the total volume
of publications issued by different parties. “This simple arithmetic proved that, prior
to the year 1921, Bolshevik ideology was not popular among the Georgian population.
Hence, the conclusion: the Bolshevik i.e. Communist authority was imposed on
Georgia from outside” (M. Mikaberidze).
According to another opinion, the above-mentioned fact was not the only reason
for the prohibition of the book. “Another reason was that the book contained the
names of repressed people” (A. Loria).
The above reasons, either jointly or separately, led to the annihilation of unsold
books issued in the amount of 2150 copies. We have obtained one rare copy which
has escaped this awful fate. Based on the analysis of this book, the paper focuses on
the general cultural significance of the book and the ineffaceable trace that was meant
to be effaced.
