Page 161 - Vinkler, Jonatan, Ana Beguš and Marcello Potocco. Eds. 2019. Ideology in the 20th Century: Studies of literary and social discourses and practices. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 161
Play, Chaos and Autonomy in the Poetry of Hungarians in Voivodina (Uj Symposion) 161
This was a modification of the Soviet regime, stressing Stalin’s politi-
cal and personal despotism.
Social and Cultural Reaction to the Political Transfiguration
of Soviet Government
In Georgia the Twentieth Assembly of the Communist Party was fol-
lowed by serious political unrest that resulted in several casualties in the
events of March 9th, 1956. It is still unclear whether the unrest spread
from a clear political position, or if it was a demonstration of insulted na-
tional pride.
Criticism of Stalin’s cult had gained unexpected dimensions. Khrush-
chev substantially emphasized Stalin’s nationality, although it was widely
known that Georgia was terribly affected by political repressions. Geor-
gians perceived Khrushchev’s speech as insult to the Georgian nation,
inasmuch as Stalin was a native Georgian, and starting on March 3rd,
1956 protest marches began in Tbilisi, organized by Georgian students.
On March 7th the number of participants in the protest rallies exceed-
ed several thousand. Slogans concerning Georgia’s independence also
emerged. Some young poets publicly read newly composed poems dedi-
cated to Stalin, emphasizing his best national characteristics. In a strange
way, Stalin’s name was linked with the idea of Georgian independence.
Meanwhile, the situation was getting out of hand, and the government
decided to use force against the demonstrators. On the night of March
9th, the Soviet Army killed more than 150 young people and drowned
more of them. The exact number of dead is still unknown. According to
various sources, the number of casualties ranged from one hundred to
one thousand people (Verulava). Soon after, Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939–
1993)3 and Merab Kostava (1939–1989), members of the illegal anti-Sovi-
et group, protested against the Soviet regime. On December 15th, 1956,
the Security Committee detained all the members of the illegal group. It
is possible to characterize the March 1956 events as the first open rebel-
lion against the Soviet regime in Georgia: in the early 1960s this energy
was transformed into the Georgian dissident movement, led in particular
by Gamsakhurdia, Kostava, Zurab Chavchavadze (1953–1989), and Gior-
gi Tchanturia (1959–1994).
3 Gamsakhurdia was the first president of Georgia (1991–1993), elected after its polit-
ical independence.
This was a modification of the Soviet regime, stressing Stalin’s politi-
cal and personal despotism.
Social and Cultural Reaction to the Political Transfiguration
of Soviet Government
In Georgia the Twentieth Assembly of the Communist Party was fol-
lowed by serious political unrest that resulted in several casualties in the
events of March 9th, 1956. It is still unclear whether the unrest spread
from a clear political position, or if it was a demonstration of insulted na-
tional pride.
Criticism of Stalin’s cult had gained unexpected dimensions. Khrush-
chev substantially emphasized Stalin’s nationality, although it was widely
known that Georgia was terribly affected by political repressions. Geor-
gians perceived Khrushchev’s speech as insult to the Georgian nation,
inasmuch as Stalin was a native Georgian, and starting on March 3rd,
1956 protest marches began in Tbilisi, organized by Georgian students.
On March 7th the number of participants in the protest rallies exceed-
ed several thousand. Slogans concerning Georgia’s independence also
emerged. Some young poets publicly read newly composed poems dedi-
cated to Stalin, emphasizing his best national characteristics. In a strange
way, Stalin’s name was linked with the idea of Georgian independence.
Meanwhile, the situation was getting out of hand, and the government
decided to use force against the demonstrators. On the night of March
9th, the Soviet Army killed more than 150 young people and drowned
more of them. The exact number of dead is still unknown. According to
various sources, the number of casualties ranged from one hundred to
one thousand people (Verulava). Soon after, Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939–
1993)3 and Merab Kostava (1939–1989), members of the illegal anti-Sovi-
et group, protested against the Soviet regime. On December 15th, 1956,
the Security Committee detained all the members of the illegal group. It
is possible to characterize the March 1956 events as the first open rebel-
lion against the Soviet regime in Georgia: in the early 1960s this energy
was transformed into the Georgian dissident movement, led in particular
by Gamsakhurdia, Kostava, Zurab Chavchavadze (1953–1989), and Gior-
gi Tchanturia (1959–1994).
3 Gamsakhurdia was the first president of Georgia (1991–1993), elected after its polit-
ical independence.
