Soviet Georgia in 20 Objects

Event information

Mark Doel has long-standing links with the republic of Georgia, starting with a European Union project begun in 2006 in order to develop social work education there. Through more than twenty visits he has come to know the country, its history, culture and cuisine. He became intrigued by life in Soviet times in Georgia after a conversation with a woman now in her 70s; he wondered what it would be like to have lived much of your life in a social and political system that most people want to turn their backs on. He realised that these stories were seldom told and would soon die out.

Mark uses his experience of using Objects as a way to unfold personal stories and set them in their historical period. Objects that were presented to him include a religious ICON carried by a Georgian soldier in the Red Army in WWII; a Red Moscow PERFUME BOTTLE still containing a trace of perfume from 1949; a GOLD MEDAL awarded to a school girl against the odds of corruption and bribery; a street LEMONADE DISPENSER which had one glass that everybody and anybody used; a photograph from a YOUNG PIONEERS’ CAMP; and a DOOR BELL signifying the arrival of the NKVD (secret police) to take an ‘enemy of the people’ away in the middle of the night.

This presentation will share these objects and bring their owners’ stories to life, shining a nuanced light over life in Soviet Georgia.

Doors open 10.15, talk begins 10.30.
Free event, donations welcome.

Booking required