The Soviet Era in the Eyes of the Modern Georgian Writing. Beso Solomanashvili’s Lumpen Millennium

Abstract

Beso Solomanashvili’s creative work occupies a very interesting niche in modern Georgian literature. It is worth mentioning in the context of reflecting on the literature of this era, especially the already passed Soviet era, which has had such a significant impact on modern life that it became the main motif in the works of many contemporary authors. Beso Solomanashvili’s second novel, Lumpen Millennium, is the second book in a narrative designed as a trilogy. It serves as a continuation of the novel The Story of the Old Shooting and the Story of the New Shooting. This is a story of heroes and traitors, true and self-serving individuals, freedom and slavery, the devaluation of values caused by a corrupt era, and the eternal values that are nonetheless preserved, though by very few. This is precisely the case where literature reflects history better than chronicles, vividly paints a picture of the present, and makes us contemplate the concept of the future. Lumpen Millennium is a novel created using magical realism techniques, with a diverse cast of characters. On one side is the nationally marked branch of the Kharjakhishvili family, and on the other, a diverse palette of Russia-loving and treasonous princes and peasants. Some characters in the work are historical figures, including Alexander Chavchavadze, Alexander Orbeliani, Alexander Griboyedov, Maiko Orbeliani, Lavrentiy Beria, Budu Mdivani, Mikheil Javakhishvili, and others. The writer also exposes the actions of the most loyal part of the "co-religionists," the clergy, describing how a Russian bishop arrives in Georgia and sets up camp at Bodbe Monastery with the aim of opening and looting St. Nino's grave. To prevent the bishop from getting bored, two Russian girls are sent to him from Moscow, but despite this, the "holy father" still does not refrain from raping the nuns. The writer’s method of creating character names and surnames is also interesting. The author takes the names of the national branch’s representatives from Georgian history, in honor of heroic ancestors. For example: Elizbar, Kaikhosro, Shalva, Levan; while for the system’s slaves and conscienceless father-son characters, he uses the surname Nakhirishvili. It should be noted that Lumpen Millennium is neither the first nor the last among works in modern Georgian literature dedicated to the Soviet occupation. The relevance of this issue is underscored by the fact that the influences of the Soviet regime are still evident in Georgian reality, politics, people's consciousness, and actions, especially considering that Russia continues to act as an aggressor and, in today’s reality, occupies more than 20% of Georgian territory. Several contemporary authors resonate with the themes of Soviet and post-Soviet Georgia in their works, including: The Sunken City by D. Turashvili, Once Upon a Time by D. Turashvili, Naphthalene by L. Bughadze, Escaped from Paradise by B. Kurkhuli, The Taste of Dictatorship by R. Gorgiladze, The Story of the Old Shootings and the Story of the New Shootings and Lumpen Millennium by B. Solomanashvili, Bunker by I. Pezuashvili, Waiting for Dodo by D. Turashvili, Your Adventure by A. Morchiladze, Nugzar and Mephistopheles by L. Bughadze, The Little Country by L. Bughadze, Cupid at the Kremlin Wall by A. Morchiladze, Oh, World by Z. Arsenishvili, The Boots and Leather Boots by D. Jishkariani, The Eighth Life by N. Kharatishvili, and The Lack of Light by N. Kharatishvili. It should also be noted that Lumpen Millennium has not yet been discussed by either Georgian or non-Georgian literary critics, making its analysis a scientific novelty. The novel will be analyzed using a synthesis of narratology and hermeneutics, along with methods of textual observation, analysis, and conceptual interpretation.