Georgian Diaspora in Estonia

The interest of Georgians towards Estonia, in particular towards the University of Tartu, increased in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. About 400 Georgians received education at the University of Tartu during this period. By the 1890s, a Georgian community had been established in Tartu, together with a library. In 1908, the Georgian community was legalized. Honorary members of the community were Georgian classics: Akaki Tsereteli, Vazha-Pshavela, Davit Kldiashvili and others. Among the famous graduates of the University of Tartu are: Grigol Robakidze (writer, publicist), Akaki Papava (writer), Kikna Pshavela (Simon Badurashvili) (poet), Vakhtang Kotetishvili (sculptor, art critic), Kote Potskhverashvili (composer), Seit Devdariani (philosopher), Petre Chabukiani (researcher and pedagogue)and others.

Currently, about 450-500 Georgians live in Estonia. Families are mostly mixed. Despite the small number of Georgians, there are several communities and organizations in Estonia and most of them are united under the so-called umbrella Organization" "Georgian House" - Tallinn, Chairman: Levan Gorelashvili. The organization aims to preserve the national and cultural identity of Georgians living in Estonia and to unite them, to popularize the Georgian culture.

The organization unites the following organizations:

• Estonian Georgian cultural community "Mamuli",Tallinn, Chairman: Iasha Kurshubadze;
• Georgian Cultural Association "Adjara" / "Batumi" - Tallinn, Chairman: Valerian Tsutsunava;
• Georgian National Community of Tallinn "Iveria" - Tallinn, Chairman: Vladimir Juriari;
• Women's Society "Salme" - Tallinn, Chairman: Alexandra Eller;
• "Baltic Integration Society" - Tartu, Chairman: Vazha Gorelashvili;
• "Viru Georgia" - Kivioli, Chairman: Teimuraz Kardava.

The Sunday School "Mziuri" (supervisor: Ketevan Palelashvili), Georgian Dance Studio "Juta" and national song ensemble “Mamuli”operate on the basis of "Georgian House".

In addition, the Georgian Society "Samshoblo", a member of the International Union of National and Cultural Societies "Lira", was founded in 2013, headed by Imedi Kekeishvili. The aim of the organization is to preserve the national and cultural identity of the Georgians living in Estonia, to popularize the Georgian culture, to promote mutual understanding, dialogue and tolerance between the peoples of different nationalities living in Estonia.

Representatives of Georgian diaspora have achieved remarkable success in Estonia and have established a place in the local community.