In 2004, the Armenian publishing house “Gitutyun” (Armenian: science) published the monograph “Mayors of Tiflis” (now Tbilisi) by historian Samvel Karapetyan.
The monograph includes the biographies of the mayors of Tiflis, the capital of Georgia and one of the main cities in the Transcaucasia. In particular, it features the biographies of 47 mayors who held office between the 12th and early 20th centuries. Remarkably, 45 of the 47 mayors were Armenians.
Current generations have to know about the creators of the values that are enjoyed and followed today. In a similar way, acquaintance with the mayors of Tiflis pays tribute to the effort that they had put into the development of the city.
Every city in the world owes its mayors since it was them who have played a crucial role in its formation and shaping. Tiflis is no exception: over a millennium, this city was managed by individuals who have been limitlessly devoted to their city. Many cities would be honored to have such people as their mayors.
Tiflis was often referred to as “The Paris of the Caucasus” in 19th-century accounts, even though it had been completely plundered and ruined a century before. In the 1870s, Tiflis was considered the vestibule of Armenia.
In spite of the common beliefs and propaganda that the Armenians took away Tiflis from the Georgians, Armenians in reality took it away from the Persians, Germans, and Turks. Moreover, they did it legally, with honest labor and clean money, not at night and covertly, as it is propagandized.
From the point of view of the monograph’s author, Tiflis also has a tragic side. For example, sadly, the graves of all 45 Armenian mayors of Tiflis are now ruined. The statement of a correspondent of the newspaper “Dolina” made in 1914 should be recalled: “The national interest completely differs from the municipal interest. I wouldn’t exchange the school or bathhouse of the most stagnant and small Armenian village with all the Armenian members of the Tiflis town council.”
Indeed, the author of the monograph states that anything built outside the homeland is built on mere sand. History essentially is a collection of the lessons of the past, but Armenians to this day continue to beautify and find rest in a foreign land. Leaving their lands and gardens uncultivated, Armenians continue to spend all their energy on foreigners, becoming the victims of the temporary temptation called “for the benefit of others.” How many Caucasian Parises do Armenians need to build to ascertain the lack of ideology behind their sacrifices?
2 thoughts on “Mayors of Tiflis – Destroyed graves – Historical monograph”
Very true statement …”Armenians continue to spend all their energy on foreigners, becoming the victims of the temporary temptation called “for the benefit of others.” How many Caucasian Pharisees do Armenians need to build to ascertain the lack of ideology behind their sacrifices?”