Tyragetia (Oct 2019)
Mateusz Gralewski about 19th century Georgia / Mateusz Gralewski despre Georgia din secolul al XIX-lea
Abstract
One from the very interesting Polish authors, who left the important writings about Georgia and Caucasus of 40-50 years of 19th century is Mateusz Gralewski (1826-1891). His book “Caucasus .Memoirs about 12 years of slavery” is distinguished by facts and logical analyzes. Amongst other uncial data, our interest was focused on Gralewski’s main colloquist in Georgia, who during the 150 years have been hidden under the short pseudonym “J”. Gralewski’s host in Tbilisi, belongs to aristocrat family. He is the owner of houses in Tbilisi and Gori district and well familiar with history and literature of ancient and 19th century Georgia. The initial point for identification of this person is his opinion on activity of viceroy of Caucasus M. Vorontsov (1844-1853). Unlike majority of Georgian nobility, his reference about Vorontsov is sharply negative. This negative characteristic is coincide with the position of the famous Georgian public figure, writer and active member of 1832 year conspiracy- alexsander Orbeliani (1826-1869). He was arrested as a leader of conspiracy and exiled to Orenburg. After he returned to home land he became very fearful man, that’s why he request Gralewski to conceal his personality under the pseudonym “J”. We can disclosed this short pseudonym too. In our opinion “J” is the first letter of Orbeliani’s double surname-Jambakur-Orbeliani.
