stalini: demiurgis miwieri gansxeuleba
Stalin: Earthly incarnation of Demiurge

Summary/Abstract: Several tendencies are connected to Stalin’s image in Georgian folklore. In folklore,as well as in fiction, the interests of the official government are expressed and animageof the leader is reflected according to the requirements of the prevailing culture. Infolkpoems dedicated to Stalin we can outline three basic tendencies,in terms of content:social, mythological and ressentiment. All three layers are closely linked to each other.In the poems of social contentthe role of Stalin is related to the implementation ofideological platform of the so-called «third group» (Georgian Social Democrats) in thelives of workers and peasants and taking into consideration their interests. A significantinfluence of propaganda is obvious here, as in the case of fiction literature. In folk poemsStalin is often mentioned by the following epithets: eagle, iron, steel. It is noteworthy thatiron, steel, as the cheaper metals is the opposite of gold, and in this sense the shift of valuesis quite obvious here. The alchemical process is produced inversively and, meaningsexchange positions in the process of desemiotization, lead by this earthly incarnation ofdemiurge.In the folk poems dedicated to Stalin we can also find the followingepithets: thesun, the sunny-faced, the father.Social and mythic layers completely correspond to a third layer – ressentiment.The trace of colonial mentalitycan be felt in folk poems and it is expressed in the oppositenotions of the border, own territory and the enemy, on the one hand and in the shift ofmeanings, when a weak becomes strong, on the other hand. The paradigm shift, where thevalues exchange places, is obviously associated with Stalin’s figure. At the same time, itis the outcome of the work of the Defense Mechanism – the replacement of the principlesdeveloped by colonial mentaitywith the feeling of superiority connected to the Georgianorigin of Stalin and perception of his image as thepersonification of Savior. Thus, Stalinis considered on the same level as Shota Rustaveli, one of the greatest figuresin Georgianculture. In folk poems clearlyphallic symbol – an iron/steel sword is often used as a symbolof revenge also associated with the colonial mentality...

• Details
• Contents