Mikheil Batiashvili: The return of โDeda Enaโ to schools is a historic event and I am happy to share this with my humble contribution
In his speech, during the presentation of
the adapted โDeda Enaโ by I. Gogebashvili in Variani, the Minister of
Education, Science, Culture and Sport Minister - Mikheil Batiashvili emphasized
the importance of the book to the nation and to its ultimate vitality to the
survival of the Georgian language.
As the Minister noted, it is well-known
that Gogebashvili's contribution to revitalization of the Georgian language as
a result of this work, first published in 1875, is of paramount significance.
The book has inspired Georgians to receive education through generations, which
in turn consolidated the Georgian people through many years.
โIn 1925, Gogebashvili's โDeda Enaโ was
last published in Soviet times. Since then, the new editions of the book were
disregarded, which was an indoctrinated procedure of the authoritarian Soviet
Regime. Unfortunately, for many reasons, this precious legacy could not be
extended long after independence.
Only in 2013 did Iakob Gogebashvili's
method of drafting the Georgian alphabet guide get the status of an intangible
cultural heritage. This monument is an important part of UNESCO's nomination of
the "Three Living Cultures of the Georgian Alphabet" as an Intangible
Heritage of Humanity. This status implies the special care of the Georgian
state for the preservation and development of the living tradition.
โDeda Enaโ is not just a textbook. It is a guide
that, has inspired generations. But most importantly, the book is not in
essence a mere possession of one historical epoch. Undoubdetly, in modern
times, the book has to meet the new demands and challenges. The principles and
methods of updating these books, according to the modern times, have been
conveyed in his will or in various publications, and today, for the first time
in nearly a century, in full compliance with these principles, we have a book,
at our disposal that goes on with Iakob's dignified path.
From the beginning of the new school year,
an adapted โDeda Enaโ texbook will return to our schools.
โThanks to the genius of the original author, our children
will still be literate, happy and cognizant of learning, taking the first steps
in understanding the surrounding world, learning the love of their homeland and
laying the foundation for good citizenship. That is why I believe the return of
this significant book to schools is a historic event and I am happy that, I
have had the opportunity to make a small contribution to this endeavor.โ - said
the Minister, who congratulated the public and thanked the people who worked so
hard for it.
