„IVERIA“ NEWSPAPER AND THE FRON VALLEY

Abstract

In the 19th–20th centuries, the Georgian press showed particular interest in the news from various villages of Georgia, which it presented to readers under columns such as “News”, “Town and Village”, “Province”, and others. In this respect, special emphasis should be placed on the socio-political and literary newspaper Iveria, edited by Ilia Chavchavadze. Each piece of information published in this newspaper, as a primary source, plays a crucial role in studying the past of the Froni Gorge during the respective period—especially if we take into account the fact that historical sources concerning the gorges of Kartli are not particularly diverse.

The paper analyzes correspondences collected about the villages of Froni, which discuss the everyday life of the local population, economic issues in the villages, problems of crop quality and housing, severe consequences of hailstorms, the absence of schools, and outbreaks of cholera among the population.

Special attention is given to social relations: the lives of nobles, clergy, and peasants, as well as the frequent cases of robbery in the Okoni community and their tragic consequences.

Finally, the paper addresses the agrarian movement that began in Upper Kartli in 1905–1907, which set different strata of society against each other in a deadly confrontation, leading to numerous murders, the destruction of families, and widespread looting.

Keywords: Froni Gorge, Gori District, education, nobility, serfs and peasants, priest, robbery, agrarian movement, plowing and sowing.