There is an undeclared war going on between Geogria (the country) and Russia regarding South Ossetia. Trying to explain myself the conflict origins and decide who is right and who is wrong (see my post on Tower of Babel blog), I stumbled upon the official website of the Department of Tourism and Resorts in Georgia. It starts with “ Georgia. Europe started here.” In the frame of today’s killings between the two countries to control the Caucuses’ pass from North to South, this claim wasn’t the biggest crime.
But in the context of stealing everybody’s else history, at least it is not the best approach, if Georgia wants to enter in the EU and to be the “good guys” in the war against Russia, Ossetia and Abhazia. Besides that, is totally untrue. Europe starts from East to West in the Ural Mountains. In history, it started with Crete, Greece, Thrace and Macedonia. So how Georgia is the starting point of Europe is unclear.
And the biggest stupidity is that Georgia doesn’t need this exaggerated claim. From the McGovern book “Origins and Ancient History of Wine” and his research, is clear that the other claim, “Georgia is unquestionably the birthplace of wine.” is totally correct. The ancient Colchis and Iberia in the antiquity, now the country is home of great nature (25% of the territory are nature parks and protected territories), great living culture (music, crafts, architecture) and of course, of incredible hospitality (current President and his generals excluded).
So, why Georgia, a place with so many tourist attractions and appeal, needs historically incorrect and exaggerated country branding? Read more...
