Gori Georgian printing house

Abstract

The Georgian printing house has an interesting history. He went through a difficult path from its foundation until the 30s of the XX century. We should note that the printing house founded in Tbilisi in 1709 was the first not only in Georgia but in the whole of Transcaucasia. Orthodox clergymen, as well as Catholic and Gregorian Christians, were involved in the development of the Georgian printing house. They put effort into publishing a Georgian book. As it is known, Georgian books were printed in Rome and Russia as well.

Since the beginning of the XIX century, the printing business in Georgia has achieved some success. At the moment, in addition to Tbilisi, printing houses are being opened in different cities of Georgia. The Georgian printing house also opened in Gori. Arsen Kalandadze opened the first printing house in Gori in 1889. The second printing house in Gori was opened in 1907 by David Machavariani. He bought this printing house from Grigol Charkviani and moved it to Gori. Mikheil Irakli Tsitsishvili opened the third printing house in Gori.

The society of that time was complaining about the opening of printing houses in Gori with a bad future, ignorance of the case, unprofitability, and failure. It was better to unite all three printing houses and continue the work with joint efforts.

One way or another, the Georgian printing house existed in the cities of Georgia, despite the strong opposition of the then government, and played a major role in educating and raising the awareness of the Georgian population.

We should note that the Rare Publications Department of the Kutaisi Public Library preserves two editions printed in Gori printing house Alexander Fronel’s ‘Great Meskheti’ 1914, Anastasia Eristav-Khoshtaria’s short story „Kamisia“ published in 1913 and the Khashuri printing house. Ramishvili’s play „Doctor Ashirbajiani“ 1912.