On July 31, 2022, the presentation of the
trilingual book “Georgian Paradigm of Peace” by Professor Zurab Khonelidze,
rector of Sukhumi State University, was held in the Georgian parish of
Constantinople (Istanbul). The presentation was attended by representatives of the
Georgian Diaspora.
The event was preceded by a solemn service,
which was performed with the blessing of His All- Holiness Bartholomew, by Metropolitan
Joachim of Bursa together with the leader of the parish, Archimandrite of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate Ilia Jinjolava.
Reverend Joachim is a great supporter of
Georgia and Georgians. By his personal invitation, Georgians living in Bursa
also attended the service and presentation. The rector introduced to the public
the idea of a new Georgian paradigm of peace
– “university diplomacy” – the idea which is already quite well known in many
countries of the world, including Turkey.
The author was asked a number of questions
by the audience, to which comprehensive answers were given.
After the presentation, the guests were
invited to a festive dinner by the Georgian parish of Istanbul. After the
event, the guests and hosts planted a tree in the yard of St. George’s
Cathedral in Edirnekapi as a memory of the very day.
Implementation of joint projects between
Constantinople Parish and Sukhumi State University was planned. Rector Zurab
Khonelidze expressed special thanks to Archimandrite Ilia Jinjolava and he
talked about his great contribution to strengthen the spirituality of Georgians
living in Istanbul.
During the visit in Turkey Prof. Z.
Khonelidze was visited by a great friend of our university and country, the
former Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Georgia, Ms. Ceren Yazgan, who
named the rector of Sukhumi State University “the bridge of the Caucasus”.
Friends talked about Georgian-Turkish
relations. The ambassador, who made a great contribution to the development of
Sukhumi State University, gave a promise to support Mr. Zurab in further
deepening of relations with Turkish authorities and academic circles.
The visit continues with several official
meetings.
