ROMANS SUTA’S LIFE TBILISI PERIOD (1941–1944) ROMANS SUTA’S LIFE TBILISI PERIOD (1941–1944) From the history of the later period of the life of a Latvian artist On the occasion of Romans Suta’s 120th birthday
Nikolai Javakhishvili [email protected]
The late period of life and activity of the famous Latvian painter, designer, and teacher Romans Suta (1896–1944) is connected with Georgia. The presented article dwells on Ro- mans Suta’s Tbilisi period and his nearest Georgian confreres. In the summer of 1941, Romans Suta came to Tbilisi. He started working in a Georgian movie studio as a painter. He has worked on movies: In Black Mountains (1941, Producer Nikoloz Shengelaia), Giorgi Saakadze (1942, Producer Mikhail Chiaureli), The Shield of Jurgai (1944, Produ cers: Siko Dolidze and David Rondeli). Romans Suta’s successful career was stopped abruptly because of his arrest on 4 Sep- tember 1943. He was charged for being an “enemy of people” and for “faking bread cou- pons”. He was tried and sentenced to be shot on 14 July 1944. In 1959, Romans Suta was partly rehabilitated, because the Military Collegium of the USSR Supreme Court exculpated Romans Suta’s charge of “enemy of people”, but “faking bread cards” still remained into effect. The article shows the real reasons for accusations to Romans Suta. The memoirs of his acquaintances, kept in the archives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, prove that Romans Suta was a member of the Georgian anti-Soviet organisation “White George” (in Georgian, “Tetri Giorgi”). The leader of this organisation was Levan (Mustafa) Shelia, the members: Levan Abdushelishvili, Shalva Svanidze, Mzechabuk (Chabua) Amiredjibi, Maria Amiredjibi (Nakashidze), Pavle and Archil Kharanauli, Giorgi Machavariani, Vakhtang jordjadze, Archil and Giorgi Tsulukidze, Amiran Morchiladze, Vilhelm Siller, Eleonora (Nora) Pfefer, and others. The aim of the above organisation was to make use of the German–USSR war and meanwhile restore Georgia’s state independence. The article is based on a variety of archival materials.
Alongside with being a professional art- personal contacts with his European col- ist, Romans Suta was pretty much aware of leagues. the world history of culture and the current Starting from 1939, R. Suta got keen on events in contemporary arts, thanks to his arts. His first work was to design the scen- self-education and international trips, and ery for the film Uprising in Kauguri, made by
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the Riga Film Studio. Afterwards the design- with Evgeni Machavariani, as well as on the er proceeded to make the scenery for Mel- film Giorgi Saakadze (1942–1943, directed ancholic Waltz, a film about the composer by Mikhail Chiaureli). Emīls Dārziņš, but this work was interrupted R. Suta’s successful career of a designer due to the outbreak of the war between Ger- was discontinued by his arrest on 4 Septem- many and the USSR. ber 1943. He was convicted according to According to the film director Vilis La Article 58-Ia and 58-II of the Criminal Code penieks, in the spring of 1941, he and of the RSFSR (on “enemies of the people”), R. Suta were in Moscow where they got ac- as well as for faking bread coupons (bread quainted with “the administrator of the Geor- cards) (in accordance with the Law of 7 Au- gian Film Studio”1. gust 1932) and was sentenced to ten years Since 1940, the famous theatre and film in camps and confiscation of property. On 14 director, actor, screenwriter, sculptor, painter July 1944, he was executed.4 and teacher Mikhail Chiaureli (1894–1974) In 1959, the Military Collegium of the was an artistic manager of the State Film Pro- USSR Supreme Court quashed the verdict duction of Georgia (later, Kartuli Pilmi “Geor- against R. Suta under Articles 58-Ia and 58- gian Film”). II, but upheld the verdict concerning bread According to Nataļja Jevsejeva, curator coupons. Therefore, he maintained the status of the Memorial Collection and Head of the of a repressed artist and was not completely Museum of Romans Suta and Aleksandra rehabilitated. Beļcova in Riga, “the head of the Georgian In his memoirs, the famous Georgian Film Studio offered R. Suta a job in Tbilisi; playwright and journalist Kita Buachidze the Latvian painter accepted the offer with (1914–2000), who, owing to his anti-Soviet pleasure. He was very fond of the Caucasus way of thinking, spent many of his youth and, particularly, of its central part — Geor- years under arrest, has revealed interesting gia, and everything associated with it. As the facts about R. Suta’s life in Tbilisi. He re- aforementioned V. Lapenieks said, R. Suta called that when, having endured a long and was “infected with the bacillus of the Cau- tiresome queue, characteristic of the Soviet casus”. In the spring of 1941, when the Ger- way of life, and having bought her favour- man armed forces were attacking on Riga, ite boots, Margarita (Margo) Astvatsaturova, Romans Suta understood that it was his last a resident of Tbilisi, told her friend R. Suta chance to leave and see Georgia. The painter about her sufferings, he jokingly replied: made the decision to leave quickly, without “And after that your portrait did not appear really waving goodbye to his family. As his on the cover of the Magazine USSR in Con- daughter Tatyana Suta recollects it, father struction to glorify how heroically you got called her mother (Alexandra Beltsova) and the boots?” told her that he was leaving.2 According to K. Buachidze, shortly after In 1941–1943, R. Suta lived in Tbi- the joke, M. Astvatsaturova and R. Suta were lisi working as a designer at the Georgian arrested.5 Film Studio.3 At the Georgian Film Studio, The essential question is the follow- R. Suta worked on the following films: In the ing: how realistic were the charges brought Black Mountains (1941, directed by Nikoloz against Romans Suta and having caused his Shengelaia), Elusive Jan (1942, directed by death? Answers to this question can be found Isidor Annensky and Vladimir Petrov), The among his friends and in the Archive of the Shield of Jurgai (1944, directed by Siko Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. The Dolidze and David Rondeli) in association Archive preserves the materials6 providing
80 ROMANS SUTA’S LIFE TBILISI PERIOD (1941–1944) detailed information on the activities of overthrow the hated occupation regime and R. Suta and his associates. to regain the independence of the Georgian At the end of January 2011, I talked with state. We hoped that the German troops, who the prominent writer Mzechabuk (Chabua) successfully got hold of the northwestern part Amirejibi (1921–2013) about the organisa- of the North Caucasus and, by the Autumn tion “Tetri Giorgi” (“White George”). It should of 1942, stood at the border of central Geor- be noted that he is an author of famous nov- gia, would soon liberate us from the Soviet els, Data Tutashkhia, Gora Mborgali, George regime. In order to collect money for clan- the Brilliant, and a number of other writings. destine activities, we printed and sold fake The TV series Shores (1977, screenplay by bread coupons, in which R. Suta’s talent Chabua Amirejibi, directed by Giga Lortkip- and know-how appeared to be very benefi- anidze and Gizo Gabeskiria), based on his cial. He was a friend of Georgian artists with novel Data Tutashkhia, was a great success some of whom he got acquainted during his on the USSR television. He was awarded stay in Paris. Romans hated the Soviet re- the State Prize of the USSR (1979) and the gime which victimized his homeland as well Shota Rustaveli Prize (1994), and decorated as Georgia. Therefore, he enthusiastically with the Order of Honour and Order of Vakh- got involved in the activities of our organiza- tang Gorgasali (1st and 2nd Classes), as well tion. Levan Shelia and I respected Romans as of St. George (from the Georgian Orthodox very much who was 25 years older than Church). He was elected to the Parliament of we and was actually of a father’s age. He Georgia from 1992 to 1995. Three years be- frequently told us interesting stories of his fore his death, C. Amirejibi was consecrated life in independent Latvia and in countries as a monk by the blessings of the Catholicos- of Western Europe. The Latvian artist was Patriarch of All-Georgia Ilia II and was given fascinated by the rich history and culture of the name David. Due to his severe health the Georgian people. Our struggle for inde- condition, the Holy Synod of the Georgian pendence reminded him of the history of the Orthodox Church permitted the ceremony to freedom-loving Latvian people.” be held at the writer’s own apartment. He On May 26, 1943, “Tetri Giorgi” cele- was buried on the Mount of St. David (Mtats- brated the 25th anniversary of the restoration minda) in the Pantheon of Writers and public of Georgia’s statehood. The friendly feast was figures. led by the brilliant toastmaster Levan Abdu Chabua Amirejibi told me the following: shelishvili. Since his early years, he was an “After the outbreak of the war between ideological enemy of the Bolsheviks. Follow- Germany and the USSR, my close friend ing the Georgian tradition, at the end of the age-mate Levan (a.k.a. Mustafa) Shelia banquet, the toastmaster pronounced toasts founded the illegal national liberating or- to all the participants of the feast, among ganization “Tetri Giorgi”, and, together with them, for Romans Suta, a representative of me, both ethnic Georgians (mostly of the no- the older generation of our organization. List- ble descent) — Lean Abdushelishvili, uncle ing the merits of the Latvian artist, Uncle Le- (mother’s brother) of Levan Shelia, brothers van said: “When our common dream comes Archil and Giorgi Tsulukidze, Vakhtang Jor- true and our beloved homeland is finally jadze, Giorgi Machavariani, and others, and freed from the disgraceful occupational So- non-ethnic Georgians residing in Tbilisi — viet regime, we will establish the order “Tetri the artist Romans Suta, Eleonora (Nora) Pf- Giorgi” and reward our esteemed Romans for effer, Wilhelm Siller joined it. We were all his merits before Georgia; he will be the first set up anti-Soviet. Our principal goal was to foreigner to be decorated with this prestigious
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award. Moreover, we will ask Romans to stay work on the scenery of one of the films. I met in Tbilisi and will appoint him a manager of Romans by chance who was a staunch anti- the factory for printing of money and gov- communist. When Levan Shelia gave me an ernment treasury securities of Georgia!” All assignment about printing of bread coupons, of the participants of the banquet stood up, I had to find an appropriate professional. raised their glasses in honor of Romans and I was to act cautiously. I chose Romans as a expressed their unanimous support for the man with anti-Soviet ideas. I introduced him toastmaster. to Levan who agreed to meet him. It turned It should be noted that during Romans out that Romans was very well aware how to Suta’s stay in Paris, young Georgian artists make any kind of clichés of zinc plates and to Elene Akhvlediani (1898–1975), Ketevan transfer a resulting image onto paper. He will- Magalashvili (1894–1973), Lado Gudia ingly agreed to print fake bread coupons… shvili (1896–1980), and David Kakabadze When Levan Shelia moved from my apart- (1889–1952) lived there; later, they returned ment to another one, he took Romans and all to Georgia and became prominent artists. the equipment with him… Our organization It should also be noted that, when the had several secret apartments in Tbilisi, one film Giorgi Saakadze was being made, the of which was located in upper Sololaki, in the film-makers looked for a young man with a house of Margarita Astvatsaturova, Romans’s pronounced Georgian appearance for the role friend.” of King Luarsab II, King of Kartli (Central The history of the organization “Tetri Georgia) (1592–1622; reigned in 1606– Giorgi” has been described in the novel 1614). 20-year-old Mzechabuk Amirejibi Gora Mborgali, in which the author, Chabua was among those invited for casting. He met Amirejibi, is mentioned under the assumed all the parameters, and his approval for the name Iagor Kargareteli (nicknamed as Gora role was virtually decided. There is even a Mborgali), Levan (Mustafa) Shelia — under photo in which Mzechabuk is dressed in the the assumed name of Kemal Turkia, and Ro- clothes of the Georgian king. However, quite mans Suta — under his real name7. unexpectedly he was rejected owing to his In Chapter 7 of the novel Gora Mborgali, noble descent. It may be assumed that it was we read: then when he met and made friends with the “…A certain Kemal Turkia, my age-mate, designer of the film studio Romans Suta. lived in Tbilisi. Initially, he was in prison as Poet Tamar Javakhishvili (b. 1937), wife a counter-revolutionary when he was fifteen. of Mzechabuk Amirejibi, confirms that her Kemal lost his parents in his early years. His husband always recalled Romans Suta with father, a hereditary intellectual, died; his great respect. She gave me an excerpt from mother, belonging to an ancient noble fam- an unpublished memoire by Mzechabuk ily, was hit by a tram when carrying a par- Amirejibi which reads: cel for her son in Ortachala prison. Having “There was a Latvian intellectual in served a three-year term, Kemal came back Tbilisi — the artist Romans Suta. He told me home in 1940… And during the war, when that, on the eve of the occupation of Riga by the Germans were on their way to Stalingrad, the Germans, he, together with other neces- suddenly rumors spread that Kemal was ar- sary individuals, was literally “kidnapped” rested once again but he managed to escape. by the Soviet secret police… Initially, he Even some details were provided: somebody was taken to Moscow, at the Mosfilm Stu- reported that Kemal had a radio receiver at dio, then, he moved to Tbilisi, to the Geor- home and he listened to German broadcasts. gian Film Studio where he was assigned to He was arrested immediately in the street.
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On the embankment, Kemal escaped the se- allies. That was the plan, and I consider our curity officers, jumped into the passing truck activities necessary even in our days. The and was gone. As far as his escape was ac- movement was led by “Tetri Giorgi” — care- companied by chasing and shooting, it was fully conspiratorial, small, and with long- shouted from the rooftops. I and my mother standing traditions. As far as I am concerned, lived in a room in the outskirts of Saburtalo. “Tetri Giorgi” has existed for some centuries, Once, in the evening, Archil Morchiladze its preferred principle being ideological influ- knocked on our window. For several days, ence. Kemal Turkia worked for this organiza- he harbored Kemal at his place; however, tion but he did not know any of its members. he was no longer able to harbor him. Amiran Kemal created several groups with various was in search of a reliable shelter for him tasks. Ours was one of them. and asked me whether I could accept him. In that period, we collected money and I agreed without hesitation. This is how I got sent purchased weapons to our units in Du- acquainted with Turkia — in my opinion, with sheti and Tianeti. We were in need of sig- one of the most courageous man of the time, nificant sums of money. Violence and theft clever and good-looking… He was named Ke- were categorically rejected. Somebody got mal in honor of his father’s close friend, an the idea to print fake bread coupons. We ethnic Azerbaijani… Our room was adjoined made a go of this place when the task was by a cramped pantry with a window into the undertaken by a professional. It was the street; Kemal set himself up there. Soon, he Latvian artist Romans Suta. When Germans brought a radio and we started listening to invaded Riga, he was evacuated to Tbilisi broadcasts. Kemal frequently disappeared at and found a job at the film studio. He was night. Of course, I told my mother who he brought to us right from his work, wearing was, and she reacted amenably to it. Over the same clothes with a bit of money in his time, I realized what Kemal did. Groups of pocket. Suta set things up brilliantly. Soon, deserters operated in each and every district for the purposes of secrecy, we had to move of Georgia: they were those who, from the our “enterprise” to another location. He used very outset, avoided general mobilization to meet Kemal only when it was absolutely and those who fled from the army. In a word, necessary. they were individuals who had no desire to The case was uncovered with the involve- sacrifice themselves to the Soviet empire. ment of Suta himself. He was a foreigner Those groups could be formed as fighting who did not know much about our reality; he forces loyal to the homeland. spoke what he thought; he didn’t like the So- Now, some words about why it was nec- viet regime. It was enough for Vanya Pankov, essary to build national armed forces in Geor- chief of the special department of the studio, gia. Let’s assume that the German National- to allocate an agent to him; it was Armenak Socialism and its military machine succeeded Danelyan, an incompetent film director who in defeating of the Soviet empire; however, was assigned to some insignificant job. When Germany would be confronted by the whole Germans were defeated near Stalingrad, Suta western coalition with which it could hardly started looking for ways how to flee abroad. succeed and would be defeated. In that case, Armenak Danelyan told him that he knew Georgia would need other, alternative armed a man who was ready to smuggle him over forces; they would oppose Germans if they the border for fifty thousand Rubbles. Suta reached Georgia. And, following the collapse shared his joy with Kemal. He asked him to of fascism, Georgians could rightfully claim show Armenak. Once, they made it. Kemal their independence in front of the victorious categorically forbade Suta to communicate
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with him. Romans followed his advice; how- Naples (1936–1943), then, professor of the ever, would the secret police officers calm University of Naples. He was married to an down? This is what they rigged. Quite unex- Italian woman, Caterina Ruperto8. pectedly, Suta suddenly received an invitation The following émigrés were members of from Moscow to work on a film to be made the organisation: Kalistrate Salia, Mikheil Ke in Alma-Ata. Naturally enough, he agreed. dia, Elise Pataridze, David Mkheidze, Kon- They bought him a ticket and put on the train stantine Kobakhidze, and others9 . to Baku. Armenak and his men solemnly es- On 24 October 1924, members of the corted him… “Posse of the Sworn” were invited to the As it turned out later, right there, in Navt- convention of the organisation. The detach- lugi, secret police officers removed him from ment, led by the colonel of the army of the the train. We knew nothing about that. We Democratic Republic of Georgia Prince Kaik- did not go to escort him for obvious reasons, hosro (Kakutsa) Cholokashvili (1888–1930), especially in Navtlugi. Time passed; there selflessly fought the Soviet regime in Georgia were no news from Suta. That alerted us. We since March 1922, up to the suppression of had agreed that he should send us a postcard the aforementioned uprising. On the proposal right after his arrival. At the secret police, he of K. Cholokashvili, the said organisation was was tortured; and soon, they started to attack transformed into the patriotic union “Tetri our organization. As it turned out at face-to- Giorgi” (“White George”). face testimonies and, later, at the court, Suta It should also be noted that K. Choloka had reported that it was in the street where shvili is a national hero of Georgia. In Novem- Gora introduced him to Kemal Turkia. “He ber 2005, his remains were delivered from introduced me!” That was why secret police Paris to Tbilisi, and, after the memorial ser- officers decided to target me after Suta.” vice and funeral at St Trinity Cathedral, were Here we have to recollect the history of buried at the Pantheon of Georgian public fig- the organization “Tetri Giorgi” without which ures and writers, on Mount of St David. The the reader will hardly get oriented in the reali- burial ceremony was a great event of national ties of the Georgian national liberation move- importance. The Georgian people paid a de- ment in the past century. cent homage to the blessed memory of the Following the suppression of the anti-So- hero who dedicated his life to liberating of his viet uprising in Georgia, having started in late homeland.10 August, 1924, aimed at restoring of the inde- On 15 June 1925, the constituent assem- pendence of the Republic of Georgia (existing bly of the youth division of “Tetri Giorgi” was in 1918–1921), some of the rebels managed held in Paris. It was also aimed at restoring of to leave the country and, by way of crossing the independent Georgian state. As a leader the Turkish border illegally, reached Europe, of the organisation was elected General Leo predominantly France. Kereselidze (1883–1943), veteran of the In late September 1924, “Momavali” First World War, one of the founders of the (“Future”), the Georgian émigrés politi- “Georgian Legion” in the territories of north- cal non-social organization, was founded in western Turkey (formerly Georgian lands) to Paris which was aimed at restoring of the fight for the restoration of the independent independent Georgian state. Shalva Beridze Georgian state. The ideological leader of the (1892–1970) became a leader of the organi- organisation was Professor Meikheil (Mikha- sation. Later he became a doctor, head of the ko) Tsreteli (1878–1965), a well-known Department of Georgian Language and Lit- scholar of oriental studies, professor of Berlin erature at the Institute of oriental Studies in and Brussels universities.
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Among the honorary members of “Tetri rate Salia. Since 1939, the organisation was Giorgi”, there were prominent representa- once again led by L. Kereselidze who died tives of the intellectual elite of the Georgian several years later11. S. Maglakelidze (1894– emigration, among them, the famous writer 1976) was Governor-General of Tbilisi in the Grigol Robakidze (1880–1962). period of the Democratic Republic of Georgia In 1926–1939, the organisation pub- (1918–1921). He was distinguished among lished in Paris the newspaper Tetri Giorgi the Georgian military fighting on the side whose motto was “Georgia above all”. The of Germans during the Second World War. newspaper was edited by Leo Kereselidze Before the outbreak of the war, he was ap- (1926–1930), Mikhe il Tsereteli (1930– pointed a military advisor (Militärberater) at 1934), Viktor Nozadze (1935–1936), then the General Staff of the German armed forc- again Leo Kereselidze (1936–1939). 106 is- es in the rank of Oberst (Colonel), and, on sues of the newspaper were published. 17 July 1944, he was awarded the rank of Other Georgian émigrés, too, worked for Major-General of the Wehrmacht. He had the newspaper: Prince Kaikhosro (Kakutsa) close links with the military leadership of Cholokashvili, writer Prince Shalva Amire- Germany, including Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, jibi (uncle of Mzechabuk Amirejibi), profes- the head of the Abwehr (military intelligence sor Prince Zurab Avalishvili, Prince Svimon and counter-intelligence). Tsitsishvili, Nakashidze, Prince Pridon Tsu- While in emigration, the organisation lukidze, Prince Grigol Diasamidze, Prince “Tetri Giorgi” sought support from western Vladimer Emukhvari, Prince Alexandre Khim- European countries in the struggle for the shiashvili, Prince Elizbar Makashvili, Major- liberation of Georgia from the occupational General Prince Alexandre Eristavi of Ksani Soviet regime. During the Second World War, who edited the supplement Samkhedro Germany acted as a patron of “Tetri Giorgi.” Purceli (Military Paper), Major-General Zaka- Acting with the principle “My enemy’s ria (Shakro) Bakradze, Shalva Maglakelidze, enemy is my friend,” radical Caucasian and Leo and Maria Kereselidze, Kalistrate Salia, Georgian émigrés, among them, hailed the Prince Nikoloz (Koki) Dadiani, his son Mi outbreak of the war between Germany and kheil Dadiani, Revaz Gabashvili, Tite Marg- the USSR with excitement. Those Georgian velashvili, Mikheil Kedia, Alexandre Manveli émigrés believed that Germany, in case of its shvili, Shalva Vardidze, David Sagirashvili, victory in the Second World War, would sup- Simonika Bereshiani, Solomon Machavari- port Georgia in restoring of its independence ani, Dimitri Chiabrishvili, Irakli Otkhmezuri, as it happened during the First World War. and others. Some of them, hoping to liberate the coun- In 1934, simultaneously with Tetri try from the Bolshevik regime, joined the Giorgi, another newspaper Momavali (Future) hostilities together with Germans as early as was published, edited by Alexandre Manvel- 22 June 1941. ishvili (1904–1994). Prince Irakli Bagrationi People are not unanimous even in our (1909–1997), Prince David Vachnadze, days concerning the Georgians who fought Prince Vladimer Emukhvari, and others col- on the side of Germans in the Second World laborated with the newspaper. War. Some believe that their behaviour was The Berlin division of “Tetri Giorgi” pub- justifiable, others don’t; however, in fact, in lished their own newspaper with the same that period, Germany was the only power to name (in 1930). fight the Bolshevik regime who buried Geor- In 1936–1939, “Tetri Giorgi” was led by gia’s independence, and that a certain part of Shalva Maglakelidze, his deputy being Kalist Georgians (mostly political émigrés) assumed
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Germany as their ally can be explained by World War12. Besides, Mikheil Tsereteli, one that circumstance. of the leaders of “Tetri Giorgi”, strongly op- Later the Georgian national-socialist posed the adop tion of the party’s constitution group, led by Giorgi Magalashvili, joined in exile, calling for the consideration in it of “Tetri Giorgi”; following that, “Tetri Giorgi” local Caucasian peculiarities after moving the was transformed into the Georgian National- party’s activities to the homeland liberated Socialist Party “Tetri Giorgi”. The most well- from the occupational Soviet regime. to-do Georgian immigrant in Germany was The organization “Tetri Giorgi” conduct- the doctor and journalist Giorgi Magalashvili ed its activities in exile till the mid 1950s. (1904–1969) who was born in Tbilisi to the The ideological successor became the or- family of nobleman Alexandre Magalashvili ganisation called “Solidarity of the Geor- and Princess Elene Javakhishvili. He studied gian Soldiers Abroad,” founded in Munich at Tbilisi State University. For further studies, on 26 January 1954; initially, it was led by he was sent to Germany where he graduated S. Maglakelidze, and later by his son Gaioz from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Maglakelidze13. Munich. He received his doctorate (1928) at It should also be added that, since 1923 the same university. He lived in Ising, Bavaria. till the mid 1930s, S. Maglakelidze and his His wife Baroness Monica Witt was a daugh- wife Maria Grass (who was a local German) ter of a rich German industrialist. During the lived in Latvia. It was there where their son Second World War, he was in charge of the Gaioz (a.k.a. Kajus-Marius) Maglakelidze Georgian centre (in Berlin) publishing, the (1919–1989) grew, later moving to Germa- magazine Georgian Nation (1943–1944), ny. All of them were fluent in Latvian.14 and was active in saving the lives of Georgian Influenced by the overseas organisation prisoners-of-war. He was a friend of the direc- “Tetri Giorgi”, at various periods of time, tor of the Institute for Continental European three underground groups emerged in the Studies, prominent physicist and geo-politi- territory of Georgia. Later all of them were cian, Dr. Alexandre Nikuradze (1901–1981) destroyed by the NKVD, and their members who was a close friend of Alfred Rosenberg were repressed. and Arno Schickedanz, the ideologists of In 1926–1937, one of the groups of the Third Reich. The latter was a would-be “Tetri Giorgi” was led by the lawyer Evgeni governor-general of Georgia. It should also be (Geno) Gvaladze (1900–1937) who was noted that the above mentioned A. Rosen- shot; another group was led by the colonel berg and A. Schickedanz were Baltic Ger- of the Democratic Republic of Georgia Prince mans who, in their young years, studied at Alexandre Chavchavadze (1870–1930) who the Riga Polytechnic Institute and were mem- was shot as well; and the third group was bers of the corporation “Rubonia”. After the led by Levan (Mustafa) Shelia (1921–1943) war, he chaired the Georgian community in who was shot dead when they attempted to West Germany. arrest him. Levan Shelia was born and raised It should be noted that, irrespective of the in the family of the noblemen Alexandre close cooperation of members of “Tetri Gior- Shelia and Nutsa Abdushelishvili. Since his gi” with Germans and service in the Wehr- childhood, he hated the Soviet regime and macht, racist ideology and anti-Semitism dreamed of liberating of his homeland. For was totally unacceptable for the Georgians. his involvement in a youth anti-Soviet organi- That was why they in fact saved the lives of a sation, L. Shelia was arrested and exiled to number of Jews, natives of Georgia, who be- Siberia back in 1937. In 1940, following came prisoners of the Nazi during the Second his early release, he returned to Georgia and
86 ROMANS SUTA’S LIFE TBILISI PERIOD (1941–1944) continued his struggle against the existing As far as detained Levan Abdushelishvili political regime. As well as members of the did not know about the death of his nephew, organisation created by him, he believed that in order to save him, he testified that he was the time of liberation of their homeland was in charge of “Tetri Giorgi”. That knighthood approaching. cost him a high price — he was executed. Based on the materials preserved at the The accused L. Abdushelishvili testified Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of that he and his associated “were sure in Georgia, it becomes clear that, following his the rapid defeat of the Soviet Union based release, in December 1942, Levan Shelia, on which they agreed to make up an ille- “being summoned as a witness for another gal organization aimed at armed overthrow case to the NKVD, on his way he escaped the of the Soviet rule when the Germans would NKVD officer and went underground, hiding reach the Georgian border, and, before the in Tbilisi”15. adequate moment, in order to prevent exces- Despite of his young years, L. Shelia was sive victims and repressions, no active efforts famous for his chivalrous nature enjoying a were to be made against the Soviet regime”18. great reputation among the youth in Tbilisi. In As it turned out later, arrested on the that period, the city was not big, and virtually same charges Prince Mikheil Jorjadze (1895– all of its residents knew that Levan had al- 1946) gave his passport and military ID to ready been arrested on political charges and his relative Vakhtang Jorjadze (1921–1981), that, since 1942, he lived illegally, that giving who was close to Shelia, and it was Shelia him an image of a fearless hero. who gave them to him, “an active member of There is an interesting recollection about the counter-revolutionary organization, who, Levan16 by Tamar (Tatuli) Maskharashvili (b. during their removal at night on November 3, 1924). She is a daughter of the nobleman 1943, rendered armed resistance against the Alexandre Maskharashvili (1895–1937) and operatives of the NKGB of the GSSR”. It also Princess Barbare (Babo) Dadiani (1903– turned out that Vakhtang Barkalaia, arrested 1999). on the same charges, gave shelter to Levan Based on the materials preserved at the Shelia and provided him with a Parabellum Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of revolver for 4500 Rubbles19. Georgia17, it becomes clear that members The protocols of interrogations” of the of “Tetri Giorgi” used to gather at the apart- accused individuals preserve fragments of ment of Levan’s uncle, Levan Abdushelishvili what Levan Shelia, leader of “Tetri Giorgi”, (1906–1944) who earlier was a member of said: “Shelia said that, in the process of the the Georgian National-Democratic Party. They armed uprising, as soon as the radio station in listened to German broadcasts by means of Navtlugi was taken over, speakers would read the radio receiver “T-6” belonging to L. Abdu- prepared texts, in foreign languages, of their shelishvili. Shalva Svanidze (1908–1944), address to the whole world: “Georgian peo- his school-mate, regularly visited him for that ple’s will proclaims by force “an independent reason. state” and, even if we will fail to overthrow the On 3 November 1943, in Tbilisi, Levan Soviet regime in Georgia, let the whole world Shelia was wounded when they attempted to know that this uprising is a document testify- arrest him and he rendered armed resistance. ing that the Georgian people does not want Badly wounded, L. Shelia was taken to pris- the Soviet rule”… As for the establishment of on hospital where he died. On the same day, the independent Georgian state, Shelia said, some of the other members of the organiza- initially, they would use Germans for that pur- tion were arrested. pose, and later they would get rid of them20.
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The court materials refer to “Tetri Gior- arrested and is hiding from the authorities. gi” as “the illegal anti-Soviet nationalistic RESOLVED: the present case was accept- rebel organization,” Suta is referred to as ed for production of further investigation and Sutta Romans Yakovlevich, and the surname identification of all the links of the detainee of Mzechabuk and Maria Amirejibi — as SUTTA R. Y.”23. “Amirajibi”. In the “Detainee’s questionnaire”, The Archive of the Ministry of Internal Romans Suta stated that, beside the daugh- Affairs of Georgia preserves “The resolution ter Tatyana (b. 1923), he had an illegitimate on applying a measure of restrain to Sutta son — Paul-Voldemar (b. 1929). Romans Yakovlevich,” dated 5 September The accused Wilhelm Siller testified: 194321. The resolution reads: “Sutta comforted me that soon, some months “Sutta Romans Yakovlevich, born in later, the Soviet Union would be defeated by 1896, place of birth — village of Rauna, Germany, that Germans would come and the Riga-Venden district (former province of Lif- Soviet regime would no longer exist. I agreed land), specialist — painter, employment and with him and believed him… Once, Sutta told position — designer at the Georgian Film Stu- me that that he would go to one of the front- dio, not a party member, education — higher, line cities, and, when Germans occupied it, ethnic background — Latvian, citizen of the he would come to them and work for them, USSR, marital status — married, evacuated that it didn’t matter for him for whom he from Riga, family — 4 people, address — would work but not for the Soviet regime24. Gori str. 18, Tbilisi. The document “Information about Sutta He is suspected of crimes under 19–84 Romans Yakovlevich” reads: and 58/10 parts of Article 2 of the Criminal “…it was established that in 1941, after Code of the GSSR and, with a view to the fact the beginning of the war… he was evacuated that, while at large, Sutta may influence the from Latvia. As a freeloader, he lived at the investigation process, guided by Art. 145 and aforementioned address (Gori Street 18) at Art. 158 of the RSFSR Code of Criminal Pro- Anna Karagasheva’s. 5 or 6 months ago, he cedure, resolved: detention shall be applied was arrested. His family are in Latvia. No as a measure of restrain to prevent evasion other information has been established”25. from investigation and trial for Sutta Romans In the process of investigation, Romans Yakovlevich. Sutta admitted that he got acquainted with Investigator — Head of Department 3 of Levan Shelia in the family of Mzechabuk Division 2 NKGB of the GSSR, Captain of Amirajibi. State Security I. Malania (signature). It should also be noted that Mzechabuk The present resolution was reported to Amirejibi’s mother Maria Amirejibi (1893– me — R. Sutta (signature)22.” 1972), née Princess Nakashidze, was also The 18 September 1943 Resolution involved in the case. Her husband (that is, fa- reads: ther of Mzechabuk Amirejibi), lawyer, Prince “…according to the testimonies by the Irakli Amirejibi (1890–1938) was executed detainee SUTTA R. Y., he was denounced by the NKVD during the mass repressions in for living illegally in the city of Tbilisi and the USSR. conducting anti-Soviet agitations among The “Warrant for the arrest” of Mzechabuk employees of the State Film Studio, besides, Amirejibi, dated 26 October 1943, reads: intending to illegally cross the border togeth- “Amirajibi M. I. had criminal links with er with his associate Shelia Levan Alexan- the detainee Sutta R. Y. who testified that he drovich (a.k.a. Mustafa); the latter is not yet was an anti-Soviet element, was going to flee
88 ROMANS SUTA’S LIFE TBILISI PERIOD (1941–1944) abroad, was associated with a criminal gang ter of a lawyer. She spent her childhood in producing fake bread coupons, that being led Switzerland. She was married to an engineer by the outlaw Shelia Levan (associated with a Giorgi Akhmeteli, brother of the theatre di- counter-revolutionary organization) who was rector Alexandre (Sandro) Akhmeteli. Alek- a close friend of Amirajibi M. I. sandre was arrested and executed in 1937, Sutta R. Y. testified that Amirajibi M. I., and Giorgi was arrested in 1942 and sent to Astvatsaturova Margo and others took part in exile for eight years for “anti-Soviet agitation”. the production of bread coupons, that all the That is why it is not surprising that Margarita participants of the aforementioned criminal was determined extremely anti-Soviet. She gang, including Amirajibi, were anti-Soviet worked as a stenographer at the Georgian elements and hostile to the existing rule. Ast- Film Studio where she met Romans Suta. vatsaturova, questioned as a witness, fully During the interrogation, she pleaded guilty confirmed the testimonies by the accused but stated that she was not a member of the Sutta and named Amirajibi as one of the organisation. The verdict of Margarita Astvat- participants of the aforementioned counter- saturova says: revolutionary gang”26. “…she is accused of being determined Sutta admitted that “together with mem- hostile against the Soviet power and, in May bers of the said organization, led by Shelia 1942, together with the defendant Sutta, she and Amirajibi, he arranged printing of fake conducted the defeatist anti-Soviet agitation bread coupons, opened a key to the fund and expressed desire to join the counter-rev- of bread coupons, and it was himself who olutionary organization, besides, on July 28, printed those bread coupons”, that “during 1943, she took part in printing of fake bread printing of fake bread coupons they listened coupons for 1500 Rubbles”29. to foreign radio broadcasts at Mzechabuk M. Astvatsaturova was released in 1953. Amirajibi’s place and were engaged in en- She lived in Tbilisi where she gave private les- trenched anti-Soviet conversations”. sons in French. She died at the age of 100.30 R. Suta testified that he took part in print- “Protocol of the Interrogation of Amira- ing of fake bread coupons at the apartment of jibi Mzechabuk Iraklievich of November 27, M. Astvatsaturova with whom he “cohabited 1943” says: for about 2–1/2 months,” that “he recruited “The illegal anti-Soviet nationalist organi- Wilhelm Siller whom he acquainted with zation in which I was involved since Janu- Shelia at his (Siller’s) place, he printed fake ary 1, 1943, was aimed at overthrowing the bread coupons as well”. Soviet rule in Georgia by means of an armed Romans Sutta provided a testimony uprising with the support and assistance of about the fact that “once Shelia took him to the Staff of the German army”31. a conspirative apartment in Didube where he Concerning his anti-Soviet beliefs, Mzech- printed bread coupons for 40 kg bread which abuk Amirejibi testified: were sold by Shelia himself”27. “…my anti-Soviet beliefs and hostile at- Archil Tsulukidze confirmed that, together titude to the existing system started since the with Romans Suta, he visited Astvatsaturo- time my father was arrested, that is, since va’s home where he brought the equipment 1938; besides, I was an opponent of social- for bread coupons packed in a bag for a gas ism and internationalism. I am a nationalist, mask28. supporter of “independent Georgia”. I want- Thus, fake bread coupons were mostly ed that the Georgian people enjoyed the right printed at the apartment of Margarita Astvat- for self-determination and believed that all saturova (1911–2011). She was a daugh- of those things were not available under the
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Soviet rule. I considered that, in their hearts, of German imperialism in order to establish the Georgian intelligentsia, who, in my opin- “Independent Georgian Republic”. ion, are a significant majority among the With regard to the arrested individuals population in Georgia, have not reconciled within the investigation case, it is necessary and accommodated with the Soviet power. to carry out some additional investigation I was an opponent of the Soviet power… and activities, such as: re-qualification of alle- preferred seeing private property of tools and gations, interrogations, confrontation of wit- means of production as a basis of social re- nesses, identification of materials associated lationships”32. with alleged individuals, etc. The resolution, dated 30 December Based on the foregoing, it was resolved: 1943, with the endorsement “Confirmed” Initiate a motion to the Prosecutor of the and signed by the People’s Commissar of Georgian SSR on the extension of the term State Security of the Georgian SSR, 3rd Rank of the investigation and detention of the ar- Commissar Avksenti Rapava, and with the rested within Case No 22 for one month, that endorsement “Sanctioned” extension of the is, till 4 February 1944; this is to be commu- period of investigation till 15 December nicated to the internal prison of the NKGB of 1943, signed by the Deputy Prosecutor of the the Georgian SSR through Division “A” of the Georgian SSR Shonia, says: NKGB of the Georgian SSR. “I, investigator of the Division of Investiga- Senior Investigator of the Investigation tions of the NKGB of the GSSR, Major-Engi- Department of the NKGB of the GSSR, Major- neer Pavlenishvili, having discussed Case No Engineer Shota Pavlenishvili (signature). 22 on the accusation of Sutta Romans Yako- “I join” Deputy Head of the Investigation vlevich according to Art. 58-10 p. 2. and Art. Department of the NKGB of the GSSR, Major 19-84 of the Criminal Code of the GSSR — of State Security Artashes Markarov (signa- found out: on September 4, 1943, Sutta Ro- ture). mans Yakovlevich was arrested for anti-Soviet “I agree” Head of the Investigation De- agitation and intention to flee abroad. partment of the NKGB of the GSSR, Colonel In the process of investigation, pleading of Militia Mania (signature). guilty for the charges, he testified that he was REFERENCE: request for the extension of associated with the counter-revolutionary the term of the investigation is initiated for group, printed fake bread coupons together the third time. with members of the organization, who, as DETAINEES: Sutta R. Y., arrested on well as he, were the individuals with anti- 04.09.1943, Amirajibi C. I. — 26.10.1943, Soviet attitudes. Astvatsaturova M. M. — 30.10.1943, The said circumstance has been con- Morchiladze A. M. — 03.09.1943, Tsu- firmed with witness statements. lukidze A. A. — 03.09.1943, Jordjadze In connection with the foregoing within V. G. — 03.09.1943, Siller V. V. — the framework of the present case, 25 indi- 02.11.1943, Pfeffer N. G. — 10.11.1943, viduals have been arrested to date, among Gotsiridze M. G. — 10.11.1943, Jordjadze whom Svanidze S. V., Abdushelishvili L. K., M. Z. 09.11.1943, Tsulukidze G. A. — Kharanaurli P. L., Amirajibi M. I., Tsulukidze 12.11.1943, Machavariani G. S. — G. A., Tsulukidze A. A., and others admitted 12.11.1943, Ortavadze S. I. — 11.11.1943, to have been members of the illegal nation- Kharanauli P. A. — 11.11.1943, Tke- alistic rebel organization aimed at overthrow- maladze L. I. — 11.11.1943, Amirajibi ing of the Soviet rule in Georgia by means M. M. — 13.11.1943, Ishkhneli T. K. — of the armed uprising and with the support 11.11.1943., Tkavadze R. S. —
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12.11.1943, Beridze V. P. — 16.11.1943, armed uprising with help of German imperial- Naneishvili L. R. — 19.11.1943, Barkalaia ism and at establishing the “Georgian inde- V. A. — 20.11.1943, Svanidze S. V. — pendent state”. 19.11.1943, Abdushelishvili L. K. — In the same case file, there is a text of the 23.11.1943, Kharanauli, A. — convicted on proclamation which was to be published by 10-1 Regulations on War Crimes., Gvelesiani members of the organisation “Tetri Giorgi” in S. S. — 19.12.1943, are detained at the in- case of the anti-Soviet uprising: “The Geor- ternal prison of the NKGB of the GSSR. gian people’s will proclaim the “independent Senior Investigator of the Investigation national state” by force and, even if eventu- Department of the NKGB of the GSSR, Major- ally we will fail in overthrowing of the Soviet Engineer S. Pavlenishvili (signature)”33. rule in Georgia, let the whole world know that The Archive of the Ministry of Internal Af- this uprising is a document testifying that the fairs of Georgia preserves the “Indictment”, Georgian people do not want the Soviet sys- dated 30 January 1944, dealing with all the tem of rule”34. members of the mentioned organisation. The The document “Indictment” says the fol- document has a chapter about the mem- lowing about Romans Suta (pp. 30–31): “He bers of the organisation with the title “Cir- is accused of, being hostile to the Soviet rule, cumstances of the emergence of the case” in conducting permanent anti-Soviet agitation which we read: “Temporary success of the among his surroundings. He established links German fascist troops, particularly the en- with one of the leaders of the illegal nation- emy’s breakthrough to Stalingrad and to the alistic rebel organization — Shelia Mustafa foothills of the Caucasus by the summer of who was then in hiding and who involved 1942 were accompanied with activation of him in illegal anti-Soviet activities, and with counter-revolutionary elements in the coun- whom he was going to flee abroad illegally; try, expecting the defeat of the Soviet Union he knew that Shelia belonged to a counter- in the war against Germany.” revolutionary organization and conducted In their counter-revolutionary aspirations illegal activities against the Soviet rule; be- to speed up the defeat of the Soviet power sides, members of the mentioned organiza- by way of providing all kinds of assistance tion involved him in printing of fake bread to German imperialism, in certain cases, the coupons for the sake of collecting money for hostile element tried to build counter-revolu- the needs of the organization. Together with tionary rebel groups in the country. Shelia and other member of the organization, In early 1942, the similar counter-rev- he illegally listened to radio broadcasts of the olutionary group was built initiated by the German army command. Together with She- accused in the present case Abdushelishcili lia Mustafa, he involved Siller Wilhelm in the Levan Karamanovich (former National-Dem- said organization who was assigned to con- ocrat) and Svanidze Shalva Varlamovich (for- duct anti-Soviet agitation, that is, the crimes mer Young Marxist), and joined by the now provided in Art. 58-10, p. 2, 58-II, 19-58-2 killed Shelia Mustafa Alexandrovich (returnee of the Criminal Code of the GSSR and in the from the exile; he was in hiding). Law of 07/08-1932. THROUGH THE INVESTIGATION IT WAS Accused Suta pleaded guilty but stated DETERMINED: In September 1943, the that he was not a member of the organization. present illegal anti-Soviet nationalistic rebel It was belied with the testimonies of: Amira- organisation, uncovered by the NKGB of the jibi, Svanidze, Tsulukidze A., Tsulukidze G., Georgian SSR, was aimed at overthrowing Morchiladze, Astvatsaturova, Jorjadze, Siller, of the Soviet rule in Georgia by means of an Gotsiridze, Tkavadze, and others”35.
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At the end of the document “Indictment”, offenses committed by them, and based on dated 30 January 1944, we read: “The in- Art. 58-1a of the Criminal Code of the GSSR, vestigation of Case No 22 for the accused… shall be subject to capital punishment — shall be deemed completed, all the charges shooting, with the confiscation of personal against all the accused shall be considered property”37. proven and, with the permission of Military On 7–12 April 1944, the death penalty Prosecutor of the NKVD Troops of the GSSR against Levan Abdushelishvili and Romans and through Division “A” of the NKGB of Suta was confirmed. On 14 July 1944, the the GSSR, the case shall be directed for the execution was carried out.38 hearing to the Military Tribunal of the NKVD Thus, the organisation “Tetri Giorgi”, Troops of the GSSR. led by Levan (Mustafa) Shelia, consisted of The indictment was compiled on 28 Jan- representatives of two generations: 1) of the uary 1944, in Tbilisi, by the deputy head of average age (about 40 and older) and 2) of the Investigation Department of the NKGB the younger age (between 18 and 30). All of of the GSSR — Colonel of the State Security them were ardent opponents of the Soviet re- comrade Artashes Markarov”36. gime and wanted to restore the independent All the accused were held in Tbilisi, at the Georgian state. internal prison of the NKGB of the GSSR. By the decision of the Soviet law enforce- Members of the organisation “Tetri Giorgi” ment bodies, the principal ideological oppo- were punished in various ways. Specifically, nents of the older age (including the three Levan Abdushelishvili (b. 1906), Shalva Sva- aforementioned individuals) were physically nidze (b. 1908), and Romans Suta (b. 1896) destroyed, while younger ones were strictly were sentenced to death by firing squad; punished but still were kept alive. So they did Mzechabuk Amirejibi (b. 1921) and Pavle in relation to women regardless of their age. Kharanauli (b. 1904) were sentenced to This is how tragically the life of the fa- 25 years of imprisonment; Giorgi Machavari- mous Latvian artist Romans Suta ended. It ani (b. 1910) — to 20 years of impris- is symbolic that his remains lie in the mass onment; Vakhtang Jorjadze (b. 1921) grave together with his executed Georgian and Archil Tsulukidze (b. 1924) — to friends and associates — Levan Abdushelish- 15 years of imprisonment; Maria Amirejibi vili and Shalva Svanidze, fighters for Geor- (b. 1893), Archil Kharanauli (b. 1916), gia’s independence. Amiran Morchiladze (b. 1922), Giorgi Tsulukidze (b. 1914), Revaz Tkavadze References (b. 1925), Wilhelm Siller (b. 1913), Ele- 1 Vanaga B. Romans Suta — Filmu onore Pfeffer (b. 1919), Margarita Astvatsa- “Kaugurieši” un “Melanholiskais val- turova (b. 1911) — to 10 years of imprison- sis” deko ra tors. Mākslinieka un operatora ment; Giorgi Ishkhneli (b. 1913) and Mikheil sadarbības aspekts. “TEKILA”. Teātra un Gotsiridze (b. 1901) — to 7 years of impris- kino lasījumi. Rīga, 2011. 109. lpp. (In onment; Levan Naneishvili (b. 1917) — to Latvian). 5 years of imprisonment, etc. 2 Javakhishvili N. Essays of the History of “Verdict” (p. 6) reads: Georgian–Baltic Relations. Riga: Printing “In accordance with Art. 319 and 320 house Universal (Tbilisi), 2015. P. 195 (In of the Criminal Code of the Georgian SSR, Russian). the court sentenced Abdushelishvili Levan 3 Kocere V. Gruzija–Latvija: vakar, šodien, Karamanovich, Svanidze Shalva Varlamov- rīt. Latvijas Zinātnu Akadēmijas Vēstis , ich, Sutta Romans Yakovlevich, for multiple A — daļa. 2008. 2: 62–63. (In Latvian)
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4 The Archives of the Ministry of Internal 16 Maskharashvili Tamar. Remember about Affairs of Geor gia, Record group № 6, File Levan Shelia, Tbilisi, 2012. See on- № 44264, Volume 16/1-5 (In Georgian line: http://www.e-reading.club/chapter. and Russian). php/1017953/61/Obolenskiy_-_Me- 5 Buachidze K. Registers of enemy of peo- muary_freyliny_imperatricy.html. (In Rus- ple during the half century (1929–1979). sian). Тbilisi, 2003, p. 160. (In Georgian). 17 The Archives of the Ministry of Internal 6 The Archives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Geor gia, Record group № 6, File Affairs of Geor gia, Record group № 6, File № 44264, Volume 16/1-5. (In Georgian № 44264, Volume 16/1-5. (In Georgian and Russian). and Russian). 18 Ibid. 7 Аmirejibi C. Gora Mborgali. Тbilisi: Print- 19 Ibid. ing house “Chabua”, 2002. P. 395. (In 20 Ibid. Georgian). 21 Ibid. 8 Sharadze G. Under the Foreign Sky. Vol- 22 Ibid. ume III. Тbilisi: Printing house “Merani”, 23 Ibid. 1993. Pp. 351–363. (In Georgian); 24 Ibid. Urushadze L. The Europe and the Geor- 25 Ibid. gian Political Emigration. Тbilisi: Printing 26 Ibid. house “Ena da Kultura”, 2005. Pp. 69– 27 Ibid. 70. (In Georgian). 28 Ibid. 9 Daushvili R. The Georgian Emigration 29 Ibid. in 1921–1939. Tbilisi: Printing house 30 The lost history (the memory about re- “Raeo”, 2007. Pp. 110–111. (In Geor- pressived women). Editor of collected gian). volume Nino Beqishvili. The materials col- 10 Javakhishvili N. Struggle for the Freedom lected by Аna Margvelashvili, Irakli Khva of Caucasus (From the history of military- dagiani, Giorgi Shaishmelashvili, Мagda political collaboration of Georgians and Tsotskhalashvili. Тbilisi: Printing house Northern Caucasians in the first half of “Sovlab”, 2012. Pp. 288–293. (In Geor- the XX century). Tbilisi: Printing house gian). “Tbilisi University Press”, 2005. Pp. 69– 31 The Archives of the Ministry of Internal 71. (In Russian). Affairs of Geor gia, Record group № 6, File 11 Sharadze G. Under the Foreign Sky. Vol- № 44264, Volume 16/1-5. (In Georgian ume III. Pp. 132–143. (In Georgian). and Russian). 12 Javakhishvili N. Essays of the History of 32 Ibid. Georgian–Baltic Relations. Pp. 268–270. 33 Ibid. (In Russian). 34 Ibid. 13 Sharadze G. Under the Foreign Sky. Vol- 35 Ibid. ume III. Pp. 143–148. (In Georgian). 36 Ibid. 14 Javakhishvili N. Essays of the History of 37 Ibid. Georgian–Baltic Relations. P. 204 (In 38 Ibid. Russian). 15 The Archives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Geor gia, Record group № 6, File № 44264, Volume 16/1-5. (In Georgian and Russian).
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About the author Dr.hab.hist. Nikolai Javakhishvili is professor of the Faculty of Humanities, Ivane Javakh- ishvili Tbilisi State University (Georgia) and chief scientist-researcher of the Modern and Con- temporary History Department of the Ivane Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology. Doctor honoris causa of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. His research interests: modern and contemporary history of Georgia and the Caucasus, Georgian-European relations, etc.
Par autoru Dr.hab.hist. Nikolajs Džavahišvili ir Humanitāro zinātņu fakultātes profesors Ivana Džava- hišvili vārdā nosauktajā Tbilisi Valsts universitātē (Gruzija) un vadošais pētnieks Džavahišvili Vēstures un etnoloģijas institūta Jaunāko laiku un mūsdienu vēstures katedrā. Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmijas goda doktors. Zinātniskās intereses: Gruzijas un Kaukāza jaunāko laiku un mūs- dienu vēsture, Gruzijas–Eiropas attiecības u.c.
TBILISI PERIODS (1941–1944) ROMANA SUTAS DZĪVĒ No Latvijas mākslinieka mūža pēdējā posma vēstures
Nikolajs Džavahišvili [email protected] Kopsavilkums
Pazīstamā Latvijas gleznotāja, scenogrāfa un skolotāja Romana Sutas (1896–1944) dzīves un radošās darbības nogale ir saistīta ar Gruziju. Rakstā apskatīts Romana Sutas Tbilisi periods un viņa tuvākie līdzgaitnieki Gruzijā. 1941. gada vasarā Romans Suta ieradās Tbilisi. Viņš sāka strādāt Gruzijas filmu studijā par gleznotāju. Strādājis pie filmām: In Black Mountains (1941, režisors Nikolozs Šengelaja), Giorgi Saakadze (1942, režisors Mihails Čiaureli), The Shield of Jurgai (1944, režisori Siko Dolidze un Dāvids Rondeli). Romana Sutas veiksmīgo radošo darbību spēji pārtrauca arests 1943. gada 4. septembrī. Viņam tika izvirzītas apsūdzības kā “tautas ienaidniekam” un par maizes kartīšu viltošanu. Suta tika notiesāts uz nāvi un 1944. gada 14. jūlijā nošauts. 1959. gadā Romans Suta tika daļēji reabilitēts, PSRS Augstākās tiesas militārā kolēģija atsauca apsūdzību par “tautas ie- naidnieku”, taču apsūdzība maizes kartīšu viltošanā palika spēkā. Rakstā parādīti īstie iemesli apsūdzībām, kas tika izvirzītas pret Sutu. Viņa paziņu memu- āri, kas glabājas Gruzijas Iekšlietu ministrijas arhīvos, pierāda, ka Romans Suta bija Gruzijas pretpadomju organizācijas “Tetri Giorgi” loceklis. Šīs organizācijas vadītājs bija Levans (Mustafa) Šelija, tās locekļi: Levans Abdušelišvili, Šalva Svanidze, Mzečabuks (Čabua) Amiredžibi, Marija Amiredžibi (Nakašidze), Pavle un Ar- hils Haranauli, Džordži Mahavariani, Vahtangs Džordžadze, Archils un Džordži Culukidze, Ami- rans Morhiladze, Vilhelms Sillers, Eleonora (Nora) Pfefere un citi. Minētās organizācijas mērķis bija, izmantojot Vācijas–PSRS karu, atjaunot Gruzijas valstisko neatkarību. Raksts balstīts uz daudzveidīgiem arhīvu materiāliem.
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