Despite being responsible for the deaths of approximately 20 million people, 68% of Georgians agree that "Stalin was a wise leader who brought power and prosperity to the Soviet Union." Since 2010, Radarami has engaged readers with new and sometimes controversial ideas through books. With your help, in 2014, we want to publish a book that addresses an unresolved aspect of Georgian history, one that still influences public debate in his birthplace, the country Georgia.
International publishers shy away from translating non-specialty books into Georgian because the market is too small to be financially profitable. As a result, most Georgians rely solely on Georgian-language media to learn about the rest of the world. Cut off from international sources of information, Georgia remains insular and misinformed about the outside world. Dialogue about Stalin is emotionally charged as he is a symbol of nationalism and strength in difficult economic and social times.
By translating, printing and disseminating Timothy Snyder's "Bloodlands: Europe between Hitler and Stalin", we encourage a Georgian reappraisal of Stalin. The book deals with the atrocities of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia committed from 1933-1945 in what is now the modern Baltic countries, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, and part of Russia. Unlike many Georgians who believe that Stalin's violence is justified because Hitler was worse, Snyder presents both sides' atrocities as being equally sinister.
Our track record shows that Radarami is able to translate, print and distribute non-fiction bestsellers and start conversations about the issues in these books. Our books will remain in libraries, book stores and universities for years to come, guaranteeing a long term impact of the books and their ideas. Each year new Georgians will pick up these books and join the debate. Readers are more than twice as likely to attend public meetings, meaning our books foster civic engagement.
