Tsisnami Sakvarlishvili – From Georgia to the World
I was born in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. At the time, Georgia was part of the Soviet Union. Freedom was nonexistent, as everything was controlled by the government, which was based in Russia and ruled the entire empire. While many were content with having jobs and food on their tables, the country lacked freedom of choice and democracy. During this time, my biological mother abandoned me in the hospital, but I was taken in by adoptive parents who were both blind. Fortunately, my brilliant grandmother also stepped in to raise me, becoming like a mother to me. She introduced me to the Georgian alphabet when I was just five years old, a challenging but rewarding process that I embraced wholeheartedly.
However, it was a chaotic time in Georgia. The Soviet Union, a giant dictatorial system, was gradually collapsing. Enrolling a five-year-old in school during such a time wasn’t easy either. The rules were strict—only six-year-olds were allowed to start first grade. According to my grandmother, a special certificate from the Ministry of Education was required to bypass this rule. The minister agreed to allow me to enroll in school. My grandmother, a breast cancer survivor, often told me she wanted to ensure I got a head start in education while she was still alive, fearing no one else would be there to guide me through my first steps in school. Her actions taught me the value of a deep love for education, dedication to others, and the importance of striving for improvement, no matter how challenging the circumstances.
Georgia was going through many changes after the Soviet Union collapsed. My family faced a lot of difficulties—poverty, political instability, and the struggles that came with living in a country trying to find its place after years of Soviet rule. My whole childhood was a constant fight for bread. I vividly remember the endless lines of people standing for hours, waiting for a single piece of bread that the new government, led by President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, provided. Poverty was everywhere.
My grandfather instilled in me a deep love for books, which would become the cornerstone of my personal growth. In a world where essentials like food were prioritized, he chose to invest in literature, often opting for books over bread. One memorable evening, my grandmother gave him money for bread, but he returned with a new book instead. That night, we ate old bread, but we began reading Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy together. This small act of defiance against conventional behavior was the first step in shaping my worldview—that knowledge, imagination, and intellectual curiosity were worth more than material comfort. Our family’s library was a treasure trove of works by Georgian, Russian, German, English, and Italian authors. On cold winter nights, my grandfather would gather us around the fireplace, and I would read aloud, absorbing stories that transcended time and borders. This experience of growing up with such rich literary traditions was unique, as it taught me not only to appreciate the beauty of words but also to see the world from different perspectives.
Despite these challenges, education was something I valued deeply. In school, I worked hard and consistently ranked among the top students in my class. I saw education as my path to a better life. Unfortunately, the school system did not encourage critical thinking or questioning. It was rooted in the remnants of a societal era where students were expected to agree with everything the teacher said without doubt or discussion. However, I was the one who always asked questions, doubted the material, and sometimes gave my teachers a hard time. At times, my teachers allowed me to act as the “teacher” in the classroom, a role I thoroughly enjoyed. It was an empowering experience—knowledge truly felt like power.
After finishing high school, I attended Tbilisi State University. It was extremely difficult to get in. The educational system in Georgia was so corrupt that only wealthy families could afford to pay for their children’s enrollment. Nobody believed I could get in based solely on my knowledge. I remember my cousin making fun of me, saying, "Oh, you won't get in. Education is only for rich people." But I proved them wrong. I scored more than enough on my entrance exams and became a student at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. That was my first success and triumph. I showed my whole family that through hard work, you can achieve anything you want. It felt amazing.
During my time at Tbilisi State University, I became politically active, and I was lucky to get to know Inga Grigolia, a famous Georgian journalist. She hosted her political talk show Reaction every Friday night on TV Imedi. I was regularly a part of her studio audience. Inga took a liking to me and gave me the opportunity to ask questions to Georgian politicians, whether they were from the ruling or opposition parties, during the live show. She loved my critical thinking, and we became friends. She was very supportive of me. I strive to follow in her footsteps.
On August 8, 2008, my life changed dramatically when Russia invaded Georgia. As a result, I lost everything, including my family house. At the same time, my ex-husband abandoned me with a little baby in my hands and did not provide any child support or a place to live. My country and I were so lost. We were emotionally and physically destitute. Georgia was going into a deep economic crisis, and there were no jobs left. That was the time when I made a terrible decision, which shattered my heart into pieces, but I did not have another choice. I needed to go abroad, seek a job, earn some money, and take care of the rest of my family. I said goodbye to my family and left my country. Since that day, I have suffered nightmares. My little boy was following me with his open arms, as if saying to me, “Mom, do not leave me, take me with you, do not abandon me.” I immediately went to Italy, a country where I did not know anyone and had no friends. I did not know the language either. I found a job as a caregiver and went to school to learn Italian. I even graduated from the University of Florence, earning a master's degree in political science. I was happy because I was making money and supporting my family. That was the way to ignore my pain: working assiduously, learning a new language, and studying.
To continue my education, I came to the United States in 2013 and followed my dream to become a journalist. I was able to report on hard news about politics and events within the Georgian community in New York. I interviewed famous Georgian politicians, such as Mikheil Saakashvili, the former president of Georgia, NBA players like Zaza Pachulia, musicians, and opera singers like George Gagnidze, and used multimedia to share their stories. My work as a journalist made me more determined to use my voice to speak up for others, especially for those whose stories are not often told. In addition, I have returned to Georgia several times to organize protests, rallies, and marches, fighting for my country’s democracy and freedom. I have delivered speeches to nearly half a million Georgians in front of the Georgian Parliament. The current pro-Russian government is ruining my country, and I remain committed to fighting for its freedom and democracy.
I am the author of two books, both published in Georgia by the publishing company Intelekti. My first book, Diary of a Red-Haired Girl, was a bestseller in Georgia in 2023. I decided to write a book based on four of the most important values in life: Life, Liberty, Property, and the Pursuit of Happiness. I also sent a message to immigrant mothers, urging them never to abandon their child with family members, no matter how difficult the situation or destitution may be. I dedicated this book to my son and to the years I spent suffering without him. I was nominated as a debut writer for the prestigious Georgian literary award "SABA" and was honored with the "Leader Woman of Georgia 2023" award by the association "Women of Georgia" in December 2023. I am currently working on a new book titled Georgia After the Collapse of the Soviet Union, which will be my first book written in English.
As I think about my future, I know that continuing my education is crucial to reaching my goals. Georgia's former president, Mikheil Saakashvili, graduated from Columbia University, and I have aspired to follow in his footsteps and attend Columbia. I am excited about the opportunity to attend Columbia Journalism School, especially because of its diverse and inclusive environment. My long-term career goal is to become a journalist who tells the stories of marginalized communities, focusing on political change, resilience, and cultural identity. I also aspire to become a renowned writer, telling stories that inspire others to pursue their dreams.
In 2020 my son came to live with me in the United States after years of separation. Balancing my responsibilities as a parent with my studies has given me a unique perspective on education, teaching me valuable skills in time management, focus, and perseverance. I plan to continue my journey through internships with major publications like The New York Times or The Guardian, learning more about the intersection of politics and media. Columbia Journalism School offers academic rigor, hands-on opportunities, and professional networks that will help me achieve my goal of making a lasting impact in journalism and writing. I bring to Columbia my passion for writing and journalism, my brave soul, and my unwavering spirit as a freedom fighter. I am so enthusiastic and motivated, and my mind constantly repeats these words: "You can do this."