KREBSI
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu
<p>This collection of academic papers is the main publication of <a href="https://zssu.ge/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shota Meskhia State Teaching University</a>. It has been published every year since 2008, in Georgian, and each article is accompanied by a summary in English. Since 2021, the volume has been published under the name of ‘’Krebsi’’. The volume is a platform for researchers in various fields, including: law, economics, business, applied social and humanitarian studies, education, psychology, political sciences, and health and governance. In order to involve young researchers in the scientific and creative activities of the university, it is possible to include in the volume: a) the best student papers from both bachelor’s and master’s students; b) a student paper made through joint research with a member of the university’s academic staff (professor).</p> <p><strong>Journal DOI:</strong> <a href="https://search.crossref.org/search/works?q=10.52340%2Fzssu.2021.08.26&from_ui=yes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.52340/zssu.2021.08.26</a></p> <p><strong>ISSN: </strong>2720-8559</p> <p><strong>E-ISSN: </strong>2960-9755</p>Shota Meskhia Zugdidi State Teaching Universityen-USKREBSI2720-8559Challenges of Implementing Innovative Management in Small Enterprises
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/157
<p><em>The introduction of innovative management in small enterprises is considered one of the most important prerequisites for modern economic development. Although innovation provides the ability to compete and adapt to market changes, small businesses often lack the appropriate resources and knowledge. A strategic and systematic approach, with state support and integrated development of the environment, ensures the effective use of innovative potential. The study highlights the role of innovations, existing challenges and recommendations for improving implementation, which shows the need for comprehensive support for small enterprises.</em></p>Lasha Narsia
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2026-01-132026-01-131715216110.52340/zssu.2025.17.11Gross Domestic Product and Policies Ensuring Its Accessibility: Theoretical Aspect
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/158
<p><em>The article “Gross Domestic Product and Policies Ensuring Its Accessibility: Theoretical Aspects’’ seeks to highlight the importance of using Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a macroeconomic indicator for assessing living standards, and to evaluate the extent to which GDP growth corresponds to the welfare of the majority of society. The study demonstrates that these two variables—GDP and living standards—frequently diverge, thus necessitating the consideration of additional determinants. An important task in this regard is to establish a link between the producers of statistical information and its users in relation to macroeconomic indicators.</em></p> <p><em>The research methodologies are general scientific approaches, theoretical analysis, and logical reasoning which confirms that although GDP is a crucial measure of economic activity, its accessibility diminishes alongside rising inequality within a country. The divergence between the statistical measurement of economic indicators and their societal perception has specific causes. In our opinion inequality represents the most significant factor. Therefore, GDP per capita does not provide an accurate reflection of the living standards of most of the population. Accordingly, other variables of living standards must be considered, among which the degree of inequality in society has primary importance.</em></p> <p><em>To this end, the article emphasizes two key economic instruments: tax policy and guarantees of minimum income (minimum wage). In particular, we recommend a progressive taxation system and the establishment of a minimum wage in the country. These instruments are regarded by us as essential tools for mitigating income inequality, thereby allowing GDP, as an indicator of economic activity, to reflect more accurately the welfare associated with its growth. Focusing on economic policy in this direction will enhance the accessibility and relevance of GDP as a macroeconomic indicator.</em></p>Nino Makatsaria
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2026-01-132026-01-131716217310.52340/zssu.2025.17.12Dirigisme and Economic Freedom: Analysis of Georgian’s Growth Model in Historical and Contemporary context
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/159
<p><em>Economic freedom, economic growth, and human development are key determinants of modern economic systems. The relationship between them is particularly important for developing economies where market institutions, legal structures, and social policies are still in the process of formation. In the era of globalization, the interaction of these three components defines economic policy and the possibilities for sustainable development. This article aims to assess the impact of economic freedom on economic growth </em><em>through a parallel </em><em>review </em><em>of </em><em>globalization and human development</em><em>, </em><em>specifically using the example of Georgia in its historical and modern context. The article analyzes the advantages and challenges of economic liberalism in Georgia using indicators such as the “Economic Freedom Index” and the “Human Development Index.” The research also </em><em>addresses</em><em> historical parallels in the Principality of Samegrelo, where the state actively supported strategic sectors and infrastructur</em><em>al</em><em> projects. In conclusion, the author </em><em>contends </em><em>that the optimal model for Georgia should be a hybrid one, where economic freedom is balanced by rational elements of dirigisme, which will contribute to institutional stability and the reduction of corruption.</em></p>Shorena Pachkoria
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2026-01-142026-01-141717418310.52340/zssu.2025.17.13SCIENTIFIC DISCOURSE ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF NEW ANTICANCER VACCINES: INNOVATIONS, PHARMACOLOGY, CLINICAL APPLICATIONS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/165
<p><em>The development of new anticancer vaccines represents one of the most promising innovations in oncology, integrating advances in immunology, molecular biology, nanotechnology,</em> <em>pharmacy, pharmacology and personalized medicine. Unlike conventional chemotherapeutic and radiotherapeutic strategies, anticancer vaccines aim to harness and amplify the body’s own immune system to recognize, target, and eliminate malignant cells while minimizing off-target toxicities. Recent innovations include peptide- and protein-based vaccines, dendritic cell–based formulations, viral vector platforms, and mRNA vaccines, which offer high versatility and potential for rapid adaptation to individual tumor antigens. A growing understanding of tumor immunology and neoantigen discovery has enhanced vaccine design, while the incorporation of adjuvants, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and combination regimens has demonstrated synergistic efficacy in preclinical and clinical trials. Pharmacologically, new vaccines function by enhancing antigen presentation, stimulating cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and modulating the tumor microenvironment to overcome immunosuppression. Nanoparticle delivery systems further improve stability, biodistribution, and targeted delivery of immunogenic components, enhancing vaccine potency. Clinically, cancer vaccines are being evaluated in melanoma, lung, breast, prostate, and hematologic malignancies. Despite encouraging outcomes, challenges remain, including tumor heterogeneity, immune evasion mechanisms, and variability in patient response, highlighting the importance of biomarkers for patient stratification and treatment monitoring. Future perspectives point toward increasingly personalized vaccines guided by next-generation sequencing, artificial intelligence–based antigen prediction, and integration with other immunotherapeutic modalities such as CAR-T cell therapy and oncolytic viruses. The convergence of precision medicine and cancer immunology suggests that anticancer vaccines may evolve into a cornerstone of comprehensive oncology care. A continued scientific discourse is essential to refine these strategies, address regulatory and manufacturing barriers, and ensure accessibility. Collectively, these innovations underscore the transformative potential of anticancer vaccines in shaping the future landscape of cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship of patients.</em></p>Nodar SulashviliNato AlavidzeMarika Sulashvili
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2026-01-162026-01-161718921510.52340/zssu.2025.17.18The Importance of Visualization at University Education
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/155
<p>The modern education system is developing consistently, which naturally impacts the methodologies of the teaching and learning processes. The development of modern technologies and the rapid spread of information require new approaches to the visualization and management of knowledge. The proposed article aims to discuss these processes and their significance, using university education as an example.</p> <p>Knowledge acquisition is an active process that can be fostered through various methods, such as:</p> <ol> <li>Traditional teaching methods at schools and universities.</li> <li>Online resources: Modern technologies, such as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), which allow students to learn independently and acquire new knowledge.</li> </ol> <p>The effective usage of knowledge acquisition, visualization, and management contributes to improving teaching processes and achieving higher academic success for students. However, significant attention must be paid to the challenges within the educational system.</p> <p>The article examines the curriculum <em>“Child’s Cognitive and Social Development and Learning,”</em> developed in accordance with the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The course clearly demonstrates that knowledge acquisition, visualization, and management present diverse challenges within the field of educational sciences; however, these challenges can be effectively addressed through the application of appropriate approaches that integrate technology and the principles of Universal Design for Learning.</p>Dali BerandzeNato Kobuladze
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2026-01-132026-01-131712312910.52340/zssu.2025.17.09Exploring Socio-Emotional Factors and the Role of Embarrassment in English Language Acquisition in Georgian Universities
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/156
<p><em>This study explores the influence of socio-emotional factors—particularly embarrassment—on English language acquisition among university students in Georgia. Recognizing the growing importance of English proficiency for academic and professional advancement, the research investigates how emotional barriers impact learners' communicative performance, classroom participation, and motivation. Guided by the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), the study employs a quantitative, descriptive methodology, surveying 124 undergraduate students from both public and private universities across Georgia. Results reveal that embarrassment, anxiety over pronunciation, and fear of negative evaluation are prevalent and significantly hinder learners’ willingness to engage in oral communication. While many students report reduced confidence and participation due to these factors, others demonstrate resilience and a proactive desire to improve. The findings underscore the need for emotionally supportive pedagogical strategies, including low-stakes speaking opportunities, constructive feedback, and educator training on emotional sensitivity. This study contributes to the growing body of research on affective factors in second language acquisition and offers practical recommendations to enhance the emotional well-being and communicative competence of language learners in higher education.</em></p>Sophio MoralishviliKristine ChokhonelidzeIzolda Chkhobadze
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2026-01-132026-01-131713013910.52340/zssu.2025.17.10Methodologies for Improving the Quality of Teaching Biochemistry in Higher Educational Institutions
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/119
<p>The work includes eight years of research and observation on the issues of improving the quality of teaching biochemistry in higher educational institutions. On the example of teaching students of Zugdidi State University. Meskhia and Gori State University. In particular, the ways of expanding the possibilities of visual demonstration of the material, auditory and emotional memory, memorizing terms and complex phrases, revealing the creative abilities of students, evaluating the acquired knowledge using various types of techniques are described. It is proved that the use of the proposed methods helps to increase the level of knowledge, skills and abilities of students.</p>Nana GelenavaMariam Ubiria
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2025-01-312025-01-311714015110.52340/zssu.2024.16.10Some Plants of the Dadiani with Edible and Medicinal Uses in the Zugdidi Botanical Garden
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/160
<p><em>The paper covers the following several plants with edible and medicinal uses in the Zugdidi Botanical</em><em> Garden: 1. Pomegranate-Punica granatum 2. Walnut tree- Juglans regia 3. Candy tree Hovenia-Hovenia Thunb. 4. Ordinary chestnut- Castanea sativa mil. 5. Laurel- Laurocesus. The aforementioned plants grow well in the soil and climate conditions of the Zugdidi Botanical Garden. The later was constructed in 1840 by the last ruler of Samegrelo, Davit Dadiani in honor of his wife, Ekaterine Chavchavadze. </em></p> <p><em>From the outset the aforementioned Ruler looked after the Garden and later, he entrusted his wife Ekaterine with the Garden. The Queen took a high interest in the Garden. First, she brought in an Italian gardener and later, tasked him to bring almost every exotic plant from Europe. The later included a few variety of plants from the French King Louis-Philippe’s Gardens of Versailles. </em></p> <p><em>The paper covers those plants of the Dadiani with edible and medicinal uses which are included in the Red Data Book as well as in the Global Red List. The paper provides description of dissemination area of these plants, their bio-morphological characteristics, chemical constituents and utilization in medicine with the purpose of treating various diseases. </em></p>Larisa Tirkia
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2026-01-142026-01-141718418810.52340/zssu.2025.17.14Semantic and Lexicological Aspects of Enological Terms with Negative Connotation in the Georgian Language
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/147
<p>The present study offers a semantic analysis of lexical units that reflect the qualitative characteristics of Georgian wine, based on field research and lexicographic sources. It focuses on the semantic fields of terms denoting low-quality wine in various dialectal areas, examining their etymological and semantic features. The research provides a structural-semantic analysis of lexical units used in Georgian dialects to denote inferior wine. The material has been collected through both fieldwork and lexicographic sources. As a result of the study, semantic groupings of lexemes and their distribution across Georgian dialects were identified.</p>Teona KhupheniaLuiza Khachapuridze
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2026-01-132026-01-131791410.52340/zssu.2025.17.01THE KARTVELIAN LINGUISTIC SYSTEM IN THE WORKS OF PROFESSOR REVAZ SHEROZIA
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/167
<p><em>Professor Revaz Sherozia is a distinguished representative of Georgia’s scholarly community. His biography stands as an exemplary model of both scientific and human integrity—one that serves as a guide for us today and will remain instructive for future generations. The reading, comprehension, and analysis of his works will provide valuable orientation and guidance not only to young people interested in Georgian studies but also to a wider audience.</em></p> <p><em>Mr.</em><em> Revaz</em><em>, first as a teacher and later as a colleague, embodied for us the highest standards of professional privilege, academic rigor, and intellectual refinement. Just as he was in personal relationships, so too do his scientific writings reflect that same elevation of thought.</em></p> <p><em>Professor Sherozia’s research is remarkably diverse. At present, we highlight his contributions to the study of Georgian (Kartvelian) language policy, which necessarily involves reflection on the structure of the Georgian (Kartvelian) linguistic system itself. There is no scholarly work of Professor Sherozia—whether dealing with issues of Kartvelian linguistic structure, etymological inquiry, or other fundamental problems of national Georgian studies—that does not emphatically stress the idea that “the Kartvelian linguistic space is a unified whole and must not be fragmented into several languages.”</em></p> <p><em>“The Georgian nation was shaped by the Kartvelian linguistic system. The Kartvelian ecclesiastical, literary, and state language was created by the Tao-Klarjeti Georgians, the Tush, the Mingrelian-Laz, the Khevsur, the Meskhetian, the Svan, and the Kakheti-Ingilo communities. In this language were written the martyrdoms, the historical chronicles, The Knight in the Panther’s Skin, The Lake of Bazaleti. Even today, the Georgian people perceive, create, and experience the world through the Kartvelian language. The inhabitants of different regions of Georgia, through its diverse dialectal forms, continue to share with one another joy and sorrow, thought and experience. The strength of the Kartvelian language lies in its unity and diversity!”</em></p> <p><em>In Professor Sherozia’s multifaceted works, imbued with deep scholarly integrity, numerous pressing issues of linguistic systems and language policy are raised, issues whose resolution is of paramount importance. For this reason, it is essential that future generations become acquainted with the ethos and legacy of our senior teacher and distinguished researcher. </em></p>Sorena Lomaia
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2026-01-172026-01-1717152510.52340/zssu.2025.17.20LAZ POPULATION IN DÜZCE AND THEIR SELF-PERCEPTION
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/166
<p>Muhajirism – this term refers to one of the most tragic events in Georgia’s history of the second half of the 19th century, connected to the Russo-Ottoman War of 1877–1878 and the lives of the people who were displaced as a result of this war. Within the field of Georgian studies, the examination of the muhajir Georgians—their way of life, cultural memory, and historical experiences—has emerged as one of the principal directions of contemporary research. Georgian scholars and public intellectuals have consistently demonstrated an interest in the fate of compatriots who were estranged from their homeland. For many years, however, this subject remained a taboo, silenced for a variety of reasons.</p> <p>Since the 1890s, when a new stage in relations between Turkey and Georgia began, the aforementioned attitude has also undergone change. Today, there exists both the willingness and the possibility to undertake scholarly inquiry into all issues connected with the muhajir Georgians and their descendants. To this end, for several years now, academic expeditions have been organized both in historical Georgia and in various regions of Turkey settled by Georgian-Laz communities. Based on the materials collected, a number of noteworthy studies have been produced, authored either individually or collaboratively.</p> <p>With the goodwill of the Turkish state, programs in Georgian language and literature have been established at four major universities—Kars, Ardahan, Rize, and Düzce. These programs provide students with the opportunity to acquire academic knowledge in the fields of Georgian language, literature, history, culture, and art, as well as to engage with current issues in Georgian studies. Students are also enabled to master the Georgian literary language, which, in the fair judgment of Prof. Revaz Sherozia, should more appropriately be termed the „Georgians’ literary language,“ as it inherently encompasses the linguistic heritage of speakers from all regions of Georgia.</p> <p>The modern Turkish state grants its Georgian and Laz citizens (among others) the opportunity to study their own past, recognizing that accurate and scholarly information serves to strengthen cultural relations. At Düzce University, where the program in Georgian language and literature has been functioning for more than a decade, students engage in scholarly research and produce academic works dedicated to these subjects.</p> <p>It must be noted that the modern Georgian literary language does not, of course, entirely coincide with either the Adjara dialect spoken by Georgians of that region or with the Laz language. These ancient lexical and morphological forms, preserved orally from generation to generation, remain in urgent need of systematic study and documentation. This task is rendered all the more pressing as such elements gradually fade from living memory over time, surviving only as part of the cultural heritage.</p> <p>Düzce University (Turkey), Department of Caucasian Languages and Cultures, Program in Georgian Language and Literature. Düzce represents a significant region for us, as it is home to a large number of muhajir Georgians—or more precisely, the descendants of muhajir Georgians. Since more than a century and a half has passed since the tragic events known as muhajirism, the first-generation witnesses of this history are, naturally, no longer alive. Only a small portion of the second generation remains. Our respondents are predominantly representatives of the third generation, who possess certain knowledge about their past and origins, and who, to varying degrees, continue to preserve their historical linguistic heritage.</p> <p>By muhajir Georgians, we refer to the Gurjs and Lazs who currently reside in the Republic of Turkey. They are loyal citizens of this country; a significant portion of them takes an active interest in their ethnic origins and, in various ways, seeks to establish or maintain connections with their historical roots.</p> <p>The subject under investigation is profound and inexhaustible, multidimensionally interesting and significant, particularly when it concerns the Laz language, way of life, and history. This is due to the fact that this area remains relatively understudied, a circumstance which contributes to the gradual alienation of the Laz people from their native Georgian roots. However, this process has been ongoing for a long time. The patriotic scholar Zakaria Chichinadze, when recounting the historical past of Lazeti, emphasized that „the Laz people are obliged to learn and fully understand that they belong to the Georgian nation, that their homeland is Georgia, that their mother tongue is the source of the Georgian language, and that the alphabet of their mother tongue is the Georgian script, not the Turkish or Arabic scripts, as was propagated to them by the Ottomans“ (Chichinadze 1927).</p> <p>“During the administration of the Empire of Trebizond, the Georgian language and literacy were used everywhere. The Georgian language and script were so highly esteemed that even the chief bishop of Lazistan in Trebizond was called the Bishop of Khalt’a, which evidently meant ‘Bishop of Kartli.’ We cite this information here to demonstrate the strength of Lazistan’s national spirit and the loyal service rendered to Georgia, for which the Laz people were richly rewarded“ (Chichinadze 1927).</p> <p>In the present study, we aim to present the historical memory and self-perception of the Laz living in Turkey, focusing on a specific region—the Laz of Düzce.</p>Maka Salia
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2026-01-162026-01-1617263910.52340/zssu.2025.17.19Music as a Character in Rezo Sherozia’s novel „The Room of Solitude“
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/148
<p><em>Professor Revaz Sherozia, in addition to being a linguist, scholar, and educator, also wrote literary works — poems and short stories — under the pseudonym Juma Jumiteli. He received formal music education, having graduated from the Second Music School named after Z. Paliashvili in 1969, and composed numerous melodies.<br />The article examines R. Sherozia’s short story In the Room of Solitude, focusing on the author’s perspective on music. Literary history offers examples where abstract phenomena are transformed into characters. The paper analyzes how music in this story is personified, animated, and spiritualized — what role it plays in revealing the psychological state of the characters, and whether it influences the development of the plot.</em></p> <p><em>The study employs literary interpretation and hermeneutic analysis, including an overview of the poetic and cultural structures of the text, observations on the characters, and the author’s expressive devices.</em></p>Khatuna Gogia
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2026-01-132026-01-1317404810.52340/zssu.2025.17.02RELIGION, BELIEF, FOLKLORE, MYTHOLOGY, FOLK RELIGION – UNDERSTANDING OF THE TERMS
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/149
<p><em>All scientists who have dealt with man and his culture, to some extent, deal with religion, faith, myth, folk beliefs. The work interestingly discusses the essence of religion, faith, folk beliefs, mythology, and at the same time what they have in common for understanding humanity, the human system of thought. What is interesting are precisely those fine boundaries that bring them closer and at the same time clearly distinguish them from each other. The work interestingly emphasizes the topics of the sociology of religion. Special attention is also paid to the above-mentioned issues from the point of view of studying the history of thought. The latter is all the more relevant in the modern world, when thinking has actually become a multifaceted target in terms of the spread of various propaganda and influences.</em></p>Bela Mosia
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2026-01-132026-01-1317495710.52340/zssu.2025.17.03Anthroponymic Toponyms (Oikonyms) in the Megrelian Language
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/150
<p><em>This paper explores the origin and development of anthroponymic toponyms (anthropo-oikonyms) in the Samegrelo region of Georgia. It focuses on place names derived from personal names and surnames, examining their morphological structure and the linguistic mechanisms involved in their formation. Special attention is given to affixation models (e.g., le–...–e, sa–...–o, na–...) typical to the Megrelian language, as well as phonetic processes such as haplology, assimilation, and dissimilation.</em></p> <p><em>Based on scholarly literature and local toponymic data, the study confirms that a significant number of toponyms in Samegrelo are closely connected to historically attested personal and family names. The paper analyzes both ancient and more recent toponymic forms, considering their relation to linguistic, ethnic, and social factors. This research offers сrucial insights for linguistics, as well as for the fields of history and ethnology.</em></p>Asmat Shonia
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2026-01-132026-01-1317586210.52340/zssu.2025.17.04Structural and Semantic Analysis of Adigeni Toponyms Based on Field Ethnographic Materials
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/168
<p><em>Toponymy is one of the essential branches of linguistics that explores the origin, formation, linguistic structure, and cultural-historical significance of place names. The study of toponyms contributes not only to understanding linguistic and cultural heritage but also supports the reconstruction of the socio-historical and geographical characteristics of a region.<br>This paper presents toponymic data collected during the student ethnographic expedition organized by Akhaltsikhe State University in 2024 in the villages of the Adigeni region. The toponyms in Adigeni reflect local social, geographical, and historical contexts. The research analyzes names of natural and residential sites—such as mountains, valleys, springs, fields, and neighborhoods</em> <em>—</em> <em>based on fieldwork and oral testimonies.<br>The aim of the study is to conduct a lexical, structural-semantic, etymological, and cultural analysis of Adigeni's toponyms, in order to determine their linguistic features and historical-cultural significance.<br>The methodological approach includes documentation of toponyms, interviews with local respondents, and analysis of relevant lexicographic and ethnographic sources. A comparative method was used to examine the linguistic origins and semantic nuances of toponyms by referencing dialectal, terminological, and toponymic dictionaries.<br>The structural classification identifies simple-rooted, affixed, compound, and modifier-marked toponyms, which reveal diverse layers of language formation. Many names reflect geographical features, local beliefs, ownership, social structures, or historical memory, thus enriching the cultural topography of the region.<br>The research confirms that Adigeni's toponyms are dynamic linguistic units that embody both linguistic richness and cultural continuity. Their scientific documentation and analysis play a crucial role in preserving linguistic heritage and providing valuable data for future studies.</em></p>David ShavianidzeLuiza Khachapuridze
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2026-01-172026-01-1717636910.52340/zssu.2025.17.21CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIMENSIONS OF SAMEGRELO’S DEVELOPMENT AND THE EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS OF CATHOLIC MISSIONARIES
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/151
<p><em>In Georgia the educational work of Catholic missionaries in Samegrelo region from </em><em>XVII to XIX centuries is important for the study of the history of the Roman Catholic Church </em><em>and Georgian culture. The multi religious population of western Georgia, Samegrelo, was </em><em>distinguished by a rather high culture of coexistence. The contributions of missionaries </em><em>such as Don Cristoforo Castell, Don Antonio Jardina and others are especially noteworthy. </em><em>They founded schools where reading and writing were taught in Georgian and Italian, </em><em>along with Christian doctrine. Representatives of the Roman Church carried out fruitful </em><em>activities in Samegrelo, they introduced the advanced knowledge of the world at that </em><em>time, medical, agricultural and engineering innovations and taught foreign languages. </em><em>The contribution of Catholic missionaries to Georgian science, culture and education is </em><em>significant.</em></p>Lali AbdaladzeKetevan LatariaIrine Inaneishvili
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2026-01-132026-01-1317707610.52340/zssu.2025.17.05“Ojaleshi“ Etiquettes and Communication
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/152
<p><em>The study examines the etiquettes of the wine “Ojaleshi’.The study is based on different theoretical materials..The aim of etiquettes is to provide a reader with some information.The article examines linguistic side of the wine etiquettes chronologically.The paper analyses different theoretical materials and the wine etiquettes.It focuses on etiquettes texts, communication strategies,verbal and nonverbal characteristics.</em></p>Maka Sherozia
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2026-01-132026-01-1317779110.52340/zssu.2025.17.06Publications and Editions by Aleksandre Kazbegi During His Lifetime (1861–1882)
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/153
<p><em>Aleksandre Kazbegi is among the least thoroughly studied writers of the Georgian classical canon. Both during his lifetime and after his death, his works were published on several occasions; however, none of these editions constitutes a complete collection. Various archives in Georgia preserve unpublished and unfinished short stories, completed and incomplete plays, poems, personal correspondence, and notebooks. To date, a comprehensive account of the publication history of Kazbegi’s oeuvre has not been produced. Existing scholarship consists primarily of monographs and studies dedicated to the examination of the creative history of individual works."</em></p> <p><em>The present article aims to analyze the early stage of Aleksandre Kazbegi’s creative career, with particular attention to his first publication (Nana, 1861) and to his subsequent literary, journalistic, and theatrical activities. The study demonstrates how the writer’s character was shaped, how family environment, education, and youthful experiences were reflected in his work, and what role the social and cultural context played in this process.</em></p> <p><em>The research is based on biographical and documentary material, memoir sources (including the recollections of Elisabed Kazbegi, Tedo Goderdzishvili, Davit Kldiashvili, among others), as well as critical and analytical literature. Textological and historical-cultural methods of analysis are employed in order to highlight the themes of Kazbegi’s early works, his social position, and his intellectual pursuits</em></p> <p><em>The article poses several key research questions: under what conditions did Kazbegi’s first literary debut take place, and how did it shape his subsequent work? What role did the family and educational environment play in the formation of his personality and artistic world? How were Kazbegi’s youthful experiences transformed into journalistic and literary narratives?</em></p> <p><em>The findings of the study reveal that Kazbegi’s early writings already contained the themes and motifs that later came to define his artistic system: social justice, an interest in the life of the people, a commitment to defending the peasantry, and a critical stance toward aristocratic norms and traditions. From Nana to Tsitska and Elguja, his creative trajectory enabled him to introduce a new spirit into national literature and to portray the life of Khevi, the Mokheves, and the oppressed.</em></p> <p><em>In conclusion, it may be stated that Kazbegi’s early period represents not only an important stage in his biography, but also a crucial phase in the development of nineteenth-century Georgian literature and social thought.</em></p>Nana Lataria
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2026-01-132026-01-13179210110.52340/zssu.2025.17.07Talent, Words, and the Culture of the Heart (Excerpts from Revez Sherozia’s relationship with words)
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/154
<p><em>Revez Sherozia engaged with words through scientific research and artistic creation. In addition to his linguistic studies, he produced fables, fairy tales, and stories. The focus of our research is on extensive narratives: "Notes of the Released"and "The Room of Solitude" (Portraits from the Lives of Two Poets). "Notes of the Released" depicts a person's journey through the mortal world and their mission to serve goodness and love. The author, through spiritual insight, portrays the episode of the main character's departure from worldly life; it illustrates the choice—preferably, to submit to evil ("Tzirkes" — Revez Sherozia) — and to forego the earthly existence of twenty years in favor of passing into the beyond, in the realm beyond this life. "The Room of Solitude" (Portraits from the Lives of Two Poets) is dedicated to Nikoloz Baratashvili and Chopin, emphasizing the harmony of their creative works and their life journeys. The work highlights the author's intellectual space and heartfelt perspective. Particular attention is given to the fact that Revez Sherozia's attitude towards words is rooted in strength, talent, and a culture of the heart. Therefore, his writing style is characterized by emotional expression and profound meaning. He possesses a unique linguistic energy, created by the combination of words, talent, and heartful culture. </em></p>Nestan Phiphia
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2026-01-132026-01-131710210710.52340/zssu.2025.17.08Gurian Vocabulary in Giorgi Kekelidze’s „Gurian Diaries“
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/163
<p>The study of an author’s language is essential both for the exploration of literary language and for the investigation of individual dialects. Dialects preserve lexical forms that are often less common in the standard language, yet play a significant role in representing the history of the language. Against this background, the documentation and analysis of dialectal lexical units—whose usage is gradually declining and falling into oblivion—remains a crucial scholarly task.</p> <p>The present research aims to analyze the Gurian dialectal vocabulary as reflected in Giorgi Kekelidze’s <em>Gurian Diaries</em>. From the analyzed material, we present lexical items that are attested not only in Gurian, but also across other Georgian dialects. These lexical units are of particular interest since the author often assigns distinct connotations to specific word forms. The study examines the semantic and morphological characteristics of the dialectal words, their contexts of use, and their significance for enriching the modern Georgian lexicon. Of special importance is the lexical diversity and the unique expressions employed by the author, many of which are artistically elaborated and frequently occur in literary texts.</p> <p>The lexical units under study are provisionally divided into nouns (e.g., <em>tsviti</em>, <em>metsunie</em>, <em>chonchkho</em>, <em>galantsuli</em>) and verbs (e.g., <em>gadavlek’e</em>, <em>vch’urt’avdi</em>, <em>putk’avs</em>, <em>itsrialebs</em>, <em>iropheba</em>). These were compared with entries in the Explanatory Dictionary of the Georgian Language as well as various dialectal dictionaries. The analysis reveals that the dialectal vocabulary employed by Giorgi Kekelidze is attested not only in Gurian but also in other Georgian dialects.</p>Marika TedoradzeSalome Gumberidze
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2026-01-162026-01-161710811410.52340/zssu.2025.17.16European Mascarons and the Dadiani Palace
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/164
<p><em>The present study explores the role and significance of mascarons—architectural and decorative sculptural elements—in the context of the Dadiani Palace furniture collections. The primary aim is to analyze the aesthetic, symbolic, and cultural functions of mascarons as both protective emblems and markers of aristocratic taste, situating them within the broader framework of European artistic traditions and their local adaptation in nineteenth-century Georgia.</em></p> <p><em>Methodologically, the research employs an interdisciplinary approach, combining art-historical, cultural, and stylistic analysis with close examination of surviving artefacts preserved in the Dadiani Palace Museum. Particular emphasis is placed on the influence of Baroque and Rococo ornamentation, as well as on the ways in which European motifs were integrated into the aristocratic environment of Samegrelo.</em></p> <p><em>The study is guided by the following research questions:</em> <em>What symbolic and aesthetic functions do mascarons fulfill within the furniture and interior design of the Dadiani Palace?In what ways did European decorative trends shape the material culture of the Georgian aristocracy?How do mascarons reflect both universal mythological symbolism and the cultural specificity of their local context?</em></p> <p><em>The findings suggest that mascarons operated not merely as decorative embellishments but as cultural signifiers that mediated between the sacred and the profane, embodying power, protection, and aesthetic refinement. Their presence demonstrates a synthesis of European monumental styles with Georgian aristocratic identity, thus positioning the Dadiani Palace collection as a unique testimony to transcultural exchange. Ultimately, mascarons serve as enduring witnesses of historical memory, encapsulating both the grandeur of aristocratic life and the symbolic imagination of their creators.</em></p>Lali Chitanava
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2026-01-162026-01-161711512210.52340/zssu.2025.17.17JURY VERDICT
https://journals.zssu.ge/index.php/zssu/article/view/162
<p><em>We talk about the importance of institution of the Jury trial; making members of the </em><em>society more active; protection of rights and freedoms guaranteed by the constitution; </em><em>democratic processes, etc., but it seems that we are avoiding to talk about the difficulties </em><em>concerning the work of jurors. Our goal is to demonstrate these difficulties and walk the </em><em>same path from the selection of jurors till delivering the verdict. I believe that, despite the </em><em>difficulties, on the basis of a consistent, easy understandable explanation from the judge, </em><em>jurors are able to convict or acquit accused person on each charge brought.</em></p>Nugzar Saria
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2026-01-142026-01-141721622310.52340/zssu.2025.17.15