1864 – 1929
Gandegili, Dominika Eristavi was born in the village of Salominao, Vani district, on 28 October 1864.
Her first poem “On Reburial of Baratashvili” was published by Ilia Chavchavadze in the newspaper Iveria in 1893 and he also employed her in the newspaper for her perfect knowledge of Georgian language. Dominika Eristavi was the first female proofreader.
Dominika Eristavi was one of the spearheads and founders of the first women’s organizations in Georgia – The Society of Georgian Women.
She cooperated with a number of periodical editions (newspapers Iveria, Kvali, Sakhalkho Purtseli, et cetera). In 1904, Dominika Eristavi was appointed the editor of the Nobati magazine.
After publishing a short story “Marine”, Dominika Eristavi was recognized as a gifted writer. She published a collection of poems and short stories in 1910, and a collection of poems in 1918.
Gandegili was also engaged in translation activity. She translated literary works of Heinrich Heine, Aleksandr Kuprin, Ivan Turgenev, Maxim Gorky and others.
She was nominated as a candidate of Tbilisi voters of Georgia’s National-Democratic Party (the newspaper Sakartvelo, issue #152, 14 July 1917).
My Protest
Author: Gandegili
“A representative meeting of cultural societies did not deem it necessary to have even a single woman among its seven members and three candidates of the board.
“Georgian women have never failed to reveal if not higher at least equal capabilities with men in any field, but the meeting of cultural societies does not prove to be cultural enough to allocate a dignified place to a Georgian woman whom our ancestors appreciated much more than our contemporaries. The 20th century men must be put to shame by recalling the 12th century men if contemporary Georgian men still have a feeling of shame.
“We do not ask anyone for favor, but let them bear in mind that we, Georgian women, cannot put up with such arrogance of men who make us responsible for many tasks, but do not give right for anything. The time of responsibilities without rights has long been left in the past.”
The newspaper Sakartvelo, issue #84,
16 April, 1916