On February 26, Caucasus University hosted the opening event of the “Ilia’s Thursdays” lecture series, organized by the International Research Center for Georgian Studies. The initiative represents a contemporary reactivation of a historic intellectual tradition.
“Ilia’s Thursdays” creates a space for dialogue between academics, students, and invited speakers. The initiative aims to strengthen academic discourse, promote multidimensional analysis of pressing issues, and open the university space to a broader audience.
The event was opened by the Head of the International Research Center for Georgian Studies, Associate Professor Nana Sharikadze. The President of Caucasus University, Professor Kakha Shengelia, addressed the audience with welcoming speech.
The first guest speaker of the series was Professor Mariam Manjgaladze, Professor at Caucasus University and Head of the Georgian Philology Program. She delivered a public lecture titled: “Language and Ideology: The Linguistic Dimension of Political Discourse.”
During the lecture, the following key issues were discussed:
- Language as an instrument of power;
- Historical paradigms of language policy in Georgia;
- Contemporary challenges and the legislative framework;
- The language of politicians in the public sphere — vocabulary, rhetoric, and etiquette;
- “Hate speech” and manipulative strategies in the modern context.
