,,A Decent Life and Work Are Immortal – They Have No Age!
Mr. Aleksandre,
My heart can no longer bear the pain. I want to talk to you—I have so much to say, but where do I begin? What should I recall first?
I will never forget your kindness, loyalty, and wise advice. From the very beginning, you placed your full trust in me, offering unwavering support and guidance to someone completely new to trade union activities. That was your nature!
I am overwhelmed with emotions as I reflect on our twelve years of cooperation, struggle, and friendship. Your contribution to protecting teachers’ labor and socio-economic rights is immeasurable. For more than three decades, you led the Adjara Republican Council of the Georgian Teachers' Union (ESFTUG), navigating through different stages of our country’s development. Despite immense pressure and intimidation, you never wavered. You never abandoned the fundamental values of the trade union, which were primarily focused on safeguarding teachers' interests. I can recall countless moments when you made bold, progressive, and principled decisions during critical times.
There is something the public does not know, but I will share it now:
I met you in October 2010 when our organization was under immense pressure. Following the resignation of Manana Ghurchumalidze, we were preparing for an extraordinary congress. At that time, you were acting as the president. I decided to nominate my candidacy and submitted my documents.
The pre-election campaign felt strange and unfamiliar to me. During district meetings, not everyone was welcoming. Later, I learned that the government had its own candidate to control the independent trade union. As an ordinary teacher, I was unacceptable to them. However, with your support, a meeting was held in Batumi with Adjara activists. The people of Adjara listened warmly, inspired by the energy, courage, and principled vision you instilled in them. Like a father, an older brother, and a trusted advisor, you stood by my independent yet inexperienced candidacy, giving me hope for the creation of a strong and independent teachers' union.
On October 30, 2010, you chaired the congress, which the Ministry of Education attempted to disrupt. Despite this, we succeeded, and the elections were held in full compliance with the statute. I will never forget your triumphant voice: "111 delegates have elected Maia Kobakhidze!"
After my election, the pressure on me, on you, and on the entire organization intensified. At the same time, international organizations and the diplomatic corps expressed their unwavering support. I will never forget your reassuring presence and the kindness in your eyes when I told you about the threats I had received. Even then, you were my strength and support, despite facing great pressure yourself—something you never spoke about, but I later learned. Your unwavering loyalty was why they told me: "We have deported Ghurchumalidze to Canada, and you will take refuge in Adjara!"
My dear friend, how can I not remember our first meeting in the spring of 2011 with then-Minister of Education Dimitri Shashkini? Organized by the British mediator James Woods at the initiative of the embassies, the meeting was meant to restore our organization. The minister attempted to deceive us, proposing that we rebuild not nationwide but only in Adjara. You rejected his offer with intelligence, principle, and integrity. You did not give in to pressure or crisis. Your moral and ethical values always stood above personal well-being. Loyalty to ideas and the protection of teachers’ interests were the driving forces of your life.
Since October 2012, the pressure on our organization eased, allowing us to rebuild—and once again, Adjara led the way. You stood out for your ability to increase membership, build trust, foster teamwork among Adjara’s regional and city organizations, and tirelessly fight for teachers' rights.
Along with your successes, you never stopped fighting for the property confiscated in 2009. The ownership documents of the "Teacher’s House" in the center of Batumi, which belonged to our organization, had mysteriously disappeared from the archive. Less than a year after our conferences in mountainous Adjara, you surprised me by showing me office space in the center of Batumi, saying: "We will purchase and design it." Together, we created a teachers’ training room, a small office, and a financier’s workspace. Last fall, after the conference of the Adjara Republican Council, you welcomed me into a beautifully renovated, fully equipped office.
Beyond your tireless work and cherished memories, you left behind this space—a place for Adjara’s teachers and the Republican Council to gather and work with their members.
I did not know Adjara or the character of its people, but you made me love them. Every event you organized, every critical speech by an Adjara teacher, even the celebrations—all of them filled me with new energy and inspiration. I have said it many times, and I will say it again: "Just as the Autonomous Republic of Adjara firmly protects Georgia’s borders, so does the Adjara Republican Council of ESFTUG strengthen our organization!" This was achieved through your leadership, fairness, love for teachers and education, and your deep appreciation for trade union values.
During my leadership, you chaired seven congresses with unwavering professionalism, discipline, and culture.
Your transition to the afterlife is an irreplaceable loss for the teaching community and, especially, for the trade union movement in Georgia.
Words are not enough. There is no measure great enough to describe your legacy. Together, we have created a new chapter in the history of the trade union! Your wisdom, modern vision, and leadership will forever be a foundation for teachers’ unity.
I express my deepest sorrow and condolences to your family. Perhaps the recognition of your remarkable contributions will ease their grief. I hope that their pride in you will help them navigate this painful loss.
Rest in peace, our brave, dedicated, loyal, just, and tireless leader!
My dear friend, my advisor—may your bright and kind soul shine eternally!"- Maia Kobakhidze,ESFTUG President