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Im November interviewte der französische Journalist Frederic de Natal Seine Königliche Hoheit Prinz Davit Bagrationi von Georgien . Monsieur de Natal, ein guter Freund, hat mir die Erlaubnis gegeben, die englischsprachige Übersetzung seines Interviews mit dem Oberhaupt des Königshauses Bagrationi zu veröffentlichen . Frederic de Natal konzentriert sich hauptsächlich auf Nachrichten zu den Königsfamilien der Welt; er ist der Gründer der Website Monarchies et Dynasties du Monde .
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Frederic de Natal (FdN): „ Die russische Revolution von 1917 zwang Ihre Familie ins Exil. Sie wurden in Madrid, Spanien, geboren und haben dort einen großen Teil Ihres Lebens verbracht. Wie haben Sie dieses Exil erlebt? “
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| Prinz David Bagrationi von Georgien und König Felipe VI. von Spanien. |
Prinz David: „ Spanien hat schon immer eine große Zahl von Königsfamilien aus Osteuropa willkommen geheißen. Wir werden diesem wunderbaren Land, dessen Menschen uns immer mit großer Liebe und Respekt behandelt haben, ob sie nun Monarchisten waren oder nicht, immer zu Dank verpflichtet sein. Ich behalte eine gewisse Zärtlichkeit aus meinen Jahren im Exil, die für mich 27 Jahre dauerten. Ich habe dort immer noch Familie und enge Freunde und ich pflege eine besondere Beziehung zu diesem Land. In unserer Trauer, nicht in unserer Heimat leben zu können, muss ich zugeben, dass wir großes Glück hatten. “
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FdN: „ 1995 kehrte Ihr Vater, Prinz Georgi Bagration, in Ihr Heimatland Georgien zurück. Welche Erinnerungen haben Sie an Ihren Vater? “
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| Der verstorbene Prinz Giorgi Bagrationi. |
Prince David: “My father put his feet on Georgian soil for the first time in the early 1990s, after the fall of the Communist regime. He returned for the reburial of my great-grandparents, who had died in Spain. Today all three rest in the Royal Pantheon of Svetiskhoveli Cathedral, in Mtskheta, a town near Tbilisi. Twelve years after the death of my father, his spirit is still very close to me. He always held a deep love for Georgia. He was a true patriot, who was the head of our house for thirty-one years and who never let himself be influenced by the different political parties, including during the years of crisis and the civil war which broke out after Georgian independence. With the advice he gave me, I can keep my feet on the ground.“
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FdN: “You are today the legitimate heir to the throne of Georgia. What are your current activities as head of the Royal House?“
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| Prince David Bagrationi and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. |
Prince David: “Georgia is now a presidential republic, which greatly limits my activities within the country. And yet, there is still a lot of work to be done. I am involved in charitable organizations and I am also involved in various environmental projects. I try to attract foreign investors in order to make Georgia internationally known by emphasising the history of its ancient dynasty: its culture, customs, and traditions.“
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FdN: “Like your father, you are passionate about motor racing. Is it a job you would have liked to pursue and why?“
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| Prince Davit Bagrationi and his son Prince Giorgi. |
Prince David: “Yes I am! Not only am I passionate about motor racing, but about in motorsports in general. When I was younger, I spent more time riding motorcycles and racing. I have learned a lot through motorsport. Things such as being serious, courageous, focused, disciplined, always remaining calm in extreme situations, making correct decisions in milliseconds – all which are essential elements to master the basics of this sport. In recent years, I have participated in thirty car races. In fact, last August I did an endurance race which consisted of crossing Georgia from the sea to the mountainous areas without setting foot at once. Three days of competition where I discovered young talents. I think this sport should be promoted by more institutions and business, it would allow Georgia to have a very positive impact abroad, much better than any of our current commercials. I find that sport is generally an excellent promotional tool for a country.“
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FdN: “In 2018, you were invited to attend the swearing-in of President Salome Zourabishvili. What is your current relationship with the Georgian government?“
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| Prince Davit Bagrationi and President Salome Zourabishvili. |
Prince David: “This was an important ceremony, as the inauguration took place in the palace of the last king of Kartl-Kakheti in Telavi, an area in eastern Georgia internationally known for its wines. On several occasions in recent years, President Zourabishvili has spoken out in favor of the return of the monarchy. She understands the advantages Georgia could get from a possible replacement of the head of state by a constitutional monarch. The relationship that we [the Bagrationi dynasty] have with the government is excellent, and we hope that this positive dialogue will continue well into the future.“
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FdN: “Does the Royal House of Bagrationi enjoy a special status in Georgia like that one in Romania or Montenegro? If not, would you like to get a special status?“
Prince David: “Being able to live in our country is already a special status in itself. The royal house has not asked for favors from any Georgian government. But I would like a better supervision and a better protection of the historical heritage of my ancestors. It is always believed that when a royal house is overthrown, here in Georgia it was by a foreign country [Russia], then that dynasty has no longer has any rights. I deeply regret that some of the businessmen who live in our former properties use the history of my ancestors, including our coat of arms, for commercial purposes. I think this should be better regulated today.“
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FdN: “Legislative elections were held this month. Two monarchist movements participated in this election but achieved very poor results. How do you explain this when the polls about the monarchal restoration issue seem to be significantly growing?“
Prince David: “To tell you the truth, there are very few political parties in Georgia which are in favour of the reestablishment of the monarchy. I think we have to be very careful about this. I recall that kings are above parties, acting for the common good, far away from partisan and political quarrels.“
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FdN: “The Union of Georgian Traditionalists is the oldest monarchist movement and was founded by your grandfather, Prince Irakli, in 1939. Upon independence, the party lead the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia (1991-1992) before the beginning of the civil war. There were even talks of a possible restoration of the monarchy. Are you in contact with them?“
Prince David: “In the 1990s, it was a real political force. Today, they barely exceed the 1% mark in elections. I do not follow their activities closely, but I have maintained a friendship with one of the former member of the party.“
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FdN: “His Holiness Patriarch Ilia II, the highest religious authority in Georgia, has called many times for a return of the constitutional monarchy. Several political parties have expressed support for this initiative, but this issue divides Georgians. Do you think that the monarchy is the solution that will put an end to the crises which follow one by one in the country and which will achieve its unity? Which political parties today support the return of the monarchy?“
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| Prince David Bagrationi and Patriarch Ilia II. |
Prince David: “I have great respect and love for His Holiness Patriarch Ilia II. For many years, he said himself that he was in favour of a restoration, with all that that implies, and I am very grateful for his courage. Just as I am thankful for the advice that he has given me over the years. Some political parties have expressed their support, or pseudo-support, for the return of the monarchy, but an honest situation must be made of this issue. Indeed, I fear that some of these parties are using the idea of monarchy as a weapon in order to weaken their opponents, who do not hesitate to attack us. Others have wanted or are trying to circumvent the ancient rules of succession of our dynasty by proposing other pretenders to the throne.“
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FdN: “If tomorrow you were King of Georgia, what would be your first decisions?“
Prince David: “Surely that I would seek to nominate a member of the Royal House of Bagrationi in Georgia to succeed me at one time or another, an heir who is Orthodox, who meets the rules of dynastic succession, who is independent, and who has the necessary strength to deal with such a difficult task as that of being a sovereign.“
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FdN: “It was Russia that ended the independence of the Kingdom of Georgia in 1812 and annexed the country into the Russian empire. This dominance lasted until the fall of the Soviet Union. In 2008, Russia briefly invaded Georgia. What were your feelings at that time?“
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| Prince Davit with Georgian soldiers during the 2008 conflict. |
Prinz David: „ In Zeiten des Krieges versteht man, was Barbarei bedeutet. Sie ist auch ein Symbol für die gefallene Natur des Menschen. Aus tödlichen Konflikten geht niemand wirklich als Sieger hervor. Wir wissen, was das Wort ‚Frieden‘ bedeutet, und in diesem konkreten Fall haben wir es noch besser verstanden. Es ist uns gelungen, einen Dialog zu fördern, der in gegenseitigem Respekt geführt wird. Wissen Sie, egal wie unterschiedlich die Ansichten der einzelnen in einem solchen Kontext sind, wir müssen immer einen Weg finden, Konfrontationen zu vermeiden, und das gilt umso mehr, wenn es zu bewaffneten Konflikten kommt. “
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FdN: „ Ihrer Meinung nach kann die Religion nicht von der Monarchie getrennt werden und dennoch der Kitt der georgischen Nation sein? “
Prinz David: „ Ohne Zweifel! Die georgischen Könige und die aufeinander folgenden Patriarchen haben seit tausend Jahren immer in perfekter Harmonie gelebt. Tatsächlich waren einige meiner Vorfahren auch Patriarchen von Georgien. Ich bin nach wie vor davon überzeugt, dass unsere Religion eine Quelle der Einheit für alle Georgier ist. “
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Prinz Davit Bagrationi wurde am 24. Juni 1976 in Madrid als Sohn von Prinz George Bagrationi (1944–2008) und seiner ersten Frau Doña María de las Mercedes de Zornoza y Ponce de León (1942–2020) geboren . Über seinen Vater ist der Prinz ein Cousin von Großherzogin Maria Vladimirovna von Russland, dem Oberhaupt des Zarenhauses Romanow. Im Jahr 2009 heiratete Prinz Davit Prinzessin Anna Bagrationi; das Paar hatte einen Sohn, Prinz Giorgi (geb. 2011). Prinz Davit Bagrationi, der in Georgien lebt, ist Großmeister und Großkragen des Ordens des Adlers von Georgien.
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