Newmag Summer Fest will host the presentation of David Jishkariani's book "From a Leather Cape to a Leather Ball" (trailer)

Tbilisi's "Dinamo" remains a source of national pride for Georgia, having won the UEFA Cup and being among the winners of European grand clubs. However, few know the club's obscure beginnings and dark past. It was initially established as a sports base for the Chekists, with players who were off-field investigators of the KGB and Internal Affairs Committee, under the patronage of Beria himself.

"Dynamo" was created under the auspices of the special committee of the USSR. The Chekists needed physical activity beyond their official duties, such as football. Over time, Beria became increasingly interested in football. In 1929, during the club's formation, Lavrenty Beria personally selected the team members.

He scouted the best players from all over Georgia and brought them to Tbilisi, although this was no small feat, even for Beria. In today's terms, he was pioneering football "transfers" within the Soviet Union. However, these actions were viewed as deviating from Soviet ideology and embracing bourgeois sports.

According to the golden principle of Soviet physical culture, football was encouraged for its health benefits. However, Beria emphasized that playing football was one thing; creating a professional team required a higher level of discipline. In essence, he recognized the distinction between amateur and professional football.

Subsequently, the club's development trajectory shifted, and despite its Chekist origins, it aligned with Beria's vision to become one of the USSR's strongest teams. Today, "Dinamo" is the most decorated club in independent Georgia, regularly representing the country on the European stage. Georgian fans eagerly anticipate the emergence of new legends like Giorgi Daraselia, Georgi Paichadze, and others, who could once again rival serious European clubs and revive the name of "Dinamo" Tbilisi.

Jishkariani's exploration spans the recent history of the Soviet Union, encompassing Stalinism, nationalism, and colonialism. David Jishkariani is a Georgian journalist, writer, and historian who spent ten years conducting the historical study "From a Leather Cape to a Leather Ball." He delved into archives and analyzed numerous interviews. In 2022, the book received the prestigious Georgian "Saba" literary award.

FULL PROGRAM OF NEWMAG / SUMMERFEST-2024

The presentation of David Jishkariani's book "From a Leather Cape to a Leather Ball" will take place at Newmag Summer Fest on June 23, at 7 pm in Yeraz Park. The author will travel to Armenia for this special event and will participate in the book's presentation.

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