Author of the Article: Liza Kakhaberidze

If you followed the student protests at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, you will surely remember Linda — a young girl with curly hair, always ready to protest injustice and oppose a regime that is increasingly resembling authoritarianism.

Linda Tsintsadze is 22 years old, from the village of Kirnati, Khelvachauri municipality, and is a graduate of the Pharmacy Department of the Batumi State University. While studying, she actively participated in conferences and researched the fruits of the oriental raisin tree.

She planned to continue her studies at Tbilisi State Medical University in the field of clinical pharmacy by 2024. However, the enactment of Russian law, the suspension of the EU accession process, elections, and other critical events made her decide to temporarily put her personal plans aside, stay in Batumi, and fight for change with his like-minded people, because she believes that it is better to use her resources for the region.

I wanted to go to Tbilisi and build a scientific career, but I chose to stay here and fight. If nothing changes, everything will lose its value. It doesn’t matter if you are a pharmacist, an engineer, an architect, a teacher or someone else.

In this article, we will tell you about the obstacles faced by a young woman who is not afraid of anything to defend her values ​​and the interests of her country; how she defends her voice — its secrecy in elections, and its right to be heard loudly and firmly in her family and society; how she fights injustice, gender stereotypes, and tries to establish herself in activism — where she is because she “cannot do otherwise.”

First Steps in Activism

When asked about her first steps in activism, she recalled March 2023, when she began participating in protests against Russian law. The most emotional and memorable moment for her was when she addressed the young people gathered at Europe Square.

“Before I took the microphone in my hands, I had a big fight with myself. On the one hand, I wanted to capture my thoughts as clearly as others did. On the other hand, it was new and unusual for me. I heard my voice in the microphone for the first time. My legs were shaking from nervousness, but I tried to finish my speech. When I finished, I felt a great sense of relief. It turned out that it was not impossible, it turned out that everything can be overcomed,” Linda told us.

This was a turning point for her. She dared to say out loud what was bothering her.

“The thirst for change, the love of the country, made me take this step. I wanted to do something good in my name. After this step, I gained faith that we can continue the fight and change things for the better.”

Linda was always interested in what was happening in the country. She followed the news and sometimes even responded to current events via social media.

“I loved literature the most in school. I think that’s where I learned the national spirit that I have now and that gives me the strength not to stop.”

“Microphones Are Not for Girls”

The video of Linda’s speech was also shared on social media. Relatives, family, villagers, and acquaintances saw it. Their reaction was definitely not one of solidarity or support.

“My activism was difficult for my family to understand and accept. It was as foreign to them as it was to me. Especially when you live in a village and when you are a woman. In addition, they are afraid that someone will harm me. That is why I understand them. I always communicate with them and explain to them that there is nothing wrong with what I do.”

She takes her family’s criticism and concerns about her activism into account. She says that with proper communication, she manages to mend her relationship with them. However, due to public pressure, they often change their attitudes and approaches.

Linda says that after she got involved in activism, her relatives’ attitude towards her also changed. They tell her that “a girl has no place on the streets” and “a girl has nothing to do with a microphone.”

“When they can’t get me to do anything, they go to my parents and tell them that their daughter is running around at protests. There’s a lot of pressure from society, through my family. In the end, I’m still active, but it’s at the expense of constant tension.”

It was especially difficult for Linda to see that even those from whom she had learned the importance of justice, freedom, and equality were no longer standing by her side.

It is very disappointing when you see that the people who taught us about Ilia Chavchavadze, Vazha-Pshavela, or Georgian history in school, who raised us with national values, are now leading us towards Russia.

It was difficult for her to understand and accept this, but she didn’t stop fighting because she believes in herself and that when you stand for justice, there is nothing that can stop you.

Student Protest at BSU

On November 14, a group of young people, including Linda, began a protest at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University. They believe the elections were rigged and are demanding a rerun.

Later, teachers, lecturers, and representatives of various political parties joined the protest.

Linda says that at first it was difficult for everyone, because it was unusual for them to protest by staying up all night at the university. But soon other students joined them, which gave them more energy and strength.

“During our stay there, a lot of citizens came. They brought food and blankets. They came and just consoled us. This had a positive effect on us, because it’s difficult to get through all this without each other’s support and cooperation.”

She recalls with particular joy the call from her teacher, who called to thank her.

“Despite the fact that my involvement in activism was mostly met with negative reactions, there were still people who supported me. Once, a teacher called me. She talked to me for 15 minutes. She thanked me for what I was doing and told me that I was strong. The call was both unexpected and joyful,” says Linda.

Speaking about the protest at BSU, Linda noted that she encountered gender inequality and stereotypical attitudes there as well.

“Against the backdrop of activist girls, only boys are developing politically. Even when media outlets come to us, they mainly go to boys, because they were more active than in previous processes. As soon as we encountered this problem, I personally ensured and continue to ensure that more girls were involved in the processes and, if they wished, they could also speak to the media.”

“If We Don’t Fight…”

“We must continue the fight until we regain the lost votes and return our country to the European rails. Otherwise, Georgia will become like Belarus, we will lose freedom, independence, all the values ​​and worth that Georgia has. If nothing changes, life in this country will soon become impossible. Especially for us, who are not silent today and are boldly expressing our position. That is why we must fight,” Linda told us.

On November 25, Linda and her friends went to the capital, where the first session of the 11th parliament was being held. Neither the opposition, nor the president, nor ambassadors were present at the session. Only the Georgian Dream party recognized the legitimacy of the parliament.

Parallel to the session, citizens gathered on Rustaveli Avenue and protested the illegality of the parliament. Students from Batumi joined this protest.

Linda, who first held the microphone in 2023 and was shaking with nervousness while giving a speech, addressed the citizens gathered in front of the parliament — this time much more boldly and confidently in herself and her abilities.

“After taking the first step, a lot of things changed. I got rid of a lot of insecurities. I’m not saying that the pressure and oppression are over. On the contrary, when you get involved in something like this, you have to be morally prepared for bigger attacks.”

Linda says that this process is difficult and tiring, but at stake is the question of Georgia’s existence or non-existence.

“What Gives Me Strength”

“When a student says something and other voices join that voice, the protest will inevitably end in victory,” Linda told us when we asked her what gives her the strength to continue the fight.

It is also important for her to feel that despite the periodic tensions in the family, she feels supported by them and knows that her parents are counting on her. Therefore, she does not intend to stop.

At the end of the conversation, she reminded us of an excerpt from the poem “Merani” by her favorite poet, Nikoloz Baratashvili:

“The yearnings of my restless soul will no in vain have glowed,
For, dashing on, my steel has paved a new untrodden road..”