The Role of Theater in Maintaining the National Identity of Hereti

In the 21st century, during the process of globalization, national identity for many decades has been the subject of discussions in society, as well as in scientific circles. National Identity is one of the most important research topics for humanists of various fields of science. A lot of significant works have been created in this direction. What does identity mean? Scientists are arguing about the definition of the very notion of “identity”. Some of them consider it a vague term for analytical thinking. They argue about what national identity covers and how it may be defined. As a result of researches, a set of aspects have been created that includes history, culture, economics, language, religion, national symbols, etc. Theatrical art as a part of national culture is one of the subaspects of national identity. The great Georgian public figure of XIXXX c.c. Ilia Chavchavadze attaches great importance to the theater for national self-expression, self-consciousness. Ilia regarded the theater as a factor of unification of Georgian population, divided into two provinces in the Russian Empire, and above all, as the best way to preserve Georgian language. Our goal is to study the role of the Georgian state theater existing in the village of Alibeglo (Kakhi region, Azerbaijan Republic) in preserving the national identity of Ingilos living outside Georgia. Why is the existence of the Georgian theater important for them? In the Kakhi region, most of the Ingilos of Georgian origin live in the village of Alibeglo. Along with Azerbaijani language they know Georgian language. Not only the representatives of the older generation speak Georgian, but also young people and children. For the Ingilos from Alibeglo, Georgian theater is one of the determining factors in order to preserve their identity with Georgian population.