Dodi Khetaguri

I was born during the Soviet era when my country—Georgia—was still part of the Soviet Union. A Russian military base was located within my town, and I attended a Russian school, studying alongside classmates from all across the Soviet Union. Kids don’t care about race, religion, or nationality. They can befriend anyone. I wish adults had the same trait.
In 1989, Georgia began its long—and often bloody—journey toward independence. Even today, 20% of my country remains occupied by Russia.
Growing up bilingual and internationally exposed, I developed a deep desire to understand different cultures, make friends around the world, and realize that, no matter how different we seem, we all share one home—planet Earth.
The path to independence was not as bright as the youth of that era had envisioned. This disillusionment drew me into politics, where I believed that every voice mattered and could bring about real change. After 20 years in political and government roles, I learned a hard truth: never trust politicians. (At least, not blindly!) Being exposed at an early age to the political stage—with its perfectly capable actors, skilled at playing different roles—made me fascinated by the abilities of human nature. Observing real-life characters, their behaviors, hidden agendas, shape-shifting, and masking was sometimes ominous but always revealing.

Constant contemplation of political systems, international relationships, and the daily realities of people living under these forces shaped my writing. I craft emotional, character-driven stories inspired by real events. At the same time, I love weaving stories rooted in mythology, history, science fiction, and even dark comedy—where imagination and reality blur, but human truths remain at the core.

Telling the right stories at the right time can make a difference.
Silence can be destructive! We must raise our voices. Speak our truth. Loud and clear.