Öz
Generally, while traditional Georgian nationalism based on language, Christianity and “motherland” had existed in Georgia, the Soviet nationality policy strengthened Georgians’ and Ossetians’ exclusionist ethnic nationalism and caused the conflict in South Ossetia. This situation is clearly reflected on the Georgian and Ossetian historiographies and they accuse each other as “foreigners, Russia’s fifth column”. But after Mikhail Saakashvili ascended to power in 2003, the Georgian government began to develop inclusive civic Georgian nationalism and the current Georgian historiography also emphasizes “historical Georgian-Ossetian unity” and “Russian threat”. Under this situation, Ossetians in Georgia attach importance to advocating the legitimacy of their staying in Georgia while explaining their history. They emphasize that they are important members of the Georgian state and that they have been continuing to live with Georgians as friends in Georgia since the ancient era. Thus, Georgia’s Ossetians adapt to Georgia’s nation-state building process during their identity building.