Georgian-born author, journalist, and activist Tsisnami "Sissy" Sakvarlishvili has seen her global platform expand rapidly since her book Georgia After the Collapse of the Soviet Union was featured on a towering digital billboard in Times Square on Easter 2026. The campaign, which included her cinematic video trailer and book cover played over 50 times, has cemented her status as a premier voice in political history and human rights.
The Times Square feature represents the culmination of a deeply personal journey for Sakvarlishvili, who rose from an abandoned child raised by blind adoptive parents to a migrant caregiver in Italy, eventually earning a Master's degree in Political Science and immigrating to the United States. Today, she remains an active leader in the fight for Georgian democracy, having personally led protests against pro-Russian forces in her homeland.
"Seeing my story—and the story of my country—lit up in the center of the world is a profound honor," says Sakvarlishvili. "Georgia is an ancient, beautiful nation that has been tested by empire and has paid a very high price for its freedom. I wrote this book so the world will finally understand our history and our ongoing fight for democracy."
The book provides an emotionally detailed and data-driven account of Georgia's first decades of independence. Sakvarlishvili weaves her own journey of resilience into a rigorous analysis of the nation's transformation, examining the leadership of post-Soviet presidents and the sweeping reforms that followed the 2003 Rose Revolution. It details the shift from a centrally planned command economy to a liberalized market system, confronting the structural realities of rebuilding a nation under pressure between integration with Western institutions and systemic external pressure from Russia.
This announcement matters because it highlights the ongoing struggle for democracy in Georgia, a country caught between Western aspirations and Russian influence. Sakvarlishvili's personal story of overcoming adversity to become a global voice for freedom resonates amid current geopolitical tensions, and her book offers a unique perspective on post-Soviet transformation. The Times Square feature not only amplifies her message but also draws international attention to Georgia's historical and ongoing fight for sovereignty.
Georgia After the Collapse of the Soviet Union is available for purchase globally through major retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, as well as through her official website at Official Author Website.
