Since her book Georgia After the Collapse of the Soviet Union was featured on a digital billboard in Times Square on Easter 2026, Georgian-born author, journalist, and activist Tsisnami "Sissy" Sakvarlishvili has seen her global platform expand rapidly. The campaign, which broadcast her cinematic video trailer and book cover over 50 times in the heart of New York City, honored her as one of Franklin Publishers' "Top 5 Spring Authors." This dual feature has cemented her status as a premier voice in political history and human rights, a reputation that has strengthened as her readership grows.
For Sakvarlishvili, the Times Square feature represents the culmination of a deeply personal journey. Rising from an abandoned child raised by blind adoptive parents to a migrant caregiver in Italy, she earned a Master's degree in Political Science and immigrated to the United States. Today, she remains an active leader in the fight for Georgian democracy, having 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 Georgia After the Collapse of the Soviet Union available now provides an emotionally detailed and data-driven account of the nation's first decades of independence. Sakvarlishvili weaves her own resilience into a rigorous analysis of Georgia's transformation, examining the leadership of post-Soviet presidents and the reforms following the 2003 Rose Revolution. The book details the shift from a command economy to a liberalized market system and confronts the structural realities of rebuilding under pressure from Russia.
Sakvarlishvili's story resonates beyond Georgia. Her previous works include Diary of the Red-Haired Girl and The Red-Haired Girl Recipes. Surviving the collapse of the Soviet Union, war, and displacement, she overcame adversity—including years as a migrant caregiver in Italy—to earn a Master's degree from the University of Florence. In 2013, she immigrated to the United States. Her writing blends personal resilience with geopolitical history, giving voice to ordinary people and her homeland's fight for freedom. She lives in Amagansett, New York, with her husband and son.
The Times Square campaign highlights the growing international attention on Georgia's struggle for democracy. As Sakvarlishvili's platform expands, her message of resilience and freedom reaches a wider audience, emphasizing the importance of understanding Georgia's history and ongoing challenges.
