Georgia fascinates with its diversity: between the Black Sea coast and the Caucasus peaks, between rain-soaked woodlands and dry steppes, between lush cultivated vegetation and barren pastures, there are as many variations as there are between the lively capital Tbilisi and remote village settlements, between the winners of the post-Soviet transformation and impoverished small farmers, between dynamic tourist centres and the relics of defunct industrial enterprises. It is a country whose historical experiences include inner unity, but also disintegration into small territorial dominions and foreign rule, a country that proudly preserves its own traditions, but is also open to modern cultural trends. And a country that is still searching for its future between powerful individual personalities and parliamentary democracy.

The present book “Citizenship at the Border. The Georgian-speaking Ingiloys in Azerbaijan” ethnographically explores, on the one hand, the relationship between state and citizens in general and, on the other hand, the role of ethnicity and minority status of a particular (partly Christian, partly Muslim) group in Azerbaijan. The analysis focuses on questions of representation and ethnic leadership positions: Who speaks for the minority? By means of which legitimation strategies? And how do integration, participation, and citizenship in the Azerbaijani state play out?