Part I, First Encounters, Chapter 3, The South, '67 Summary and Analysis

Ryszard's third encounter with the Imperium comes nine years later on an expedition across the seven southern republics of the former USSR. The trip is quick but it leads Ryszard to realize that despite the power the USSR had over the southern republics, they have managed to hold on to something of their traditions.

In Georgia, Ryszard saw the beautiful ancient Christian icons, the frescoes and remains of churches whitewashed by the Soviets in Tblisi. He speaks of local artists and winemakers. In Armenia, he travels off the beaten path with a sculptor named Benik and a composed named Aristakesyan. In Matenadaran, Ryszard encounters some of the Armenian ancient books and notes that the Armenian people have almost never had a state of their own, almost always...