The culture of Georgia has evolved over the country's long history, providing it with a unique national culture and a strong literary tradition based on the Georgian language and alphabet. This has provided a strong sense of national identity that has helped to preserve Georgian distinctiveness despite repeated periods of foreign occupation and attempted assimilation.

Contents

1 Culture of old Georgia 1.1 Ecclesiastical art 1.2 Ecclesiastical monuments 1.3 Literary and other written works 2 Culture of modern Georgia 3 Famous Georgian cultural figures (XX-XXI centuries): 3.1 Actors 3.2 Ballet dancers 3.3 Composers 3.4 Folk Musicians 3.5 Filmmakers 3.6 Opera singers 3.7 Painters 3.8 Pianists 3.9 Poets 3.10 Sculptors 3.11 Theatre producers 3.12 Writers 4 See also 5 Links

Culture of old Georgia

The Georgian alphabet was invented in the 5th century BC and reformed by King Parnavaz I of Iberia in 284 BC.

Georgia's medieval culture was greatly influenced by Orthodox Christianity and the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church, which promoted and often sponsored the creation of many works of religious devotion. These included churches and monasteries, works of art such as icons, and hagiographies of Georgian saints. As well as this, many secular works of national history, mythology and hagiograpy were also written.

Ecclesiastical art

Medieval Georgian icons are renowned as being among the finest creations of Orthodox religious art. Notable examples include:

• The Icon of 886 from Zarzma
• The Icon of the 9th century from Tsilkani
• The famous "Wonderworking Iberian Icon of the Mother of God" (10th century)
• The Icon of the 10th century from Okona
• The Icon of Our Lady of Khakhuli of the 12th century
• The Icon of St. George of the 11th century from Labechina
• The Icon of St.George of the 11th century from Nakipari
• The Icon of the 12th century from Anchiskhati
• The Icon of the 14th century from Ubisa
• The Icon of the 16th century from Alaverdi

Ecclesiastical monuments

Well-known monuments of Georgian Christian architecture include:

• The Georgian Church in Bethlehem (4th century)
• The Church of Gavazi (4th century) in Akhalsopeli (Kvareli district of Kakheti region)
• Akaurta Church (5th century) in Bolnisi district (Kvemo Kartli region)
• Ikalto Monastery complex (5th-7th centuries) (Kakheti)

• Sioni church (5th century) in Bolnisi
• Monastery of Shio Mghvime (6th century)
• Davidgareja Monastery complex (6th-7th centuries)
• Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta (6th century)
• Anchiskhati Church (6th century) in Tbilisi
• Nekresi Monastery Complex (4th-9th centuries) in Kakheti
• Sioni church (7th century) in Ateni
• Petritsoni Monastery in Backovo (Bulgaria) (10th century)
• The Georgian Monastery (10th century) on the Black Mountain in Syria
• The Georgian Iveron Monastery on Athos (10th century)
• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta (10th century)

• Opiza Monastery (10th century) in Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey)
• Monastery Doliskana (10th century) in Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey)
• Monastery Otkhta-Eklesia in Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey)
• Oshki Monastery (10th century) in Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey)
• Gelati Monastery (11th century) in Kutaisi
• Sioni Cathedral (11th century) in Tbilisi
• Alaverdi church (11th century) in Kakheti
• Monastery Samtavro (12th century) in Mtskheta
• Vardzia Monastery (12th century) in Meskheti

Well-known Georgian painters were: Damiane (13th century), Anania (15th century), Mamuka Tavakarashvili (17th century), etc.

The works of the famous Georgian goldsmiths, Beka and Beshken Opizari (11th century), are an outstanding contribution to world art.

Literary and other written works

Important Georgian literary works of the pre-Christian period are:

• Amiraniani , ancient Georgian folk epos of the end of the 2nd millennium BC
• Life of the King Farnavaz (anon) (3rd century BC)

Notable Georgian written works from the medieval period include:

• The Life of Saint Nino (4th century) (anon)
• The Life of the King Mirian by Abyatar (4th century)
• The Martyrdom of Queen Shushanik by Iakob Tsurtaveli (5th century)
• Corpus Areopagiticum , a philosophical and theological work attributed by some to Peter the Iberian (5th century)
• The Martyrdom of Abo Tbileli by Ioane Sabanisdze (8th century)
• The Life of Grigol Khandzteli by Giorgi Merchule (10th century)
• Ustsoro Karabadini (Peerless Karabadini) 10th century
• A History of the Georgian Kings ("Tskhovreba Kartvelta Mepeta") by Leonti Mroveli (11th century)
• A History of the Royal House of Bagrationi by Sumbat Davitisdze (11th century)
• Tamariani by Ioane Chakhrukhadze (12th century)
• Shen Khar Venakhi ("Thou Art a Vineyard"), the famous Georgian religious hymn by the King Demetre I Bagrationi (12th century)
• Vepkhistkaosani (The Knight in the Panther's Skin), a national epic poem by Shota Rustaveli (12th century)
• Abdulmesiani by Ioane Shavteli (13th century)
• Kartlis Tskhovreba (History of Georgia), a collection of old Georgian chronicles (from ancient times to the 14th century)

Culture of modern Georgia

During the modern period, from about the 17th century onwards, Georgian culture has been greatly influenced by cultural innovations imported from elsewhere in Europe.

The first Georgian-language printing house was established in the 1620s in Italy and the first one in Georgia itself was founded in 1709 in Tbilisi.

Georgian theatre has a long history; its oldest national form was the "Sakhioba " (extant from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD ). The Georgian National Theatre was founded in 1791 in Tbilisi, by the writer, dramatist and diplomat Giorgi Avalishvili (1769-1850). Its leading actors were Dimitri Aleksi-Meskhishvili, David Machabeli, David Bagrationi, Dimitri Cholokashvili and others.

The State Museum of Georgia was founded in 1845. The Tbilisi State Theatre of Opera and Ballet established a few years later, in 1851.

Greatest representatives of Georgian culture of the XIX century were: Nikoloz Baratashvili (poet), Alexander Orbeliani (writer), Vakhtang Orbeliani (poet), Dimitri Kipiani (writer), Grigol Orbeliani (poet), Ilia Chavchavadze (writer and poet), Akaki Tsereteli (poet), Alexander Kazbegi (writer), Rapiel Eristavi (poet), Mamia Gurieli (poet), Iakob Gogebashvili (writer), Simon Gugunava (poet), Babo Avalishvili-Kherkheulidze (actor), Nikoloz Avalishvili (actor), Nikoloz Aleksi-Meskhishvili (actor), Romanoz Gvelesiani (painter), Grigol Maisuradze (painter), Alexander Beridze (painter), Ivane Machabeli (translator), Okropir Bagrationi (translator), Sardion Aleksi-Meskhishvili (translator), Kharlampi Savaneli (opera singer), Pilimon Koridze (opera singer), Lado Agniashvili (folk singer), Alioz Mizandari (composer), etc.

The first cinema in Georgia was established in Tblisi on November 16, 1896. The first Georgian cinema documentary ("Journey of Akaki Tsereteli in Racha-Lechkhumi") was shot in 1912 by Vasil Amashukeli (1886-1977 ), while the first Georgian feature film ("Kristine") was shot in 1916 by Alexandre Tsutsunava (1881-1955).

The Tbilisi State Academy of Art was founded in 1917.

Georgian culture suffered under the rule of the Soviet Union during the 20th century, during which a policy of Russification was imposed but was strongly resisted by many Georgians. Since the independence of Georgia in 1991, a cultural resurgence has taken place, albeit somewhat hampered by the country's economic and political difficulties in the post-Soviet era.

Famous Georgian cultural figures (XX-XXI centuries):

Actors

• David (Dodo) Abashidze
• Veriko Anjaparidze
• Spartak Bagashvili
• Givi Berikashvili
• Ushangi Chkheidze
• Ramaz Chkhikvadze
• Giorgi Gegechkori
• Iza Gigoshvili
• Vaso Godziashvili
• Kakhi Kavsadze
• Akaki Khorava
• Zurab Kipshidze
• Zina Kverenchkhiladze
• Avtandil Makharadze
• Erosi Manjgaladze
• Merab Ninidze
• Giorgi Sagaradze
• Guram Sagaradze
• Karlo Sakandelidze
• Sesilia Takaishvili
• Levan Uchaneishvili
• Bukhuti Zakariadze
• Sergo Zakariadze
• Alexandre Zhorzholiani
• Nato Vachnadze

Ballet dancers

• Nino Ananiashvili
• Vakhtang Chabukiani
• Zurab Kikaleishvili
• Irma Nioradze
• Vera Tsignadze

Composers

• Dimitri Arakishvili
• Vazha Azarashvili
• Shalva Azmaiparashvili
• Andria Balanchivadze
• Meliton Balanchivadze
• Alexandre Basilaia
• Gia Kancheli
• Bidzina Kvernadze
• Zakaria Paliashvili
• Nicko Sulkhanishvili

Folk Musicians

• Ensemble Georgika
• Ensemble Rustavi
• Ensemble Erisioni

Filmmakers

• Tengiz Abuladze
• Mikheil Chiaureli
• Revaz Chkheidze
• Otar Ioseliani
• Mikheil Kobakhidze
• Merab Kokochashvili
• Guram Meliava
• Kote Mikaberidze
• Guram Pataraia
• Eldar Shengelaia
• Giorgi Shengelaia
• Alexandre Tsutsunava

Opera singers

• Petre Amiranashvili
• Medea Amiranashvili
• David Andguladze
• Nodar Andguladze
• Lado Ataneli
• Paata Burchuladze
• David Gamrekeli
• Makvala Kasrashvili
• Valerian Kashakashvili
• Alexandre Khomeriki
• Badri Maisuradze
• Vano Sarajishvili
• Zurab Sotkilava
• Nino Surguladze
• Tsisana Tatishvili
• Maia Tomadze

Painters

• Elene Akhvlediani
• Elguja Berdzenishvili
• Mikheil Bilanishvili
• Gia Bugadze
• Giorgi Chogoshvili
• Dimitri Eristavi
• Gigo Gabashvili
• Vakhtang Gabunia
• Lado Gudiashvili
• Gia Gugushvili
• Natela Iankoshvili
• Edmond Kalandadze
• David Kakabadze
• Vladimer Kandelaki
• Dimitri Khakhutashvili
• Shalva Kikodze
• Sergo Kobuladze
• Keti Matabeli
• Zurab Nizharadze
• Niko Pirosmani
• Irakli Toidze
• Mikhail Khvitia
• Mose Toidze
• Levan Tsutskiridze
• Avto Varazi
• Feliks Varlamishvili

Pianists

• Eliso Bolkvadze
• Alexander Korsantia
• Medea Paniashvili
• Alexander Toradze
• Eliso Virsaladze

Poets

• Alexander Abasheli
• Irakli Abashidze
• Rati Amaglobeli
• Lado Asatiani
• Zviad Gamsakhurdia
• Valerian Gaprindashvili
• Terenti Graneli
• Ioseb Grishashvili
• Paolo Iashvili
• Ana Kalandadze
• Giorgi Leonidze
• Mukhran Machavariani
• David Magradze
• Kote Makashvili
• Tinatin Mghvdliashvili
• Kolau Nadiradze
• Gaga Nakhutsrishvili
• Vazha-Pshavela
• Niko Samadashvili
• Galaktion Tabidze
• Titsian Tabidze
• Erekle Shvelidze

Sculptors

• Bidzina Avalishvili
• Merab Berdzenishvili
• Tengiz Gviniashvili
• Juna Mikatadze
• Iakob Nikoladze
• Giorgi Ochiauri
• Irakli Ochiauri
• Vakhtang Oniani
• George Papashvily
• Zurab Tsereteli

Theatre producers

• Alexander (Sandro) Akhmeteli
• Dodo Antadze
• Temur Chkheidze
• David Doiashvili
• Kote Marjanishvili
• Robert Sturua
• Alexander Sumbatashvili-Yuzhin
• Mikheil Tumanishvili
• Levan Tsuladze
• Avtandil (Avto) Varsimashvili

Writers

• Vasil Barnovi (Barnaveli)
• Lasha Bugadze
• Otar Chiladze
• Tamaz Chiladze
• Konstantine Gamsakhurdia
• Levan Gotua
• Shalva Dadiani
• Guram Dochanashvili
• Mikheil Javakhishvili
• Maka Jokhadze
• Otia Ioseliani
• Leo Kiacheli
• David Kldiashvili
• Vakhushti Kotetishvili
• Niko Lordkipanidze
• Aka Morchiladze
• George Papashvily
• Guram Rcheulishvili
• Grigol Robakidze
• Nodar Tsuleiskiri
• David Turashvili

See also

• History of Georgia
• Georgian people
• Georgian language
• Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church
• Music of Georgia

Links

• Culture of Georgia
• Georgia: History and Culture (in German)