The culture of

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...

has evolved over the country's long history, providing it with a unique national identity and a strong literary tradition based on the

Georgian language Georgian (, , ) is the most widely-spoken Kartvelian language, and serves as the literary language or lingua franca for speakers of related languages. It is the official language of Georgia and the native or primary language of 87.6% of its p ...

and

alphabet An alphabet is a standardized set of basic written graphemes (called letter (alphabet), letters) that represent the phonemes of certain spoken languages. Not all writing systems represent language in this way; in a syllabary, each character ...

. This strong sense of national identity has helped to preserve Georgian distinctiveness despite repeated periods of foreign occupation. Although Georgia is a largely traditional society, its culture continues to undergo changes in the 21st century. For example, Georgia is one of the first countries in the world to legalize cannabis for both recreational and medical use.

Culture of Ancient and Old Georgia

The Georgian alphabet is traditionally said to have been invented in the 3rd century BC and reformed by King

Parnavaz I of Iberia Pharnavaz I (; ka, ფარნავაზ I ) was a king of Kartli, an ancient Georgian kingdom known as Iberia in classical antiquity. ''The Georgian Chronicles'' credits him with being the first monarch founding the kingship of Kartli and ...

in 284 BC. Most modern scholarship puts its origin date at some time in the 5th century AD, when the earliest examples can be found. Georgia's medieval culture was greatly influenced by

Eastern Orthodox Christianity Eastern Orthodoxy, also known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity, is one of the three main branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholicism and Protestantism. Like the Pentarchy of the first millennium, the mainstream (or "canonical") ...

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 An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Catholic churches. They are not simply artworks; "an icon is a sacred image used in religious devotion". The most c ...

, and

hagiographies A hagiography (; ) is a biography of a saint or an ecclesiastical leader, as well as, by extension, an adulatory and idealized biography of a founder, saint, monk, nun or icon in any of the world's religions. Early Christian hagiographies might ...

of Georgian saints. In addition, many secular works of national history, mythology, and hagiography 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 monastery , infobox_width = , image = Zarzma monastery (Photo A. Muhranoff, 2011)-2.jpg , alt = , caption = The monastic church of Transfiguration at Zarzma , map_type = Georgia#Samtsk ...

* 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 An icon () is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Catholic churches. They are not simply artworks; "an icon is a sacred image used in religious devotion". The most c ...

of the 12th century from Anchiskhati * The Icon of the 14th century from Ubisa * The Icon of the 16th century from Alaverdi

Ecclesiastical monuments

A page from a rare 12th century Gelati Gospel

Georgian crown, Museum of Cultural History in Tbilisi, Georgia

Well-known monuments of Georgian Christian

architecture Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and constructing buildings ...

include: * The Georgian Church in

Bethlehem Bethlehem (; ar, بيت لحم ; he, בֵּית לֶחֶם '' '') is a city in the central West Bank, Palestine, about south of Jerusalem. Its population is approximately 25,000,Amara, 1999p. 18.Brynen, 2000p. 202. and it is the capital of ...

(4th century) * The Church of Gavazi (4th century) in

Akhalsopeli Akhalsopeli ( ka, ახალსოფელი) is a village in the Ozurgeti Municipality of Guria in western Georgia.Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia The ''Georgian Soviet Encyclopedia'' ( ka, ქართული საბჭოთა ენ� ...

(

Kvareli Kvareli (, ) is a town in northeastern in Kakheti Province, Georgia. Located in the Alazani Valley, near the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, it was the birthplace of Georgian author Ilia Chavchavadze, whose one-storied house is pre ...

district of Kakheti region) * Akaurta Church (5th century) in

Bolnisi Bolnisi ( ka, ბოლნისი, az, Qəmərli), is a city in the country of Georgia, located in the Kvemo Kartli region and capital of the Bolnisi district. It currently has an estimated 13,800 inhabitants. History Bolnisi was settled ...

district ( Kvemo Kartli region) * Ikalto Monastery complex (5th-7th centuries) ( Kakheti) * Sioni Church (5th century) in

* Monastery of Shio Mghvime (6th century) * Davidgareja Monastery complex (6th-7th centuries) *

Jvari Monastery :''The name of this monastery translated as the "Monastery of the Cross". For the Georgian monastery in Jerusalem with the same name, see Monastery of the Cross.'' Jvari Monastery () is a sixth-century Georgian Orthodox monastery near Mtskheta, ...

Mtskheta Mtskheta ( ka, მცხეთა, tr ) is a city in Mtskheta-Mtianeti province of Georgia. It is one of the oldest cities in Georgia as well as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the World. Itis located approximately north of ...

(6th century) *

Anchiskhati Church The Anchiskhati Basilica of St Mary () is the oldest surviving church in Tbilisi, Georgia. It belongs to the Georgian Orthodox Church and dates from the sixth century. History According to the old Georgian annals, the church was built by the King ...

(6th century) in Tbilisi * Nekresi Monastery Complex (4th-9th centuries) in Kakheti * Sioni church (7th century) in Ateni * Petritsoni Monastery in

Bulgaria Bulgaria (; bg, България, Bǎlgariya), officially the Republic of Bulgaria,, ) is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the eastern flank of the Balkans, and is bordered by Romania to the north, Serbia and North Maced ...

(11th century) * The Georgian Monastery (10th century) on the Black Mountain in Syria (now territory of Turkey) * The Georgian Iveron Monastery on Athos (10th century) *

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral ( ka, სვეტიცხოვლის საკათედრო ტაძარი, ''svet'icxovlis sak'atedro t'adzari''; literally the Cathedral of the Living Pillar) is an Orthodox Christian cathedral located ...

(11th 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 Oshki ( ka, ოშკი Oshki, tr, Oşkvank Manastırı/Çamlıyamaç) is a GeorgianTao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey) *

Bagrati Cathedral The Cathedral of the Dormition, or the Kutaisi Cathedral, more commonly known as Bagrati Cathedral ( ka, ბაგრატი; , or ''Bagratis tadzari''), is an 11th-century cathedral in the city of Kutaisi, in the Imereti region of Georgia. A m ...

(11th century) in Kutaisi *

Gelati Monastery Gelati ( ka, გელათის მონასტერი) is a medieval monastic complex near Kutaisi in the Imereti region of western Georgia. One of the first monasteries in Georgia, it was founded in 1106 by King David IV of Georgia ...

(11th century) in Kutaisi * Motsameta monastery (11th century) in Imereti * Sioni Cathedral (11th century) in Tbilisi * Alaverdi church (11th century) in Kakheti * Monastery Samtavro (12th century) in

Vardzia Vardzia ( ka, ვარძია ) is a cave monastery site in southern Georgia, excavated from the slopes of the Erusheti Mountain on the left bank of the Kura River, thirty kilometres from Aspindza. The main period of construction was the s ...

Monastery (12th century) in Meskheti *

Gialia Monastery The Gialia Monastery ( ka, ღალია, ''Ğalia''; el, Γιαλιά) is the ruined medieval Georgian Orthodox monastery at the village of Gialia, Paphos District, northwest Cyprus. The monastery is dedicated to the Virgin Mary (The Golden Vi ...

(10th-16th centuries) in Cyprus 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 outstanding contributions to world art.

Literary and other written works

Important Georgian literary works of the pre-Christian period are: * '' Amiraniani'', ancient Georgian folk epos. Notable Georgian written works from the medieval period include: * ''

Martyrdom of the Holy Queen Shushanik The ''Martyrdom of the Holy Queen Shushanik'' (also translated as ''The Passion of Saint Shushanik''; ka, წამებაჲ წმიდისა შუშანიკისი დედოფლისაჲ, tr) is the earliest surviving pie ...

'' by

Iakob Tsurtaveli Jacob of Tsurtavi ( ka, იაკობ ცურტაველი, tr) also known as Jacob the Priest (იაკობ ხუცესი, Iakob Khutsesi) was the 5th-century Georgian religious writer and priest from Tsurtavi, then the major t ...

(the oldest surviving work of the Georgian literature written between 476 and 483) * '' Corpus Areopagiticum'', a philosophical and theological work attributed by some to

Peter the Iberian Peter the Iberian ( ka, პეტრე იბერი, tr) (c. 417-491) was a Georgian royal prince, theologian and philosopher who was a prominent figure in early Christianity and one of the founders of Christian Neoplatonism. Some have claime ...

(5th century) * The '' Life of Saint Nino'' (8th century) (anon) * '' The Martyrdom of Abo Tbileli'' by Ioane Sabanisdze (8th century) * The '' Life of Grigol Khandzteli'' by

Giorgi Merchule Giorgi Merchule ( ka, გიორგი მერჩულე) was a 10th-century Georgian monk, calligrapher and writer who authored "The Vita of Grigol Khandzteli", a hagiographic novel dealing with the life of the prominent Georgian churchman ...

(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) * '' Eteriani'', a folk epic (c. 11th century) * '' Life of the King Farnavaz'' (anon) (11th century) * '' Ustsoro Karabadini'' (''Peerless Karabadini'') (11th century) * '' Tamariani'' by Ioane Chakhrukhadze (12th century) * '' Shen Khar Venakhi'' ("''Thou Art a Vineyard''"), the famous Georgian hymn by the King

Demetre I Demetrius I ( ka, დემეტრე) ( 1093 – 1156), from the Bagrationi dynasty, was King of Georgia from 1125 to 1156. He is also known as a poet. He was King of United Georgian kingdom two times, first in 1125 to 1154 and second in 1155 b ...

Bagrationi (12th century) * ''Vepkhistkaosani'' ('' The Knight in the Panther's Skin''), a national epic poem by

Shota Rustaveli Shota Rustaveli ( ka, შოთა რუსთაველი, c. 1160 – after c. 1220), mononymously known simply as Rustaveli, was a medieval Georgian poet. He is considered to be the pre-eminent poet of the Georgian Golden Age and one of ...

(12th century) * '' Abdulmesiani'' by

Ioane Shavteli Ioane Shavteli ( ka, იოანე შავთელი) was a Georgian poet of the late 12th and early 13th centuries credited to have written the encomiastic poem traditionally, and unsuitably, known as ''Abdulmesiani'' (აბდულმე ...

(13th century) * '' Kartlis Tskhovreba'' (''History of Georgia''), a collection of old Georgian chronicles (from ancient times to the 14th century)

Culture of Georgia today

Starting from the early 16th century, although certain aspects of more recent times were already incorporated since the 12th century, until the course of the 19th century, Georgian culture became significantly influenced by Persian culture. Though notably more visibly amongst the higher classes, Persian cultural aspects were incorporated amongst the already existing Georgian columns, especially painting, architecture, and literature. The French traveller

Jean Chardin Jean Chardin (16 November 1643 – 5 January 1713), born Jean-Baptiste Chardin, and also known as Sir John Chardin, was a French jeweller and traveller whose ten-volume book ''The Travels of Sir John Chardin'' is regarded as one of the finest ...

who visited Georgia in 1672 noted that the Georgians of the kingdom of Kartli followed Persian customs. Since many Georgian kings, princes, and nobles were either born or raised in mainland Iran, it is not surprising that Persian cultural aspects spread in 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. Torso - Georgia National museum

In Tbilisi, the Museum of the Caucasus was founded in 1845. In the 1920s, it became the State Museum of Georgia. The Tbilisi State Theatre of Opera and Ballet was established in 1851. Greatest representatives of Georgian culture of the 19th century were:

Nikoloz Baratashvili Prince Nikoloz "Tato" Baratashvili ( ka, ნიკოლოზ "ტატო" ბარათაშვილი; 4 December 1817 – 21 October 1845) was a Georgian poet. He was one of the first Georgians to marry modern nationalism with European ...

(poet),

Alexander Orbeliani Count Alexander Orbeliani (Jambakur-Orbeliani) ( ka, ალექსანდრე ორბელიანი ��ამბაკურ-ორბელიანი}) (May 24, 1802 – December 28, 1869) was a Georgian Romanticist poet, playwrigh ...

(writer),

Vakhtang Orbeliani Prince Vakhtang Orbeliani ( ka, ვახტანგ ორბელიანი) (April 5, 1812 – September 29, 1890) was a Georgian Romanticist poet and soldier in the Imperial Russian service, of the noble House of Orbeliani. Vakhtang Orbe ...

(poet),

Dimitri Kipiani Prince Dimitri Ivanes dze Kipiani ( ka, დიმიტრი ყიფიანი alternatively spelled as Qipiani) (April 14, 1814 – October 24, 1887) was a Georgian statesman, publicist, writer and translator. A leader of Georgia's liberal ...

(writer),

Grigol Orbeliani Prince Grigol Orbeliani or Jambakur-Orbeliani ( ka, გრიგოლ ორბელიანი; ჯამბაკურ-ორბელიანი) (2 October 1804 – 21 March 1883) was a Georgian Romanticist poet and general in Impe ...

(poet),

Ilia Chavchavadze Prince Ilia Chavchavadze ( ka, ილია ჭავჭავაძე; 8 November 1837 – 12 September 1907) was a Georgian public figure, journalist, publisher, writer and poet who spearheaded the revival of Georgian nationalism during th ...

(writer and poet),

Akaki Tsereteli Count Akaki Tsereteli ( ka, აკაკი წერეთელი) (1840–1915), often mononymously known as Akaki,Sometimes mistakenly rendered in Russian as Akakiy. Georgian spelling Akaki and Russian spelling Akakiy are both derived from t ...

(poet), Alexander Kazbegi (writer), Rapiel Eristavi (poet),

Mamia Gurieli Mamia Gurieli ( ka, მამია გურიელი, ) was a member of the House of Dadiani and ''eristavi'' ("duke") of Guria in western Georgia in the latter half of the 15th century. He was the first ruler of Guria styled as Gurieli, after ...

(poet),

Iakob Gogebashvili Iakob Gogebashvili ( ka, იაკობ გოგებაშვილი) (October 15, 1840 – June 1, 1912) was a Georgian educator, children’s writer and journalist, considered to be the founder of the scientific pedagogy in Georgia. Throug ...

(writer),

Simon Gugunava Simon may refer to: People * Simon (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the given name Simon * Simon (surname), including a list of people with the surname Simon * Eugène Simon, French naturalist and the genus ...

(poet), Babo Avalishvili-Kherkheulidze (actor), Nikoloz Avalishvili (actor), Nikoloz Aleksi-Meskhishvili (actor), Romanoz Gvelesiani (painter),

Grigol Maisuradze Grigol (Giorgi) Maisuradze ( ka, გრიგოლ ��იორგიმაისურაძე) (1817–1885) was a Georgian painter and a founder of realistic school in the Georgian portraiture. Maisuradze was born in Tsinandali into the fam ...

(painter), Alexandre Beridze (painter), Ivane Machabeli (translator), Okropir Bagrationi (translator), Sardion Aleksi-Meskhishvili (translator), Kharlampi Savaneli (opera singer), Pilimon Koridze (opera singer),

Lado Agniashvili Lado or LADO may refer to: Places * Lado, Burkina Faso, a town in Burkina Faso * Lado, South Sudan, a town in South Sudan, formerly the seat of the Lado Enclave, and Equatoria province * Lado Enclave of the Congo Free State, in modern South Sudan ...

(folk singer), Alioz Mizandari (composer), etc. The first cinema in Georgia was established in Tbilisi 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 Arts 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.

Cuisine

Georgian cuisine refers to the cooking styles and dishes created by the Georgians. The Georgian cuisine is unique to the country, but also carries some influences from other Caucasian,

Eastern European Eastern Europe is a subregion of the European continent. As a largely ambiguous term, it has a wide range of geopolitical, geographical, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic connotations. The vast majority of the region is covered by Russia, whi ...

and nearby Middle Eastern culinary traditions. Each historical province of Georgia has its own distinct culinary tradition, with variations such as

Abkhazia Abkhazia, ka, აფხაზეთი, tr, , xmf, აბჟუა, abzhua, or ( or ), officially the Republic of Abkhazia, is a partially recognised state in the South Caucasus, recognised by most countries as part of Georgia, which ...

n, Megrelian, Kakhetian, Imeretian, Svanetian,

Pshavi Pshavi ( ka, ფშავი) is a small historic region of northern Georgia, nowadays part of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti ''mkhare'' ("region"), and lying chiefly among the southern foothills of the Greater Caucasus mountains along the Pshavis Aragvi ...

an, Tushian, Kartlian, Gurian, Meskhian, Rachian and Adjarian cuisines. Rich with meat dishes, the Georgian cuisine also offers a variety of

vegetarian Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat (red meat, poultry, seafood, insects, and the flesh of any other animal). It may also include abstaining from eating all by-products of animal slaughter. Vegetarianism m ...

dishes. Georgian cuisine is the result of the broad interplay of culinary ideas carried along the Silk Road Trade route by merchants and travelers alike. The importance of both food and drink to Georgian culture is best observed during a feast called '' supra'', when a huge assortment of dishes are prepared, always accompanied by large amounts of local wine, known to be one of the world's oldest wines, produced in ancient authentic Georgian underground '' kvevri'' clay pots (dating 8 century BC). In a Georgian feast, the role of the '' tamada'' ( toastmaster) is an important and honoured position.

Famous Georgian cultural figures

Some famous Georgian cultural figures from the 20th–21st centuries are:

Actors

* David "Dodo" Abashidze * Veriko Anjaparidze *

Spartak Bagashvili Spartak Bagashvili ( ka, სპარტაკ ბაღაშვილი; 7 December 1914 - 1 February 1977) was a Soviet and Georgian actor. He appeared in more than twenty films from 1937 to 1975. Selected filmography References Exter ...

* Givi Berikashvili * Ramaz Chkhikvadze *

Kakhi Kavsadze Kakhi Kavsadze ( ''K’akhi K’avsadze''; June 5, 1935 – April 27, 2021) was a Georgian and Soviet film, television and stage actor. Early life He was born in Tbilisi. After his birth, his parents moved to Tkibuli. His father David Kavsadze ...

Ipolite Khvichia Ipolite Khvichia ( Georgian: იპოლიტე ხვიჩია) (31 December 1910 - 1 February 1985) - Georgian actor, People's Artist of Georgia. Biography In 1934 he graduated from Tbilisi Industrial-Economic College. In 1932-1936 he ...

* Akaki Khorava * Zurab Kipshidze * Avtandil Makharadze *

Merab Ninidze Merab Ninidze ( ka, მერაბ ნინიძე; born 3 November 1965) is a Georgian actor. In the English-speaking world, he is best known for the roles of Walter Redlich in ''Nowhere in Africa'' and Oleg Penkovsky in '' The Courier''. ...

* Guram Sagaradze * Karlo Sakandelidze * Sesilia Takaishvili * Bukhuti Zakariadze *

Sergo Zakariadze Sergo Zakariadze ( ka, სერგო ზაქარიაძე ; – 12 April 1971) was a Soviet and Georgian stage and film actor and pedagogue. People's Artist of the USSR (1958). Zakariadze was born in Baku in 1909. He won several pri ...

Nato Vachnadze Natalia "Nato" Vachnadze ( ka, ნატო ვაჩნაძე), born Natalia Andronikashvili ( ka, ნატო ანდრონიკაშვილი), (14 June 1904 – 14 June 1953) was a Georgian and Soviet film actress. She started h ...

Sofiko Chiaureli Sophia Chiaureli ( ka, სოფიკო ჭიაურელი; 21 May 1937 – 2 March 2008), professionally known as Sofiko Chiaureli, was a Soviet Georgian actress. Thought to be the muse of filmmaker Sergei Parajanov, she played a s ...

Ballet dancers

Nino Ananiashvili Nina Ananiashvili (born: ''Nino Ananiashvili'', ka, ნინო ანანიაშვილი; born March 19, 1963) is a Georgian ballerina and artistic director of the State Ballet of Georgia. She has been described by the ''Daily Teleg ...

Vakhtang Chabukiani Vakhtang Mikheilis dze Chabukiani (Russian: Вахта́нг Миха́йлович Чабукиа́ни, ka, ვახტანგ ჭაბუკიანი) (March 12, 1910 – April 6, 1992) was a Soviet and Georgian ballet dancer, choreograp ...

* Irma Nioradze

Composers

* Sulkhan Tsintsadze * Dimitri Arakishvili *

Andria Balanchivadze Andria Balanchivadze ( ka, ანდრია მელიტონის ძე ბალანჩივაძე, ''Andria Melit'onis dze Balanchivadze'', russian: Андре́й Мелито́нович Баланчива́дзе, Andrei Meliton ...

* Meliton Balanchivadze * Alexandre Basilaia *

Gia Kancheli Gia Kancheli ( ka, გია ყანჩელი; 10 August 1935 – 2 October 2019) was a Georgian composer. He was born in Tbilisi, Georgia but resided in Belgium. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kancheli lived first in ...

* Bidzina Kvernadze * Giorgi Latsabidze * Zakharia Paliashvili * Otar Taktakishvili

Filmmakers

* Tengiz Abuladze * Vasil Amashukeli *

Mikheil Chiaureli Mikheil Chiaureli ( ka, მიხეილ ჭიაურელი, russian: Михаил Эдишерович Чиаурели, 6 February 1894 – 31 October 1974) was a Soviet Georgian actor, film director and screenwriter. He directed 2 ...

Revaz Chkheidze Revaz "Rezo" Chkheidze ( ka, რევაზ "რეზო" ჩხეიძე; 8 December 1926 – 3 May 2015) was a Georgian film director, People's Artist of the USSR, best known for his Soviet-era drama films, including his 1964 World W ...

* Otar Ioseliani * Mikheil Kobakhidze *

Eldar Shengelaia Eldar Shengelaia ( ka, ელდარ შენგელაია; russian: Эльда́р Никола́евич Шенгела́я; born 26 January 1933) is a Georgian and Soviet film director and screenwriter who directed ten films between 1 ...

Giorgi Shengelaia Giorgi Shengelaia ( ka, გიორგი შენგელაია; russian: Гео́ргий Никола́евич Шенгела́я; 11 May 1937 – 17 February 2020) was a Georgian and Soviet film director. He directed 14 films since 196 ...

* Alexandre Tsutsunava *

Nana Mchedlidze Nana Mchedlidze ( ka, ნანა მჭედლიძე, russian: Нана Мчедлидзе; 20 March 1926 – 29 March 2016) was a Soviet and Georgian actress, film director and screenwriter. From 1950 to 1954 she was an actress with th ...

Opera singers

* Medea Amiranashvili *

Paata Burchuladze Paata Burchuladze ( ka, პაატა ბურჭულაძე) (born 12 February 1955) is a Georgian operatic bass and civil activist. After his debut in his native Tbilisi in 1976, he embarked on a 35-year-long musical career during which ...

* David Gamrekeli * Lamara Cekonia * Makvala Kasrashvili * Badri Maisuradze * Vano Sarajishvili * Zurab Sotkilava * Nino Surguladze

Painters

* Irakli Parjiani *

Elene Akhvlediani Elene Akhvlediani () (April 5, 1898 in Telavi – December 30, 1975 in Tbilisi) was a 20th-century Georgian painter, graphic artist, and theater decorator. Akhvlediani is famous for her depictions of Georgian towns, for her illustrations for t ...

* David Alexidze * Gia Bugadze * Amiran Danibegashvili * Gigo Gabashvili * Oleg Timchenko * Petre Otskheli *

Lado Gudiashvili Lado Gudiashvili ( ka, ლადო გუდიაშვილი; 30 March 1896 – 20 July 1980) was a Georgian artist of the 20th century. Gudiashvili was born into a family of a railroad employee. He studied in the Tbilisi school of scul ...

* Gia Gugushvili * Mamuka Japharidze * Irakli Gamrekeli * David Kakabadze * Shalva Kikodze * Sergo Kobuladze *

Niko Pirosmani Niko Pirosmani ( ka, ნიკო ფიროსმანი ''Nik’o Pirosmani''), simply referred to as Nikala (ნიკალა ''Nik’ala''; 1862–1918), was a Georgian painter who posthumously rose to prominence. Relatively poor for ...

* Levan Tsutskiridze * Avto Varazi

Pianists

* Alexander Korsantia *

Giorgi Latso Giorgi Latso (born Giorgi Latsabidze, ka, გიორგი ლაცაბიძე, ; 15 April 1978) is a Georgian- American concert pianist, film composer, arranger, adjudicator, improviser and Doctor of Musical Arts. He is listed on the ...

Alexander Toradze Alexander Davidovich "Lexo" Toradze ( ka, ალექსანდრე თორაძე ''Aleksandre Toradze''; May 30, 1952 – May 11, 2022) was a Georgian-born American pianist, best known for his classical Russian repertoire, with a car ...

Eliso Virsaladze Eliso Virsaladze ( ka, ელისო ვირსალაძე; born September 14, 1942) is a Georgian pianist. Biography She was born in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR. Her father Constantine Virsaladze was a prominent doctor and scientist, so w ...

* Inga Kashakashvili * Khatia Buniatishvili * Luka Okros

Poets

Galaktion Tabidze Galaktion Tabidze ( ka, გალაკტიონ ტაბიძე), simply referred to as Galaktioni ( ka, გალაკტიონი),(November 17, 1892 – March 17, 1959), was a Georgian poet of the twentieth century whose writings p ...

* Alexander Abasheli *

Irakli Abashidze Irakli Abashidze ( ka, ირაკლი აბაშიძე) (10 September 1909 – 14 January 1992) was a Georgian poet, literary scholar and politician. Abashidze was born in Khoni, Kutais Governorate, Russian Empire. He graduated from Tbil ...

* Rati Amaglobeli * Diana Anphimiadi * Lado Asatiani *

Valerian Gaprindashvili Valerian Gaprindashvili ( ka, ვალერიან გაფრინდაშვილი) (December 21, 1888 – January 31, 1941) was a Georgian poet and translator whose early, Symbolist, poetry was of much influence on development of Ge ...

* Terenti Graneli *

Ioseb Grishashvili Ioseb Grishashvili ( ka, იოსებ გრიშაშვილი) was a pen name of Ioseb Mamulishvili (Georgian: ; born 12 April/24 April 1889 – died 3 August 1965) was a noted poet and historian from Georgia. A history museum in Tbilisi ...

* Paolo Iashvili * Ana Kalandadze * Giorgi Leonidze * Mukhran Machavariani *

David Magradze David "Dato" Magradze ( ka, დავით "დათო" მაღრაძე; born 28 June 1962) is a Georgian poet and politician. He is the author of lyrics of the current national anthem of Georgia, in use since 2004. Born to the family ...

* Kolau Nadiradze * Vazha-Pshavela *

Titsian Tabidze Titsian Tabidze ( ka, ტიციან ტაბიძე, simply referred to as Titsiani; ka, ტიციანი) (16 December 1937), was a Georgian poet and one of the leaders of the Georgian symbolist movement. He fell victim to Joseph ...

* Bela Chekurishvili

Sculptors

* Elguja Amashukeli * Iakob Nikoladze *

Irakli Ochiauri Irakli Ochiauri ( ka, ირაკლი ოჩიაური, russian: Иракли Очиаури; November 20, 1924 – December 4, 2015) was a Georgian painter and sculptor who was awarded the Shota Rustaveli State Prize, the highest prize ...

George Papashvily George Papashvily ( ka, გიორგი პაპაშვილი; August 23, 1898 – March 29, 1978) was a Georgian-American writer and sculptor. He was one of the most famous Georgian (emigrants) artists of the 20th century. Life George P ...

* Zurab Tsereteli

Theatre producers

* Sandro Akhmeteli *

Kote Marjanishvili Konstantine "Kote" Marjanishvili ( ka, კონსტანტინე (კოტე) მარჯანიშვილი), also known by the Russified name Konstantin Aleksandrovich Mardzhanov (russian: Константи́н Алекса́н ...

Robert Sturua Robert Sturua ( ka, რობერტ სტურუა; born 31 July 1938, Tbilisi) is a Georgia (country), Georgian theater director, who gained international acclaim for his original interpretation of the works of Bertold Brecht, Brecht, Shak ...

Mikheil Tumanishvili Mikheil Ivanovich Tumanishvili ( ka, მიხეილ თუმანიშვილი), born 6 february 1921, died 11 May 1996, was a Georgian theater director and teacher. He was a student of Georgy Tovstonogov at the Tbilisi State Theater ...

Writers

* Vasil Barnovi * Lasha Bugadze *

Otar Chiladze Otar Chiladze ( ka, ოთარ ჭილაძე; March 20, 1933 — October 1, 2009) was a Georgian writer who played a prominent role in the resurrection of Georgian prose in the post-Joseph Stalin era. His novels characteristically fuse Sum ...

Tamaz Chiladze Tamaz Chiladze ( ka, თამაზ ჭილაძე; 5 March 1931 – 28 September 2018) was a Georgian writer, dramatist and poet. He was the elder brother of Georgian writer Otar Chiladze. Biography Chiladze was born to the family of an ...

Konstantine Gamsakhurdia Konstantine Gamsakhurdia ( ka, კონსტანტინე გამსახურდია) (May 3, 1893 – July 17, 1975) was a Georgian writer and public figure. Educated and first published in Germany, he married Western European in ...

* Levan Gotua * Shalva Dadiani * Guram Dochanashvili *

Mikheil Javakhishvili Mikheil Javakhishvili ( ka, მიხეილ ჯავახიშვილი; birth surname: Adamashvili ადამაშვილი) (20 November 1880 – 30 September 1937) was a Georgian and Soviet novelist who is regarded as one of the ...

* Otia Ioseliani * Jemal Karchkhadze * Leo Kiacheli * David Kldiashvili *

Aka Morchiladze Aka Morchiladze ( ka, აკა მორჩილაძე) is the pen name of Giorgi Akhvlediani (გიორგი ახვლედიანი) (born 10 November 1966), a Georgian writer and literary historian who authored some of the best ...

* Guram Rcheulishvili *

Grigol Robakidze Grigol Robakidze () (October 28, 1880, Sviri (West Georgia) – November 19, 1962, Geneva) was a Georgian writer, publicist, and public figure primarily known for his prose and anti-Soviet émigré activities. Biography He was born on October ...

* Avksenty Tsagareli *

David Turashvili David "Dato" Turashvili ( ka, დავით (დათო) ტურაშვილი) (born May 10, 1966 in Tbilisi) is a Georgian fiction writer. Biography In 1989, he was one of the leaders of the student protest action taking place at th ...

Nodar Dumbadze Nodar Dumbadze ( ka, ნოდარ დუმბაძე, July 14, 1928 – September 4, 1984) was a popular Georgian writer. Biography Born in Guria, he graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Tbilisi State University in 1950. His first ...

* Terenti Graneli

Cultural groups

Dance troupes

* Erisioni * Sukhishvilebi - Georgian National Ballet

Choirs

* Rustavi Choir

Sport

Zaza Pachulia Zaza Pachulia ( ka, ზაზა ფაჩულია; born Zaur Pachulia; February 10, 1984) is a Georgian professional basketball executive and former player who is a basketball operations consultant for the Golden State Warriors of the Nati ...

(basketball player for Golden State Warriors) * Kakha Kaladze (footballer for

AC Milan Associazione Calcio Milan (), commonly referred to as AC Milan or simply Milan, is a professional football club in Milan, Italy, founded in 1899. The club has spent its entire history, with the exception of the 1980–81 and 1982–83 seasons ...

) *

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ( ka, ხვიჩა კვარაცხელია, tr; born 12 February 2001) is a Georgian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Serie A club Napoli and the Georgia national team. Club career Early car ...

(footballer for SSC Napoli) Rugby union is a popular team sport played in Georgia. Rugby union is considered the second most popular sport in Georgia, after football.

References

External links

Georgia History and Culture

Georgian Web by Besiki Sisauri

Friends of Georgia International Foundation
Information on Georgian Culture & History

Many online Georgian e-books (PDF) on the CD "Anthology of Georgian classical literature" by UNESCO Project
Authors

Georgian Art, Tiflis Avenue
* TITUS project
Armazi
an

Georgia - South Caucasus

''From the Cradle of Wine''
* Kharbedia, Malkhaz: "Conformism and Resistance: The Birth of the Modern Georgian Literature" in th
Caucasus Analytical Digest No. 14

Georgian Contemporary Art Portal
{{DEFAULTSORT:Culture Of Georgia (Country) Articles containing video clips

Culture of Ancient and Old Georgia

Ecclesiastical art

Ecclesiastical monuments

Literary and other written works

Culture of Georgia today

Cuisine

Famous Georgian cultural figures

Actors

Ballet dancers

Composers

Filmmakers

Opera singers

Painters

Pianists

Poets

Sculptors

Theatre producers

Writers

Cultural groups

Dance troupes

Choirs

Sport

See also

References

External links