Culture of Georgia (country)

Part of a series on the
Culture of Georgia (country)
History
People
Languages
show Mythology and folklore Mythology
Cuisine
Festivals
Religion
Art
Literature
show Music and performing arts Music
show Media Television Cinema
Sport
show Monuments World Heritage Sites
show Symbols Flag Coat of arms
Georgia (country) portal
v t

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (March 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

The culture of Georgia 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 and alphabet. 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[]

Frescoes from the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, an example of Georgian medieval art depicting ships and monsters at sea.

The Georgian alphabet is traditionally said to have been invented in the 3rd century BC and reformed by King Parnavaz I of Iberia 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 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. In addition, many secular works of national history, mythology, and hagiography were also written.

Ecclesiastical art[]

Georgian parade armour with golden plates

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
• 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[]

A page from a 12th-century Gelati Gospel, an example of Georgian illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages

Ceremonial crown of the Georgian high nobility, an example of metalwork from the early modern period

Well-known monuments of Georgian Christian architecture include:

• The Georgian Church in Bethlehem (4th century)
• The Church of (4th century) in Akhalsopeli (Kvareli district of Kakheti region)
• 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 Bulgaria (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 in Mtskheta (11th century)
• (10th century) in Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey)
• Monastery Doliskana (10th century) in Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey)
• 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
• Gialia Monastery (10th-16th centuries) in Cyprus

Well-known Georgian painters were (13th century), (15th century), (17th century), etc.

The works of the famous Georgian goldsmiths, and (11th century), are outstanding contributions to world art.

Literary and other written works[]

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

• , ancient Georgian folk epos.

Notable Georgian written works from the medieval period include:

• Martyrdom of the Holy Queen Shushanik by Iakob Tsurtaveli (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 (5th century)
• The (8th century) (anon)^[1]
• by Ioane Sabanisdze (8th century)
• The by Giorgi Merchule (10th century)
• ("Tskhovreba Kartvelta Mepeta") by Leonti Mroveli (11th century)
• by Sumbat Davitisdze (11th century)
• Eteriani, a folk epic (c. 11th century)
• (anon) (11th century)
• (Peerless Karabadini) (11th century)^[2]
• by (12th century)
• Shen Khar Venakhi ("Thou Art a Vineyard"), the famous Georgian 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 Georgia today[]

Wall Painting in Georgia's ancient monastery, Shio-Mghvime

Starting from the early 16th century,^[3] although certain aspects of more recent times were already incorporated since the 12th century,^[4] until the course of the 19th century, Georgian culture became significantly influenced by Persian culture.^[5] Though notably more visibly amongst the higher classes, Persian cultural aspects were incorporated amongst the already existing Georgian columns, especially painting, architecture, and literature.^[6] The French traveller Jean Chardin who visited Georgia in 1672 noted that the Georgians followed Persian customs.^[7] 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.^[8]

During the modern period, from about the 17th century onwards, Georgian culture has been greatly influenced by cultural innovations imported from elsewhere in Europe.^{[citation needed][dubious – discuss]}

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 "" (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 , David Machabeli, David Bagrationi, Dimitri Cholokashvili, and others.

2nd century BC bronze torso from Western Georgia, displayed at the Georgian National Museum

In Tbilisi, the was founded in 1845. In the 1920s, it became the . The Tbilisi State Theatre of Opera and Ballet was established in 1851.

Greatest representatives of Georgian culture of the 19th 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), (poet), (actor), (actor), (actor), (painter), Grigol Maisuradze (painter), Alexandre Beridze (painter), Ivane Machabeli (translator), Okropir Bagrationi (translator), Sardion Aleksi-Meskhishvili (translator), (opera singer), (opera singer), (folk singer), (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 and nearby Middle Eastern culinary traditions. Each historical province of Georgia has its own distinct culinary tradition, with variations such as Abkhazian, Megrelian, Kakhetian, Imeretian, Svanetian, Pshavian, Tushian, Kartlian, Gurian, Meskhian, Rachian and Adjarian cuisines. Rich with meat dishes, the Georgian cuisine also offers a variety of vegetarian 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.^[9] 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[]

Ballet dancers[]

Nino Ananiashvili

Composers[]

Filmmakers[]

Opera singers[]

Painters[]

Mother and Son by Niko Pirosmani

Pianists[]

Poets[]

Paolo Iashvili

Sculptors[]

Theatre producers[]

Writers[]

Cultural groups[]

Play media

Georgian quartet performing Georgian folk song at the Boryspil International Airport, Ukraine

Dance troupes[]

• Erisioni
• Sukhishvilebi - Georgian National Ballet

Choirs[]

• Rustavi Choir

Sport[]

• Zaza Pachulia (basketball player for Golden State Warriors)
• Kakha Kaladze (footballer for AC Milan)

Rugby union is a popular team sport played in Georgia. Rugby union is considered the second most popular sport in Georgia, after football.

See also[]

• Outline of culture
• Outline of Georgia (country)
• History of Georgia
• Georgian people
• Georgian language
• Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church
• Music of Georgia
• Dances of Georgia
• Keipi
• Kinto
• Architecture of Georgia
• List of museums in Georgia (country)

References[]

External links[]

• Georgia History and Culture (in German)
• Georgian Web by Besiki Sisauri
• Friends of Georgia International Foundation Information on Georgian Culture & History
• Georgian eBooks Many online Georgian e-books (PDF) on the CD "Anthology of Georgian classical literature" by UNESCO Project
• Authors
• Georgian Art, Tiflis Avenue
• TITUS projects Armazi and Ecling
• Georgia - South Caucasus (in German and English)
• From the Cradle of Wine
• Kharbedia, Malkhaz: "Conformism and Resistance: The Birth of the Modern Georgian Literature" in the Caucasus Analytical Digest No. 14
• Georgian Contemporary Art Portal (in English and Georgian)