The Culture of Georgia reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Culture of Georgia

Over its long history Georgia has developed a unique and great culture.

Culture of old Georgia

Culture of ancient Georgia includes well-known hagiographic works such as the 'Life of Saint Nino' (4th century) and Iakob Tsurtaveli's 'The Martyrdom of Queen Shushanik' (5th century), well-known philosophical and theological work Corpus Areopagiticum attributed by some to Peter the Iberian (5th century), Giorgi Merchule's 'Life of Grigol Khandzteli' (10th century), Ioane Chakhrukhadze's 'Tamariani' (12th century), a national epic poem of Shota Rustaveli "Vepkhis Tkaosani" (The Knight in the Panther's Skin in English) (12th century), Collektion of old Georgian chronicles 'Kartlis Tskhovreba' ("History of Georgia").

A book on medicine entitled 'Ustsoro Karabadini' ("Pearless Karabadini") was written in Georgia in the 10th century.

Well-known monuments of Georgian and world Christian Architecture include

• the Georgian Church in Bethlehem of the 4th century,
• Ikalto Monastery complex of the 5th-7th centuries (Kakheti),
• Sioni church of the 5th century in Bolnisi,
• Monastery of Shio Mgvime of the 6th century,
• Davidgareja Monastery complex of the 6th-7th centuries,
• Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta of the 6th century,
• Anchiskhati Church of the 6th century in Tbilisi,
• Nekresi Monastery Complex of the 4th-9th centuries in Kakheti,
• Sioni church of the 7th century in Ateni,
• Petritsoni Monastery in Backovo (Bulgaria) of the 10th century,
• Georgian Monastery of the 10th century on the Black Mountain in Syria
• Georgian Iveron Monastery on Athos of the 10th century,
• Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta of the 10th century,
• Opiza Monastery of the 10th century in Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey),
• Monastery Doliskhana of the 10th century in Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey),
• Monastery Otkhta-Eklesia in Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey),
• Oshki Monastery of the 10th century in Tao-Klarjeti (now territory of Turkey),
• Gelati Monastery of the 11th century in Kutaisi,
• Sioni Cathedral of the 11th century in Tbilisi,
• Alaverdi church of the 11th century in Kakheti,
• Monastery Samtavro of the 12th century in Mtskheta,
• Vardzia Monastery of the 12th century in Meskheti, etc.

Well-known monuments of the Georgian and world christian art are Georgian Icons: Icon of 886 from Zarzma, Icon of the 9th century from Tsilkani, well-known "Wonderworking Iberian Icon of the Mother of God" (10th century), Icon of Our Lady of Khakhuli of the 12th century, Icon of St.George of the 11th century from Labechina, Icone of St.George of the 11th century from Nakipari, Icon of the 12th century from Anchiskhati, Icon of the 14th century from Ubisa, Icon of the 16th century from Alaverdi, etc.

The first Georgian Printing House was established in the 1620's in Italy and in 1709 in Tbilisi.

The Georgian alphabet was invented in the 3rd century BC by the King of Iberia Farnavaz I.

Oldest national form of Georgian theatre was Sakhioba (3rd century BC-17th century AD). Georgian professional Theatre was founded in 1791, in Tbilisi, by the writer, dramatist and diplomat Giorgi Avalishvili (1769-1850). Leading actors of this theatre were: Dimitri Aleksi-Meskhishvili, David Machabeli, David Bagrationi, Dimitri Cholokashvili and others.

In 1845 was founded the State Museum of Georgia, in 1851 - Tbilisi State Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

On November 16, 1896, in Tbilisi was founded the first Cinema in Georgia.

Culture of new Georgia (XX-XXI centuries)

The first Georgian documentary ("Journey of Akaki Tsereteli in Racha-Lechkhumi") was shot in 1912 by Vasil Amashukeli (1886-1977). The first Georgian feature film ("Kristine") was shot in 1916 by Alexander Tsutsunava (1881-1955).

In 1917 was founded the Tbilisi State Academy of Art.

Greatest representatives of the modern Georgian culture are:

Actors: Ramaz Chkhikvadze, Avtandil Makharadze, Kakhi Kavsadze, Guram Sagaradze, Karlo Sakandelidze, Levan Uchaneishvili, Merab Ninidze, Zurab Kipshidze, Zina Kverenchkhiladze, etc.,

Writers: Otar Chiladze, Tamaz Chiladze, Maka Jokhadze, Nodar Tsuleiskiri, Aka Morchiladze, etc.,

Poets: Mukhran Machavariani, Ana Kalandadze, Tinatin Mgvdliashvili, etc.,

Singers of Opera: Zurab Sotkilava, Tsisana Tatishvili, Makvala Kasrashvili, Paata Burchuladze, Nodar Andguladze, Lado Ataneli, Nino Surguladze, Badri Maisuradze, etc.,

Composers: Gia Kancheli, Bidzina Kvernadze, Vazha Azarashvili, Alexander Basilaia, etc.,

Folk Musicians: Ensemble Georgika

Ballet-dancers: Nino Ananiashvili, Irma Nioradze, etc.,

Pianists: Eliso Virsaladze, Lekso Toradze, Eliso Bolkvadze, Alexander Korsantia, etc.,

Sculptors: Merab Berdzenishvili, Giorgi Ochiauri, Irakli Ochiauri, Tengiz Gviniashvili, Vakhtang Oniani, Zurab Tsereteli, Juna Mikatadze, etc.,

Painters: Elguja Berdzenishvili, Levan Tsutskiridze, Dimitri Eristavi, Vladimer Kandelaki, Zurab Nizharadze, Dimitri Khakhutashvili, Edmond Kalandadze, Gia Bugadze, Giorgi Chogoshvili, Keti Matabeli, etc.

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