Georgian Painters

Last week, while I was scrolling on Facebook, I came across several times quite a well-known painting of Malevich- Black Square. Personally, I find neither any meaning in this art creation nor any beauty. In some manner I got irritated because of the painting. There exist much more meaningful and beautiful pictures but people have no idea about them.
I will start with the most famous Georgian painter- Niko Pirosmani, a self-taught primitivist artist who invented a new technique of painting. He was born in 1865, at the age of 8 he lost his parents, worked as a servant, watchman, shop-keeper. His only dream was " to rent a room and paint and paint.'' According to a legend,Pirosmani lost his heart to a French actress Margaret and he sent her a million red roses for what he had sold his shop. Pirosmani died in poverty.
Lado Gudiashvili was interested in art from his childhood, he painted the pictures of historical figures and writers from the book. In 1922 Lado had his personal exhibition in Paris.In Georgia he covered the churches with drawings. Gudiashvili had never painted snow because he thought it was too cold for it and never painted sun, considered that one must feel sun itself in the paintings.https://www.google.at/search?q=%E1%83%9A%E1%83%90%E1%83%93%E1%83%9D+%E1%83%92%E1%83%A3%E1%83%93%E1%83%98%E1%83%90%E1%83%A8%E1%83%95%E1%83%98%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98+%E1%83%9C%E1%83%90%E1%83%AE%E1%83%90%E1%83%A2%E1%83%94%E1%83%91%E1%83%98&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=GQ-zUqSNDeTx4QTZsoCQCA&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=1600&bih=774#imgdii=_
Unlike Lado, Elene Akhvlediani always painted snow. She studied in Paris. Elene developed landscape painting in Georgia. Her drawings are full of emotions, diversity, decorativeness.

http://burusi.wordpress.com/2009/06/21/elene-akhvlediani-7/

The teacher of Elene was Gigo Gabashvili- the first realistic artist in Georgia, the painter who founded Tbilisi Art Academy. https://www.google.at/search?q=%E1%83%92%E1%83%98%E1%83%92%E1%83%9D+%E1%83%92%E1%83%90%E1%83%91%E1%83%90%E1%83%A8%E1%83%95%E1%83%98%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=RhOzUqnBK6mv4ATj2YGgAQ&ved=0CCsQsAQ&biw=1600&bih=774
 One of the modern artists in Georgia is Gia Bugadze.

I adore the unique paintings of Rusudan Fetviashvili.








Guram Dolenjashvili was born in my hometown Kutaisi, nowadays he is in Moscow. For me it was unbelievable but the artist simply paints with a pencil. http://www.graf.ge/?showtopic=1920

St. Barbara's day in Georgia

On 17th  December  St. Barbara's day is celebrated in Georgia. In my country the martyr is considered to be a patron for children and the sick. One important ritual is associated with this day-it's Mekvleoba-Early in the morning, Mekvle ( the person who is entering at home firstly on this day) visits the family. This person is either a  friend, relative or a member of this family. Mekvle brings food, sweets, and wishes family members happiness. This holiday is also connected with eating fish, Lobiani (Bean bread)

pumpkin.

It's interesting that when Georgians were pagans, they celebrated the holiday, also in December, the day was related to sun worship cult and the name of the sun-goddess was Barbale.

FAQ about Georgia

1. Where is Georgia located?
Georgia is at the boundary of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Its neighbor countries are: Russia, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Georgia is bordered by Black Sea to the west.Georgia's name in Georgian is Sak'art'velo.
2. What is the capital city of Georgia? Tbilisi,the largest city of the country, with 1,5 million inhabitants.It became the capital in the 6th century, previously the capital was Mtskheta(not far away from Tbilisi), it is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Mtskheta became the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tbilisi

 Mtskheta

3.How is the climate in Georgia?

In Western part of Georgia we have mostly subtropical zone and in Eastern part there is continental climate.

4.What language is used in Georgia?

Georgian language is our state language, written in its own unique alphabet. 

Definitely, it is not Russian and it is not like any other language.The first Georgian inscription is in Palestine,dated 430 AD. We have several dialects and other Kartvelian languages(for example,Svan). Other languages used in Georgia: Russian, English( not so widely, but a large number of youngsters know it), also, Azerbaijani people(6.5%) and Armenians(5,7%) live in Georgia and naturally, they speak their languages.

5.Is Georgia a Christian country?

Yes, most of the Georgians are Orthodox Christians. Firstly,Christianity was preached here by St. Andrew, it was in the 4th century when Georgia converted to Christianity by St. Nino who is considered to be a relative of St. George.According to the legend,St Nino came to Georgia with a cross of vine branches tied up by her own hair. Christianity became the state religion in 337 AD. Other religions in Georgia are,for instance, Islam, Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicism.

This is Svetitskhoveli Cathedral,located in Mtskheta. It is known as the burial site of one piece of Christ's Holy Robe(the Chiton of Jesus Christ, said to have been worn during his crucifixion.)

6.What about politics in Georgia?

Georgia is a unitary. semi-presidential democratic republic, the President as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of the government.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17301647

7.What about the economy of Georgia?

We had serious economical problems after the fall of Soviet Union and due to the civil war in the 1990s, since 2000 Georgia has made considerable economic gains.The main fields of our economy are:agriculture,metallurgy, hydro-resources. We have a big number of migrant workers.The currency is Lari. (At this moment,1$=1,71 GEL).

8.What can you say about the education in Georgia?

In my country the education has constantly been one of the major issue.Old Greek historians always referred to the educational centres in antique Georgia.Since 2004 the government reformed the educational system.Georgia is participant of Bologna Process.The study at school lasts 12 years,from which 9 years are mandatory.The school system is divided into:elementary(6-12),basic(12-15) and secondary(15-18).The students can get vocational education or if they pass the Unified National Exams,they enroll in higher educational institutions.(Most of the Georgian students do).Three levels of study at these insitutions: BA(mostly 4 years), MA(2years), Phd(3years)

9.what are Georgians' sport interest?

The popular sports in Georgia are: football,rugby,basketball,wrestling,judo.. Formerly, Georgians were playing a game called Lelo which is similar to rugby.Our rugby team is quite successful.

10.what are Georgians' traditional clothes?

The traditional male dress is called Chokha( for other Caucasian peoples, too).There are different types of Chokha. Look at them,how beautiful they are : http://ucnauri.com/173024/%E1%83%9B%E1%83%AE%E1%83%9D%E1%83%9A%E1%83%9D%E1%83%93-%E1%83%A5%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%97%E1%83%A3%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98-%E1%83%A1%E1%83%90%E1%83%9B%E1%83%9D%E1%83%A1%E1%83%94%E1%83%9A%E1%83%98/

And now see a wedding of Ian Gillan ,the lead singer of Deep Purple in a Georgian traditional way.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Yn2LjCCVQ

11.Who are some famous Georgians nowadays?

For example,Zaza Pachulia,a basketball player in Atlanta Hawks of the NBA; Katie Melua-British-Georgian singer; Ballet dancers: Nino Ananiashvili; Opera singer Paata Burchuladze, a retired footballer and now Minister of Energy,Kakha Kaladze, has been playing in A.C. Milan for nine years. 

Maybe not all the questions I came to think here,but that's it. :]

Must-See Georgia

Georgia is a charming country; nowadays a big number of tourists are visiting it. Why should you travel to Georgia? Here are the reasons.

•  The earliest hominid, discovered in Europe, was found in Georgia, Dmanisi.
•   Anyone who is aware of Argonauts myth knows that Georgia is a Golden Fleece country. (According to Greek legend, Jason went with a band of 50 heroes in the ship Argo to fetch Golden Fleece, in Colchis-an old kingdom in Western Georgia. Also, the word "medicine" comes from the name of Medea, the witch-doctor daughter of King of Colchis.)
•  Georgia’s unique nature, distinguished by its flora and fauna. https://www.google.at/search?q=Georgian+nature&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=qXKcUsO7F-WC4gS1zIDADw&ved=0CCoQsAQ&biw=1600&bih=774
•  Picturesque sights of the country: the oldest churches and monasteries, architectural monuments, national parks. One of the highest inhabited village in Europe is here – in Ushguli. 

https://www.google.at/search?q=Ushguli&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=-3KcUqHQLMqq4ATQuICAAQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=774#q=Churches+In+Georgia&spell=1&tbm=isch&imgdii=_

•   Those who are interested in cuisine and wine, they should definitely try Georgian food and drinks. There is    influence of Asian and European culinary traditions. Georgian feast is called Supra where different kinds of  delicious dishes are served. Among them are: Khachapuri (bread stuffed with cheese), Khinkali (dumpling),  Sacivi (walnut sauce) and so on. You can find the recipes on the following link:  http://www.georgianrecipe.com/ And look at the dishes: https://www.google.at/search?q=Ushguli&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=-3KcUqHQLMqq4ATQuICAAQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1600&bih=774#q=Georgian+food&tbm=isch&imgdii=_
•     Georgia is one of the oldest wine-producing countries and you can taste various wines from different regions.
•   Interested in dance and music? Diverse Georgian dances, for instance, Kartuli expresses grace of a woman and dignity, respect of man. Just watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP4-ca9Zfzc and this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmnsv09nl3Y
•   As for Georgian music, we have ancient musical traditions, folk songs are marvelous to hear. One of them “Chakrulo” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sWsuc223uk was even sent to space by NASA as one of the piecse of Voyager Golden Record. One of the most well-known musical band is The Shin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HE0Gu7C1O6w  

•       Folklore lovers can find out here Georgian myths, legends, customs, introduce to festivals, for example, Tbilisoba, an annual October festival, on that day there are open-air concerts of traditional music and dancing at the historical part of the city.
•        One of the most important reasons why you should visit Georgia is people. They are friendly, warm, open, affectionate, willing to help and what’s more, very hospitable.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yx4ZAsoywE. Guests in Georgia are called "gifts of God" so you will be welcome anywhere in my country.
•  I think that you will enjoy too if you listen to the song of  one of Britain's most successful recording artists, Georgian Katie Melua:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHQG6-DojVw 

         I hope this short info about Georgia was interesting. I am going to keep writing about my country. :)