King Erekle was a son of King of Kakheti Teimuraz II. King Teimuraz II ruled Kakheti from 1709 to 1744, first as a governor, and then as King of Kartli from 1744. Interestingly, Teimuraz’s father, Erekle I (1688-1709), and brother, Constantine II (1722-1732), were not distinguished by their devotion to Christian religion or high ideals. Indeed, their biographies show that power was more important to them than the well-being of their subjects or peaceful relations with the neighboring rulers. Yet, it appears that, unlike his father and brother, Teimuraz was firmly determined to defend Christianity and establish an alliance with Russia so as to be able to defend his kingdom against its Muslim neighbors. Erekle II’s mother, Tamar, was the daughter of King Vakhtang VI (1716-24), so the prince, born in Telavi on November 7, 1720, united both the Kartlian and Kakhetian branches of the Bagrationi dynasty of Eastern Georgia.

Khirsa Monastery, located in the village of Tibaani in Sighnaghi Municipality, Kakheti Province, is one of the oldest monastic foundations in Georgia. It was established in the mid-sixth century by St. Stephen, one of the group of monks known as the “Thirteen Syrian Fathers.” The Church of St. Stephen, standing at the center of the precinct, reflects the monastery’s turbulent history. With its irregular forms and walls constructed from various materials, it bears traces of at least four major construction periods.

Piruza is the name of a building that stands out from all other country houses, both in terms of its artistic design and its vibrant colors. It stands near the entrance to the main park of Borjomi. Mirza Reza Khan, an Iranian diplomat who served as the Iranian Consul General in Tbilisi from 1889 to 1895, constructed Piruza on a piece of land that he had earlier purchased with the permission of Nicholas Mikhailovich Romanov, Grand Duke and a Viceroy of the Caucasus (1863–1881).

Sergo Kobuladze, People's Artist of Georgia and laureate of the Shota Rustaveli Prize, was among the first generation of graduates from the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. His creative legacy includes painting and graphic art, as well as theatrical design and photography. His contribution to scientific and research work is also significant.

Georgia’s geographical location has long positioned it as a natural crossroad of civilizations. Despite centuries of external influences, the country has managed to preserve its cultural identity. Today, as Georgia tries to re-establish itself on the world map, our goal—alongside developing common values and participating in global processes—is to safeguard and celebrate that identity. I believe Svaneti and its renovated museum play an important role in this endeavor.

In 1973, director Giorgi Shengelaia made the first Georgian musical, Melodies of Vera Quarter. The film tells the story of two young sisters, Tamro and Maro, who dream of learning to dance but cannot afford the opportunity. However, in the old, historic Vera district of Tbilisi, they meet a kind-hearted laundress named Vardo, who helps the orphaned girls to pursue their dream. On Christmas Eve, Vardo stirs up such a commotion in the neighborhood that it almost leads to a full-blown uprising. At the heart of these events is an Italian couple who run the Vera District dance class.

In the 1540s, Queen Tinatin, wife of King Levan of Kakheti (1520-1574), established the monastery of Akhali Shuamta. Akhali in Georgian means “new,” and the place was referred to in this way so as to distinguish it from Dzveli (“old”) Shuamta, a renowned early Medieval monastery located two kilometers away, which was closed and abandoned at Tinatin’s order.

Several influential figures spring to mind when considering Georgian fine art in the contemporary era, and Dimitri Eristavi is undoubtedly among them. Nearly 70 years since his first emergence on the artistic scene, we are even more aware of the significance of his painting.Dimitri Eristavi was born in Tbilisi in 1931. He dedicated his whole creative energy to the capital city, seeing it as the source of his inspiration.

Sericulture in Georgia has a long-standing tradition. In the nineteenth century, recognizing the economic importance of the industry, Russian authorities took steps to promote its development. In the early 1880s, the idea arose to establish a silk farming station in Tbilisi. In 1886, the plan was finalized. The organization of the station was entrusted to biologist Nikolay Shavrov, who went on to lead it for many years.

Robert Sturua (Senior, 1918–1982) left behind a remarkable creative legacy, distinguished by his contributions to both monumental and easel painting. While studying at the Tbilisi Academy of Arts, the upcom

Kote Marjanishvili's artistic journey spanned 43 years—10 as an actor and 33 as a director. He passed away unexpectedly at the age of 61. The ingratitude of his Georgian students, coupled with the constraints of the Soviet system, ultimately led to the demise of an outstanding visionary who played a pivotal role in the evolution of contemporary theatrical art. A true devotee of the stage, Marjanishvili was, metaphorically, “killed” by his unwavering passion for the theater, ultimately succumbing to a myocardial infarction.

The Bedia Monastery is one of the most famous and revered Christian sites in Georgia. It is located in western Georgia, in the historical region of Abkhazeti, once a kingdom of medieval Georgia. Bedia played an important role in both the history of Abkhazeti and that of the country as a whole

The creative period of the artist Guram Gelovani (1928–1986) fell within the so-called “post-Stalinist” era, a time when cultural developments in Georgia were still largely shaped by the ideological politics of the totalitarian state. While socialist realism remained the dominant artistic doctrine, a slight cultural “thaw” began to emerge.

The life of Valerian Sidamon-Eristavi unfolded during a challenging turning point in Georgia's history. A devoted patriot, his deep love for his homeland can be seen reflected throughout his artistic legacy.

The village of Kortskheli is located in the Samegrelo region, approximately eight kilometers northeast of Zugdidi. The Church of the Mother of God stands on the edge of the village, surrounded by subtropical trees. Over the past two centuries, a cemetery has been developed around it.