Book on Georgian alphabet and writing published and presented in UK
The book demonstrates an old style of calligraphy. Photo: Embassy of Georgia to the UK/facebook.
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A presentation of a Georgian book titled ‘Living Alphabet’ was held in London on June 12.
The event was organised by the Georgian Embassy to the UK and diaspora official Tsira Kemularia.
The book written by Georgian Professor Aleksandre Mikaberidze is based on a unique manuscript – a Georgian-Georgian dictionary by Georgian writer and diplomat Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani who lived in 1658 – 1725.
The word 'motherland' written with specially illustrated Georgian letters. Photo: Embassy of Georgia to the UK/facebook.
The original manuscript was kept in Georgia for years. In the beginning of the 20th century English collector William Allen became its owner. Afterwards, in 1952, the Lilly Library of Indiana State University purchased it at Sotheby’s auction.
Georgian professor Aleksandre Mikaberidze found the manuscript in the Lilly Library last year and decided to publish a book demonstrating an old style of calligraphy, that included specially illustrated letters at the beginning of each paragraph. The letters would often take the form of people, animals or objects.
An examle of specially illustrated letters in old Georgian manuscripts. Photo:geomanuscript.ge.
Having published the book, Aleksandre Mikaberidze increased awareness of the Georgian alphabet and informed the public on the history of the original manuscript,” the Georgian Foreign Ministry reports.
The British-Georgian society, Walnut and Spice, Taste of Georgia and FaRiG significantly contributed to the organisation of the event.
Titles by Georgian authors and publishers from the country are set to be introduced to readers in Europe as major book fairs in London and Leipzig host literature fans this month.
Georgia has officially joined a year-long, Europe-wide program of exhibitions, conferences, performances and workshops in celebration of the European Year of Cultural Heritage throughout 2018.
Tens of thousands of literature enthusiasts are expected to visit this year’s edition of Tbilisi International Book Fair, with the annual event launched in Georgia’s capital earlier today.
Famous ancient manuscripts of historic European authors dating back to the 2nd century BC, including the work of Greek legend Homer, showing Georgia’s connection with the greater world and the development of European writing traditions are on display in Georgia for the next three days.