Conservationist, poet Nugzar Zazanashvili dies aged 64
Zazanashvili has been praised for his work for conservation in the Caucasus while also having his poetry published in Georgia and translated into English. Photo via Georgian Public Broadcaster.
Tweet 
Share
Georgian geographer, conservationist and poet Nugzar Zazanashvili, co-founder of the World Wildlife Fund's work in the Caucasus region and a published poet of the Georgian literary scene, has died at the age of 64.
Hailed both as a "true champion of nature conservation" by WWF Georgia and acclaimed by literary critics and fellow poets, Zazanashvili died on Monday, with tributes from environmental groups and the literary field following the news.
WWF Caucasus Programme Office extended its condolences by celebrating an "extraordinary person" for "inestimable efforts to protect nature" and "tireless" work for conservation in the Caucasus.
His strong devotion, resilience and commitment to nature conservation will be missed, but his words, his poetry and his voice will pave the way for future generations to continue his legacy and will forever remain in the nature of the Caucasus and in our memory
- WWF Georgia
Born in 1957, Zazanashvili graduated from Tbilisi State University Faculty of Geography and Geology in 1980 before starting work at the Institute of Botany at the Academy of Sciences of Georgia.
Joining the Caucasus office of World Wildlife Fund in 1993, he led the Conservation Programme as director and coordinated and carried out projects for development of the system of protected areas, species conservation and sustainable use of biological resources.
Zazanashvili received the title of Associated Professor of Ilia State University in 2008, with the body of his scientific work including over 60 publications on landscape ecology, biogeography, plant ecology, cartography and more.
On the literary side of his creativity, Zazanashvili's collection of poems Clockwork Grand Piano was published in 2016 by Diogene, while some of his poetry was translated into English by Donald Rayfield, Emeritus Professor of Russian and Georgian at Queen Mary University of London.
Zazanashvili also authored poetry collections including These Are the Times (1998) and From Letters Unsent, the latter nominated for the 2006 Saba Literary Prize.
Georgian poet and artist Zurab Rtveliashvili, celebrated for his performances in Sweden where he had gained asylum in 2010, died in a Tbilisi clinic on Tuesday after a month-long illness at age 54.
Organisations and personalities of the Georgian film scene on Thursday made tributes to filmmaker Ramaz Khotivari, a teacher and member of various professional creative organisations after his passing at age 74.
Kakhi Kavsadze, one of the most popular actors of the Georgian theatre scene and a recognised face in the country's cinema, died of Covid at age 85 on Tuesday after spending two months at a Tbilisi clinic struggling with the virus.
Georgia's celebrated musicologist Anzor Erkomaishvili, founder of the Rustavi State Academic Ensemble of Georgian Folk Song and Dance, has died of Covid-19 at age 81.
Georgia's acclaimed biologist, ecology teacher and TV presenter Arnold Gegechkori died last weekend at age 81 of Covid-19, with his long-standing colleagues, students and the wider public attending his funeral on Tuesday.
Georgian poet Givi Alkhazishvili, known for his use of varying forms of poetry structures and his teaching of literature, has died at age 77.
Georgian diplomat, author and publicist Gela Charkviani, a notable figure in the contemporary literature and the wider cultural sector of the country, died aged 82 in Tbilisi, with the family confirming the news on Tuesday.
The first sighting of a leopard in Georgia in 12 years a few weeks ago has marked a high point for conservationists in the country, with the environmentalist community celebrating the milestone.