Musicologist, Rustavi ensemble founder Anzor Erkomaishvili dies of Covid at 81
Anzor Erkomaishvili at the unveiling of a two-volume work on Georgia's cultural heritage and history in Tbilisi in 2019. Photo via Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia.
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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.
The widely acclaimed artist and researcher of Georgian folk music had been on artificial ventilation at the University Clinic of Tbilisi since March 19 while struggling with the virus.
Known for his long-standing work as musical director of the Rustavi Ensemble since 1968, Erkomaishvili's efforts for preserving the folk singing heritage of Georgia resulted in hundreds of vinyl recordings released over his lifetime.
The distinguished artist's scope of activities also involved editorial work on Georgia: History, Culture, Ethnography - a major two-volume work covering the country's cultural heritage and history and unveiled in 2019.
The book was praised as "historic" by Mikheil Chkhenkeli, the then Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, while the publishers called it a "richly illustrated, genuine gift for the lovers of European culture and history".
Beside his founding of Rustavi, Erkomaishvili also established the Martve ensemble of folk singing in 1970s and was credited by Giorgi Donadze, Executive Director of the Folklore State Centre of Georgia, with "saving" the neglected heritage of the country's national singing tradition through his work with the group.
For his long-standing work on researching, compiling and safeguarding the folk singing legacy Erkomaishvili was awarded the Presidential Order of Excellence and the Ivane Javakhishvili and Shota Rustaveli state prizes, among other distinctions.
A brand-new book covering Georgia's cultural heritage and history was unveiled on Sunday in Tbilisi, with a two-volume work published by United States-based Nova Science Publishers hailed as "historic".
Georgia's internationally recognised folk song and dance ensemble Rustavi is set to showcase the country's famed polyphonic singing to listeners at London's British Library venue tomorrow.
Georgia’s award-winning folk ensemble Rustavi will officially open a new festival of singing in the Welsh capital Cardiff tomorrow, which will be followed by 11 days of performances by international bands and musicians.
Rustavi, the State Academic Ensemble of Georgian Folk Song and Dance, is ending its successful tour of China this evening with a gala performance in Shanghai.
Internationally recognised Georgian writer Guram Dochanashvili has passed away at the age of 82. Dochanashvili was one of the most popular writers in Georgia whose novel The First Robe has become a modern Georgian classic.
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.
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.
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.
Georgian singer and former artistic director of Erisioni ensemble Jemal Chkuaseli has passed away aged 86.