Georgian artist community, cultural institutions and officials have sent in their tributes to the family of the internationally recognised Georgian theatre director Temur Chkheidze, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 78.
Minister of Culture Thea Tsulukiani paid homage to the “great” director and said his loss was “immeasurable,” while noting the “guidance” of the legacy of the stage art professional.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili sent in his own condolences, praising the director's “unique handwriting” that has been “loved by generations” and “become an important part of the world's theatrical treasure”.
Working on staging productions since the mid-1960s, Chkheidze staged about 80 dramatic, opera and television performances at venues in Georgia and abroad, including the famed Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
He also produced stagings at the Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow, Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, and a range of Georgian venues including the Marjanishvili State Drama Theatre in Tbilisi.
Beside creative work at theatre venues, Chkheidze also taught at the Tbilisi State Theatre University.
His work and contribution to stage art was distinguished with awards and titles including the People’s Artist of Georgia and Russia, Georgia’s state Shota Rustaveli State Award and Georgian and Russian ‘Golden Mask’ theatre prizes.