Europalia arts festival opens showcasing Georgian polyphony, remembrance, avant-garde
The 2023 edition of the festival was opened with an exhibition bringing together about 300 exhibits of 25 artists including painter Niko Pirosmani, a major figure of 20th century Georgian avant-garde, theatre designer Petre Otskheli, painters Lado Gudiashvili and Elene Akhvlediani and other celebrated artists. Photo: Ministry of Culture
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Europalia arts festival, a biennial multidisciplinary event highlighting artistic and cultural facets of select countries in its editions, opened on Wednesday with a highlight of Georgia’s tradition of polyphonic singing, remembrance of its traumatic historical events and the legacy of its avant-garde art scene in the first decades of the 20th century.
The 2023 edition of the festival was opened with an exhibition bringing together about 300 exhibits of 25 artists including painter Niko Pirosmani, a major figure of 20th century Georgian avant-garde, theatre designer Petre Otskheli, painters Lado Gudiashvili and Elene Akhvlediani and other celebrated artists.
Photo via Ministry of Culture
The exhibition showcased art pieces from both Georgian and foreign museums and private collections, addressing the topic of Georgia's avant-garde art scene between 1900-1936 - a subject highlighted in festivals and cultural events across Europe over the recent years due to the fascination with the historical period that produced small but lively cultural practice and figures in the country in the decades.
Europalia is back! ???????? Discover the europalia georgia programme here: https://t.co/dpXuzx8Mav pic.twitter.com/hNKnci0Xio
— europalia (@europalia_) September 21, 2023
The event also features performances of contemporary performers, from the internationally recognised pianist Khatia Buniatishvili to violinist Lisa Batiashvili and pianists Tsotne Zedginidze and Giorgi Gigashvili. Faces of Georgian polyphonic singing are represented by the Basiani ensemble, Gori Women’s Choir and the Georgian State Chamber Choir.
The festival showcases the supra feast tradition, with the Georgian-born and German-based author Nino Haratischwili staging the contemporary version of the tradition from a female perspective.
Photo via Ministry of Culture
The official opening of the festival was attended by the King and Queen of Belgium, Tea Tsulukiani, the Georgian Minister of Culture and former Justice Minister, Khatuna Totladze, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the Chairwoman of the Georgian Parliament's EU Integration Committee, as well as Vakhtang Makharoblishvili, Georgia’s Belgium Ambassador, Victor Dolidze, the head of the Georgian mission to NATO, Baron Philippe Vlerick, the Chairman of the Europalia festival, Hadja Lahbib, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, and other invited guests.
Photo via Ministry of Culture
The programme of up to 60 events including film screenings, stage art performances, shows, exhibitions and literary presentations will run throughout Belgium until January 14.