2024-03-14
Georgian sacred chant is an invaluable achievement of our ancient culture. Georgian polyphony brings together the uniqueness of each person, on one hand, and the idea of harmony, love among people, on the other. It best reflects the idiosyncrasy of the Georgian people, their attitude toward their loved ones, homeland, and the universe in general, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated in his speech at today's presentation of a multivolume edition celebrating Georgian sacred chant, at the Folklore State Center.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the genuine revival of Georgian sacred chant started in the 1970s. According to him, this process is tied to the names of Catholicos-Patriarch of All-Georgia Ilia II and celebrated musician and choir director Anzor Erkomaishvili.
"Georgian sacred chant expresses the supreme Christian values shaping Georgian identity for millennia. The tradition of Georgian sacred chant, similar to our culture as a whole, has been through difficult historical periods. After the loss of Georgia's independence, it even faced extinction. It is with enormous gratitude that today we should commemorate Ilia Chavchavadze, Dimitri Kipiani, Philimon Koridze, Zacharia Paliashvili, and other great Georgians who have made major contributions to the preservation of traditional polyphony, including sacred chant, ultimately handing it down to us. Under the most difficult conditions of the soviet regime, this cause called for nothing short of self-sacrifice. Thanks to the merit of His Holiness and Beatitude, Georgian sacred chant returned to its abode, the Church. And, through the efforts of Anzor Erkomaishvili and his associates, the whole world came to familiarize itself with and celebrate this unique Georgian musical heritage," Irakli Kobakhidze stated.
The Prime Minister thanked Bidzina Ivanishvili for his charity and years-long support of the Folklore Center.
"Presently, the Folklore Center plays a key role in the development of this tradition. The center has established choral conducting schools throughout Georgia. It supports scientific studies into sacred chant, also promoting young people's greater engagement in this crucially important cause. I would like to thank Mister Bidzina Ivanishvili, whose charity made this cause a reality, and who supported Mister Anzor Erkomaishvili and his center for many years. Among the great deeds accomplished by the center, especially noteworthy are the digitalization of Georgian sacred chant notations and the publication of an anthology of Georgian sacred chant. Today, we witness the impressive result of almost 10 years of hard work, truly herculean effort. This anthology encompasses 29 volumes with over 6,000 chants, with most of them published for the first time. I understand that this is just a part of the set goal, because roughly half of the manuscripts have been published so far. Much work still lies ahead, and I want to wish success to you in this patriotic cause. I express special gratitude to the Founder of the Georgian Chanting Foundation, Mister Vano Chkhartishvili, for his tremendous contribution to this cause. I am thankful to everyone who has contributed to the creation of this anthology. These are project managers, the creative team, musicians, and scholars. I thank each and every one of you. On behalf of the Georgian Government and myself, I reiterate solidarity and pledge support to you. I wish you success in your future work toward this formidable patriotic cause," the Prime Minister said.
Press Service of the Government Administration