Culture of Georgia today Culture of Georgia (country)

wall painting in georgia s ancient monastery, shio-mghvime

starting 16th century, although aspects of more recent times incorporated since 12th century, until course of 19th century, georgian culture became influenced persian culture. though notably more visibly amongst higher classes, persian cultural aspects incorporated amongst existing georgian columns, painting, architecture, , literature. french traveller jean chardin visited georgia in 1672 noted georgians followed persian customs. since many georgian kings, princes, , nobles either born or raised in mainland iran, not susprising persian cultural aspects spread in georgia.

during modern period, 17th century onwards, georgian culture has been influenced cultural innovations imported elsewhere in europe.

the first georgian-language printing house established in 1620s in italy, , first 1 in georgia founded in 1709 in tbilisi.

georgian theatre has long history; oldest national form sakhioba (extant 3rd century bc 17th century ad). georgian national theatre founded in 1791 in tbilisi, writer, dramatist, , diplomat giorgi avalishvili (1769–1850). leading actors dimitri aleksi-meskhishvili, david machabeli, david bagrationi, dimitri cholokashvili, , others.

2nd century bc bronze torso western georgia, displayed @ georgian national museum

in tbilisi, museum of caucasus founded in 1845. in 1920s, became state museum of georgia. tbilisi state theatre of opera , ballet established in 1851.

greatest representatives of georgian culture of 19th century were: nikoloz baratashvili (poet), alexander orbeliani (writer), vakhtang orbeliani (poet), dimitri kipiani (writer), grigol orbeliani (poet), ilia chavchavadze (writer , poet), akaki tsereteli (poet), alexander kazbegi (writer), rapiel eristavi (poet), mamia gurieli (poet), iakob gogebashvili (writer), simon gugunava (poet), babo avalishvili-kherkheulidze (actor), nikoloz avalishvili (actor), nikoloz aleksi-meskhishvili (actor), romanoz gvelesiani (painter), grigol maisuradze (painter), alexander beridze (painter), ivane machabeli (translator), okropir bagrationi (translator), sardion aleksi-meskhishvili (translator), kharlampi savaneli (opera singer), pilimon koridze (opera singer), lado agniashvili (folk singer), alioz mizandari (composer), etc.

the first cinema in georgia established in tbilisi on november 16, 1896. first georgian cinema documentary ( journey of akaki tsereteli in racha-lechkhumi ) shot in 1912 vasil amashukeli (1886–1977), while first georgian feature film ( kristine ) shot in 1916 alexandre tsutsunava (1881–1955).

the tbilisi state academy of arts founded in 1917.

georgian culture suffered under rule of soviet union during 20th century, during policy of russification imposed resisted many georgians. since independence of georgia in 1991, cultural resurgence has taken place, albeit hampered country s economic , political difficulties in post-soviet era.