Contemporary Issues of Literary Studies - International Symposium Proceedings

Understanding Knowledge in the Bible and in Vazha-Pshavela's "The Snake-Eater"

Nari Chkhaberidze — 2024-12-20

In thes conference report, we present a comparative analysis of the Biblical attitude towards knowledge and the animistic worldview depicted in Vazha-Pshavela's poem "The Snake-Eater". The analysis aims to highlight the parallels and contrasts between the two perspectives, offering insights into how knowledge is perceived and its implications for humans existence in both context. The philosophical epistemology of the poem particulary concerning the relationship between man and nature, invites such a comparative exploration duo to its, presentation the lens of Biblical thinking. Since the fundamental principle of the poem is the analysis of knowledge, therefore, its biblical interpretation becomes interesting.

Basil Melikishvili Observed as a Character (From Mikheil Javakhishvili's "Arsena Marabdeli" gallery)

როსტომ ჩხეიძე — 2024-12-20

One of the young writers most esteemed by Mikheil Javakhishvili in the 1920s was Basil Melikishvili, whose novelette "Smokeenshrouded Swallow" was published in 1928, appearing in the inaugural and simultaneously closing issue of journal, Ariphioni.
The senior fellow writer, Mikheil Javakhishvili, had previously depicted Basil Melikishvili's character in his novel "Arsena Marabdeli," set a century earlier. This narrative served as a reflection of contemporary societal and political turmoil, particularly the 1924 uprising and its leader, Kakutsa Cholokashvili, who appeared as the implied prototype of Arsena Marabdeli, and a reflection of Kakutsa’s biography.
In portraying Arsena's entourage, Javakhishvili drew from the essence of Kakutsa Cholokashvili's companions, imbuing characters with similar traits. Melikishvili, deeply involved in the uprising's planning and closely associated with Kakutsa Cholokashvili, thus transformed into Arsena's younger brother, Erekle Odzelashvili.
The novelist assigned profound symbolic significance to the final scene – the dapple grey horse of Arsena, escaping Giorgi Kuchatneli, rushes towards Erekle and invites to ride it.

Polar Concepts of Fear and Love in the “Society of the Formers” (Based on Irakli Samsonadze’s Short Novel The Cushion)

Nino Gogiashvil — 2024-12-20

In just one continuous paragraph, the writer conveys the biggest trauma caused to his generation by the geopolitical changes of those times, the civil war and the country facing an absolute economic collapse. The idea of the novel is to demonstrate and analyze the polar concepts of fear and love. The main character of the novel is a member of the “society of the formers”, a writer who has become functionless in Georgia in the 1990s.

Concept of Heterotemporality in the Novel "A Lizard on the Grave Stone " by Archil Kikodze

Mzia Jamagidze — 2024-12-20

Georgian literary process of the 21st century shows that along with modern challenges, Georgian literature is actively incorporated in re-determining and re-identifying national time and space. Many fictional texts are created to evaluate and overcome the national past and traumas and simultaneously recall forgotten pasts and narratives to redefine and recreate modern national narratives. This paper aims to discuss one such strategy- the concept of heterotemporality by analyzing the novel “A Lizard on the Grave Stone" (2021) by Archil Kikodze. We analyze how the writer envisions the national culture's perspective and place in global space.

One Aspect from Niko Nikoladze's Journalism

Manana Kajaia — 2024-12-20

The article is about the publicism of the great thinker of the 19th century, Niko Nikoladze.

The specificity of his attitude towards literary criticism in general is of particular importance. In the letter "Criticism and its importance in literature" Niko Nikoladze talks to the reader about the purpose of criticism in the language of journalism and emphasizes that if the writer's call is to "correctly and
intelligently express people's life, character, morals, needs and thoughts", the purpose of criticism is to keep an eye on writing, to notice its character and compare its meaning.

The Christian Understanding of the Meaning of Life in Vazha-Pshavela’s Creative Prose

Khatuna Kalandarishvili — 2024-12-20

Vazha-Pshavela creates a fictional world that is governed by ethical norms informed by Christian teachings. He places readers on a solid moral foundation, conversing about essence and purpose of humanity. He hints that people have strayed from their initial form, being one with the essence of nature through God’s Grace, replacing it by a consumer attitude, bringing death and letting violence and conflict rule the world. Returning to prior harmony is only possible through the solidification of high ethical ideals
and rejuvenation of kindness in human hearts. Through his stories, Vazha strives to display life itself as an ethical phenomenon.

Peculiarities of the Artistic Representation of Violence in a Literary Text (Vazha-Pshavela, George Orwell)

Nestan Kutivadze — 2024-12-20

A literary tale "The Bear" (1909) by the famous Georgian writer Vazha-Pshavela and a dystopian novel "Animal Farm" (1945) by the famous English novelist George Orwell were written in the same period. Despite this, there is a much larger historical distance between these two texts in terms of socio-cultural context. In the artistic transformation of society based on violence, both writers turned to the animal world. Vazha-Pshavela chose the predator while Orwell featured domestic animals as characters. Both texts show well the almost stereotypical nature of violence, the dramatic nature of the loss of freedom, the social misery of a conquered society.

Representation of Hero/Anti-Hero and Literary Topoi in A. Qazbegi’s “The Patricide”

Hayate Sotome — 2024-12-20

From the beginning of the 19th century, the Russian Empire colonized Georgia. The situation was especially difficult in the Khevi region, where the adventure of Georgian protagonists, Iago, Nunu and Koba, in Aleksandre Qazbegi’s novel “The Patricide,” took place. These protagonists are victims of this colonization.

After Iago and Koba rescued Nunu, who was forcibly married and then confined in a cave, they fled to Chechnya, joined to Shamil’s army, and fought against the Russian troops. As mentioned in the text, the Russian army consists not only of Russians and Cossacks, but also of other Caucasians, including Georgians. In the novel, two types of Georgians are represented: the “heroes,” – Iago, Nunu and Koba, – who have conscience, and the “anti-hero,” – Girgola, – who lacks it and serves Russian imperialism. Although main plot develops around the adventure of the “heroes,” drowing readers’ attention to them, Girgola’s phycology is also described in detail and is equally noteworthy. From this point, “The Patricide” possesses two characteristics of both chivalric and picaresque novels.

Additionally, the places where the “heroes” and the “anti-hero” operate are also notable. The former flee from Khevi to Chechnya, where the battles between Russian troops and Shamil’s army occur. In Chechnya, particularly in the Ichkerian forest, there are no highways (referred to in the novel as “national roads”). This circumstance makes it impossible for the Russian troops to move and battle effectively, giving Shamil’s army an advantage. In contrast, the “anti-hero,” Girgola remains in Khevi or Vladikavkaz (Dzaug),
where there is a highway connecting the cities. The Russian Empire controls the territory through this highway. These two topoi – the cities and the villages, and the highway itself / the roadless, “nomadic” space – are crucial for understanding A. Qazbegi’s works.

One Tale of „A thousand and One Nights“ and Georgian Folk Tales

Dalila Bedianidze — 2024-12-20

In her study, “One Tale of One Thousand and One Nights and Georgian Folk Tales”, Dalila Bedianidze examines thematic and narrative parallels between classic international stories and Georgian folklore. Central to the analysis is the motif of the beloved bird’s sacrifice, found in tales such as One Thousand and One Nights’ "Story of King Sindbad," "Kilila and Damana," the 67th Arak "Sovereign and Hawk," the Persian Tutiname, and Georgian folk narratives like "Kvavsakdara" and "Sakdar of the crow".

The work explores shared elements across these stories, focusing on character roles, themes, and actions.

The study discusses both the similarities and distinctions between these tales.

Dragon Defender Saint George and World Experience

Bela Mosia — 2024-12-20

Despite the fact that the topic of the cult of St. George fighting the dragon was discussed many times and by many scientists, we discuss the cult of St. George in the system of popular religion, church frescoes and icons, Georgian hagiography, hymnography and folklore. We will analyze its multifaceted form and meaning. The novelty of our research is the face of the dragon of Gveleti rock and the legend about its punishment by St. George. Particular importance is the petrification spell of the snake, which has survived to this day in Samegrelo, West Georgia.

Transformation Forms of European and Georgian Heroic Epics

Ketevan Sikharulidze — 2024-12-20

The heroic epic is the original genre of the oral tradition of all peoples. Its further expansion and ideological and substantive changes were determined by the political and socio-cultural environment that formed over time, the state's development level, and the type of society.

The "classic" epic has already been demythologized. The epic hero fights for the benefit of society, so he gets the name of a national hero. A religious subtext appears, giving depth to the heroic ideal. This was facilitated by the formation of statehood and the literary processing of folk-art texts. This defines the difference between the heroic epics of large and small countries.

Myth and Folklore in Georgian Medieval Secular Prose Romance “Amirandarejaniani” by Mose Khoneli

Mary Khukhunaishvili-Tsiklauri — 2024-12-20

Annotation: The romance is based on the mainstream of depicting moral nature, physical quality of true knights and their life style presented in their fabulous adventures. The author merged artistic image of Amirandarejanisdze into nature of Georgian folk hero, demigod Amirani. Some adventures take place on invented mythical territories. One can find there the motifs of international tales of magic.

Fairy Tale as a Universal Genre and Quantitative and Typological Analysis of Georgian Folk Tales

Marine Turashvili — 2024-12-20

The fairy tale, as a genre, holds a significant position in the folklore of all nations. The striking similarity is evident not only in the types but also in the narratives, underscoring its universality.

After analyzing fairy tales, it was found that they make up approximately 9% of the entire folklore repertoire. When looking at the subgenres, the percentage breakdown is as follows: animal tales account for 6%, magical tales for 59%, religious tales for 3%, novelistic tales for 17%, and anecdotes for 15%. The data analysis highlights that magical tales are the most popular within the Georgian folklore repertoire.

Cultural-cognitive Aspects of the Georgian Translations of „Praise of Praise“

Liana (Lia) Basheleishvili — 2024-12-20

The discussion of the cultural-cognitive aspects of the Georgian translations of the most difficult text of the Old Testament, "Song of Songs", is connected with many difficulties. In the Georgian editions there are remarks. The appearance of remarks, on the one hand, is caused by the absence of the category of gender in the Georgian language. Remarks are absent in the Hebrew text, as well as in many codices of the Septuagint. As far as possible, we compared the remarks of all the Georgian editions under consideration
with the remarks of the Sinaiticus Codex of the Septuagint of the 4th century and tried to determine their place in the artistic fabric of the text.

Intercultural Aspect of Translation

Eka Chkheidze — 2024-12-20

No significant culture can be created and survive in a hermetic, closed space. When we observe any national culture, we find that – especially in the initial stages of development – it engages in a necessarydialogue with other national cultures, enriching and diversifying itself in the process. Translation serves asthe primary support and foundation for these intercultural communications. Translation not only facilitatesa dialogue between diverse cultures but also often serves as the most faithful preserver of civilizations and cultures through time.

The Role of Female Translators for Georgian Literature of the Second Half of the 19th Century

Tinatin Dzodzuashvil — 2024-12-20

The second half of the 19th century is an important period for Georgian literature. During this period, female creators actively began to translate foreign literary samples, which contributed to bringingnew ideas and new themes to the country. translation has become the best means of intercultural communication. The article will talk about the collection prepared under the leadership of Anastasia Tumanishvili, "Translation of pleasant readings (writings) translated and published by Georgian women", because this collection was the first product of independent literary activity of women writers and translators.

Georgian translations of Josef Weinheber's Poems

Nugesha Gagnidze — 2024-12-20

Josef Weinheber, a key figure in 20th-century Austrian literature, remains culturally relevant despite his controversial stance during his time. His poetry continues to inspire scholars and audiences worldwide, with Georgian readers first encountering his work in 2009 through Anthology of 20th-Century Austrian Lyric Poetry. This paper aims to analyze the Georgian translations of Weinheber's lyric poetry within the framework of Goethe's classification. Are they faithful to the original, or do they, in some cases, overlyadapt the text to the translator's vision? The study places particular emphasis on Giorgi Kekelidze’s translations, examining them through the lenses of translation studies, stylistics, and philosophy.

Shota Rustaveli in the Iranian-speaking World

Manana Kvachadze — 2024-12-20

Shota Rustaveli, the great Georgian poet of 12th century, author of immortal masterpiece “Vepkhistkaosani” (The Knight in the Panter’s Skin) was first mentioned in Europe at the beginning of the 19th century, in Asia – from the 30s of the 20th century.

To date, the poem has been translated into numerous languages, including several Iranic (Persian, Tajik, Ossetic, and Kurdish) languages. Attempts have been made in order to narrate Rustaveli’s poem either completely or partially, in prose or in poetry.

The interest of the readers and scholars towards “Vepkhistkaosani” is still increasing

Verfall (decline) Details in Thomas Mann's novel “Buddenbrooks” and its Georgian Translation

Nino Kvirikadze — 2024-12-20

The present paper is concerned with the semantic study of Verfall details in Th. Mann's novel “Buddenbrooks” and its Georgian translation. The study of the Verfall details including the title of the novel meaning “fissure”, “crack” (i.e. decline of the Buddenbrooks family) has demonstrated that the Georgian translation of these details only partially correspond to the original text.

Georgian recipients in 12 cases are unable to comprehend the meaning of the title of the novel Of course, this circumstance greatly weakens the sounding of Verfall of an old burgher family in translated text.

From Literary Translation to European Kartvelology

Darejan Menabde — 2024-12-20

Translation, publication and distribution of a literary text into foreign languages is a certain possibility of “penetration” of this text into the world literary process. For the so-called “small” countries facing global challenges introduction of their literary works to the twenty-first-century readers assumes special importance. This article will focus on the outstanding translations of two texts of different periods and literary directions (Amirandarejaniani, A Book of Wisdom and Lies) in European languages and special studies of European literary critics published about these translations.

Innovations of Translation Strategies in the Conditions of Cultural Globalization

Irine Modebadze — 2024-12-20

In the era of cultural globalization the importance of translation activities has increased. In 2023, Kote Gulisashvili published his new, complete poetic Russian translation of Shota Russtaveli’s “Knight in the Panther’s Skin”. This article considers applied innovations in translation strategies, particularly new techniques of chronological barrier overcoming, approaching of the spatial coordinates to modern geopolitical map, universalization of sociocultural hierarchies system. Our research showed presence of imagological system beyond diversity and confirmed vector change of acculturation: the new translation is oriented to contemporary individuals’ globalized mind, being intended for Russian-speaking readers scattered all over the world.

Echoes of the European Feminist Movement of the 19th Century in the Works of Georgian Classics

Maia Arveladze — 2024-12-20

The 19th-century national public figures were concerned about the lack of rights for women, and as a result, Georgia became a fruitful ground for the European feminist movement. Feminist writers are considered Akaki, Ilia, Vazha, Kazbegi, Nikoladze, and Gogebashvili. Their writings frequently address women's rights, and many of their theses explicitly encourage readers to join the feminist movement.
Despite being surrounded by the Muslim world, little Georgia, has actively participated in international events and consistently demonstrated that it is not a closed and enslaved country, but rather an integral part of European civilization.

“A Man Was Going down the Road” by Otar Chiladze – Literature of Small Country on Annexation

Ketevan Nadareishvili — 2024-12-20

The classical receptions presented in national literatures appear to be one of the most vivid expressions of the complex interrelationship that exists between world and local literatures.

The paper studies the interpretation of the Argonauts myth by O. Chiladze in order to show how the writer using mythological allusions reflects on the challenges of the modern world, namely, on annexation of small countries by empires. The arrival of Phryxus and the Argonauts’ campaign to Colchis is nothing else for the writer but the plan of the Cretan emperor Minos to conquer Colchis being drawn in a manner that evokes direct parallels with the classical intervention schemes.

Georgia and Globalization in Otar Chkheidze's Novel "Submissive

Lia Tsereteli — 2024-12-20

In "Submissive," Otar Chkheidze meticulously chronicles the era of Shevardnadze’s presidency, capturing the turbulence surrounding his resignation and the fervor of the Rose Revolution. Chkheidze's narrative approach blends artistic and documentary elements, using parliamentary sessions, politicians' speeches, television programs, and newspaper publications, along with the slogans of "Kmara" and the protests of pensioners. This method lends an authentic texture to the depiction of the period's political and social upheavals. Chkheidze's historical lens shifts dynamically throughout the novel, presenting multiple eras where historical figures spring vividly from the pages. Though Georgian names and surnames may change, the portrayal of the enemy and Georgian behaviors remain strikingly consistent.

Activation of Taboo Topics in Jemal Karchkhadze's Creativity

Tinatin Tvaltchrelidze — 2024-12-20

In the totalitarian space, the killing of the moral law is highly relevant. Rather than the post-Soviet trauma narrative, Jemal Karchkhadze's work is interesting in the direction of tabooing and de-tabooing moral issues, in order to present epochally correct artistic-aesthetic values (Karchkhadze's journalism, The Tenant, Jupiter's Regret, Antonio and David, etc.) While moral values are taboo, Jemal Karchkhadze made the issue of morality the main problem of his literary works; he wrote: "I am a moralist by nature and nothing can be done about it." Two types of conjuncture of the era spread during this period: “urapatriotic” and international

Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors in the Novel and Film

Ludmila Boris — 2024-12-20

Sergei Parajanov shot an amazing film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” (alternative title in box office abroad – Wild Horses of Fire) in the Hutsul dialect and in the autochthonous scenery of the Carpathian Mountains for the 100th anniversary of the Ukrainian writer Mykhailo Kotsyubinsky (1964 ). On the 100th anniversary of the great director, interest in the film, which brought the author world fame and imprisonment, does not subside, but is gaining more and more resonance.

What attracted readers, including Parajanov, to the story about the simple and difficult life of shepherds? Perhaps this is a tragic love story between Ivankо and Marichka, who came from two warring rural clans – Paliichuks and Gutenyuks, like the Hutsul Montagues and Capulets. The world of the story is inhabited by extraordinary creatures – foresters, nyawks, chugaistr, – mountains talk to people, winds sing songs. Trembits carry news of the death of those who drowned or fell off a cliff. People are also extraordinary: they greet each other with the words “Glory to Jesus!” and do not forget to give coins to the deceased for the carrier of souls to the other world. The local sorcerer (molfar) Yuri disperses the storm with his hands and spells for the quiet life of the village, but does not hesitate to steal his neighbor’s wife and kill his rival by sticking needles into a clay doll. These people work, dance, sing and cry almost simultaneously.

Kotsiubynsky's great merit was his careful attention to the dialect of the mountain and proud people; he masterfully stylized their manner of speech. He also depicted the Hutsul way of life and folk customs in detail and accurately. Of particular value are the shepherds' legends about the creation of the world and the magical beliefs in the spirits of the forest and mountains, which have survived since pre-Christian times and organically merged with the new faith. These ancient legends have turned into a life philosophy that helps to survive in harsh conditions. Sergei Parajanov, as a person born and raised in the mountains, deeply felt
this extraordinary story. He admired the love story, magical landscapes, harsh life and the magical content of the holidays. To accurately film the story, he and his film crew lived for a year in the place where the story was written and shot the film on location. In his film, real Hutsul speech is heard, the characters are dressed not in props but in their own clothes, real trembitas play in the mountains. The legend wasrecreated, as if in magical rituals.

And if the writer was able to find the right words to depict the great beauty of nature and human passions, then the director made these words visible, a vivid video sequence filled with symbols and realities, people and spirits. So that the shadows of our ancestors remind us of unity with nature and higher forces. And the shadows of the ancestors, thanks to two great geniuses, came to life again and passed on their love, wisdom and sadness to our contemporaries

"The Holiest Country after Georgia is Paris...“

Irma Ratian — 2024-12-20

Kutaisi is the birthplace of Georgian modernism and symbolism. It was in Kutaisi that the Georgian
symbolist school was formed, the Order of the Blue Horns, as its founders called it, and, accordingly, a new
stage in the history of Georgian literature and poetry began. The formation of the first Georgian modernist
school took place before the three-year political independence of the country (1918-1921), but its maturation and development took place in the complex political reality after 1921, which divided the history of
Georgian symbolism into two qualitatively different periods – the Kutaisi and Tbilisi periods. The Kutaisi
period coincided with the expectation of political freedom for the country and the joy of its implementation, and the Tbilisi period – with the dominance of Bolshevik ideology and political repressions.

The Machine Rebellion in Russian and European Literature of the Turn of the Twentieth Century

Alexandre Stroev — 2024-12-20

At the turn of the twentieth century, a long-standing mystical theme, the rebellion of the creature
against the Creator, appears as the triumph of machine civilization. It appears in science fiction (Henri Ner,
H.G. Wells, Auguste de Villiers de l’Isle-Adam, Karel Čapek), in the works of the Futurists (Velemir
Khlebnikov, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Alexei Kruchenykh), the Symbolists (Valery Bryusov, Maximilian
Voloshin, Grigol Robakidze), the Expressionists (Antonin Seuhl), etc. Its origins can be found in the Romantics (E.T.A. Hoffmann, Mary Shelley). Science fiction (H.G. Wells, Alexander Bogdanov, Alexei Tolstoy) develops the ancient theme of mystical journeys to other planets, transmigration of the spirit to
another world (Cyrano de Bergerac, Swedenborg, Camille Flammarion, Dostoevsky). In the periods of wars
and revolutions, devastation and famine (the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the Russian Revolution of
1905-1907, the World War of 1914-1918, the revolutions in Russia and Germany in 1917-1918, the Russian
Civil War of 1918-1920 and the famine of 1921), the fear of deadly machines, of technical progress becomes
from mystical to real and universal. Numerous short stories, novels, poems, and plays describe how
mechanisms (robots) go out of obedience, destroy humans, and create a new world.

Notable Concepts of Hybrid Literature: Georgian Example (Nino Kharatishvili’s Nover "The Eighth Life (for Brilka)"

Ledi Antidze — 2024-12-20

One of the distinctive features of hybrid literature is blurring clear ethnic and cultural boundaries
and the creation of a new multicultural phenomenon containing diverse cultural-literary values. It should
be noted that it is impossible to divide hybrid literature and writers into categories, in terms of national
affiliation. The article is about one of such writer Nino Kharatishvili, a successful author living and
working in Germany, who has stated in numerous interviews that the essence of her literary hybridity is
"splitting", doubling. In the article we analize the novel "The Eighth Life (for Brilka)" as an outstanding
example of hibrid literature.

The Path of a Small Country's Literature to World Literature

Gia Arganashvili — 2024-12-20

It has been three decades since Georgian literature fled from the Soviet system, and today world literature readers expect not only an artistic chronicle of the totalitarian Soviet empire from us, but also a literary depiction of today's universal human problems, the representation of a small country's literature before the world literature and its readers.
We should hope that in the conditions of world globalization, our national literature, under the conditions of the country's sovereignty, will continue to remain in its leading position with the support of modern technologies.

Existential Motives and the Musicality of the Form in Vytautas Mačernis’ Cycle of Poems “The Sonnets of the Seasons” [Metų sonetai

Rūta Brūzgienė — 2024-12-20

Vytautas Mačernis (1921-1944), is one of the youngest classical canon authors of Lithuanian literature. He was a student of philosophy, English philology, could read in 7 languages, translated poetry of
Ch. Baudelaire, R. Burns, A. Blok, O. Milosz, F. Petrarca. His own writing bears characteristics of a distinctive harmony between archaic Baltic culture (“Vsions”) and modern Western culture as well as manifestations of existential philosophy (“The Sonnets of the Seasons”).
Mačernis’ sonnets are distinctive not only because of their structural variations of the Italian, English
and French canon, but also because of the emergence of existential-philosophical themes and new principles of theme development. The sonnet is both a musical and a poetic genre, so its form can be analysed
not only on the basis of the traditional aspects of poetics of sonnet composition, but also on the basis of the
principles of music. The aim of this presentation is to list the characteristic features of Mačernis’ sonnets
and to overview certain principles of musical writings in existential sonnet forms through the analogies of
musical forms and processuality. The work is based on comparative methodology and draws on the works
of V. Daujotytė, V. Kubilius, J. Korolkovaitė (Kriūnienė), J. Paužienė, A. Ramonas, W. Wolf, et al.

Comparison of Georgian-Byzantine Hagiographic Canons

Eka Chikvaidze — 2024-12-20

The hagiographic literature in the Georgian language is classified in many ways: translated and original, kimen and metaphrastical, and lives and martyrdoms. From the established point of view, the genesis of Georgian hagiographic models is related to the models developed in the Byzantine literary space and was created by their analogy. On the other hand, there are many different opinions about the beginning of Georgian writing. The following range of issues is discussed: what type of texts is suitable for the term kimen and how homogeneous (or what homogeneity means) the similarity-differences of the models of Georgian original texts and hagiographic texts of the same period.

The Universal Code of Artistic Thinking

Ketevan Elashvili — 2024-12-20

Nikoloz Baratashvili felt the soul-deep sadness of romanticism in this way, he discovered a new "poetic language" of word creation; He also shared with us the canon of color language of romanticism with the primordial spiritual balance of the "sky color" or the divine beginning of the expression of soul. Vazha-Pshavela made the range of artistic thinking even deeper and broke through the boundary that existed between Western and Eastern cultures and created a kind of "mystical bond" with the charm of
death.

The Knight in the Panther’s Skin of Rustaveli and Medieval Chivalry Romance

Maka Elbakidze — 2024-12-20

The Knight in the Panther’s Skin written by Shota Rustaveli in the late Middle Ages belongs to a chivalry romance from the standpoint of genre. The structural and compositional organization of the text, its political and ideological background and compositional elements display enough resemblance with the European authors of chivalry romances. In spite of this, it should be mentioned that The Knight in the Panther’s Skin is not a typical specimen of medieval chivalry (courtly) romance. A number of specific features are found in the composition which indicates a far higher level of genre development.

Towards the Understanding of the Poem “Morning” by Leonid Aronzon, Called “Captive of the Hill"

Nana Gojilashvili — 2024-12-20

The central theme and the lyrical hero’s imagination focus on the top of a forested hill. The lyrical hero’s main quest is to discover what lies at the hilltop. The poem provides three answers: “naked child adorns the top of the hill”, or an angel; “it is crowned by the memory of heaven”, and finally, “it is crowned by the memory of God”. The hero's quest leads to a feeling of divine presence, culminating in theophany. Standing at the peak of freedom, the poet is paradoxically a captive of this freedom, a “captive of the hill”.

For the Interrelationship of Ethics and Aesthetics (Rustaveli, Nizami)

Lia Karichashvil — 2024-12-20

The ethical credo of Shota Rustaveli and Nizami Ganjavi is closely intertwined with aesthetics. The beauty of the main characters is essentially determined by their worldview and ethics – where morality is flawed, the appearance is flawed as well. This view aligns with Aristotle's perspective. In spiritual literaturetoo, spiritual virtues define a character's beauty.
The inseparability of ethics from aesthetics is one of the fundamental aspects of humanistic worldview, which, in its significance, holds universal, pan-human value and emerges as a clear tendency not only in the works of Rustaveli and Nizami, but in the literature of all ages.

Smaller Nation at a Service of World Culture (Again About the Reasons of Renaissance Origination)

Gocha Kuchukhidze — 2024-12-20

There is the need to focus again on the theory of Shalva Nutsubidze and Ernest Honigmann, according to which, the author of Areopagitic books is Peter the Iberian, Georgian philosopher of 5th century; according to Nutsubidze, Areopagitics is the movement that has become one of the bases of origination of Renaissance.
Basically, Georgia is regarded as the country that accepted cultural achievements of the other countries and it is less known for its contribution to the world culture. The above is one of the examples to illustrate that this view requires revision...

Cultural Model of Knights In the Context of Blue Horns’ Poetry

Manana Kvachantiradze — 2024-12-20

The Knightly ethos of Blue Horns is based on a system of values that represents the creativeintellectual unity of like-minded individuals. These individuals are united socially through friendship, citizenship, and family tradition, as well as by a common creative idea. In terms of creativity, the aim of Blue Horns is to fully utilize the creative potential of Georgian culture, overcome epigonism, and restore the deep tradition of poetic word-making, strengthening it further by incorporating global traditions. The
entire legacy of Blue Horns is the result of conceptually organized and well-thought-out activities.The concept of service, serving as the primary objective and hallmark of the knightly ethos within Blue Horns, can be seen as the fulfillment of a historic role through poetic dedication, akin to the brotherhood of devoted, self-sacrificing knights

The Paradigm of the German “Urphenomenon” and its Reception by Georgian Writer

Manana Kvataia — 2024-12-20

At the beginning of the last century, the devastating First World War also altered the intellectual world's agenda. The main trends of that most challenging time were also reflected in the pages of Georgian periodicals. Grigol Robakidze began publishing his opuses in the newspaper "Kavkazi" in 1914. In these pieces, the author delves deeply into the existential problems of the countries being involved in the world war, studies and analyzes the national markers of the main figurants of a “big war” (Germany, Russia, France, etc.), discusses their national phenomenon, etc. Robakidze's publicistic letters dedicated to the study of the German "urphenomenon", are of conceptual nature. When discussing the spiritual markers of pre-war Europe, Grigol Robakidze makes reference to Richard Hamann's "Impressionism in Life and Art".

Anti-Empire: A Visual Reconstruction of the World by Lithuanian Thinkers in the Spirit of Minor Nations Liberation

Jurate Landsbergyte-Becher — 2024-12-20

Lithuania lived through the “stopped” time during the Soviet occupation as a special resistance experience that led to profound transformations and a global wave of phenomena of national revivals. This gave new impulses to the knowledge of responsibility for other nations, to inspire their freedom and to experience the discoveries of an alternative global, sacred space. Lithuanian thinkers — visionaries, creators and photographers capturing borderline reality are like the Franciscan monk sculptor Vilius Orvidas (1952–
1992), who, during the Soviet era, transformed the inner space of his homestead park into a unique juxtaposition of sacredness, nature and the absurdity of totalitarianism. It became the anti-empire of reality transformations, the “battlefield” of the liberation of ideas, overcoming the “enslaved mind” with silence. The freelance photographer and traveller Paulius Normantas (1948–2017) sensed his vocation through the pain of the marginal situations of the vanishing minor nations scattered on the edges of the world’s empires. In his being, Paulius united the peoples of Lithuania and the Himalayas, thereby expressing the responsibility for the freedom of the enslaved peoples, which lies in the Lithuanian genetic code. Photographer, publicist, and translator Juozas Valiušaitis (*1964) discovered his “resurrection from oblivion” mission through Jewish tombstones left for destruction in Vilnius, embedded in the pavement or overgrown with grass in the woods. After the beginning of Maidan (2004, 2013–2014), Juozas’ empathy for the Ukrainian nation, walking to freedom, became the decisive slogan of his life and his vision in photographs, creating the miracle of the moment, the breakthrough of freedom.

Beware the Illusion or Latvian Literature's Road to the Nobel Prize

Imants Lavins (Ļaviņš) — 2024-12-20

The Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded annually by the Nobel Committee of the Swedish Academy, is the world's most prestigious and popular recognition in the field, and the media all over the world, even those whose priorities are not cultural news, do not forget to report on it. Authors have been nominated for this prize since 1901, and many of its recipients are deservedly among the world's literary classics. The Nobel Committee has been reproached for the marked dominance of European, and especially
Scandinavian, authors among the prize winners. The prize committee has also been reproached for the conspicuous rarity with which Asian and African writers have received the prize. The apparent underrepresentation of women among the prize winners has also been rightfully criticised. Public opinion has been influential in these areas, with positive developments in recent decades.
The problem of the penetration of small nations into the world cultural circle remains a topical issue. This is also the case in Latvia, where the Nobel Prize has been debated since the 1920s. For a long time, the media discussed the nomination of the poet and playwright Rainis and the imminent probability of receiving this prestigious prize. The focus of my research is to study the press' overview of this nominee process in Latvia and the attitude of press people to Rainis. The press overview exploration doing this research is a kind of selfreflection, it is also about the way a nation sees and accepts its own high-ranking intellectuals

An Ancient Georgian Translation of the Life of Makari the Egyptian

Ketevan Mamasakhlisi — 2024-12-20

St. Serapion of Thmuis, a disciple of Anthony the Great, provides an especially rich corpus regarding the life and ascetic labors of the blessed Macarius.
A keimenic edition of the saint's life has survived in Georgian, with the author being anonymous.
The Old Georgian translation of the Life of Macarius the Great has survived in the form of a few manuscript copies.
Analogies to biblical characters appear many times throughout the work.
Two forms of ascetic labor have been well-defined within the work.
Many miracles performed by Blessed Macarius have been included in the “Life”.

Davit Guramishvili’s Georgian Language

Khatuna Nishnianidze — 2024-12-20

Davit Guramishvili’s Georgian language embodies the “Georgian Chronotope,” emphasizing linguistic consciousness as central to national identity and resilience. Despite decades away from Georgia, he preserved an extraordinary connection to his native tongue, viewing it as timeless and vital for spiritual and national salvation. Guramishvili desacralized the old linguistic style, introducing a renewed, accessible paradigm akin to the simplicity of the Gospels. Guramishvili expresses his ideas in verse, mimicking works like “The Book of Psalms” and “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin“. Guramishvili’s language embraces and unites the Georgian linguistic (pagan and Christian) satiotemporal visions, rhythms and intonations, as well as foreign tunes, sounds and motives.

Anti-Modernist Narrative  Colonial Chronology of Psychological Oppression and Its Consequences

Tanar Paichadze — 2024-12-20

For the Soviet ideology, the modernist methodology, worldview, and theories werabsolutely unacceptable from the beginning.
This policy of non-acceptance was distinguished by its strategy and characteristics and at different stages which was characterized by duality of the position, positive and negative perception of the problem.
1. By positive tendency we mean the fact that Modernism and its directions were the complete systems, it was considered as the result – the “ready-made model” “inserted” into Georgian creative space.
2. Negative perspective of the perception of the problem was more radical. According to it, avantgardism was considered in Georgian culture as an artifi cial turn for demonstrating style a

Georgian Literature and Challenges of Contemporary Global World

Ketevan Siradze — 2024-12-20

Georgian writing plays a vital role in preserving the nation's identity amidst globalization. Throughout history, it has protected Georgia’s cultural heritage during invasions by powerful empires. Key aspects include religious consciousness, which unites people and strengthens national unity. The concept of a hereditary line, or psychological inheritance, is central to shaping identity and maintaining cultural continuity. Family is another essential theme, reflecting societal structures and personal values. Additionally, the hero concept in Georgian literature emphasizes not just grand historical figures but also everyday individuals whose honesty and integrity have a profound social impact. This literary tradition upholds national identit

On the Representation of the Terek River in Russian and Georgian Literary Works of the 19th Century

Yuri SUGINO — 2024-12-20

This study provides a comparative analysis of the representation of the Terek River in Russian and Georgian literary works of the 19th century, focusing on the parable of water flow depicted as a beast, particularly a lion. The analysis reveals that the lion symbolizes the power of anti-Russian emperor. The study suggests that this symbolic meaning, representing rebellion, may have originated from Georgian cultural and political contexts of the 19th century, and later spread among Russian and Georgian poets and writers.

The Picaresque Genre in the Works of Kutaisi Writers

Solomon Tabutsadze — 2024-12-20

The main character of the picaresque genre is an archetypal figure—a cunning trickster—in world literature. This genre itself emerges during times of crisis. On the one hand, it is shaped by the era; on the other hand, it possesses a narrative quality that defines texts of this type. Telling and listening to stories of a deceitful nature serves as a universal means of coping with human existential struggles. Notable examples of such works include Sergo Kliashvili's The Adventure of Lakhundarel and Rezo Cheishvili's The Adventure of Shaliko Khvingiadze

Literary and Political Strategy of French Writers Towards Georgia in the First Half of the 20th Century

Rusudan Turnava — 2024-12-20

This paper examines Georgian-French literary and cultural relations during the 1920s-1930s, focusing on the influence of the Union Society for Cultural Relations with Abroad (VOKS). Using archival sources, it explores how French writers, including André Gide, were invited to observe Soviet Georgia as part of a broader propaganda strategy. The study highlights ideological conflicts, reflecting both admiration for Georgian culture and skepticism toward Soviet politics. The works of Romain Rolland, Henri Barbusse, and Gide illustrate the tension between initial enthusiasm for socialism and growing disillusionment with Soviet totalitarianism, shaping cultural exchanges and the literary narratives of the time.

Modernist Polychronotopia: A Chronotopic Approach to Urban Timespace in James Joyce’s Ulysses

Nino Tsurtsumia — 2024-12-20

The purpose of the present paper is to examines the representation of Dublin in James Joyce's Ulysses (1922) through the lens of „overarching” chronotopes (Romantic/Idyllic, Naturalistic/Documentary, Decadent/Self-referential, and avant-garde/modernist). The paper will focus on the juxtaposition of historic (diachronic) and mythic (synchronic) aspects of Dublin as a transhistorical city. The naturalistic description of urban space in "Wandering Rocks" makes sharp contrast with the hallucinatory atmosphere and phantasmagoric symbolism of "Circe" episode. In the "Penelope" episode the dichotomy between historical and mythic poles is abolished through the “spatialization of time”, unifying spatio-temporal configuration that can be referred to as “mythopoeic chronotope”.