Atinati

Ilia Tavberidze · August 20, 2026

TAMARA TOUMANOVA – “THE BLACK PEARL OF BALLET”

Tamara Toumanova always longed to visit Georgia, the homeland of her mother, whose family name she carried with pride throughout her life. She came into the world in unusual circumstances: her mother, Evgenia Tumanishvili, was traveling to Vladivostok in distant Siberia to join her husband, Konstantin Zakharov, a doctor of the Caucasian Military District. Tamara was born in a train carriage on the way on March 2, 1919.

Ilia Tavberidze · September 26, 2025

MARIA PERINI'S STUDIO IN VERA

In 1973, director Giorgi Shengelaia made the first Georgian musical, Melodies of Vera Quarter. The film tells the story of two young sisters, Tamro and Maro, who dream of learning to dance but cannot afford the opportunity. However, in the old, historic Vera district of Tbilisi, they meet a kind-hearted laundress named Vardo, who helps the orphaned girls to pursue their dream. On Christmas Eve, Vardo stirs up such a commotion in the neighborhood that it almost leads to a full-blown uprising. At the heart of these events is an Italian couple who run the Vera District dance class.

Maka Vasadze · August 5, 2025

KOTE MARJANISHVILI

Kote Marjanishvili's artistic journey spanned 43 years—10 as an actor and 33 as a director. He passed away unexpectedly at the age of 61. The ingratitude of his Georgian students, coupled with the constraints of the Soviet system, ultimately led to the demise of an outstanding visionary who played a pivotal role in the evolution of contemporary theatrical art. A true devotee of the stage, Marjanishvili was, metaphorically, “killed” by his unwavering passion for the theater, ultimately succumbing to a myocardial infarction.

Ketevan Kintsurashvili · August 20, 2024

IRAKLI GAMREKELI - SCENOGRAPHER AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Irakli Gamrekeli was one of the founders of Georgian scenography and a prominent theater and cinema artist, futurist, and constructivist. Born on May 17, 1894, in Gori, Georgia, to a priest's family, he received his primary education at a theological school.Essentially a self-taught artist, he also spent time at the Medical Institutes in Rostov and Odessa, but failed to graduate, feeling that painting was his true calling.

Nino Chimakadze · March 28, 2024

MIKHAIL KALATOZISHVILI (KALATOZOV): A VISIONARY MASTER OF CINEMA

Renowned for his daring approach to filmmaking, Mikhail Kalatozov redefined the possibilities of visual storytelling, leaving an ineradicable mark in the history of cinema. The techniques he used back in the 1950s and 60s, with his longtime collaborator, cinematographer Sergey Urusevsky, are unique; they stand out, even by today’s standards. His cinematic style is marked by several distinct characteristics that set his work apart and continue to captivate audiences decades after their release.

Ketevan Shavgulidze · December 9, 2023

DAVID KAKABADZE'S FIRST EXPERIMENT IN SCENOGRAPHY

In the 1910-1920s, editing principles were introduced into almost all fields of art: painting, literature, theater… However, since editing is primarily associated with movies, these specific tools primarily used in film (screens, projectors) immediately enriched the works of innovative scenographers. The concept of editing was well-suited to the consciousness of a “new” audience who were loaded with diverse information and longed for a frequent change in the means and forms of artistic impact, visual and sound impressions. Mirroring the rapidly changing state of society that was occurring under the influence of technological advancement, the theater began actively implementing technological innovations.

Ketevan Shavgulidze · November 10, 2023

THE SUN - WOMEN OF MODERNIST GEORGIAN THEATRE

The sun forms the foundation of words, names, and idioms, serving as the world's eye and a transcendental archetype of light. It symbolizes radiance, birth, and intuitive thought. Represented by various authors from different eras in Georgian culture, the sun is a symbol of fertility, hope, life, and love. It is also regarded as a symbol of Georgia itself. Referred to as the "visible face of the Lord," it signifies that a human is "part of the sun;" in other words a "part of the Lord." In this world, the sun is omnipresent.

Ketevan Kintsurashvili · July 28, 2023

SOLIKO VIRSALADZE - A GREAT THEATER ARTIST

Simon (Soliko) Virsaladze was born at the end of 1908, on New Year's Eve, and as if from Hoffmann's fairy tale "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice,"this real-life Drosselmeyer, the great master of creating magical New Year's decorations, appeared to the world.

Atinati · May 2, 2023

SERGO KOBULADZE - THE TBILISI OPERA HOUSE CURTAIN

Sergo Kobuladze (1909-1978) began working on the curtain for the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theater in around 1954-1956. The creation of the curtain in the theater space has always been of special importance. For the audience, the curtain is exceptional, festive, and magnificent. The curtain is not associated with any particular performance. It forms both a real and a visual-conditional boundary of the artistic world. It is most appropriate to consider such a curtain in the context of synthesis of the arts since while being an example of monumental painting corresponding to architecture, it is often also influenced by theatrical and decorative elements.

Ilia Tavberidze · March 16, 2023

MARIAM ALEKSIDZE AND TBILISI CONTEMPORARY BALLET

Mariam Aleksidze was a soloist of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theater troupe when she presented her first one-act ballet premiere to the audience. Afterwards, we spoke about the notion of the choreographer, her visions for the future, the possibilities of chamber ballet development in Tbilisi, and of course about her father – the prominent choreographer Giorgi Aleksidze, to whom the novice choreographer’s first staged ballet was dedicated. Mariam said that while her father was still alive, she promised to follow in his footsteps.

Ilia Tavberidze · September 16, 2022

GIORGI ALEKSIDZE

The very first of Giorgi Aleksidze's performances with the Chamber Ballet already involved daring statements, inappropriate and bold steps that were incompatible with Soviet ideology. Through Chamber Ballet, the innovative choreographer Giorgi Aleksidze offered a new style and form.

Ilia Tavberidze · November 4, 2021

GEORGIAN BALLET NOWADAYS

It is now the 18th season that prima ballerina Nino Ananiashvili has been head of the ballet troupe of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre.

Iuri Mechitov · October 14, 2021

SERGEI PARAJANOV

Sergei Parajanov (1924 - 1990) is considered as one of the 20th century's greatest masters of cinema. His free cinematic forms, expressive power and originality of visual compositions still continue to impress filmmakers today.

Ilia Tavberidze · July 28, 2021

GEORGE BALANCHINE

In the 1950s, an interview with George Balanchine was printed in one of the issues of the magazine ‘America,’ which was published in Russian language for Soviet readers. Among those who read it was his brother, the composer Andria Balanchivadze.

Atinati · May 27, 2021

GIORGI ALEKSIDZE TBILISI CONTEMPORARY BALLET MARKED DANTE ALIGHIERI ANNIVERSARY WITH PREMIERE

When Tbilisi Contemporary Ballet finished their performance, the audience was left with something they could remember - intelligence shown through a concept and an idea that was spontaneously abundant.

CINEMA & THEATRE