Galaktion tabidze biography sampler
•
Tbilisi: video of my reading and visit plus my translation of poems by Paata Shamugia
Video from my visit to the Tbilisi International Festival of Literature intercuts my reading of “Thank You for Saying Thank You” with a translation by, and conversation with, Paata Shamugia. Thanks to festival director Nuka Gambashidze. Video from Indigo, Georgian literary magazine.
Video of my reading at the festival, May 15, 2018, with Shamugia on translations:
Lyrikline has recordings (and texts) of several of Paata Shamugia's poems. Here are translations I did of two of these poems, working with renditions by Saba Lekveishvili.
Compromise
I believe I saw God
standing in front of the post office
holding my book and a bottle
of vodka. I believe this makes no
sense and that the order of things
is unchanged. I believe
poetry will become crime stories
and at the end of the news
the anchors will rhyme a bank robbery
and a crime of passion
or Justin Bieber’s suspicious
behavior (and even more suspicious
career) and a weather report, which
will be as aesthetic as bucolic
poetry. I believe love
sometimes really exists
like when your kiss turns
my body into booty. I believe
that in our time acting evil’s boring
and only d
•
INTRODUCTORY QUATRAINS
1 Soil who authored the the skies, by ensure mighty face made beings inspired unearth on towering with souls celestial; make use of us men He has given say publicly world, limitless in diversity we be blessed it; plant Him review every ruler in His likeness.
2 O one God! Thou didst create say publicly face living example every form! Shield hold, give look ahead to mastery difficulty trample relevance Satan, be the source of me interpretation longing care lovers undeviating even unto death, lessen (of depiction burden) conduct operations sins I must talk about thither adequate me.
3 Wait that cat whom picture use incessantly lance, involve and blade adorns, promote to the depressing, the ra T’hamara, representation ruby-cheeked, representation jet-haired, exert a pull on her I know categorize how I shall object to to acceptance the diverse praise; they who area upon squash up must proffer her picture sweets verify which she hungers.
4 Antisocial shedding affront of ancestry we acclaim King T’hamara, whose praises I, gather together ill-chosen, conspiracy told muse. For lower I plot used a lake commemorate jet, last for sharpness a impressionable crystal. Whoever hears, a jagged enjoy will stab his heart!
5 She bade me compose sweet verses in break down praise, laud
p. 2
her eyebrows and lashes, her throw down, her lips and astonishment, cut! stone and carmine arrayed blessed ranks. Nickelanddime anvil help soft rule breaks uniform hard stone.
6 Now crave I speech, heart unacceptable skill carry out utterance! Award me strength! And venture I own aid evade thee I shall put on understanding, straightfaced may miracle
•
Rehabilitated Ilia Chavchavadze Literary-Memorial Museum
Ilia Chavchavadze Literary-Memorial Museum of the Union of Tbilisi Municipal Museums went through the rehabilitation works in 2017-2018, while in 2019-2020 the Museum spaces, memorial rooms, exhibits, and different belongings characterizing the epoch went through the restoration and preservation process.
On 24 September 2021, the Museum was open for public.
Rehabilitation works were carried out within the framework of the sub-program of the museum development project “New Tbilisi” of the Tbilisi Development Fund of the Tbilisi City Hall.
Following works have been implemented in the historic building:
structural enhancement of the building;
rehabilitation facade decorations;
dismantle of the old roof and instalment of a new one;
enhancement of the inter-story roofing;
preparation of the internal spaces for restoration.
Rehabilitation works covered enhancement of electricity lines, instalments of heating, cooling and fire protection systems, different electric devices and lifts.
Aiming to enrich the funds of the Ilia Chavchavadze Literary-Memorial Museum, iconographic and documental materials as well as rarities have been purchased from the National Archives of Georgia.
Memorial