Otar Janelidze
Gori State University
Professor
Gori, Georgia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0132-4341
Otar Janelidze
Gori State University
Professor
Gori, Georgia
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0132-4341
Raphael Eristavi and his era
Raphael Eristavi gave Georgia in the 19th century a unique charm and attraction. If someone defined the height and greatness of this century's artistic literature, undoubtedly was the author of "Samshoblo Khevsurisa".
The poet was always in the middle of life and was a direct participant and eyewitness of many events of public importance, which remained in the collective memory of the nation as an image of the past.
The report will trace the attitude of Raphael Eristavi to such historical events that occurred in Georgia in the 19th century, such as the abolition of serfdom, the invasion of Ottoman troops in Samegrelo during the Crimean War under the command of Omer Pasha, participation of Georgians in the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878, Creation of the Caucasian Museum in Tbilisi, the establishment of the "Society for the Spreading of Literacy among Georgians", study and popularization of the Georgian national cultural heritage, collection and publication of Georgian oral folk art - riddles, proverbs, folk poems, formation of the Georgian Theater Society and its chairmanship, work as a censor, etc.
Attention will be focused on the significance of the anniversary of Raphael Eristavi, which took place in Tbilisi in October 1895 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the poet’s work. The anniversary acquired the character of a “secular holiday” and became a celebration of the identity of the entire Georgian national culture.
Keywords: Raphael Eristavi, Poet, Georgia, Abolition of serfdom, Russian-Turkish War, Anniversary