As it’s wildly known, the republic of Georgia is the homeland of many talented people. We can talk endlessly about Georgian nature, cuisine, people, nightlife, etc. But now, we are going to inform you that Georgian literature is one more reason to be proud of each Georgian.

We decided to write this article because of the fantastic news. The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, named Tbilisi (Georgia) World Book Capital for the year 2021, based on the recommendation of the World Book Capital Advisory Committee, which met in Switzerland in June 2019. So, it’s time to get cozy with a glass of wine and learn about the best Georgian authors.

Georgia is where you will find some of the most ancient and vibrant literature in the world. Georgian writers have played an essential role in developing a rich culture full of traditions. You may not remember any of them right now, but believe us, if reading is your hobby you may have read one masterpiece. Shota Rustaveli, Galaktion Tabidze, Otar Chiladze, Nikoloz Baratashvili and many many more… Yes, they are from Georgia.

It also can be surprising for you if we tell you that, there were a few Georgian writers nominated for the most prestigious award in the world – Nobel Prize in literature.

Here they are:

• Grigol Robakidze, a famous Georgian writer primarily known for his prose and anti-Soviet émigré activities.
• Merab Kostava, a Georgian dissident, musician, and poet. He was one of the leaders of the National-Liberation movement in Georgia.
• Otar Chiladze who played a significant role in the resurrection of Georgian prose in the Post-Soviet era. Chiladze is often compared to one of the greatest writers of the world such as Gabriel García Márquez because their style of writing is quite similar.
• Mzechabuk “Chabua” Amirejibi was a Georgian novelist and Soviet-era dissident, notable for his masterpiece named Data Tutashkhia. Chabua was nominated for Nobel Prize in Literature in 1996 and 1999.
• Giwi Margwelaschwili is a famous Georgian writer and philosopher. 89-year-old Margvelashili lives in Berlin and writes in German.
• David Magradze is a Georgian poet and politician. He is the author of the lyrics of the current National Anthem of Georgia.

As we already gave you information about our writers nominated for the Nobel Prize, now its time to recall Georgian poets. We are proud to say that Georgian authors named among the world’s greatest poets on famous American website ranker.com. Internet users were able to vote online for their favorite poets from the list which was presented on the website and it is noteworthy that in a few days after starting the survey, Shota Rustaveli, Vazha-Pshavela, Nikoloz Baratashvili, Galaktion Tabidze, and Ana Kalandadze occupied the leading positions.

Medieval Georgian poet and the author of the epic poem The Knight in the Panther’s Skin, Shota Rustaveli, was on the first position by 5 156 votes. Rustaveli was followed by Vazha Pshavela, noted Georgian patriot and cosmopolitan, author of the highest caliber in the field of Georgian literature. Third place was occupied by renowned poet Nikoloz Baratashvili (2 435 votes), while “the king of Georgian poets,” Galaktion Tabidze was on the fourth position. Renowned English poet, playwright and actor William Shakespeare was in the 5th position, while Ana Kalandadze occupied 6th position. Georgian female poet was followed by the greatest poets such as Dante Alighieri, Homer, Goethe, and Edgar Allan Poe.

After getting a little information about old Georgian writers now it’s time to write something about modern ones.

• Aka Morchiladze – winner of several literary awards for the best novel nomination in Georgia. His most famous novel, Journey to Karabakh, available in English, was even made into a movie in 2005. The film gained similar popularity among locals as did the book, which resulted in the production of two sequels of the movie. The scripts for the two movies were written by Morchiladze himself. Plays have also been produced based on his work.

• Dato Turashvili – is a fiction writer whose first novels, published in 1988, were based on the turmoil of the events taking place during the last years of Soviet Union rule in Georgia. His most famous work is the Jeans Generation; translated into English, its title is Flight From USSR. In 2001 it was turned into a play. Besides novels, Turashvili has written scripts, plays, and short stories. He has published approximately 16 books in Georgia and has been translated into seven languages in different countries. Moreover, he has translated poetic and prosaic texts from Spanish, Turkish, English, and Russian languages.

• Ana Kordzaia-Samadashvili – is a writer and literary journalist who has written some of the best-selling prose of post-Soviet Georgian literature. She is a winner of several Georgian literary awards, and her works have been translated into many languages, including German, English, and Swedish.

• Jemal Karchkhadze – was the author of six novels, multiple essays and a few short stories. His works were conceptual and most became popular after his death. Winner of three literary awards, Karchkhadze published his short story Igi (He) in 1977, followed by his most important novels, Caravan in 1984, Zabulon in 1988, and Antonio and David in 1987. The latter was translated into English, Swedish and Arabic.

As you are sitting now and drinking your wine, we think that you realize that Georgia is a unique country.

Reader, we are waiting for your steps in Georgia with all our hearts.