With the blessings and financial support of the Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, at the initiative of the Georgian Writer’s Union, the republished book “Old Tbilisi Literary Bohema” by noted Georgian writer Ioseb Grishashvili, illustrated by famous Armenian artist Robert Kondakhsazov, was presented to art enthusiasts.

The idea was inspired by great love of the Georgian writer and the Armenian painter for Tbilisi - the multinational city with rich coloring. As Ioseb Grishashvili was devoted to the Old Tbilisi literary life, so Tbilisi pictures were the main theme of the works of Robert Kondakhsazov. The artist spent the last years of his life abroad and as a sign of his homesickness illustrated the book “Old Tbilisi Literary Bohema” by Ioseb Grishashvili. The artist’s dream to see it as a book never came true. However the book was born and presented to the reader.

On November 5, 2016, the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the “Hayartun” Center of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted the presentation of the republished book “Old Tbilisi Literary Bohema” by Ioseb Grishashvili, accompanied by a solo exhibition by Armenian artist Robert Kondakhsazov, echoing the book illustrations.

The hall was crowded. In attendance were Armenian and Georgian artists, art and reading enthusiasts. The daughter of the artist, Dina Kondakhsazova, together with her daughter, had arrived specially from Russia to attend the presentation and the private exhibition. The Head of the State Agency for Religious Issues, Zaza Vashakmadze; the President’s Advisor for the issues of Ethnic Minorities, Sophio Shamanidi; Mrs. Eka Bakradze, the wife of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Republic of Armenia; and others were among the guests present.

Rev. Father Virap Ghazaryan, Pastor of the St. Etchmiadzin Church in Tbilisi, the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; gave opening remarks. Father Virap transmitted to the participants of the presentation the blessings and good wishes from His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan, Primate of the Armenian Diocese in Georgia; he called the publication of this truly valuable book “the proof of love of the Georgian writer and the Armenian artist for Tbilisi, the city with its unique flavor and charm”.

The Chairman of the Georgian Writer’s Union, Makvala Gonashvili, who had initiated the idea of republishing the book, called the event “the evening of love’’, because the love and devotion of the citizens of different nationalities to Tbilisi could be felt. Mrs. Gonashvili announced the decision of the Georgian Writer’s Union to present the Ivan Machabeli Award to Viktorya Zinina, Robert Kondakhsazov’s wife, for productive translation activities.

The daughter of the artist gave an emotional speech. She expressed her deep gratitude to the Armenian Diocese in Georgia, the Diocesan Primate, the Georgian Writer’s Union and its Chairman, the Union of Armenian Artists of Georgia, the Hayartun Center, the collectors, for the book republishing and the solo exhibition, because it once again reaffirmed that in Tbilisi the memory of painter Robert Kondakhsazov is kept alive.

The speakers, poet and translator Givi Shakhnazari, Irena Ohanjanova, the President of the Union of Armenian Painters of Georgia; poetess and translator Anahit Bostanjyan, poetess Mzia Khetaguri, art critic David Andriadze and others referred to the literary relations, which have been created through the centuries-old friendship between Armenians and Georgians; which have been strengthened, developed and deepened through the translations by the writers and translators of the two nations, through honest relations between the creative people, becoming the bridge, which connects two nations, continuing friendship and cooperation between worthy sons and daughters of the nation.

The teacher of Tbilisi № 131 Public School, Manana Karapetyan presented the address of Kartvelologist, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Hrachia Bayramyan, on the occasion of the book republishing and presentation. It is worth mentioning that the Armenian edition of the book “Old Tbilisi Literary Bohema” by Ioseb Grishashvili, which has been translated by Hrachya Bayramyan, will be published soon.

During the presentation the guests had a chance to see a slideshow of Robert Kondakhsazov’s paintings. During the event Yesai Abovyan was accompanying on a piano, the students of duduk and dhol classes of the Hayartun Center performed medley of city melodies.