A celebratory event dedicated to Anzor Erkomaishvili’s 80th birthday was held in Ozurgeti. Mr. Erkomaishvili is a world famous singer, composier, researcher and a publisher of Georgian records for various archives around the world, and at the same time, the founder of popular Georgian ensembles – “Rustavi” and “Martve”. The President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, the Speaker of the Parliament, Archil Talakvadze, the Head of the “Georgian Chant” Foundation, Vano Chkhartishvili, representatives of the local government and other honorary guests attended the jubilee held at the Alexander Tsutsunava Professional State Drama Theater in Ozurgeti.

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli also congratulated Anzor Erkomaishvili on his 80th birthday and wished him future creative success.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli: “In honor of Mr. Erkomaishvili, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia will establish a scholarship named after Mr. Anzor Erkomaishvili at the Tbilisi State Conservatory, which will be awarded to the best academic student in the field of traditional music research.

I would also like to emphasize that Mr. eErkomaishvili is a member of a particularly distinguished family in Georgia. The family has served the Georgian folklore for three centuries. Mr. Anzor Erkomaishvili is a proud grandchild of his grandfather, Mr. Artem Erkomaishvili, and given the circumstances, I would like to inform you all, that in the native village of Mr. Artem – Makvaneti, by the decision of our Ministry, a public school will be namded after him. Full renovation will start on this wonderful school this year, and soon, children will be able to receive education in a modern environment, named after Artem Erkomaishvili.”

Moreover, in his speech, Mikheil Chkhenkeli talked about the collection created under the leadership of Anzor Erkomaishvil – “Georgia. History. Culture. Ethnography”. Minister Chkhenkel praised this unique scientific paper, which was published with the support of Bidzina Ivanishvili with the generous funding of Cartu Foundation and published by the American publishing house – Nova Science. According to Minister Chkhenkel, thanks to the three-volume book, the world will now discover Georgia as a country of rich culture, folklore, history, and European values at its core.

Additionally, during the jubilee event, Georgian traditional songs were performed by the Georgian State Academic Ensemble of Folk Song and Dance "Rustavi", the State Folk Song Ensemble "Basiani", the Mestia Ensemble "Riho”, the ensemble of singers "Shemokmedi" and the Gurian trio "Shalva Chemo". Also, a photo archive reflecting the life and work of Anzor Erkomaishvili was exhibited.

The event was organized by the “Georgian Chant” Charitable Foundation, the Georgian State Folklore Center and Ozurgeti Municipality.