Vazha-Pshavela Memorial Museum Opens at TSU

The Vazha-Pshavela Memorial Museum was opened at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) on the 100^th anniversary of his death. Rector of the Tbilisi State University, Academician Vladimer Papava, Vazha-Pshavela’s descendents, invited guests, academic and administrative staff, students attended the opening ceremony.

“100 years have passed since the death of Vazha-Pshavela and it was decided to open a memorial museum at the university, particularly in the room, where Vazha-Pshavela spent his last days. The poet died in the university infirmary . We have exhibited all those documents, which were officially published during that period; correspondence between various agencies, as well as some of his manuscripts. Several paintings by Georgian artists based on works by Vazha-Pshavela have also been exhibited at the museum,” Maia Gurabanidze, director of the TSU Museum, said.

“We mark one of the important days today. Vazha-Pshavela is the only person out of great Georgians, who entered the university and stayed here till the end of his life. He began his life in a hut and ended in the temple of knowledge. We should definitely use Vazha-Pshavela’s huge attractive power as the means of educating our young people. By his life, his death and entire creative work Vazha-Pshavela makes us get education, understand his values and transfer them to future generations,” Lela Razikashvili, Vazha-Pshavela’s descendent and chairperson of the Vazha-Pshavela Foundation, said.  

The Memorial Museum was opened in the room, where the great Georgian writer spent his last days. Various items depicting Vazha-Pshavela’s life and creative work were exhibited; among them were the writer’s birth certificate, other documents belonging to him, his death certificate, copies of manuscripts, his mask, as well as a walking stick used by Vazha-Pshavela’s father, Pavle Razikashvili, etc.

Among other items exhibited were the pictorial, graphic and sculptural works created by famous Georgian artists, including Lado Gudiashvili, Elene Akhvlediani, Gogi and Irakli Ochiauri, Severian Maiashvili, Levan Tsutskiridze and others, on the basis of Vazha-Pshavela’s works.