2017-02-27

TSU Marks 130th Birth Anniversary of Akaki Shanidze

Solemn events dedicated to the 130th birth anniversary of Georgian linguist and philologist, Akaki Shanidze were held at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) on February 27. In frames of the anniversary celebrations, TSU hosted an academic conference, a photo exhibition “Akaki Shanidze - 130” as well as an exhibition of Akaki Shanidze’s works and articles, including his first printed article published in a newspaper Worker in 1906. Rector of TSU, Giorgi Sharvashidze, Deputy Rector Mikheil Chkhenkeli, representatives of academic circles, students, Shanidze’s family members attended the event.

Rector Giorgi Sharvashidze said: “The university marks Akaki Shanidze’s 130th anniversary with several events. Akaki Shanidze was one the founders of the Tbilisi State University. He was Ivane Javakhishvili’s partner and one of the first professors. He, as a scientist, had a wide range of interests. It is unimaginable for one person to make such a huge contribution to so many fields. Akaki Shanidze was a scientist of international importance, founder of many international schools. I wish Georgia to have many such scientists in future.” 

Dean of the TSU Faculty of Humanities, Nana Gaprindashvili noted that “Akaki Shanidze is considered a Patriarch of Georgian science”, who made a huge contribution to the development of Georgian Humanities. “He was a great linguist; he successfully worked in Rustvelian studies, dialectology and many other fields, creating fundamental works there. TSU continues Akaki Shanidze’s traditions; the Faculty of Humanities continues the path launched by Akaki Shanidze. We offer about 130 subjects to our students to teach them Georgian and Kartvelian languages; along with the students of the Faculty of Humanities, students from other faculties can also select these subjects,” Nana Gaprindashvili said.

Akaki Shanidze was a member of the team that undertook the burden of responsibility for the establishment of the University. He also laid the foundation for obtaining a scientific degree in Georgia. He was the first to defend his thesis at the Tbilisi State University in 1920 – “Second-person subject prefix and third-person object prefix in Georgian verbs,” where the structure of Georgian verb is discussed systemically. Akaki Shanidze made an important contribution to the history of development of Georgian grammatical sense. He worked fruitfully till the end of his life. Akaki Shanidze is the author of over 700 publications; he worked in a wide range of spheres, including Rustvelian studies, old Georgian language, new Georgian language, folkloristics, lexicology-lexicography, manuscript studies, Georgian language history, Georgian language dialectology, Armenian studies, Albanian language, etc.         

           




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