Classical Tradition in Georgian Literature

It has been a long while since the literary criticism had initiated researches of the mythosophic images of ancient world, which served as archetypes for artworks of next epochs. The researches resulted in discussions of common eternal “symbols”, images, topics, conflicts or expressions of artistic invariants in the literature of ideologically different worlds or epochs. Georgian literature, which takes origin from organic fusion of oriental and western mythosophic sense, needs careful researches for revealing of so called archetypes, which defined its creative potential in different historic epochs. One of the important sphere of these researches is collection of corroborated encyclopedic materials on Georgian literature at every stage of its development, which is basis for multilateral literary researches and hence, for involving Georgian creative thought in intercultural dialogue.

The project “Classical Tradition in Georgian Literature” was implemented at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. The project was winner of grant competition announced in 2013 by the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation in the field of applied researches. Members of the Institute of Classical, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies of the Tbilisi State University have been involved in implementation of the project:

Ass. Prof. Nana Tonia

Ass. Prof. Gvantsa Koplatadze

Ass. Prof. Ekaterine Kobakhidze

Ass. Prof. Zaza Khintibidze

Ph.D. Maia Danelia

Ph.D. Giorgi Ugulava

Project "Classical Tradition in Georgian Literature" traces the influence of antique traditions on works of Georgian writers and poets at all stages of development of Georgian literature (V-XXI centuries). Nowadays the material based on works of 140 writers, where receptions of Antiquity are proved, is uploaded on the web-site. Significant passages from works of Georgian writers and poets reflecting receptions of Antiquity are presented together with appropriate scholarly comments. Given the interest of the public in this aspect of Georgian literature within the context of literary criticism, the work has been done both in Georgian and English and its results are rolled out on a website, which has a detailed search system. The website is providing the opportunity to search for various data, such as:

 Terminology linked to the reception of Antiquity;

 Authors;

 Quotations;

 Titles of works;

 Genres;

 Eras (centuries);

 Authors of  scholarly comments;

 Scholarly works.