The Parliament hosted the ceremony, jointly organized by the Culture Committee and the Writers Union, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Kote Makashvili, father of Maro Makashvili, the first Chairman of the Writers’ Union.

 

The Speaker, H.E. Shalva Papuashvili, delivered the welcome address.

 

“Today, we live in exactly the kind of independent, sovereign, and free country that our ancestors — the many generations of Georgians — dreamed of. Today, God has granted us the duty to preserve, revive, and pass on to future generations the statehood and culture of Georgia. The family and lineage of Kote Makashvili devoted everything to this noble cause — their lives, their work, their talent, and their dedication”, - stated the Speaker of Parliament.

 

According to Shalva Papuashvili, Kote Makashvili’s brief life coincided with the turbulent and dramatic events Georgia experienced a century ago.

 

“For this reason, when we remember Kote Makashvili, we first recall the era when modern Georgian identity was being shaped and forged. It was the period when, following the path laid by Ilia Chavchavadze, many passionate and distinguished patriots emerged in public life and left their mark on the fate of Kartli - Georgia. Kote Makashvili’s life directly reflects all the ordeals and challenges, the joys and victories that Georgia has endured in the struggle to preserve its identity, strengthen the country and elevate its statehood and culture,” - the Speaker stated.

 

He added that Kote Makashvili epitomised the Georgian intellectual who remained loyal to his nation until the end and did not abandon his country nor the grave of his child, whose loss and memory deeply afflicted and ultimately consumed him.

 

“Despite the defeat that ended Georgia’s short-lived independence, Kote Makashvili continued to serve Georgian literature and culture. Under his leadership, the Writers’ Union was established, paving the way for new generations of Georgian artists. One such artist was his son, Shalva Makashvili, who served Georgian painting for half a century. It is significant that Shalva Makashvili, at a very advanced age, passed away on 28 October 1990, the day of the first multi-party elections in Soviet Georgia, when the restoration of Georgia’s independence was set in motion”, - said Shalva Papuashvili.

 

The participants of the event were also addressed by Giorgi Gabunia, Chair of the Culture Committee.

 

“Without Ilia Chavchavadze, we would not have our national consciousness; without Ekvtime Takaishvili, we would not have our cultural treasures; without Anzor Erkomaishvili, we would not have Georgian polyphonic music — and it is alongside people of this stature that the great Kote Makashvili stands: our distinguished poet and public figure. As a person and as a parent, he must have been among the happiest, for he gave the Georgian nation and our country a national hero — Maro Makashvili. He was a man who established numerous organizations and foundations so that young people would have opportunities and a platform for advancement, ,- noted Giorgi Gabunia.

 

A welcoming address was also delivered by Giorgi Sosiashvili, Deputy Chair of the Education, Science and Youth Affairs Committee.

 

“The name of Kote Makashvili and his family is associated with one of the most tragic chapters of our recent history — the loss of Georgia’s independence, its forced Sovietization, and the country’s deviation from its natural path of development. Much has been written about this tragic period of Georgian history, but even if only a single line by Kote Makashvili had survived, it alone would be enough for us to sense the chill of those February days — ‘February has wintered my May forever.’ In this line, one can discern the entire tragedy of the Georgian individual, our people, and society — and it is with this tragedy that the fate of Kote Makashvili’s family is intertwined”, - stated Giorgi Sosiashvili.

 

Those gathered at the Parliament were also addressed by: Makvala Gonashvili, Chair of the Writers’ Union; Revaz Mishveladze, laureate of the Rustaveli Prize; Zaal Botkoveli, laureate of the Ilia Chavchavadze Prize and editor of the commemorative book; and Badri Kutateladze, laureate of the State Prize.