THE KNIGHT IN THE TIGER’S SKIN
28.06-15.07.2006
The idea to gather the collection of the editions of The Night in the Panther's Skin came to Guram Akhalaia 40 years ago when in connection with Shota Rustaveli's 80Oth-year birth anniver sary he first got the copy of The Night in the Panther's Skin as a present at school. Since then his collection was filled with a variety of editions first in the Georgian and Russian and then in foreign languages. Today, Guram Akh alaia is the holder of a unique collec tion of The Night in the Panther's Skin editions. His library boasts The Night in the Panther's Skin published in 45 languages and the most significant of them - the first 1712-year edition by King Vakhtang the 6th of Kartli.
ln addition to the 300 editions of The Night in the Panther's Skin the majority of which are a rar ity, Guram Akhalaia's collection includes unique Rustvelological literature as well - more than 100 books on Shota Rustaveli and his brilliant cre ation. The collection is enriched by the miniature editions of the poem. lt should also be mentioned that as a bibliophile, Guram Akhalaia has anoth er hobby as well. His interesting library includes some 3000 miniature books the smallest of which is 1,8x2,2 mm in size.
Some of the rare editions of the col lection are:
The 1941 edition in Russian (translated by Shalva Nutsubidze) that is accompanied with a historical documentary material, namely a Let ter from Stalin (a copy), with notes and references on making corrections in 1416 stanzas and illustrations; .
The 1888 G. Kartvelishvili edition (lllustrations by M. Zichi) in original as well as in personal copies; .
The first edition in English, London - 1912 (translated by M. Wardrope);
The first complete edition in Russian (translated by K, Balmont), Paris - 1933;
A small-format edition in Georgian, issued in 500 pieces only. Berlin - 1943;
ln Japanese (translated by O. Fukasi), Tokyo- '1990;
ln Chinese, Peking - 1958;
ln Finnish, Helsinki- 1990;
ln Chechenian, Lezghin, Kabardinian, Croatian and Esperanto;
The 18th century manuscript is particularly worth-mentioning as it was copied from the first typographic- 1712 edition.
The Night in the Panther's Skin published in 2002 on the initiative of the collector himself;
A few copies of the collection boast the signatures of publishers, translators and public figures the majority of which are dedicated to the collector himself;
The miniature edition with astronaut Leonov's signature is particularly worth-mentioning. The Night in the Panther's Skin was among the rare pieces of art, which were sent into space from the earth.
Mamuka Tsetskhladze adds a new version to inter-textual space of illustrations of the Knight in the Tiger’s Skin that has been created since XVII century by different unknown and famous authors, rewriters and painters.
Illustrations of Mamuka Tavakarashvili, Mikhaly Zichi, Lado Gudiashvili, Tamar Abakelia, Sergo Kobuladze, Levan Tsutskiridze, Ucha Japaridze, Severian Maisashvili, Fulvio Biankoni, Irakli Toidze, Rusudan Petviashvili, Mamia Malazonia and other is evidence that this poem cover infinite art characters and shows how one can be lost in travel and its depths.
First, the exhibition will show a new version of illustrations of the poem and an unfinished process of work over the poem that will logically result in a new publication of the Knight in the Tiger’s Skin. The objective of the exhibition is implementation of this idea.
Exhibition is held with the support of TBC Bank and will be held at the bank’s HQ.
The exhibition will go on view on June 28 and will be available to public till July 15.
