Georgian Studies Day 2nd November 2011

GEORGIA REALLY MATTERS celebrating 25 years of the Annual Georgian Studies Day. November 2nd at the University of Westminster, Regent Street campus. Speakers include the Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia. E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 28th October if you wish to attend.

“GEORGIA REALLY MATTERS”
Celebrating 25 years of the Annual Georgian Studies Day

Organised by the Embassy of Georgia, University of Westminster and the  
co-founder and convenor of the Annual GSD - Dr. Tamara Dragadze
To be held at the University of Westminster,
309, Regent Street, London W1B 2UW
Wednesday 2nd November 2011

DRAFT PROGRAMME
9.30 – Registration

10.00 Professor Jane Lewis: Dean, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster
10.10 Dr. Tamara Dragadze, co-convenor: Opening remarks
10.35 Keynote Speaker: H.E. Ambassador Giorgi Badridze: Overview to include annual report on his activities,  
11.00 Keynote Speaker: Mr. Tornike Gordadze –Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia

11.30  Coffee Break

11.50 The Right Hon. Bruce George: My latest visit and insights on Georgia
12.20 FCO speaker ?
12.40 Professors Peter Lydyard and Nino Porakishvili: Developments in Science and Medicine projects in Georgia.

1-2 Lunch

2.00 Professor David Park: Conservation of wall paintings in Georgia
2.30: Georgian Dance (speaker TBC)
2.50 Mr. Michael Bloom: Georgian Singing- why it is so popular in the UK?
3.10  Mr. Peter Naysmith: Tourism and slide show

3.30 Tea

WORK IN PROGRESS REPORTS
3.50 St. Gregory’s and Mkurnali charity work with street children (George Guest)
4.00  Bristol Tbilisi Twinning:
4.10  Newport Kutaisi Twinning: Sonia Fischer 
4.20  Jason Osborn:  British-Georgian Society
4.40  Oxford-Georgian Society: Nino Sharashidze
4.50  Keti Kalandadze  Georgians in UK’s charitable activities
5.00 Any other business including next year’s tentative GSD date

5.15 RECEPTION(with Georgian Wine)

Your name must be given in advance, for University security policy, to:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 28th October 2011 at the latest.
           

News

Sakhioba Ensemble on BBC Radio

During the recent tour of the wonderful Georgian polyphonic singers Sakhioba, they were recorded by BBC World Routes. You can hear the singers on Sunday 8th January at 10pm, presented by Lucy Duran. Here is a link to BBC World Routes.

Become a Guardian Angel of Vardzia

Queen Tamar at Vardzia is an iconic image of Georgian History. Dating from 1184-86, it forms part of the wall paintings adorning the Church of the Dormition, the focal point of this famous rock-cut monastery in Southern Georgia. Comprising images of the Virgin, donors and nationally revered saints, with scenes from the Passion of Christ, the wall paintings survive almost complete. View images.

Read more...

Georgian Holiday 23 July to 4 August 2012

The Northern Georgian Society is arranging this Georgian holiday with song; view holiday details (as a PDF).

BGS Kancheli weekend at 'Little Georgia' 17/18 December

A performance of Giya Kancheli's music by the Georgian pianist Alisa Tavdidishvili from his 'Simple Music for Piano' - 33 miniatures for piano based on themes from his scores for plays and films, will take place at the BGS Christmas Party and book launch on 18th December 2011, 6.30pm for 7. During the weekend various films will be screened downstairs at Little Georgia with Kancheli scores most of which are included in 'Simple Music for Piano' the 2009 publication with drawings by Rezo Gabriadze. This will take place at the newly opened 'Little Georgia' restaurant 14 Barnsbury Road, London N1 0HB. Giya Kancheli weekend.

 

First tour of the UK by Sakhioba Ensemble in November

BGS member Tamta Turmanidze, singer and musician and leader of two London Georgian singing groups, has teamed up with Marc Jackson to form a new company Geomusica, to promote Georgian Music in the UK and Europe. In November they promote Sakhioba Ensemble, a really interesting ensemble from Tbilisi, in there first UK tour. Using the traditional Georgian tuning system, this is Georgian polyphonic singing at its best and most authentic, and they also play traditional Georgian instruments and dance.

Read more...

Marjanishvili Theatre collaboration brings Captain Corelli's Mandolin to the stage

In a major international co-production between the Mercury Theatre Colchester and the Marjanishvili Theatre Tbilisi. five actors (four British and one Georgian) combine with scores of beautiful character puppets, skilfully manipulated by ten Georgian puppeteers, to bring Louis de Bernières classic to the stage, directed by one of Georgia's leading directors.

Read more...

I, CULTURE Orchestra at Royal Festival Hall 6th November

On Sunday 6th November at 7.30pm, in a concert of Prokofiev, Szymanowski and Tchaikovsky Sir Neville Marriner. Young musicians from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Poland and Ukraine.

Read more...

Donald Rayfield talk 17th November

BGS is delighted that Professor Donald Rayfield will talk on the Georgian language at the Courtuald Institute.

'An Orphan in the Caucasus' - Talk by Donald Rayfield

Shavnabada are back!

The wonderful choir are back for an extensive Autumn tour of the UK. A stunning programme of events, workshops, concerts, Georgian Day experiences.

View the press release with all dates or some posters.

2011 AGM Announced

The date for the 2011 AGM  has been confirmed at 20th October 2011 at the Georgian Embassy.