Georgian Dance – The Eternal Celebration

The roots of this art form are lost in the depths of millennia, its mission an endless striving for perfection.

Georgian dance stands out for its refined narrative and deeply emotional expression, marked by restraint, pride, and discipline. Without these qualities, a dance becomes little more than an acrobatic exercise. Vigorous, vibrant men leap high into the air, clash swords amid flying sparks, and hurl razor-sharp daggers into the floor in frenetic, breathless choreography. The women’s graceful, elegant movements provide a striking contrast. Add the vivid, multicolored costumes from mountainous villages, wild drumming, and the sound of pipes and accordions, and the effect becomes mesmerizing and unforgettable.

---

The Ancient Art

Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, Georgia boasts an ancient, rich, and diverse folk tradition. It is widely accepted that dance originated in prehistoric societies, emerging from hunting practices and collective labor as an element of magical rituals. In this sense, the art of dance is as old as humankind itself.

Archaeological evidence and ancient literary sources confirm that the historical predecessors of Georgian folk choreography were various hunting and shamanic ritual dances.

 

---

The development of agriculture and animal husbandry gave rise to new customs, reflected in ritual dances of a magical nature such as Melia-Telepia, Ferkhul-Oskhepue, and the two-storey Ferkhuli (Zemkrelo, Abarbare, Mirmikela, and others). Agrarian masquerades like Berikaoba and Fasting Day were dedicated to the productive forces of nature and the labor processes associated with them.

Alongside group dances, couple dances connected to fertility cults have existed since ancient times. A fertile foundation for the development of paired dance forms was provided by the synthetic theatrical spectacle Sakhoob, an essential element of major pagan festivals.

The fusion of sacred dance elements with ritual practices led to the creation of dances such as Kartuli, Gandagana, Khorumi, Ferkhul-Orsatka, Samaia, Khanjluri, Mtiuluri, Mtiuluri Davluri, Baghdadi, and others. These works marked important milestones in the evolution of Georgian choreography.

 

---

Over time, numerous dance troupes were formed to promote Georgian choreography both within the Soviet Union and beyond its borders. Among the most prominent are the Georgian Folk Dance Ensemble (artistic directors Nino Ramishvili and Iliko Sukhishvili), the State Song and Dance Ensemble led by Giorgi Bakradze with choreographer Bukhuti Darakhvelidze, the State Song and Dance Ensemble Rustavi (artistic director Revaz Chokhonelidze), and the State Academic Ensemble Erisioni.

These ensembles, many of which still exist today, have played a crucial role in reviving, preserving, and popularizing traditional dance while shaping a new era of Georgian choreography. Their contributions merit individual recognition.

---

Sukhishvili

For decades, audiences around the world have been captivated by the elegant athleticism, energy, skill, and originality of the Georgian National Ballet Sukhishvili. Since its founding in 1945, the company has performed in 98 countries, completed more than 300 tours, staged over 20,000 performances, and entertained an estimated 60 million people, firmly placing Georgian dance on the world map. The ensemble consistently demonstrates that creativity is a dynamic process, evolving alongside society and the spirit of the times.

“It is very important for dance to evolve. Like any art form, it must develop; otherwise, it becomes something for a museum. You need to add modern elements and blend them with classical movements to keep performances engaging and relevant,” says Ilia Sukhishvili Jr., chief choreographer and artistic director.

 

---

The story began in the 1920s, when Ilia Sukhishvili Sr. and Nino Ramishvili met at the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre. United by a shared vision, they dreamed of creating a troupe that would unite the diverse folk dance traditions of Georgia’s regions. Their approach was not purely ethnographic. Instead, they distilled the essence of these dances, refining and reimagining them through their own artistic lens.

“The culture of dance in Georgia is in our blood. It’s physically demanding and not well paid, yet it remains incredibly popular. Dance is a language, and Georgian dance tells the story of my country. When you watch it, you feel Georgia’s spirit, history, customs, and traditions. It’s our visiting card,” says Nino Sukhishvili, co-leader of the ensemble.

---

The Rustavi Ensemble

The Rustavi Ensemble was founded in 1968 by Anzor Erkomaishvili, a singer and folklorist from a distinguished Georgian musical lineage spanning seven generations. Since its inception, Rustavi has toured more than 50 countries worldwide.

Work and war songs, striking costumes, the unique Georgian tradition of polyphonic singing, and powerful voices define the ensemble’s performances. Both singers and dancers adhere to a traditional style that preserves historical authenticity. Under the artistic direction of Anzor Erkomaishvili and chief choreographer Fridon Sulaberidze, the ensemble maintains an ethnographic foundation while expanding stylistic boundaries. As a result, Rustavi has mastered the diverse genres and dialects of Georgian folk music and dance, earning recognition as an academic choir.

 

---

Erisioni

The oldest of the three, Erisioni, officially named in 1999, was established in 1885 and entered its third century in 2000, a rare achievement both in Georgia and internationally. Often described as an “ensemble museum,” Erisioni presents unique Georgian folk songs and dances accompanied by authentic regional costumes.

Since its inception, the ensemble has been dedicated to national folklore, original artistry, and the preservation of tradition. It remains unparalleled in its ability to revive and safeguard the professional folk masterpieces of all Georgian regions for future generations.

Over its 134-year history, Erisioni has achieved remarkable success thanks to the dedication of numerous outstanding artists, including Zakaria and Ivane Paliashvili, the Balanchivadze brothers, the Kavsadze dynasty, Kirile Pachkoria, Bichiko Gvelesiani, Jano Bagrationi, Bukhuti Darakhvelidze, Shalva Mshvelidze, Davit Javrishvili, and many others.

Global recognition followed the ensemble’s collaboration with American producer Jim Lowe and French stage director Pascal Jourdan on the project Georgian Legend. The production combined folk dances and songs to tell the myths and history of Georgia. Featuring more than one hundred performers on stage at once, all dressed in authentic national costumes, the show was a powerful and unprecedented spectacle.

Georgian choreography is extraordinarily diverse, encompassing romantic wedding dances, war and hunting dances, drinking dances, courting dances, celebratory dances, mountain dances, urban dances, and more. Unlike in many Western cultures, dance in Georgia is not reserved for a select artistic elite. Complex, gravity-defying folk dances are a national passion and a powerful expression of identity. Constantly balancing tradition and innovation, Georgian choreography remains one of the country’s most significant cultural exports.

Cover photo by Reinis Fischer