A great national figure (due to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Rafiel Eristavi)

Abstract

Rafiel Eristavi is one of the most distinguished figure of the 19th century. He appeared on the public scene in the 1850s and immediately attracted attention with his artistic creations, journalistic, folklore-ethnographic writings, research and practical public work. He actively cooperated with the editors of the Caucasus departments and branches of the Russian scientific societies in Georgia, was elected a member of these societies, made a great contribution to the presentation and popularization of Georgian culture. Proof of this is even the fact that the Caucasian section of the Russian Geographical Society awarded the very young researcher Rafiel Eristavi with a medal for the work "About Tush-Pshav-Khevsureti District", which was printed in Volume III of the collection of works of this society (1849). From the 50s of the 19th century until the end of his life, Rafiel Eristavi was at the head and was an active yoke puller of all national public affairs. On his initiative, a Georgian museum, a public library (to which he donated the manuscripts preserved in his family), a theater society, a society promoting literacy among Georgians were founded; He actively participated in the work of the " The Knight in the Panther's Skin" text drafting commission and others. Rafiel Eristavi, through his poetry, dramaturgy, journalism, and scientific-research work, revealed and systematically presented the great content and values of Georgian mentality, cultural and linguistic awareness. In this way, he prepared the ground for the national liberation movement launched by Ilia Chavchavadze in the second half of the 19th century. Rafiel Eristavi's achievements were highly appreciated by his contemporaneous Georgian society - he celebrated a great anniversary and considered it a public holiday. In 1895, under the auspices of Ekvtime Dzneladze's printing house, a special collection was published under the name ""Secular holiday due to the 50th anniversary of Rafiel Eristavi, the son of Davit "". The 200th anniversary of his birth will be celebrated in 2024. Celebrating this anniversary at the governmental level is a debt to be payed by our contemporaries.