Ever wondered how a single stroke of ink can carry 1,500 years of history? Join the Georgian Calligraphy Masterclass on April 27 and discover the art of pen and ink.
Caucasus University and the Georgian Calligraphers Association (Tbilisi, Georgia) are proud to invite you to the masterclass in the art of Georgian calligraphy, the unique tradition with fifteen centuries of continuous history.
Professional calligraphers Nestan Bagauri and Ana Gokadze will share the story of unique Georgian script and introduce you to the refined art of pen and ink. During the session, you will have the opportunity to independently create a delicate and sophisticated piece of calligraphy featuring a text that is meaningful to you.
Date: April 27, 2026
Time: 15:00 – 17:00
Venue: K. Donelaitis Auditorium
Please register by 17:00 on April 24 at the following link
About Georgian calligraphy:
Even though the exact time of the creation of Georgian script is not fully determined in science, we can trace the development of calligraphy at least from the 5th century, with the first samples executed in Asomtavruli letters with strictly observed geometric principles.
As years pass, these strict rules are gradually violated and calligraphers begin to explore new forms, and inspired by “distorted” outlines, they create new styles, which leads to the emergence of Nuskhuri. In the 9th, 10th, and 11th centuries, numerous calligraphic schools are formed in monastic scriptoriums across different regions, and it can be said that Georgian calligraphic creativity of this period has no boundaries.
In addition to meticulously copied spiritual manuscripts and stone-carved inscriptions, royal documents were also written in a quick and businesslike hand, and for this purpose a new script, Mkhedruli, is developed in the 10th century.
Calligraphy tradition is interrupted at the beginning of the 20th century, when the past is rejected with the idea that “The past is bad, everything new should serve new ideas.” From the second half of the 20th century, Georgian calligraphy begins to restore connections with past traditions; new works and competitions appear, and finally, the Georgian Calligraphers Association is established with the goal of maintaining, developing, and renewing the tradition.
Event Organizers: Caucasus University, Vilnius University
This masterclass is held as part of the project I Love Georgian – My State Language! It was first launched ten years ago at Vilnius University. Project Author: Professor Mariam Manjgaladze.