The 180th jubilee of Ilia Chavchavadze, a Georgian writer, political figure, poet, and publisher, who spearheaded the revival of the Georgian national movement in Georgia, was marked today across the country with various activities. The date was commemorated in Tbilisi, Saguramo and Kvareli. The slogan of the day was “Ilia – Our Contemporaries.”

Solemn activities were held at Ilia Chavchavadze House-Museum in Saguramo. Competition of students’ works and musical evening were organized in Saguramo. A gala-concert wrapped-up the activities.

An exhibition displaying Chavchavadze’s photo material, manuscripts and private items gathered from different museums were displayed at Parliament’s National Library. An album “Ilia in Georgian Art” prepared by Art Palace was presented.

Inspired by the contemporary liberal movements in Europe, as a writer and a public figure, Chavchavadze directed much of his efforts toward awakening national ideals in Georgians and to the creation of a stable society in his homeland.

Chavchavadze was a devoted protector of the Georgian language and culture from Russification. The three main ethnic markers of Georgian identity, according to Chavchavadze, consisted of territory, language, and Christianity.

Chavchavadze was fatally wounded in Tsitsamuri, outside Mtskheta, by a gang of assassins. His legacy earned him the broad admiration of the Georgian people. In 1987 he was canonized as Saint Ilia the Righteous by the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili talked about importance of Ilia Chavchavadze during the governmental sitting “There is no problem the resolution of which cannot be read in Ilia Chavchavadze’s thoughts,” PM said.