Erisioni Ensemble chief director, singer and choreographer, Jemal Chkuaseli died at the age of 86.

The press service of the ensemble told the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) that Chkuaseli had Parkinson’s disease and died in hospital due to complication of his health state last night.

Jemal Chkuaseli was appointed as the artistic director of Georgian State Academic Folk Song and Dance Ensemble in 1985.

Appointing of an agriculturist by training on a position of such an importance caused a lot of arguments, but this was when Jemal Chkuaseli proved that Georgian folk songs cannot be studied by notes, that it has to be a part of your soul and it all comes from Georgian gene and roots.

Throughout 134 years of existence the ensemble has reached huge success. Various respected and outstanding professionals have worked in the ensemble at different times.

Parliamentary majority member Archil Talakvadze and Parliament Speaker Kakha Kuchava expressed condolence to Jemal Chkuaseli’s family members and his relatives.