Today, May 23, Georgia celebrates the centenary of its first radio broadcast.

Despite technological advancements and the advancement of social networks, the radio maintains its audience, niche, and relevance.

“Today marks the centenary anniversary of the first broadcasting in Georgia. Georgia was one of the first countries in Europe to launch broadcasting. A century later, we can proudly say that radio remains a significant medium. Its importance is especially felt in emergency situations as the most operative and reliable media. Georgian Radio gained the public’s special devotion and respect over the years. Our radio keeps a unique archive Gold Find. These recordings of historic value serve as an indivisible part of our country’s cultural heritage and national memory. Therefore, the radio’s 100th jubilee is marked with a special event –  Georgian Radio has been officially granted the status of an intangible cultural heritage monument. I believe this is just the beginning and the legacy to be continued,” said Tinatin Berdzenishvili, GPB Director General.

The arrangement of a small-capacity radio station in Georgia began in 1918. In 1924, the first trial of radio transmission by wires was carried out in Tbilisi – the opera “Carmen” was broadcast from the opera theatre to the club of the electromechanical factory (where the radio workshop was located).

In 1925, the first radio concert was broadcast from the Navtlughi radio station. In her memories, Georgian female singer Maro Tarkhnishvili describes when she and an 8-member choir were invited to the solemn opening of radio broadcasting at Hotel Tbilisi (former Labor Palace). In this building, for the first time, Maro Tarkhnishvili performed her famous “Urmuli,” and her choir – several songs.

Radio was the first to live transmit speeches of writers and public figures, scenes from plays, etc. When voice recording and restoration equipment were introduced, Georgian Radio started the most important work – transferred the creative and documentary materials to the tape and permanently housed them in the Gold Fund”. Today it is the most precious treasure of centuries-old Georgian culture.

Archive materials of the Gold Fund keep millions of recordings, including folk songs and radio theatre. The first recording dates back to 1913 when gramophone recorded Georgian poet Akaki Tsereteli’s “Gantiadi.”

In 1935, the voice of prominent Georgian poet Akaki Tsereteli was aired for the first time, an event considered a milestone in the history of Georgian Radio. Chronologically and in importance, this recording is the first in Georgian artistic radio broadcasting, therefore it is considered the first exhibit of the Gold Fund.

Georgian Radio’s Gold Fund is the voice legacy of the country. It keeps recordings of Georgian writers, public figures and politicians such as Ivane Javakhishvili, Simon Kaukhchishvili, Akaki Shanidze, Niko Ketskhoveli, Galaktion Tabidze, Giorgi Leonidze, Grigol Robakhidze, Vano Sarajishhvili, Erosi Manjgaladze, Veriko Anjaparidze.

The Fund preserves unique sound recordings of world-famous figures of international importance. The radio archive also keeps the most important documentary records about the onset of Georgian radio broadcasting, its first broadcasts. Each record has its own unique biography.

Two Public Broadcaster radio channels are available in Georgia: FM 102.3 and Radio Music of Georgia on FM 100.9.

From year to year, the program of Radio Georgia is becoming more and more diverse and adapted to modern technologies and requirements.