The Ministry of Culture of Georgia has successfully acquired a unique 18th-century Georgian manuscript, titled “Iambic and Ikos of the Mother of God,” for the collection of the Palace of Arts – Museum of Cultural History.

This significant manuscript, now residing within the Manuscripts and Archival Documents Fund of the Palace of Arts, was formally unveiled at an event attended by the Minister of Culture, Tinatin Rukhadze.

“This manuscript underscores the distinctiveness and profound importance of Georgian art and culture. We are steadfastly dedicated to ensuring the proper preservation and cultivation of our cultural heritage,” stated Rukhadze.

The iambic form has been an integral element of Georgian hymnography since the 10th century. A prominent illustration of Georgian iambic is found in the concluding five-line stanza of King Demeter’s celebrated hymn, “Shen Khar Venakhi.”

An inscription on the initial page of the manuscript reveals its former ownership by the distinguished Georgian historian, writer, judge, diplomat, and Major General Niko Dadiani. The final page of the iambic contains several historical annotations, including a mention of Gabriel Kikodze, who has been canonized as a saint by the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Beyond its historical weight, the manuscript also possesses considerable artistic merit. Almost every page is embellished with individually crafted superscript letters, marking it as an exceptional example of Georgian calligraphic art.