Three new schools of traditional Georgian singing open in Imereti, with 60 children enrolled

The Folklore Centre has opened three more lotbari schools, dedicated to traditional Georgian polyphonic singing and chant, in the Imereti region.

The schools serve pupils, young people and anyone else interested from six villages in Kharagauli Municipality: Khevi, Khunevi, Gedsamania, Vashlevi, Boriti and Vertkvichala.

The Khunevi school brings together three villages, Khevi, Gedsamania and Khunevi, and is based at Khunevi Public School. Choirmaster Guja Arevadze, a Chant University graduate, leads it.

The Vertkvichala school has started work in the village public school building. Its teacher, Salome Chanishvili, is also a Chant University graduate.

The school for Boriti and Vashlevi is based at Vashlevi Public School and led by Nika Borchkhadze, another Chant University graduate.

Sixty children have already auditioned and enrolled at the new schools. They will learn Georgian folk songs and traditional chant free of charge, with state support.