Giorgi Donadze hosts Svaneti Voices: Tribute to Legends of Riho

Georgia: Giorgi Donadze hosted an anniversary concert- “Svaneti Voices”- dedicated to the ensemble’s three oldest members “Riho”. It was held in Rustaveli National Theater with the support of the Ministry of Culture.

The three ensemble members “Riho, were Murad Pirtshelan, Ruslan Stefliani and Gulver Gerliani.

Giorgi Donadze is the director of the State Folklore Center named after Anzor Erkomaishvili and the artistic director of the ensemble “Basiani”.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Thea Tsulukiani, attended the festive event with members of the Parliament of Georgia – Sozar Subar and Genrieta Tsiksha, Anzor Erkomaishvili’s wife, Lali Seturidze.

He attended the foundation “Georgian Choir” with co-founder Nana Gotua.

The three oldest members of the Svaneti ensemble “Riho” have studied, protected, and performed Svaneti folklore for almost half a century.

On the small stage of Rustaveli National Theater, they once again performed unique samples of Svanese multivocalism created by millennials.

Along with the ensemble “Riho”, the ensembles were presented in front of the audience: “Adilei”, “Basiani”, “Didgori”, “Debi Chamgeliani”, “Lalkhori”, “Satanao”, “Shilda” and “Dziriani”.

The evening was led by Giorgi Donadze, director of the State Folklore Center named after Anzor Erkomaishvili and artistic director of the ensemble “Basiani”.

The project “Svaneti Voices” lasted for three days and included a recording of unique Svaneti folklore samples performed by senior singers from Svaneti in the State Folklore Centre recording studio with the ensemble “Basiani“.

Also, a meeting was held in the Folklore Centre Concert Hall with the ensemble’s senior members, “Riho”. Students of Chorus University, Tbilisi folk ensembles and lovers of Svanese folklore attended the meeting.

In 1928, the first Svanese song and dance ensemble was created in Mestia, formed by Ivane Margiani. Later, the ensemble was called “Riho” and was successfully led for many years by the well-known Islam Filfan. Their first concert was held in Tbilisi’s Opera and Ballet Theater.

At different times, the team participated in many festivals and competitions, both in Georgia and abroad, with significant success. In 1937, the team took part in the first decade of Georgian art held in Moscow, where the songs and perkhuli performed were called “Coming from the Mountain to the Sea”.

There is a lot of music and dance in the diverse repertoire of “Riho”. Particularly noteworthy are the most significant contributions of one of Svaneti’s finest singers and dancers, Maharbi Gurguliani (1950-60s) and also the invaluable choreography of inimitable dancer and choreographer Kandy Merlan, who has been choreographing the ensemble for almost 50 years.

Riho is currently headed by Vakhtang Filfan, son of Islam Filfan.