Music at First U Presents: Zedashe

ABOUT ZEDASHE

Zedashe is a polyphonic vocal choir and dance group based in the eastern medieval fortress city of Sighnaghi, Caucasus Georgia. It is one of the few mixed (male and female) choirs in Georgia that is led by women.

Directed by Ketevan Mindorashvili, the ensemble was founded in the mid-1990’s to sing polyphonic chants, unique to Georgia, that were largely lost during the Communist era. The complex three-part melodies date back to pre-Christian times and comprise music sung for the Orthodox liturgical services.

Zedashe’s repertoire also includes lively folk songs, instrumental melodies and accompanying dances, which were collected from old publications and learned from village song-masters from around the many diverse regions of the country.

The group’s name is taken from the special earthenware jugs – zedashes – that were buried under the family home for the purpose of making wine. The wine made in zedashes was especially for the veneration of ancestors, and the tapping of the zedashe every year carried great ritual significance. It is widely known that Georgia is the cradle of winemaking, and several ensemble members are traditional winemakers themselves!

Besides numerous appearances throughout the Republic of Georgia, Zedashe has toured internationally with appearances at major festivals and universities in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Latvia, and the United States.

To see Zedashe's complete itinerary or for more information about the ensemble go to www.zedashe.com.

Host or Publisher First Unitarian Church of Chicago