The Art of Mkhedruli: Aesthetic Tradition and Cultural Identity

This workshop introduces participants to Georgian calligraphy with a primary focus on Mkhedruli (მხედრული) — the modern script used in contemporary Georgian writing and the foundation of today’s artistic calligraphic practice. While briefly situating Mkhedruli within the broader historical evolution of Georgian scripts, the workshop emphasizes its fluidity, expressiveness, and philosophical depth. Unlike the monumental geometry of Asomtavruli (ႠႱႭႫႧႠႥႰႳႪႨ) or the ecclesiastical structure of Nuskhuri, Mkhedruli embodies a living, dynamic script shaped by cultural transformation, emotional rhythm, and personal interpretation.

Participants will explore how Mkhedruli letters function simultaneously as linguistic signs and artistic forms, revealing layers of cultural memory, aesthetic intention, and human consciousness. Through guided calligraphic exercises, we will examine how gesture, pressure, and motion translate thought into line, turning writing into a visual extension of awareness.

Rather than focusing solely on technique, the workshop invites students to consider how script reflects identity, worldview, and creativity. By engaging directly with Mkhedruli calligraphy, participants experience the Georgian alphabet not only as a system of communication, but as a vibrant artistic and philosophical tradition that continues to evolve.

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Host or Publisher Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies