The National Ensemble “Georgian Folklore”of  Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU)

The National Ensemble “Georgian Folklore”of Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU)

A Song and Dance National Ensemble was founded on 25th of October in 1984 at Tbilisi State Medical University ( TSMU). The founders of the Ensemble are: students of the Faculty of Pharmacy - Badri Matchavariani and Gogita Datukishvili, student of the Faculty of Medicine - Davit Kevkhishvili and student of the Faculty of  Sanitary - Gela Mgeladze.

Since its foundation the Ensemble has been actively involved in the TSMU and city events. It hold solo concerts  at TSMU, at the Medicine Workers' House and “Shavnabada” Assembly Hall.

The ensemble was successful in 1986 student days in Tbilisi, where the ensemble was awarded with Iliko Sukhishvili (the famous Georgian choreographer,  the Laureate of State Premium) prize for " The Best Choreography " ( Chairman of the Jury  - Mr. Tengiz Sukhishvili). 

The ensemble’s tours:

1. Poland - 1989

2. Italy - 1991,1993,1995,1996 (twice), 1997

3. Greece - 1995,1996,2001, 2003

4. Belgium - 1994,1998,2009, 2011 

5. Spain - 1998, 2008 (Canary Islands), 2012

6. Germany, Luxembourg - 1999

7. Russia (Moscow) - 2000

8. The Czech Republic - 2001

9. Italy - 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 (twice), 2007

10. Turkey – Children Choreographic Ensemble “Iberia-Tbilisi” (TSMU) - 2006

11. Italy – Children Choreographic Ensemble “Iberia-Tbilisi” (TSMU) - 2007

12. Portugal - 2008

13. France - 2009, 2011

14. Switzerland - 2010

15. United Kingdom - 2011

16. Italy - 2012, 2015, 2016

17. Italy, The Czech Republic – 2017

18. Greece, Belgium – 2018

19. USA, Atlanta, Georgia – 2019

20. United Kingdom –Diploma of the Online Festival, Billingham International Folk Festival of World Dance, "Global Heartbeat of a Small Town" - 2020. 10. 08. (Pandemic).

21. Bulgaria – Certificate, Virtual Edition – Varna University International Folk Dance Festival "Friendship Meetings". 2020, November 21-22. (Pandemic).

The ensemble has participated in Italy in international and world folk festivals 18 times.

The ensemble has never brocken tour, visa and consulate agreement.

In 1994 the Ministry of Culture awarded the Ensemble with honorable title of "National ensemble".

In 1996 at the International Folk Festival of Italy the ensemble was awarded with the title of "The Best Ensemble".

 In September, of the same yaer,   Badri Matchavariani  formed the Children Choreographic Ensemble with name of “Iberia – Tbilisi”.  

In 1998 the jury of "Georgian National Choreographic II Festival" awarded the ensemble with III place (Mr. T. Sukhishvili, the chairman of  the jury).

In 2000 the ensemble was awarded with the honorary diploma  for the success in folk creative City Olympiad ( The Head of Tbilisi Culture Department Mr.- D. Okitashvili).

In 2001 American Radio "Freedom Voice" organized a special program in The Czech Republic on ensemble’s successful performances in Europe. In the Czech Republic the ensemble won 1st place. 

In 2003 in Georgia the ensemble was presented as the nominee of the premium of  " Tsinandali ". 

In 2004, in Sardinia, Italy. “Nuoro International Folk Art and Folk Culture Festival awards Mr. Badri Matchavariani, Representative of the Folk Ensemble Georgian Folklore (Georgia), with a Premium  and a special gift, for his commitment to the protection of folk culture and its identity. For high competence and for the preservation of folk traditions in the world”.

In October 2010 at the hotel "Radisson - Iveria" was held the National Folk Festival, where the ensemble was awarded with the title of  "Radisson – Iveria Stars" by the foreign guest jury and was  awarded with the diploma "for the loyalty and professionalism of national ideals". (The Head of Culture Department of Tbilisi City Hall – Mrs. N. Sephiskveradze, the General Director of the Union –  „Ganmanatlebeli" – Mr. Z. Aleksidze).

In the same year the ensemble participated in the competition program "Georgian Dance" organized by Georgian TV, I Channel (Public Broadcaster - "Our Morning"). By the decision of the Competent jury ( the legendary dancers – Mrs. Iamze Dolaberidze, Misters - Pridon Sulaberidze, Omar Mkheidze and Tengiz Utmelidze), the soloists of the  National Ensemble were awarded with  I  place.(Nini Sikharulidze and Lasha Gabisonia). 

In 2011 and in 2014 the Ministry of Sport and Youth of Georgia and the competent jury awarded the Ensemble with the prize of " The Best Performance".

In 2012 the Ministry of Sport and Youth of Georgia and the competent jury awarded the Ensemble with the honorable award of  " The Best Choreographic Staging ". 

In 2013 the Ministry of Sport and Youth of Georgia and the competent jury awarded the Ensemble with the honorary title of " The Best Ensemble".

On 13th of November in 2014 The Creative Union of Georgian Choreographic Workers awarded the Ensemble with the estate of " The Honorable Member of the Creative Union of Georgian Choreographic Workers".  (President, Prof. R. Chanishvili, Vice President Yuri Toradze).

On December 16 of the same year, Badri Matchavariani, the leader of the ensemble, was awarded with the  "Amagdari Order" of Georgian Choreography for "successful creative activity, contribution to the development of choreographic art and active participation in the activities of the union."

It is especially noteworthy that in March - April 2019, the ensemble toured in The United States, in the st. of Georgia, Atlanta, organized by the TSMU administration,  Director of Educational Programs at Emory School of Medicine, Dr. Archil Undilashvili and Assistant Dean for Education, Professor Gordon Churchward, where the ensemble performed several solo concerts with great success at Emory University, Which was dedicated to the memory of a great friend of the University, Professor Ken Walker.

In the same year, the competent jury of "Student Days 2019" ( Mrs. Tamuna Melikishvili, Misters - Tariel Gogoberishvili and Aleko Kartvelishvili) organized by the Culture, Sports, Education and Youth Affairs Service of Tbilisi City Hall (under the direction of Mr.- I. Gvilava) awarded the ensemble with the title of "The Best Ensemble".

The ensemble has had many successful performances during solo concerts and various events: at the "Theatrical Hall" of Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi Concert Hall, Opera,  Rustaveli, Marjanishvili, Griboedov,  Zugdidi city,  Poti city and Kvareli city theaters. 

The ensemble held the concerts in the famous and unique theaters such as: in Italy - Potenza Theater, on Sicily, Agrigento’s - "Hall of Congress", Antique - " Temple of Concordia",  in Caltavuturo and on Sardinia, in Nuoro - "Amphitheaters", in Russia, Moscow - Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko musical theaters, in Spain, Barcelona - unique hall of "Palau de la Musica Catalana",  in Ourense – Teatro Principal, in England  - Middlesbrough Theatre.

The ensemble is the Laureate of many International and National festivals and the member of  UNESCO 2 Committee. 

The National Ensemble has obtained: 7 Main Prizes, 3 Gold Medals, the Diploma of the Festival held under the auspices of the European Parliament, the title of "The Best Ensemble" (in Italy in 1996 and in Georgia in 2013 and 2019).

Many generations of dancers and singers were grown up in  TSMU Song and Dance National Ensemble  (men singer choir - “Pesvebi (“The Roots" 1996-2000), the maestro - David Uznadze, who was invited to  TSMU Song and Dance National Ensemble in 1992 by Badri Matchavariani. 6 members of the ensemble "Shvikdatsa" (‘Seven men”) were grown up in the TSMU Song and Dance National Ensemble  : Bidzina Zatiashvili, Nika Kirvalidze, and David Nozadze, David Shishniashvili, Levan Tolordava and Giorgi Lomtatidze, in addition, successfully graduated from TSMU and are still active in medicine.)

The members of such famous ensembles as "Phasisi", "Rustavi", "Erisioni", "Tbilisi", "Georgian Voices", "Alilo" and "Urmuli" were creative in the ensemble at different times.

In the ensemble, By Mr. Badri Matchavariani, at different times, were invited: the maestros - Iuza Kublashvili, Vazha Talakhadze, David Uznadze, Badri Tugushi, Paata Tsetskhladze and David  Ratiani (junior).

 As the  leaders of folk instrumental group - Shermadin Darchiashvili, Revaz Sharikadze, David Ratiani.

The main choreographers and choreographers -  Gogi Chachava, Javar Nachkebia, Tengiz Javakhishvili, Gela Mgeladze, Salome Nikuradze and Enver Gujabidze.

As the musicians – Garmoni (accordion) - Robert Amroyan, Albert Gijashvili, Givi Khosroshvili, Nugzar Chkhutiashvili, Gogi Batiashvili, Lekso Amashukeli, Beso Metreveli. Doli (dram) - Bezhan Maisuradze.

The Head of the Ensemble is the Director of the Culture Center of TSMU, The President of Association "Georgian National Culture", the owner of the Order "Amagdari" (The Honored Worker of Georgian Choreography), the owner of Italian Culture Premium, the Laureate of National and International festivals – Mr. Badri Matchavariani.

The Main Choreography of the Ensemble is the former actor - dancer of one of the best generation of the Legendary Ensemble "Sukhishvili", the knight of the Order of Honor – Mr. David Ugrekhelidze.

The Choreographer of the Ensemble is the Laureate of the National and International Festivals – Mrs. Ineza Kupreishvili.

The Maestro of the Ensemble is the Laureate of the National and International festivals – Mr. David Ratiani.

The Head of the Ensemble's folk instrumental group is  – Mr.  Irakli Ratiani.

The musicians: Garmoni (accordion) – Vasil Varamashvili and Nika Gamezardashvili. Drum (doli) – Tariel Beqauri and Kakhaber Kandelaki. 

You can visit facebook history: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.629649300394395&type=3

On the Web page: photos, awards, press and TV shows: http://tsmu.edu/ensemble/

Contact:

Mr. Badri Matchavariani 

Mob: (+995) 599 57 92 69       e-mail: badriensemble@gmail.com