On February 13, the Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary hosted Professor Nestan Sulava, PhD, of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. She delivered a lecture entitled “The Evolution of Georgian Hymnography and the Tradition of Georgian Polyphonic Church Singing”.
The lecturer reviewed the stages in the development of Georgian hymnography – the early, classical and later periods, and analyzed the Georgian schools of hymnody from theological, literary-historical, symbolic-typological and ideological perspectives. She also discussed the means of expression and terminology used in the hymns.
Professor Sulava introduced the audience to the history of the polyphonic singing in the Church of Georgia. She also discussed the distinction between the musicological and poetic aspects of Georgian and Byzantine hymnography, underscoring how this distinction is reflected in the polyphonic character of Georgian hymnody and the originality of its hymn form.
The lecture was attended by students, professors and instructors of the Tbilisi Theological Academy and Seminary.
