Workshop of songs from the country of Georgia with Amer-Imeri ensemble, with supra, Glasgow

A workshop of Georgian songs with a group of singers drawn from from Mtiebi and Amer-Imeri, renowned vocal ensembles from the country of Georgia, followed by a ritual Georgian 'supra' feast.

This event forms part of a UK wide tour during May 2024, taking in towns and cities in Scotland, England and Wales, during which the visiting Georgian singers will share this richly diverse musical tradition, along with the unique Georgian dances, costumes, rituals and food with which the music is connected.

The centrepiece of the tour will be a residential weekend event, called ts'utisopeli, at which singers from across the UK will gather to learn and sing together, and to share a supra, or Georgian feast. Workshops throughout the tour will be planned to help us prepare for the supra evening, when we eat, drink and sing together at the supra table.

Further information and tickets for the ts'utisopeli weekend and other tour dates: here

GEORGIAN POLYPHONY

Georgia, in the Caucasus mountains, boasts a rich and ancient UNESCO listed tradition of complex polyphony. Like Georgia itself, the music sits at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, yet has its own, truly unique character. It blends challenging, dissonant and microtonal chords with sweet and lyrical close harmonies. Ancient pagan, shamanic ritual songs with soaring liturgical chants. Powerful work songs, rousing wedding songs, and modern, composed songs all continue this music into the present day. Encompassing thirteen regional styles, the music from the east and west of Georgia are quite distinct, with that of the Gurian region on the Black Sea coast being particularly complex, and often including a fourth, yodeling voice, known as krimanchuli.

Mtiebi and Amer-Imeri

On this tour we will have the pleasure of welcoming twelve singers drawn from Mtiebi and Amer-Imeri ensembles.

Mtiebi choir was founded in 1980 by the renowned ethnomusicologist, Edisher Garakanidze, and soon established itself as one of the foremost ensembles dedicated to pioneering the research and revival of the traditional singing and folklore practices of Georgia. Edisher was also a key figure in introducing Georgian polyphonic singing to the UK.

In 1991 Edisher and his wife, Nino Baghaturia, created a youth ensemble, Amer-Imeri, through which many current members of Mtiebi have trained. From 2001-2012 Amer-Imer was directed by Edisher’s son, Gigi (Giorgi) Garakanidze, since when it has been headed by its current leader, Magda Kevlishvili.

The main creative principle behind both choirs is understanding and performing the songs alongside the folklore, dances and rituals that are integral to them. Younger singers in Amer-Imeri learn traditional Georgian children’s games and dances, and traditional instruments. They become familiar with the history and mythology of Georgia, and they learn church hymns and participate in divine service. The singers and teachers travel to different regions of Georgia and learn directly from tradition bearers, and the new generation of singers learn to perform songs freely and independently, without the guidance of elders, just as their peers historically sang in the countryside. And, having learned the traditions and made them their own, they create their own folklore, with improvisation and ornamentaion of songs and lyrics, games, tongue twisters, and mocking verses.

Amer-Imeri bring all this to their performance and teaching, but also into their everyday lives.

Recognised by numerous awards over three decades, both in Georgia and internationally, Amer-Imeri was the winner of the 2022 Georgian National Folklore Festival, was featured on BBC radio and television is 2002, and has participated in folklore festivals in Lithuania, Poland and Germany.

To hear the leader of the ensemble, Magda Kevlishvili, talking about Georgian Christmas traditions, listen to her interview on the Voices of the Ancestors podcast.

WHAT IS A SUPRA?

Following the workshop you are invited to join us for a supra, or ritual Georgian feast.

Georgia has a distinctive and sophisticated feasting culture that celebrates the relationship between the host and honoured guests. Led by a toastmaster, or 'tamada', the supra tradition combines the sharing of delicious food with heartfelt toasts and song.

Georgians hold supras to mark all sorts of events, including weddings, birthdays and funerals. But a supra is more than just a meal with friends. The structure of the supra encourages and invites deeper conversation and connection than might happen in everday life. The tamada's role is to facilitate that by creating a welcoming and safe space for people to be open with each other, and by suggesting suitable topics of conversation in their toasts. The toasts can touch on every aspect of life, with all its joys and challenges. They should ideally be eloquent and thought provoking, but also entertaining, or witty and humorous. And as the evening progresses, the tamada will create opportunities for others to follow on with their own toasts on the subjects suggested by the tamada.

Dishes are presented 'tapas' style, so that each guest has a bowl or plate of each type of food within reach, and can help themselves at any time to whatever food they want. Guests may eat at any time, but should give their attention when toasts are being made. Alcohol is only drunk after a toast. Traditionally this would always be wine, but at our supra it will be considered acceptable to toast with wine, beer or soft drinks, according to your preference. After each toast, songs will be sung at the table, relating to the theme of that toast. With our twelve Georgian singers in attendance, and the songs we will have learned together at the workshop, you are guaranteed an unforgettable, authentic and moving experience of Georgian culture.

This will be a 'bring and share' supra, meaning that everyone attending is invited to contribute a dish. This doesn't have to be Georgian, or even home made. But if you would like to try your hand at making a Georgian dish, this is definitely welcomed and encouraged. You can find some great recipe ideas  here.

TIMINGS AND TICKETS

WORKSHOP 2–5pm
The workshop is open to all. Songs will be taught by ear, and there is no need to read music or know the Georgian language. As well as learning songs, in this workshop we will also learn about how to use our voice to create an authentically Georgian sound, and have a chance to learn some of the dances, rituals and folklore that accompany the songs.

SUPRA 6.30–9.30pm
You are welcome to bring your own alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.

CONCESSIONS
Student, unwaged and in receipt of disability or income related benefits. Children and carers accompanying a registered disabled person may attend free.

Workshop £18/15 Supra £8/6 Combined £24/18

Note: We recognise that many people are experiencing financial strain. If you are keen to attend but cost is an issue for you, please contact us directly, and we can try to work something out.

PARKING
We encourage all guests to consider using public transport, if possible. On street parking is available in the vicinity of the venue.

ACCESSIBILITY
We are keen for all of our events to be as accessible as possible. If you have any specific accessibility needs, please contact the local organiser to discuss your requirements.

COVID POLICY
Please do not attend any event if you are suffering from any potentially infectious respiratory illness, including Covid. If you have reason to believe that you may have been exposed to Covid in the week before the event, please take a lateral flow test. If you are unable to attend for this reason, a full refund will be given.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For general enquiries regarding ticketing or any errors or omissions or clarifications in respect to the information on this page, please email Pitchblend.

For detailed enquiries regarding the event itself, please email the local organiser.

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