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Friday,
August 10- August 24,
2007, #152 (1419)
By Ana Datiashvili A group of American folk art enthusiasts visited Ambrolauri, in Racha province, a few days ago to sing the old Georgian folk song "Rashavda." The group had such a keen interest in Georgian polyphonic folk music that they flew halfway across the globe to learn more about it. One of them, Emily Hoffman, explained that she and her friends spent months preparing their version of "Rashavda." They performed it at a folk concert for Rachvelians on August 7. "As soon as I heard Georgian folk music, I fell in love with it and decided to come here to study it," Hoffman said on August 8. She explained how she especially liked Georgian nature and traditions, adding that the Georgian people are the most hospitable in the world. However, she found Georgian songs to sound different in the land of their origin. Shavleg Pirtskhalava, who hosted the American singers, said he was surprised at how well the Americans sang in Georgian. "It's very nice to see another country's people sing your folk songs so wonderfully. I thank them for this pleasure," said Pirtskalava. Locals received the Americans well, applauding loudly at the end of the concert before joining them in song on stage. The visitors found
Georgian traditions like the supra and supruli songs to be a bit of
a surprise. "Georgian songs are as beautiful as the sunrise in the mountains. People here are like their songs, free and sorrowful, though very beautiful," gushed another American singer, Liz Stelzer. The group only
had time to visit Racha on this trip, but said they are eager to come
back and see more of the country. |
Americans
make racket in Racha
