Davit Kldiashvili – Classic of Georgian Literature

Abstract

The author's English summary from the article:

Davit Kldiashvili truly belongs to the category of those writers meeting all the standards of classics. Neither history nor distance has done any harm to his name… On the contrary, the more time passes the higher is the interest of the reader to his works. In terms of Georgian literary life, Davit Kldiashvili managed to connect Imereti - being more or less ostracized - with Georgian literature and this way he demonstrated the psycho-ethnical continuous indivisibility of this region to Georgia. This is the expression and embodiment of Ilia Chavchavadze’s ideals and goals as well as the contribution and merit of the writer. If a writer focused only on national and historical-ethnographical factors and ignored non-transient themes of life – a common mark of all great writers - he/she would never manage to become a classic.

The greater an author is, the better he/she manages to present something concrete in terms of globalism concerning the mankind and their outlook. This is what Kldiashvili does while writing, emphasizing the features of personality of all time in both prosperity and adversity of the noblemen of Imereti. Therefore, more and more is his legacy appreciated and admired. This question requires reexamining the fact that confines his literary tendencies to the world of “Autumn Noblemen”… Should it be true, Davit Kldiashvili’s work would have nothing to show to the reader but historical values. Like other prominent big thinkers and art people, a great Georgian writer sees all the necessity for preserving chivalrous values and merits (personal dignity, love of a human, Christian faith).

Therefore, he is a great artist and a true classic demonstrating a deep national and spiritual aspect.

Published in the journal Sjani, vol. 14 (2013), pp. 271–277. Open the paper