The Griboyedov Tbilisi Russian Drama Theater celebrated its 175th anniversary on September, 20. It is the oldest Russian theater abroad and the first professional creative team in the Caucasus. It was founded in 1845 by the governor of the tsar, Count Mikhail Vorontsov, according to the website of the Moscow House of Compatriot.
The theater stage has become a home for many actors and directors who made the glory of the national theater. Vera Komissarzhevskaya, Maria Savina, Alexandra Yablochkina, Alexander Sumbatashvili-Yuzhin, as well as Vsevolod Meyerhold, Georgy Tovstonogov, Robert Sturua, Pavel Luspekaev, Pyotr Fomenko, Archil Gomiashvili and many others worked there.
The post of chief director is now occupied by Avtandil Varsimashvili. He was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship and the Georgian Order of Honor.
Director of the theater Nikolai Sventitsky is a Chevalier of the Russian Order of Friendship, he heads the Coordination Council of organizations of Russian compatriots in Georgia and the board of the Association of Russian Theaters Abroad.
The theater is a long-term partner of the Russkiy Mir Foundation, and together with the Foundation it works on various projects. Among them is a summer theater school in Georgia, where young actors of Russian-language theaters from the CIS countries are invited.
Russkiy Mir
