Marjanishvili Theater: Tbilisi's Stage for the Soul

The Kote Marjanishvili State Academic Drama Theater, located on Kote Marjanishvili Street in Tbilisi, is one of Georgia's oldest and most significant theaters. Founded in 1928 in Kutaisi by Kote Marjanishvili, a visionary director invited from Russia to reform Georgian theater, it quickly became the Second State Drama Theatre of Georgia. In 1930, the theater relocated to Tbilisi, occupying the former Zubalov People's House, an Art Nouveau building commissioned by the Zubalashvili brothers. After Marjanishvili's death in 1933, the theater was named in his honor, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in modern Georgian theater. The theater attracted celebrated writers, artists, and composers, becoming an epicenter of intellectual life in Tbilisi. Legendary actors such as Veriko Anjaparidze and Ushangi Chkheidze graced its stage, enriching its artistic heritage. The theater has staged around 400 performances, reflecting different social and artistic phases of Georgian history. The theater building itself, designed by Polish architect Stefan Kryczyński and constructed under the supervision of Aleksander Rogojski, is an architectural gem. A large stucco relief on the main facade embodies the aspirations of early 20th-century Georgian society, symbolizing the integration of Georgian culture with European artistic traditions. The theater was thoroughly renovated in 2006, reopening with Bertolt Brecht's "The Threepenny Opera". Today, the Marjanishvili Theater remains a vibrant cultural hub, hosting a range of performances, workshops, festivals, and exhibitions, and collaborating with international artists.