“Edisher Garakanidze was 22 years-old young man, when he first came to the church in 1979. He started to chant in the choir of the Sioni cathedral church and he was also a regent of the choir until the end of his life. That was a difficult period for believers, as the government strictly controlled every person within the church. Especially young and talented people were under pressure. Mr. Edisher passed this exam of time and additionally he showed himself as a very talented and patriotic man. During his short life he managed to learn Georgian folklore, church hymns and restore them in the original form. The ensemble “Mtiebi” and the folklore-ethnographical studio “Amer-Imeri” established by him, has become world famous and added big contribution into the revival of the national spirit.
First of all, Edisher was a real believer and an orthodox Christian who loved God and that’s why he managed to leave such a deep and shining trace, which can give orientation to many important researches in folklore”.
The Patriarch of Georgia,
Illia II
“Edisher Garakanidze was a unique person. A high-class scholar, an artist, researcher and performer, he was theoretical and practical worker at the same time. He attracted everyone with politeness, seriousness, intelligence and conscientiousness. He was a very modest person; he was far from self-confidence and showboating. Indeed, he was involved in a serious activity at home and internationally as well, where he delivered lectures about the Georgian folk music in the leading universities of the Europe. He was the first person who aimed to restore the ancient traditions of the Georgian folk music and its natural, authentic forms. He started the new direction… Should be admitted several achievements from his creative way: the renowned ensemble “Mtiebi” established by him and the folklore-ethnographical studio “Amer-Imeri, he also refurbished old and forgotten traditions in different regions of Georgia.
Just a few people know today that Edisher Garakanidze restored the tradition of “Chona” and “Alilo”.
Manana Akhmeteli
The honored artist and the head of the Georgian musical society 2003
“Edisher Garakanidze left a deep trace in the Georgian singing folklore. He was a disinterested, distinguished person, deserving big respect. He was a rather talented man, a real professional. Being a modern-minded folklorist, he knew all specific features, achievements and weaknesses of the contemporary folk. He researched the Georgian folk song from the scientific perspective and represented according to the world standards. Apriority for him was the authentic manner of performing. He often visited me at home in order to listen to old musical recordings and every our get-together was a loud thought about the future and fate of a song.
He established “Mtiebi” and the studio “Amer-Imeri”, in order to rear a new generation of musicians. Edisher Garakanidze was also a very modest man, giving a preference to the unpretentious way of life. He was on friendly terms with aged singers and loved countrymen; he learned songs and singing traditions in an everyday life and was a desirable guest in every family.
I often go to expeditions and notice that singers are always recalling this remarkable person with tears in eyes. He had lots of plans of saving a Georgian song… He passed away unexpectedly, but has left big cultural heritage for future generations. Edisher was and will be a notable person for me”.
Anzor Erkomaishvili
Folklorist, the head of the International Centre of the Georgian folk song and the artistic manager of the ensemble “Rustavi”
“A man – candle. It is not a metaphor or epithet. He was an excellent man, like a candle and he was shining around himself – with nobleness, dignity and spiritual aristocracy. He was alike to the great Georgians: Grigol Khandsteli, Ekvtime and Giorgi Mtatsmindeli or Ioane Petritsi…He lived with the Georgian folklore. He was not only the outstanding scholar, but he was the pillar of the Georgian folk song”.
Vakhushti Kotetishvili 2003
“Edisher Garakanidze’s particular and distinguished viewpoint at folk, about its future and also his productive creative work always drew my attention. I was amazed when I listened to his musical pieces. He was a rather gifted person and an author of melodies.
He will always remain as a sophisticated and significant scholar-theoretic, remarkable musician, frank and honest man in the spiritual life of the Georgian people.”
Bidzina Kvernadze
Professor of the V. Sarajishvili Tbilisi
State Conservatory, composer, 2003
“Modesty, special politeness, respectfulness, capacity of patience and musicality were the main features of Edisher Garakanidze. He was not only the folklorist, but also brilliantly knew different musical directions, an epoch and style…
Gia Kancheli
Composer, 2003
The main interest and aim of the life of Edisher Garakanidze was the future of the Georgian folklore and preservation its authentic forms. He did not like to do compromises in his work. One can rarely meet such a diligent scholar and practical worker. He managed to do a lot during his life. If not his tragic death, such a bright, energetic, gifted, dedicated and loving person could do much more for our country.
Jemal Chkuaseli
Honored artist and artistic manager of the ensemble “Erisioni”, 2003
“Due to the big talent, erudition and diligent work, Edisher managed to show good capacity as a scholar from his early student years and quickly earned authority among folklorists. The crown of his work was the wonderful ensemble “Mtiebi” and the folklore-ethnographical studio “Amer-imeri” for children. Edisher Garakanidze is a name, which found its appropriate place in the history of the Georgian folk and will be never forgotten”.
Kukuri Chokhonelidze
Head of the Georgian national music department
at the V. Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatory 2003
Thinking about the fate of Edisher, I bring to my mind the wise and sad advice of V. V Mayakovsky: “Keep your mind on the great individuals, until they are young”. Edisher faced his destiny on the edge of perfect fulfillments. He combined practical and theoretical works and put his creative potential and energy in both spheres. He had capacity of gathering and selecting. He could determine which part is good for performing in folklore and which needs theoretical research. His insight was deep; he was teaching and learning at the same time. I wish I could see all of his work gathered in a one book and translated into English. As my teacher, Professor V.Y. Propp used to say, everything passes away – only books remain on library shelves. Books of Edisher Garakanidze deserve the bright future.
“Edisher Garakanidze was 22 years-old young man, when he first came to the church in 1979. He started to chant in the choir of the Sioni cathedral church and he was also a regent of the choir until the end of his life. That was a difficult period for believers, as the government strictly controlled every person within the church. Especially young and talented people were under pressure. Mr. Edisher passed this exam of time and additionally he showed himself as a very talented and patriotic man. During his short life he managed to learn Georgian folklore, church hymns and restore them in the original form. The ensemble “Mtiebi” and the folklore-ethnographical studio “Amer-Imeri” established by him, has become world famous and added big contribution into the revival of the national spirit.
“Edisher Garakanidze was a unique person. A high-class scholar, an artist, researcher and performer, he was theoretical and practical worker at the same time. He attracted everyone with politeness, seriousness, intelligence and conscientiousness. He was a very modest person; he was far from self-confidence and showboating. Indeed, he was involved in a serious activity at home and internationally as well, where he delivered lectures about the Georgian folk music in the leading universities of the Europe. He was the first person who aimed to restore the ancient traditions of the Georgian folk music and its natural, authentic forms. He started the new direction… Should be admitted several achievements from his creative way: the renowned ensemble “Mtiebi” established by him and the folklore-ethnographical studio “Amer-Imeri, he also refurbished old and forgotten traditions in different regions of Georgia.
“Edisher Garakanidze left a deep trace in the Georgian singing folklore. He was a disinterested, distinguished person, deserving big respect. He was a rather talented man, a real professional. Being a modern-minded folklorist, he knew all specific features, achievements and weaknesses of the contemporary folk. He researched the Georgian folk song from the scientific perspective and represented according to the world standards. Apriority for him was the authentic manner of performing. He often visited me at home in order to listen to old musical recordings and every our get-together was a loud thought about the future and fate of a song. 
“A man – candle. It is not a metaphor or epithet. He was an excellent man, like a candle and he was shining around himself – with nobleness, dignity and spiritual aristocracy. He was alike to the great Georgians: Grigol Khandsteli, Ekvtime and Giorgi Mtatsmindeli or Ioane Petritsi…He lived with the Georgian folklore. He was not only the outstanding scholar, but he was the pillar of the Georgian folk song”.
“Edisher Garakanidze’s particular and distinguished viewpoint at folk, about its future and also his productive creative work always drew my attention. I was amazed when I listened to his musical pieces. He was a rather gifted person and an author of melodies.
The main interest and aim of the life of Edisher Garakanidze was the future of the Georgian folklore and preservation its authentic forms. He did not like to do compromises in his work. One can rarely meet such a diligent scholar and practical worker. He managed to do a lot during his life. If not his tragic death, such a bright, energetic, gifted, dedicated and loving person could do much more for our country.
“Due to the big talent, erudition and diligent work, Edisher managed to show good capacity as a scholar from his early student years and quickly earned authority among folklorists. The crown of his work was the wonderful ensemble “Mtiebi” and the folklore-ethnographical studio “Amer-imeri” for children. Edisher Garakanidze is a name, which found its appropriate place in the history of the Georgian folk and will be never forgotten”.
Thinking about the fate of Edisher, I bring to my mind the wise and sad advice of V. V Mayakovsky: “Keep your mind on the great individuals, until they are young”. Edisher faced his destiny on the edge of perfect fulfillments. He combined practical and theoretical works and put his creative potential and energy in both spheres. He had capacity of gathering and selecting. He could determine which part is good for performing in folklore and which needs theoretical research. His insight was deep; he was teaching and learning at the same time. I wish I could see all of his work gathered in a one book and translated into English. As my teacher, Professor V.Y. Propp used to say, everything passes away – only books remain on library shelves. Books of Edisher Garakanidze deserve the bright future.
2009 Mtiebi.Com