Dimitri Janelidze Scientific-Research Institute
History
The Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University, originally as the Institute of “Stage Arts”, was founded in 1923 on the basis of the Drama Studio created by Akaki Paghava. A. Paghava was also the first rector of the Theatre Institute. Almost from the day of its foundation, scientific and research work was carried out in parallel with the educational process at the Tbilisi State Institute of Stage Arts. Unfortunately, in 1926 the Institute ceased to exist and on September 1, 1939 it was revived again under the leadership of Akaki Khorava and Akaki Paghava. Since then, scientific and research activities have been an integral part of the life of the University.
In the early 1940s, the Department of Theatre History was founded under the leadership of A. Paghava, which he himself headed.
Scientific research on the history of theatre (both Georgian and world theatre) and drama theory was carried out here. In the 1950s and 1960s,the research area expanded further and the scientific segment grew. At that time, the scientific work at the university was headed by Professor Eter Gugushvili (theatre historian, Doctor of Art History, at that time Vice-Rector of the Theatre Institute).
In the 1960s, in parallel with the Department of Theatre History and Theory, a scientific-research sector of theatrical art was created. Initially, only in the direction of theatre studies, and from the 1970s also in the direction of film studies, thus the “Scientific-Research Sector of the History and Theory of Theatre and Film” was formed, which was headed by Professor Dimitri Janelidze (1906-1994), a researcher of the history of Georgian theatre, the author of a number of important, fundamental works, whose research took theatre studies as a science to a new level. The Laboratory of Sociological Research and Psychology of the Theatre (headed by Guliko Javashvili, Doctor of Art History) operated with the sector. For decades, the Scientific-Research Sector of the History and Theory of Theatre and Film was engaged in active scientific work in the direction of research on theatre and film.
A variety of scientific-educational literature was published. Expeditions to study folk theatre performances were organized under the leadership of Dimitri Janelidze. In 1968, the Theatre Institute published the first collection of works of the research sector, "Theatre Studies" (in Georgian and Russian), which was published until 1994. Later, the publication of the collection was renewed under the title "Theatre Studies and Film Studies".
Since 1995, the “Scientific Research Sector of the History and Theory of Theatre and Film” was named after Dimitri Janelidze and was formed as a research centre. It was headed by Dali Mumladze, a doctor of art history and theatre expert. At the beginning of the 21st century, the organizational structure of the scientific research unit changed again. It was divided into two parts - the Scientific Research Centres of Theatre and Film. At different times, their heads were: Professors Vasil Kiknadze, Nodar Gurabanidze, Giorgi Dolidze, Eter Okujava.
Modernity
At the end of 2017, an independent scientific and research unit “Dimitri Janelidze Scientific and Research Institute” was established at the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University. The spectrum of scientific research of which, unlike the research structures operating in various forms at the university before, has significantly expanded and, along with theatre studies and film studies, has included the directions of fine arts and architecture, choreography, literary studies, musicology, culturology and art education.
Since its establishment, the scientific and research institute has been headed by the theatre scholar, professor, Doctor of Art Studies – Giorgi Tskitishvili, and the Scientific Council of the institute – Principal Researcher, Art Scholar, Doctor of Art Studies – Irma Dolidze. Despite its small staff, the scientific research institute is represented by researchers of various fields (principal researchers, senior researchers, researchers and assistant researchers): film critic, Doctor of Arts – Lia Kalandarishvili, theatre critic, Doctor of Arts – Tamar Kutateladze, German scholar, professor, Doctor of Philology – Manana Paichadze, choreographer, Doctor of Arts – Khatuna Damchidze, literary critic, Doctor of Philology – Ketevan Elashvili, film critic, Doctor of Arts – Giorgi Razmadze, art critics: Ekaterine Tabukashvili and Mariam Ushkhvani.
The Dimitri Janelidze Scientific Research Institute annually publishes a collection of scientific works – “Art Researches” (in Georgian, English, German), which, along with research reflecting the history of Georgian culture and modern artistic processes, also presents works intended as educational resources. An important place is also devoted to the attribution and presentation of samples kept in the museum collections https://artresearches.tafu.edu.ge/en/
Along with scientific research, the Institute works on the preparation of textbooks, auxiliary textbooks, and translations in the areas of theatre studies, art studies, film studies, choreography, literary studies, and culturology.
The Institute is headed by the Director. The highest body of the Institute is the Scientific Council. The Scientific Research Institute is represented in the academic, representative, and dissertation councils of the University.
During the several years of existence of the Dimitri Janelidze Scientific Research Institute, six books (2019-2024) of the Institute's collection of scientific works - "ART Researches " - have been prepared and published, which reflect the results of the annual research of the Institute's scientists. In addition to these studies, the Institute has prepared monographs, reference textbooks, and translations. They are published by the University Publishing House "Kentavri".
More than 100 scientific-popular scientific articles are published in periodicals. Institute employees actively participate in international and local conferences, on various online platforms.
In 2023, the Dimitri Janelidze Scientific-Research Institute held an anniversary session dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University - “In the Footsteps of History - From the Theatre Institute to the University of Theatre and Film”. სათეატრო ინსტიტუტიდან თეატრისა და კინოს უნივერსიტეტამდე“.
Since 2024, the Dimitri Janelidze Scientific-Research Institute has laid the foundation for a new initiative and established the scientific platform “Art Discourse”, the aim of which is to familiarize and share the findings and scientific results of the Institute’s researchers with the wider public (students, academic staff, professional circles, interested public), through discussion and exchange of opinions on current artistic issues. The scientific platform "Art Discourse" is permanent and is held monthly.
Within the framework of "Art Discourse", the scientific staff of the research institute present the results of the latest research in the areas of art history, theatre studies, film studies, media studies, culturology, and choreography. The Dimitri Janelidze Scientific Research Institute is a research structure with growing potential operating at the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University, which continues the tradition of decades and, at the same time, opens its doors to new, modern areas and directions.
Contact Information:
Tbilisi, David Agmashenebeli Avenue N 40;
Building II of the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University.
Room No. 220.
Phone: +995 577 28 87 08. +995 577 27 00 45
E-mail: art.researches@tafu.edu.ge