Levan Gotua is the bes-known writer, historican, public figure, teacher and an alpinist. He was born and dead in Tbilisi (1905-1973).
Unfortunately, his name was
not very popular, because during the soviet era he was exiled for almost 31 years.
His parents were educated people.
His father, Parten Gotua, was the editor of the magazine ‘’WOZROJDENIA”
. His friends were Akaki Tsereteli,
Iakob Gogebashvili, Ekvtime takaishvili, Shalva Amirejibi, Niko and Iakob
Nikoladze, Tedo Gakhokia and others.
Levan Gotua greaduated Tbilisi Technical School and continued his
studies at the faculty of Economics of The
Tbilisi State University.
In February 1921 he was volunteer in Kojori and joined the defenders of
Tbilisi. He was a member of the National
Democratic Party and the leader of its youth wing.
He Participated in the preparation of the 1924 uprising. He was arrested
in August of the same year and was put
in Metekhi prison. He was released after seven months later.
He spent a third of his life in
prison and in deportation for his political views.
In 1924-1955 he was imprisoned for love
of his native country.
"I can not explain, I can not understand, I love the homeland so much”,
– Levan Gotua wrote when he was
in deportation.
During the exile he wrote one
of his the most famous work ‘’Gmirta
Varami” which is filled with the writer's great love of his country .
Gotua's short stories are based on the historical theme: "The
Melancholy of Krtsanisi" (1941), "The Angel of Kintsvisi"
(1943), "The Bell of Khandzti" (1945), "The Road Caravan"
(1945) "The Wisdom of Death" (1949) and others.
He has also published numerous
publications. He also wrote children's stories and novels. His
the most recent work is “Seraphita” (1973). Levan Gotua actively collaborated with the theater,He was author of dramas: "King Erekle"
(1942), "Invincibles" (1943), "David the Builder" (1945), and others.
Gotua's plays were staged at the Marjanishvili Theater by directors such as: Vakhtang
Tabliashvili, Giga Lortkipanidze, Archil
Chkartishvili.
Maybe he is not as known as an excellent mountaineer ,but he was a great
alpinist and he
climbed many peaks. Levan Gotua described his travelling impressions in the Essay Book
“The Traveller Kryalosani” (1960).
Levan Gotua died in 1973, on the
thirtieth of November, at the age of 69 and he was buried
in the yard of Samtavro Monatery.
Nino Lartsuliani
Irma balkhamishvili
2020
