Handwritten Books – Modern Georgian Manuscripts (Since 1990)

3 handwritten books made in 1990-1992 by Levan Chaganava were the first works of art created in the tradition of Georgian calligraphy after a gap of two centuries.

Levan Chaganava became interested in Georgian calligraphy in 1989. At that time, this art was forgotten in Georgia for about two hundred years, and there were no books or small educational materials.

As he studied reproductions of ancient manuscripts and improved his handwriting, he realized that calligraphy had evolved along with the art of handwritten books.

Levan began making his own manuscripts and soon completed three books using different binding techniques.

Here are three handwritten books that marked the beginning of the revival of calligraphy in Georgia since 1990:

1990 - The Nine Martyred Children of Kola (20 pages)

1991 - Abdulmesiani (108 pages)

1992 - Orthodox Prayers (64 pages)

Some books made later are not bound, due to the possibility of displaying the pages in picture frames at art exhibitions.