GTU Yuza Kublashvili Boys’ Folk Choir Celebrates 65th Anniversary

The Yuza Kublashvili Boys’ Folk Choir of Georgian Technical University, a distinguished ensemble and laureate of numerous national and international competitions and festivals, celebrated its 65th anniversary with a gala concert entitled “Traditions Continue.”

The anniversary event honored the choir’s rich history, its outstanding artistic achievements, and the contributions of generations of students, alumni, professors, faculty members, and university leaders who have played an important role in preserving and promoting Georgian choral traditions.

The concert was attended by GTU Rector, Academician David Gurgenidze, Chancellor Professor Karlo Kopaliani, President of the GTU Supervisory Board Professor Zurab Gudavadze, Vice-Rectors Professors Tamar Tsereteli and Tamar Lominadze, faculty deans, members of the academic and scientific community, students, graduates, distinguished representatives of various generations of the choir, guests, and prominent figures from Georgia’s musical and performing arts communities.

Hosted at the Nodar Dumbadze Theater for Young Spectators, the anniversary concert featured performances by the choir’s 16th generation under the direction of Choirmaster Tsitsino Palavandishvili. The ensemble presented a diverse repertoire of Georgian folk songs and classical choral works, showcasing the richness of the country’s musical heritage. The audience also enjoyed performances by artistic groups established within the choir, including the Folk Instrument Ensemble, the vocal quartet “Smile Boys,” the Urban Song Trio, the Folk Instrument Trio, and the Folk Song Ensemble. Their interpretations of traditional Georgian folk and urban music, accompanied by a variety of traditional instruments, received enthusiastic applause from the audience.

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came during the finale, when university graduates representing earlier generations of the choir joined the current members on stage to perform “Chakrulo,” the celebrated masterpiece of Georgian polyphonic singing.

At the conclusion of the concert, GTU Rector Academician David Gurgenidze congratulated the choir and its artistic director from the stage, and wished them further success.

 “The celebration of the 65th anniversary of the Yuza Kublashvili Boys’ Folk Choir is a landmark event for Georgian Technical University. It reflects the university’s history, cultural heritage, and the enduring connection between generations of students and graduates.

For more than six decades, the choir has faithfully preserved and promoted the finest traditions of Georgian choral art and national musical culture while proudly representing Georgian Technical University both at home and abroad. Its creative journey has been marked by numerous victories, awards, and, above all, the dedication of the many individuals who have contributed to its success and have strengthened this unique creative group at different times.

I would like to pay special tribute to the choir’s founder, the outstanding musician and conductor Yuza Kublashvili, and express my gratitude to the generations of student performers and supporters whose commitment has ensured the continued success of this remarkable ensemble.

Special recognition also goes to Choirmaster and Conductor Tsitsino Palavandishvili, whose professionalism and tireless dedication have led the choir to success at numerous international festivals and competitions while inspiring generations of young people to appreciate Georgian folk music and national traditions.

Today’s anniversary concert once again demonstrated that the GTU Boys’ Folk Choir is a vibrant artistic community whose greatest strengths are its people, its traditions, and its devotion to Georgian polyphony. The joint performance of “Chakrulo” by former and current members beautifully symbolizes the continuity of these traditions. I congratulate the choir on its 65th anniversary, thank its members for promoting Georgian culture and their alma mater, and wish them continued creative success.”

– Academician David Gurgenidze

The Boys’ Folk Choir of Georgian Technical University, originally established at the Georgian Polytechnic Institute, was founded by the distinguished musician and conductor Yuza Kublashvili, who led the ensemble for twenty-five years. During this period, Soso Palavandishvili served as the choir’s choirmaster. Since 1981, the choir has been led by the talented musician and conductor Tsitsino Palavandishvili, who became its artistic director in 1989.

In recognition of her exceptional contribution to the education of young people and her distinguished artistic career, Tsitsino Palavandishvili was awarded the Order of Honor by the President of Georgia in 1998. In 2022, she was also awarded the GTU Gold Medal by decision of the Academic Council, presented by GTU Rector Academician David Gurgenidze for her outstanding service to the university. Under her leadership, the choir has achieved remarkable international success, winning numerous prestigious awards, including: Grand Prix – International Folklore Festival (Vilnius, Lithuania, 1984); Grand Prix – Rīgas Gailis Boys’ Choir Competition (Riga, Latvia, 1989); Audience Award – Rīgas Gailis Boys’ Choir Competition (Riga, Latvia, 1990); Grand Prix – International Student Festival (Vilnius, Lithuania, 1990); International Folklore Competition (Tbilisi, Georgia, 1991); International Folklore Festival (Poznań, Poland, 1997); International Folklore Festival (Rhodes, Greece, 2005); First Place – “Universiade 2022” (Tbilisi, Georgia). A vocal ensemble and a vocal quartet operate with the Boys’ Folk Choir.

The choir’s vocal ensemble and vocal quartet have also performed extensively throughout Georgia and internationally, giving concerts in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, Finland, the Baltic States, Ukraine, and many other countries. In 2011, in honoring its founder, the ensemble was officially named the Yuza Kublashvili Boys’ Folk Choir.