Short History
Gelodi Potskhishvili Georgian National Ballet “Metekhi”
The Potskhishvili National Ballet “Metekhi” was founded in the 1970s — in 1978. The ensemble was established by public figure, Merited Artist of Georgian Art, recipient of the Orders of Honor and Excellence, choreographer and producer Gelodi Potskhishvili.
“Potskhishvili” has already become a renowned choreographic dynasty on
both the Georgian and international stage, touring virtually every continent. As global trends constantly change, in the rapid-paced era of the 21st century, our choreographic dynasty has added a new tempo, emotion, sound, movement, and choreographic vision to traditional folklore. For this reason, many elements required rethinking and refinement — we have made classical folklore more dynamic. The ensemble’s repertoire is rich with unique episodes and techniques: dances on knees, with daggers and swords, on tiptoes, numbers performed with percussion instruments, and other spectacular scenes. In 1990, the Georgian National Ballet “Metekhi” held a three-month tour in the United States, performing more than 50 solo shows. At a concert in Philadelphia Stadium, broadcast live on America’s leading TV channels, pop icon Michael Jackson was present. A few days later, he remarked: “This is magnificent. I am astonished by the dances on knees, on tiptoes, and with daggers. I want to include some of these movements in my repertoire.” In one of his music videos, elements characteristic of Georgian dance can be seen — spins, arm movements, and drops to the knees. Since 1978, the stars of the Potskhishvili National Ballet have performed in gala concerts alongside such world-famous names as Vince Montana, Riverdance, Cirque du Soleil, Cher, Barry White, Celia Cruz, Howie Mandel, Tito Puente, Rudolf Nureyev, Jay Leno, “Rio,” the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres, Richard Galliano, Zakir Hussain, Joaquín Cortés, and many others. In 2015, following the concert dedicated to the ensemble’s 40th anniversary, a commemorative star of the Potskhishvili National Ballet “Metekhi” was unveiled in the Walk of Fame in front of Tbilisi’s Grand Concert Hall — Philharmonic Hall. The Potskhishvili family is a Georgian family where everyone dances — this has become more than just a tradition. Today, society calls this phenomenon a “choreographic dynasty.”
The artistic director of the ensemble is Gelodi Potskhishvili’s son — public figure, Academician of the National Academy, recipient of the Orders of Honor and Excellence, Davit Potskhishvili. The rehearsal choreographer is Nino Kartvelishvili, Davit Potskhishvili’s wife and a soloist of the ensemble.
✔ Today, the Georgian National Ballet “Metekhi” is led by the family’s second generation. Producer & Artistic director: David Potskhishvili
Repetitor-choreographer:Nino Khartvelishvili
The founder of the company: Gelodi Potskhishvili
World press. Brief historic events:
✔"New York Post" Georgians are different… They are not only a race apart, Their dancers are in a class by themselves… absolutely superb.”
✔"The Wall Street Journal" - Georgian dance was called the 8th wonder and this very wonder enchanted the audience today. It was an expression of endless emotions.
✔"Le Figaro" - Fireworks of sparks in the air and they are doing it without any protection, it caused a great stir that ended with applauses.
✔"Le Monde" - If you haven’t seen Georgian dance, you should do it.
✔"The Washington Post" - Dance magicians from the motherland of George Ballanchine, Vakhtang Chabukiani and Stalin. Georgia is the country where singing and dancing is not only the tradition, it has all started since our A.D.
✔"Daily Mail" - 20 dancers, a 2-hour fire show on the knees and toes… they don’t get tired, it is as if a new story begins with a new dance.
✔"The New Zealand Herald" - Georgian dance is a wonder, I’ll pay an attention to the melodies: wonderful sounds.
✔The Guardian- A vibrant exhibition of traditional dance that will take your breath away.
✔"The Times" - Emotion that invisibly flows from the stage and conquers the space.
✔"Süddeutsche Zeitung" –Folklore is important for every country with an ancient culture. Georgia is one of the ancient countries where dancing, wine and singing date back to immemorial times.
✔"La Repubblica" - Stalin was Georgian, the Georgian dancers from Stalin’s country performed wonderful concert. It was a real storm on the stage, it was an unforgettable day!
✔"Corriere della Sera" - It is difficult to amaze people, it is also difficult to make them fall in love with you in an hour. They manage it by their dancing.
✔"Pravda-USSR" - I would like to thank Mr. Gelodi Potskhishvili and his unique ensemble for the beautiful and emotional evening, Georgian dance is a real wonder.
✔"Newspaper Communist-USSR" - Today, Prime Minister Eduard Shevardnadze and President Mikhail Gorbachev attended the concert. The cultural group of the USSR presented the USA delegation with an interesting gift. The Georgian dance ensemble ‘ Metekhi’ performed very impressive dances on the kness and toes. Today, as never before, the world needs peace.
✔"Brot & Spiele-Germany" - Wonderful show, beautiful dancers and unique mastership.
✔"The Jerusalem Post" - Only Georgians can do it! Jerusalem is the only one and Georgian dance is the only one, the World can only watch and be delighted by that.
✔"The Times of India (India)" - Like India, Georgia is also the country of great culture, their dances are one story that tell us about bravity, love and big respect of women.
✔"The Asahi Shimbun (Japan)" – The Caucasus is the region where people are more emotional and manly than in other parts of the world, the proof of it is Georgian dance and songs.
✔"China Daily (China)" - During 6 months Chinese people saw a lot of concerts performed by Georgian dancers. Whether it is a legend or reality, it is unique.
✔"The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)" - When the dancers fell on their knees from height, the audience sitting in the hall covered their eyes, then they encored.
✔"Zaman (Turkey)" - We are proud of our neighbours, Georgians have a wonderful tradition … Laz –they are old Georgians.
✔"Dainik Jagran" - (India) – Today, the group of artists from the USSR visited Delhi, it was a nice evening. Our audience watched the dancers with surprise, they were doing incredible things with their toes and knees.
✔"Schädelspalter" (Hannover) -They aren’t dancing, they are flying under the sparks of the daggers where it is impossible to walk… everybody should see it.
✔“Brighton evening argus” The Dance Ensembl are almost unbelieveable… An experience not to be missed.
✔“Bournemouth evening echo” The sparkling spectacular performance brought a capacity audience to their feet.
✔“The Mail on Sunday” Shining Stars From The East Don’t miss them.
✔“The Times” It is no metaphor to say that sparks flew during the performance.
✔“Financial times” It is impossible not to respond to the Combination of charm and bravura.
✔“South Wales Echo” They stopped the show with physical feats You would hardly believe humanly possible.
