Yiddish Theater Revives in Tbilisi After Century-Long Hiatus
In the heart of Tbilisi, Georgia's bustling capital, a cultural phoenix is rising from the ashes of history. After more than a century of silence, Yiddish theater has returned to the stage, thanks to the tireless efforts of historian and Yiddish scholar Lasha Shakulashvili. This revival isn't just a nostalgic nod to the past; it's a vibrant celebration of Georgia's diverse Jewish heritage, blending Ashkenazi traditions with the country's unique multicultural tapestry.
The Serendipitous Discovery
It all began in 2019 when Shakulashvili, then a graduate student at Tbilisi State University, delved into the National Archives of Georgia. What he uncovered stunned him: fragile Yiddish posters from 1910 advertising performances by the Jewish Division of Musical-Melodrama Art, a grassroots troupe run by the local Ashkenazi community. These posters, yellowed with age, announced plays in a language that had long faded from Georgia's collective memory.
Shakulashvili, born to Orthodox Christian parents in Tbilisi, had an unlikely connection to Yiddish. Raised partly by a Jewish nanny who taught him Russian and snippets of Yiddish, he developed a deep affinity for Ashkenazi culture. 'That early exposure ignited my passion,' Shakulashvili shared in a recent interview. Before academia, he served as a diplomat for Georgia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, honing skills in persistence and caution that would prove invaluable in his research.
His findings extended beyond the posters. In the archives of the National Library of Israel, he discovered a 1917 dispatch from The Jewish Daily Forward, complete with a rare photograph of an Ashkenazi school in Tbilisi. The image captured a teacher writing the Yiddish word 'friling'—meaning 'spring'—on a chalkboard, symbolizing renewal even then.
A Hidden Chapter of Jewish History in Georgia
Georgia's Jewish story is multifaceted, dominated by the indigenous Georgian Jews (known as Kartveli Ebraelebi) and Mountain Jews from the Caucasus, alongside Sephardic communities. Ashkenazi Jews, however, arrived later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fleeing pogroms and poverty in the Russian Empire's Pale of Settlement. By the eve of the 1917 Revolution, around 5,000 Ashkenazim had settled in Georgia, injecting fresh energy into the region's Jewish life.
Shakulashvili's dissertation explores the pivotal role of Yiddish theater during this era. 'It was groundbreaking,' he explains. 'In a conservative Georgia, Yiddish plays featured more actresses than actors, tackled taboo topics like arranged marriages, and empowered women to seek revenge on stage. This was the Belle Epoque for Ashkenazim—they'd been in Georgia less than a century, yet they transformed community life.'
To flesh out his research, Shakulashvili scoured Jewish cemeteries in Tbilisi, identifying graves of actors named on those 1910 posters. He conducted oral history interviews with elderly Jewish residents from various communities, uncovering interconnected narratives. Sephardic and Georgian-Jewish elders recounted how their grandmothers attended the Yiddish school, a rarity for girls at the time. Today, the Sephardic community preserves two historic Ashkenazi synagogues, ensuring this legacy endures.
From Archives to Archives: A Global Quest
Shakulashvili's journey spanned continents, from Tbilisi's dusty shelves to archives in Jerusalem and Oxford, England. Each discovery painted a fuller picture: who performed in those early plays, where the actors hailed from, and how they learned their craft amid imperial constraints. 'I had to bring these stories back to life,' he says. 'Proving the theater existed is one thing; understanding its human pulse is another.'
His work gained early traction with a 2022 article in The Forward, amplifying Georgia's overlooked Ashkenazi chapter. Yet, the true revival came in 2023 with the staging of 'Shema Yisroel,' a Yiddish play that drew crowds to Tbilisi's theaters. Directed with input from Shakulashvili, the production featured local actors blending historical scripts with contemporary flair, evoking the spirit of that long-lost troupe.
The Modern Revival: Bridging Past and Present
Today's Tbilisi buzzes with renewed interest in Yiddish culture. Shakulashvili, now a Jewish history educator and digital storyteller, leads workshops and lectures, making Ashkenazi heritage accessible to all. The revival aligns with Georgia's broader push for cultural tourism and preservation, attracting visitors eager to explore its Jewish roots— from ancient synagogues to vibrant festivals.
This resurgence highlights themes of resilience and interconnection. As Shakulashvili notes, 'Jewish communities in Georgia were never silos; they supported each other through revolutions, wars, and Soviet suppression.' The Yiddish theater revival serves as a bridge, reminding us how immigrant stories shape nations. In a world grappling with cultural erasure, Tbilisi's stage stands as a testament to the enduring power of forgotten voices.
Why It Matters Now
Beyond nostalgia, this revival addresses contemporary issues. Yiddish, once spoken by millions, faces extinction, with fewer than 600,000 speakers worldwide. Initiatives like Shakulashvili's preserve not just a language, but a worldview—humorous, poignant, and profoundly human. For Georgia, it enriches national identity, showcasing a history of tolerance amid diversity.
As global antisemitism rises, such stories foster understanding. Shakulashvili's diplomatic background informs his approach: 'We must be cautious yet persistent in reclaiming these narratives.' The 2023 production of 'Shema Yisroel'—named after the prayer affirming Jewish faith—resonates deeply, drawing parallels between historical struggles and today's challenges.
Looking ahead, Shakulashvili envisions more productions, perhaps touring internationally. For now, Tbilisi's Yiddish revival is a beacon, proving that even after a century, spring ('friling') can return.
This article draws on archival research and interviews, highlighting Georgia's vibrant Jewish tapestry. For more on cultural revivals, explore Everythiiing.com's world heritage section.
