ALEKSANDRE KHAKHANASHVILI AND GEORGIAN MANUSCRIPTS OF THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF PARIZ
Abstract
Georgian manuscripts of the National Library of Paris were described and studied in different times and situations by: French Kartvelologist Marie Brosset, Georgian scientists Aleksandre Khakhanashvili and Ekvtime Takaishvili. The interest and importance of studying these manuscripts is still relevant today. The present article analyzes the Georgian manuscripts of the National Library of Paris studied by Aleksandre Khakhanashvili, the state of their study chronologically in relation to the present. Aleksandre Khakhanashvili's contribution to the revival of Georgian culture, Research-Scientific and public activity is highlighted. The research is based on manuscripts, scientific publications, archival and press materials. The work is noteworthy for the study of the history of Georgian culture and manuscripts.
In August 1897 Aleksandre Khakhanashvili took part in the work of the XI International Congress of Orientalists in Paris, he made a speech in the East and Greece section. During this period, he described 25 Georgian manuscripts preserved in the National Library of Paris: Sacred Book with pictures; Compline, or collection of prayers for use in the Church of Georgia; Synaxarium or collection of the whole year of the lives of the Saints; Georgian Dictionary of Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani; Georgian Codex or Vakhtang's Laws; Georgian Chronicle; Three manuscripts of “The Knight in the Panther's Skin“ (“Vepkhistkaosani”); Two manuscripts of Georgian Grammar; History of Omanian young man; Miriani, history of one Chinese King; Baramiani, Chinese story in verse; Voltaire’s Tragedy translated into prose by Aleksandre Chavchavadze; The origins of philosophy; Grammar of the Georgian language composed in Georgian by David Batonishvili; Fragments from Georgian history; Prologue, chants of the Saints for the month of March; Prologue for the month of July; Prologue for the month of June; Explanations of the Gospel of Matthew; Letter of King Solomon of Imereti to Pope Pius VI with Italian translation; Copies of letters (Vakhtang VI, Queen Mariam, King of Imereti Aleksandre III ...); Saitiko theology in a form of questions and answers.
Aleksandre Khakhanashvili could not describe the seventeenth manuscript (old fund) because they could not find it in the Book Depository. This manuscript is "Fasting" (new fund # 5), which was described in detail by Ekvtime Takaishvili. Two newly acquired manuscripts were added to the Book Depository: #27 “Georgian Grammar“, compiled by Ioane Kartvelishvili and # 28 "The Gospel, the four Gospels",which was described by Ekvtime Takaishvili.
After the publication of Ekvtime Takaishvili's catalogue, the fund of Georgian manuscripts of the National Library of Paris was enriched with only one manuscript. According to French Kartvelologist Bernard Outtier’s observation, 1 sheet of Georgian manuscript # 30 in Paris (abbreviated p) belongs to Khanmet Lectionary.
As of today, there are 32 manuscripts in the National Library of Paris (Georgian manuscript book abroad).
Georgian manuscripts of the National Library of Paris described by Aleksandre Khakhanashvili were published first in the newspaper "Iveria", then in the magazine "Moambe". The descriptions of these manuscripts played the role of a kind of scientific guide for further research.
Keywords: Aleksandre Khakhanashvili, Ekvtime Takaishvili, Georgian manuscripts, Paris, Congress of Orientalists, Georgian culture, Kartvelology.
