Asatiani Valerian

Valerian Asatiani (b. November 15, 1950, Kutaisi) is a philologist, public figure, doctor of Philological Sciences (1991), professor (1992), academician of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences (2021). He graduated from the Faculty of Philology at Tbilisi State University (TSU) in 1972. He has worked in the governing bodies, was the secretary of the Union of Writers of Georgia (1984), adviser to the head of state in the field of culture (1993), head of the cabinet of ministers (1994), member of the parliament (1985-1990; 1995-2000), Minister of Culture of Georgia (1985-1990; 1995-2000), chairman of the Shota Rustaveli State Prize awarding commission (2022-2024).

Asatiani is the author of monographs in classical philology, Byzantine studies and cultural studies, including: Antiquity in Old Georgian Writing (1987), Akaki Urushadze (1995), Ancient and Byzantine Traditions in Old Georgian Writing (1996), Classic (2016), Lechkhumi (2019), Ancient Culture, Byzantium and Georgia (2021) and others.

Asatiani is a member of the Main Scientific Board of the Georgian Encyclopedia, a honorary citizen of Kutaisi, honorary citizen of Lechkhumi. He was awarded the Albert Schweitzer Peace Medal (Germany, 2003), Homer Prize (Greece, 2016).