Leist Arthur

Leist Arthur (1852–1927), German writer, publicist and translator. Born in Breslau, Germany (present day Vroclav, Poland). A. Leist graduated from Breslau university. Being an expert linguist and publicist, he took an interest in Georgia, its people and its history. In 1881, during his travel in Italy, he made acquaintance of German writer F. Bodenstedt, who admired Georgian culture, and following his advice, A. Leist decided to study the Georgian language. He got in touch with Georgian public figures: Niko Nikoladze, Davit Eristavi, Ilia Chavchavadze, Akaki Tserteli. Wishing to learn more about Georgian way of life and Georgian literature, he addressed Akaki Tsereteli. As a result of their association, in 1883, A. Leist published in the German press an article titled The Forsaken Literature. In 1884, on invitation of Ilia Chavchavadze, he arrived in Tbilisi and stayed there for one month. After returning to Germany, in 1885, he published the book Georgia. Its Nature, Customs, Traditions and Population. The same year A. Leist revisited Tbilisi and with the help of Ilia Chavchavadze and Ivane Machabeli, he translated The Man in the Panther’s Skin. The German translation of the book was issued in Dresden and Leipzig. It was the first translation of Rustaveli’s epic poem into a European language. As of 1892 A. Leist settled in Tbilisi. There he married Maria Beitlinger, a German national. A. Leist actively participated in the public life of Tbilisi; in 1906 he founded a German-language newspaper Kaukasische Post. For a year and a half he worked as an editor of the said publication. In 1918 he was appointed to the position of a professor of German language at the newly founded Tbilisi University. In 1922 Georgian public celebrated A. Leist’s jubilee and the 40th anniversary of his activity in Georgia.

The most significant works by A. Leist are: Georgian People (1904), collected works The Heart of Georgia (in 2 volumes; 1923, 1927, 1963), Traveling Life of Rudolph Bolt, Traveler’s Diary; essay Colchis, which comprises geographic and ethnologic data on Georgia. A. Leist’s works and his activity was aimed at acquainting Europe with Georgian culture. He had friendly relations with Ilia Chavcavadze and held in high regard his great services to Georgia. On his part, Ilia used to refer to his devoted friend as ‘my foreign relative’. The phrase, addressed by A. Leist to Georgia, sounds like his last will and testament: ‘ Forgive me, Georgia – my little foster-homeland, if my modest contribution does not make me worth of the honor to be buried in your sacred soil…’

A. Leist died in Tbilisi. He is buried in the Didube Pantheon.