Zemo Kedi
Maqvala Tsiklauri
Born in 1944 to a musical family,¹ Maqvala Tsiklauri has played an irreplaceable role in the history of her village, Zemo Kedi’s, musical life. In the Shiraki Valley on the border of Azerbaijan, Zemo Kedi was settled by Mtiul people in the first quarter of the 20th century when the highlanders were encouraged to move to the plains where they were given land and the opportunity to work. As a child, Maqvala frequently participated in events at the Cultural House – from singing, to theater, to dance. She began working there herself in 1964, at the age of twenty. By 1971, she was director of chorus and orchestra, a position she has filled with passion and grace for the last forty-three years. She and her late husband Gogia Kavtiashvili (1937-2011), a poet and musician, wrote many songs together. Their collaboration brought to life timeless, beautiful songs, many of which you can find on her page.
Maqvala is joined by friends on many of these recordings: Givi Lazviashvili (voice), Tamriko Ugrekhelidze (voice)², Tamuna Kobaidze (voice), and Gia Kavtaradze (bass panduri and voice).
To hear another artist from Zemo Kedi, visit Izolda Namgalauri's profile.
¹Visit Ensemble Mandili and Nato Tsiklauri's profile to hear Maqvala sing with her sister, Nato.
²Tamriko passed away on April 9, 2018. We are grateful for her friendship and her participation in this project.
Maqvala Tsiklauri