Shenako
Eldara Bukvaidze
Born in 1944 in the beautiful village of Shenako some 2,000m above sea level, Eldara is a Tush man of many talents and trades. Eldara spent his childhood in the mountains, visiting the plains for the first time in his teenage years. Later, he was a soloist in Lela Tataraidze’s¹ chorus and worked as a cartographer for eastern Georgia during the Soviet Union. He studied medicine, massage and music. After retiring, Eldara moved back to his family’s home in Shenako, where he spends the entire winter as its only resident. Eldara is wise in the world of homeopathy and cooks well, making use of local plants and herbs. He entertains himself during long winter days by playing the panduri,² balalaika³ and garmoni.4 During the summers he runs a guesthouse out of his home called Old Tusheti, which offers rustic accommodation, horseback trips, off-road vehicle tours and even massages!
¹Born in 1949 in Zemo Alvani, Lela is Tusheti’s most famous singer. She has made several albums and today leads the Kesane Quartet.
²A three-stringed, fretted lute common in all regions of northeastern Georgia. The instrument is most frequently used to accompany ballad singing. Read more about the instrument here.
³A Russian folk string instrument that made its way into the northeastern highlands of Georgia. It has three strings, a triangular body, and is tuned the same as the classical panduri. Read more about the instrument here.
4A button accordion that originated in Russia and plays an important role in the musical tradition of the Tush in Georgia, as well as in other regions throughout the Caucasus. Read more about the garmoni here.
Eldara Bukvaidze