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Miho Mosulishvili

Mikheil "Miho" Mosulishvili is a Georgian writer and playwright born in 1962, celebrated for his diverse, internationally recognized literary works across multiple genres and numerous awards.

1. Overview

Mikheil "Miho" Mosulishvili (მიხეილ "მიხო" მოსულიშვილიMikheil "Miho" MosulishviliGeorgian), born on December 10, 1962, is a renowned Georgian writer and playwright, celebrated for his diverse literary contributions across various genres. His extensive body of work includes novels, short stories, miniatures, essays, poetry, and plays, many of which have been performed in Georgian theaters, on television, and on radio. Mosulishvili's literary creations have garnered international recognition, leading to translations into multiple languages, including English, German, Russian, Armenian, Latvian, French, Spanish, and Japanese. He has been honored with numerous significant literary prizes and awards throughout his distinguished career, reflecting his substantial impact on Georgian literature and culture.

2. Life

Mikheil "Miho" Mosulishvili's life journey has been marked by a strong foundation in education, diverse professional experiences, and a profound family influence that shaped his creative pursuits.

2.1. Early Life and Education

Born on December 10, 1962, Mikheil Anzoris dze "Miho" Mosulishvili pursued his higher education at Tbilisi State University, from which he graduated in 1986. His academic background laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in both scientific and journalistic fields before fully dedicating himself to literature.

2.2. Professional Career

Following his graduation, Mosulishvili initially embarked on a career as a geologist. Concurrently, he also worked as a journalist for various newspapers, gaining experience in reporting and communication. During this period, he began to publish his own original works, including Georgian stories, novels, and plays. Notably, he also undertook translation work, translating three novels by Boris Akunin. His transition into a full-time literary career saw his plays being widely performed across Georgia, appearing in theaters, as well as being produced for television and radio audiences.

2.3. Family Influence

A significant influence on Mikheil Mosulishvili's creative thinking and literary development came from his uncle, Liguri Mosulishvili, who was a physicist. His uncle's distinctive approach to thought and problem-solving is noted to have profoundly impacted Miho Mosulishvili's artistic and intellectual trajectory.

3. Literary Works

Mosulishvili's literary output is extensive and spans a wide array of genres, showcasing his versatility as a writer. His works encompass novels, collections of various forms, nonfiction, drama, and screenplays, with many translated for international audiences.

3.1. Novels

Mosulishvili has authored several notable novels, characterized by diverse themes and narrative styles. Among his major works are:

  • A Big She-Bear (published by Saunje Publishing, 2013)
  • Helessa (published by Ustari Publishing, 2012)
  • Flight Without a Cask (first published by Bakur Sulakauri Publishing in 2001, with subsequent editions by Gumbati in 2007 and 2011). This novel is also known as Flight Without a Tun.
  • The Knight of the Untimely Time (a satirical book released by Bestseller Publishing, 1999)
  • Vazha-Pshavela (a biographical novel published by Pegasi Publishing, 2011), which chronicles the life of the renowned Georgian poet and writer.

3.2. Collections

Mosulishvili has compiled numerous collections that gather his short stories, miniatures, essays, and poetry, demonstrating the breadth of his narrative and poetic capabilities. These collections include:

  • From the Another's and Ordinary Sides of Reality (a compilation of seven plays for adults and three children's plays, published by Saari Publishing, Tbilisi, 2024)
  • I See Silence... (a book of poems, comprising works written from his student days to old age, published by Kalmosani Publishing, Tbilisi, 2023)
  • I Will Tell You About Sadness (featuring seven stories, eight cycles of miniatures, and two essays, published by Bakmi Publishing, Tbilisi, 2023)
  • My Redbreast (published by Glosa Publishing, 2015)
  • Laudakia Caucasia, or A Happy Psychological Portrait of a Century of Wrath, created by Mikhael Tonet's furniture and by our Tears (published by Ustari Publishing, 2014)
  • The River of the Soul (published by Intelekti Publishing, 2012)
  • From Nowhere to Nowhere (published by Saunje Publishing, 2012)
  • The Mercy Stone (published by Siesta Publishing, 2011)
  • Almost Picasso and a little bit Bosch, from the Right (a collection of seven plays, published by Saari Publishing, 2010)
  • Swans under Snow (published by Saari Publishing, 2004)
  • Space in the Vertical (published by Merani Publishing, 1997)
  • Frescoes on a Moonlit Day (published by Merani Publishing, 1990)
  • The Man of the Forest (a short story with monologues, published by the Ministry of Culture Collegium, 1988)

3.3. Nonfiction

In addition to his fictional works, Mosulishvili has also contributed to nonfiction literature, particularly with biographical narratives. His nonfiction includes:

  • Vazha-Pshavela (Pegasi Publishing, 2011), a biographical novel that delves into the life of the celebrated Georgian poet.
  • Bendela (The knight on the football field, the knight on the battlefield) (Saari Publishing, Tbilisi, 2003), a biographical novel dedicated to Zaza Bendeliani, a prominent football player and hero of the War in Abkhazia (1992-1993).

3.4. Drama

Mosulishvili is a prolific playwright, and his works have been widely staged in Georgian theaters, as well as adapted for radio and television. His notable plays include:

  • Stalin-Hitler-Freud (2013)
  • My Redbreast (2012)
  • Vazha-Pshavela Or Seeing Unknown (2012)
  • Christmas Goose with Quince (2010)
  • Khapra Beetle and House Mouse (2010)
  • Dancing with the Dead (2005)
  • White Troops (1997)
  • Twist of the Border (1995)
  • The Wood Man (1988)

3.5. Screenplays

Mosulishvili has also ventured into screenwriting, contributing to the film industry. His work includes:

  • Kakhetian Train (2019), a 35-minute drama film directed by Lali Kiknavelidze.

3.6. Translations of Works

Mikheil Mosulishvili's literary works have achieved international reach through translations into various languages. His writings have been translated into:

  • Latvian
  • English
  • German
  • French
  • Spanish
  • Japanese
  • Armenian
  • Russian

4. Awards and Honors

Mikheil "Miho" Mosulishvili has received numerous literary prizes, awards, and recognitions throughout his career, highlighting his significant contributions to Georgian literature.

  • The Saguramo Prize (The Ilia Chavchavadze Saguramo State Museum prize), awarded for his overall creativity, specifically in the Prose nomination, on September 12, 2024.
  • A first prize in the literary competition "Lile-2022" by the "Georgian Energy Efficiency Centre (EEC)" for his short story 'I was in the sky, I saw the sky (A dead man's story)', awarded on September 30, 2022. He received the same prize at the "Lile 2023" competition for his short story 'Pamparula of Javakheti, Mine...', on September 11, 2023.
  • A first prize in the 'Best prosaic creative work' nomination by the Gori State Teaching University literary competition Machabeli for his short story 'Jackal's wedding or the sun washes its face', in Gori, Georgia, on July 22, 2022.
  • The first prize of the literary contest 'Best short story for a teacher' by the Georgian Center for Professional Development of Teachers, Information and Educational Resources (the magazine 'Teacher' and Internet newspaper 'mastsavlebeli.ge') for his short story 'For the mustard seeds and for angels', in Tbilisi, 2019.
  • The Georgian National Cinema Centre Prize for Kakutsa film scripts, awarded in 2015 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Georgian Democratic Republic.
  • The M. Tumanishvili Fund, Tumanishvili Film Actors' Theatre, and Tbilisi Mayor's Office Cultural Enterprise Centre's Joint Competition Prize for New Georgian Plays for 2012, specifically for his one-act mythological-ritual play Vazha-Pshavela, or Seeing the Invisible, awarded in 2012.
  • The Silver Prize for the Helesa movie-novel (based on synopsis) at the Summit Marketing Effectiveness Award, in the Small-Budget nomination, Portland, Oregon, USA, 2012.
  • The Gala (literary prize) for his biographical novel Vazha-Pshavela, awarded in 2011.
  • The Khertvisi Literary Competition prize for his story The Night Before, awarded in 2007.
  • The literary competition Formula NLO 2006 prize for his story Alloplant, in Athens, Greece, 2006.
  • Nomination for the prize 'Jazz and Rock Music: Prose' at the Bekar International Literary Competition (for musical compositions) for his story The Pharisee Council, in Moscow, Russia, 2005.
  • The Honor Medal, awarded by the President of Georgia (Order N132) in 1998, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the literary magazine Tsiskari.

    The Honor Medal of Georgia
    The Honor Medal of Georgia

  • The Union of Writers prize for his play The White Army, awarded in 1998.
  • The first prize for his novel, The Knight of the Untimely Time, at the literary competition organized by the Tbilisi Mayor's Office, Tbilisi Office for Youth, and the Bestseller Union of Booklovers in 1998.
  • The Georgian Television and Radio Committee Prize for his radio play The Man of the Forest, awarded in 1987.

5. Impact and Recognition

Mikheil "Miho" Mosulishvili's works have significantly impacted Georgian literature and culture, contributing to the rich tapestry of his nation's storytelling. His plays have been widely performed across Georgia in various formats, including theatrical productions, radio dramas, and television adaptations, underscoring their cultural resonance and accessibility. The translation of his works into numerous languages, such as English, German, Russian, Armenian, Latvian, French, Spanish, and Japanese, further demonstrates the international appeal and recognition of his literary creations. This broad international reach highlights his role in introducing Georgian literature to a global audience and cements his position as an important contemporary Georgian writer and playwright.