The works created by renowned Georgian sculptor and graphic artist Gia Japaridze adorn a number of central streets, bridges, and squares in Tbilisi. Among his distinctive sculptural works, the most famous is the composition titled “Youth” on the Baratashvili Bridge, which has become one of Tbilisi’s calling cards. The life-sized bronze “permanent residents” of the central bridge strongly attract tourists and foreign visitors to Tbilisi. This spot is one of the city’s main locations for taking souvenir photos.
Awarded Georgia’s “Order of Honor” twice, Japaridze’s works have long crossed national borders. Monuments, sculptures, and compositions created by him have been installed in countries such as the Netherlands, France, Moldova, Russia, Italy, and the United States. His works are held in the personal collections of a number of presidents and prime ministers, as well as Pope John Paul II.
Another monument created by the Georgian sculptor is located in Baku. This is the “Liberated Energy” monument complex on Tbilisi Avenue, symbolizing Azerbaijani–Georgian friendship. The monument, a special gift from Georgia’s former President Eduard Shevardnadze to Baku and to Azerbaijan’s National Leader Heydar Aliyev, was inaugurated on May 9, 1998.
APA’s Tbilisi correspondent met Gia Japaridze at his gallery and spoke with him about the history behind the creation of the monument. We present the interview.
“We prepared the horse sculpture in Tbilisi and took it to Baku”
– Mr. Gia, first of all, I would like to congratulate you on your 80th anniversary this year. My first question concerns the ‘Liberated Energy’ monument. Why were you specifically chosen to create it?
– The main reason for my selection was the horse theme. This theme has accompanied my entire life — from childhood to the present day. In my gallery, you see many horse figures, drawings, and sculptures.
Eduard Amvrosiyevich (Shevardnadze) and Georgia’s then-ambassador to Azerbaijan, the late Gia Chanturia, made the decision regarding the monument. They invited me and informed me about it. After that, contacts with Azerbaijan began, and we traveled to Baku several times. At that time, Azerbaijan’s chief architect was my friend, the excellent architect and wonderful person Elbay Gasimzade. It was decided that the architectural aspect of the monument would be designed by Gasimzade. We worked on the project together and ultimately settled on an interesting composition installed in Baku.
We completed the work within a year. The model and sketches were prepared in Tbilisi, enlarged, and cast. These processes were carried out in Georgia, as we have a very strong bronze-casting school. We then transported the finished sculpture to Baku, and Gasimzade prepared two polished granite slabs, as if emerging from the depths of the earth. The monument, about five meters high, symbolizes the release of energy from beneath the ground — that was the main concept.
– Does the main and central figure of the monument complex represent a specific horse?
– The horse in the monument is a generalized image of a horse. I have worked on ancient Greek horse sculptures and have also studied medieval miniatures, as well as horse images from Türkiye and Azerbaijan. I have also drawn horses from the Tbilisi hippodrome.
“Heydar Aliyev personally instructed that I be invited”
– Do you remember the opening ceremony of the monument?
– The ceremony was organized very ceremonially, and I attended it. The next day, May 10, was Heydar Aliyev’s birthday. His birthday was celebrated at a residence on the Caspian Sea coast. Aliyev personally instructed that I be invited to his birthday celebration. That was a great honor for me.
– How would you assess Heydar Aliyev as a personality and as a friend of Georgia?
– Heydar Aliyev’s role should undoubtedly be rated very highly — it was immense. He and Shevardnadze were united by a strong and great friendship. Beyond that, both of them laid the foundations of regional economic projects that remain highly important today. Aliyev and Shevardnadze were figures of the highest caliber and outstanding politicians who understood global processes very well.
The Georgian people are very grateful to Heydar Aliyev. When Georgia lacked electricity and natural gas, he always provided great assistance. He was a far-sighted leader, a prominent and truly historic figure. He strengthened Azerbaijan and turned it into a very strong and wealthy state in the South Caucasus, which is extremely important for Georgia.
“Even a tap on my shoulder by Aliyev was enough for me”
– Did you ever have the chance to speak with Heydar Aliyev personally?
– Although I attended meetings where he was present, there was no opportunity for long conversations due to time constraints. Aliyev was a very sincere person and treated me warmly. Even a tap on my shoulder from him was enough for me — it conveyed everything.
– I have another question regarding the monument in Baku, specifically about its name. As the author, what name did you give to the monument? In the list of your works, the monument’s name in Georgian is translated into Azerbaijani as “Fiery Leap.”
– “Liberated Energy” is one of the names of the monument. Yes, in Georgian its name is “Fiery Leap,” also known as “Fiery Horse.”
“We have discussed the condition of the monument with the ambassador.”
– Have you taken an interest in the monument’s current condition? Presumably, a monument installed 27 years ago may now require restoration.
– Over time, it is natural for monuments to experience certain deterioration. I have discussed this issue with Georgia’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Zurab Pataradze. He informed me that restoration work has been carried out on the monument and that its condition will continue to be monitored.
– Do you think the unnamed park where the monument is located could be turned into an Azerbaijan–Georgia Friendship Park?
– That is a very good idea. An Azerbaijan–Georgia Friendship Park would add additional significance to the site. The park could also be included in a tourist route to make it a more attractive and notable place. I think this idea may well be realized over time.
“I would be very pleased to create a new work on the Azerbaijan–Georgia theme”
– Mr. Gia, the monument you created reflects the friendship between Azerbaijan and Georgia 27 years ago. If you were offered the opportunity to design a new monument dedicated to our friendship today, what would its main concept be?
– If I said that I already envision such a monument in a specific form, I would not be telling the truth. First and foremost, there must be a theme — without a theme, it is impossible. I would advocate for a free form, without political or historical overtones. Of course, I would be very pleased to create a new work on this subject. As for a large-scale monument, it requires extensive preparation. First of all, the theme and purpose must be clearly defined. This is very complex and also a great responsibility.
“I would work with great enthusiasm on a Karabakh horse composition”
– Considering that the horse is a central theme in your work, there is another subject I cannot avoid asking about. You are surely aware of the fame of Karabakh horses. How would you respond if you were offered to create a work on this theme?
– Such an offer would carry great significance for me. I would work with great enthusiasm on a composition featuring a Karabakh horse or horses. The composition should symbolize Azerbaijan’s movement toward great goals, incorporating motion and a forward leap. That is how I imagine it. I believe an allegorical approach would be the most appropriate. Realizing a composition of Karabakh horses in the city of Shusha would be a great honor for me.
– Another of your works related to Azerbaijan is the bust of our prominent vocal performer Bulbul, unveiled in Tbilisi in 2015. Could you tell us about the history behind the creation of this monument?
– Georgia’s then Minister of Culture, Valeri Asatiani, informed me that there was an idea to erect a bust of Bulbul in Tbilisi. The decision had been made and coordinated with the city authorities. I was entrusted with creating the bust. I familiarized myself with photographs of Bulbul and materials reflecting his ties to Georgia. The location chosen for the monument was very successful. It is situated in a pleasant spot in front of the building of the Azerbaijan Cultural Museum named after Mirza Fatali Akhundov. Together, the Akhundov Museum and Bulbul’s bust create a very warm atmosphere.
“The monument near the Red Bridge has been forgotten”
– As far as I know, you have no other works on the Azerbaijani theme.
– Yes, that is correct. However, in 1981, the “Youth Friendship” monument complex was unveiled near the Red Bridge on the Azerbaijan–Georgia border. I worked on its design together with my Georgian colleagues. The large, tree-shaped monument symbolized friendship among the Georgian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian peoples. The monument still stands today, but it has been forgotten. It has suffered serious damage and requires restoration. Border guards are stationed nearby, and access to the site is only possible with a special permit.
At present, steps are being taken toward peace in our region. One can hope that the time will come when the restoration of that monument will be brought back onto the agenda.
– I did not come across Baku in the list of your exhibitions held outside Georgia. I was quite surprised that no exhibition of yours has been organized in Azerbaijan so far.
– Unfortunately, I have not yet had a solo exhibition in Azerbaijan. I would be very pleased to exhibit my works in Baku. I have enough works for such an exhibition.
I last visited Baku five years ago. Even then, Baku was different. Now Baku is an even more beautiful city — significant facilities, beautiful and modern buildings, and cultural centers are being constructed. Culture is clearly at the forefront of the city’s development.
“Our cultural ties are not intensive”
– Mr. Gia, as a creative individual, how would you assess the current level of cultural relations between Georgia and Azerbaijan?
– I have good relations with my Azerbaijani colleagues. We have met many times in Tbilisi and Baku in a warm atmosphere and discussed cooperation. We have talked about joint projects, but unfortunately, things have remained at the discussion stage and no progress has been achieved in this direction.
As for cultural contacts between Georgia and Azerbaijan, they are not as intensive as desired. I hope this situation can be improved. Cultural cooperation and interaction between Azerbaijan and Georgia are very important. Without them, it is impossible to move forward. We must elevate our cultural ties to a level that can serve as an example for everyone and become the calling card of the South Caucasus.
