Veriko Anjaparidze and Mikhail Chiaureli House Museum

🎭 House-museum · ⏱️ 1–1.5 hours · 📍 16 Veriko Anjaparidze Street, Tbilisi

🧭 Who this article is for

The Anjaparidze and Chiaureli house-museum is known to many in Tbilisi but visited by relatively few tourists. That's a mistake worth correcting: this is the history of Georgian theatre and cinema told through the lives of four people who were that history. A world-class actress, a founder of Georgian cinema, their daughter, also an actress, and a sports commentator who became her husband. This article is for anyone who wants to understand what to look for here and why this building matters.

🎭 Veriko Anjaparidze: a legend of Georgian theatre and cinema

Veriko Anjaparidze (1897-1987) belongs in a category with very few others.

Her roles: Ophelia, Desdemona, Cleopatra, Medea, Lady Macbeth, Mary Stuart, Judith, Rusudan, Shushanik, Otar's Widow. To list them all is to trace the history of the world theatrical repertoire. Veriko did not simply perform these roles — she created new interpretations that were discussed in theatre circles far beyond Georgia.

🎬 Mikheil Chiaureli: one of the founders of Georgian cinema

Mikheil Chiaureli (1894–1974) — director, actor, playwright, visual artist, sculptor, musician. Not just several talents — several complete professional careers in one person.

In 1917 he took part in Ekvtime Takaishvili's expedition to historic southern Georgia (now in Turkey). The expedition studied the churches of Ishkhani, Khakhuli and Oshki and copied their frescoes.

The house on the street that now bears Veriko's name was built by Mikheil himself in 1935. He created the architectural design, took part in the construction and in the fitting out of the interior. This was not a purchased house or a state apartment — it was a personal act of love.

The museum holds his paintings, caricatures, sketches and sculptures — a separate body of work that often surprises those who knew Chiaureli only as a film director.

✨ Sofiko Chiaureli: actress of theatre and cinema

The daughter of Veriko and Mikheil — Sofiko Chiaureli (1937–2008) — took the family tradition further. People's Artist of both Georgia and Armenia — two national titles, which is itself rare. She appeared in more than 40 stage productions and more than 20 feature films.

She starred in Sergei Paradjanov's film "The Color of Pomegranates".

🏟️ Kote Makharadze: the commentator the whole country loved

Kote Makharadze (1926-2002): Sofiko's husband and a man Georgians knew in two completely different roles. Stage actor, professor and dean at the Tbilisi Theatre and Film University. And a sports commentator whose voice accompanied an entire generation.

In 1987 Kote founded the "Veriko" one-person theatre — in memory of his mother-in-law. The "Veriko" Theatre still operates today.

🗺️ How to plan your visit

1️⃣ Start outside — look at the 1935 building that Mikheil Chiaureli designed and built himself.

2️⃣ In the halls, begin with the Veriko Anjaparidze archive: photographs, documents, programme notes from performances — the scale of her career becomes clear only here.

3️⃣ Move to Mikheil Chiaureli's materials — film footage, manuscripts, and above all his paintings, caricatures and sculptures, which rarely get mentioned.

4️⃣ The Sofiko Chiaureli section — photographs, film recordings, materials from international festivals. Look for anything connected to Paradjanov.

5️⃣ Check the "Veriko" Theatre programme in advance.

💬 What visitors say

"I was struck by the atmosphere and energy of the house of a family that gave so much to the arts. The photographs and recordings of Veriko's performances impressed me most. Now I understand why Paradjanov held her in such esteem."

"The collection beautifully conveys their contribution to the arts and lets you step into their creative world. A genuine pleasure for anyone who loves cinema and theatre."

🏁 Why go

Four lives that constituted Georgian theatre and cinema for almost a hundred years: a world-class actress, a founding director, their daughter, also an actress, and a commentator-actor. This is not just a museum, it's concentrated living history.

ℹ️ Museum opening hours and the "Veriko" Theatre schedule should be confirmed before your visit. Ticket prices may change. Information is current at the time of publication.

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