Mihaly Zichy Prize 2021 Awards Art Collector Ika Bokuchava
By Khatia Bzhalava
Thursday, December 30
On December 28, an art collector and art gallery owner Ika Bokuchava was awarded Zichy Prize. The award is named after the famous Hungarian artist Mihaly Zichy, the author of 19th century iconic illustrations for the Georgian epic poem The Knight in the Panther’s Skin.
At the presentation of the Zichy Award, Hungarian Ambassador to Georgia, H.E. Anna Maria Siko stressed that in the second half of the 19th century, during his stay in Georgia, Zichy became a painter and illustrator of Georgian ideas and Georgian life.
“The statue of Zichy standing in the 9th April Park proves that he is in the hearts of Tbilisi and Georgian people,” the ambassador stressed.
She emphasized that art and culture are one of the key aspects that unite Georgia and Hungary and ‘create a special bond that echoes through decades and centuries.’ The ambassador especially highlighted Bokuchava’s contribution to strengthening the cultural ties between the two countries.
Ika Bokuchava, the award winner, praised the efforts of Zichy and expressed her great appreciation for his artwork. While talking about cultural ties between Georgia and Hungary, Bokuchava stressed that it is planned to open exhibitions of Hungarian and Georgian artists in Budapest and Tbilisi.
In the 19th century, at the request of Georgian noblemen Zichy painted 35 illustrations for the Georgian medieval epic poem. The publishing commission of the work of The Knight in the Panther's Skin chose 27 illustrations to be included in the publication. Zichy was so impressed by the poem that he refused to accept payment for his work and gave the illustrations to Georgian people as a gift.
According to the Embassy of Hungary, besides becoming an integrated part of Georgian literature, Zichy’s artistic work was inspired by the years he spent in the country.
