







































Georgian Geographical Journal 

2021, Vol. 1(1) 84-87 

100 BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF GARSEVAN 

KURDGELAIDZE RESTLESS PERSON AND 

RESEARCHER 
Koba Kharadze1 

 

Garsevan Kurdghelaidze was the first Georgian scientist who entered Antarctica 

continent. The investigation-research of ice cover of Antarctic, Atlantic Ocean and 

breathtaking nature of Georgia is related to his name. 

 

 
Station “Pionerskaya” (Antarctica) 1958 

Garsevan Kurdghelaidze was born on 11 of October, 1920- in village Shenako, 

Tusheti. He was educated at Kvemo Alvani Secondary School (Akhmeta 

Municipality), which graduated in 1938 and started job in his native region. During 

Second World War he was Crushing Battalion member in Telavi region. In 1951 he 

enrolled Geography-Geology Faculty of Tbilisi State University and in 1956 

accomplished with Hydrology-Climatology specialty. After graduation he returned 

to his native Tusheti, where was head of hydrometeorological station during two 

years. In 1957 he was invited to participate in Soviet 3 Antarctica expedition, there 

he stayed in Antarctica scientific-research station “Pionerskaya” till 1959.In 

extremely difficult meteorological conditions he showed himself as qualified 

 
1 Vakhushti Bagrationi Institute of Geography, Tbilisi State University. Tbilisi, 0178, 

Georgia 



Georgian Geographical Journal 

professional researcher geographer and deserved a number of appreciations from 

expedition leaders. The expedition researches resulted in his book – “Diary of 

Antarctica” (1962), where he gathered interesting materials and impressions. The 

book became very popular among school pupils.  

Garsevan Kurghelaidze was invited twice in oceanological expeditions on ship 

“Monsoon” of Soviet Hydrometeorological Service, which investigated Atlantic 

Ocean in 1970 and 1971 years. The Gulf Stream current was of key interest for that 

period. The batimetric and hydrometeorological observations were performed with 

his direct participation. And again, expedition leaders admired his high skills, moral 

and marine features. In his science archive there were filed awards and deeds. 

Garsevan Kurdghelaidze started work at Vakhushti Bagrationi Institute of 

Geography of Georgian Academy of Science; where under supervision of Prof. Davit 

Tsereteli was initiated glaciological researches on Caucasus glaciers. Experiences 

scientist Garsevan Kurdghelaidze leaded Georgian glaciologists expedition and 

during years diligently worked on glaciers and rivers. He created more than 50 papers 

based on this work, most of them are published. He participated in the construction 

of Georgian glaciers catalogue, which was published in Sankt-Petersburg on 1975.  

The interests of Garsevan Kurdghelaidze weren’t scoped by only glaciology. He 

greatly contributed in caves research and participated in Abkhazeti-Samegrelo 

speleological expeditions: descended in deep gaps, conducted hydrometric and 

meteorological measurements, studied carst springs and underground rivers. Skilled 

hydrometeorologist worked with great responsibility and attentiveness in Sioni 

expedition of Institute of geography, where diligently performed complex 

observations. He published several interesting articles based on obtained materials. 

 

 
  

Garsevan Kurdghelaidze in oceanological expedition on ship “Monsoon” (Atlantic Ocean) 

 



Kharadze K. 

 
One of Garsevan Kurdghelaidze’s deeds 

As true naturalist Garsevan Kurdghelaidze was the person of poetic soul. He 

treated nature as the object of special care and expressed this in his enormous letters, 

stories, sketches, poems and beautiful tales that were published in journals and 

magazines. His great life experience and incomparable narrative ability strongly 

attracted children and they selflessly listened to travelers’ stories-imaginations 

alloyed with adventures and rich fantasy.  

Garsevan Kurdghelaidze often participated in amateur talent activities, where he 

deserved rewards for his original workpieces. He breathed life into dead branches, 

chucks and gave them amazing expressions of animals or objects. My (author) 

bookshelves is decorated a lot of such creations absolute gifted from him.   

                     

 
Two workpieces by Garsevan Kurdghelaidze 



Georgian Geographical Journal 

Along his life Garsevan Kurdghelaidze didn’t lost connection with his native land 

where he was born and grew up. He published monograph about his native land – 

“Tusheti (Agriculture, nature, Toponyms)”, where the love of country native son 

toward country-seat is inwrought. 

Garsevan Kurdghelaidze actively cooperated with Georgian geographical Society. 

He gave interesting speeches and published articles in society proceedings. He met 

with pupils, youths and teachers numerously.  

Unfortunately, Garsevan Kurdghelaidze suddenly died at the age of 63 (12 

October 1983) and was buried in village Zemo Alvani. A lot of memos were 

published in magazines and journals. 

Luckily his friends, colleagues and natives remember luminous face of fidgety 

researcher and creator. 

 


