Iona Tuskia

Composer

He was born on December 24, 1901, in Ozurgeti. He graduated from Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatory in 1926, then from Leningrad Conservatory in 1931.

Along with Shalva Takatakishvili and Grigol Kiladze, he was the first composer to establish the chamber-instrumental genre in Georgia. He has a teacher (1932-50), a professor (1950-52) and the rector (1952-62) at Vano Sarajishvili Tbilisi State Conservatory.

He was one of the founders of the Georgian chamber and symphony music. He created music for stage works, including Sokhumi State Drama Theatre productions.

Award:

1968 – People’s Artist of Georgia.