Vazha Pshavela. Poems (Poemy), 1947. In Russian

Важа Пшавела. Поэмы. / Пер. с груз. Б. Пастернака, М. Цветаевой, Б. Серебрякова и др.; ил. Т. Абакелиа.
Ленинград : ОГИЗ-Гослитиздат, 1947.
142 с. : ил. Твёрдый издательский переплёт, энциклопедический (подарочный) формат (29,4 × 22,2 см).
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Vazha Pshavela. Poems (Poemy). / Translated from Georgian by B. Pasternak, M. Tsvetaeva, B. Serebryakov, and others; illustrated by T. Abakelia.
Leningrad : OGIZ-Goslitizdat, 1947.
142 pp. : ill. Publisher’s hardcover, gift (large) format.

This 1947 gift edition is a monumental tribute to Vazha Pshavela (Luka Razikashvili, 1861–1915), the giant of Georgian literature whose epic poetry bridged the gap between ancient mountain folklore and modern philosophical depth. Published in the immediate post-war period by Goslitizdat, this volume is celebrated not only for its literary content but as a masterpiece of Soviet book art, featuring a "constellation" of the greatest Russian translators of the 20th century.
The collection presents 11 of the poet's most vital works, including "Aluda Ketelauri," "Guest and Host," and "The Snake-Eater." These poems are set in the rugged, isolated highlands of Pshavi and Khevsureti, where ancient codes of honor, blood feuds, and a mystical connection to nature dictate human life. The translations are a feat of poetic recreation: Boris Pasternak’s renderings are noted for their rhythmic power, while Marina Tsvetaeva’s contributions bring a raw, emotional intensity to the Georgian verse, making these epics resonate deeply within the Russian language.
The visual identity of the book is defined by the powerful illustrations of Tamara Abakelia (1905–1953). A renowned Georgian sculptor and painter, Abakelia’s style—characterized by monumental forms and a strong sense of movement—perfectly captures the stoicism and epic scale of Vazha Pshavela’s heroes. Her work reflects the "monumental realism" of the era while remaining deeply rooted in Georgian national motifs. The book design by N. Mukhin complements these illustrations with elegant typography and a grand format, marking it as a premium "gift" publication of the decade.
For the first time in such a comprehensive format, Russian readers were introduced to the dialectical richness and the elevated, almost liturgical tone of the Pshav and Khevsur peoples. Vazha Pshavela’s ability to weave local traditions into universal questions of human dignity and destiny is what makes this 1947 volume a cornerstone of any library of Caucasian literature and a prized object for bibliophiles of Soviet-era fine press.