Akakii Khorava

Born Apr. 17 (29), 1895, in the village of Ochkhomuri, in what is now Chkhorotsku Raion; died June 23, 1972, in Tbilisi. Soviet Georgian actor. People’s Artist of the USSR (1936). Member of the CPSU from 1939.

Khorava enrolled at the A. Pagava Theater Studio in 1922. While still a student he made his debut with the Rustaveli Theater in Tbilisi, where he eventually served as administrative director from 1949 to 1955. Khorava was greatly influenced by the stage director K. A. Mardzhanishvili, who discovered his gift for heroic and romantic roles. Khorava gave remarkable performances as Bersenev in Lavrenev’s Break, in the title role in Shanshiashvili’s Anzor, and as Karl Moor in Schiller’s The Robbers. His interpretation of the title role in Shakespeare’s Othello (1937) was the greatest achievement of his acting career.

Khorava was also noted for his portrayals of the title roles in Korneichuk’s Platón Krechet and Shanshiashvili’s Arsen, the part of General Murav’iev in Chirskov’s The Victors, and the title role in Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus. He also appeared in motion pictures, playing the title role in Georgii Saakadze (1942–43).

Khorava began teaching at the Georgian Theatrical Institute in 1939, became a professor there in 1947, and served as director from 1939 to 1948. Khorava was a deputy to the first through fourth convocations of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. He was awarded the State Prize of the USSR in 1941, 1943, 1946 (twice), and 1951. He was also the recipient of two Orders of Lenin, four other orders, and several medals.