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The Kartvelologist The Kartvelologist” is a bilingual (Georgian and English) peer-reviewed, academic journal, covering all spheres of Kartvelological scholarship. Along with introducing scholarly novelties in Georgian Studies, it aims at popularization of essays of Georgian researchers on the international level and diffusion of foreign Kartvelological scholarship in Georgian scholarly circles. “The Kartvelologist” issues both in printed and electronic form. In 1993-2009 it came out only in printed form (#1-15). The publisher is the “Centre for Kartvelian Studies” (TSU), financially supported by the “Fund of the Kartvelological School”. In 2011-2013 the journal is financed by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation. 
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Elene Gogiashvili
(Hinter neun Bergen. Märchen der Kartwelier. Übersetzt und herausgegeben von Heinz Fähnrich. Buchverlag König, Greiz/Thür, 2011)
“Folktales of Kartvelians” by Heinz Fähnrich is a very important edition not only for Kartvelian Studies but for folkloristic and cultural sciences in general. In this sense several aspects should be noted: with the help of folktales, the reader becomes acquainted with Georgian history, culture, everyday life, customs, religious beliefs, skills and folklore. In the appendix (pp. 627-635), the editor gives a short and clear overview of linguistic and ethnic variety of the Caucasus, Kartvelian languages, main chronological facts from the history of Georgia, Georgian literary and oral traditions. For the German reader, the names of the characters in Georgian folktales are defined by the translator as well: Irmisa (a child adopted by a deer), Mzekala (a sun-girl), Varskvlava (a starboy), Ochokochi (a goat-man), Sizmara (a dreamer). Some differences between the Kartvelian folktales and other folktales appear not only in plot but also in prologue and epilogue formulas. Heinz Fähnrich presents many illustrations of these formulas with German transcription and translation (pp. 631-634). The problem of dating the folktales is discussed in the appendix. Kartvelian folktales come from different epochs. Moreover, Georgian folktales have come under some influence of folktales and cultures of other peoples. The diversity of Kartvelian folktales has several reasons: various types of narration, transformation of ancient folktales in to Christian form that appeared in the names of the heroes. The folktales demonstrate also some processes of ideological and social developments. Hainz Fähnrich informs the reader about the diffusion of Christianity in mountain regions of Georgia. Pre-Christian deities in the mountains have preserved their own images despite their new Christian names. Main divinities retained the old names: Iakhsari, Pirkushi, Dali, Pirtsetskhli etc. Next to Georgian folktales, the editor also discusses the cultural characteristics of Svan and Laz folktales. During the last 500 years, Islamic traditions influenced Laz folklore. The names of the folktale characters transformed into Islamic names too. Conversely Svan folktales are influenced by Byzantine traditions. The ruler in Laz folktales is named padishah, but in Svan folktales he is caesar. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Georgian, Mingrelian, Laz and Svan folktales have one origin on the whole, - Heinz Fähnrich accents this as a very remarkable fact. He gives some examples of common Kartvelian agricultural and hunting traditions, demonstrated in folktales too. This book presents not only the translation of Kartvelian folktales but the unity of all-Kartvelian folklore. The editor collected an equal number of Georgian, Mingrelian, Laz and Svan folktales. Hainz Fähnrich notes that general features of all-Kartvelian folktales reveal even very small details such as “except bird’s milk on the table”. One of the assets of this book is the special attitude of the author to folktales. It is very difficult to produce an academic edition of folktales. It is more difficult to edit a book of folktales in both, scholarly and popular style. Such book needs not only professionalism of philologist and folklorist but also great love of the language, culture and folktales of the Kartvelian people. Karvelian folktales, edited by Heinz Fähnrich is a significant book for the popularization of folktales in general. “Behind nine mountains. Folktales of Georgians” has a great significance for the study of folklore and for anthropological sciences.
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