About the Poet — Irakli Nadaraia
“Kings and saints come, and I speak with them.”
A portrait of the poet, writer and composer, and the creative path that defines his artistic world.
Biography
Irakli Nadaraia was born on the Black Sea coast, in the city of Sukhumi. He is a Georgian poet, writer and composer, author of fairy tales, literary and musical works, and esoteric poetry.
His father, Alexander Nadaraia, was an artist and worked as a shoe designer. His mother, Svetlana Bondarenko, was an athlete and a swimming champion. She also ran a business, owning a company that caught and sold Black Sea fish.
His parents often quarrelled, and their marriage eventually ended in divorce. Irakli and his brother Raul went to live with their grandmother, Nino Chelidze, who was a library director. She was later nominated for the post of Minister of Culture of Abkhazia (Georgia).
Their grandmother and aunt took charge of the children’s upbringing and education. Irakli and his brother Raul frequently visited libraries, cultural events, and book and magazine launches.
His grandmother often spoke to him about her family history, including stories of her husband, long-haul captain Nikolos Nadaraia, and her mother, Princess Eliso Arziani.
Irakli attended School №6 named after Akaki Tsereteli in Sukhumi. He had almost no friends and often preferred solitude. He would wander around the school grounds and nearby areas, and after lessons, he would remain alone in an empty classroom on the third floor.
He spent long hours there, reflecting and expressing himself through songs about loneliness, death, sadness, and the human soul.
He often skipped lessons and went for walks to the ruins of an ancient fortress. One day, a teacher secretly followed him and found him there. She asked: “Who are you talking to here?”
Irakli replied: “Kings and saints come, and I speak with them.”
He often visited the White Church on Ninoshvili Street. There he met a candle seller and spent a great deal of time talking with her in a small room inside the church.
One day, the priest of that church wanted to sell one of the church’s icons. Irakli told him, “Don’t do that. You’ll go blind.” The priest became angry and took the icon away.
As he was climbing the stairs, he suddenly fell and lost his sight. Crying out for help, he begged for Irakli to be called. When the icon was returned to the church’s altar, the priest’s sight was restored.
He later presented Irakli with a large copy of the Bible in Georgian as a sign of gratitude.
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After his father returned from prison, he remarried. E. Vovk, a follower of black magic, became a second mother to Irakli and his brother Raul.
However, this marriage also ended in divorce. She returned to Siberia, and Irakli’s father went to the front during the war in Abkhazia.
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During the war, Irakli walked through the bombed city helping people. He handed out newspapers and spoke with residents.
Shortly before the war began, he predicted its outbreak. Entering the headteacher’s office, he said:
“Pack your bags and leave. Soon all this will disappear.”
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After his aunt Ketevan was injured during the bombing, his grandmother took her to Tbilisi for surgery.
Irakli and his brother were left alone in the house without water or electricity, while the city was being bombed day and night.
Later, they were taken to Tbilisi and housed in the Republican Hospital, where refugees from Abkhazia were living and the wounded were being treated.
Irakli often visited the mortuary in the hospital courtyard. He spoke with grieving families and helped them cope with their loss.
After the war in Abkhazia (1992–1993), he lived in Tbilisi.
In 1999, he graduated from the Faculty of Philology at Tbilisi State University.
During his studies, at his request and with his creative participation, a memorial evening for actress Lia Eliava was held on the university theatre stage.
At this evening, Irakli Nadaraia stated that the late actress had spoken to him and asked him to organise the event.
At the end of the evening, she said goodbye to the audience in the form of rain. This was reported by newspapers in Tbilisi at the time.
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Irakli Nadaraia organised poetry evenings and esoteric gatherings in Tbilisi.
His poetry evenings were held at:
– the Old House Theatre
– the theatre cellar on Rustaveli Street
– the Literary Café
– the House of Actor Akaki Khorava (Georgian Theatre Society)
– the Tbilisi Academy of Arts
– Tbilisi State University
– the Mtatsminda Pantheon
– the Art Café on Griboyedov Street
– the Art Space “Our Yard” on Giorgi Akhvlediani Street
– the “Ikebana” Exhibition Hall
– the Eurythmia Therapy Centre
– the Tbilisi State Conservatory
At the Conservatory, his musical works were performed for the first time, along with a piano improvisation concert performed by the author.
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He also held poetry evenings in Tbilisi cemeteries — including Vere, Saburtalo Pantheon, and Mtatsminda Pantheon — where he read poems at the graves of the deceased, including Maia Tomadze, Terenti Graneli, Merab Kostava, Elene Akhvlediani and others.
Contemporary newspapers, magazines, and journals covered these events and creative performances.
These materials are preserved in the archives of the National Library of Georgia.
Public Life & International Presence
Alongside his artistic activities, Irakli Nadaraia participated in the public life of Georgia.
In 1993, together with the mother of National Hero of Georgia Merab Kostava, he was awarded the title of honorary member of the All-Georgian Association for the Protection of Human Rights.
His poems were published in émigré Georgian journals and newspapers abroad.
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He collected soil from the grave of Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, which was taken to Grozny for the funeral of Georgia’s first president.
This was done at the request of the mother of Merab Kostava.
She had a dream in which her son told her:
“Irakli will take the soil from my friend’s grave; great power lies in his hands.”
Following her request, Irakli climbed the mountain early in the morning and gathered soil from the grave.
At that moment, a piece of rock broke away and crashed down with a roar.
He interpreted this as a sign from those who had passed on.
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Irakli Nadaraia’s poetry has been translated into many languages.
His poetry evenings have been held across Europe, America, Asia, Australia, and Africa.
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Many of his predictions are described as having come true, including:
– the wars in Abkhazia and Ukraine
– earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan, Turkey, and Syria
– the assassination of Chechen President Dzhokhar Dudaev
– the deaths of Lyudmila Gurchenko and Dmitri Hvorostovsky
– the coronavirus pandemic
At his esoteric gatherings, he spoke about future events and shared accounts of conversations with those who had passed away.
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His life includes encounters with figures such as:
– Vanga
– Juna Davitashvili
– Lord Jacob Rothschild
as well as interactions with monarchs and public figures.
These connections, along with his creative work, contribute to the perception of his personality and influence.
After the death of Michael Jackson, Irakli Nadaraia recounted that the late singer’s spirit had appeared to him, and that they had spoken at length.
He invited guests and laid a table in honour of the “King of Pop”. Michael’s favourite dishes were placed on the table, along with a separate set of cutlery.
When the guests began to eat, Irakli said:
“Michael, give us a sign that you are with us.”
The crockery on the table began to move. The guests ran upstairs.
There, a black umbrella hanging from the chandelier began to swing from side to side.
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Irakli Nadaraia’s communication with Father Gabriel, a saint of the Georgian Orthodox Church, is described as remarkable and deeply personal.
They met in the forests of Mtskheta, gathering herbs together and singing songs and church chants.
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He has composed songs — a form of ritual — dedicated to those who have passed away.
In these chants, he approaches the body of the deceased, sings to them, and conveys their wishes to the living.
— In 2025, Irakli Nadaraia wrote a letter to the Pope.
In this letter, he described his communication with the souls of the deceased inhabitants of the catacombs in Palermo and conveyed their wishes.
Creativity
His poetry is esoteric, full of wonder and mystery. His verses are as melodious as music. With its imagery, unique style, and distinctive rhythms, he has created his own world within poetry. His texts stand apart from those of other authors, which is why his work is regarded as authentic and distinctive.
His poems have been translated into many languages, and literary evenings have been held around the world.
Articles about his work and life are preserved in institutions such as the Library of Congress, the British Library, and the Venice Library, as well as in the archives of the National Library of Georgia.
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Irakli Nadaraia’s poetry, along with his fairy tales, musical compositions, and piano works, is noted for the depth of expression and the harmony of word and sound.
He has developed a programme for rejuvenation and extending human life. His methods of treatment and detoxification are presented as a contribution to humanity.
People turn to him for help and advice, including representatives of different cultures, professions, and religious traditions.
His poetry addresses themes of humanity, life, and death, as well as the search for meaning and inner peace. His work brings a sense of hope and inspiration.
Irakli Nadaraia is regarded as a distinctive contemporary author.
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Among recent events, his visit to Montenegro in 2024 is particularly noted. The poet declared that he was going to save the country from a powerful earthquake.
He travelled to several cities, including Budva and Kotor. In Bečići, by an ancient olive tree, he read poems and reflected on his life.
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Irakli Nadaraia’s work combines artistic expression, philosophical reflection, and a focus on helping people.
His creative path reflects an intention to contribute both through poetry and through his ideas about human life and its development.
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In 2026, a collection of his poems in Georgian is planned for publication. This will be the first printed edition of his work, as his poetry has previously been presented primarily through live readings.
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Publications and press articles: https://iraklinadaraia.com/publications-articles/
Biographical Dictionary of Georgia ( საქართველოს ბიოგრაფიული ლექსიკონი ) http://www.nplg.gov.ge/bios/ka/00025799/
The official website of the poet Irakli Nadaraia
Irakli Nadaraia, 2026.
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