As early as in the 18th century, during the reign of Erekle II in Georgia, a man of Armenian origin, who loved playing the lute and Kamancheh, reciting poems and had an incredible creative talent, appeared on the streets of Tiflis.

His full name was Harutyun Sayatyan but they called him Sayat-Nova.

„You are shining on the country, you are the moon and the sun, I wish that you keep shining, you are such a great sun“– wrote the Armenian poet about Erekle II. According to different historic sources, he was also a good diplomat.

He wrote poems in 3 languages: in Georgian, Armenian and Persian, since the latter was a widespread language in Tbilisi back then. He has possibly authored about 200 poems that have been preserved. Sayat-Nova’s works have been kept in the form of a small book with Armenian and Persian poems. It is likely that the book is missing the pages with Georgian poems. Sayat-Nova’s poetry has original style and rhythm. His poems have been translated by I.Grishashvili. They have also been translated into Armenian and Azerbaijani languages.

They say Sayat-Nova was killed in Tbilisi, during Agha Mohammad Khan invasion. Georgians continue to remember him with love. Sayat-Nova will always remain to be a poet of three countries that especially loved Georgians and the Georgian land.

Every year in late May, Vardaton is held outside the Surb Gevorg Church in Tbilisi in celebration of Sayat-Nova.