Irakli Charkviani (1961-2006) was a Georgian poet, prose writer and musician, later known under his alias ‘Mepe’ (‘The King’).

 

Charkviani was born into an élite family in Tbilisi. His father, Gela Charkviani, a celebrity journalist and diplomat was Georgia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, while the author’s grandfather – Candide Charkviani was the First Secretary General of the Central Committee for the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.

 

Irakli graduated from the Department of Western European and American Literature of Tbilisi State University and also had attended Oxford Summer Course in World Literature. But the fame came with his music, at the beginning of 90s’ when a young performer captured the Georgian scene with absolutely new ideas in music and poetry. He became one of the founders of an art-union Reactive Club, later named the Poets Order, confronting all the widespread norms and clichés turning out to be a brand new and revolutionary event in Georgia. His eccentric image and poetry, mixed with alternative rock, electronic music and hip hop proved to be a significant influence on Georgian alternative music in the 1990s’. Charkviani’s album APREN (You are Going Crazy) in 1997, followed by the single SAKARTVELO (Georgia) in 1999 took him to a higher level of fame, making him an idol for thousands of Georgians. Along with his musical career his verses and short stories were published in periodical editions and magazines. In the 2000s’ Irakli offered to his fans several significant albums and chose the pseudonym of ‘Mepe’. Irakli Charkviani was found dead on February 24th 2006. After musician’s death, interest for his literary legacy is increasing day by day and his autobiographical novel, a PEACFUL SWIM , is one of the bestselling books in Georgia.