Meri Barnabishvili was born on 21 January 1934 in the village of Kvemo Bodbe, Sighnaghi District. She was a paediatrician by profession. In 1961, she graduated from the Faculty of General Medicine at Tbilisi State Medical Institute and worked as a doctor in villages across Tianeti and Sighnaghi districts.

Despite her medical profession, poetry played an important role in Meri Barnabishvili’s life. She began writing poems in childhood, and her first works were published in the literary magazine Tsiskari in 1965. Later, her poems appeared in various literary journals and newspapers.

The poet published several collections, including I Will Bring You an Olive Branch (1966), Poems (1978), White Lilies (1987) and If I Have the Strength (1992). Her final collection was published at her own expense.

Nature and her native region held a special place in Meri Barnabishvili’s poetry. She particularly loved spring and autumn, people and kindness. Sighnaghi and the Alazani Valley were among her main sources of inspiration. The natural beauty of Sighnaghi, her relationships with people and her daily experiences as a doctor were reflected in many of her poems.

Her poetry was not limited to descriptions of nature. One of her poems, To a Child from a Boarding School, was based on a real-life experience. As a paediatrician, Meri Barnabishvili was called to attend children from the Bodbe boarding school. Their condition, and the profound sadness of one particular child, deeply affected her. This experience later inspired her to write the poem.

Meri Barnabishvili contributed to periodical publications and maintained friendships with many prominent figures. Her poem How Can I Blame Fate? inspired songs composed by two different composers at different times.

Meri Barnabishvili passed away on 18 January 2002, at the age of 67. She left behind her vision of and love for Sighnaghi through her poetry, whose central themes included her native landscape, humanity and the places she held dear.

Sources:

1. National Parliamentary Library of Georgia — Biographical Entry on Meri Barnabishvili
   National Parliamentary Library of Georgia

2. Kvira Media Holding — Interview about Meri Barnabishvili
   Kvira — Meri Barnabishvili