Kursha

Today let’s meet Kakuna, the Gamo-Khate Mestia artist from Georgia

Kursha is a legendary canine figure in Georgian mythology, best known as the faithful companion and hound of the national epic hero Amirani The name "Q’ursha" translates to "black-ear."

He is often described with supernatural physical features, such as eyes as large as sieves, colossal paws, and, in some traditions, wings - derived from myths stating he was born of a raven or an eagle. He possessed extraordinary traits, including a thunderous bark, the ability to make leaps as vast as a field, and an infallible sense of smell for tracking prey. He is the quintessential faithful hound. In the central myth where Amirani is chained to a mountain by God as punishment for his hubris, Kursha remains by his side. Kursha is most famous for his role in Amirani’s imprisonment: he spends his time constantly licking the iron chains that bind the hero, wearing them thin to help him escape. However, according to the legend, just as the chains are about to break, divine intervention occurs (often involving blacksmiths), and the chains are restored to their full strength, continuing the cycle.

Beyond his role with Amirani, Kursha occasionally appears in other Georgian folk traditions as a companion to hunters, sometimes acting as a tragic figure or a helper in dire circumstances. He is also the subject of traditional Georgian folk songs, reflecting his deep-rooted place in the country’s cultural heritage.

The festival's theme was dedicated to Georgian history and mythology. For this reason, I chose Kursha for my artwork - a legendary creature from Georgian mythology, a dog with the wings of an eagle, the loyal companion of Amirani, and a symbol of freedom.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Georgian Street Art Federation, the organizers, the participating artists, and everyone involved in bringing this project to life. Thank you to Mestia for its hospitality and for providing a space where art, history, and mythology came together on a single wall. I hope this is only the beginning.

ფესტივალის თემატიკა საქართველოს ისტორიასა და მითოლოგიას ეძღვნებოდა, ამიტომ ჩემს ნამუშევრად ავირჩიე ყურშა - ქართული მითოლოგიის ლეგენდარული არსება, ძაღლი ორბის ფრთებით, ამირანის ერთგული თანამგზავრი და თავისუფლების სიმბოლო.

დიდი მადლობა Georgian Street Art Federation-ს, ორგანიზატორებს, მონაწილე მხატვრებსა და ყველა ადამიანს, ვინც ამ პროექტის განხორციელებაში იყო ჩართული. მადლობა მესტიას მასპინძლობისთვის და იმ სივრცისთვის, სადაც ხელოვნებამ, ისტორიამ და მითოლოგიამ ერთ კედელზე მოიყარა თავი. იმედი მაქვს, ეს მხოლოდ დასაწყისია.