MTIEBI is folk ensemble whose members are drawn from a diverse variety of professions: mathematics, engineering, architecture, languages, economics and philosophy, amongst others. Only the leader of the ensemble, Edisher Garakanidze, has a formal musical training. There are other groups in Georgia also promoting Georgian folk music, but in a certain sense, according to the strict criteria followed by the ensemble, MTIEBI is the only genuine folk ensemble in Georgia. The justification for this claim is based on the fundamental elements of genuine folk music.

Genuine folk music, at least in a predominantly agrarian culture such as that of Georgia, originates with the peasant and must be seen in the context of peasant life and culture. The last hundred years has seen in Georgia the intensive development of what must be described as a �secondary� level of folk music and dance, that of the stage and concert platform. This secondary level of folk performance has to a large extent parted company with its genuine roots and has undergone a kind of �Europeanization� of the traditional forms, styles and tonal systems (e.g. in the supplanting of the traditional natural intervals and scales by the �tempered� scales of Western music). MTIEBI�s aim is to bring to the concert stage the genuine �peasant� form of the music, in the belief that loss of originality leads to loss of individuality in culture.

The peasant folk artist is most often a universalist � singer, dancer and instrumentalist in one. This universal character is lost in the ensembles, where there are separate groups of singers, dancers and musicians. In MTIEBI we retain the traditional unity of expression: our singers are also dancers and musicians. MTIEBI remains true to the folk roots also in that we perform the full range of styles of singing, from the simplest melodies to the most complex polyphonic forms, since we believe that to demonstrate only the more complex and virtuoso forms gives a false impression of the variety of Georgian traditional folk music.

In our stage presentation we aim to retain a sense of the freedom of movement and expression essential to the genuine folk tradition. We do not believe in an artificial �stage discipline�, but try to emulate the freedom of individual expression typical of the performance of folk music in its natural setting. MTIEBI especially enjoys taking part in national holiday celebrations in the streets and squares, dressed in their everyday clothes, when there is no barrier between performers and audience, when these become as one and the spectators are drawn to join in the singing and dancing.

But MTIEBI is equally at home performing in the �classical� folk style in full national costume, though even here we strive to be true to the roots in our manner of singing, dancing and playing.

MTIEBI is the old Georgian name for the �Morning Star�. It also means �The Enlightener�. We attempt to live up to our name by giving lecture-concerts in towns and villages, often especially for children and particularly in districts where the folk tradition is being lost from popular memory. We believe very strongly in the principle of giving back to the people what we have taken from them. Our repertoire is taken directly from the folk music we collect on study tours which we make through different parts of Georgia. We aim to be representative of the traditions of song � both sacred and secular � dance and instrumental music from all parts of Georgia.

MTIEBI has delighted audiences in the former Soviet Union, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S.A. The ensemble consists of 10 members. Its programmes typically last from one to two hours. The music of MTIEBI can be heard on CD.