Medea’s Echo - From Hecate’s Garden

In Ovid’s epic work “Metamorphoses”, there is a remarkable passage: at midnight, Medea of Colchis leaves the palace alone, barefoot and with her hair undone. Raising her hands toward the stars, she calls upon triple-faced Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, asking her to come forth and aid her art and spells.

This important monologue from ancient literature paints a fascinating portrait of an iconic figure familiar to us all. Medea, the sorceress daughter of Aeëtes, has always captivated humanity with her complex and multifaceted nature. Naturally, as Georgians, we feel an even more special connection to her - as the mythical Kingdom of Colchis was on the territory of present-day Western Georgia.

Medea is a contradictory character, yet there is no doubt that for centuries she has served as a source of inspiration across every field of art. Today, a modern continuation of this ancient story can be found at Musicians’ Park, located in Shekvetili, where Hecate’s Garden tells the story of the mythological Medea, regarded as one of the earliest pioneers of folk medicine.

This return to nature is the cornerstone of the garden’s concept and philosophy, as emphasized by Tsitsi Iashvili, Vice Chairwoman of the Board & Creative Vision Lead at Starring Georgia:

“The concept reflects our desire to introduce as many people as possible to Colchian wisdom, our healing traditions and what is considered as the first botanical garden on Earth - Hecate’s Garden, located in Grove of Ares”

According to Tsitsi, the sounds of nature are not only therapeutic but also serve as guides, helping people find their inner balance. It was on this ideological foundation that the project’s musical component emerged. Before visitors physically cross the garden’s threshold, they are invited into this mythological world through another medium - the musical album “Garden’s Poem”.

“Just as listening to music is therapeutic, working with plants in a greenhouse is as well. Watching a plant grow before your eyes evokes special emotions. That is why we wanted all of this to have its own sound, which would be a soundtrack for this extraordinary world.”

The album consists of 10 compositions and is best described as a series of musical sketches directly inspired by the garden’s ecosystem. Minimalist synthetic textures and simple melodic passages create an airy space where listeners can shape and navigate their own emotional state.

“While working on this album, I often wandered through the forest and listened to the sounds of nature: birds, rain, the wind… it helped me give shape to the compositions”. Says musician Levan Chichua. According to him, the process was deeply meditative and rooted in his personal experiences: “I’ve been living in the mountains for three years now. I spend a lot of time hiking and observing the diversity of nature, which helps me feel even more connected to the environment.”

While translating this concept into music, Levan found particular inspiration in the work of Japanese composer Hiroshi Yoshimura. Over the years, Yoshimura’s albums “Green” and “Wet Land” have become guiding references for listeners seeking a harmony between field recordings, ambient music and minimalism.

Although the sketches clearly feature synthetic sounds, the composer manipulates them so delicately that the connection with nature remains unbroken. At times, the synthesizer even imitates birds chirping, reminding us that this journey is not an escape from nature, but a return to it.

The album’s emotional landscape is diverse: some compositions are entirely enveloped in forest mist, while the middle part reveals a different reality altogether. At times, one can almost imagine encountering a “choir of forest spirits” traveling to complete a magical mission. There are darker passages as well, where emotions become heavier and more introspective. Yet the listener never feels overwhelmed, these moments act only as catalysts for self-reflection.

“Garden’s Poem” is poetic and delicate. Its greatest strength lies in its sense of time - the music does not rush, instead, it slows perception and leaves room for silence, ultimately guiding listeners toward a place of inner harmony. Tsitsi Iashvili emphasizes that the purpose of these musical sketches is to transform the peace and harmony hidden within nature into a sonic reality.

“We want every composition, with its own story and idea, to become a guide for people returning to their origins and to the past. It is an attempt to expand people’s imagination, because imagination is one of the ways we can become closer to ourselves.”

Amiko Janelidze, President & Chairman of the Board at Starring Georgia, notes that the garden will provide an important platform for people living in the Guria region who create natural products based on knowledge passed down through family traditions. It will allow them to expand their impact and introduce their products to a wider audience:

“We will strongly support innovative startups that create biologically pure products capable of benefiting people at every stage of life. We believe that by promoting Georgian medicinal plants, supporting traditional entrepreneurship and empowering local communities, we can present our country in a unique way, enrich the experience of visiting the historical lands of Colchis and support those who wish to make a positive contribution to the world.”

Hecate’s Garden will welcome its first visitors in the summer of 2026. Until then, “Garden’s Poem” will serve as their guide into this world - a musical work designed to spark introspection and encourage a deeper journey inward. Its true meaning, however, will reveal itself the moment visitors step through the gates of Hecate’s Garden and experience the world that inspired it.