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It is well known that soon a contract between the Republics of Georgia and Turkey has to be signed which implies the reconstruction of Oshki and Ishkhani churches with the participation of Georgian experts.

It is hard to imagine that anyone who cares about our cultural heritage would not be happy for the favourable completion of the case, which seemed nearly hopeless. It is even more encouraging, as far as, not only two outstanding monuments of Georgian church architecture will continue their future existence, but there appears hope to save other Georgian antiquities on the territory of Turkey from an inevitable demolition.

Everyone, who has ever dealt with the preservation of antiquities is well aware of the difficulties connected with such international collaborations. Besides, we should not forget that for a long time not only reconstruction or consolidation of Oshki, Ishkhani, Otkhta Eklesia, Khandzta, other Georgian churches and monasteries and fortresses was not possible, but even to visit these monuments was an unrealizable dream for Georgian scientists and art-fanciers. This favourable change is first of all the result of joint efforts of the Ministry of Culture and Preservation of Monuments and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, as well as a great aspiration of our society. The attitude of Turkish authorities, their good will to take into consideration our wishes and find ways for involving Georgian scientists and restorers in the restoration of Oshki and Ishkhani (hopefully, later on other monuments as well) is valuable as well.

Perhaps, this great and important activity may be followed with certain problems. It is also very likely, that some people may consider this problem from the different point of view; but we believe that wisdom and resolution of our public will help us to overcome any difficulties and save us from all sorts of danger.

We look forward to completion of interstate negotiations and launching of restoration works on Oshki and Ishkhani churches, which will save these severely damaged monuments from the danger of destruction.

Scientific Council of the George     Chubinashvili   National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation

On December 21, 2011 a scientific conference was held in the assembly hall of Sukhumi State University.

Georgian cultural heritage on the occupied territory – Abkhazia

The scientific  conference was organized by Sukhumi State University, the Association of
Young Psychologists of Abkhazia and the Institute of History and Ethnology.

Organizers: John Apakidze, Lia Akhaladze and Shermadin Sharia

Georgian Art History Institute Chubinashvili 70 years dedicated to the Student Scientific Conference

A commemoration evening dedicated to the 100^th anniversary of Doctor of art history Leonid (Leo) Shervashidze was held in the Centre of Spiritual and Intellectual Development at the Patriarchate of Georgia, on November 7, 2011.

The meeting was conducted by Asmat Shervashidze. Representatives of the George Chubinashvili Centre spoke about L. Shervashidze’s achievements. Among the speakers were Kitty Machabeli, Mariam Didebulidze, Vakhtang Japaridze and George Anchabadze.

At the end of the commemoration evening Apostolic and Blissful Patriarch of Georgia Ilia II spoke about Leo Shervashidze.

The meeting was organized by the House of Heraldry, Georgian Noble Assembly and the Centre of Spiritual and Intellectual Development at the Patriarchate of Georgia.

An international conference dedicated to the 70^th anniversary of founding the George Chubinashvili Institute of Georgian Art History was held in the conference hall of the Goethe Institute on 27-28, October, 2011. The theme of the conference was: “Memory, Art and History of Art in the Search of Identity”.

The author of the idea of the conference: Nana Kipiani; the author and manager of the project: Mzia Chikhradze; the Organizing council: Mariam Didebulidze, Mariam Gachechiladze, Marianna Okley, Tamar Belashvili, Levan Zedginidze; the editorial council: Dimitri Tumanishvili, Marina Medzmariashvili, Elene Tumanishvili, Marine Kenia.

The conference was held in the frames of Modern and Contemporary Art Department of the G.Chubinashvili Centre with the support of the George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation, the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection, the USA Embassy and the Goethe Institute in Georgia.

Thirty-two scientists participated in the conference.

Along with Georgian scientists American and Russian researchers took part in the conference as well: Mary Key Jude – an independent expert in modern and contemporary architecture, the Association of Architectural and Cultural Heritage Conservation, USA; Tallin Gregory – Brand University, USA; Peter Rolberg – the George Washington University, USA; Svetlana Khromchenko – the Moscow Oriental Museum, Russia; Nina Getashvili – Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, Russia.

A full version see www.georgianart.ge