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Protection of Cultural Heritage Across Occupied Territories of Georgia: International Practices and Regional Application

Leading organization: George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation

Partner organizations:

Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts

Ivane Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology under Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University

June 24-25^th , 2020, Tbilisi, Georgia

Deadline for receiving papers: March 20^th, 2020

Working language of the conference: Georgian, English

George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation in partnership with the following organizations: Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts, Iv. Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology under Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and with the support of Georgian National Committee of the Blue Shield is announcing a call for papers for international conference:

Protection of Cultural Heritage Across Occupied Territories of Georgia: International Practices and Regional Application

The project is being implemented within the framework of grant competition launched by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia, in year of 2019 for the international scientific events concerning the assistance of academic research focusing on the occupied territories of Georgia.

20% of Georgia’s territory has been occupied by Russia for several decades. Similar to most of region Shida Kartli’s (Tskhinvali, Akhalgori and administrative units of Java and Znauri), territory of Abkhazia is entirely occupied.  As a result of Russian-Georgian war of 2008 additional territories of Shida Kartli have been occupied. The process goes on till now in the form of creeping occupation. During all this time, the existing tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Georgia located in Abkhazia and Shida Kartli are under the constant risk of demolition, damage and destruction. Information regarding inappropriate interventions on the architectural sites often appears in the media and the social networks. As a result of the conflict situation, the Georgian researchers are deprived of the possibility to visit and check the condition of heritage sites, asses the danger, make an inventory or create appropriate photo-video documentation of the cultural monuments. In light of the difficult political situation, we consider it appropriate to share global experiences. By that, we mean tools for the protection of cultural heritage monuments in occupied territories analyzed in the context of international law. Accordingly, that is determined as the main topic of the conference and the advantage in the process of selection of papers will be focused on that.

The conference sessions will last for two days (June 24-25^th), whereby 20 applicants will be selected to present their papers.

Except from the conference sessions, exhibitions and public discussions are planned within the project framework as well.

If you would like to present a paper at the conference, please fill out the application form and submit an abstract at the following link 

Application Form

The aim of the conference is to bring together scholars and researchers who are interested in the protection of endangered cultural heritage and are ready to share their experiences of difficulties and challenges that exist in this field.

This type of event is intended to create a real precondition for greater public awareness; About the rights and opportunities for international support in such similar difficult circumstances regarding the protection and preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the occupied territories; Take specific steps and outline possible action plans with international partners.

Topic of the conference:

• Examples and experience of the application of international humanitarian law in relation to the protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the occupied territories;
• Possible threats to tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the occupied territories;
• Intentional damage or destruction of cultural heritage monuments with the aim of the alteration of history and cultural genocide;
• Impact of conflict on cultural heritage (risks, dangers, results, prevention);
• General historical and cultural context of existing cultural heritage monuments in Abkhazia and Shida Kartli;
• General historical context regarding Abkhazia and Shida Kartli.

Full papers of the accepted applicants will be published in the bilingual conference proceedings. The el-version of the proceedings will be published on the official websites of the organizing and partner institutions.

• Scholars and PhD students can participate in the conference
• The deadline for application is March 20, 2020
• A conference confirmation message will be sent to participants by March 25, 2020
• The deadline for submitting full papers is May 1st. After the confirmation, participants will receive additional information.

Committee Members:

George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation

Prof. Tamar Belashvili, Art Historian, Director of George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation.

Dr. Mariam Gabashvili, Art Historian, Senior Researcher of George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation.

Tamar Khosroshvili, Art Historian, Researcher of George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation.

 Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts

Prof. Zaal Abashidze, Director of Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts.

Prof. Tamar Chumburidze, Chief researcher of Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts.

Dr. Tamar Otkhmezuri, Chief researcher of Korneli Kekelidze Georgian National Centre of Manuscripts, Head of the Codicology department, Doctor of Philology.

Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Ivane Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology

Dr. Giorgi Cheishvili, Director of Ivane Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology, PhD in History.

Dr. Vakhtang Goiladze, Chief researcher of Ivane Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology, Doctor of Historical Sciences.

Dr. Salome Bakhia-Okruashvili, Chief researcher of Ivane Javakhishvili Institute of History and Ethnology, Doctor of Historical Sciences.

Georgian National Committee of the Blue Shield

Manana Tevzadze – Chairperson of Georgian National Committee of the Blue Shield

If you have any further questions, please email: conference.gch@gmail.com