Culture Minister: Ilia Chavchavadze State Museum to be rehabilitated

The restoration and rehabilitation of the Ilia Chavchavadze State Museum in Saguramo is to kick off, according to Georgia’s Minister of Culture, Tinatin Rukhadze. She made the announcement during a speech at the traditional Iliaoba celebration held in Saguramo on Friday evening to honor Georgia's 19th century renoved writer, poet, publisher and social figure, Ilia Chavchavadze.

Rukhadze stated that the Ministry's goal is to preserve, rehabilitate, and develop the nationally significant house-museum and its surrounding area.

The comprehensive restoration project will be implemented between 2025 and 2027. According to the plan, the monument of Ilia Chavchavadze located near the village of Tsitsamuri, as well as the obelisk marking the site of his assassination, will undergo full rehabilitation. The historical building that currently serves an administrative function will be transformed into a library-media center and exhibition hall for temporary displays.

The museum’s memorial section will be fully restored based on modern standards, including the installation of a climate control system to ensure a stable and secure environment for museum artifacts. The museum’s facade and interior walls will be renovated, and a new concept will be developed for the exhibition space.

Additionally, a modern visitor center and administrative complex will be constructed. This new complex will feature staff offices, storage for museum collections, a conference hall, and an educational center. The museum courtyard will also be landscaped and upgraded.

The event was led by the director of the house-museum, Andro Bedukadze, and was attended by several officials, including Member of Parliament Dimitri Khundadze, Mtskheta-Mtianeti State Representative Aleksandre Zagashvili, and Head of the Cultural Heritage Department at the Ministry of Culture, Salome Jamburia.

The Iliaoba celebration featured exhibitions of folk crafts, books, and paintings, along with a festive concert.

The information was released by the Ministry of Culture of Georgia.