Patriarchate calls for replacement of foreign specialists at Gelati UNESCO site with “highly competent professionals”

The Georgian patriarchate on Tuesday called for the replacement of a group working on rehabilitation in Gelati UNESCO site in the country’s western Imereti region with “highly competent professionals”, following the controversies involving the culture minister and the domestic Giorgi Chubinashvili National Research Centre. 

The cente representatives have recently released a report, pointing to the “serious damage” to the site and “incorrect management” of the rehabilitation process by the body, with the latter accusing the group of specialists of “non-professionalism”. 

In its reaction, the patriarchate said the crisis in the 12th century monastery complex had followed the rehabilitation work performed in 2015-19.

It said the roofing of the complex’s arms and building had been carried out with the “wrong methodology, low-quality materials and an unprofessional approach”. 

The patriarchate noted that due to the situation created until 2021, the painting of the wall of Gelati was in a difficult condition, stressing the process of salting and damage to the painting had appeared in the interior of the building. 

“It is necessary, in accordance with modern standards, to carry out rehabilitation of Gelati with a unified management plan. An international advisory board should be created, which, together with the scientists of our country, will cooperate closely with the invited integrated group of highly qualified and local restaurateurs,” the patriarchate said. 

“The situation is not only serious, but critical! It is necessary to immediately take action and save the paintings! We believe that the foreign specialists working until now should be replaced by a group of highly competent professionals,” the patriarchate said.

Gelati was returned to the UNESCO List of World Heritage in 2017, after the monument had been entered in the organization’s List of World Heritage in Danger in 2010, in the wake of restoration works under the previous, United National Movement government of Georgia.