World cultural heritage Gelati in “critical condition” – opposition MP

Opposition MP Anna Natsvlishvili said on Thursday that Gelati, which is on the list of UNESCO world heritage, “is in critical condition”, placing the blame on the current culture minister Tea Tsulukinai. 

The Lelo opposition MP appeared at the spot in the western city of Kutisi with experts. 

“It is hard for me to speak as I  found such a difficult picture in Gelati after my last visit in 2021. The situation is critically aggravated, this is the direct responsibility of the minister. She is hiding information and refuses to disclose the conclusion of competent experts. The frescoes are torn down, water is still leaking. We may lose this historical monument”, Natsvlishvili said and added that she would send a letter to UNESCO, to “save” the monument. 

Founded in 1106 in the west of Georgia, the Monastery of Gelati is a masterpiece of the Golden Age of medieval Georgia, a period of political strength and economic growth between the 11th and 13th centuries, UNESCO said. 

The Gelati monastery, one of the largest medieval Orthodox monasteries, was also a centre of science and education and the Academy it housed was one of the most important centres of culture in ancient Georgia, said the organisation.