Cultural Heritage in Georgia

To celebrate the European Day of Cultural Heritage on September 30th, 2018, the International Foundation “LEA” & Council of Jewish Women in Georgia organized an event at the Museum of History of the Jews of Georgia and Georgia-Jewish Relations.

The affiliate President, Prof. Marine Solomonishvili, presented her guidebook on “Heritage and Jewish Architecture in Georgia”. She spoke about cultural bridges that are being built through Georgia’s integration with Europe, including state cultural programs and agreements with the European Union, and the Council of Europe “Jewish Cultural Routes” program. She presented a virtual exhibition showing how contemporary Jewish woman artists in Georgia are reflecting on their ethnic background.

The Director of the Jewish Museum, Prof. Givi Gambashidze, spoke about “The Museum as a Space for Peace”, and presented pictures of their main exhibits. The former Director of the museum, visiting from Israel, Prof. Shalva Tsitsuashvili, spoke about her new book “The Prose  of Jews  in  Georgia”, dedicated to the Georgian Jewish Museum’s 85th anniversary. The singer Mrs. Nazi Sarjveladze performed old tradition songs and the audience watched a documentary about the treasures of the Israel Museum and the National Library of Israel.

The event was attended by representatives of various state institutions, museums and Georgian NGOs in Tbilisi, members of the Jewish and other ethnic / religious minority communities, young people, artists and scientists, as well as a number of guests from Israel.

In Tbilisi, Jewish cultural heritage is an important bridge for the development of good relations between different nationalities, for the celebration of Georgia’s cultural diversity, and for Georgia’s integration into Europe. Events organized by LEA help to develop connections between specialists – particularly women – who work in similar areas and can form creative teams.