sun 24/11/2024

theartsdesk in Tbilisi: The Dilemma over Georgian Architecture | reviews, news & interviews

theartsdesk in Tbilisi: The Dilemma over Georgian Architecture

theartsdesk in Tbilisi: The Dilemma over Georgian Architecture

Row splits artists and residents as picturesque old houses are bulldozed

Old Tbilisi: Gudiashvili Square, the balcony of 'Lermontov's House'© Peter Nasmyth

In Tbilisi, Georgia, artists and art historians are calling for the Government to stop destroying their classic Old Town with its winding streets and wooden balconies. New organisations have been formed, exhibitions held to publicise this creeping eradication of history. Now another grand, once-protected building, the former Institute of Marxism and Leninism, has appeared in the cross-hairs.

In Tbilisi, Georgia, artists and art historians are calling for the Government to stop destroying their classic Old Town with its winding streets and wooden balconies. New organisations have been formed, exhibitions held to publicise this creeping eradication of history. Now another grand, once-protected building, the former Institute of Marxism and Leninism, has appeared in the cross-hairs.

Share this article

Comments

I recently returned from teaching English in Georgia. While there, I was struck by the oddly uneven re/development work going on around the Old Town. Thank you for giving some context for the struggle going on around defining the visual and historical landscapes.

Even if one is aware of the wealth of attractive architecture in Tbilisi, seeing the extent of it for the first time comes as a surprise. Walking through older parts of the city with their balconies - from the ornate to those you would be dubious about standing on - and range of architectural detail is a joy. But the thought that keeps crossing one's mind is that, even with benign planning and development (to say nothing of a large budget), much of this is likely to simply crumble away. Anyone interested in a slightly different angle of what Tbilisi has to offer might try to obtain a copy of "Façade sculptures in Tbilisi, 19th and early 20th centuries" published (in Georgian and English) by Old City Rehabilitation and Development Fund, (2008; ISBN 978-9941-0-0413-1).

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

 

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters