Italy’s undisputed role, along with the effectiveness of Italian experience and expertise in the enhancement and protection of cultural heritage, the importance of archaeology as a tool of cultural diplomacy and mutual understanding between Italy and Georgia and a detailed presentation of the activities carried out by Italian teams of experts engaged for several years at various archaeological sites across the country — these, among many other topics, were at the heart of the event organised by the Embassy of Italy in Georgia in cooperation with the Georgian National Museum, held on 29 January at the Museum’s Auditorium, in the presence of archaeologists, scientists, art historians and experts in the assessment and safeguarding of cultural heritage.
The event, entitled “Italian–Georgian collaboration: research, conservation, presentation of natural and cultural heritage”, was opened by the Director of the Georgian National Museum, David Lordkipanidze, the Ambassador of Italy, Massimiliano D’Antuono, the Deputy Minister of Culture of Georgia, Giorgi Mirtskhulava and the Director General of the Georgian Agency for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, Tea Oniani.
In his address, Ambassador Massimiliano D’Antuono referred to the restoration and protection of cultural heritage, an area in which Italy’s outstanding excellence is internationally recognised and to the importance of archaeological missions as instruments of intercultural dialogue between countries.
The event was structured into two sessions: the first dedicated to projects for the conservation and restoration of Georgia’s cultural heritage — ranging from the Gelati Monastery to the Georgian cave cities — and the second focusing on various excavation, research and enhancement projects concerning Georgia’s archaeological, palaeontological and ethnoarchaeological heritage, from Dmanisi to Gonio, from Samtskhe–Javakheti to Tusheti, from Borjomi to Gardabani and other sites, where the valuable work of archaeologists has already led to numerous outstanding discoveries.
