Georgian Art Palace gets vital upgrade

Eight halls in a historic Georgian complex have opened after undergoing major renovation and restoration work.

The historic complex, commonly known as Georgian Art Palace, unlocked its 22-carat gold tinted door and welcomed honourary guests to an opening ceremony.

The Georgian Art Palace, located at 6 Kargareteli St, Tbilisi, currently housed the Museum of Theatre, Music, Cinema and Choreography.

The 19^th Century building was the former Palace of Graph Oldenburg. It was named on Georgia’s National Heritage list and opened on the International Museum Day.

During renovation works, the history of the building was fully appreciated by those working on the project.

In 1882, German Prince Constantine Oldenburg met a beautiful woman called Agraphina Japaridze in Kutaisi. At the time she was married to Georgian nobleman Dadiani. Prince Oldenburg was so dazzled by her beauty that he decided to ignore her marital status and confessed his love for her.

Prince Oldenburg’s confession saw Japaridze have a change of heart and she soon forgot her devotion to her husband, and left Kutaisi and settled in Tbilisi.

Prince Oldenburg commissioned the building of his beautiful palace for his beloved as a token of his great affection for her.

To date, this is the only museum of its kind in the Caucasus region and is one of the world’s leading museums in terms of the value of wealth of its collection.

Rehabilitation work revealed fragments of ancient painting on the palace walls. This made it possible for painters to restore and recreate the original design of the halls.

While undergoing renovation works the Halls of Medea of Kolkhi and The Golden Ram were closed but are now open for visitors.

The Colonnaded Hall and the Theater Hall now house museum exhibits related to unique history of the theater. On display are costumes, memorial items, musical scores, manuscripts, posters, photos and graphics and paintings created by famous Georgian artists.

Together with various exhibits, the Revaz Laghidze Hall, which is dedicated to the famous Georgian composer, housed the musician’s grand piano, which he played while creating the eternal Georgian song ‘Tbiliso’.

Another hall paid tribute to one of the 20th Century's most prolific and famous Georgian choreographers George Balanchine. The hall now hosts an exhibition by New York City Ballet photographer Paul Kolnik. The exhibition, organized with support from the Paliashvili State Opera and Ballet Theater, depicted Balanchine’s life and his creative work.

The exhibit was dedicated to the 110th anniversary of George Balanchine’s birth.

A number of Georgian dignitaries attended opening ceremony, including deputy Ministers of Culture Manana Berikashvili and Aleksandre Margishvili, Ambassador of the United States to Georgia Richard Norland, director of the Georgian State Museum of Theatre, Music, Cinema and Choreography Giorgi Kalandia and other invited guests.

Rehabilitation work at the Georgian Art Palace was implemented with support from the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection and the US Embassy in Georgia.