World Bank loans 4.3m GEL to restore historic Svaneti theatre

The only remaining theatre in mountainous Svaneti region is being given new life through a multi-million GEL project to restore and renovate the historic building.

The World Bank has offered Georgia a 4.33 million GEL (about $1.84 million/€1.64 million*) loan to rehabilitate the Leo Pilpani Public and Folklore Theatre in Mestia, as part of the Second Regional and Municipal Infrastructure Development Project.

The theatre existed as an amateur theatre space until the 1983, and from then until 2012 it was not operational. In 2012 the local municipality decided to create a foundation to raise funds to restore the theatre.

With this World Bank loan, significant work can now be undertaken to restore the old building.

Rehabilitation of the Leo Pilpani Public and Folklore Theatre was due to be completed in 2017.

The theatre is located in the centre of Mestia. Photo by the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia.

About 50 people were currently employed in the rehabilitation works, the majority of which are locals.

The Municipal Development Fund of Georgia announced the theatre building would be completely rehabilitated within the project.

An additional storey will be added to the theatre where a small hotel will operate. The hotel will open its doors to all, allowing tourists and guests to enjoy a traditional cultural experience.

Meanwhile a new stage be built inside the theatre and the facility will be fitted with new technologies and modern equipment.

Additionally, outside a summer amphitheatre space will be built for use in the warmer months, as well as an open parking space for cars.

The project also envisioned fencing the territory and landscaping around the theatre.

*Currencies are equivalent with the latest National Bank of Georgia exchange rate.