Tbilisi City Hall and Tbilisi Development Fund have initiated comprehensive rehabilitation efforts within the Tbilisi Museums Union – Ilia Chavchavadze Literary Memorial Museum.
This museum is dedicated to preserving an array of materials associated with the life and contributions of Ilia Chavchavadze. These encompass memorial items, personal archives, diverse editions of his works, and a collection of literature dedicated to his impactful life and work: scientific works, monographs, articles, essays, documentary photographs, works of fine art, and others.
Ilia Chavchavadze and his wife, Olga Guramishvili, resided and collaborated at the home of Ilia’s sister, Elisabeth Chavchavadze-Saginashvili, situated at 7 Ivane Javakhishvili Street, Tbilisi, between 1888 and 1901. This residence served as the important point for Ilia’s active engagement in public affairs, his literary pursuits, and his impactful contributions. Furthermore, this location housed the editorial and printing offices of the “Iveria” newspaper during this period. This building served as the venue for Ilia Chavchavadze’s traditional “Thursdays,” creating an environment for discussions and cultural exchanges. Many national, state, and cultural initiatives originated from these gatherings. Notably, this location played a significant role in activating Ilia’s social and political engagements, particularly in advocating for the autocephaly of the Georgian Church.
The Tbilisi Development Fund is overseeing the ongoing renovations through the “New Tbilisi” museum development sub-program. The current phase involves reinforcing the building’s structure, restoring decorative elements on the facade, replacing the roof, and installing a new one. Additionally, the project includes refurbishing the inter-floor roofing and preparing internal spaces for subsequent restoration. These renovation efforts are being executed by the company “Ikorta 2007.”