The European Museum of the Year Award Jury has bestowed a Special Commendation to the Ilia Chavchavadze Literary-Memorial Museum, recognizing its homage to a distinguished national figure of the 19th century. Celebrating this figure’s legacy of national freedom and progress, the museum prompts visitors to contemplate historical struggles, inspiring them to address contemporary social challenges.
The main theme of the 2023 conference was “Democracy and Democratization: Urgent Challenges Today”.
Facilitated by the European Museums Forum and hosted at the Barcelona History Museum MUHBA, the forum welcomed 33 nominated museums, along with over 250 participants, including past winners and partners.
On May 6, 2023, the EMYA scheme revealed winners in diverse categories during the conference’s final day and awards ceremony, celebrating excellence in the museum domain.
The Tbilisi Museums Union – Ilia Chavchavadze Literary Memorial Museum honors Ilia Chavchavadze, a prominent Georgian figure of the 19th century. The museum preserves Georgia’s 19th-century social, political, and cultural history, highlighting Chavchavadze’s contribution to the country’s European aspirations. Chavchavadze’s house served as a hub for progressive thinking and pivotal processes in the country, shaping the museum’s mission to reflect historical struggles and empower contemporary Georgian society.
A four-year rehabilitation and conservation effort revived the museum, preserving its historical and architectural significance. This work revitalized the museum’s physical condition, showcasing Georgia’s historical ties to European culture before Sovietization.
Two Georgian museums participated in the 2023 European Museums Forum: the Tbilisi Museums Union – Ilia Chavchavadze Literary Memorial Museum and the National Museum of Georgia – Otar Lortkifanidze Vani Archaeological Museum which was awarded one of the prestigious prizes of the competition, the Silleto Prize. The EMYA2023 Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, held in Barcelona from May 3 to May 6, 2023, gathered members of the EMYA community, former candidates, partners, and friends, celebrating excellence and innovation in the museum landscape.