Renovation of Historical Monument In the “National” Way

Elene Akhvlediani Art School in Telavi, which has status of cultural heritage, was renovated in 2010. Regional Project Foundation allocated 100 000 GEL for the rehabilitation activities. On March 20, the rehabilitated building was partly dismantled and should be repeatedly renovated in the frame of Telavi Rehabilitation Project.

The building of the Elene Akhvlediani Art School was built in the XIX Century and is on the list of historical monuments. In 2010, unknown hall full of sand was discovered under the exhibition hall during the rehabilitation activities. On March 20, despite its historical value, the workers dismantled the building without supervision of qualified experts. 

Engineer Davit Gagnidze told the ICK that second floor will be constructed on the building in the frame of Telavi Development Program. “We will construct second floor, the façade will be more promoted and the building will be more beautiful.”

ICK tried to get in touch with Telavi district governor Petre Kiknadze and his deputy Vazha Zuroshvili several times to find out why they decided to reconstruct recently renovated building when 100 000 GEL was spent on it a year ago. They did not answer the phone calls from the ICK and refused to appoint meeting with journalists because they are busy, according to their assistants.

ICK got in touch with Telavi single mandate MP Vasil Davitashvili, who was Telavi district governor in 2010. “The building was ruining in 2010; it was in poorest conditions and we renovated it. The workers stored everything what was used during previous reconstruction and they will use old materials. They intend to more promote the building and started new reconstruction,” the MP said.

Natia Danelishvili, ICK