2018-05-16
Today, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili opened the Batoni Museum in Telavi, constructed by the Municipal Development Fund of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, under the regional Development Project with financial support from Bank of Georgia and the Georgian Government.
"It is a joyous day for us! Another important site and cultural space is built in Kakheti, namely in Telavi: Following the Palace of the Kings, this is the Batoni Museum, a constituent part of yet another crucially important complex of monuments of cultural heritage. I understand the special importance of the name of Erekle II to the residents of Telavi, and how much they honor him, which is why I, first of all, congratulate you, residents of Telavi, on this important day, and all of Georgia, of course! The Telavi Batoni Palace is a very important monument of cultural heritage, and it enables future generations to draw closer to history, to embrace it, and pay homage to our great ancestors. I am excited because today this complex now incorporates the museum equipped with modern technology and preserving 65,000 exhibits. I would like to thank those who have doted over each item for years and have preserved all this for future generations. They have seen all this through some tough and difficult times, accomplishing a heroic feat, indeed," the Head of Government said in his speech.
The Prime Minister thanked the World Bank as the key partner in the country's development for supporting the restoration of numerous monuments of cultural heritage in Georgia, also adding that the new museum will become one of the main tourist attractions.
"As I was informed, tens of thousands, about 70‐80 thousand tourists will visit this new museum. However, I am convinced that their numbers will reach hundreds of thousands given the riches preserved in this museum and the Palace of the Kings, also given Telavi's hospitality, its richest monuments of cultural heritage, and the new infrastructure put in place around these monuments. I would like to thank the World Bank for beautifying the Dartlo complex, the Gareja Complex, and the infrastructure adjacent to Alaverdi. Just a couple of days ago, we had a meeting of the WB's Executive Directors visiting Georgia, who pointed out the considerable progress in our country. Once again, I would like to thank the World Bank as the main partner in Georgia's development," Giorgi Kvirikashvili stated.
As the Prime Minister underscored, by opening a museum at the Palace Complex, the Georgian people once again pays homage to the memory of King Erekle whose name is tied to one of the most difficult periods in Georgian history.
"Today, more than anything, is one more day of paying respect to King Erekle who life was a life of choices since he turned 15, when he defied Nader Shah's immense pressure and, despite this pressure, became Georgia's second sovereign after King Teimuraz to be anointed in a Christian manner. He was a great king whose name is tied to one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, decisions in Georgia's history. He was a king who made one of the most difficult choices in favor of Christianity, who knew very well that Christianity was the pillar of Georgia, of the Georgian nation's innermost being, and that the collapse of this pillar would trigger the instantaneous obliteration of Georgian identity from the face of the earth. This is why we once again pay homage to this great king, and our joy is tenfold as we open this new, most beautiful museum here at the King's Palace," the Head of Government stated.
Under the project, the surrounding area was also enriched and embellished, and the main exhibition hall was arranged in the museum, on the side of the King's Palace, to showcase archeological and ethnographic materials, examples of weaponry, manuscripts and rare publications. In addition, a temporary exhibition space was arranged to feature paintings from different countries.
Today, the Prime Minister viewed the museum exhibits in the company of Minister of regional Development and Infrastructure Maya Tskitishvili, Minister of Culture and Sport Mikheil Giorgadze, the World Bank's Representative Sarah Michael, and Director of the Municipal Development Fund Gagi Buadze.
The total value of the Palace of King Erekle and the Batoni Museum makes up 14 million GEL.
Prime Minister's Press Office