Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-tn8tq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-15T20:02:49.908Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Collaboration, confrontation, and controversy: the politics of monument restoration in Georgia and the case of Bagrati Cathedral

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2018

Michael Long
Michael Long*
Affiliation:
Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
*
*Email: michael_long@baylor.edu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper examines the history of the restoration, or more accurately, reconstruction of Bagrati Cathedral in western Georgia. Constructed in 1003, Bagrati Cathedral is an important cultural monument in the political and architectural history of Georgia. Destroyed by an explosion in 1691, the cathedral was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1994 in its ruined state. However, the Georgian government under President Mikheil Saakashvili and Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) officials made the reconstruction and reconsecration of the cathedral a priority. The reconstruction of Bagrati Cathedral, completed in September 2012, brought the differing aims of Georgian politicians, GOC officials, and architectural historians – the major players in the process – into sharp focus. This paper maintains that the rebuilding of Bagrati Cathedral was part of Saakashvili's political agenda, which merged with the interests of the GOC and worked against the objectives of architectural historians and the aims of academic principles of restoration and preservation. The result is that Bagrati has been rebuilt but is under threat of removal from the World Heritage List. The story of Bagrati's reconstruction has implications for the future of monument preservation and restoration in Georgia.

Keywords

GeorgiaBagratimonumentrestorationSaakashviliUNESCO
Type
Articles
Information
Nationalities Papers , Volume 45 , Issue 4 , July 2017 , pp. 669 - 686
Copyright
Copyright © 2017 Association for the Study of Nationalities 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Akhouri, Nina. 2013. “Guram Odisharia: We Came to Build, Not to Ruin.” Tabula, February 29. http://tabula.ge.Google Scholar
Accessed October 8 Bagrat'is tażari 1003–2012 [Bagrati Cathedral 1003–2012]. National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia., 2015. Tbilisi. http://www.heritagesites.ge/upload/file/1421234820.pdf.Google Scholar
Bagrat'is tażris reabilitac'ia [Bagrati Cathedral Rehabilitation]. 2008. Tbilisi: ŠPS Restorers and Company. https://ancientgeorgia.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/saxelovnebatmcodneo-kvlevis-shedegebi-bagrati.pdf.Google Scholar
Bochoidze, Merab. 2014. “Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery State of Conservation Report.” National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia, World Heritage Committee. http://whc.unesco.org/document/127574.Google Scholar
“Bolee 500 tserkvei vosstanovleno v Gruzii – Saakashvili.” [More than 500 churches restored in Georgia – Saakashvili]. 2012. Georgia Times, September 3. http://www.georgiatimes.info/news.Google Scholar
Charkhalashvili, Ketevan. 2013. “Bagrati Will Be Removed from UNESCO List.” Georgia News. Accessed June 27. http://www.georgianews.ge.Google Scholar
Georgia, Civil. 2012. “In Televised Address Saakashvili Appeals for Unity.” Accessed September 14. http://www.civil.ge Google Scholar
Corley, Felix. 2002. “Georgia: Veto for Patriarchate over All Church-Building and Religious Literature.” Keston News Service. Accessed October 23. http://www.keston.org.uk.Google Scholar
“Domus International Award (Third Edition).” 2012. Architecture List. Accessed September 19. http://architecturelist.com.Google Scholar
Bortolo, Fassa. 2012. “Jury Report: International Domus Restoration and Preservation Prize,” 3rd ed. www.ssrm.arch.unige.it/did/13/ssrm/eventi/2014/domus/2012.pdf.Google Scholar
Grdzelidze, Tamara, George, Martin, and Vischer, Lukas, eds. 2006. Witness through Troubled Times: A History of the Orthodox Church of Georgia, 1811 to the Present. London: Bennett & Bloom.Google Scholar
Gunia-Kuznetsova, Nino. 2011. “Country Profile Georgia.” Compendium: Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe. Council of Europe, ERICarts. http://www.culturalpolicies.net.Google Scholar
Gunia-Kuznetsova, Nino. 2013. “Country Profile Georgia.” Compendium: Cultural Policies and Trends in Europe. Council of Europe, ERICarts. http://www.culturalpolicies.net.Google Scholar
Holme, J⊘rn. 2011. “Foreword by the Director General of the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage.” t'bilisi, kala bet'lemis ubnis revitalizac'ia, programis angariši 2000–2010 [Tbilisi, Betlemi Quarter Revitalization, Program Report 2000–2010]. Tbilisi: ICOMOS Georgia and Norwegian Riksantikvaren. http://www.icomos.org.ge/pdf/betlemi_project_report.pdf.Google Scholar
“In Georgia, a Legacy Threatened by Progress.” 2012. Deutsche Welle. Accessed September 3. http://dw.com/p/161Vo.Google Scholar
IRI (International Republican Institute). 2010. Georgian National Study. Accessed March 4–13, 2010. http://www.iri.org.Google Scholar
IRI (International Republican Institute). 2011. Georgian National Study. Accessed April 26-May 4, 2011. http://www.iri.org.Google Scholar
IRI (International Republican Institute). 2012. Georgian National Survey. Accessed June 28-July 4, 2012. http://www.iri.org.Google Scholar
IRI (International Republican Institute). 2013. Georgian National Study. Accessed November 9–21, 2012. http://www.iri.org.Google Scholar
IRI (International Republican Institute). 2015. Public Opinion Survey: Residents of Georgia. Accessed February 3–28, 2015. http://www.iri.org.Google Scholar
IPN (Interpress News). 2012. “Restoration Efforts Ceased at Bagrati Temple.” Accessed June 18. http://interpressnews.ge.Google Scholar
Jawad, Pamela, and Reisner, Oliver. 2013. “Die Nationalisierung der Religion in der Orthodoxen Apostolischen Kirche Georgiens – Begünstigung oder Hindernis im Demokratisierungsprozess?” In Religiöse Akteure in Demokratisierungsprozessen: Konstruktiv, Destruktiv und Obstruktiv, edited by Leininger, Julia, 149–190. Politik und Religion. Wiesbaden: Springer.Google Scholar
Jokilehto, Jukka. 2013. “Reconstruction in the World Heritage Context.” Engaging Conservation. http://engagingconservationyork.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/reconstruction-in-wh-context-rev.pdf. Also in Conservation – Reconstruction: Small Historic Centres Conservation in the Midst of Change, edited by Crisan, Rodica et al. 513–524. Hasselt: EAAE.Google Scholar
Kipshidze, Nino, ed. 2010. The Archival Bulletin. No.8. Tbilisi: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. http://archive.security.gov.ge/archival_bulletin.html.Google Scholar
Kuprashvili, Nana. 2011. “Art, Science or Craft? Problem of Heritage Conservation in Post-Soviet Georgia.” In Proceedings, edited by Peter Skinner, Dimitri Tumanishvili, and Shanshiashvili, Ana, 229–231. 2nd International Symposium of Georgian Culture, “The Caucasus: Georgia on the Crossroads; Cultural Exchange across the Europe and beyond,” [sic] November 2–9, 2009, Florence, Italy. Tbilisi: Georgian Arts and Culture Center. http://www.symposiumgeorgia.org/Florence2009/Proceedings.pdf.Google Scholar
Macaulay, Rose. 1953. Pleasure of Ruins. New York: Walker and Company.Google Scholar
Mikhailovskii, Evgenii Vasil'evich. 1977. “The Methods of Restoration of Architectural Monuments: Contemporary Theoretical Conceptions.” Future Anterior: Journal of Historic Preservation, History, Theory, and Criticism 8 (1) (2011): 84–95. http://www.istor.org/stable/10.5749/futuante.8.1.0084.Google Scholar
“Mikhail Saakashvili v khrame Bagrati” [Mikhail Saakashvili at Bagrati cathedral]. 2012. News GE. Accessed September 16. http://www.news.ge.Google Scholar
“Mikheil Saakashvili Took Spiritual Oath in Bagrati Temple.” 2008. Ajara TV. Accessed January 21. http://ajaratv.ge.Google Scholar
NACHPG (National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia). 2012. Bagrat'is taiari 1003–2012 [Bagrati Cathedral 1003-2012]. Tbilisi. http://www.heritagesites ge/upload/file/1421234820.pdf.Google Scholar
“Nikoloz Vacheishvili Has Resigned.” 2013. Rustavi 2. Accessed January 18. http://www.rustavi2.com.Google Scholar
Nora, Pierre. 1996. “General Introduction: Between Memory and History.” In The Realms of Memory: Rethinking the French Past – Vol. 1, Conflicts and Divisions, edited by Nora, Pierre, 1–20. New York: Columbia University Press.Google Scholar
O'Connor, Colin. 2012. “Cathedral Restoration Causes Headache for Georgian President.” Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty. Accessed June 18. http://www.rferl.org/content/bagrati-cathedral-unesco-saakashvili/24618336.html.Google Scholar
Patriarchate of Georgia. 2012. “Church and State: Constitutional Agreement between State of Georgia and Georgian Apostolic Autocephaly Orthodox Church [sic].” Accessed September 13. http://www.patriarchate.ge/_en/?action=eklesia-saxelmcifo.Google Scholar
Peris, Daniel. 1998. Storming the Heavens: The Soviet League of Militant Godless. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.Google Scholar
Saakashvili Awards Bagrati Architects Medals. 2013. Democracy and Freedom Watch. Accessed March 26. http://www.dfwatch.net.Google Scholar
Serrano, Silvia. 2010. “De-secularizing National Space in Georgia.” Identity Studies (Tbilisi) 2:1–16. http://ojs.iliauni.edu.ge/index.php/identitystudies/article/viewFile/12/8.Google Scholar
Tabukashvili, Eka, ed. 2010. Sakart'velos kulturuli memkvidreobis ieglebi [Monuments of Georgia's Cultural Heritage]. Translated by Peter Dgebuadze. Tbilisi: National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia.Google Scholar
ICFCPG (International Charitable Foundation of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II). 2012. “Ilia II Received the Minister of Culture and Protection of Monuments.” Accessed June 23. http://patriarch.ge/eng/news/id/1069.Google Scholar
“The International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (The Venice Charter 1964).” 1965. ICOMOS. http://icomos.org/charters/venice_e.pdf.Google Scholar
“Time will Change Presidents, Governments – Mikheil Saakashvili.” 2012. Georgian Journal. Accessed August 17. http://georgianjournal.ge.Google Scholar
Tsintsabadze, Nato. 2011. “Preservation of Tbilisi Historic District with Special Focus on the Betlemi Quarter Revitalization Program.” In Proceedings, edited by Peter Skinner, Dimitri Tumanishvili, and Shanshiashvili, Ana, 218–222. 2nd International Symposium of Georgian Culture, “The Caucasus: Georgia on the Crossroads; Cultural Exchange across the Europe and Beyond,” [sic] November 2–9, 2009, Florence, Italy. Tbilisi: Georgian Arts and Culture Center. http://www.symposiumgeorgia.org/Florence2009/Proceedings.pdf.Google Scholar
Tutberidze, Anna. 2011. “Gruziia prevlekaet ital'ianskogo arkhitektora k restavratsii khrama Bagrata” [Georgia draws Italian Architect to the Restoration of Bagrati]. 2011. Novosti Gruziia. Accessed January 14. http://novost.ge/2011/01/14/gruziya-privlekaet-italyanskogo-arxitektora-k-restavracii-xrama-bagrata/.Google Scholar
Vardosanidze, Sergo. 2001. Sak'art'velos mart'lmadidebeli samoc'ikulo eklesia 1917–1952 clebši [The Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church, 1917–1952] . Tbilisi: Mec'nieraba. Unpublished translation by Giorgi Gureshidze.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 1994. “Advisory Body Evaluation.” Paris. http://www.whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/710.pdf.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 2004. “State of Conservation of Properties Inscribed on the World Heritage List.” World Heritage 28 COM, 28th session, Suzhou, China, June 28–July 7. http://www.whc.unesco.org/archive/2004/whc04-28com-15be.pdf.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 2009. “Report of Decisions.” Thirty-third Session, Seville, Spain. June 22–30. http://whc.unesco.org/archives/2009/whc09-33com-20e.pdf.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 2010a. “Kyiv Statement on the Protection of Religious Properties within the Framework of the World Heritage Convention.” http://whc.unesco.org/en/activities/646.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 2010b. “Report on the Decisions Adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th Session.” Brasilia. Accessed July 25-August 3. http://www.whc10-34com/20.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 2010c. “State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties Inscribed on the World Heritage List.” World Heritage 34 COM. Brasilia, July 25-August 3. http://www.whc.unesco.org/archive/2010/whc10-34com-7B.Add.pdf.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 2012. “Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission Report,” WHC 36th Session, St. Petersburg, Russia, April 22–28. http://www.whc.unesco.org/document/117367.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 2013. “Decisions Adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th Session (Phnom Penh).” World Heritage 37 COM, June 16–27. http://www.whc.unesco.org/archive/2013/whc13-37com-en.pdf.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 2014. “Decisions Adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 38th Session (Doha).” WHC-14/38 COM/16, http://www.whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/38com/documents.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 2015a. “Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of World Heritage Convention.” WHC 13/1. July. http://www.whc.unesco.org/en/guidelines.Google Scholar
WHC (World Heritage Committee). 2015b. “Decisions Adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th Session.” (Bonn, 2015). World Heritage 39 COM, July 8. http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2015/whc15-39come-19-en.pdf.Google Scholar