Georgia: The village of Marani in Abashi Municipality is witnessing the final stage of the rehabilitation works of its historic House of Culture, which is expected to be completed by the summer of 2024.
The project, initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia, aims to restore the original appearance and function of the building, which dates back to the XIX-XX centuries and is considered one of the most distinctive in the region.
The House of Culture, which has received a cultural heritage status since 2016, was built by Italian architects according to one version. It features a club with an adult stage where theatre performances and film screenings are staged, and walls and ceilings are decorated with murals.
However, due to a major renovation and remodelling in the 1980s, only fragments of the early 20th-century building still need to be completed.
The rehabilitation works, which started in December 2021, are carried out by LLC “Yukoni and Company” under the supervision of the National Agency for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Georgia. The project has a total budget of 4,834,300.32 GEL, of which the Ministry of Culture and the rest by the Abashi Municipality allocated 133,331 GEL.
The works are divided into three phases, of which the first two are already completed. The works include dismantling and cleaning the area, reinforcing the foundation and retaining walls, setting up the stage and roof structures, engineering-utility networks, paving, water supply and sewerage, fire network, heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting.
The final phase involves facade rehabilitation, internal repairs, painting, decorative ornaments and other valuable elements, maintenance of the garbage and landscaping.
The House of Culture will be fully rehabilitated, after which it will become a multicultural centre of modern standards and host several important and exciting cultural projects throughout the region.
The project is a result of the initiative of a member of the Parliament of Georgia, Levan Mgaloblishvili, who proposed the idea to the Georgian Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Thea Tsulukiani, during her visit to Abashi Municipality in September 2021. The minister agreed to support the project and advised the local population of the decision.
The project is seen as a first step toward fulfilling the Ministry of Culture’s promise to preserve and promote Georgia’s rich art, culture, and heritage through varied art forms.
The project is also expected to boost the tourism and economic development of the region, as well as the social and cultural life of the local community.
