Dusheti Municipality to Rehabilitate Statue of Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani

The Dusheti Municipality City Hall announced that it had purchased the rehabilitation project of the statue of Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani and the surrounding area in Nadiban village. 

The project, which costs more than 390 000 GEL, aims to restore the monument of the Georgian writer and diplomat who lived in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The city hall said it would agree with all relevant authorities after implementing the project and appropriate procedures and that the rehabilitation works would be done on-site. 

It also informed that the municipal council, in agreement with the author of the statue, Gogi Zhghent, had already conducted preliminary works on the site, which involved replacing and restoring the damaged tiles.

The city hall emphasized that the issue of statue restoration is a priority for them and that they will continue the relevant procedures intensively. 

The statue of Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani, located in a park between Mtatsminda St and Vakhtang Mosidze St, is one of the landmarks of Dusheti and a tribute to the cultural heritage of Georgia.

MONUMENT TO SULKHAN-SABA ORBELIANI

Zemo Mleta, Georgia: A tired-looking monument beside the Georgian Military Highway, dedicated to Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani – a 17-18th century Georgian diplomat.

Prince Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani

Prince Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani (November 4, 1658 – January 26, 1725) was a Georgian writer and diplomat. 

He was born into the House of Orbeliani, which is closely tied to the Georgian royal Bagrationi Dynasty. He was a fabulist, lexicographer, translator, diplomat and scientist. The words of one of the French missioners, Jean Richard, testify to his authority among his contemporaries, “I believe him to be the father of all Georgia.”

He was born on November 4, 1658, in Village Tandzia near Bolnisi in the Kvemo Kartli. He spent his childhood and adolescence there. He was brought up at the court of King Giorgi XI and acquired his comprehensive knowledge in the Great Palace Library. 

When he was 20–25, he wrote a collection of fables and tales of Sibrdzne Sitsruisa, containing his observations about life. 

The reader feels how ably, deliberately and naturally the author weaves his ideas about the lives of humans and animals. Orbeliani understands both the light and dark sides of human nature and experience.

He describes many aspects of life, answers many questions, and encourages the reader towards more extraordinary kindness and compassion.