Mutso - Dartlo - Chazhashi - Vardzia – Cultural Heritage Monuments’ Rehabilitation is Initiating
Today, a presentation of Mutso, Dartlo, Chazhashi Rehabilitation Projects and Emergency Program for salvation of Vardzia was held at the Hotel Radisson in Tbilisi.
The event was attended by the Prime-Minister of Georgia – Irakli Gharibashvili, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia – Davit Shavliashvili, Deputy Executive Director of the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia – Tornike Toradze, Minister of Culture of Georgia – Mikheil Giorgadze, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia – Elguja Khokrishvili, Minister of Agriculture – Otar Danelia, General Director of National Agency for Cultural Heritage Protection – Nika Antidze, and representatives of such other governmental and non-governmental organizations and monument protection funds.
Apart from introduction of Mutso, Dartlo, Chazhashi Rehabilitation Projects and Emergency Program for salvation of Vardzia, at the event there were also presented visual materials depicting ongoing and planned activities in the field of cultural heritage monument protection.
It is remarkable that the Dartlo rehabilitation project, in cooperation with the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Protection is under implementation by the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia, entity operating under the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure of Georgia.
A survey conducted in Village Dartlo has revealed that 72 of 73 sites existing in Dartlo require rehabilitation. The project mainly aimes at improvement of infrastructural services and institutional capacity relating to toursim and cultural heritage centers in Kakheti Region. As a result of project implementation, local infrastructure will be arranged, which will foster attraction of tourists and enhancement of social conditions for the local population.
Rehabilitation works in Dartlo were launched in August of 2012, though based on the monitoring conducted within the period of September 17-October 11, the World Bank has ranked the project as unsuccessful, which has induced a necessity of redesigning the projects. According to the adjusted designs, which were developed by the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Protection and the Municipal Development Fund of Georgia, in course of current year 7 buildings will get rehabilitated in Dartlo, while the repair works for 27 buildings will be carried out in 2015.
At present the design documentation is submitted for approval to the World Bank.
Project cost is GEL 1,372,023, 20% of this amount together with the WB will be provided from the state budget, as a co-financing portion. Project duration is 15 months and it envisages rehabilitation of 34 buildings in all. As for the remaining sites, at the current stage there are negotiations ongoing with the donor, in order to make available funding for rehabilitation and refurmishment of the remaining buildings, outdoor infrastructure and footpaths.
Village Dartlo in Tusheti Region is located in one of the most ecologically sound areas and owing to its vernacular architecture in general and fortress-like residential buildings in particular represents special interest for the tourists. It should be emphasized that failing rehabilitation works, Dartlo will lose its attractiveness and the huge touristic potential inherent in this place.
