On October 22, an interdisciplinary scientific conference titled Traditional Darbazi Architecture in Georgia was hosted at the George Chubinashvili National Research Centre. The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia and with the support of the Georgian National Commission for UNESCO. The assembly brought together art historians, ethnologists, archaeologists, architects, ethno-design specialists, and cultural heritage preservation experts.
The presented papers focused on a comprehensive conceptualization of the darbazi phenomenon in Georgia, its adaptation to contemporary functions, and its prospective nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The conference was dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Academician Vakhtang Beridze.
The proceedings devoted significant scholarly attention to the genesis of the darbazi structure, its spatial composition, its architectural correlation with historical ecclesiastical design, construction principles, semantic nature, structural adaptation, social functioning, and associated preservation challenges. Both archaeologists and art historians introduced previously unpublished fieldwork and expedition materials, highlighting the profound architectural and cultural significance of darbazi structures from innovative critical perspectives.
Concurrently, a documentary exhibition titled Traditional Dwellings of Racha and Tusheti was held alongside the conference, vividly illustrating the structural diversity and artistic merit of traditional Georgian vernacular architecture. The photographic works on display were captured by Mirian Kiladze and Nestan Tatarashvili, while the historical photo archive documenting darbazi architecture was provided by Shalva Lezhava.
The exhibition also showcased ethnographic sketches by Zurab Lezhava, alongside architectural drawings of Colchian oda houses executed by the architect Katsia Giorgobiani.
Traditional Darbazi Architecture in Georgia
On October 22, an interdisciplinary scientific conference titled Traditional Darbazi Architecture in Georgia was hosted at the George Chubinashvili National Research Centre. The event was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection of Georgia and with the support of the Georgian National Commission for UNESCO. The assembly brought together art historians, ethnologists, archaeologists, architects, ethno-design specialists, and cultural heritage preservation experts.
The presented papers focused on a comprehensive conceptualization of the darbazi phenomenon in Georgia, its adaptation to contemporary functions, and its prospective nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The conference was dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Academician Vakhtang Beridze.
The proceedings devoted significant scholarly attention to the genesis of the darbazi structure, its spatial composition, its architectural correlation with historical ecclesiastical design, construction principles, semantic nature, structural adaptation, social functioning, and associated preservation challenges. Both archaeologists and art historians introduced previously unpublished fieldwork and expedition materials, highlighting the profound architectural and cultural significance of darbazi structures from innovative critical perspectives.
Concurrently, a documentary exhibition titled Traditional Dwellings of Racha and Tusheti was held alongside the conference, vividly illustrating the structural diversity and artistic merit of traditional Georgian vernacular architecture. The photographic works on display were captured by Mirian Kiladze and Nestan Tatarashvili, while the historical photo archive documenting darbazi architecture was provided by Shalva Lezhava.
The exhibition also showcased ethnographic sketches by Zurab Lezhava, alongside architectural drawings of Colchian oda houses executed by the architect Katsia Giorgobiani.