On March 20, 2016, the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted the opening of the exhibition entitled “Photo Chronicle of Contemporary Tbilisi Armenians”. The project was implemented by the Georgian “Agora-Georgia” NGO. The exhibition features 50 photos of famous photographer Yuri Akulyan, which tell about the life of Armenian community in Tbilisi over the past 15 years. The displayed photos tell about the life of Armenians in Georgia, their activities and how they became famous for their contribution. The head of the Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus, Bishop Giuseppe Pasotto, honored the event with his presence.

The Director of the Hayartun Center, Levon Chidilyan, gave opening remarks; he congratulated the attendees on the Feast of Palm Sunday, wishing success in all their endeavors. He highly appreciated the work of photographer Yuri Akulyan, whose thorough research resulted in 65 thousand pictures, thus creating a factual account of the Armenian community history over the last two decades.

Victoria Maksoeva, the author of the project, referred to the goal of the exhibition that is to share with all Armenians the life of Armenian community by displaying the pages of modern history of Armenians in Tbilisi. The speaker expressed her gratitude to the “Horizon” European Foundation and the “Centre for Cultural Relations – Caucasian House” for financial support, and also expressed her appreciation to the 2011-2014 Armenian Ambassador to Georgia Hovhannes Manukyan, the exhibition was on display for the first time in Yerevan (The “Tbiliso” Restaurant Complex) thanks to his support. The exhibition received a great response from visitors.

The exhibition showcases the community activities, but only 50 pictures, certainly, cannot depict the huge work undertaken by the Armenian state organizations, the Armenian Church and many NGOs in Tbilisi. Thus, similar events, which periodically will demonstrate to the Armenians in Tbilisi the work undertaken and goals for the future, should be held on regular basis and their format should become more comprehensive – poetess and translator Anahit Bostanjyan, photographer Ruben Rukhkyan, journalist Susana Khachaturyan noted in their speeches.

Suggestions were offered to create the album featuring the photo chronicle of the Hayartun Center at first and later of the whole community.

The exhibition will be displayed for two weeks.