On July 28, 2016, the Calouste Gulbenkian Hall of the Hayartun Center at the Armenian Diocese in Georgia hosted a meeting with Alexander Elisashvili, independent MP of Tbilisi Sakrebulo (City Assembly). The guest had toured the Hayartun Center, visited the halls, the kindergarten, learned about the Center’s activities before the meeting began.

In his opening remarks, the Founder of The Peace Foundation, Giorgi Tumasyan thanked the independent MP for taking an interest in the life of Tbilisi citizens of Armenian origin and demonstrating readiness to meet them.

The topic of the meeting centered on “Multicultural History of Tbilisi”, the preservation of Armenian heritage in the city which once used to be a cultural center. The meeting continued with questions and answers. The independent MP spoke about the activities of the City Assembly, the city improvement works and the city development prospects. The speaker turned everyone’s attention to cultural diversity, particularly regarding to Armenian heritage in Tbilisi. Alexander Elisashvili emphasized the passivity of Armenian community of Tbilisi in preservation of Armenian heritage.

During the meeting, the installation of commemorative plaques in Clinical Hospital No.1 , which already for 100 years has been called “Aramyants hospital” (the name of the founder) by people living in Tbilisi; and on the wall of Alexander Mantashev’s house in Sololaki district; the creation of commemorative exhibit at Tbilisi Marriott Hotel, former Aramyants Majestic Hotel; the census of graves of prominent Armenians at the Cemetery of Vera issues were discussed.

The people present suggested jointly organizing an event in memory of Alexander Matinyants, the mayor of Tbilisi elected to the office three times, in one of the halls at the Tbilisi Sakrebulo, and an exhibition under the motto: “Armenian Heritage in Tbilisi”.

The guest and the people present stressed the significance of passing down the multicultural history of Tbilisi to new generations and education of the new generation in the spirit of love and respect for other nations.

The attendees expressed their willingness to create an initiative group, which will periodically inform the city council on the issues regarding the city development and preservation of its cultural heritage, in order to find joint solutions.