On February 23, 2013, at the “Hayartun” Cultural Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia, in the Hall of Calouste Gulbenkian, the exhibition of works by contemporary Georgian artists was opened. It was co-organized by the Union of Armenian Artists of Georgia and the Union of Artists of Georgia with the support of cultural center “Hayartun”. The exhibition featured almost 40 creative works of famous Georgian artists, which were: Amiran Kuprava, Angelina Damenia, Bruno Vepkhvadze, Gia Markozashvili, Gela Filauri, Guram Tsertsvadze, Gia Revazishvili, Tamar Sulkhanishili, Temur Dvalishvili, Merab Gabunia, Malkhaz Rcheulishvili, Paata Kldiashvili, Giovanni Vepkhvadze, Tatiana Papisashvili, Omar Kachkachishvili. Each work displayed imagination, unique color combinations, skill, ideas and the inner world of the artist. Hovhannes Manoukian, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Armenia to Georgia, Van Baiburtian, Advisor to the President of Georgia, Georgian MP Ruslan Pogosyan,

the representative of the Caucasian Muslims in Georgia Akhund Ali Aliyev, Advisor to the Minister of Culture of Georgia Yuri Mechitov, famous Armenian and Georgian artists, representatives of the public and the art admirers attended the opening of the exhibition.

At the beginning of the event Levon Chidilyan, Coordinator of the “Hayartun” Cultural Center, emphasized that the organization of such events promotes greater strengthening of the Armenian-Georgian friendship.

In his speech, Chairman of the Union of Armenian Artists of Georgia Meruzhan Shaumyan presented in detail Georgian artists taking part in the exhibition. He welcomed the activities of the Armenian cultural center, which are aimed at the development of relations in the cultural sphere and help to present rich culture of the Armenian and Georgian people.

Chairman of Artists Union of Georgia Guram Tsertsvadze, poet and translator Givi Shahnanazi, artist Giovanni Vepkhvadze welcomed the opening of the exhibition. Everyone expressed unequivocal support of the idea to develop collaborative activities - exhibition of Georgian artists in Armenia and exhibition of Armenian artists in Georgia-, which will help to strengthen and deepen the Armenian-Georgian centuries-old friendship.

The Head of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia, His Grace Bishop Vazgen Mirzakhanyan spoke about Tbilisi unique artistic color, which our city holds due to innate talent of brilliant artists like Niko Pirosmani, Lado Gudiashvili, Alexander Bazhbeuk-Melikyan, Gayane Khachatryan. He encouraged the audience to contribute to strengthening of Armenian- Georgian friendship.

The Exhibition of Works by Contemporary Georgian Artists at the “Hayartun” Cultural Center of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church in Georgia continues until March 7.