MUSEUM OF “FATHER OF GEORGIAN NATION” ILIA CHAVCHAVADZE

Located in Batumi, at 5 Griboedov Street, the museum welcomes you with a pleasant environment and an interesting exhibition, where you can get information about the work of Ilia Chavchavadze and his role in the history of Ajara and all Georgia. The exhibition presents (photocopy) the genealogical branch of the Chavchavadze family, which also had a great influence on the development of Georgia. Otia Papuna, Mamuka, Faremuz, Bespaz are all prominent historical figures of the XV-XVIII century. (the author of the original is the artist Lado Gudiashvili).

Ilia Chavchavadze was born on November 8, 1837, in Kvareli, Kakheti famous wine region of Georgia. Ilia grew up to be a journalist, publisher, writer and poet who spearheaded the revival of Georgian nationalism during the second half of the 19th century and ensured the survival of the Georgian language, literature, and culture during the last decades of Tsarist rule. He was a leader of contemporary youth intellectual movement named “Tergdaleulebi”. They spread modern and European liberal ideals in Georgia. Ilia Chavchavadze founded two modern newspapers: Sakartvelos Moambe and Iveria. He played an important role in the creation of the first financial structure in Georgia – Land Bank of Tbilisi. During 30 years he was a chairman of this Bank, through which he financed and promoted most of the cultural, educational, economical and charity events which took place in Georgia. Ilia Chavchavadze also participated in the foundation of “Society for the Spreading of Literacy among Georgians” – an organization that established schools that taught in the Georgian language.

On March 23, 1881, Ilia Chavchavadze and the Literacy Promotion Society opened the first Georgian school in Batumi. The Ajara branch of the Literacy Promotion Society was headed by the doctor, poet and public figure Grigol Volski.The exposition shows a model of the first Georgian school in Batumi.

One of the exhibits of the museum is a model of Ilia’s house and door, made by the sculptor Zurab Tsereteli. When looking at the courtyard, which is surrounded by a cobblestone fence and where: the ancestral tower, the cellar, the bakery, the barn, the stable, the water mill are located. Here are the personal belongings of Ilya’s family: samovar, table-wardrobe. The exposition presents a hand sewing machine that belonged to Ilia’s wife Olga Guramishvili. The exposition is decorated with the editions of the “Iveria” newspaper, founded by Ilia in 1877, with its articles and announcements.

The exposition preserves the statue of “Luarsab and Darejani” of Iliachavchavadze’s satirical work “Man is a man?!” (author D. Bolkvadze)/ here you will see the “pocket watch” of Sherif Khimshiashvili, the ruler of

Upper Ajara, the leader of the liberation movement of Muslim Georgia.

1877-1878 The position of Sherif Khimshiashvili and his associates in the battles for Batumi in the RussianTurkish war led to the victory and liberation of Adjara from Turkish rule.

In 1895, on the recommendation of Ilia, Luka Asatiani was elected as the mayor of Batumi.

Ivane Andronikashvili in 1902. It was during their tenure that the cultural and economic reconstruction of Batumi began. The foundations were laid for building for female and male separate gymnasiums, hospitals. Exhibits of rare photos of that period as well as precious jewelry and wall clock owned by Luka Asatiani,(19th century) are part of the exhibition.

During the 1905 Russian Revolution Chavchavadze was elected as a representative of the Georgian nobility to the imperial State Council. However, he stated that he would represent the whole nation, not just one particular social class. He advocated against capital punishment and lobbied for Georgian autonomy.

His most important literary works were: The Hermit, The Ghost, Otaraant Kvrivi ( Widow), Kako kachagi (the Robber), Happy Nation, Letters of a Traveler and Is a man a human?!.

He was also a translator of British literature. His main literary works were translated and published in French, English, German, Polish, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Russian and other languages. Between 1906 and 1907, he was a member of the State Council (Gosudarstvennaya Duma) in Russia. His eclectic interests also led him to be a member of, among others, the Caucasian Committee of the Geographical Society of Russia, the Society of Ethnography and Anthropology of Moscow University, the Society of Orientalists of Russia and the AngloRussian Literary Society (London).

Chavchavadze was killed in Tsitsamuri, near Mtskheta, by a gang of assassins. Details of his murder are still a matter of debate. His legacy earned him the broad admiration of the Georgian people. In 1987 he was canonized as Saint Ilia the Righteous by the Georgian Orthodox Church. Today, Georgians revere Chavchavadze as The Uncrowned King and the “Father of the Nation.”Ilias “death mask” copy is kept as a permanent exhibit of the museum. The exhibition “Saint Ilia the Righteous’ ‘ made by the artist Z.Tsuladze is presented. His slogan “Motherland, Language, Faith” has become the National Slogan for all Georgians since then,Today, the Museum continues the tradition of developing Ilia’s educational areas. Educational programs are held for students in the museum. Lectures for students, as well as literary and creative evenings.