Review of the Conference
On November 6, 2007, in the boundaries of the events dedicated to the 170th anniversary of Ilia Chavchavadze, Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature organized an International Scientific Conference "Ilia Chavchavadze and his Epoch". The Conference started to operate in Courtyard Marriott and was opened by the director of the Institute Professor Irma Ratiani.
Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Alexander Lomaia, Deputy Minister Bela Tsipuria and Deputy Minister of Culture Nika Vacheishvili attended the Openning Ceremony. The Audience was welcomed by Mr Lomaia. After the registration of the participants following presantations were made at the Plennary Session: Mariam Chkhartishvili, Historian, TSU Professor(Universalities of Nationalism in Ilia Chavchavadze's works and Public Life); Rudolf Kreutner (Fredrich Ruckert (1788-1866) and the Orient); Irma Ratiani ( Ilia and his Reader).
In addition, presenation of the 8th and 15th volumes of Ilia Chavchavadze's collections and the scientific collection dedicated to Ilia Chavchavadze's anniversary was organized in Courtyard Marriott. Govermental Committee of Jubilee Arrangements funded its publication.
The Presentation was opened by the director of Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature Irma Ratiani.
Specialist in textual studies Maia Ninidze, working on this collection, talked about the structural construction of the Academic Edition, on principles used for compiling given Volumes. She spoke about the contribution each team member had made to reach their goal. She outlined Zurab Chumburidze for his work and talked about the honors of Zurab Chrelashvili. Ms Ninidze thanked Ilia Chavchavadze Fund for their aid, without which it was imposible to finish their work.
In his Speech Minister of Education and Science of Georgia declaired the value of this Collection towards future generation and pointed out that the Ministry will support this project.
Minister Lomaia awarded the team of specialists of textual studies who worked on the project: Professor Zurab Chumburidze, PH.Ds: Maia Ninidze, Eter Sharashenidze, Lamara Gvaramidze, Lamara Megrelishvili, Lamara Shavgulidze, Rusudan Kusrashvili, Nana Pruidze, Julie Gabodze, Leva Chrelashvili's Family.
Irma Ratiani introduced the anniversary collection, depicting the attitude of XXI century writers towards Ilia Chavchavadze's different aspects. Variaties of topics outlined high professionalism of the authors.
The collection is accompanied by the list of selected bibliography, representing all important monographs and researches about Ilia.
The Ceremony was closed by the presentation of Ilia's Website. 23 Public School students and teachers together with the Staff of Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature prepared this site.
On November 5-6, 2007 session works of the conference continued in Shota Rustaveli Institute of Georgian Literature. 5 Sections were in operation: