“Gelati Cathedral crisis of the 21st century started as a result of rehabilitation works performed in 2015-2019. Temple arms and superstructure were covered with the wrong methodology, low-quality materials, and unprofessional approach. Due to the works on the roof and the impact of natural precipitation, water seeped into the structure of the temple, and infiltration began. By 2021, Gelati's wall painting was in dire condition. In the temple interior, the process of salting and damage to the painting appeared. There is nothing unclear or vague in the assessment of this period. The situation is not only serious but critical,” - Orthodox Church Patriarchate requests to immediately take care situation in the Gelati monastery complex and to replace the conservation group with specialists of higher competence in order to save the painting.
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In the statement published on February 14, Patriarchate writes that the current difference in positions starts from the stage of inviting foreign specialists to save Gelati painting, which is related to working of the group invited for Gelati wall painting conservation in the summer of 2021:
“Despite the work done by them, the Gelati wall painting has reached a critical state.
We face the production of incomplete, scarce documentation. This is demonstrated by all four highly qualified reports, namely: by Steven Rickerby and Lisa Shekede (commissioned by the Ministry of Culture itself); A report by internationally recognized scholars invited by Patriarchate: Austin Nevin, Lorinda Wong, Sarah Staniforth, and Francesca Pique; Also, the conclusion prepared by ICOMOS Georgia per our request regarding conservation of the and also, based on our appeal, the voluminous work created by George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation. These four reports come in a unified and identical position with the report of experts appointed by UNESCO, who carried out their mission in Gelati between November 28 and December 2, 2022.”
Patriarchate declares that they are not involved in professional and scientific discussions and evaluations of conservation-restoration and art studies, as this is beyond their competence, however, the concurrence of the reports of international experts and Georgian scientists questions the expediency of continuing the conservation work by the currently operating group of specialists.
“It is necessary to carry out the Gelati rehabilitation unified management plan in accordance with modern standards. An international advisory board should be created, which, together with the scientists of our country, will cooperate closely with an integrated group of invited highly qualified and local restorers.
Based on the strong criticality of the report provided by UNESCO, as well as the other expert conclusions and recommendations mentioned above, it is incomprehensible that the Ministry of Culture is advocating for the conservation group working today," Patriarchate wrote.
Thea Tsulukiani, who was appointed as the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth in March 2021, announced in September 2022 that the process in Gelati was on the right track and she will not be held accountable for what happened there until March 2021.
George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation, which is subordinate to the Ministry of Culture and Monuments Protection, published a critical and alarming conclusion on the problems of conservation of the World Heritage Monument, Gelati painted temples two weeks ago. In the report, which was prepared on the basis of the appeal of the Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church, a number of facts containing signs of a criminal offense were revealed.
- The work was done by unqualified people without a preliminary project. The reason for water leaking into the roof was not only poor-quality tiles, but also unprofessional laying, incorrectly made gutters, joints and connections with the walls.
- As a result, tens of liters of water got into the walls and vaults during every heavy rain for several years. Sometimes the water found its way and poured into the interior (for example, from the south-west sail), and the largest part was absorbed by the building, which had a severe effect on the wall paintings.
- While installing the temporary roof, the same mistake that was made when laying the tiles was repeated - it was not protruded enough from the walls.
- Partial removal of the roof caused the problem of uneven drying of the building. Evaporation of moisture went created additional problems for the painting of the wall of the western arm.
- The process of making decisions regarding the Gelati Monastery is extremely centralized and non-transparent
Authors of the report single out the intervention of restorers on the original plasterwork in Gelati as an extremely disturbing methodological violation – “replacing the historical reality with the reality interpreted by them is essentially a falsification of painting and damages the appearance of the world heritage monument.”
The situation is aggravated by the fact that the offensive interventions of the authentic face of Western Arm painting were carried out in secret from the professional circle- it did not go through any hoops of professional evaluation, review, or approval.
The Prosecutor General's Office told the Georgian News that the investigation service of the Ministry of Finance has started an investigation into the possible crimes committed in Gelati Monastery.
