Ambassador Norland visits Gelati Monastery
Thursday, May 2
Ambassador Norland is visiting Kutaisi, his first stop was at the Gelati Monastery to view the progress of the conservation works of the frescos of St. Marine Chapel at the Church of the Virgin. The conservation work at the Gelati Monastery is sponsored by a $40,880 grant from the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP). The U.S. AFCP has supported thirteen projects since 2001 in Georgia, totaling $343,208. Gelati Monastery is among the most important cultural landmarks of Georgia and is UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.
Established by Congress in the fall of 2000 and celebrating its 13thyear, the AFCP awards grants for the preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects and collections, and forms of traditional cultural expression in more than 100 countries. The AFCP has demonstrated America’s respect for the cultural heritage of others by supporting more than 640 preservation projects worldwide. AFCP-supported projects include the restoration of ancient and historic buildings, assessment and conservation of rare manuscripts and museum collections, preservation and protection of important archaeological sites, and the documentation of vanishing traditional craft techniques and indigenous languages. Cultural heritage endures as a reminder of the contributions and historical experiences of humanity.
(US Embassy to Georgia)
