Tbilisi: Urban Memory - Architectural tour with Nodar Sumbadze

1. Time and Space in Tbilisi’s Multicultural Environment

The architectural tour, planned as part of the educational program of the Tbilisi Public Art Fund, will be devoted to exploring the city as a multicultural polygon. The walking route will focus on the unique experience of Tbilisi, where Eastern and Western, Asian and European socio-cultural layers intersect.

The tour will examine the time factor in the development of the city - how buildings of different periods, styles and functions coexist in a single urban environment. Participants will observe to what extent the structure of Tbilisi’s buildings reflects the historical processes that have shaped the city’s current image. The tour will be led by architect Nodar Sumbadze.

2. Authenticity of Decor in the Urban Environment of Tbilisi

An architectural tour dedicated to the study of the visual details of buildings and their authenticity will introduce participants to the artistic side of Tbilisi’s development. The focus will be on the architectural and art details of residential buildings from the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, which define the character of the city.

The route will be devoted to the artistic analysis of facades, ornaments and entrances, as well as the role of those subjects (architects, customers and craftsmen) who created the stylistic diversity of Tbilisi’s decor. Together with architect Nodar Sumbadze, participants will try to identify the connections that exist between the visual side of a building and its social history.

• May 23 - Corner of Leonidze Street and the beginning of Kikodze Street

• May 30 - Freedom Square, corner of the City Council and Tabidze Street

Nodar Sumbadze is an architect, Doctor of Arts and researcher. Graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. Since 1971, he has been engaged in pedagogical work at the Academy. At various times, he headed the design sector of the Institute of Technical Aesthetics and worked as a director and art editor of leading publications and TV channels. Nodar Sumbadze's professional interests include research into the urban history of Tbilisi, architectural decor and the city's multicultural heritage. He is the author of many scientific works and educational projects that serve to popularize the visual culture of Old Tbilisi.