Scientists from Ukraine and Georgia will jointly explore the heritage of Athos

Scientists agreed to conduct joint scientific research, organize international scientific conferences in order to study the historical heritage of Athos.

Director of the International Institute of Athonite Heritage Sergey Shumilo and Director of the National Center for Manuscripts of Georgia named after Cornelia Kekelidze Zaal Abashidze signed in Tbilisi a Memorandum on uniting efforts and cooperation in researching the centuries-old cultural and historical heritage of Athos, reports afon.org.ua.

In particular, the Memorandum signed between the parties provides for comprehensive cooperation in the field of research and information and publishing activities, including the exchange of information and professional experience in the study of the Athonite heritage, research on the history of Athos, Athonite manuscripts, early printed books, archival materials and the implementation of projects in the field archeography and bibliography.

Among the points of the signed Memorandum it is provided:
– Provide assistance to each other in the search, identification, cataloging, preservation, conservation and digitization of manuscripts, early printed books, historical documents and archival materials related to Athos, exchange detailed information, provide each other with copies of manuscripts, historical documents and archival materials required for joint research, educational and information and publishing activities.
– Jointly publish collections of documents reflecting the historical process associated with the activities of Georgian and Ukrainian monks in the monasteries of Athos, carry out joint scientific research, publish articles, books and monographs.
– Exchange scientists and experts in order to study the historical heritage of Athos, exchange information on measures taken by the institutions of the parties, promote participation in research, educational and information-publishing projects and other forms of knowledge exchange and activities.
– Jointly organize international scientific conferences, scientific expeditions, seminars, lectures and exhibitions so that information on the activities of both parties becomes available to researchers, scientists, students and the general public of Georgia and Ukraine.

During the negotiations between the leadership of the International Institute of Athonite Heritage (MIAN) and the National Center of Manuscripts of Georgia, an agreement was reached on joining efforts and creating a scientific unit in Georgia that would systematically engage in research activities in the field of studying the centuries-old history and legacy of the Georgian presence on Athos.

During his visit to the National Center of Manuscripts of Georgia, the director of the MIAN Sergey Shumilo got acquainted with the work of the institution and with the manuscript collections of its funds. In particular, he was provided for familiarization with ancient Georgian Athonite manuscripts of the X-XII centuries from the Athos monastery Iveron, which from X to XVI centuries. was the center of Georgian monasticism and books on Mount Athos. In total, the National Center of Manuscripts of Georgia contains more than 30,000 Georgian manuscripts (IX-XIX centuries) and several thousand foreign historical documents, including Persian, Ottoman, Arab, Armenian, Slavic (for more details see: www.manuscript.ge).

Also, during a working trip to Georgia, MIAN director Sergei Shumilo held talks with the leadership of the Tbilisi Theological Academy (www.tsas.ge). In particular, during a meeting with the rector of the academy, Protopresbyter Georgy Zviadadze and the pro-rector of the academy, Archpriest Vissarion Tsintsadze, an agreement was reached on cooperation in studying and popularizing the spiritual and cultural heritage of Athos, implementing joint publishing projects, holding international scientific conferences, etc.

During meetings with the leadership of the National Center of Manuscripts of Georgia and the Tbilisi Theological Academy, the director of the MIAN donated to the libraries of these institutions sets of books and studies published by the International Institute of Athonite Heritage on the history and heritage of Athos.
During his stay in Georgia, the MIAN director also visited the ancient centers of Georgian monasticism – the monasteries of Shiomgvime, Samtavro, Bodbe, the temples of Mtskheta and Tbilisi, and other shrines of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

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