Sensational Discovery at the National Science Library
Fifteen volumes of manuscripts belonging to the prominent Georgian scientist, politician, and public figure Mikheil (Mikhako) Tsereteli, the majority of which are unpublished, have been discovered in the National Science Library of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.
At a press conference held today at the National Library, this immense national treasure discovered within the library's archives – the manuscripts of Mikhako Tsereteli, most of which are unknown to researchers and the general public – was presented.
At the press conference, the Director of the Library spoke about the significance of the manuscripts for the National Science Library and their protection and preservation. Giorgi Vashakidze, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, evaluated the discovery and spoke about Mikhako Tsereteli's contribution to the country.
Mikheil (Mikhako) Tsereteli (23.12.1878–02.03.1965) is known as a Georgian scientist, political, and public figure. In his youth, he was actively engaged in political activities: at various times, he was a leader of the overseas political organizations the "Committee for the Independence of Georgia" and "White Giorgi". From a scientific perspective, Mikhako Tsereteli was the first Georgian orientalist, the founder of sociological sciences in Georgia, a Rustvelologist, and an émigré scholar who wrote his works in English, German, French, and Italian. The National Science Library has discovered manuscripts of 4 of his unpublished scientific works and the working archive of the German version of his widely circulated publication „Sumerian and Georgian“.
The National Science Library of the Ministry is the richest library in Georgia, possessing a collection of nearly 4 million books, latest and rare copies, as well as 20,000 electronic journals, 100,000 foreign electronic books, 22 million patents, and microfilms of 400 Georgian manuscripts preserved abroad. The library serves to promote the development of science in Georgia, raise the level of education and literacy, and introduce modern technologies.
