Meeting with the official delegation of the Council of Europe's prehistoric rock art route

On July 16, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport - Levan Kharatishvili held a working meeting with members of the official delegation of the Council of Europe's prehistoric rock art route. Among the delegation, prominent scientists such as- Ramon Monte Barquin, Hippolytus Colado Giraldo, Jose Manuel Rey, Antonio Batarda and Rayman Abdullayev were present. During the meeting, the sides discussed innovations in the field of heritage and cultural routes. Levan Kharatishvili briefed the members of the delegation on the Ministry's large-scale project "Georgia, Europe". The parties set out action plans for active cooperation and sharing of experience amongst themselves.

The International Symposium - "Prehistoric Rock Art in Europe and Georgia" will be held July 16-17, organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia in cooperation with the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation. Seminars will be organized within the framework of the symposium, in order to exchange experiences between the participating countries and establish a platform for cooperation around Europe. Thematic discussions are aimed at improving modern mechanisms of managing prehistoric rock painting as the first culture of mankind. Georgian and foreign experts will also share their experience of managing outdoor art monuments.

Within the framework of the scientific forum, the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation will introduce the participants of the symposium on the content of the mission developed with respect to the petroglyphs on the territory of Georgia and the latest results of the archaeological expedition.

Georgia has become a full member of the Council of Europe's Cultural Routes of Prehistoric Rock Art since 2017. Membership of the European Agency on behalf of the country was granted to the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Georgia. After Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Norway and Azerbaijan, Georgia is the 8th full member of the European Route of Prehistoric Art. In the first stage of the "prehistoric rock art" route, Georgia is represented by Trialeti petroglyphs complex, which has been granted the status of cultural heritage.