International Conference
Art and Architecture in Medieval and Modern Georgia: Historical and Cultural Context Dedicated to the 85th anniversary of George Chubinashvili Institute of History of Georgian Art (since 2006 – George Chubinashvili National Research Centre).
Tbilisi, 25–27 November 2026
On the occasion of its 85th anniversary, the George Chubinashvili National Research Centre announces an international conference entitled “Art and Architecture in Medieval and Modern Georgia: Historical and Cultural Context,” to be held in Tbilisi from 25 to 27 November 2026.
The conference invites art historians, architectural historians, and scholars in related disciplines to explore the historical, cultural, and intellectual contexts of Georgian art and architecture from the medieval to the modern period. The event will be held in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and online participation.
As an anniversary event, the conference aims to provide a broad forum for discussion and welcomes contributions addressing a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to):
- formation and early development of Christian architecture
- art and the cult of relics
- devotional practices and the creation of sacred spaces
- architecture of Georgia in the Caucasian and Middle Eastern context
- Medieval patronage
- Medieval cultural and artistic exchange
- the place of Georgia in Global Byzantium
- the emergence of Modernity
- art and power in the Medieval and Modern periods
- art and identity in the Medieval and Modern periods
- gender in Medieval and Modern art
- aspects of Georgian Modernism
- art and ideology in the Soviet period
- the historiography of Georgian art
- contemporary challenges in the study of Georgian culture
While the conference focuses primarily on Georgia, papers addressing the art and architecture of the wider region are also welcome, particularly those that highlight Georgia’s connections and relations with neighboring countries and cultures.
Proposals for 20-minute papers should include a title, an abstract of up to 300 words, and the author’s name, institutional affiliation, and contact details. Abstracts may be submitted in English or Georgian. Please send proposals to: natsvlishvili@gch-centre.ge by 31 May 2026. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their submissions by 30 June 2026.