Yesterday, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and Georgia, the exhibition ‘Cristoforo Castelli and Georgia’ was opened at the Simon Janashia Museum, consisting of reproductions of 50 graphic works by Roman Catholic missionary Don Cristoforo De Castelli (17th century) that describes the life of Catholic missionaries in Georgia (originals are kept in the Palermo Municipal Library).
At the event, which was attended by representatives of the Georgian government, diplomatic corps, society and academic circles, Italian Ambassador Enrico Valvo presented to the guests a trilingual book dedicated to Cristoforo Castelli (in Italian, Georgian and English) prepared by the Italian Embassy in Georgia.
“Exhibition ‘Cristoforo Castelli and Georgia’ marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Rome and Tbilisi. Today, against the background of excellent political, economic, scientific and cultural relations between Italy and Georgia, marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This date is a good opportunity to look back at the way we have passed together over the last three decades, the intensity of the historical ties between Italy and Georgia, and the long tradition of friendship and cooperation.
“In connection with this important anniversary, the Embassy of Italy in Georgia, in cooperation with the Georgian National Museum, is holding an exhibition ‘Cristoforo Castelli and Georgia’.
“Cristoforo Castelli made a great contribution to getting to know Georgia better for the European cultural family and left us an invaluable historical legacy – during the almost twenty-five years he spent here (1631-1654) he created an illustrated “diary” depicting Georgia at that time.
“The exposition consists of reproductions of 50 paintings (originals are kept in the Palermo Municipal Library), which are highly ethnologically and historically interesting: Castelli revived people and places of 17th-century Georgia on paper,” announced the Embassy of Italy in Georgia.
The exhibition ‘Cristoforo Castelli and Georgia’ will be open to the public from May 13 to June 30, 2022 at the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia (Address: 3 Shota Rustaveli Ave.)
In connection with the important anniversary, Tbilisi’s iconic tv tower was illuminated yesterday in the colors of the Italian flag.
Tbilisi’s iconic tv tower was illuminated yesterday with the 🇮🇹 flag, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between 🇮🇹 and 🇬🇪. Our heartfelt thanks the authorities of 🇬🇪. We celebrate 30 years of friendship, towards a future of ever deeper cooperation. pic.twitter.com/NI4QQKhgSc
— Italy in Georgia (@ItalyinGeorgia) May 12, 2022
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia also responded to the anniversary, noting that it highly values friendship and excellent cooperation with Italy.
“We highly value relations we have developed throughout these years and we very much look forward to strengthening them even further,” the MFA said.
Today we mark 30 years of friendship and excellent cooperation with Italy. We highly value relations we have developed throughout these years and we very much look forward to strengthening them even further! #Diplo30GeorgiaItaly 🇬🇪🤝🇮🇹 @ItalyMFA pic.twitter.com/yZJH5YspSK
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) May 11, 2022
