Many of us probably don’t have the faintest idea that something like the Argentina House, functioning in Georgia, and the House of Georgia, operating in Argentina, even exists. These institutions serve as some of the brightest bilateral symbols of international friendship and cultural cooperation between the two countries and beyond. They are headed respectively by Nikoloz Makharadze-Patarklishvili and Diego Roberto Manavella. The activity of this multifaceted bilateral project was personally blessed by the Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia the Second.
Bright and early on May 20, the founders of the project arrived from Argentina in Tbilisi—among them, the President of the House, Diego Roberto Manavella, and its General Secretary, Leandro Muñoz, accompanied by their colleagues. The Argentinian delegation was met at the Tbilisi Airport by Georgian supporters and sponsors of the Argentina House with warm, friendly cheers—including musicians of the Georgian Marching Band, led by Giorgi Vartanov.
After a couple of days of well-deserved rest following their long journey from Argentina to Sakartvelo, the guests and their Georgian hosts participated in a congress organized by the Houses. The congress focused on a large-scale international project prepared and presented by Makharadze-Patarklishvili. This project envisions the development of key economic sectors such as energy and agriculture, the creation of various industrial enterprises, and the founding of a major tourism compound.
The bilateral business relations between Sakartvelo and Argentina were also examined by the congress in the fields of education, culture, and sports, including frequent interactions and exchanges. The congress took place on May 22 at the Vakhtang Saralidze Concert Hall in Digomi.
Among the congress speakers were: Professor Givi Abdushelishvili, Chairman of the Academic Foundation of Science and Technology of the National Academy of Sciences; Professor Paata Surguladze, Doctor of Historical Sciences; Professor Giuli Gogoli, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences; Dr. Gubaz Megreladze, Doctor of Arts; Tengiz Gachechiladze, Merited Journalist of Georgia and one of the founders of the Georgian Olympic Committee; Guram Kupatadze and Morison Kublia, Vice Presidents of the Phasisi International Academy; and others.
At the conclusion of the congress, a trilateral agreement was signed between the two Houses and the Hotel Irmeni of Tbilisi, with the goal of promoting tourism development.
Between May 23 and 30, members of the Argentine delegation, accompanied by their Georgian colleagues and friends, visited the regions of Kakheti, Guria, and Achara. They met with representatives of local municipalities and heads of local departments of tourism and culture. A meeting was also organized with the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Davit Songulashvili, and the Minister of Regional Development, Kakha Guledani.
The next friendly gathering, within the framework of the mutually “built” Houses in Argentina and Sakartvelo, is planned to take place shortly after July 20, 2025, with the participation of business circles from both nations.
The Georgian Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant governmental departments have been informed about the ongoing and upcoming business initiatives between Georgia and Argentina under the agreements achieved by the two Houses. This information has also been communicated to the respective embassies, regional leaders, and municipal authorities, who have already expressed their readiness and desire to actively participate in future developments between Argentina and Sakartvelo.
It is universally acknowledged that this project holds tremendous potential for benefitting the peoples of both nations—whether one calls it governmental engagement or people’s diplomacy. The names and titles matter less than the essence of the initiative: a fruitful, peaceful, and mutually beneficial cooperation between Georgia and Argentina, for the benefit of both peoples. Thank God, there are forces and individuals who not only desire this good work—but are capable of turning it into reality.
Blog by Nugzar B. Ruhadze
