The beginning of restoration works in Ishkhani church and new discovery provoked reaction from state organizations as well as from scientists. The working process, which is going on without supervision of specialists creates big danger for Georgian monument and already caused damage to the 11th century floor that was discovered unexpectedly. Minister of Culture of Georgia Guram Odisharia made comment on the issue:
“The working process in Ishkhani should be ceased. The delegation with the representatives of the ministry of culture, the agency of cultural heritage protection, accompanied by the journalists will visit Turkey. They will visit Ishkhani and Oshki.” Georgian Journal contacted the Turkish firm for Monuments’ Research of Erzurum and its chief Suat Bakir: “Works on Ishkhani Church restoration go on under the supervision of Culture and Tourism Ministry. We have information about finding of the floor.  The floor has been temporarily closed by supervisors to prevent damage. Also the sub-contractor was warned about necessary precautions. We do our best to conduct the process of restoration of Ishkhani church according to the norms of scientific regulations.”
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II and Bishop of Akhaltsikhe and Tao-Klarjeti Theodore (Chuadze) addressed the ambassador of Turkey. On April 7-8, the Bishop visited Turkey and observed Ishkhani church. “Unfortunately, Ishkhani monastery is in a bad condition. Georgian archeologists and art historians don’t attend the process, which is unacceptable and defies the existing verbal agreement. At the same time, it is doubtful why the process has begun so unexpectedly without having final agreement.”
Georgian Journal offers the appeal of Georgian scholars:
“Restoration” of Ishkhani - 11th century Georgian Cathedral in northeastern Turkey turned into a shocking event.The verbal agreement between Turkey and Georgia was achieved based on the cooperation of the group of experts on rehabilitation of Ishkhani and Oshki. The document was to be signed. However, the official agreements made in Ankara and Istanbul was too late to reach Erzurum province. The local division of monuments’ protection had already signed the contract with a building company to undertake this extremely difficult task within 400 days and on a limited budget. The firm started to fulfill its “task” a few weeks ago. The 19th century wall built by the recycled stones of the church was demolished. In four days almost entire surface of the church was demolished. The large hole in the center of the church damaged the layers and the surface of the flooring. The lowering of the ground caused spring waters to run behind the exedra. No recorded data was used as a guideline; no responsible person was supervising the site. No archeologist, no restorers, no art historians, no engineers were present on the spot… The findings are: the 11th century ornamented floor made of red, yellowish and black colored lime tiles. In Georgian architecture only a small part of such tiles survived in the Bagrati Cathedral in Kutaisi (1003), but there it can be viewed nearly in all parts of the building. The broken ornamented parts of the 11th century alter screen were discerned among the stones, taken out from the interior. Ishkhani with its unique architecture, decoration, amazing mural paintings and inscriptions has always been considered as an outstanding monument of Georgian history and culture, a precious gem of north-eastern Anatolia, a monument which deserves acknowledgment as important piece of the world heritage. During the last week a total havoc was spread over the site. Today, we were promised that the “cleaning” will be stopped. According to the standard “call of tender” in Turkey, the firm has to finish the restoration in 400 days. Leaving Ishkhani within the ordinary project framework is extremely risky, as the new findings have proved it. Tomorrow, the most valuable information regarding this monument will be lost forever. Our goal is to elaborate a non-standard project that will include all necessary steps for an appropriate survey, conservation, consolidation and partial restoration. Please, help us to increase public awareness to Save Ishkhani!”
Dr. Irene Giviashvili

P.S. Later Buba Kudava, Head of National Center of Manuscripts said that part of works is stopped in Ishkhani.

SOS Ishkhani

Georgia was jubilant over the process of rehabilitation of Georgian historical monuments in historical Tao-Klarjeti, in Turkey. Though new findings in the unique Ishkhani church raised questions and showed faults of the process of rehabilitation. In Ishkhani church they discovered floor layer, dated by the 11th century, but Georgian historian Giorgi Patashuri found out that the process has begun without involvement of the Georgian side and without supervision of specialists of the Turkish side. Workers already damaged the floor and part of the wall of Ishkhani church.

Irene Giviashvili, art historian: All of us faced the problem. Three weeks ago I was informed that process had not begun and the firm which made project faces the same problems now. Due to the verbal agreement between Georgian and Turkish sides, Georgia has to participate in the process of restoration. Also we will have the opportunity to check and agree the projects and only after negotiations we will begin the process of rehabilitation. In spite of such agreement, we face problems now. Yesterday we knew, that they begun the works at Ishkhani cathedral. In the interior was dug the ground cover where we found the unknown floor layer dated by the 11th century. It is good news. But the fact that ordinary workers work there without supervision of specialists, observing no norms and regulations, overshadows it. The photos show that part of the floor layer is already damaged.
Q. Does it prove that it is impossible to continue the process without involvement of Georgian side?
A. Unique floor layer of Ishkhani church proves that Ishkhani is the monument of special artistic importance and the construction firm chosen according to the standard tender, can’t cope with this process. Specialists of high standard should be chosen to evaluate and keep architectural layers, mural paintings and sculptures in Ishkhani. Just now the work that is done very unprofessionally, should be ceased and the object should be conserved before special group of specialists are engaged in it.
Giorgi Patashuri, National Agency for Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Georgia: “We didn’t know about the beginning of physical activities in Ishkhani church. We didn’t expect that the process would develop at a high speed. Me and journalist of Rustavi 2, who was visiting Tao Klarjeti, made the discovery and were nonplussed.
Q. Who is responsible for faults made during the process of rehabilitation?
A. We don’t need to find who’s guilty. First thing to do is to involve Georgian specialist in the process of rehabilitation of Tao-Klarjeti historical monuments. It is a fact that legitimacy of involving of Georgian specialists is defined by the agreement, which is not prerogative of specialists of the Agency of Monument Protection. Georgian side is ready to take part in the process but it requires the will of the Turkish side. But Georgia has to take all measures for operative involvement and participation of Georgian side to avoid deliberate or unintentional damage of Oshki and Ishkhani churches. It is the requirements of archeological works. Archeologist who is aware of medieval period should unveil artifacts and record them. Unique ancient floor layer is already damaged.
Q. Was the Turkish side informed about the new finding?
A. I found only workers on the Ishkhani territory so I doubt that they would spread the information. That’s why Georgian side is going to react and to inform official Turkish side about the processes unfolding at Ishkhani historical monument.