The unique archive of Brothers Zubalashvili: 1-15 November 2018

The Unique Archive of Brothers Zubalashvili is an exhibition at the Georgian National Museum from 1-15 November 2018.

The Brothers Zubalashvili is a family of 17^thcentury Georgian businessmen. Grandfather Ivane Zubalashvili (1792-1864) and Constantine (1828-1901) began the business with a sugar refinery, a vodka plant, and printing presses. Constantine had three sons: Stephan, Peter, and Jabob – who are the The Brothers Zubalashvili.

The exhibition shows the Georgian industrialists and philanthropists from Dimitri Ermakovs' photo albums. The brothers used their fortune for public charity – they constructed hotels, a music school, shelters, a public library, and several churches – and financed the Society for Spreading Literacy among Georgians.

As well the photo materials showing the construction of Tbilisi Public House and the historic building of State University, it also showcases Georgian history, Caucasian civilization, and archaeology.

From the unique archive are the works of the Zubalashvili brothers. The materials combine correspondence between Brothers Zubalashvili and the Society for Spreading Literacy among Georgians about financing the newspaper "Iveria" and the "Jejili" journal. It also lists the scholars who were admitted into education institutions in Russia and Europe, such as Aleksandre Janelidze, Sargis Kakabadze, Shalva Amirejibi, Geronti Kikodze, Leo Kiacheli, Pavle Ingorokva and others.

The unique archive of the patron and collector Jacob Zubalashvili includes some of his personal belongings as well. Additionally there is a special section on the works of art he gifted to French museums. It also includes an electronic catalogue specially created for the exhibition.

The descendants of Peter (Petre) Zubalashvili, living in Switzerland and later in France, have protected historical documentation and other belongings in their houses for over 114 years. In June 2018, they donated that priceless archive to the Georgian National Museum, which is now opening up the archives to the public.

The delivery of the archive is credited to Peter Zubalashvili's grandchild, Virginie Anlar, who several years ago, after meeting the future author of the project - Eka Enukidze - expressed her desire to donate the archive of the Zubalashvili-Anlar branch of her family to her homeland Georgia.

After several months of work by the Georgian National Museum, each object was transferred to its respective fund, given a file number, and was also digitalized. In the future, the scientific study and restorative works of the collection is planned.

The Zubalashvili family has connections with the Marjanishvili Theatre, the first building of the University and Tbilisi Musical School (today it is the building of the Tbilisi State Conservatoire), Tbilisi's first Pediatric Hospital, and a restaurant "Samadlo" on the road to Kojori. At the outbreak of the First World War, Peter Zubalashvili donated their family owned Hotel "London" to the Tbilisi government.

The transfer of the Zubalashvili archive from France was accomplished with the support of TBC bank in collaboration with The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and Georgian Airlines.

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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