On the initiative of the society “Batumi” Expert of Cultural Heritage Economics of Pennsylvania University (USA) Professor Donovan Rypkema visited Georgia in the current year. Within two weeks’ program the Professor and Georgian experts delivered lectures about cultural heritage economics for local and American students. 

On the seminar Georgian and American students became familiar with challenges of Georgian cultural heritage. Depending on the international experience the specialists gave recommendation for preserving of historical heritage as an instrument of economical development. The seminar was conducted in Tbilisi and included tours in historical Tbilisi and meetings with Georgian experts working in the same field. The presentation was held in Tbilisi City Assembly and was attended by representatives of corresponding departments of Tbilisi City Hall and Tbilisi Assembly. The participants were awarded with certificates.

The representatives of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Agency of Ajara Sofio Chanishvili (an art critic) and Lia Gelovani (an architect) participated in the event, worked on the recommendation with the Georgian-American group and held a presentation about preservation and economic development of cultural heritage monuments.