On 27 January at 4:00 PM, to mark the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in Georgia, the exhibition “Saint Nino - Enlightener of Georgia” will open at the Exhibition Pavilion of the National Archives.

The exhibition will present photographs related to Saint Nino’s activities in Georgia, taken during National Archives expeditions both within Georgia (Tbilisi, Tsalenjikha, Sefieti, Bochorma, Vardzia, Paravani Lake, Bodbe, Shiomghvime, Gelati, Ujarma, Mtskheta, Satkhi) and abroad (Azerbaijan - Udabno; Turkey - Ani). It will also feature manuscripts related to the conversion of Kartli (Gospels, collections of historical writings) and historical documents (charters donated to the Bodbe Monastery in the name of Saint Nino).

The chronological range of the frescoes documented during the expeditions spans from the 11th to the 17th centuries, while the manuscripts and historical documents date from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

The aim of the exhibition is to present to the general public the unique visual heritage and archival documents that reflect the history of the Christianization of Georgia, and to highlight the profound significance of this epoch-making event in the spiritual, cultural, and state development of the Georgian nation.

As part of the event, a brochure dedicated to Saint Nino will be presented. In addition, the National Archives is working on a documentary film about Saint Nino, which will be offered to the public later in the year. The same theme will also be the focus of the 11th International Scientific Conference of the National Archives.