Vakhtang Chabukiani Memorial House-Museum - Museum of the Union of Tbilisi Museums

Vakhtang Chabukiani Memorial House-Museum is one of the structural units of the Union of Tbilisi Museums. The museum is dedicated to the life and work of a famous Georgian ballet dancer, choreographer, teacher, founder of the Georgian Ballet Troupe Vakhtang Chabukiani (1910-1992).

Vakhtang Chabukiani Memorial House-Museum follows the mission and main aims of the Union of Tbilisi Museums. The mission of the Union is the new role of the museums in contemporary society, which can be described as a synergy of the traditional museum activity and an educational aspect, which focuses on knowledge sharing to each person. We believe that modern museums must expand their vision and must prioritize the visitors together with collection. Museums must have a clear social function, and thus better communicate with visitors.

The Union of Tbilisi Museums aims popularization and presentation of the 19^th century culture and epoch context, preservation of cultural heritage, strengthening the functions of the museums and giving them new meanings, dissemination and strengthening of educational directions, involvement into the tourism sector, promoting low-income activities, and strengthening traditional support.  

Vakhtang Chabukiani is considered to be one of the most influential male ballet dancers in history, highly regarded in Georgia, as well as abroad. He is noted for creating the majority of the choreography of the male variations which comprise the classical ballet repertory. Chabukiani combined Georgian folk dance with classical ballet and created a peculiar national classic ballet.

Vakhtang Chabukiani Memorial House-Museum houses personal items of a ballet dancer (furniture, a grand piano, etc.) stage costumes, and a variety of documents which reflect actor's roles and life, photo collections, private archive.

Vakhtang Chabukiani lived in 83/23 David Aghmashenebeli Ave., Tbilisi, since 1947 up to 1992, before his death. After his death, in June 23, 1992, the government of Georgia issued Resolution №669, according to which Vakhtang Chabukiani Museum was established.

On May 10, 1993 the Ministry of Culture was given a flat of Vakhtang Chabukiani for arrangement the Museum. The Ministry of Culture temporarily entrusted Sophie Gordon, Vakhtang Chabukiani's niece, to head the Museum. Sophie soon died. During this period, years of hardship and the general poverty in Georgia, the things housed in Vakhtang Chabukiani apartment couldn’t be kept. The museum was no longer functioning and temporarily closed and sealed. In November 17, 1999, Vakhtang Chabukiani International Center (President – Eter Gugushvili) proposed to Valeri Asatini, the Minister of Culture to open Vakhtang Chabukiani House-Museum, for the 90^th anniversary of his birth. Because of lack of funds, the Ministry of Culture was not able to help. However, Tbilisi City Hall settled the problem and on March 31, 2000, the Minister of Culture Valeri Asatiani issued the order N 3/22, according to which the Vakhtang Chabukiani House-Museum was transferred to Tbilisi City Hall.

Other venues

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Ilia Chavchavadze Literary-Memorial Museum - Museum of the Union of Tbilisi Museums

7 Ivane Javakhishvili Street, Tbilisi, Georgia

Galaktion Tabidze Memorial House-Museum - Museum of the Union of Tbilisi Museums

4 Kote Marjanishvili Street, Tbilisi, Georgia

Nikoloz Baratashvili Memorial House-Museum - Museum of the Union of Tbilisi Museums

17 Chakhrukhadze Street, Tbilisi, Georgia

Kote & Soso Tsereteli Memorial House-Museum - Museum of the Union of Tbilisi Museums

2 Dimitri Uznadze street, Tbilisi, Georgia