Staff Caught Off Guard by Sudden News

On October 29, employees of Georgia's National Center of Manuscripts were shocked to learn through a Facebook post by Director Zaza Abashidze that their institution would be transferred from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Culture, effective January 1, 2026.

"The Center's director and administration only learned of this fact at the last moment," the director's post stated, starkly illustrating the opaque nature of this decision. Most staff members learned about their future not through official announcements, but via social media.

The National Center of Manuscripts is not merely a repository. It is an academic institution that preserves precious cultural heritage while maintaining a long tradition of research and education. In response, the Center sent an inquiry to the Ministry of Education requesting to maintain its current affiliation.

Why This Decision Is Controversial

The government has characterized this as a "technical change," stating that the Center's legal status and functions will remain unchanged. The Ministry of Culture also confirmed to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Georgian service that "the Center will operate as usual."

However, concerns on the ground tell a different story. Issues being raised include the lack of transparency in the decision-making process, potential dispersal and relocation of collections, and fears of diminished research functions.

Particularly noteworthy is the Center's location. Situated on a one-hectare plot in the old academic complex on Aleksidze Street in central Tbilisi, the building has long been of interest to developers. Some speculate that the Center may be relocated to a complex under construction on Mount Makhata, with the current site potentially sold off.

'Strange Proposal' in Parliamentary Debate

While the bill amendment was drafted by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth, it was actually introduced by the Georgian government. When parliamentary review began, questions arose not only from the opposition but also from within the ruling party.

Sozar Subari, one of the leaders of the People's Power party, called it a "strange proposal" during a parliamentary bureau meeting, noting he had not heard clear justification for the change.

"I have nothing against the Ministry of Culture. However, the Manuscript Center is essentially one of the major academic institutions, and I could not find a legitimate explanation for why this change is being made."

In subsequent committee hearings, Deputy Education Minister Zviad Gabisonia repeatedly emphasized that it was "merely a technical change" and that "only the supervisory ministry is changing." To date, members of the ruling Georgian Dream party have unanimously supported the bill.

Cultural Heritage Protection and Transparency

The National Center of Manuscripts is a national asset that houses Georgia's historical documents and precious manuscripts. Whether this decision is simply administrative reorganization or the beginning of larger changes remains unclear.

What staff and academics are requesting is clear: a transparent decision-making process, explicit guarantees for the preservation of collections, and continuation of academic research functions.

Managing cultural heritage is not merely a "technical matter" of changing supervisory ministries. It is about protecting a nation's identity and history. Voices are growing louder calling for the Georgian government to fully recognize this and communicate transparently.