Ambassador Tefft Gets
to Know Georgia Through its Cultural Heritage
On August 28, the National Museum of Georgia opened its doors
to Ambassador Tefft. David Lordkipanidze, Director of the Museum
and Fullbright Scholar, guided Ambassador Tefft, DCM Perry and Mrs.
Perry through the prehistoric hall to the exhibit of marvelous archeological
findings, including ancient jewelry, from historical Colchis of
the Golden Fleece myth. After viewing the Museum exhibits, Ambassador
Tefft and DCM and Mrs. Perry traveled to the archeological dig at
Dmanisi. Georgian Minister of Education, Kakha Lomaia, joined them
for their tour of the world famous Dmanisi dig and the nearby fortress
ruins. Dmanisi is the site of the oldest human remains found outside
of Africa.
While in Dmanisi, Ambassador Tefft visited a two-week summer camp
being held at the dig site for 15 school children from Tbilisi and
the Kvemo Kartli region. The Dmanisi summer camp is part of the
Museum’s Promoting Multicultural Understanding Through Museum Outreach
project, which is supported by funding from the US Embassy’s Democracy
Commission Small Grant Program. Through the camp students learn
not only about archeology, human evolution, and prehistoric habits,
but they are also taught to see that all humans belong to one family,
and that ethnic and cultural differences need not be barriers to
respect and understanding. “The camp is an example how culture,
education and science can better interact. The visit of the U.S
Ambassador is a signal that Georgia’s ongoing reforms in education
and science are of the paramount importance,” Kakha Lomaia, the
Minister of Education of Georgia, told the journalists after touring
Dmanisi summer camp with Ambassador Tefft.
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