Batumi Drama Theater

Cult buildings

The Ilia Chavchavadze Drama Theatre is in Batumi's old city centre, near the sea and port. This distinguished structure originated as part of the Leonid Teplitskyproject. The theatre can seat 600 people and requires the presence of people with disabilities. The magnificent building, designed in classic patterns, leaves an indelible impression on visitors. Its graceful capitals and tall columns give it an exquisite appearance. The elegant ornaments adorning the interior and exterior of the structure are also impressive.

Two lion sculptures from the second century B.C., discovered during Khorghaniexcavations in Tsnori, are now displayed on the plinth at the entrance.

The wall painting of the interior, which belongs to the artist Beniamin Gordeziani, also adds exquisiteness to the theatre.

Due to the specific lighting, the building looks mysterious at night.

Batumi theatre art history has more than 130 years of history, though its roots date back to the distant past.

On July 20, 1879, local amateur stage actors gave the first Georgian performance in Batumi. It was the beginning of Georgian theatre in Adjara.

The first structure, built in 1884, had a capacity of 450 viewers. On August 28, 1912, the actors’ assembly formed an association and elected Shalva Dadiani as its director. Since 1912, Batumi has hosted seasonal performances starring professional actors. The Drama Society first appeared in 1913. The drama society administration formed a professional troupe under the direction of Shalva Dadian. The Batumi Drama Troupe featured both local and invited actors. Batumi Theatre received its academic title in 1921. The new theatre opened on March 18, 1937, with a celebration ceremony. Its cast was primarily composed of young people from the Rustaveli Theatre Dramatic Studio.

In 1959, the Batumi Theatre took its name after Ilia Chavchavadze. The place that showed many beautiful and unforgettable performances functions today and continues its tradition. Throughout the years, real masters of acting arts performed on the Adjara Drama stage, such as Iusup Kobaladze, Nunu Tetradze, ManucharShervashidze, Nino Sakandelidze, Gaioz Gogiberidze, Murad Khinikadze, IuriTsanava, Berida Intskirveli, and many others.

The Batumi Ilia Chavchavadze Drama Theatre also houses the Georgian National Artist Gaioz (Kukuri) Gogiberidze Museum, which preserves theatrical arts items such as archive materials, photos, video, and audio recordings. The museum also owns personnel files, rehearsal and performance diaries, theatre programs, posters, booklets, and albums.