Culture Minister Maia Bitadze inspects ongoing restoration at Kutaisi Opera and Ballet Theatre

Culture Minister Maia Bitadze inspected ongoing restoration works at Kutaisi’s historic Meliton Balanchivadze Opera and Ballet Theatre on Friday.

The extensive overhaul will upgrade the venue’s internal and external infrastructure, modernising its stage technology and acoustics to meet international standards.

“A comprehensive restoration is taking place to bring this historic landmark up to modern specifications. While technical complexities have extended the project timeline, Kutaisi Opera has stood as a vital hub for Georgian operatic and ballet arts for decades. To preserve this tradition, upgrading the venue’s infrastructure is essential. The ensemble requires a state-of-the-art creative space that supports their work and artistic success,” Bitadze remarked during her visit.

Imereti Regional Governor Levan Zalkaliani, Kutaisi Mayor Davit Eremeishvili, Kutaisi MP Zaza Lominadze, Director of the National Agency for Cultural Heritage Preservation Zaza Kvitsiani, and senior ministry officials joined the Minister.

First opened on 27 December 1969 with Zakaria Paliashvili’s opera Abesalom and Eteri, the theatre was renamed in 1990 in honour of the pioneering Georgian composer Meliton Balanchivadze. As Imereti’s flagship cultural institution, it maintains a repertoire spanning classical Georgian national opera and European masterpieces.