April 18 marks the International Day of Monuments and Sites. This day was established in 1984 by the decision of UNESCO and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and is celebrated all over the world. The goal of this day is to raise public awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli: “April 18 is the International Day of Monuments and Sights and this year the whole world celebrates this date under special conditions. Faced with unprecedented challenges, we are once again convinced that the legacy created by human coexistence with nature is of constant value, the protection of which is of paramount significance.

Georgia's richest cultural heritage is an invaluable part of human treasures. The special universal significance of the historical monuments of Mtskheta, Gelati Monastery and Zemo Svaneti are recognized by UNESCO.

Additionally, the UNESCO World Memory Program registers five historical manuscripts: "Georgian Byzantine Manuscripts", Vakhushti Batonishvili's "Description of the Kingdom of Georgia" and "Geographical Atlas", as well as, Shota Rustaveli's "Manuscript Collection of The Knight in the Panther’s skin" and “Otkhtavi” protected by the National Archives of Georgia.

Furthermore, a global recognition of the Georgian intangible heritage: Georgian polyphony, the ancient Georgian traditional method of Qvevri winemaking, the living culture of three kinds of Georgian alphabet and Georgian wrestling are all equally important.

Today, when Georgian museums, landmarks and monuments have been completely or partially closed to the general public, cultural  institutions continue to operate remotely. I thank the personnel, who continue to work in high consciousness to protect our cultural heritage and who, despite the current circumstances, safeguard the availability of information, and provide real-cognitive virtual tours, a dedication that contributes to the overall efforts of a better tomorrow. "