The President of Georgia visited Svaneti today. Mikheil Saakashvili expressed interest in completed projects and familiarized himself with the ongoing works. He toured the Ethnographic Historic Museum of Svaneti, the first stage of rehabilitation of which is already completed. The new building has modern international standard halls, a lab, vault, work rooms and café. The second stage of the rehabilitation of the museum envisions creating an auditorium and a media lab.

“Three of the best museums are being built in Georgia this year: Akhaltsikhe, Vani and Mestia. Some people made a big issue out of this fact – they were telling us not to touch these museums; they wanted to interfere with us constructing pretty much anything” – noted Mikheil Saakashvili.

The President of Georgia opened a Piazza in Mestia and the Guest House “Daeli”, rehabilitated within the scope of the rehabilitation project. The family hotel has 8 rooms and can host 25 persons simultaneously. The hotel is already functional and hosting its first guests this season. The façade of the guesthouse was given back its original appearance with the investment of the state, and it is decorated with traditional wooden frames. The President later met with an American photographer from the National Geographic Journal Aaron Huey, who arrived in Mestia 12 years ago for the first time, and showed the President photos taken back then.

“You won’t even recognize this place after 12 years. Such a transformation is truly incredible. I want everyone to see what this place was like in the past and what it is like now. These photos show the center square of Mestia where there was nothing” – noted Mikheil Saakashvili.

The Head of State also arrived at a recently opened hospital where he spoke to the medical personnel, and met with patients who have already used the state insurance package. The President also visited the newborns and congratulated the Gvichiani family on their 6^th child – Barbare.

The Minister of Culture Nikoloz Rurua, General Director of the National Museum Davit Lortkipanidze, First Deputy Minister of the Healthcare, Labor, and Social Affairs as well as representatives of various spheres visited Mestia with the President.