August 2026
From 24 to 29 August 2026, the 25th International Congress of Byzantine Studies was held at the University of Vienna. Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University was represented by Professor Nato Gengiuri and Assistant Professor Ketevan Ochkhikidze. The International Congress of Byzantine Studies is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious academic forums in the field of Byzantine studies. Held at approximately five-year intervals since 1924, it represents more than a century of international scholarly tradition. The programme of the 2026 Congress included approximately 1,500 academic papers and numerous accompanying events, bringing together scholars from countries around the world. The main theme of the Congress, “Byzantium beyond Byzantium,” focused on the study of Byzantine culture within a broader geographical and cultural context and on its interactions with neighbouring cultural worlds.
Nato Gengiuri and Ketevan Ochkhikidze participated in the thematic session “Sculpture and Architectural Decoration in the Medieval Caucasus” and presented the papers “The Porch as an Architectural Space and Symbol: Medieval Georgian Churches (10th–11th Centuries)” and “Eschatological Themes in Medieval Georgian Relief Sculpture.” The presentations were followed by scholarly discussion and professional exchanges with researchers from different countries. Participation in the Congress provided an important opportunity to present new research on medieval Georgian art and architecture at one of the leading international academic forums in the field, to strengthen professional contacts, and to enhance the international visibility of Georgian art-historical research.
The participation of the University representatives in the Congress was made possible with financial support from the Ministry of Culture of Georgia.