Editing Tbilisi (section)

== Culture ==

=== Architecture ===
The architecture of Tbilisi is a blend of Georgian, Byzantine, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Beaux-Arts, Middle Eastern, and Soviet modern influences.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Suny|first1=Ronald Grigor|editor1-last=Curtis|editor1-first=Glen E.|title=Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia|date=1996|publisher=DIANE Publishing|isbn=978-0788128134|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_B2W1YOG3N10C/page/n236 184]|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_B2W1YOG3N10C}}</ref> Few buildings survived the 1795 destruction of the city, so most historic structures date to the Russian Imperial period (1801–1917). 

Tbilisi's old quarters (Kala, Abanotubani, Avlabari) were largely rebuilt following their medieval street plans. Downtown areas developed by Russian authorities, like Sololaki, Rustaveli Avenue, and Vera, show a European-style layout with Beaux-Arts, Orientalist, and revivalist architecture.

Tbilisi is particularly noted for its Art Nouveau buildings, especially in Sololaki and Chughureti, which flourished from the 1890s until the early Soviet era. Stalinist architecture, such as the 1938 Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute building (now the [[Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi]]), also left a mark on the city's landscape.

Post-World War II architecture introduced mass housing blocks in neighborhoods like Saburtalo and Dighomi. Notable Soviet-era landmarks include the 1975 [[Bank of Georgia headquarters|Ministry of Roads]] building and the 1984 [[Wedding Palace (Tbilisi)|Wedding Palace]].

Since independence, Tbilisi has experienced both rapid skyscraper development (e.g., [[Axis Towers]], [[Holiday Inn Tbilisi]], [[King David Residences]]) and challenges with unregulated construction.

[[File:Rustaveli National Theater in Georgia (Europe), built 19th century in Rococo style.jpg|thumb|[[Rustaveli Theatre]] on [[Rustaveli Avenue]]]]
[[File:2014 Tbilisi, Ulica Erekle II (03).jpg|thumb|upright|Cafés in [[Old Tbilisi]]]]

=== Art museums and galleries ===
Tbilisi is home to several important museums and art spaces:
* The [[Georgian National Museum]] network, including the [[Art Museum of Georgia]].
* The [[Museum of Modern Art]], opened in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rabimov|first=Stephan|title=The Tbilisi Art Scene Looks Inside Georgia|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephanrabimov/2019/11/04/the-tbilisi-art-scene-looks-inside-georgia/|access-date=2020-07-19|website=Forbes}}</ref>
* Contemporary art centers like [[Kunsthalle Tbilisi]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Kunsthalle Tbilisi opens with contemporary exhibitions|url=https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2018/1046|access-date=2020-07-19|website=Agenda.ge}}</ref> and Open Space of Experimental Art.<ref>{{cite web|title=Open Space: new experimental art platform launches in Tbilisi|url=https://www.agenda.ge/en/news/2018/1931|access-date=2020-07-19|website=Agenda.ge}}</ref>

Other cultural institutions include the [[Giorgi Leonidze State Museum of Literature]] and the [[Writer's House of Georgia]].

=== Performing arts ===
Tbilisi hosts major cultural institutions such as:
* [[Tbilisi State Conservatoire]]
* [[Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre]]
* [[Rustaveli State Academic Theater|Shota Rustaveli State Academic Theatre]]
* [[Marjanishvili Theater|Marjanishvili State Academic Theatre]]
* [[Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theater]]
* Royal District Theatre

[[File:National Opera House. Tbilisi, Georgia.jpg|thumb|[[Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre]]]]

==== Film Festival ====
The [[Tbilisi International Film Festival]] (TIFF) is organized annually by the Cinema Art Center Prometheus. It began in 2000 as part of a larger "Gift" festival, then became an independent event in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tbilisi International Film Festival |website=Festagent |url=https://festagent.com/en/festivals/tbilisi_fest |access-date=24 August 2022}}</ref> The main venue is located at 164 Agmashenebeli Avenue.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cinema Art Center Prometheus - Tbilisi International Film Festival|website=Culture.pl|url=https://culture.pl/en/place/cinema-art-center-prometheus-tbilisi-international-film-festival|access-date=24 August 2022}}</ref>

=== World Book Capital ===
Tbilisi was designated as [[World Book Capital]] for 2021 by [[UNESCO]], recognizing the city's efforts to promote books and reading.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tbilisi named World Book Capital 2021|url=https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/tbilisi-named-world-book-capital-2021|access-date=2022-04-19|website=UNESCO}}</ref>