Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and visiting Swedish Foreign Minister Karl Bildt today opened the Alfred and Ludwig Nobel Museum in Batumi. The museum, created on the initiative of the Georgian president, is housed in the building where the Nobel brothers had an office at the end of the 19th century.

The exhibits at the museum illustrate the economic and social life of Ajaria in the 19th century, as well as the works of the two renowned scientists. Saakashvili said that the museum showed the important role that Georgia played in the world one century ago and the mission that it has today.

"The world oil boom began in Baku, but many of the processes connected with it were managed from Batumi. This city was home to the major companies and formed an important part of their cultural and social life. At that time this city was important not only in terms of economics, but also because of the fact that the most famous European writers, inventors and scientists lived here. In short, Georgia is an important part of European history. This museum is clear confirmation of that.

"This was noted before, but at that time Georgia was part of the Russian Empire. Now the things that we have done illustrate the importance of Georgia and the Georgian people. We have many other treasures which have been deliberately lost and forgotten. But all of this is coming back now, with more brilliance than ever," Saakashvili said.

Saakashvili and the Swedish foreign minister then unveiled a memorial plaque on the facade of the building that housed the Swedish consulate in Batumi from 1921-23.

Press Office
of the President of Georgia