Another Fire Destroys Artworks in Abkhazia: What is Not Being Done Right?

A fortnight ago, news emerged of a fire incident at the Davidson Galleries in Seattle, causing damage to irreplaceable works by Rembrandt and Pablo Picasso. Alarmingly, another fire has now occurred, this time at a museum in the separatist region of Abkhazia, Georgia, resulting in the loss of thousands of valuable art pieces. The destruction of artworks in Abkhazia raises concerns about potential shortcomings in museums’ strategy for preserving cultural heritage.

The arguments

In contrast to the Seattle fire, where firefighters attribute the cause to an individual setting a fire for warmth in the alley behind Davidson Galleries, the origin of the Abkhazia fire remains undisclosed and is yet to be determined.

According to Abkhaz World, the 4,000 artworks at the National Art Gallery in Abkhazia were primarily stored in inadequate conditions, without proper protection, and crammed into small rooms and narrow hallways. Additionally, some artworks in Davidson Galleries were scattered on the floor due to the gallery’s planned relocation to another venue.

The scenarios outlined above imply that museum attendants and managers might not fully grasp the significance of diligently preserving cultural heritage through the arts. However, is it fair to place the blame solely on them? What additional measures could be explored to ensure the safeguarding of these priceless masterpieces?

If there are insufficient fire prevention measures, such as fire-resistant infrastructure, firebreaks, and modern firefighting equipment, cultural sites may be vulnerable to such fire incidents.

Additionally, the absence of comprehensive preservation plans and strategies for safeguarding artworks and cultural artefacts can result in a lack of proactive measures to protect these treasures.

Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from local authorities, cultural institutions, and the community to prioritize and implement effective measures for the preservation and protection of artworks and cultural heritage in museums worldwide.

These unfortunate incidents could be prevented by providing cultural institutions with the attention and support they deserve, which includes adequate funding and staffing. This assistance would enable them to adhere to the necessary standards for the protection of artworks.

Moreover, having clearly outlined and effective emergency response plans, with seamless coordination between relevant authorities and cultural institutions, could prevent delays in addressing and mitigating the impact of fires.

The facts

Fire destroyed thousands of paintings at the National Art Gallery in Abkhazia, a region that broke away from Georgia in the 1990s on Sunday, January 21.

The fire was extinguished by 11 fire crews, but not before destroying more than 4,000 paintings, including 300 by Aleksandr Shervashidze-Chachba, known as “Abkhazia’s first professional artist”

Dinara Smyr, the Acting Minister of Culture, responding to the loss stated that “it’s as if everything has been destroyed. “This is an irreplaceable loss for the national culture of Abkhazia.”