On October 26, 2006 “The Museum of the Soviet Occupation” was opened in Tbilisi. The recent history of Georgia is featured in the museum.

The period of independence in 1918-1921, and Soviet control until 1991, when independence was declared is represented in the museum

Exhibition space is divided into three parts. The first part is a smaller hall compared with the main ones designed to create an overall tendency. A wagon of Shorapani’s freight train is exhibited here as a symbol of tragedy in the 20th century.

One of the specifics of the architecture (entresol), the central space, is a good match with the whole exhibition. Official documents along with press of that time are introduced on the entresol. Such disposition of the documentary materials contrasts with the main part of the exhibition, which is located inn the lower part of the main hall. xthe 20th century, according to decades, is described with the objects and materials.

Modern technologies are used in order to boost the historical depiction. The hall is well equipped with monitors and related visual effects.

The founding of the museum is very important for our country. It is the first time when the truth about the recent history of Georgia has been revealed. In addition, some exhibits must remain unbuilt due to the loss of independence. Opening the museum has uncovered many unfamiliar details for Georgian society. Educational approach was considered to be the most important element in the museum.

Many organizations and families under repression in the Soviet period have provided the museum with materials. Particularly, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has contributed to the opening of the museum by submitting archival materials from the KBG files of that period. The museum has received a lot of visitors since it was opened.

The director of the museum of the Soviet occupation     D. Tsckadadze