An international conference “Argo 2014 – Revival of the Legend” was opened at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. The conference was dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the voyage by British explorer, scientist and author, Tim Severin and “new Argonauts” to Georgia. TSU Rector, Academician Vladimer Papava, Tim Severin, members of the New Argonauts expedition, TSU academic staff, students and invited guests participated in the event. During the conference TSU Rector Vladimer Papava awarded Tim Severin with TSU Medal for his contribution to the university and popularization of Georgia.
TSU Rector Vladimer Papava said: “Famous traveler Tim Severin implemented a very interesting project 30 years ago – the expedition of Argonauts, which ended with a conference at our university. This event promoted and still promotes Georgia’s popularization. According to the legend, historic Argonauts never returned to Georgia, but modern Argonauts returned to our country.”
“Tim Severin’s voyage was very important for propagandizing Georgia. It was the first international voyage in the world and this first expedition from Europe to Kolkheti was conducted in Georgia,” TSU Professor, Rismag Gordeziani said.
Tim Severin said that the goal of his visit was to mark the 30th anniversary of Argonauts’ expedition as well as to meet with Georgian friends in order to again recollect the myth about Argonauts.
“Argonauts’ expedition 30 years ago gave its worthy place to Georgia on the world tourist map. Today we revive this 30-year-old story. Argonauts and Argo has become Georgia’s visiting card on international arena,” Head of Georgian National Tourism Administration, Giorgi Sigua said.
A presentation of Georgian translation of the book The Jason Voyage by Tim Severin was held on the sideline of the conference. Paintings and sculptures by Georgian artists were exhibited at the TSU exhibition hall.
In 1984 Tim Severin and his crew made a voyage on a replica of a Greek galley ship from Greece via Turkey to Georgia. The expedition’s goal was to prove that in the 13th century BC the Greek could reach Kolkheti, where they found a highly developed state. Tim Severin’s Argonauts decided to revive the old Greek myth about Argonauts by this expedition.
Tim Severin built the Argo ship from special wood, using the technology described in ancient sources - without any nails. All the 12 Argonauts were selected in England, mostly from rowing teams of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; the remaining members of the crew were selected from the sportsmen of those countries, where the Argo ship should have passed, particularly Greece, Turkey and Georgia.
Setting sails from Greek town of Iolkos Argonauts passed Greek islands, Aegean and Marmara Seas, Dardanelles and Bosporus straits, the coast of Anatolia and entered the port of Poti on July 20. From Poti, Argonauts sailed to Vani, the center of Kolkheti.
