The President of Georgia awards representatives of the cultural sector with the State Orders of Excellence and Honor

On the recommendation of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, and the Chairperson of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, President Mikheil Kavelashvili honoured cultural figures with the State Orders of Excellence and Honor.

The State Awards were presented to the laureates in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the cultural field, their distinguished service to Georgia, and their significant contributions to the development of the cultural sector.
The ceremony, held at the Presidential Palace, was attended by the First Lady of Georgia, Tamar Bagrationi; Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze; Chairperson of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili; Minister of Culture Tinatin Rukhadze; Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Achara Sulkhan Tamazashvili; members of Parliament and other cultural figures.

The President thanked the awardees for their creative works and stated that Georgia is fortunate to have individuals who dedicate themselves to further enriching Georgian culture, performing this work with exemplary commitment and dignity.

"As you know, Georgian culture is one of the finest expressions of our traditions, identity and character. There has always been a time and place for our culture to flourish, and the people who, throughout history, have created this extraordinary body of work continue to serve as a model for everyone - not only in Georgia but around the world - and each of us takes pride in this."

The fields that make up Georgian culture - cinema, music, theatre, and literature - are what make us distinctive, and we have always been, and will continue to be, proud of them. We are confident that these fields will continue to thrive in Georgia, given the richness of our cultural traditions.
Of course, this requires careful attention and support, because what our ancestors have contributed must be passed on to future generations. You are the individuals who, through your daily work, continue to create this extraordinary body of cultural achievement, and I wish to express my deepest respect to you.

We are fortunate to have a unique Georgian culture, and we take pride in it. On behalf of the Georgian people and the state, I congratulate you on this award and wish you continued success in the future," stated the President of Georgia.

For their outstanding achievements in the cultural field and distinguished service to Georgia, the Order of Excellence was awarded to: Merab Kokochashvili, member of the Board of Directors of Georgian Film and film director; and Badri Maisuradze, Artistic Director and Director of the Zakaria Paliashvili State Opera and Ballet Professional Theatre (LEPL), opera singer, and educator.

For their significant contributions to the development of the cultural sector, the Order of Honor was awarded to: Jiki Jangulashvili, Artistic Director, musician, and conductor of the Georgian State Chamber Ensemble (LEPL); Giorgi Andghuladze, soloist and opera singer at the Zakaria Paliashvili State Opera and Ballet Professional Theatre, Tbilisi (LEPL); Ketevan Dumbadze, Director of the Writers' House (LEPL); Otar Jorjikia, soloist and opera singer at the Zakaria Paliashvili State Opera and Ballet Professional Theatre (LEPL); Mikheil Kiria, opera singer; Giorgi Kalandia, General Director of the Museum of Cultural History at the Georgian State Museum of Arts (LEPL); Grigol Murghulia, teacher at IBI-Mtiebi School (LLC), consultant for general education at the Department of Preschool and General Education of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia, and member of the Supervisory Board of the Georgian Public Broadcaster; Badri Darchidze, choreographer of the "Fesvebi" Elders' Choreographic Ensemble at the Shuakhevi Cultural Center (NNLE); Ensemble musicians and accompanists Mindia Beridze and Roland Ivanadze; Ensemble dancers: Davit Makaradze, Zviad Bolkvadze, Tamaz Beridze, Levan Putkaradze, Makvala Buchukuri, Mikheil Melikishvili, Mikheil Putkaradze, Mukhran Darchidze, Nanuli Gogitidze, Nodar Kartsivadze, Nodar Davitadze, Nugzar Khimshiashvili, Revaz Mzhavanadze, Rusudan Darchidze, Shalva Mikeladze, Khasan Khiladze, Jemal Artmeladze, Shota Diasamidze and Mikheil Kakalaidze (posthumously).