Orders of Excellence were awarded by Mikheil Kavelashvili, President of Georgia to prominent representatives of the arts and culture community of the country based on the joint nomination of Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia and Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of Parliament.

The Head of Government of Georgia congratulated the arts and culture representatives on receiving state awards and thanked them for their outstanding contribution to the development of culture.

“The strength of a country is measured not only by political stability or economic development, but first and foremost by the solidity of its cultural foundation. Art, science, traditions and historical memory do not belong solely to the past - they are the principal pillars of Georgian identity and our present-day reality. It is precisely a rich and continuously evolving culture that gives a state the strength to preserve its uniqueness and secure a decent place in the world.

You are the individuals who reinforce this vital foundation and enrich our country’s cultural heritage. The state awards presented to you today are only a symbolic expression of the highest respect for your achievements.

Thanks to your efforts, Georgian cinema, opera and choral art and our national choreography continue to develop; you safeguard historical memory, revive literature and nurture future generations. What unites each of you above all is your profound dedication to your work and to your country and for that, we must all express our deepest gratitude. It is your merit that Georgian culture continues to fill each of us with pride. Particularly commendable is your devotion to protecting our heritage and passing it on to future generations. Your high professionalism and creative principles set the best example for our youth”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze, while addressing the arts and culture representatives of the country.

The Order of Excellence was awarded to film director Merab Kokochashvili and to the Artistic and General Director of the State Opera and Ballet Theatre of Tbilisi Named After Zakaria Paliashvili Badri Maisuradze.

For their outstanding contribution to the development of culture, the Order of Honor was awarded to 30 representatives from various professions within the arts and culture field. The award recipients were also congratulated by Mikheil Kavelashvili, Shalva Papuashvili, Minister of Culture Tinatin Rukhadze and Chairman of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara Sulkhán Tamazashvili. The award ceremony, held at the Presidential Palace of Georgia, was attended by MPs and representatives of the arts and culture community of the country.