Georgian opera singer to be awarded by Austrian award

Iconic Georgian bass and public figure Paata Burchuladze will be awarded by the Austiarn delegation with Austrian State Award today, at his birthday.

The first class honorable cross will be granted to Paata Burchuladze, 58, for his contribution to the country’s art and culture.

The singer will be awarded by the Director General of the Austrian theatres holding Georg Springer. He will also present a special letter of the President of Austria Heinz Fischer to the singer.

The awards ceremony will be held in the Ministry of Culture today and starts at 12.00 pm.

Also a monument of Paata Burchuladze's handprint will be opened in the ”Immortals' arch" at the State Museum of Theatre, Music and Film.

Paata Burchuladze, who has spent more than 35 years on stage of world's famous operahouses, is also a great philantropist and founder of the charity fund Iavnana which helps children without homes by buying houses for them and their families.