Fashion designer Demna Gvasalia, filmmaker Merab Kokochashvili among recipients of Tbilisi honorary citizen status
Honorary Tbilisi citizens were awarded as part of this year’s Tbilisoba city festival on Sunday. Photo: government of Georgia press office
Tweet 
Share
Balenciaga’s Georgian creative director Demna Gvasalia and celebrated film director Merab Kokochashvili were among 20 personalities from art, culture and politics who received the status of honorary Tbilisi citizens as part of this year’s Tbilisoba city festival on Sunday.
Tbilisi city hall handed out the titles to the selected individuals, with the list including film director Eldar Shengelaia, poets Tariel Chanturia and Vakhtang Javakhadze, and actor Tengiz Archvadze.
Van Baiburt, the deputy head of Armenian Union of Georgia, Azerbaijani diplomat Hasan Hasanov and French pianist Elizabeth Sombart were also among those selected for the honour.
Addressing the audience, mayor Kaladze said “Tbilisi and its centuries-old history stand on people who are aware of [the related] responsibility and offer professionalism, work and love for the country”. He thanked the citizens awarded with the prize “for what they have done, are doing and will continue to do in the future for our city".
Tbilisoba 2022. Video: Tbilisi city hall press office.
In his words, prime minister Irakli Garibashvili noted the multicultural facet of the city and its residents in comments on the awards, while also crediting mayor Kakha Kaladze for his work for the capital.
Tbilisi is distinguished by its history, culture, multiethnic and multi- confessional community. Indeed, Tbilisi sets a truly unique example of tolerance. Here in this city, representatives of various religions, ethnic groups or nationalities have lived in love for centuries, and this is what this amazing city has created", said the prime minister.
Garibashvili also made remarks on October 1 marking the 10th anniversary of the current ruling Georgian Dream party taking office, saying the authorities had ensured a “long period of peaceful and stable development” for the country.