Georgian President awards National Hero title to late poet Mikha Khelashvili, Medal of Honour to blind singer Lela Vepkhvadze
The ceremony was held in the courtyard of the Orbeliani Presidential Palace on Saturday. Photo: President's press office
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Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili awarded the title of National Hero to late poet Mikha Khelashvili and the Medal of Honour to blind singer Lela Vepkhvadze yesterday.
Born in 1900, Khelashvili was a member of the anti-Soviet movement, which fought against the Bolshevik regime to restore Georgia’s sovereignty. Regarded as the People’s Poet of Georgia, Khelashvili was assassinated at the age of 25.
Georgia has a new #NationalHero! ????
— Orbeliani Palace (@OrbelianiPalace) April 9, 2022
Mikheil “Mikha” Khelashvili who fought against the Soviet regime and was killed in 1925, was granted the status of National Hero of Georgia by President @Zourabichvili_S today. pic.twitter.com/JNNI2Frdxn
Vepkhvadze took part in the April 9 rally, a peaceful pro-independence demonstration in Tbilisi, which was violently dispersed by the Soviet troops back in 1989.
I would like to thank every person for this warmth. I always feel warmth, love from people. I would like to say a very big thank you to Mrs. Salome, my beloved president, and tell her that I will try to carry this award with dignity," - Vepkhvadze said.
The ceremony was held in the courtyard of the Orbeliani Presidential Palace on Saturday, marking the 33rd anniversary of the April 9 tragedy.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said Georgia was “very vulnerable” in the face of the Russian aggression, expressing her hope that the world would pay attention to the country.
American, British, German, Lithuanian, Norwegian and Swedish diplomats paid homage to the victims of Georgia’s April 9 tragedy on Saturday, marking the 33rd anniversary since the violent dispersal of a peaceful pro-independence demonstration by Soviet troops in Tbilisi, killing 21 and injuring hundreds of civilians.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has pardoned 15 inmates, including six Ukrainian citizens, on the 33rd anniversary of the April 9 tragedy in Tbilisi.
The Presidential Administration said the pardoned inmates, seven of whom are women, would leave the penitentiary institutions on Saturday.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has spoken about the importance of unity and expressed support for Ukraine amid the movements of Russian troops in its border in her annual speech in the state legislature earlier today.