Officials send tributes after passing away of acclaimed scientist, historian, philologist Zaza Aleksidze

Georgian officials on Tuesday sent their tributes on the passing away of the internationally recognised scientist, historian, philologist, and Armenologist Zaza Aleksidze.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili sent his condolences to the family, colleagues and relatives of the “significant” scientist, stressing it was a “great loss” for the Georgian scientific community.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli, the Georgian Minister of Education and Science expressed his “deep sorrow” over Aleksidze’s death, whose scientific works were distinguished by its “wide-range research activities”.

Zaza [Aleksidze] has faithfully served the most important work for our country [Georgia] for many years. By his distinguished scientific work, he made a great contribution to the development of many fields”, Chkenkeli noted.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili also expressed his “deep sadness” over his death, appreciating the scientist’s contribution and work on 130 scientific papers and 15 books.

In 1979-2012, Aleksidze was the Head of the Armenian Studies Department at Tbilisi State University and in 1989-2006, the director of the Institute of Manuscripts of the Georgian Academy of Sciences.

He was also a Corresponding Member of the Academy of Sciences of Georgia, an Academician-Secretary of the Department of Language and Literature of the Academy of Sciences of Georgia and a foreign member of the  French Academy of Inscriptions and Literary Writing.

Zaza Aleksidze, a recipient of the Order of Merit, has published more than 190 works in different languages, including 25 monographs.