PM highlights “symbolic” gesture from China in unveiling Beijing bust for poet Shota Rustaveli

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili highlighted the “very symbolic” gesture from Chinese authorities in their unveiling of a bust paying homage to the 12th century Georgian national poet Shota Rustaveli at the Beijing University of Language and Culture during his visit to the country last month.

In an interview with China Central Television, aired today, Garibashvili noted the move was another “very nice and surprising” gesture for him.

For us, our great poet Shota Rustaveli is a very important figure who teaches us about kindness, values, wisdom, friendship and loyalty. I think this is a very symbolic gesture from the Chinese side that we will not forget”, the Government head said.

During his visit to Beijing, Garibashvili said the “prominent” Georgian poet had made a “great contribution” to world literature, describing his poem The Knight in the Panther’s Skin as “not only a masterpiece of Georgian literature, but also proof of friendship, wisdom, universality of human emotions and values, resonating all over the world, including in China”.