Georgian actor Zurab Kipshidze and Willy Sagnol, the head coach of the national football team, were among 25 personalities from art, culture, science, medicine and sports, who received the status of Tbilisi’s honorary citizens as part of this year’s Tbilisoba city festival on Saturday.
The Tbilisi City Hall presented the titles to the selected individuals based on their contribution to the development of Georgia’s capital city with the list including Gvanji Mania, scientist, journalist and one of the initiators of Tbilisoba festival, Zurab Kakhabrishvili, doctor of National Olympic judo teams, and Neli Kobiashvili, journalist and publicist.
The geologist Guram Kalandadze, the architect and actor Kakha Koridze, the doctor Merab Kiladze, the musician Mzia Apridonidze, and the engineer Bidzina Songhulashvili were also among the individuals awarded with the honorary titles.
Addressing the audience, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze expressed his gratitude to the title recipients for their commitment to the city.
“I would like to thank you all with all my heart who, with your achievements or daily activities, contribute to the development of Tbilisi”, Kaladze noted and also highlighted the “long history” and traditions of the capital city.
The award ceremony took place at the State Palace of Ceremonies and was attended by the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Government officials, artists, athletes and many other guests.