President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili has awarded the Medal of Honor to more than 30 individuals for their contributions to culture, education, and public life.
The state awards were granted to representatives of Georgia’s artistic, academic, and cultural sectors, including musicians, opera singers, museum leaders, educators, choreographers, and members of regional cultural ensembles.
Among those honored are Jiki Jangulashvili, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Georgian State Chamber Choir; Giorgi Andguladze and Otar Jorjikija, soloists of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre; opera singer Mikheil Kiria; and Ketevan Dumbadze, Director of the Writers’ House of Georgia.
The Medal of Honor was also awarded to Giorgi Kalandia, Director General of the Georgian National Museum of Cultural History, widely known as the Art Palace; Giorgi Kukhianidze, founder of Gigastudio and the children’s creative platform “Bzikebis Studio”; and Grigol Murghulia, educator, consultant at the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Georgian Public Broadcaster.
A significant portion of the awards recognized regional cultural preservation efforts. Members of the elderly choreographic ensemble “Fesvebi” (“Roots”) of the Shuakhevi Cultural Center were decorated for their contribution to safeguarding traditional Georgian dance and music. Those honored include choreographer Badri Darchidze; musicians Mindia Beridze and Roland Ivanadze; and dancers Davit Makaradze, Zviad Bolkvadze, Tamaz Beridze, Levan Putkaradze, Maqvala Buchukuri, Mikheil Melikishvili, Mikheil Putkaradze, Mukhran Darchidze, Nanuli Gogitidze, Nodar Kartsivadze, Nodar Davidadze, Nugzar Khimshiashvili, Revaz Mzhavanadze, Rusudan Darchidze, Shalva Mikeladze, Khasan Khiladze, Jemal Artmeladze, Shota Diasamidze, and Mikheil Kakaladze, who was awarded posthumously.
The Medal of Honor is one of Georgia’s state decorations granted for distinguished service in strengthening national culture, science, education, and public life. However, this year’s ceremony has also drawn mixed reactions in parts of the public sphere.
Critics argue that in the current political climate — marked by polarization, tensions between the government and segments of the cultural community, and ongoing debates about media freedom and Georgia’s European trajectory — state awards can be perceived as politically symbolic gestures rather than purely merit-based recognitions. Some observers note that several award recipients hold leadership positions in state institutions or have been publicly associated with the ruling authorities, which, in the eyes of critics, risks blurring the line between cultural achievement and political loyalty.
In recent years, relations between parts of Georgia’s artistic community and the government have been strained. Protests by cultural workers, disputes over institutional leadership appointments, and broader political polarization have led some public figures to question the neutrality of state honors. Within that context, ceremonies such as this one can generate debate not over the artistic merit of individual recipients, but over the broader message the government seeks to convey.
Supporters of the decision, however, emphasize that the awards recognize long-standing professional contributions to Georgian music, theatre, literature, education, and regional folklore preservation, and argue that cultural achievement should not be overshadowed by political disagreements.
During the ceremony, President Kavelashvili thanked the recipients for enriching Georgian culture and stated that they embody dedication to preserving and advancing the country’s artistic heritage. He stressed that Georgian culture remains a core expression of national identity and must be protected and passed on to future generations.
The ceremony thus unfolds against a backdrop of both celebration and political scrutiny, reflecting the broader tensions shaping Georgia’s public life today.
