On the recommendation of the Italian Embassy in Georgia, Georgian opera singer Iano Alibegashvili has been conferred with the honour of Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy (Cavaliere dell’Ordine della “Stella d’Italia:), the Ministry of Culture reports.

According to the ministry, the award was conferred upon Alibegashvili by the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, in recognition of his contribution to the dissemination and popularisation of Italian opera in Georgia, as well as his efforts in fostering close cultural ties between the two nations.

The Ministry of Culture states that the order was presented to Alibegashvili by the Italian Ambassador to Georgia, Massimiliano D’Antuono.

“At the initiative of the Minister of Culture, Tinatin Rukhadze, and upon the nominations of the Prime Minister of Georgia and the Speaker of Parliament, President Mikheil Kavelashvili awarded Iano Alibegashvili the State Order of Honour, Georgia’s highest civilian accolade, in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the development of the arts,” the ministry’s statement reads.