Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili rewarded Oleg Basilashvili, well-known Russian actor of Georgian origin for his contribution done to development of art at the President`s palace. Saakashvili also guided the well-known actor around the palace.
`I think it is impossible to appreciate what you have done not only because you have a Georgian last name but during your creative work for regulation, improvement, closing up relationships of our nations, especially when many other figures did very much to part these peoples. There are different periods in life of nations, there are different serious almost insuperable problems, but whatever happens, we should not loose each other. I give you this order for your contributions made to development of art, but at the same time, for your special contribution done to relationships between our peoples. I give this order as a sign of gratitude of the Georgian people, who should never forget those people, who took civil position, stood on the side of friendship and truth in difficult moments`, Saakashvili said.
`I should deliver some special speech here, but I can`t talk in this way. I just want to say one thing: what is happening now is absolutely unexpected and big happiness for me. What can I say - my father, grandfather were from here. My Georgian half-brother, who was artillery captain, was killed in Kursk when defending USSR. In 1941-1943 Georgia sheltered us - me, my mother and my grandmother. The Tbilisi State University gave us shelter - a small room, where we were living good. We were starving like all others, but we were happy like others. For me, for us all Georgia is more than a fraternal nation. We have a lot of such fraternal nations, but what ties us with each other is all that Mr. President was talking about. It is what we should not break up and I think we all understand this very well. I remember words by Likhachev who wrote a declaration on culture. He said: existence of political systems, even nation states beyond culture becomes absolutely pointless. This seems to be an impudent saying but it is true. The only thing that remains in memory of humankind is what hearts of far countries and peoples have created. This is what closes up peoples, that makes our hearts beat in unison. I am glad to congratulate you on this great celebration. It is a great happiness that this festival is going on, the festival which unifies. I hope that our political leaders would do their best to make our relations fraternal, friendly and warm, like they were in old times. Thank you, Mr. President`, Basilashvili said.
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