Tbilisi Mayor Expresses Support for Italian People
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has expressed support for the Italian people, saying that he is deeply saddened that one of the most beloved countries in the world, Italy, which is his "second homeland," is suffering from coronavirus today.
"As the Mayor of Tbilisi and as a Milan guy, I, along with the Georgian people, stand with Italians at this difficult time," he wrote on social media.
“Unfortunately, today the world is facing a difficult reality. I wholeheartedly support people who are suffering from coronavirus. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the doctors for their dedicated and heroic work.
"I express my deep sorrow and respect for one of the most beloved countries in the world, Italy, which is my second home. This is the country that has given me the most special years of my life with the greatest love and support. Consequently, it is even more heartbreaking for me to see how Italy suffers today.
"As the Mayor of Tbilisi and as a Milan guy, I, along with the Georgian people, stand with Italians in this difficult time. Now we need to stand together and be strong. To symbolize this respect and love, we have lit the symbol of Tbilisi, the TV Tower, in the colors of the Italian flag. Italy, we are with you and we will overcome this trouble together! Take care of yourself!" Kaladze wrote on Instagram.
In order to show support for Italy, Tbilisi City Hall organized the Tbilisi TV Tower to be lit in the colors of the Italian flag.
Georgian politician Kakha Kaladze is a retired footballer. He played for the Georgia national team from 1996 to 2011. He was voted Georgian Footballer of the Year in 2001–2003, 2006 and 2011 and was considered one of Georgia's most important players.
In January 2001, he became the most expensive Georgian footballer in history when A.C. Milan paid €16 million to bring him to Italy.
He was the first Georgian player to win a Champions League title with A.C. Milan in the 2002-03 season.
By Ana Dumbadze
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