Kikabidze, Vakhtang Konstantinovich

Actor and singer, laureate of numerous prizes and ranks.

Born July 19, 1938, in Tbilisi, in an artistic family; his mother, Manana Konstantinovna Bagrationi, is a famous Georgian singer.

Was interested in music and arts since childhood. In 1959, became a performer at Tbilisi Philharmonic. Vakhtang Kikabidze's creative path on the stage is connected with jazz band Dielo and Orera, in which he sang in 1960s and 1970s. Orera band's pledge for success was its repertoire, wide and international: Orera sang about Russian rowan-trees, Georgian winemakers and Brazilian carnivals...

Probably, this was exactly the time when Vakhtang Kikabidze was formed as a performer who knows no boundaries in the post-Soviet territory, and his fans in the ex-USSR do not perceive him and will hardly ever perceive him as a foreigner. It was him, as well as some other famous Georgian singers, who did more for Russian-Georgian friendship than all politicians and diplomats put together.

Kikabidze's charm, memorable smile, acting talent, and thoughtful stare soon attracted the attention of movie directors to him. In 1969, Georgiy Danelia invited him for the leading role in his movie Ne Goryuy! (Don't Be Sad!), in which he played Doctor Benjamin.

Some time later Vakhtang Kikabidze played the leading role in Mimino movie, which made him famous in all corners of the USSR, from the Baltic to Kamtchatka.

Next, Vakhtang Kikabidze mastered two more artistic professions: screenwriter and movie director.

Together with Tamaz Gomelauri, he filmed Bud' zdorov, dorogoy (Be Healthy, Dear), 1981. The second movie he directed, Muzhchina i vse ostalnyye (A Man and All the Rest) was released in 1985. The last movie with V. Kikabidze as a leading actor is called Fortuna. It was finished by G. Danelia in 1999.

Lately, the actor has returned to the stage, this time in the genre of classical chanson. His songs in this genre, My Years Are My Riches and Farewell Party for the Love have always been loved, by new one have added up to them. In 1997, Soyuz recording studio released three albums on CDs and audiotapes, which represent the best of Vakhtang Kikabidze in the last thirty years. This music edition received the title of " Vakhtang Kikabidze's Golden Hits".

Vakhtang Kikabidze tours a lot and records both in ex-USSR countries and abroad. In early September 1999, V. Kikabidze became the first ex-USSR performer to sing in London Palladium - one of the world's five best halls. In 1999, Vakhtang Kikabidze's new album entitled The Love Tango was released by ORT Records studios.

V. Kikabidze's creative work has been estimated at its true worth: he is a laureate of USSR State Prize for the movie Miminoё laureate of USSR KGB prize for the movie TASS Is Authorized to Announce, Georgia's National Artist, knight of Georgia's Honor Order, of Vakhtang Gorgasali Order of third degree, knight of the International Nicholas the Miracle-Man Order (Ukraine), and knight of St. Constantine the Great Order (Russia, 1998). Since 1994, is mentioned in the international Who Is Who encyclopedia. In May 1999, V. Kikabidze's name star was laid in the Star Square in Moscow. In 1999, received L.O. Utesov Prize.

Vakhtang Konstantinovich Kikabidze is married, has two children and three grandchildren.

V. Kikabidze's children have also connected their lives with the world of arts: his daughter Maria is an actress at Tbilisi Academic Theater named after Shota Rustaveli, is filmed for movies, and teaches performing arts in a theater college. His son Konstantin is a painter, worked as an independent contractor in Georgia's Embassy in Moscow.