The prominent Georgian actor and singer Vakhtang Kikabidze -- Buba to his fans -- has died at the age of 84 after a long illness, Georgian media reported on January 15. Besides being a veteran singer and songwriter, Kikabidze was remembered for his acting roles, particularly in the much-loved Soviet-era comedy Mimino, in which he played a homesick Georgian pilot. In 2008 during the conflict between Georgia and Russia, Kikabidze wrote his controversial song, You Disappointed Me. He said at the time it was aimed not at the Kremlin or the Russian military but at the Russian intelligentsia, who failed to speak out in Georgia's defense. To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Georgian Service, click here.
Famous Georgian Singer, Actor Vakhtang Kikabidze Dies At 84
Actor and singer Vakhtang Kikabidze, pictured in 2020, was also remembered for his acting roles, particularly in the much-loved Soviet-era comedy Mimino, in which he played a homesick Georgian pilot.