Simon Zazadze
Simon Zazadze (Georgian: სიმონ ზაზაძე, translit.: simon zazadze; 1933 – 5 October 2016) was a public figure and a philanthropist. He was an honorary Doctor of the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Akaki Tsereteli State University and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University.
Early years and Education
Simon Zazadze was born in 1933 in Turkey. His parents were famous Georgian philanthropist and businessman Pavle Zazadze and Mariam Chilingarishvili. Since childhood, he spoke multiple languages and at the age of three, he already knew Georgian, French and Turkish. He learned French and Turkish languages from his mother, but he learned Georgian from Shalva Vardidze, who was a priest in the Georgian Catholic Church in Istanbul. He spent his kindergarten years in a Georgian convent. At first, he went to a German elementary school, English lyceum "Robert College" and Turkish lyceum. He studied at the Economics faculty at Istanbul University and at the Medical Faculty to become a doctor at the same university as well.[1] He was determined to become a doctor, but he took his father’s wishes into consideration, stopped studying at the Medical faculty and moved to Economics. After finishing university, he went to London and obtained a PhD in Economics.
Simon Zazadze could speak nine languages: Turkish, French, English, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Spanish and Georgian. After finishing his studies, he went to the army and served as an assistant to the garrison’s General in Tuzla (modern Bosnia and Herzegovina). Later, he studied in the United States of America.
Business and charity
Simon Zazadze’s family had a business, which consisted of making soaps, textiles and cosmetics. On the basis of this business was created "Zaza Holding", which has up to 326 branches worldwide.
Simon Zazadze was interested in Georgia’s well-being. It was with his support that the Cardiac Surgery Clinic – "Open Heart" was established at the Eristavi National Surgery Center. His wife invites the chief of cardiovascular surgery clinic of Geneva annually to help children for free. To honor the Zazadze family, the clinic has cabinets named after Pavle and Mariam Zazadze.[2][3]
Scientific work
In 1962–1982 Simon and his father were funding a French scientific magazine: "Bedi Kartlisa". He also financially helped other foreign magazines such as "Kavkasioni", "Promete", "Gushagi" and many more.
Simon Zazadze took the archive of Shalva Vardzidze from Lebanon to Turkey and gave it to the Catholic convent. He and his family took care of the Georgian Catholic church and convent and because of this, Vatican gave the Zazadze family the title of "commendatore".[2]
The Turkish-Georgian culture and education fund was founded in 2000 and Simon and his son Pavle were members of the council.
In 2006 Simon Zazadze visited his homeland and his village – Ude. Later, Samtskhe-Javakheti State university made him an honorary Professor and the municipality of Akhaltsikhe made him an honorary citizen.[4][5] He was also an honorary Professor of the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Akaki Tsereteli State University and Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University.
In October 2007, Simon and his son Pavle were given Medals of Honor by the president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. He was an honorary citizen of Georgia as well.
Personal life
Whilst working in Beirut Simon met his future wife Claude Injea. They had three children: Natali (lawyer), Paula (Economist) and Pavle (Economist). Simon Zazadze passed away from a heart attack on October 6, 2016 in France. He is buried in Istanbul, Turkey.[4][2]
Achievements
- 1996 – Honorary citizen of Georgia
- 2006 – Honorary Professor of Akhaltsikhe University
- 2007 – Medal of honor
- Honorary citizen of Akhaltsikhe
References
- ↑ Simon Zazadze National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, Biographic Vocabulary
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Historic-educational Journal "Istoriani", №13 (72), 12.2016, p.56
- ↑ Simon Zazadze National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, Georgians abroad
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Historic-educational Journal "Istoriani", №13 (72), 12.2016,. p.54
- ↑ Historic-educational Journal "Istoriani", №13 (72), 12.2016, p.55
External Links
- Simon Zazadze National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, Georgians abroad
- Simon Zazadze National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, Biographic Vocabulary
Bibliography
- Encyclopedia "Georgia". (2014) (Ch.3, p. 300). Tbilisi.
- Historical-Educational Journal "Istoriani". (2016) 13th ed. p.72.
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