May 26: Georgia celebrates 26 years since independence from Soviet Union

It is May 26 and Georgia is celebrating the 26th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union today.

A wide range of cultural, educational and entertainment activities are planned in capital Tbilisi as well as regional cities.

Country-wide activities are themed after the anniversary of the birth of the iconic, 12th century poet Shota Rustaveli.

This year, Georgia’s Independence Day coincides with 850 years since the birth of the Georgian poet who penned the iconic poem, The Knight in the Panther’s Skin. Thus, the slogan of this year’s Independence Day is ‘I come from the country of Rustaveli’.

Everyone is invited to attend the celebrations and enjoy the activities on offer, where different motifs from The Knight in the Panther’s Skin will be featured.

• A more detailed schedule of today’s events can be seen here.

Georgia became independent in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Almost 100 years earlier, in 1918, the country first declared national independence from Russia and the Democratic Republic of Georgia was born.

This was short-lived and the country was re-invaded by Russia’s Bolshevik Army and absorbed into the Soviet Union in 1921. Seventy years later, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia once again became independent and today the country is marking 26 years since this fateful date.

May 26 is a public holiday in Georgia.