Georgian President proposes teaching of Megrelian, Svan languages at schools
During her speech, Zourabichvili reiterated her support for the Ukrainian people in the wake of Russia’s attack on their country. Photo: President's press office
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President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili proposed the teaching of indigenous Megrelian and Svan languages at Georgian schools on Thursday, marking the Mother Language Day celebrated in the country.
Zourabichvili pointed out the Georgian and Abkhaz languages were protected under the Constitution and stressed the importance of preserving the other languages spoken throughout Georgia.
These languages are an integral part of our culture and represent a unique treasure,” she said.
For 221 years, Russia tried to deprive Georgia of its identity. And despite this unequal struggle against Russification, we preserved our language.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) April 14, 2022
Today, because of the occupation regime, both the Abkhaz and Georgian languages are under threat in Abkhazia. pic.twitter.com/Ji95XHPMGk
During her speech, the Georgian President reiterated her support for the Ukrainian people in the wake of Russia’s attack on their country, saying Ukraine was fighting for its own land, state and language “in the most brutal conditions.”
The Mother Language Day in Georgia commemorates mass protests that forced Soviet authorities in 1978 to abandon plans to strip Georgian of the status of the official state language of the country.
The United States Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan and her diplomatic mission on Thursday marked the Georgian Language Day with a video address to the Georgian public, hailing their 1978 defence of the status of the language from Soviet authorities.
Georgian institutions and the public are celebrating Mother Language Day today, commemorating mass protests that forced Soviet authorities in 1978 to abandon plans to strip Georgian of the status of the official state language of the country.
Tea Akhvlediani, the Georgian State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, on Thursday highlighted the “foundational” significance of promoting knowledge of state language in comments marking the Georgian Language Day, at awards for graduates of a programme of ambassadors of state language.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday stressed the "duty to preserve and treat with respect" the national language in remarks celebrating the Georgian Language Day across the country.