May 26, Georgia's Independence Day
Tbilisi’s main Rustaveli Ave is traditionally the place where the nation celebrates Independence Day on May 26. Photo by PM’s press office.
Every year the area is filled with people and looks more like a big kindergarten. The most popular profession for Georgian kids is to be the defendant of the country. Photo by N. Alavidze.
Parents enjoy the way the occasion has been celebrated for the past two years. All Ministries and Governmental bodies have a stall on Rustaveli Ave and kids have an opportunity to touch military machinery and talk to real soldiers and firemen. Photo by N. Alavidze.
The official part of today’s celebration started with a fly-over by three military helicopters, spreading greeting cards. Photo by N. Alavidze.
This was the way all citizens living in Tbilisi received greetings “Happy Independence Day!” Photo by Ministry of Defence’s press office.
The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs turned its section of the street into a fitness facility for children with a climbing wall. Photo by N. Alavidze.
A tank stands on display in Freedom Square in Tbilisi. Kids love the celebration because they have an opportunity to play with real military machinery. Photo by N. Alavidze.
It is even possible to find a helicopter on Rustaveli Ave on May 26. Photo by N. Alavidze.
This huge ball from the Ministry of environment is another favorite activity for kids. Photo by N. Alavidze.
Every Independence Day there are a lot of activities for people of all ages. The Ministry of Agriculture tent showed Georgian cheese and other natural products. Photo by N. Alavidze.
Blind checkers players play on Rustaveli Ave. The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs provided the place where people could play chess and checkers. Photo by N. Alavidze.
Taking self-shot with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maya Panjikidze. Georgian Ministers also spent the whole day at the Rustaveli av., speaking with people. Photo by MFA’s press office.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili also spent part of the day with families on the Rustaveli av. Photo by PM’s press office.
Prime Minister asks the future policeman about his impressions. Photo by PM’s press office.
Before walking through the Rustaveli av. President and Prime Minister took part in the military oath taking ceremony on the Freedom Square. Photo by the Ministry of Defence.
The special words of Georgian high officials were dictated at the ceremony to those who scarified their lives for Georgia’s Independence and those who served in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. Photo by N. Alavidze.
Exploring police and military equipment is the most popular fun for children during the Independence Day celebration. Photo by N. Alavidze.
Photo by N. Alavidze.
Photo by N. Alavidze.
The unusual appearance of tanks in Freedom Square in Tbilisi became the inspiration for a group of foreign painters. Photo by N. Alavidze.
Little athletes prepare to show their skills on the trampoline on Rustaveli Ave. Photo by N. Alavidze.
Arm wrestling is another fun activity, provided by the Ministry of Sports for the Independence Day. Photo by N. Alavidze.
Georgian Roman children celebrate Independence Day. Photo by N. Alavidze.
Children regret that it is possible to play with real “military toys” on the Rustaveli ave. only once a year, May 26, Georgia’s Independence Day. Photo by N. Alavidze.