Georgia celebrates Independence Day with eye on European aspirations

Five UH-1 Iroquois helicopters flew above Freedom Square in celebration of this year’s date, painting the colours of the Georgian flag in the sky. Photo via press office of the Prime Minister of Georgia

The main theme of this year's occasion was ‘Towards Europe’. The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised events for the celebration in capital Tbilisi and the western city of Kutaisi to highlight historical and contemporary achievements of the country on its path of European integration. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

This year recruits took their oaths in Georgian regions “distinguished by culture and military glory," the Ministry of Defence said. In addition to Tbilisi, oath taking ceremonies were held in the historical town of Dmanisi, the ancestral fortress of the national hero Kakutsa Cholokashvili in the estern Kakheti region, the highland Khevsureti region’s village of Gudani, the Shemokmedi Monastery in the western Guria region, and the upgraded Black Sea port of Poti. Photo via Ministry of Defence

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili took to the stage arranged on Tbilisi’s Freedom Square to congratulate citizens on Independence Day, praising the “supreme values of homeland and freedom” in the address dedicated to the date. Photo via press office of the Prime Minister of Georgia

President Salome Zourabichvili also addressed citizens, saying the May 26 date represented the Georgian nation’s decision to “live in a free and independent country” and refusal to “be a part of another country, to be enslaved”. Photo: Photo via press office of the Prime Minister of Georgia

Cities and towns across the country celebrated with a wide range of activities and events, held in locations ranging from downtown Tbilisi to highland Mestia. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Freedom Square and the adjacent Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi were the focal point of celebrations, with institutions holding displays and offering entertaining activities to those celebrating the date. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Prime Minister Garibashvili also joined the citizens to participate in the events on Rustaveli Avenue with his family. Photo: Photo via press office of the Prime Minister of Georgia

People gathered on the Avenue to see flowers and plants displayed by the Agriculture Ministry. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

A woman selling Georgian national flags. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

The building of the Parliament of Georgia was decorated with the theme of the May 26 date. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

A festive space arranged by the country’s Agriculture Ministry on Rustaveli Avenue. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

A woman painting Georgian and Ukrainian national flags on the cheek of a young participant of the celebrations. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Flags of European Union member countries were displayed at the event. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

A small market was arranged on Rustaveli Avenue, featuring Georgian traditional sweets such as the chiri dry fruit, churchkhela snack made from nuts and grape juice, and more. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

People also had a chance to taste Georgian dishes like khachapuri cheese-filled bread, lobiani bean pies and other bakery products. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Young couple taking selfies in the backdrop of installations featuring personalities from the history of Georgia. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Kids are entertained by Georgian Defence Forces servicemembers, with locally produced armoured vehicles on show on Freedom Square during the celebrations. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Children try to assemble a puzzle map of Georgia by collecting bricks cut in the shapes of different regions of the country. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

A basketball square was arranged on Rustaveli Avenue, with people watching players in the middle of the location. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Those who preferred table tennis could enjoy tables set up on Avenue. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Young participants of the celebration marching in central Tbilisi while playing on drums. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

A Georgian servicemember holding a little girl in front of the Alphabet Tower in the Black Sea city of Batumi, where Independence Day celebrations also took place. Photo via Ministry of Defence

A Colchis Fountain located in the central square of the western city of Kutaisi. The Fountain is surrounded by 12 gold stars on a blue background, symbolising the European Union flag. Military equipment was also presented on the square, along with a large installation in the shape of the Georgian map. Photo via Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Visitors of Georgia’s Independence Day celebration in central Tbilisi taking selfies. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge

Visitors to the event on the central square of the historical capital of Mtskheta were hosted by the heads of Interior Ministry departments. Photo via Ministry of Internal Affairs

A firefighter places a helmet on a little girl’s head. Photo via MInistry of Internal Affairs

A little boy climbs a wall set up for the celebrations. Photo via Ministry of Internal Affairs