“This Day is Ours”: Georgia's Independence Day celebrations
Fifteen cities across Georgia celebrated Independence Day with events and exhibitions for residents and visitors on May 26, with the main programme hosted in capital Tbilisi throughout the day. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The annual celebrations are marked after May 26, 1918 – the day the Act of Independence established the First Democratic Republic of the country. This photo shows men hanging a banner with the script of the Act from the roof of a house in the highland city of Mestia. Photo: Ministry of Infrastructure
Hundreds of people gathered at Freedom Square and the adjacent Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, the focal points of annual celebrations. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili also joined citizens to participate in the events on Rustaveli Avenue with his family. He took to the stage on Tbilisi’s Freedom Square with his Independence Day message. Photo: PM’s press office
One of the major events of the annual programme is the oath-taking ceremony. New recruits of the Georgian Defence Forces took their oath in 10 cities across the country on May 26. Photo: Ministry of Defence
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: PM’s press office
The main theme of this year's occasion was “This Day is Ours”. The 2023 programme involved events on Rustavi Avenue, which was divided into spaces for cognitive, entertainment, sports and children's activities. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The wine space offered visitors a sommelier master class, tasting of different types of wine, and introduction to characteristics of specific types. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
In children’s space young visitors of the celebrations enjoyed a candy area, a giant xylophone and swing, fairytale characters, all while being hosted by animators. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
A long table was arranged on the Avenue where children could find papers and pencils to paint and colour sketches. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The food zone included beer and juice bars, themed entertainment activities and installations. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The sports zone saw visitors join competitions, enjoy a skate park and competitive activities. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Radio cafés were set up in the music and theatre section to host live broadcasting with various programmes and guests. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
A literature café offered a stage to young authors, poets and artists. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
100 Years of Georgian Aviation - this space hosted an interactive installation designed after The Flying Painter, an iconic artwork by Petre Otskheli, one of Georgia's most notable avant-garde artists and a pioneering theatre designer. It also offered visitors an exhibition of aviation-themed costumes and an aircraft those flocking to the section could enter and take photographs in. Photo: United Airports of Georgia
DJs performed in different zones on the Avenue to entertain citizens. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Dozens of stalls were arranged for sale of items and products. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Kids were entertained by Georgian Defence Forces servicemembers, with locally produced armoured vehicles on show on Freedom Square during the celebrations. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge
The Independence Day programme was crowned with a gala concert on the First Republic Square in Tbilisi at 8pm. Photo: Ministry of Culture