How Georgia plans to celebrate Independence Day

In 11 days Georgia will celebrate its independence but unlike previous years, the May 26 occasion will be celebrated in a new way.

Instead of a military parade, a public celebration will be held throughout Georgia on May 26 to mark Georgia’s Independence from Russia. This means more people across the country will be able to celebrate Georgia’s independence.

The state commission, who are responsible for organizing the annual event, said the festive events would focus on maximum public participation and involvement.

Previously a military parade was held in Tbilisi however this year, the May 26 celebration will be actively recognised and celebrated across Georgia.

Event organisers said Georgia’s Independence Day will be a public celebration recognized in 12 self-governing cities of Georgia.

Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze said the event would be "a public festivity”.

"Across the whole city will be concerts, marches and a solemn mood. The final event of the evening will be held in Mtskheta, one of Georgia’s oldest towns,” she said.

"The event will see honoured guests invited from abroad, diplomatic corps and non-resident Ambassadors, who have been invited for the first time by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Panjikidze said.

Changes to the way Georgia’s Independence Day celebration was announced today following a meeting by event organisers.

At the meeting Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who led the organising group, approved the plan to host regional festive activities to commemorate Georgia’s Independence Day on May 26.

The working group meeting was attended by representatives of various Government Ministries, Tbilisi City Hall and the Presidential Administration, and was held at the Government Administration.

Annually,Georgia’s independence was celebrated on May 26 and was a national holiday.