Cultural centres, Government officials and ordinary citizens across Georgia are celebrating the 178th birthday of Georgia’s highly-esteemed public figure, writer, poet and 19th Century journalist Ilia Chavchavadze.
Today the 178th birthday of the late writer, born in the small eastern town of Kvareli, was being marked at the Ilia Chavchavadze Saguramo State Museum with a public celebration attended by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
"Although a whole century has passed since then, Ilia’s efforts, activities and idea are still relevant,” Garibashvili said.
"All his steps and actions were aimed at making the Georgian state and society stronger. Thanks to him the national spirit was strengthened in Georgia. That’s why it is our duty to appreciate him and live as Ilia Chavchavadze would like to see us living. We must follow his path – the path of truth.”
Chavchavadze – who is believed to be the leading figure in modern Georgian nationhood - was born on November 8, 1837.
He studied in St Petersburg, Russia and returned home in 1860 to lead a number of public movements and institutions.
Chavchavadze was one of the first people to introduce European ideas into Georgian society. While trying to implement positive European thoughts, he also protected national self-identity of Georgians.
In 1907 Chavchavadze was assassinated in an incident shrouded by controversy that sparked numerous theories about the murderers and wider discussions on national and social matters in the country.