Georgia pays tribute to victims of 1921 Soviet repression

No one should be able to dictate how Georgians should live in their homelands, President Giorgi Margvelashvili said today while honoring the Georgian cadets who died in the battle of the Soviet Occupation of Georgia 94 years ago.

President Margvelashvili stressed the heroism of the young soldiers who died while serving their country and noted their efforts were not in vain as Georgia would continue to be a strong and independent state now and in the future.

"Today we celebrate the strength of Georgia soul, which has strengthened and retained our country throughout so many centuries,” Margvelashvili said.

"History of mankind is being written as a history of wars, where one power defeats another but history can also be written in another form, in the form of bravery, sacrifice and devotion,” he said.

The Red Army invasion of Georgia took place from 15 February to 17 March 1921, and was a military campaign by the Soviet Russian Red Army which aimed to overthrow the Georgian government and install and Bolshevik regime in the country. During this time 118 Georgian cadets lost their lives while fighting in the battle to retain Georgia’s independence.

"You can lose a war but still win by suppressing your enemy with devotion, bravery and spiritual power. When we lost battles which brought Georgia’s brief independence to an end, the heroism of our cadets struck a chord, which later brought independence back to Georgia,” Margvelashvili said.

"Georgia should unite, must be strong and independent. Nobody should dictate how Georgians should live in their state, which they have been guarding for many centuries. So today we are looking back at the past but we also have strong determination and vision for Georgia to become a united, sovereign country. I once again bow to the heroism of our cadets.”

Standing alongside President Margvelashvili today was Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who also honored the Georgian cadets who lost their lives 94 years ago.

"Like all Georgians I bow before the memory of the cadets. They showed exemplary heroism and gave their lives for the freedom of Georgia. This is an example of how we all should live,” PM Garibashvili said.

"Georgian cadets played a part in ensuring Georgia’s independence today because they heroically resisted the Red occupiers. Currently, our country is also facing challenges but I believe that together we will overcome these difficulties and with our correct policy, consistency, pragmatic vision and determination, we will unite our country,” he said.