Georgia: Year 2015 in pictures

Agenda.ge’s team has selected 14 photographs featuring the most important events of 2015. Take a moment to remember some of the crucial moments of Georgia in the past year. 

All of the photographs were taken by Agenda.ge’s photographer Nino Alavidze.

GEORGIA CELEBRATES EUROPE DAY FOR THE FIRST TIME

Girls holding a balloon in the EU colours during the Europe Day celebration in Tbilisi on May 10, 2015. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Hundreds of people gathered at the Alexander Garden in central Tbilisi on May 10, 2015 to celebrate Europe Day for the first time in the country’s history.

The weather was a little drizzly however crowds of people still turned up an enjoyed a number of entertaining events.

All Embassies of the European Union (EU) member countries based in Georgia took part in thecelebration. Each Embassy ran a stand where people could learn more about the culture and tradition of each European nation.

The event was dedicated to highlighting Georgia’s cooperation with the EU.

TBILISI HOSTS EBRD ANNUAL MEETING AND BUSINESS FORUM

Tbilisi Parliament building was the venue of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Annual Meeting in May 2015. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

One of the biggest events of 2015 was the Annual Meeting and Business Forum of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which was held in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi in May.

Top governmental officials from more than 60 countries, heads of international institutions, global decision-makers, corporate executives and staff from the EBRD gathered in Tbilisi to consider a strategy for the EBRD regions for the coming years.

This was the first time the EBRD Annual Meeting was held in the Caucasus region.

BEGGY FROM TBILISI ZOO BECOMES WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS HIPPO

Shortly after the June 13 disaster this piece of street art appeared in Tbilisi to remind people of the tragedy. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

This is Beggy, a Tbilisi Zoo hippo who made world headlines when he escaped from the Zoo and roamed Tbilisi streets during the June 13 flash flood in Tbilisi.

Beggy became a living face of the devastating flood, which claimed the lives of more than 20 people and partially destroyed Tbilisi Zoo.

The hippo explored the streets of Tbilisi and returned home safely.

Shortly after the June 13 disaster this piece of street art appeared in Tbilisi to remind people of the tragedy.

THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS HELP TBILISI FLOOD VICTIMS, CLEAN CITY

Volunteers team up to clean the flood-affected Mziuri Park in central Tbilisi. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

The morning following the June 13 devastating flood was very hard for Tbilisi, but along with sadness there was some positivism too. Thousands of people went out to clean the city and demonstrate solidarity without any call from the Government or Tbilisi City Hall.

The largest number of volunteers gathered at Mziuri Park, one of the most affected areas of central Tbilisi. They worked from sunrise to sunset in temperatures above 30°C for several days.

No organisations or leaders were behind the action. It was an amazing voluntary movement that demonstrated solidarity in the face of disaster.

TBILISI HOSTS EUROPEAN YOUTH OLYMPIC FESTIVAL 2015

EYOF kicked off with a grandiose opening ceremony at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in Tbilisi late evening on July 26. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

The European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) 2015 has been held in Georgia’s capital city Tbilisi in summer 2015.

The event kicked off with a grandiose opening ceremony late evening on July 26.

Almost 4,000 young athletes from 49 countries participated in the largest sporting event ever hosted by Tbilisi.

During the six days of sporting competition, the young athletes hunt for medals in nine sports; artistic gymnastics, athletics, basketball, cycling, handball, judo, swimming, tennis and volleyball.

Prior to the competition, for the first time in the country’s history the Olympic Flame entered Georgia’s capital city Tbilisi.

BARCELONA AND SEVILLA PLAY IN TBILISI SUPER CUP

Georgian fans stand at the hotel entrance to catch a glimpse of their favourite players as FC Barcelona arrives in Tbilisi. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

On August 11, 2015 some of the world’s best footballers and international fans descended on Georgia’s capital Tbilisi for the UEFA Super Cup final.

FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC came to Georgia to compete in the second straight all-Spanish UEFA Super Cup.

FC Barcelona was crowned European football super champions and have lifted their fifth ever UEFA Super Cup trophy after a thrilling victory in extra time in a nine-goal game at the Boris Paichadze National Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia tonight.

Later, Tbilisi Super Cup was named the match of the year by football fans.

RUGBY WORLD CUP: GEORGIA SCORES HISTORIC TRY AGAINST NEW ZEALAND

Captain of the Georgian national rugby team Mamuka Gorgodze (Gorgodzilla) and Merab Sharikadze; Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Georgia’s national rugby team made history by scoring a try in their first ever game against current world champions New Zealand in Rugby World Cup game at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales in October.

The game ended in a 43-10 victory for the All Blacks but the Lelos’ performance against the New Zealand side reignited the "Seven Nations” debate.

GEORGIAN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DELIVERS HISTORIC VERDICT ON MARIJUANA USE

Activists cover themselves against rain as they sit in front of the Government Administration's building to demand marijuana decriminalised. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

People in Georgia will no longer be jailed for using marijuana after the country’s Constitutional Court announced a historic ruling in late October 2015.

The Court ruled Georgia’s marijuana law needed to be relaxed after discussing and upholding a claim by Georgian citizen Beka Tsikarishvili.

The Constitutional Court said the current punishment (from seven to 14 year prison sentence) was "inappropriately strict” for smoking cannabis and cannabis users and cannabis dealers should not be punished the same way.

The Court called on the country’s lawmakers to create specific criteria that would help judges figure out whether a person was a marijuana dealer or if they possessed cannabis only for personal use. If found the drug was for personal use, a prison sentence would be an inappropriate punishment for these offenders, the Constitutional Court ruled.

10,000 GEORGIAN IDPs ENJOY BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS

A grandmother and her two children spend an afternoon at their cottage at the Tserovani IDP settlement. Photo by N. Alavidze/Agenda.ge

More than 10,000 Georgian people displaced by conflict and violence and forced to live in collective centres are benefiting from improved living conditions.

Millions of dollars was allocated by the Government and offshore aid agencies to improve the lives and living conditions of IDPs (internally displaced persons), who are some of the country’s most vulnerable.

The Government, with financial support of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated 22,976 000 GEL ($12,092,631 USD) to improve living conditions for more than 10,000 refugees across the so-called occupation line in Georgia’s breakaway Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) region.

For many others who lost everything due to Abkhazia or Tskhinvali conflicts, the state bought new homes in 2015.

CREEPING OCCUPATION: RUSSIA ADVANCES 2KM INTO GEORGIAN TERRITORY

Russian occupational troops keep installing illegal barbed-wire fences in Georgian villages along the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL); Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Russia has advanced its creeping occupation into Georgian territory, resulting in a portion of the BP-operated Baku–Supsa Pipeline now under Russian control in the breakaway Tskinvali region (South Ossetia).

The important pipeline was on Georgian territory but now appeared to be in occupied land after Russian occupational forces installed so-called border signs in Georgian villages in July.

Russian guards placed the "border" signs in Tsitelubani and Orchosani villages in the Gori municipality and Akhalgori municipality respectively, in central Georgia.

This action, referred to as Russia’s creeping occupation, saw about two more kilometres of Georgian soil in the heart of the country now become occupied by Russia.

Russia had already occupied about 20 percent of Georgian territory.

EU VISA-FREE TRAVEL AHEAD FOR GEORGIA

Tbilisi celebrates EU visa liberalisation. The EU flag is being projected on the Government Administration's building and Tbilisi TV Tower is illuminated in the EU flag colours. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Georgia meets all the benchmarks of its Visa Liberalisation Action Plan (VLAP), meaning in early 2016 the European Union (EU) will propose a legislative amendment to let Georgian citizens travel to the EU visa free.

On December 18, the European Commission released its fourth and final progress report on Georgia's implementation of the VLAP.

The report was positive for Georgia and promised visa-free travel within the Schengen zone for all Georgian citizens.

Georgia celebrated the event by lighting up its most iconic buildings and monuments in the EU colours.

GEORGIA’S PRIME MINISTER IRAKLI GARIBASHVILI RESIGNS

Former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili (in the centre) bids farewell to the Government Administration employees on December 26, 2015. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge  

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has resigned.

Garibashvili made the announcement about his surprise resignation at 8pm at the evening of December 23.

He addressed the nation from the Government Administration's building and said his Government had created a "firm foundation for economic and social well-being" in the country.

He named several top achievements of his team that included signing the Association Agreement with the European Union and involving Georgia in the new Silk Road project.

After this he said: "Posts are temporary. The only thing permanent is God and the homeland. So I have decided today to leave my post."

GEORGIA WELCOMES ALMOST 6 MILLION VISITORS

Kazbegi in Georgia's north is the land of towering mountains, where you can hike the Caucases in the summer or ski them in the winter. Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Georgia’s reputation as a desirable holiday destination has been grown, and the latest figures proved it.

In 2015, the country welcomed almost 6 million foreign visitors.

Specifically, the Ministry said 5,897,685 visitors had crossed the Georgian border between January 1 and December 30, which was seven percent more than last year’s corresponding figures.

TBILISI CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AMONG WORLD’S BEST

Christmas illuminations in Tbilisi, Georgia; Photo by Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

Georgia's capital Tbilisi has come alive for the festive season 2016.

Millions of small light bulbs on kilometres of chain have been strung up along the main streets in Tbilisi as part of the annual New Year lights decoration that celebrates the festive season.

Several central city streets – Rustaveli Ave, Melikishvili St, Chavchavadze Ave and Kostava St – have been decorated with hundreds of thousands of light and illuminated shapes to bring cheer to the people of Tbilisi.

The United States-based television network CNN named Tbilisi’s lights among the best festive lights in the world.