Georgian flag flies near Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro

Georgian flag among international flags in lower terminal of funicular cable car to Corcovado mountain, Rio de Janeiro. Photo by MFA Georgia.
Agenda.ge, 11 Apr 2016 - 18:21, Tbilisi,Georgia

The national flag of Georgia is flying proudly near the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in celebration of the 25th anniversary of restoration of Georgia’s independence.

The Georgian flag will permanently be raised alongside other international flags in the lower terminal of the funicular cable car leading up to Corcovado and the statue – regarded as one of the top tourist destinations in South America.

The initiative to fly the Georgian flag in the iconic location in Rio de Janeiro in recognition of the April 9, 1991 restoration of Georgia’s independence came from Georgia’s Embassy in Brazil.

The Embassy said every year more than 300,000 tourists visited the site, which meant the Georgian flag would be visible for a number of international travellers.

"Placing the Georgian flag in the world flags corridor will help promote Georgia not only in Brazil but in the whole continent,” said Georgia’s Foreign Ministry in a statement.

Each year on April 9 Georgia and the international community celebrate the restoration of Georgia’s independence. On this date in 1991 the Georgian legislative body passed a declaration of independence based on the results of the March 31, 1991 referendum, where an overwhelming majority of Georgians voted to secede from the Soviet Union.