Georgia marks anniversary of 1921 democratic constitution
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Georgia is celebrating the anniversary of a landmark historical document that formed the basis of the country’s contemporary constitution nearly a century ago today.
On February 21, 1921, the Constituent Assembly of Georgia adopted the first constitution of the newly independent country.
The historic occasion in Tbilisi was held three years after Georgia gained independence from Russia in 1918 and only four days before the country again fell under occupation by Soviet forces.
The original 1921 constitution is preserved at the National Archives in Tbilisi. Photo: National Archives of Georgia.
Despite its short life, the 1921 constitution is considered a cornerstone of Georgia’s independent statehood.
Outlining the political structure of Georgia as a democratic republic, the constitution also formalised basic subjects such as state language.
The document heralded progressive democratic principles in the fields of human rights, social equality and the political participation of citizens.
It also declared the rights of minorities and their access to social, economic and cultural development.
The 1921 document was praised as "one of the most progressive” around the world for its time by Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze in his comments about the 96th anniversary of the occasion earlier today.
The archive venue's historical documents also include the original of the current Constitution of Georgia. Photo: National Archives of Georgia.
Beside signifying a milestone for its progressive essence, the importance of the document is also underlined by the fact that it served as the basis for the modern-day constitution of Georgia.
Adopted in 1995 following the restoration of Georgia’s independence from the Soviet Union, the current constitution was modelled after the 1921 document, which Kobakhidze said underlined the "rich legal tradition” of the country.
Original samples of both documents are currently preserved at the National Archives of Georgia, along with other documentary and photographic material of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.
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