Tbilisi to mark Earth Hour global climate change event

Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi will join the largest annual environmental movement in the world with shows at the city’s Dedaena Park on Saturday to mark the Earth Hour event.

With millions of people around the globe marking the date in over 7,000 cities, Tbilisi will become part of a worldwide network demanding action for combating climate change.

Hosted by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia, the local event will involve an hour-long program of entertainment and environmental messages.

Participants will be entertained by popular band the Loudspeakers as well as dance and drum shows.

Visitors will also be offered to have their faces painted in a glowing paint visible at nighttime.

The Tbilisi edition of the global date will focus on climate change - the theme of the 2017 Earth Hour. It will be supported by local and regional non-governmental organisations working on environmental matters.

The initiative will mark its 10th anniversary this Saturday. Photo: Earth Hour Macedonia.

Organised globally by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Earth Hour was originally designed to encourage individuals and organisations to "turn off their non-essential lights for one hour” to preserve energy.

Over the years, Earth Hour participants have helped make some pretty amazing things happen. From changing laws to funding solar-powered homes, together, we've made a real, positive impact on our planet”, said organisers of the event on its website.

Launched in Sydney, Australia in 2007, the movement later expanded to thousands of cities and will celebrate its anniversary edition this Saturday.