Find highlight events celebrating Georgia’s First Democratic Republic centennial

If you are visiting Tbilisi this Saturday, you can choose from dozens of entertainment, educational and performance events to mark the 100th anniversary of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.

Museum venues, theatre troupes, universities and other institutions are gearing up to organise games, public talks and performances ranging from historical themes to hi-tech showcases.

Prepared for participants of all ages, the day-long program of festivities will be part of a wider calendar celebrating the centennial in cities across Georgia.

A reenactment of the early 20th century Tbilisi urban scene. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

In one of principal events, new armed forces recruits from six locations across Georgia will take their oath at the Freedom Square of the capital.

Marking the 100 years of armed forces that served the three-year democratic state, a column of the troops selected for the ceremony will form up in a restored formation of the first republic.

Foreign armed forces orchestras will join their Georgian counterparts to perform festive march music, while military hardware will be exhibited for enthusiasts at the square.

A major part of the activities in Tbilisi will be centred around reenactment of urban scenes and important events from the 1918-1921 republic.

These will include hosting visitors to a reenactment of the May 26, 1918 proclamation of independence of Georgia at the National Youth and Children's Palace at 6 Rustaveli Avenue.

Artists dressed in costumes from the era will impersonate historical figures at the venue — the host of the original occasion a century ago.

Visitors of last year's Independence Day celebrations on May 26 watch classic cinema reels from history. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

A few hours before, four cafes themed after historical eras or various subjects will open their doors not far from the palace, on the same avenue.

These will include Cafe Kimerioni, an early 20th century Tbilisi spot located on lower storey of today’s Rustaveli Theatre building.

Kimerioni was known as a favourite location for artists and public figures in the city, with its walls decorated by celebrated painters including Lado Gudiashvili and David Kakabadze.

The other three cafes will be themed after painting, cinema and sport and host events ranging from displays of classic posters to board games.

Continuing the inspiration with late 19th to early 20th century capital, an inner yard replicating Old Town residential spaces will be set up on the avenue with a post box.

Visitors of the area will be able to send anniversary postcards from the box for free, starting from 10am.

Georgia’s National Wine Agency will organise a reenactment of a 1920s Tbilisi market with exhibition and sale of agricultural products.

Exhibition and sale of agricultural produce will be among activities held on Saturday. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.

At different stalls of the market hosts will bake bread from endemic wheat and sell honey at decorated beekeeping stands.

More 1920s Tbilisi cafes, stage performances and photo displays will find their spot at the market location on Rustaveli Avenue.

A multi-faceted space on the same street, outside Tbilisi Classical Gymnasium, will see mockup archaeological digs for interested visitors.

Participants will be able to excavate items illustrating customs from various provinces of Georgia at the site.

At the same location, young visitors will be offered to try their hand at physics and chemistry lab experiments or try videogames using drones to learn about geography.

The Foreign Ministry will mark their participation in the centennial by holding an exhibition of items of the country’s diplomatic history.

Going further back in time, a display of how manuscripts were created in the Medieval Georgia will be held outside the Classical Gymnasium and also involve a demonstration of book binding and decoration using samples of Georgian calligraphy.

Georgian and foreign military orchestras will perform festive marches to mark the centennial. Photo: Georgia's Defence Ministry press office.

A range of sporting activities and shows will also be part of the festive program, including fencing showcases and a display of racing cars.

An astroturf pitch on Rustaveli Avenue will enable beginner rugby enthusiasts to learn basic techniques of the sport that has enjoyed exceptional popularity in Georgia over the recent decades.

The Georgian national team will exhibit trophies, including the Rugby Europe cup, claimed by the Lelos at tournaments.

In the evening part of celebrations, British pop rock singer James Blunt will headline a roster of local and foreign musical artists and bands at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium.

The line-up of performers, also featuring Young Georgian Lolitaz and Loudspeakers, will seek to contribute to the festive mood at the sporting venue, located on 74B Chavchavadze Avenue.

These and other events will host locals and visitors of Tbilisi during the May 26 celebrations, while a wider celebration of the date will include more occasions throughout the year and across the country.