Georgian leaders pay tribute to anniversary of historic referendum on independence
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On this day 27 years ago a referendum was held in Georgia that led to the country gaining independence from the Soviet Union.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili said March 31, 1991 has been decisive for Georgia's new history.
The referendum held on this day has laid a foundation to the restoration of Georgia’s independence and defined the future of Georgia”, PM Kvirikashvili said.
Congratulating all of Georgia on the anniversary, he wished all citizens a life in a strong and united country.
President Margvelashvili also highlighted the importance of the referendum through which the Georgian people have expressed their strong will to become part of a democratic world and return to the European family.
Zviad Gamsakhurdia, with his son Giorgi Gamsakhurdia attended opening of the first session of the Supreme Council, 1990. Photo from the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, owner: Central Library of Zugdidi
Today Georgia is also celebrating the birthday of the first democratically elected president of independent Georgia Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1939-1993), who called the referendum during his term in office.
- More than 98 percent of people across the country, including the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia), have then supported the restoration of independence from Russia that was first declared on May 26, 1918.
- However, this was short-lived independence as the country was re-invaded by Russia’s Bolshevik Army and absorbed into the Soviet Union in 1921.
- Seventy years later, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia once again became independent on May 26, 1991.
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili hosted diplomatic corps and representatives of international organisations at the joint New Year reception. Announcing 2018 as the Year of Freedom, President Margvelashvili brought a brief introduction to how Georgia developed through the 100 years since the country gained independence from Russia in 1918.
It is May 26 and Georgia is celebrating the 26th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union today. A wide range of cultural, educational and entertainment activities are planned in capital Tbilisi as well as regional cities.
Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Kvirikashvili joined celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the country's 1991 national referendum on independence by saying the historic event had laid the foundations for Georgia's current development as "a European country”.
Today Georgia marks two important milestone events – on this day in history the country signed its first independence referendum and the day was also the birthday of Georgia’s first president, the late Zviad Gamsakhurdia.
Prime Minister of Georgia Mamuka Bakhtadze has paid tribute to Georgian soldiers who lost their lives in the struggle against Soviet occupation.
Today Georgia remembers those who lost their lives when Moscow-directed Soviet tanks dispersed a peaceful demonstration demanding independence for Georgia 30 years ago, killing 21 people in the process and injuring hundreds of others.
Today Georgia marks the 29th anniversary of the referendum that led to the country gaining independence from the Soviet Union. President Salome Zurabishvili stated that despite the coronavirus pandemic, “we do not have the right to forget” the date, which has led to the restoration of “independent statehood”.