Tbilisi’s New Year tree lights up on Rustaveli Avenue

Tbilisi’s main New Year tree was lit up in front of the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue today. This year’s celebrations will differ from the previous years due to coronavirus-related restrictions throughout the country.

However, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze encouraged everyone that with its shimmer and twinkle New Year illuminations Tbilisi will turn into a festive city despite the pandemic. 

No Christmas village will be set up in Tbilisi this year to ensure pandemic safety and redirect funds to help the families struggling with the virus. Photo: 1TV

Today Orthodox Georgians are celebrating the day of Saint Barbara. Wishing everyone happiness and joy, Kaladze said ‘there is no evil which cannot be defeated with love, support and solidarity’.

All of us should declare the war against pandemic... this awful virus should better know that we are not scared and will never surrender”, Kaladze addressed the nation. 

He said these New Year decorations are not only the part of Georgia's traditions but they serve as the challenge against the reality that the coronavirus has created for us. 

With the pandemic situation curtailing plans for the usual scale of celebrations, the city will host a number of live music shows - also set for live broadcast - without the customary Christmas village, which is usually set up on First Republic Square to host events and socialising opportunities for citizens. Photo: Tbilisi City Hall's press office

Declaring Tbilisi ‘the city of solidarity’ Mayor Kaladze said this is the main responsibility that each and every citizen should share with one another. He said it is joy and happiness that the virus is afraid of. 

“Life is beautiful! The new year will bring us hopes and healthy future”, he said prior to lighting up the New Year tree, hoping that 2021 will be ‘the year of peace, happiness and welfare’.