Freedom Square in Tbilisi to be closed for 6 days for Independence Day events
Freedom Square and the adjacent Rustaveli Avenue in capital Tbilisi are the focal point of celebrations. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
Tweet 
Share
The celebration of Independence Day of Georgia will see the central Freedom Square in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi closed for six days, announces Tbilisi City Hall.
Freedom Square will be closed from May 22 to May 27.
- See how Georgia celebrated Independence Day in 2019 In Pictures
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, last year no large-scale events took place around the country.
Independence Day celebration in 2019. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
On May 26 in 1918, the National Council of Georgia declared the national independence of Georgia from Russia and the creation of the Democratic Republic of Georgia.
- See Agenda.ge's multimedia project Georgia's 1028 Days of Independence
On that day the statehood of Georgia was restored after 117 years. The country remained independent for three years until Soviet occupation in 1921. Georgia declared independence from the USSR finally on April 9, 1991.
Today Georgia marks the 30th anniversary of the referendum that led to the country gaining independence from the Soviet Union.
Today Georgians mark Independence Day, commemorating May 26, 1918 – the day when the Act of Independence was adopted and which established the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.Due to the coronavirus pandemic, no large-scale events will take place around the country, with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia marking the date with the country’s armed forces, on the base of the fourth mechanised brigade.
The national anthem was performed in a number of Georgian cities at 17:10 Tbilisi time, commemorating May 26, 1918 – the day when the Act of Independence was adopted, establishing the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.
Foreign countries and leaders are sending their kinds wishes to Georgia on a Independence Day.
The remains of Georgia's national hero and commander-in-chief of the first Democratic Republic of Georgia, General Giorgi Kvinitadze, have been returned home from France. His remains will be laid to rest at the Mtatsminda Pantheon of Writers and Public Figures in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Independence Day on May 26.
Georgia has reported 733 new cases of Covid-19 over the last 24 hours after conducting a total of 16,972 tests. Meanwhile 1,530 individuals have recovered and 20 patients have died.
United States President Joe Biden has wished the Georgian people a happy and healthy Independence Day on May 26 in a letter sent to Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. “The anniversary of a nation’s independence is not only a day of celebration, it offers a moment to honour the history and values that are ingrained in the national character, and to look to the future”, Biden wrote.
Today Georgia marks Independence Day, commemorating May 26, 1918 – the day when the Act of Independence was adopted and which established the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.Due to the coronavirus pandemic, fewer ceremonies will be held on the day, unlike earlier years when multiple events would be held both in Tbilisi and in the regions.Various armored vehicles are present in central Tbilisi for the day. The presentation will be closed by the flight of Su-25 fighter jets.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the US State Secretary Antony Blinken have congratulated Georgia on Independence Day.