Georgia's main New Year tree lights up in central Tbilisi

Georgia's main New Year tree has lit up in central Tbilisi in front of the parliament building earlier this evening. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, as well as Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, attended the ceremony with their families.

Kaladze addressed the public during the ceremony, asserting that the upcoming year 2022 will bring 'success and progress.'

My friends, loving both our enemies and neighbours is a part of our culture, history, and religion. Therefore, we would like to ask all of you for more love and respect... We should do everything for the welfare of our country and our city, so that every resident of this country will feel prosperous, Kaladze said.

Garibashvili noted that the current year was 'quite tough' but brought 'fundamental changes.'

I would like to thank our hero doctors, our hero policemen, our soldiers for their contributions during this tough year. I wish for the upcoming year to bring peace and welfare, Garibashvili added.

New Year's decorations lit up today in other districts of Tbilisi as well. 

Kaladze announced earlier that a 'New Year Village' will open on December 24 at Orbeliani Square and Deda Ena garden and will operate until January 14.