Georgia marks 100th anniversary of first constitution
Today marks 100 years since the adoption of the constitution of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1921. Photo: National Archives of Georgia.
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A century ago on February 21, 1921, the Constituent Assembly of Georgia adopted a landmark historical document that formed the basis of the country’s contemporary constitution.
The historic occasion in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi was held three years after the country had gained independence from Russia in 1918 and only four days before the country again fell under occupation by Soviet forces.
Despite its short life, the 1921 constitution is considered a cornerstone of Georgia’s independent statehood that serves as the basis for the modern-day constitution.
The original 1921 constitution is preserved at the National Archives in Tbilisi. Photo: National Archives of Georgia
Outlining the political structure of Georgia as a democratic republic, the constitution also formalised basic subjects such as state language.
The document heralded progressive democratic principles in the fields of human rights, social equality and the political participation of citizens.
It also declared the rights of minorities and their access to social, economic and cultural development.
Adopted in 1995, the new constitution was modelled after the 1921 document.
After the waves of public and parliamentary discussions in 2017, Georgia adopted the new edition of the Constitution to better reflect the country’s current challenges.
Georgian police have detained eight demonstrators who were trying to set up a tent in front of the parliament building earlier today. The Interior Ministry has announced that the individuals were detained for ‘disobedience to the lawful request’ of law enforcement officers.
The European Union Delegation extends its ‘warmest congratulations to the people of Georgia’ on the 100th anniversary of its first constitution. The United States Embassy has also stated that Georgia’s first constitution ‘was an important step in a century-long commitment to joining the community of Western democracies’.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili hosted a reception at the Atoneli presidential palace last night to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the signing of the State Constitution. Although Georgia adopted its first constitution three years after the country gained independence from Russia in 1918, four days later the country again fell to occupation by Soviet forces.
The new constitution of Georgia, which was adopted in 2017, has automatically come into play after the yesterday’s presidential inauguration.
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.
On this day in 1995 country officials signed the Constitution – the country’s basis of law. The occasion is being marked today with different activities that will conclude with a big celebration later this evening at the Presidential Palace.
The legacy of the constitution of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia, a landmark document approved 101 years ago, was celebrated in the country on Monday by officials and citizens with remarks on the significance of the date for the modern Georgian state.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Wednesday stressed the “most important” role of the country’s constitution in his message to the public marking the annual date celebrating its approval in 1995. The PM said “unwavering loyalty and protection of the fundamental set of laws is the most important condition for [ensuring] civil unity, peace, prosperity, stability and progress of the country”.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday highlighted the historical “moment of unity” in the adoption of the country’s constitution in 1995 in his message marking the annual date.