Georgia marks 100th anniversary of Soviet occupation
Flags are flying at half-staff at government buildings around the country today in memory of the victims of Soviet occupation.Photo: government of Georgia press office.
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One hundred years have passed since the day Georgia lost its three-year independence and was occupied by the Bolshevik Red Army.
The Georgian national flag is flying at half-staff at government buildings around the country today in remembrance of the thousands of ordinary citizens and soldiers who died in the battle against Soviet forces in 1921.
Georgian top officials visited the cemetery of the Georgian cadets in Kojori earlier today who died in the battle against the Red Army.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani has tweeted.
Exactly a century has passed since brutal invasion of Soviet Russia's #RedArmy 2????????& t/ fall of Democratic Republic of Georgia. Today we honor t/ memory of t/ heroes, who stood up against #SovietOccupation in 1921 & sacrificed their lives in order us 2 enjoy #Independence today! pic.twitter.com/t1xdxiAf1e
— David Zalkaliani (@DZalkaliani) February 25, 2021
February 25 is one of the most tragic days in the history of Georgia. The day reminds us of the biggest merit of our ancestors for the homeland. Despite the temporary occupation of our territories (by Russia) we are on our way to strengthening our country, its democracy and economy,” Garibashvili said.
He stated that unification inside the country will bring victories.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Archil Talakvadze stated that ‘today Georgia is a sovereign country. However, our territories still remain occupied.’
I am sure we will complete the fight of our ancestors for freedom,” Talakvadze said.
Leaders of the Georgian opposition parties also visited the site and stated that ‘it is symbolic that on the 100th anniversary of the Soviet occupation a Georgian opposition leader was arrested.’
Watch short documentary "Soviet Russian Invasion in Democratic Republic of Georgia "by Rezo Chigogidze.
The opposition said that through the arrest of the head of the United National Movement (UNM) opposition party Nika Melia the current state leadership ‘attacked the country and its Euro-Atlantic aspirations.’
The Day of Soviet Occupation was first officially marked in Georgia in 2010.
Parliament unanimously passed the resolution regarding the day, instructing the government to organise various memorial events each year on February 25 to commemorate the victims of the political repression of the communist occupying regime.