Georgia marks First Democratic Republic anniversary with Independence Day celebrations
With the main theme of this year’s occasion - Towards Europe - capital Tbilisi and the western city of Kutaisi will host events organised by the country’s Foreign Ministry to highlight historical and contemporary achievements of the country on its path of European integration. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
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Today Georgia is celebrating its Independence Day, simultaneously marking the 104th anniversary of the establishment of its First Democratic Republic.
With the main theme of this year’s occasion - Towards Europe - capital Tbilisi and the western city of Kutaisi will host events organised by the country’s Foreign Ministry to highlight historical and contemporary achievements of the country on its path of European integration.
As part of a wider programme involving various institutions in events across the country, the Foreign Ministry’s programme will feature an exhibition space on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, divided into two parts.
For the first time in annual Independence Day celebrations, the anthem of the European Union was performed, with the Abkhazian State Chapel, the Gori Women's Chamber Choir and choirs of the Holy Trinity Cathedral and the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet State Theatre offering their renditions of the hymn.
The Georgian Public Broadcaster published the video:
Historical connections between Georgia and Europe will be showcased in one section, with the other taking a look at the results achieved on the path of the country’s European integration between the restoration of its independence in 1991 and the present.
As we are celebrating our Independence Day, let's once again appreciate freedom and pay tribute to those who gave it to us. Freedom that paved our way to the European future! Happy Independence Day, ????????! #TowardsEurope pic.twitter.com/CXGPEwLUq4
— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) May 26, 2022
The celebration will also include a variety of entertainment activities for both children and adults, such as a “virtual travel” to European cities and a reenactment of the signing of the Act of Independence of Georgia, the Ministry said.
The date will also be marked by partner countries lighting up their landmarks in the colours of the Georgian flag.
With its Act of Independence on May 26, 1918, the Georgian National Council approved the formal establishment of the democratic republic in the wake of the 1917 revolution in Russia. The independence lasted for three years before the country was invaded by the Russian Red Army in 1921 and absorbed into the Soviet Union.
The 1991 restoration of independence took the 1918 declaration as its basis, leading to the May 26 date being celebrated on the occasion, and being a public holiday across the country.