Georgian Independence Day marked around the world

Georgian Independence Day is being marked on Thursday around the world, with cultural, educational and entertainment activities organised by the country’s diplomatic missions.

Traditionally, the main visitor icon of Brussels, the Manneken Pis, will be dressed in the Georgian chokha national costumes today, while a ceremony of raising the Georgian flag will be held in New York for the occasion.

• Georgia marks First Democratic Republic anniversary with Independence Day celebrations

The variety of events planned on the occasion in different countries includes:

• In China, a bust of Georgia’s national poet Shota Rustaveli is planned to be unveiled 
• In Romania, a monument of Rustaveli is planned to be unveiled in the King Mihai I Park, in addition to a presentation of a book History of Georgia, and a screening of Georgian films
• In Czechia, a room named after Rustaveli will be opened at the Masaryk University
• In Belgium, a photo exhibition and a display of contemporary Georgian artists will be hosted
• In the United Kingdom, the exhibition European Papers of Georgian History will be organised at the British Museum
• In Lithuania, the Museum of the Occupation of Lithuania is planning to organise an exhibition dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of the April 9, 1989 tragedy in Tbilisi and the Day of restoration of Georgia's Independence
• In Estonia, an exhibition on Georgia's progress on the path to European integration will be organised
• In Latvia, an exhibition entitled Georgia - An Integral Part of Europe will be held at the European Union Delegation offices
• In Germany, exhibitions and film screenings will be hosted for the occasion
• In Slovenia, a photo exhibition My Home is My Fortress will be opened at the Ljubljana Town Hall, and a public lecture will be delivered by the Ambassador of Georgia for the students of the Diplomatic Academy and young diplomats
• In Ireland, the Mansion House at the Dublin City Hall will host a photo exhibition and film screening
• In Qatar, an exhibition of Georgian artists will be organised for the date
• In Mexico, the Soumaya Museum will host an event dedicated to the Independence Day of Georgia and the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries
• In Serbia, cultural and educational events will be held through an exhibition on Georgian national clothes and European heritage, accompanied by Georgian wine tasting
• In Japan, a display will feature illustrations from the medieval Rustaveli epic The Knight in the Panther's Skin, samples of the three types of the Georgian alphabet, and Georgian national clothes

The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced May 26 celebrations would also be held in Switzerland, Finland, Hungary, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Cyprus, Sweden, Greece, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Latvia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Bulgaria, Kuwait, Bulgaria and Turkey.