Georgia marks anniversary of historic 1991 memorandum on independence
March 31 marks the anniversary of the referendum that led to Georgia’s regaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Photo from National Archives of Georgia
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Georgian institutions and citizens on Friday marked the 32nd anniversary of the referendum that led to the country regaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
The anniversary marks the date when a vast majority of Georgian citizens, including those currently living in the Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (South Ossetia) regions, cast their ballots to legally confirm their support for restoration of the country’s independence after seven decades of Soviet rule.
In remarks on the date, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili called it “exemplary” in the country’s contemporary history for showing “civil unanimity”.
Exactly 32 years ago, the entire population of Georgia told the world they supported the restoration of the country’s independence, which came following the March 31 referendum that became the basis for the adoption of the Independence Act by the country's Supreme Council on April 9, 1991”, said the PM.
He stressed the day also marked the birthday of the country’s late first President Zviad Gamsakhurdia.
March 31 is remarkable for another reason - today is the 84th birthday of [late] President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, who had inspired the referendum and became a symbol of the struggle for Georgia's independence”, the head of the Government noted.
He stressed the referendum would remain in the country’s history as an event that had “laid a solid foundation for the building of an independent, modern, European state, moving towards the goal that unites all generations of Georgians”.
The country first declared its independence on May 26, 1918, but the three-year democratic republic turned out to be short-lived as the Red Army invasion in early 1921 led to the annexation and Sovietisation of the country.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday paid tribute to the memory of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, the late first President of the country, on his 84th birthday.
Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashvili on Thursday praised the “huge contribution” of National Hero Merab Kostava to the country’s independence on the 33rd anniversary of his death.
Prime Minister of Georgia on Thursday paid tribute to the memory of Zviad Gamsakhurdia, the late first President of the country.
Today Georgia marks the 30th anniversary of the referendum that led to the country gaining independence from the Soviet Union.
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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili on Sunday honoured the memory of the victims of the April 9, 1989 tragedy, the “heroes, who paved the way for freedom at the cost of their own lives”.
Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Saturday said the country’s future rested upon returning to the European family since the day of gaining independence on April 9, 1989.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, along with the country’s officials, on Saturday laid a wreath at the April 9 Memorial in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, paying tribute to the memory of the victims of the 1989 tragedy.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday said April 9 was a symbol of both “great pain and victory”, and would remain a day of “sacrifice and national pride” for Georgians.
Cities and towns across Georgia are preparing to mark this year’s Independence Day on Friday with cultural, educational and entertainment events.
The Georgian Government Administration on Thursday said this year’s Independence Day celebrations on Friday had been designed to showcase “national symbols”, in response to criticism by a part of the domestic opposition on the absence of the European Union flag from the decorations set up in Tbilisi for the date.