April 9 symbol of both “great pain, victory” - Georgian Parliament Speaker
The “whole world” got to know the “proud” Georgians who fought “united” for freedom against the Soviet army on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi, for their independence and freedom of other republics under the Soviet occupation, Papuashvili stressed. Photo via Shava Papuashvili/Facebook
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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.
I express my respect for the fallen heroes who set an example of dedication for the next generations and taught us [Georgians] the significance of independence”, Papuashvili noted in his commemorating post of the date when Soviet troops had attacked peaceful protesters in Tbilisi, killing 21 people, including 17 women, and injuring hundreds.
The “whole world” got to know the “proud” Georgians who fought “united” for freedom against the Soviet army on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi, for their independence and freedom of other republics under the Soviet occupation, Papuashvili stressed.
Georgia’s late first President Zviad Gamsakhurdia announced the restoration of the country’s independence on April 9, 1991, in Parliament, “forever linking the memory of the 21 fallen heroes with the gained freedom”, the Parliament Speaker added.
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 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 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 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.