Georgian President’s Tbilisi residence illuminated in Ukraine colours on war anniversary
The Georgian Presidential Palace in central Tbilisi is illuminated in the national colours of Ukraine. Photo: President’s press office
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The Georgian Presidential Palace in central Tbilisi was on Thursday illuminated in the national colours of Ukraine to mark the anniversary of the country’s ongoing defence from the Russian invasion.
In another symbolic move to mark the date, the President's office also exhibited a canvas entitled Noli Me Tangere (“Touch Me Not”), produced by the New York-based Georgian artist Levan Songulashvili on the topic of the conflict.
Слава Україні ???????? pic.twitter.com/SZKXfRpZ8z
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) February 23, 2023
The press office noted President Salome Zourabichvili’s decision on using the canvas for the commemoration had been inspired by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso's decision to exhibit his powerful anti-war work Guernica at the Paris World Expo in 1937, following the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica by the Nazis during the 1936-1939 Spanish Civil War.
The work was the only one at the Paris World Expo [that was] telling the human tragedy of the war”, the President’s Administration said.
The Russian invasion, launched on February 24, 2022, has left at least 7,199 civilians dead and thousands injured, according to official United Nations estimates, but actual figures are expected to be much higher. Over 13 million have been made refugees or displaced internally in the country.
United States agencies have estimated at least 100,000 of Russian and Ukrainian troops killed or injured in the fighting.
Georgian President Salome Zourabishvili reaffirmed solidarity with Ukraine, saying Georgia supported the country in fight against Russian aggression on March 24, the day marking a month since Russia's initial attack on Ukraine.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said Georgia was “very vulnerable” in the face of the Russian aggression, expressing her hope that the world would pay attention to the country.
Georgia has stood and still stands with Ukraine and Ukrainians amid the ongoing war in the country, President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili said on Monday in her annual report to the Georgian Parliament.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has responded to the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders earlier today, calling it “shocking” for Georgia and expressing solidarity with the country.
Georgian citizens, politicians, civil society groups and Ukrainian nationals living in Georgia or stranded in the country by the war in Ukraine will gather in central Tbilisi for a solidarity rally later today to mark the first year of the Russian invasion.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and President Salome Zourabichvili on Friday sent messages of support to Ukraine and its people as the ongoing war in the country entered its second year.
Tbilisi’s hilltop TV tower overlooking Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, like the landmarks of different cities across the world, was illuminated in the national colours of Ukraine to mark the anniversary of the country’s ongoing defence from the Russian invasion.