Georgia celebrates Independence Day
By Tea Mariamidze
Monday, May 27
On May 26, Georgia marked its Independence Day. The date commemorates the May 26, 1918, adoption of the Act of Independence, which established the Democratic Republic of Georgia in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution of 1917.
The Independence Day is associated with military parades, fireworks, concerts, fairs, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history and culture of Georgia.
288 newly summoned military servicemen and recruits took oath at Freedom Square in Tbilisi on the occasion of the Independence Day of Georgia on May 26.
Besides Tbilisi, 175 newly summoned military servicemen and recruits took oath at five other locations of Georgia: in Zugdidi – Dadiani Palace, in Racha – Mravaldzali Monastery, in Kartli – Uplistsikhe, in Dusheti – Ananuri Fortress Complex and Kvareli – Gremi Monastery. In total, 463 recruits and newly summoned military servicemen took an oath.
President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili addressed the troops, the officials, international guests, and Georgian civilians gathered at Freedom Square. According to her, independence is an achievement that needs permanent protection.
“The whole history of the struggle for independence reminds us that it is an achievement that needs permanent protection. We have to build, strengthen and protect the main pillars on which our statehood is standing,” she said.
Zurabishvili noted that the Soviet thinking hinders Georgia and its formation as a free, European state. According to her, only free, self-confident, and reconciled society will be able to strengthen the state and unite it.
“The independence will not be perfect until our citizens at the occupied territories are hostages of Russia's violent policy. We will defeat this regime with our peaceful policy and strengthening of the state,” she added.
During his speech, the Prime Minister, Mamuka Bakhtadze addressed locals living in Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia and South Ossetia and congratulated them on the Independence Day.
“This is the day which should unite us all…I want to tell you that your pain is our pain and your success is our success too. I imagine Georgia’s future only together with you,” he said.
The PM noted only through development and unanimity, love of the motherland and hard work Georgia can overcome poverty and occupation and become a united state.
“Today we have a democratic, free, European type of state that is based on the values of our ancestors when they established the first republic 100 years ago.”
“I congratulate everyone on Georgia's Independence Day! This is our day! Glory to the heroes! God bless Georgia!"
Georgian parliament Speaker, Irakli Kobakhidze also made statements during the ceremony.
"I am sure that Georgia will soon become the member of one of the most powerful and successful organizations of today's democratic world - the EU and NATO. Our country has never been so close to membership of Europe and the Western world,” he added.
Moreover, Georgian Defense Minister Levan Izoria said that Georgian soldiers are protecting the country’s independence and freedom.
He stated that Georgia’s aspiration to become the members of the EU and NATO serves the goal to protect the country and its people.
"I congratulate every citizen of Georgia on Independence Day; I especially want to congratulate soldiers of the Defense Forces, who protect Georgia's independence and freedom,” the minister said.
