Gov’t Announces Plans for 100th Anniversary of Democratic Republic of Georgia
By Gvantsa Gabekhadze
Thursday, April 12
The Georgian government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have announced about the large-scale events which will take place in Georgia and abroad to mark the 100th anniversary of the creation of the first Democratic Republic of Georgia in 1918.
The Democratic Republic of Georgia (DRG) existed from May 1918 to February 1921 and was the first modern establishment of a republic of Georgia.
The DRG was created after the collapse of the Russian Empire that began with the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Facing permanent internal and external problems, the young state was unable to withstand the Russian Red Army’s invasion, and collapsed between February and March 1921 to become a Soviet republic.
The Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze stated on Wednesday that special festive events will take place in Akhaltsikhe, in the south-west of Georgia, on the territory of Rabati castle.
“The Georgian Foreign Ministry also marks 100th anniversary this year and for the date, on May 26, on the day of Independence of Georgia, we plan to open Georgia’s diplomatic museum and present interesting exhibitions from Georgia’s diplomatic history to the public,” Janelidze said.
In order to raise awareness about the important date, the Foreign Ministry will organize public lectures, photo exhibitions, and open-door days in the capital Tbilisi before Independence Day.
Janelidze also said that on May 26, sights in various foreign countries will light up in the colors of Georgia’s national flag.
The minister also stated that the United Nations will host the presentation of a stamp of famous Georgian poet Shota Rustaveli, author of the Knight in the Panther’s Skin poem, next month in New York to mark the 850th anniversary of Rustaveli and the 100th anniversary of the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.
He also said that for the 100th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Georgia UNESCO will host concerts by famous Georgian pianist, UNESCO Peace Ambassador Eliso Bolkvadze and Georgian folk group Basiani.
On May 26, the Council of Europe in Strasbourg will host an event dedicated to well-known Georgian scientist Mikheil Muskheli, who was a professor of Strasbourg University, and helped lay the foundation for the idea of united Europe.
The Georgian estate in Leuville, France will host various cultural and scientific events in June as well and the French-Georgian memorial centre - the Leuville Georgian Academy - will be established.
