Georgia Marks 30th Anniversary of April 9 Tragedy
By Tea Mariamidze
Wednesday, April 10
Georgian officials and ordinary citizens marked the 30th anniversary of April 9, a tragic day when peaceful Georgian demonstrators became victims of Soviet forces.
Every April 9, Georgians gather at the memorial located in front of the old Parliament building in Tbilisi to pay tribute to the victims. A total of 21 people were killed during April 9 peaceful demonstration in 1989 when they were demanding the country’s independence from the Soviet regime.
Moreover, today the country also marks the 28th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union because on April 9, 1991, two years after the tragedy, the legislative body of the country and the first President, Zviad Gamsakhurdia, adopted the Declaration of Independence and announced Georgia’s sovereignty from the Soviet Union.
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze joined the people gathered at the memorial and noted that April 9 tragedy was a precondition for the independence of Georgia.
“This day really united the entire Georgian nation to fight for freedom. All our centuries-old history is a fight for freedom and this fight continues today. The Georgian nation united 30 years ago and it led us to the restoration of our statehood. It is symbolic that after two years of this tragedy we declared independence of our country,” the PM stated.
Georgia’s Minister of Defense, Levan Izoria also laid a wreath at the memorial of fallen heroes. According to him, April 9 is the symbol of freedom for Georgians.
"First of all, April 9 demonstrates a struggle for freedom and independence. As a result of this struggle, the Soviet empire fell apart and we obtained the independence,” he said.
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze noted that April 9 has a double function for Georgians – it is a tragic day as 21 people were killed and also a beginning of the country’s independence.
“April 9 is the day of liberation of our country. We are proud of this day and we are grateful to those heroes for this,” he said.
While commenting on the importance of the day, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze said April 9 is the day of unity and unanimity.
“April 9 is the day reminding us of the importance of unity and the unanimity. Georgian people have never been so united and unanimous as on April 9, 1989. We shall learn from the history and do our best to ensure unity and unanimity in the society,” he said.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili appeared at the memorial together with the Patriarch of Georgia, Ilia II. She did not make any comments.
Representatives of the religious minorities also paid tribute to April 9 heroes.
The Mufti of the Muslims of Georgia, Beglar Kamashidze, said that the heroes of this day will have their distinguished place in the history of the country.
"We express our condolences to all the Georgians, who lost their loved ones on this day for the peace and democracy in Georgia. Also, today I congratulate all Georgia and hope that such a tragedy will never be repeated in our country," he said.
Bishop of the Catholic Church Giuseppe Pasotto also paid a wreath at the heroes’ memorial.
On April 9, 1989, sixteen anti-Soviet protesters were killed on Rustaveli Avenue and four others died later. Hundreds of activists were injured, poisoned and needed medical attention.
The demonstration in 1989 began on April 4th, when a group of students went on a hunger strike. They were later joined by several hundred people. On April 9, 1989, at 4 a.m., special task units of the Soviet Army, commanded by General Rodionov, attacked the protesters. The Soviet troops also used toxic gas against the peaceful demonstrators. Sixteen demonstrators were killed on the scene; four later died from injuries, while hundreds of others were injured or poisoned and hospitalized.
On April 9, 1991, Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union, and so this day is very symbolic for Georgians and is associated with the struggle for freedom and independence.
