Georgians Celebrate Independence Day

On May 26, Georgia marks Independence Day. On this day in 1918, the First Republic of Georgia declared independence. In 1991, the country celebrated the day for the first time since regaining independence from the Soviet Union.

This year’s celebration comes amid growing international isolation of the Georgian Dream government, rising concerns over the consolidation of authoritarian rule, and ongoing pro-European and anti-regime demonstrations. New banners bearing pro-EU and pro-protest messages appeared across Tbilisi from morning onward, adorning streets, shops, restaurants, universities, and storefronts. In addition to the official ceremony led by the government earlier in the afternoon, protesters held a series of marches beginning at 4 p.m. President Salome Zurabishvili will address a crowd gathered on Rustaveli Avenue at 9 p.m. The day also marked the 180th consecutive day of nationwide protests.

Ruling Georgian Dream officials held the Independence Day ceremony in Tbilisi’s Freedom Square, where GD-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili addressed the public. GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, GD Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, and GD Defense Minister Irakli Chikovani also delivered remarks. The ceremony concluded with the traditional oath-taking of military conscripts in Tbilisi and five regions of Georgia.

Mikheil Kavelashvili’s Address

The President of Georgia is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces. In an official ceremony led by a disputed GD government, GD-elected President Mikheil Kavelashvili was the first to deliver a speech.

“This day symbolizes the unity, love for freedom, staunchness, and tireless struggle of the Georgian people,” Kavelashvili said at the start of his speech. “The Act of Independence [adopted in 1918] is the first Georgian constitutional document that clearly reflects the will of the Georgian nation to determine its own destiny,” he added.

Kavelashvili invoked the motto “homeland, language, and faith,” referencing the famous 19th-century Georgian writer Ilia Chavchavadze’s formula often cited by Georgian Dream. “It is the duty of every one of us to defend them,” Kavelashvili said. He added, “If even one of these three is lost, we will lose the core value called Georgia, we will lose the Georgian roots that have endured for centuries, and the Georgian nation will face the threat of extinction.”

Saying Georgia will always face threats that demand a due reaction, he said, “Once and for all, we must understand how futile it is to wait for any foreign power to come and save us, to do our work, or to know better than we do what our people and country need. We must fully believe in ourselves and remember that we are the ones determining our future, not anyone else.”

Kevalashvili also invoked the European theme, saying, “It was our ancestors who laid the foundation of the Georgian people’s European belonging, because for them, European values meant justice, peace, Christianity, culture, tradition, the defense of national identity and respect.”

He added, “We are ready for any equality-based relationship involving mutual benefit. Our decisions will, of course, be guided by Georgia’s national interests. Backed by the Georgian people, the Georgian government will firmly and unwaveringly defend these principles. We will not allow the Georgian people to be sacrificed for the interests of others.”

He also spoke about the “traditional Georgian family”, describing it as a “cornerstone” of the country’s strength and an “indivisible” part of Georgia’s national identity. “It is our duty to strengthen Georgian families and support the growth of our nation,” he said. Kavelashvili also stressed the role of Christianity as a key factor in the unification of the nation.

“A strong and unified Georgia is impossible to imagine without our Abkhaz and Ossetian brothers and sisters,” Kavelashvili said at the end of his speech. “I believe that Georgia will be united, strong and prosperous,” he concluded.

Irakli Kobakhidze’s Address

At the start of his speech, Kobakhidze claimed, “During the last two centuries, Georgia has never been as independent as it is today.”

“We must constantly remind ourselves that the struggle for Georgia’s independence and freedom is an ongoing process, continuing today,” he said.

Kobakhidze reiterated what Georgian Dream identifies as the country’s two “national dreams”: “an economically strong Georgia, where no Georgian family lives in [economic] hardship,” and “a physically and spiritually unified Georgia – a Georgia with Abkhazia and Samachablo, a Georgia where people are bound by love toward each other.”

He said that in the past, it was Soviet rule that incited “hatred” in Georgian society, adding, “Today, too, what Georgia’s ill-wishers are trying to sow once again is hatred between Georgians.” He did not specify who the “ill-wishers” were. Similarly to Kavelashvili, Kobakhidze also emphasized family and religious themes in his address.

He used the opportunity to criticize the previous, UNM administration, slamming the previous UNM government as “the nine-year undermining of Georgia’s sovereignty” and “bloody authoritarianism.” Kobakhidze said, “The gene of the freedom-loving Georgian nation prevailed there as well, and Georgia reclaimed independence, freedom and democracy, which today form a solid foundation for our country’s progress, development and integration into the European family.”

“Glory to an independent, united, and strong Georgia. May God watch over our homeland,” he concluded.

Protest Marches

At 4 p.m., protesters began gathering at Republic Square, with women rallying symbolically in a march reminiscent of Georgia’s first Independence Day anniversary on May 26, 1919, when Shevardeni female gymnasts led the parade.

President Zurabishvili’s Speech

At 9:00 p.m., President Salome Zurabishvili addressed the public gathered near the Parliament building.

She began her speech by discussing the reasons for celebrating Independence Day, noting that Georgia is in the circumstances where “prisoners are unjustly imprisoned,” “injustice reigns in the country,” and “our statehood is destroyed day by day.” She said that the society’s answer is that “We celebrate because we are already victorious.”

“After 117 years, Georgia regained its independence and sovereignty in 1918. We are victorious because, after 70 years of occupation and attempts to erase Georgia’s statehood and identity, Georgia regained its independence on April 9, 1991. We are victorious because a referendum was held, and we came together to decide to restore and regain our independence,” she said.

Zurabishvili mentioned detained Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of the media outlets Batumelebi/Netgazeti, who faces 4 to 7 years in prison. She noted that “One woman who endures everything is victorious, and her name is Mzia. She is our face and our dignity.” She added that “not a single prisoner renounced their dignity,” and their parents stand together today as symbols of our perseverance.

“This is why we are victorious and have the right to celebrate together May 26th,” the President said.

Three Goals

According to Zurabishvili, “Victory must be carried through to the end,” which requires three things. First, she mentioned “unity of society” and “cohesion,” both of which, according to her, have already been achieved since all generations are involved in daily pro-EU, anti-regime protests throughout Georgia.

She named “support from foreign partners and friends” as the second component necessary for victory and noted that the Georgian people have received numerous congratulatory letters from them.

Third, Zurabishvili said that a political alternative must be created that will enjoy the trust of both society and partners. She reiterated that “no party alone can achieve anything” and spoke about the necessity of unity.

Zurabishvili’s Stance on Local Elections

She said that the GD party is trying to divide society. She claimed that the GD is “trying to break up” the Resistance Platform as well. She further explained that, for this reason, the GD is trying to shift the focus to the local elections scheduled for October 4, 2025. She said that no one intends to participate in the local elections if they are held with the Georgian Dream’s rules and under its control.

She also emphasized that “a whole army of observers” must be prepared and that “the diaspora must be awakened” before the early parliamentary elections are called.

At the end of her speech, Zurabishvili congratulated the Georgian Army on May 26 and said, They worry about “Today’s fate of Georgia, the disappearance of statehood.” She also congratulated the Georgian police, noting that among their ranks are people whose hearts ache for Georgia, “because they cannot, do not fulfill their main duty, which is called protecting citizens.”

“Long live Georgia, long live independence,” Zurabishvili concluded.

MEP Rasa Juknevičienė’s Address

Lithuanian MEP Rasa Juknevičienė addressed the Georgian public following President Zurabishvili’s speech. She praised the Georgian people, saying, “You are my heroes. You are heroes to many people in Europe.” She conveyed congratulations on Independence Day on behalf of her colleagues in the European Parliament to both the Georgian people and President Zurabishvili.

“Georgians, like Lithuanians, understand the price of freedom, as do Ukrainians, Moldovans, and Belarusians,” she said. Juknevičienė underlined that Georgia’s struggle is part of a broader fight for Europe, “against the colonial Russian empire.”

“All dictators are afraid of their own people first,” she continued. “Putin is the one who is most afraid of Russians. He poisons them. Lukashenko is afraid of his own people. He keeps thousands of them in prison. One person in Georgia is also very afraid. He is afraid of what? Of de-Bidzinization.”

Juknevičienė maintained that the ruling GD party and the country’s European future are incompatible. She urged those she described as “Bidzina Ivanishvili regime’s collaborators” not to fear “new and fair elections.” “History is watching you. Let the people of Georgia say what they want,” she said.

She expressed solidarity with the “imprisoned fighters for Georgia’s European future,” stating, “I am here in solidarity with Mzia Amaghlobeli, Zurab Japaridze, President Mikheil Saakashvili, and many, many others.”

Juknevičienė also thanked Ukraine, which “defends all of Europe with its blood.” “I believe in a united, democratic Europe. Long live Europe! I believe in brave Georgian people. God bless Sakartvelo!” she concluded.

Also Read:

• 26/05/2025 – International Partners Congratulate Georgia on Independence Day
• 26/05/2024 – Georgia Celebrates Independence Day
  

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