Today Georgian people celebrate Independence Day, commemorating May 26, 1918 – the day when the Act of Independence was adopted and which established the First Democratic Republic of Georgia.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, fewer ceremonies will be held on the day, unlike earlier years when multiple events would be held both in Tbilisi and in the regions.
Various armored vehicles are present in central Tbilisi for the day. The presentation will be closed by the flight of Su-25 fighter jets.
At 14:00, the funeral ceremony of Georgia's national hero and commander-in-chief of the first Democratic Republic of Georgia, General Giorgi Kvinitadze will take place in Holy Trinity Cathedral who will be later buried in Mtatsminda Pantheon. His remains have been returned from France to Georgia last week.
At 20:00, a concert dedicated to the Independence Day of Georgia will be held at the Opera and Ballet Theater which will be broadcast live.
Different world sights will light up in colours of the Georgian flag for the date, including Niagara falls, Australian National Carillon, business centre in Tallinn, Atakule Tower in Turkey, Eleftheria square and the city hall building in Cyprus, Omonia square in Athens, Lord Mayor building in Ireland, Doha building in Qatar, Wroclaw stadium in Poland, the National Palace of Culture in Bulgaria and the Skopje Archaeological Museum.
The symbol of Brussels, the famous statue of Manneken-Pis, will wear Georgian national clothes on the day.
On May 26, 1918, Georgia's first democratic government led by Noe Zhordania proclaimed the country's independence.
After being a part of the former Soviet Union, the country regained its sovereignty on April 9, 1991.
