Georgia Celebrates Europe Day 2018

For the sixth year in a row Georgia celebrated Europe Day on May 5. The celebrations kicked off in Tbilisi on Saturday at Rike Park, with a diverse cultural and entertainment program throughout the entire day.
Rike Park was transformed into a "Eurovillage" for a day, taking all visitors on a journey to the European Union with fun activities.

Visitors had an opportunity to discover various EU Member States and find out more about how the EU is helping create more opportunities for Georgian citizens.

Moreover, children enjoyed fairy tales and games from different countries, while parents could taste food from diverse European nations, and everybody was invited to dance to the live music of Natia Todua and Nino Katamadze & Insight in the evening.

“We are Europeans in our worldview, diverse culture and past, and we should take care of it," Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze said at the event.

He added that the main goal of Georgia is membership of "that big family called Europe."

“We will be able to carry out reforms, overcome barriers and to achieve the result eventually - We will become a member of that great family,” he said.

The President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, also congratulated Georgians on Europe Day. According to him, the EU will be further strengthened when Georgia joins and becomes a full member.

“European countries are providing serious support for Georgia. This support will be even clearer on May 26, when we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Georgia," the President said.

First Prime Minister, Foreign Minister of Georgia Mikheil Janelidze, stated that Georgia is Europe, adding this day celebrates unity, freedom and peace based on multi-nationalism. 

"Georgia is a European state, we are part of Europe and our place has always been in the European Union, so we are very pleased by the success the European Union has," the Minister stated.

Happening now: FM @JanelidzeMkh is addressing participants of the opening ceremony of #EuropeDays2018 #EuropeDay #Tbilisi #Georgia pic.twitter.com/7sfhrYdAPm

— MFA of Georgia (@MFAgovge) May 5, 2018

By Thea Morrison